I keep receiving calls from Italy, everybody is getting ready to start celebrating and it has put me in such a good mood. Thinking back to Colin and his birthday party, we did such a great job. I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Keep the Firth, Firthfully yours, and a very Firthful 1999! (Blame the champagne)

First of all, Happy New Year to all! Second, many thanks for your warm welcome. Heidi, the acronym DB was easy, as I have thought of him as my own DB (or, at least, my own Mr. D) ever since A&E first aired P&P2! The codes I cannot crack are the acronyms for CF's unreleased movies: SLOW and MLSF. I would be most grateful if someone could enlighten me! Are there any URLs to which any of you can refer me, so that I can learn more about the plots, co-stars, directors, etc? I also must thank Karen R for that amazing photo of CF. I happen to be drawn to a man's bone structure , and the planes of his face are now more chiseled as he nears his forties. Ha! who says women are not visual, too! :-) But, I must say it was the DB's voice which first left me weak in the knees! So richly deep and resonant. The thought of him reciting Hamlet blows the mind....

Lisa, You will get info on SLOW and MLSF if you log on to the FOF Roles Pages (it is linked to www.Colinfirth.com). Happy New Year!

Happy 1999. To all my Firth Friends. Hope everyone enjoys the last year of this century. Rita

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Firth Friends !!!! For the german fans : Apartment Zero will be send TONIGHT at 00.30 on 3SAT !!!! Better late than never I thought ;-) Perhaps someone is reading this before the film starts !!!

(LisaJH) the planes of his face are now more chiseled as he nears his forties. Do we know how old he was in this picture? I assumed it was fairly recent based on KJArt's post, but after my husband's comments today I'm wondering. He and I went and saw SIL today (which we both really liked, BTW). He logged on to the computer when we got home - I have said photo up as wallpaper - and said "Wow, he's a lot younger here." I replied "No, it was just taken a few years ago" and his response was "well they sure must have air-brushed a lot then." Good heavens, what sacrilege! Hmmmmm, m ybe I've been paying just a bit too much attention to the DB lately :-).

Testing......am having major problems accessing the Spring. So SLOW...takes an age, and I almost give up. Certainly can't check more than one board. Anyone else having these problems? I'll see if I can post this message!

A few journalists commented (after interviewing him post-Darcy) that he looks much younger in the flesh. I think with darker hair and a grim expression, he can look older, but with his natural colouring and a softer expression, he looks younger! Testing again....this damned snail's pace is really irritating me!!!!! My service provider has just "upgraded" (whatever that means) but I must admit that the only problem I'm having is with the Spring. All other sites are okay!

Passionata, our mysterious friend... an ardent fan, but obviously not too geeky...:-) the correct address is www.colinfirth.com: these wretched things are case sensitive, you see... ;-) Rita, I'm afraid that 1999 is not the last year of this century. Those who are set to make loads of money out of the whole thing are busy creating a commercial hype: but 1999 is just the penultimate year out of 2000, just as number 19 is only the last but one in 20, and 199 is definitely not the last number in 200... and so on. So we will have to celebrate again at the end of 2000, when 2001 really begins the new century... and the traders will rub their hands in glee. (That is, unless you can convince me that there actually was the year 0...) Jana, the pic in question appears to be traceable back to about the early 1997. As far as publicity and fashion photography goes, all the pics (i.e. not only Colin's) are usually given a subtle treatment in which larger wrinkles and blemishes miraculously disappear... Happy New Year to all Firthfans and Droolers, wherever and whoever they are!;-)

Well, what do you know! www.Colin...etc works perfectly well... apologies to Passionata. Just goes to prove once again that I will obviously forever remain a cyberdumbo... BTW, this board is unbearably slow - is Count All Mushy at it again?

Hmmm...I haven't had any problems....at least for a couple of days. Anyone else? Passionata, thanks for directing Lisa to the Roles Page. You won't find better information on these unreleased films and in fact, on any of his films.

