BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
★ It was announced yesterday that the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Britain’s Prince William & Kate Middleton, are expecting their 2nd child. The baby will become 4th in line to the British throne, pushing William’s brother Harry to #5. As with her first pregnancy, Kate is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness). Their firstborn, Prince George, was born July 22, 2013. (The original got a standing O, so this is the encore.)
– Eonline.com
★ A new book out today reveals the identity of 19th century serial killer ‘Jack the Ripper’, thanks to a shawl purchased at auction in 2007. Russell Edwards, author of “Naming Jack the Ripper”, says DNA evidence proves Polish immigrant Aaron Kosminski was the perpetrator. The shawl Edwards purchased was found near the body of Catherine Eddowes, the Ripper’s 4th victim. It was tested by experts at Liverpool John Moores University. Kosminski apparently died at age 54 in an asylum. (Though they failed to solve it, the infamous Ripper case made Scotland Yard a household name.)
– QMI
★ Kim Kardashian & Kanye West are getting a lot of love Down Under. The infamous pair are used to a lot of attention but their presence in Australia is causing quite a frenzy. In Adelaide, Kimye dined out at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, where waiting fans went wild when they caught a glimpse of the stars. The twosome then headed to Melbourne where they received an equally warm welcome. So warm in fact, normally stone-faced rapper Kanye couldn’t help smiling as he pushed baby North through the airport. (Imagine what’d happen if a real star showed up!)
– SplashNewsOnline.com

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• “America’s Got Talent” (NBC/CityTV) – The top 12 acts perform.
• “Conan” (TBS/CTV) – Wiz Khalifa (“Blacc Hollywood”).
• “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CTV2) – Iggy Azalea f/Rita Ora (“Black Widow”).
• “Fashion Rocks” (CBS) – Ryan Seacrest hosts this live 2-hour NY Fashion Week special from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center that celebrates fashion and music. Performers include Afrojack, The Band Perry, Duran Duran, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, KISS, Magic!, Miranda Lambert, Nico & Vinz, Pitbull, Rita Ora, and Usher.
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC/CityTV) – Jhené Aiko (“Sail Out”).
• “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS/Omni1) – Interpol (“El Pintor”, their first album in 4 years, out today).
• “Robin Williams Remembered – A Pioneers of Television Special” (PBS) – A tribute to late actor-comic Robin Williams, featuring his own comments about his life and career.
• “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC/CTV2) – Keith Richards (Rolling Stones).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• The Beatles – Today mono-mixed versions of their 9 UK albums plus “Magical Mystery Tour” and a “Mono Masters” collection of non-album songs are all out on vinyl. A deluxe box set containing all of them is also available.
• Garth Brooks – He’s gone digital, selling his CDs via GhostTunes.com. A digital bundle of 9 of his previous CDs plus a new double live 25th anniversary DVD/2CD set is priced at $29.99.
• Lee Brice – His new album “I Don’t Dance” is released today, the follow-up to 2012’s “Hard 2 Love”, which yielded three #1 singles and the CMA Song Of the Year “I Drive Your Truck”.
• Meghan Trainor – Her 4-song debut EP is out today, simply called “Title”. It features the hit single “All About That Bass” and 3 new tracks. A full-length album is expected later on.
• Nico & Vinz – The Afro-Norwegian duo releases their 1st international album today, “Black Star Elephant”. In addition to their hit “Am I Wrong”, it features 13 tracks and 7 interludes which pay homage to their parents’ homelands … Ivory Coast and Ghana.
• Paul McCartney – He’s written the original score and theme song for the futuristic new videogame “Destiny”, which hits stores today. The theme song, recorded with a 120-piece orchestra at London’s Abbey Road Studios, is also being released today.
• Robert Plant – His clumsily titled new album “lullaby and … The Ceaseless Roar” is out today, featuring 11 new recordings, 9 of which are original songs written with his band, Sensational Space Shifters. Plant describes the work as “powerful, gritty, African, Trance meets Zep.”
• Ryan Adams – The North Carolina-born singer-songwriter’s self-titled new album arrives today, his 1st since 2011’s “Ashes & Fire”. It was produced by Adams himself at his own Pax Am Studios in Hollywood. Tour dates in support begin in Santa Barbara CA on October 1st.
• Sloan – For their 11th album “Commonwealth”, out today, the Toronto-based rockers have divvied up the recording equally, with each of the 4 members helming his own multi-song suite on one side of the double-LP.
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Tonight frontwoman Karen O begins a pair of residencies to promote her new solo recording “Crush Songs” (out today). She plays NYC tonight-Friday, then Los Angeles September 17-19. She’ll also visit London UK and Berlin, Germany in early October.