Happy New Year to all! I did manage to see SIL last Thursday at a rather large complex of theaters some distance away from where I live. Not too many rugrats! I really enjoyed the film. Of course, Colin was wonderful. He does look a bit rougher around the edges in the movie, but I remember reading a quote that he considers himself in "the pole position," able to alter his looks from very handsome to less depending on the role. Remember how slimy he looked as Simon in CoF? Re: best time for chatting - weekends are tough but I'll do my best to jump on tomorrow after Breakfast with the Arts. Bet we'll have lots to chat about :-)

Happy New Year to all fellow Firth fans! SIL had the 2nd highest per screen avg. last week-$8,8847 from the movies in the top 20-it was no. 12. It would have been higher if the shows didn't keep selling out. I was so upset when I couldn't see it. I saw You've Got Mail instead. It was no compensation, beleive me. At least it had the book cover of Mr. Darcy and plenty of P&P references. I'm planning on trying to see it tomorrow and I will make sure I go extra early-prob. sit in the parking lot for 2 hours. :-)) I'm thrilled that this movie is doing so well. I hope Colin continues to pick strong projects with complex characters whether it is a lead role or not. Let's face it, he already has had the lead role of a lifetime in Mr. Darcy. It will never get better than that. Evelyn, What would CF or JE fans do without you. You are a true gem! I hope you have a good phone rate. :-)

Jana, I WAS shocked earlier to learn that you actually let your husband see the famous photo. Sounds like he was shocked too??? If I put the pic on the wall my dear life companion would surely mock CF so badly that I just rather keep the pictures hidden away. (And what I would do if he started to cover walls with say Pamela Anderson pics is another story). Anyway, I wish all of you fellow droolers a wonderful last (but one) year of this century!!! ps. I�m very excited about the interview tomorrow even though it�s out of my reach...really looking forward to hearing what you�ll think of it. By the way, what comes to DB�s natural wrinkles, I love them. I�m not so keen on thinking of him as a beautiful boy, but as an ADULT male with life experience....oooh.....(blush)

First, Happy New Year ladies. I've been doing the family holiday thing, so I'm just now getting to your posts. Just to clarify my question of a couple of days ago--I wanted to know what times are best for people to meet in general. For example, I tend to be a night owl so any time after 9pm EST is fine with me. However, that time isn't very good for those in Europe. I'm trying to figure out which time is a possibility for everyone. BTW, I can meet in chat on Sunday morning after the interview. See you there ;-)

Jana, what is it with husbands and CF? I am happy to see that I am not the only one. BTW I hope to meet you too next month in LA, I believe Winter will set it up. I am looking forward to the interview tomorrow and will try Chat afterwards. A domani.

In case I�ve counted hours correctly I�ll be doing my night shift at work by the time the A & E program ends (according to Marcia H:s timetable). Possibly can�t join in the chat although I�d love to. There IS another problem: I don�t think I could produce English fast enough to chat! I really hate language flaws, wish you could chat in Finnish....:-))

Elena, your English is very good and I am sure that I speak for everyone when say that we shall be very pleased to tell you whatever you want to know regarding the interview or the following chat.

and also Elena I forgot to mention that Evelyn is kindly sending me a video of the interview so if you would like a copy just email me.

Thanks, Ann, you�re very kind. Let�s see now what our sisters in Firth will think about the interview. I just hope Colin will be asked the right questions, the ones we would ask! ( But I�m afraid he wouldn�t answer all the questions I �d ask him if I could.....;-))

Happy New Year everyone! Chat times (Nan) Just to clarify my question of a couple of days ago--I wanted to know what times are best for people to meet in general. For example, I tend to be a night owl so any time after 9pm EST is fine with me. However, that time isn't very good for those in Europe. I'm trying to figure out which time is a possibility for everyone. I have checked a time zone schedule and it says: 9.00 am =+9 in Australia 12.00 Midnight MEZ (Middle Europe) is 11.00 =-1 in GMT (UK and Portugal), and 6.00 pm =-6 Eastern Time, and 2.00 pm =-10 Pacific Time. Couldn't find the zone for Hawaii, but I assume it must be 2 hours or more ahead of PT. ------ Btw, it's enough if you type in www.firth.com or, if you use Netscape even a mere (?)" firth " works :-).

Chat Room Times: Perhaps we could have different weekday and weekend times. This way,at least everyone would have a weekly shot.

Regarding Time Zones. I am chronologically impaired (as some of you know) and this site has been a life-saver: Global Metric Time Service

(Myretta) I am chronologically impaired Of course! I should have remembered that. Damned short term memory...

Anyone notice how 'The Big Chill' is playing before the program? Isn't it ironic...

Look forward to hearing about the interview...let's hope he's asked some decent questions. There was a so-called "interview" with CF in one of our trashier women's weeklies which I bought, then chucked in the bin! It's all re-cycled stuff, re-worded, bits added.....comments on Darcy and Regency underwear, hitting his nose on the girder in the tank, not liking playing love scenes with actresses he's involved with....you get the drift! Also CF's quotes on playing Wessex from the Miramax pack. But it starts off by saying that at 37 (wrong!) CF thinks he is too old to play romantic leads, and he realised this after being turned down (as too old) by John Madden to play Will Shakespeare. "I realised I would have been terrible..Joe Fiennes was chosen instead of me". GREAT PR for Colin! He may have made sometongue in cheek remarks somewhere which the mag picked up on, or completely invented! He's also quoted as saying that he has absolutely no idea what work he'll do next but he "is excited at the p ospect of what's possible and where it will take me" (which sound promising, if this is a genuine quote!). All this is sandwiched between an article on Pamela Anderson, and another on why Anthea Turner (minor TV celeb)wants Grant's baby!!!!! MY new year's resolution is not to look at these kind of magazines!!!

I thought we were going to meet at Chat today... The only ones there were Renate and I. Where is everybody? Or did I get the times wrong? Anyway, Happy New Year to all of you, newcomers and oldtimers! Love you! Happy New Year Colin and Livia! And Arami, why not look at this Y2000 in the other opposite perspective, like, let's party twice, then, and have fun! If we want to, not because of the hype but taking advantage of it. What do you say? Also, thanks Nan, for volunteering to work for my cyber-shower. I'm sure your input will be appreciated by all here!

If you would like to write to A&E and thank them for the interview the email address for Viewer Relations is: viewr1@aetv.com Ask them to show more of CF's films. I believe they aired "Tumbledown" when it was first released. The URL for A&E is: http://www.aetv.com

Text of Interview on Breakfast with the Arts: Interviewer - Kimberly Whitleigh KW: Welcome to Breakfast with the Arts CF: Thank you. KW: Shakespeare in Love is a fun and funny film and you get to play the villain. CF: Absolutely. We have to keep telling people that it's fun, don't we? A film about Shakespeare - you know - stay away. KW: How did you first hear about the script? CF: Oh, a long, long time ago. It's been around for many years and I was, they were, I don't know, they were toying with me or I was toying with them and about 1992 there was a completely different set of people set to do it. And it's just been, I suppose, either on a shelf or in and out of production since then. So it just came back in different form this time. It was Wessex. I would have preferred it had been Shakespeare (sardonic look-KW laughs). It was John Madden and it was the most incredible c st. I mean it's just not something I wanted to say no to. KW: Was it something that you read and right away you said "This is it. I'm taking this role."? CF: No, it wasn't quite like that to be honest. It was something I read and right away said it's absolutely brilliant and unique and I didn't have any idea how it could work. I didn't know whether it could work. I thought we will have to find a convention for this that I've not seen before. You can't, I mean if you step over into arch Shakespearianism, we're dead. If you try to modernize it in the kind of, you know, there's that kind of tacky updating you get, deliberately try to make something releva t and sellable. I thought we're dead if we try to do that as well. KW: You worked with such extraordinary actors. It was one of those films where you're watching and you're saying, "Oh, I know that guy. Oh I know him, he was in..." You may not quite remember the names. CF: That's right. KW: But you've seen the faces. CF: I'm one of those people (makes a funny face, KW laughs). It's great. I mean you don't know. You think you might turn up on the set and they'll all be going to be scratching their eyes out- each other's eyes out- and vying for position and, you know, competing and climbing on top of each other. It wasn't like that at all. People loved the material and were getting on with it and treating each other surprisingly respectfully. KW: And your love interest, Gwyneth Paltrow? What was it like working with her? CF: It was great working with her. I don't know about love interest. It was financial interest. KW: Right, exactly. CF: She was, it was great. I think we would not have been a happy company had Gwyneth and Joe not been great. They were... KW: Great chemistry between the two. Cf: Isn't there? Absolutely. No, it was a very, very positive environment. It's not one where we were all permanently celebrating and having fun. It was a tough job to do, really. I remember marveling at John Madden having to deal with 500 people and these 3 or 4 cameras and animals and comedians (little laugh). You know, it was an extraordinary, unwieldy thing with a kind of language we really hadn't seen before in a film, I don't think. KW: When I spoke with Gwyneth, she said she lost it a few times working with you. She just laughed and it was very unprofessional of her but she had a good time. CF: I know. I was trying to be serious (ironic look - KW laughs). I was exploring my menace. I was experimenting with my snarling, fierce and menacing look and I discovered my comedy in doing so. I would come out and think, "Right, now I'm going to be dangerous" and everyone would fall about laughing. So you know, I thought, "Keep quiet about that. Don't say it on a television interview and maybe people will think you've got a comic side." Seriously, it's fun playing somebody that's there to spoil everything. You know, the boo-hiss character. KW: And it's a fun character to play. CF: Yes. KW: Now Colin, tell me about the Fiennes brothers. In The English Patient, Ralph Fiennes steals the girl and now in SiL, Ralph Fiennes' younger brother Joseph Fiennes, he's after your girl. CF: I know. KW: What's this? CF: What's that? I mean if I want my career to go on, I'm going to have to find some more Fiennes brothers. Yeah, I had noticed that. However, any similarity between them basically stops at their last name. You know, I was in no way reminded of Ralph by working with Joe. KW: Had you worked with Joe before? CF: No. I got on fantastically with both of them. I have huge admiration for both of them as actors but I couldn't compare them.