THIS WEEK’S VIDEO RELEASES:
Out today on DVD, Netflix, Google Play and/or other video providers …
• “Brick Mansions” ( PG-13 Crime Drama ): In his 2nd-to-last movie, the late Paul Walker plays an undercover Detroit MI cop who navigates a dangerous neighborhood with the help of an ex-con in order to bring down a crime lord. Co-stars David Belle, RZA, Gouchy Boy. A remake of the 2004 French film “District B13”.
• “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ( PG-13 Action Adventure ): Chris Evans returns as ‘Steve Rogers/Captain America’, who struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from an old foe – the Soviet agent known as ‘Winter Soldier’ (Sebastian Stan). Co-stars Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford.
• “Words & Pictures” ( PG-13 Romantic Comedy ): A flamboyant English teacher (Clive Owen) and a stoic art teacher (Juliette Binoche) collide at an upscale prep school. A high-spirited courtship begins and she finds herself enjoying the battle. Co-stars Bruce Davison, Navid Nagahban, Amy Brenneman.
• Also released today: “Bee People” (Documentary); “Blue Bloods: 4th Season” (TV); “Doctor Who: Deep Breath” (TV); “Dynasty: Final Season” (Vintage TV); “Fed Up” (Documentary); “The Goldbergs: 1st Season” (TV); “Homeland: 3rd Season” (TV); “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD – 1st Season” (TV); “Operation Maneater” (Documentary); “Queen: Live At the Rainbow ’74” (Music Concert); “Secrets of Westminster” (Documentary); “Supernatural: 9th Season” (TV); and “The Vampire Dairies: 5th Season” (TV).

SMARTER PHONE:
Today Apple’s much-anticipated ‘special event’ in Cupertino CA finally occurs. Expected to be announced and/or unveiled …
✓ The iPhone 6 in two versions, each with a larger LCD screen.
✓ The next range of iPads
✓ The new iWatch, a wearable gadget that will monitor the user’s health and control smart devices in the home.
✓ An update of its mobile operating system iOS, that’s likely to include a new photo app, expanded keyboard choices, plus amalgamated home automation & health apps.
It’s thought the new devices will go on sale September 19th. (The line-ups start now.)
– “USA Today”

THE GENETICS OF JAVA:
How ’bout a hot cup of genome? Researchers have unraveled the genetic code of the Robusta coffee bean and say it could revolutionize your morning cup of coffee. They now hope to produce ‘super-coffee’ plants that are easier grow, and produce beans with boosted caffeine and even different tastes. Robusta beans account for about 30% of the world’s coffee production. A few surprising facts about coffee …
● 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day worldwide.
● All coffee is grown within 1,000 miles of the Equator, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. That area is known as the ‘bean belt’.
● 80% of coffee is produced on family farms of just 12 acres or less.
● Coffee – without additives – is almost a zero-calorie drink.
● Coffee-mad composer Beethoven always used exactly 60 coffee beans for each single cup.
● The 16-ounce coffee at Starbucks contains the caffeine equivalent of 9.5 cans of Coke.
● Coffee is the second-most-traded commodity in the world, right after oil.
● Coffee has been found to decrease the risk of cirrhosis of the liver, and to drastically lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
● Coffee is a fruit. Coffee beans are actually the pits of berries. They are only called ‘beans’ because of their resemblance to beans.
● When it comes to coffee consumption per capita, The Netherlands leads the world with almost 2.5 cups per day/person followed by Finland (1.8) and Sweden (1.4).
– Reuters.com / List25.com

DIAPER CASH:
Would you eat mushrooms grown in a dirty diaper? Scientists at Autonomous Metropolitan University in Azcapotzalco, Mexico have developed a bizarre farming system whereby mushrooms are raised while feeding on the cellulose contained in ground-up disposable diapers that have been sterilized. After 3 months, the mushrooms are in full bloom and the cellulose from the diapers virtually disappears. These so-called ‘diaper mushrooms’ may be destined for use as cattle feed, though researchers say they ‘taste normal’. If the system proves feasible, it will provide a unique way to deal with the huge problem of what to do with disposable diapers. That would be a huge plus for Mexico, the world’s 3rd-largest consumer of disposables. (This isn’t any grosser than how mushrooms are already grown.)
– ScienceDaily.com

TRUTH ABOUT FASHION:
Listen up fashion industry! Women are more likely to buy clothes from brands that use a diverse range of model sizes. Some other highlights of a new poll on the subject …
• 73% think the retouching used in many fashion ads is misleading to consumers (67% would buy more from a company that limits the practice).
• 71% agree that there needs to be more diversity among fashion models.
• 66% say they ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ see women who look like them in fashion ads (78% of plus-size women).
• 62% think the fashion industry is harmful to women’s body image.
• 58% are more likely to buy from brands that use models of varying ethnicities; 52% from brands that use models of varying heights.
• 47% feel excluded by the fashion industry (65% among plus-size women)
• 43% ‘actively avoid shopping with companies who only support an ultra-thin standard of beauty’.
• Only 25% believe the fashion industry ‘celebrates beauty in many forms’.
• Just 13% of women think ‘real women’ are accurately portrayed in fashion ads.
– Condensed from @MailOnline

DID YOU KNOW?
Experiences make you happier than possessions.
– AARP.org

BS CHRONOMETER 09.09.14

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1952 [62] Dave Stewart, Sunderland UK, record producer/classic rock musician (Eurythmics-“Sweet Dreams”, “Here Comes the Rain Again”)

1960 [54] Hugh Grant, London UK, movie actor (“About a Boy”, “Bridget Jones” films)

1966 [48] Adam Sandler, Brooklyn NY, movie actor-producer (“Grown Ups” movies, “The Wedding Singer”)

1971 [43] Eric Stonestreet, Kansas City KS, TV actor (‘Cameron Tucker’ on “Modern Family” since 2009)

1975 [39] Michael Bublé, Burnaby BC, pop/jazz singer (“It’s a Beautiful Day”, “Haven’t Met You Yet”)

1980 [34] Michelle Williams, Kalispell MT, movie actress (“My Week with Marilyn”, “Brokeback Mountain”)/former TV actress (“Dawson’s Creek” 1998-2003)/Heath Ledger’s baby mama

1987 [27] Afrojack (Nick van de Wall), Spijkenisse, Netherlands, music DJ-producer (w/Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo & Nayer-“Give Me Everything”, w/Beyoncé-“Run the World Girls”)

1991 [23] Hunter Hayes, Breaux Bridge LA, country singer-songwriter (“I Want Crazy”, “Wanted”)

BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day”, to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with FASD. The first “FASDay” was observed on 9/9/99, chosen to signify that a woman should abstain from alcohol during the 9 months of pregnancy.

• “Teddy Bear Day”, honoring the 1st and most popular plush animal toy that was inspired by the helpless cub US president Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot while hunting in 1902. Morris & Rose Mitchom, owners of a Brooklyn NY candy store, took credit for creating the 1st ‘Teddy Bear’, but it may be that renowned German toymaker Steiff was already making bears by then.

• “Wonderful Weirdos Day”, saluting all people who are … well, kinda quirky. Know any?

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
2009 [05] FOX-TV announces that Ellen DeGeneres will replace Paula Abdul as the 4th judge on “American Idol” (she quits after one season)

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1989 [25] “Hangin’ Tough” by New Kids On the Block peaks at #1 on the pop singles chart

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1999 [15] Nicholas Stephen Wadle is born in Beloit, Wisconsin at 9:09 am on the 9th day of the 9th month of 1999; his weight … 9 lbs, 9 oz (c’mon, what are the odds?)

AND REMEMBER . . .
[Wed] Swap Ideas Day
[Wed] Make Your Bed Day
[Thurs] Day Of the Working Parent
[Fri] “Dolphin Tale 2”; “No Good Deed” open in movie theaters
[Sat] Farm Aid 2014 (Raleigh NC)
[Sat] Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
This Week Is … Line Dance Week
This Month Is … Cholesterol Education Month

BULL’S BITS

YOU KNOW YOU’RE GETTING OLD WHEN . . .
• People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
• Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
• You’ve decided to keep cable TV, just for the Weather Channel.
• Your children begin to look middle-aged.
• You need glasses to find your glasses.
• Your life insurance company has started sending you its free calendar … a month at a time.
• Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
• A young woman offers you her seat on the subway/bus … and you take it.
• You mention your favorite rock band and no one’s heard of it.
• People who are 30 call you “sir”/”ma’am”.
• You check your pulse after walking the dog.
• The first thing you pack when you go on vacation is pills.

BS U-PICK TRIVIA:
Humans have about 600 muscles. Which creature has about 4,000?
a. Cheetah
b. Caterpillar [CORRECT]
c. Boa Constrictor
– “Land O’ Useless Facts”

BS PHONE STARTER:
☎ If you could make your smartphone do one more thing, what would it be?

BS RANDOM JOKE:
Our #1 problem is that nobody wants to take responsibility for anything … but don’t quote me on that.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Question: 50% of people who have done THIS say they later regretted it.
Answer: Gotten a divorce.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.