KW: You've been in a fair number of period pieces. Is that by choice or coincidence? CF: Coincidence. I don't notice particularly. I think far too much is made of this separation between period and modern. I mean, if you look at it, everything is period, I mean, if it's only last year. KW: True. The past is... CF: Yeah. The past is there immediately and when does it become period? I annoyed my mother by calling a 50's drama a period drama. You know, it's Terence Rattigan and I said I'm doing this period thing. KW: And she said? CF: Period? Terence Rattigan? I said, "Yeah, 1952." It's not period. It's just the other day! (makes a face like one does when imitating one's mother) KW: It depends on who it is. CF: Yeah. You put on a different costume. There is an artifice to every single convention and pretending that it's today is just as phony in a way as pretending that it's 100 years ago. We're still creating a world which is for the purpose of fiction and drama, which is not a real one. So you know every single one of those examples is just a way of interpreting ourselves in some way either for entertainment or to understand something or to manipulate something but, you know, if it's set 200 years ago t really is sort of, I think we're interpreting the present in disguise in some way. I don't really feel the past is this other thing to do dramas. I did a film set in 1989. Was that period? KW: (giggles) Yes. It depends on who's looking at it. Let's talk a little bit about Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice aired right here on A&E and did very well, I might add. That series really brought you to America's attention. Would you say that P&P was your big break? CF: No, I mean, yes and no. I've had a lot of big breaks and then things go back to normal and there's a big break and it goes back to normal. I think it's actually quite good that things work that way. You're always filled with expectations and then things (don't?) tuorn out the way you planned. I didn't think P&P would turn out to be a huge hit and yet it was and I'm sort of, I just sort of sit back and watch it all happen now really. KW: It's huge. It's all over the world. CF: Yeah, yes it is. I do find it absolutely extraordinary. Just as always I thought this is a nice script, let's have a go at this. And as far as you're concerned, you finish the thing, you walk away from it and what happens to it after that is someone else's business. And in this case, everybody took it on. I had to go back and look at it, actually. I didn't feel I had much to do with it. It was like this big party going on where I wasn't there. I had to go and look and go, "what happened?" Wha did I do right, you know. There's a huge amount that's always out of your hands, I think. Interviewer thanks him for appearing. Colin gives a huge smile.

Thanks Heide...a real gift. We can talk about this till the next time he surfaces....Maybe we should have a new board devoted to the Interview. (only kidding) Bethan....I waited for you at the Chat Room....for TWO HOURS. Where were you? My bums are sore and I am leaving now.

Thanks, Heide. I think Colin has a similar problem to me: his thoughts seem to be racing ahead of his words. As a result he seems to speak in a kind of mental shorthand... Sweet, really, but it takes a bunch of Firthmaniacs to appreciate and understand him fully. And, Gi, I certainly don't mind celebrating as many times as it takes! Your bums, Heide? LOL - how many have you got? Yes, I know the dictionary says "Brit. slang, buttocks", but you don't say "my butts", do you? ;-) (Or maybe you do - I'll be interested to learn. My knowledge is far from complete...;-)) And Sunday at 11 am on the East coast of America? The Brits would still be in bed - it was only 6 am here... I think there was some kind of misunderstanding about this chat room fest - Nan was only trying to collate the best times as a guideline for new users...

Right. Chronologically impaired. Apologies yet again - just checked with the time site Myretta so kindly posted a link to. All right, shoot me. Or pass another bottle of red wine...~~~~~~~8-@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ijust wanted to thank Bethan for alerting us to the A&E interview, Heide for typing out the transcript and everyone for making the Chat so much fun.

Dear Heide, thanks so much for your elaborate transcript of the interview. Reading it (and your remarks about his ironic looks etc.) was almost as exciting as I guess it has been to watch the interview. He sounds so enthusiastic and sympathetic, like a young man who loves his job and loves to talk about it, actually. Great! I think the interview wasn�t very good, though, I mean the interviewer. I find that this KW didn�t always quite get his meaning and she couldn�t bring him to say anything very essential. Too bad because we all know what Colin is really capable of verbally and intellectually.

(Arami)Your bums, Heide? LOL how many have you got? Yes, I know the dictionary says "Brit. slang,buttocks", but you don't say "my butts", do you? ;-) (Or maybe you do - I'll be interested to learn. Point of information, Arami....it was me who said that...and I mean't to say "buns" which is American slang...and sorry,... we do use the plural... One bun= one cheek :-) I am not familar with the British term. I alerted our Firthfriends in UK that we would meet at 3pm UK Time. It was great fun... a little chaotic at times. We had 15 on line at one point. Including Karen on the phone and me typing her comments with one hand. Nothing beats going live right after an event. Thanks Nan for setting the chat room up. We still haven't set up a weekday/weekend chat time though

Well, I just got to look at my taping of *the* interview. He does wear a wedding ring....and he seems to have a few nervous tics...or else he is allergic to something and trying not to sneeze. But, He is devillishly adorable, is he not!!! I was half expecting to hear him mention the Internet fans when he was speaking about the P&P phenomenon. ! sigh ! Sorry I could not join you at 5:30 am for a chat. Ray would Not have understood!

I was half expecting to hear him mention the Internet fans when he was speaking about the P&P phenomenon. ! sigh ! He might not have said it Marcia, but he certainly knows it. Colin did seem to have several nervous ticks, which at 38 is kind of endearing. Strange for an actor though, to be shy with a somewhat inept interviewer. In any case, it is so wonderful to see him do live (sort to speak) TV. We do crave it. It was a pleasure meeting many of you in Chat: we must do it again!

Sorry, Evelyn. Just never heard anyone say "freezing my butts/bums": buns is a different matter. Bum, bun, who cares, anyway. Hic. :-) (Elena) we all know what Colin is really capable of verbally and intellectually. ? Elena: would you care to elaborate? Just assume I'm completely in the dark and need enlightening (the way I carry on these days it's very easy to imagine, anyway!) (Marcia) he seems to have a few nervous tics...or else he is allergic to something and trying not to sneeze. Aha. But can we ever see these tics when he's performing in character? He is devillishly adorable, is he not!!! Goes without saying.

My, wasn't that interview lovely? I know my passion for CF would never have kept up this long if he didn't seem so humble and charming in real life. I think I must log off now to go and rewind again. (Moon) Jana, what is it with husbands and CF? I am happy to see that I am not the only one. BTW I hope to meet you too next month in LA, I believe Winter will set it up. Well, my husband is pretty tolerant of my compulsion but teases unmercifully. Winter emailed me about your visit, Moon. Looking forward to seeing you in LA! Hopefully I will be in town and not roaming about Asia for my job. And if we're really lucky, maybe FP will be showing when you're here and we can see those grey undies on the big screen. (or should I say Marcia's grey undies, oh honorable button snipper?)

Heide, great minds think alike ;-) Here was the transcript I was working on today... http://www.firth.com/html/bwaintvw.html

Oh Nan...you really" hit one out of the ballpark" this time...text and accompanying images...what a treat. I've Bookmarked it.May I post it on RoP Virtual views? (Arami)Just never heard anyone say "freezing my butts/bums": buns is a different matter. Actually, when one talk about freezing one is more apt to say: "I'm freezing my ass off":-)) (Like Karen and Laura are in Chicago as we speak)

(Evelyn)May I post it on RoP Virtual views? I did, honey...right under yours ;-)

(Jana2)And if we're really lucky, maybe FP will be showing when you're here and we can see those grey undies on the big screen. (or should I say Marcia's grey undies, oh honorable button snipper?) Indeed =) Nan, thank you!!!

Hello all, and best wishes for the New Year. I hope you had restful and enjoyable Xmases. I got back to New York on Saturday and have already been to see SIL for a SECOND time. I don't think I'm becoming Firthified - I just had some friends in town who hadn't seen it and wanted to. It loses little on second viewing. Nice to be back, Ben p.s. as two cheeks make a face, so one bum comprises two buns.

I managed to see most of the interview "real time" yesterday, but I taped it also for "further study" (all of you would understand, right?). I watched it again today and now understand many comments made during the chat yesterday about his tics. Perhaps his nose was running! As the interview progressed, he seemed to settle down. I thought his answer to the "period piece" question was thoughtful and intelligent, even if he jumbled his words every now and then. He also included a comical statement in near y every response. Didn't you just love the way he tossed his head after he said "boo hiss character?" I agree with you, Jana, he really is humble, charming and funny. On a related topic: saw full page SiL ad in NY Times yesterday. Small pictures of cast members were included towards bottom. No Colin :-( Thought again that pics were of GG nominees but Ben's face is there. Grrrrrrrr!!

#1: I was very disappointed at not meeting with you in Chat (I did meet Renate there, which was quite nice). #2: thank you Heide for your transcription, loved to read it. Thanks also to Nan, but I haven't seen yours yet, dear, I'm going there directly. #3: Have I wished you all a Happy New Year, newcomers and oldtimers? :-) #4: Welcome back, Ben!

Thanks ever so much Heide and Nan for the transcripted versions of the A&E interview. Even though I saw and taped the interview, it was nice to read the text as well. CF certainly exuded wit, charm, and intelligence. I also thought that his comments were thoughtful and spontaneous: quite a contrast to the journalists who in the past have described his comments as guarded and rehearsed. IMHO, his warmth and playfulness really came across...perhaps in real life he is more like Lizzie than Darcy :-) It was so much fun chatting with several of you yesterday in real time. Already, I can tell you are a great group of droolers! In the meantime, I shall rewind my video of the interview for the umpteenth time.... such shameless devotion. Mmmmmmm. P.S. Thanks Passionata for the tip on the URL for the DB's unreleased films. I hadn't released that WOM had been renamed.

Nan, I've been to your transcription and it is great, thanks for the lovely photos. He's at his best when looking down, head slightly bent to his right shoulder.

Just to say that loading time for the Spring still seems very, very slow....so slow that I can only really check out this board. I don't know if anyone else is having the same problem, particularly in the UK. Chat is rather difficult for me because the PC and phone seem to be in constant use in our household! What is it with Colin's "nervous tics" which everyone seems to comment on?!!! It sounds like the Prince Charles syndrome....he always used to rub his nose when being interviewed, and also gesticulated a lot with his hands. Sign of basic shyness and unease in public, which can be overcome (normally through exposure to more and more interviews!) My son saw the latest Startrek movie yesterday and told me that there was a trailer for a film about Shakespeare..."a rip-off of Romeo and Juliet". He thinks he'll go and see it!!

What a holiday weekend! A fabulous Colin interview and a huge turnout for CF Chat. Thank you, Heide and Nan, for the fabulous transcripts and the added bonus of the snappies. [for the first few pages, Nan, I thought you were editing out the hands on the face stuff--has anyone counted how many times he touched some part of his face?] Thanks to Evelyn, I got to put in my two cents for the Chat, but wish the computer downstairs had been working (so will my tenant, when he gets home and finds close to 3 feet of snow up against his front door and no way to get back into his apartment. I subscribe to the "don't get mad, get even" school.) Will be putting the interview tape together as soon as I receive the E! Interview from Sue (who knows, maybe today) and then off to the post office it goes for PAL conversion and subsequent mailing to AnnW. I'm sure all you ladies will enjoy it as much as we did here in the US. I'm definitely going to write to A&E (as Evelyn posted) to thank them and to ask if they can show us those other *period* pieces that Colin alluded to: "Deep Blue Sea" and "Fever Pitch" the 1989 one. ;-) BTW, if Colin was being considered for the role of Shakespeare back in 1992, he might still have been considered too old. The movie was set in 1593 and Shakespeare was about 28 years old then. Per Tom Stoppard, Ralph Fiennes was also considered and would have been tooo old (an unbelievable) as well. There were certain constraints on the year when the movie was set. SiL isn't history but it doesn't contradict any established facts. It had to be sometime before S wrote Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Nig t (which was several years later). This is the second time I recall Colin using the term "boo-hiss." He referred to John Malkovich's Valmont as making boo-hiss faces in Dangerous Liaisons.

Welcome Back Ben...(A bum has a different meaning for us...as you know) Saw John Castle a few days before Christmas in an A&E Mystery. ********* I need some clarification, folks....when CF said in yesterday's interview (which I refer to as Super Sunday) Re;P&P being his Big Break: ..I've had lots of big breaks and then things go back to normal....You're always filled with expectations and then things don't turn out the way you planned..." Obviously, he must have mean't VALMONT which was his first big US film. But I wonder if he also alluded to LOST EMPIRES for BBC.What other film had the exposure that P&P had. He sure wants to dump Mr. Darcy and like he says ...everybody took it on.. That means US.

Italics should have ended after end quotes... and I'm using end tags. Stop it Count Almasy!

Nan, thank-you, I�m very impressed. While waiting for a chance to see the video, your beautiful work on the text and snappies is really something. And so is Colin....like I said back there in the chat I�m almost afraid of seeing the video �cos I fear it can make me fall for him even more than I already have. (Getting serious??). Yes, chatting with you people was great yesterday even though I couldn�t stay for very long, just put in a few lines. Nice to get in such a real time touch with some of you, I enjoyed it tremendously, plus hearing fresh news about the interview. Still I DO wish that the big fun of chatting won�t reduce the energy of this board in the long run. Arami, you kidding? I don�t exactly know what you�re getting at.....I think the interview was lovely what comes to Colin but I just know from his older interviews that it could�ve been much better if the interviewer had been better. In other words, I�m desperately waiting for printed interviews where he�s really asked about his career and thoughts, not just to promote the latest movie, which was probably the main idea of this interview.There, enlightened?!

Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others?

(Ann) Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others? I know...I know...WE all think his entire Filmography is outstanding. But how many people saw AC, AMITC ....I'm thinking BIG audiences... pre-P&P.Not just UK.

Wings of Fame co-starring Peter O Toole. Nan, so good of you. Will your studies take you away from us again? Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring.

Jana, I brought FP back with me from the UK this summer, I can always lend it to you. Do you have a PAL/NTSE VCR?

Big breaks: Tumbledown! And no, not all of his films are outstanding... Arami, you kidding? Elena, I'm always kidding! ;-) The written interviews are often given special treatment by the writers: a little padding here, a tiny embellishment there... I'm always sceptical and learn from reading between the lines... Nevertheless some interviewers have mentioned that Colin relaxes considerably once cameras and tape recorders are switched off. Apparently he is a different man in private. Which leads me straight to Ben! Hi, there, welcome back, happy New Year to you too. And what news do you bring us from your travels? Yes, I for one remember your pledge... Let's have it, then - in precise detail, please! ;-)

Hurray! Welcome back, Ben!!! Yes, do tell us about your visit back home. Have you done any valuable spying for us? Any news or sightings of Lady Ehle?! ;-) (Arami)Apparently he is a different man in private. Yes, this is certainly true. But I also have the feeling that he might've relaxed in later interviews. The A&E interview may have occurred earlier in the day, if this happened to be on a press junket day (which it looks like).

I forgot my manners.....thanks very much for the transcripts, Heide and Nan! The "big breaks" comment is interesting.....I hope that at long last, he won't be disappointed and his expectations (and ours!)will be realised! By the way, "The Deep Blue Sea" is my favourite CF work...don't know why, just is! And it's very respectable...something his mum could watch!!! Welcome back everyone!

Nan, thanks so much for getting those snappies up so fast. The sheer number of them takes my breath away not to mention the content. Okay, call me pushy, but any chance you could put a few enlarged ones up so the girls who haven't seen the interview yet could possibly see one of those "nervous tics" or how about one of those killer smiles? Good question about Colin's "big breaks", Evelyn. I think The English Patient could have been a big break for him but for one reason or another it didn't work out. Upon further viewing of this interview and the ineptness (as Moon succinctly put it) of Kimberly or Timberly or whatever the interviewer's name was - Colin appeared to actually be helping her out at some points when she seemed to let her questions sort of drift off without finishing them. He'd expand on his comments whenever she seemed to be floundering. For instance when she asked if he had worked with Joe before..she messed her question up a bit but Colin took it from her before she looked too bad. Am I stretching here? In summation, he seems like a very generous interviewee. Welcome back, Ben. And how is Mr. Castle?

(Ben) Firthified Oooh, I like that word! (Gi)He's at his best when looking down, head slightly bent to his right shoulder. Yes, I like that one quite well myself. I'm glad someone else noticed it ;-) (Karen) has anyone counted how many times he touched some part of his face? LOL! It actually crossed my mind but then I thought that perhaps it was a little too obsessive, even for me. As it is I'm always teetering on the abyss so I try to catch myself from falling in ;-p (Moon) Will your studies take you away from us again? Probably :-( (Moon) Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring. AOL is evil--makes me crazy. (Elena) Arami, you kidding? (Arami) Elena, I'm always kidding! ;-) I'll vouch for that ;-)

Sorry I left so abruptly. I was out of commission with tennis elbow--from using the mouse too much. But the place I was freelancing was ergonomically incorrect, so it's their fault, so I don't have to pay for the therapy, and they have to pay me, etc. And I'm still not up to snuff in the elbow department, but I wanted to check in here. On the heels of doctor's orders, I was helping a friend on a project. (It's always so easy to see what's wrong with someone else's work ;-)) That was a total surprise, a frantic call iin the middle of shooting, so what was a girl to do? Back in town today. Skimmed the postings; oh my goodness. Congrats to Winter and everyone else. Spoke to Karen today and hope to read more soon. Smooches.

Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring. go back to Netscape. I like Explorer 4. but Spring doesn't ...so I use Netscape only for Spring.Big Pain. Thanks for all the Big Breaks inputs...don't think you caught my drift. Never mind. not all of his films are outstanding. I was being facetitous...(I'm always kidding too, Arami) Though I dolike all of them for one reason or another.

I've been out of town for an entire week with no way to log on. Aghhh! I find this reference to his "tics" interesting because I first noticed them in AMITC and attributed them to brilliant acting at the time. The very same 'nose-pulling' motion was used as Birkin waited for an answer to the back-doorbell of the Keaches. Later in the same film, that raising of the arm to the back of the neck was shown as he waited for Keach to come down after viewing the wall-painting close up. I guess he just know h w to adapt his own nervous motions when appropriate to the character... I really enjoyed the interview and was most grateful to see it up in transcript form so soon!! Firth-class, guys!

(Ann) Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others? (Evelyn) I know...I know...WE all think his entire Filmography is outstanding. But how many people saw AC, AMITC ....I'm thinking BIG audiences... pre-P&P.Not just UK. } Well, I was thinking about those roles that were important, or should have been, in his career: Another Country (because it was the first), Valmont (because it was Milos Forman, directing his first movie after Amadeus), and P&P (because that's when Britain--and we--went wild for him.)

Wow! The Board is hopping today. Amazing what one good interview will do :-) (Moon) Jana, I brought FP back with me from the UK this summer, I can always lend it to you. Do you have a PAL/NTSE VCR? That's very sweet of you, Moon. Thanks but I already have a copy that was converted from PAL which I've watched numerous times. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to see FP on the BIG screen! (Karen) The movie was set in 1593. SiL isn't history but it doesn't contradict any established facts. One thing I've wondered about but have been too lazy to go look at an old history book... Wasn't 1593 a bit early for tobacco farmers to be set up in the colonies? My recollection is that was more a 1600 and on thing, but it's been years since I've read any history at all. Anyone know?

Ooooh goody, after days of near-torpor, Spring now seems to be back up to speed! I was able to re-read the interview transcript...and I must say I really like his reponses, thoughtful and amusing. The comments about "what is period" and the fact that "there is an artifice to every convention" are particularly good. Also his remarks on not really knowing how a good script can turn out...the interpretation depends so much on the director. Interesting stuff!

(Jana), Wasn't 1593 a bit early for tobacco farmers to be set up in the colonies? What about Sir Walter Raleigh? I beleive he had something to do with tobacco back then. Evelyn, I am planning to go back to AOL 3, it is the lesser of two evils. Try fast forwarding or rewinding with the the image on the VCR, the nervous ticks are plentiful. Firth-class and Firthified, I like those, I wonder how many more we can come up with? BTW, Ben, I too want to hear all about your trip. Did you chat with dear mum again? I hope you did us proud and brought back some Firth tidbits.

Cheryle, nice to hear from you. I will be in LA next month and will attend the Keith Jarrett Trio concert (again), there is nothing like him solo though. I hope you get well enough soon to join us regularly.

(Heide)Okay, call me pushy...one of those "nervous tics" or how about one of those killer smiles? Okay, pushy chick...here you go ;-p

Karen, I hope you get the E! innterview tape today (Tues.). I mailed it last Wednesday because I know oversea fans eagerly await your compilation tape. The mail must be v. slow (what else is new) due to New Year's Day. SIL finally cracked the top 10 and in limited release too. It must be all the Firth fans out in full force.

Nan, great snappy of the wedding ring;) I don't think there was a Virginia in 1593, Jamestown was founded in 1607. I liked the interview, hated the interviewee! Welcome back from your holidays, Ben. I'm glad you are firthified;)

Hmmmm................ Feb 7, 2036, perhaps the Y2K virus???

Hi, I was out today and came across UK "NOW" Magazine dated 7th January, and as there was a picture of Colin on the front cover with the caption "Mr Darcy becomes Mr. Nasty", naturally I bought it.However, I think it must be the magazine Bethan referred to last week as only being fit for the bin as there was nothing new only recycled news, comment that Colin would have liked to have played Shakespeare and we knew that already and that at the age of 37, he considers himself too old to play romantic leads, what rubbish, he gets better as he gets older. Still I suppose it is good to see him on the front cover of anything after all this time of no Colin. If this is the magazine to which you referred Bethan how on earth did you know about it as it only came out today and as it said it is dated 7th January, 1999.

Oops, in my last post I meant to write *transcribed* in lieu of *transcripted*....my language skills sometimes take a curious turn at the onset of migraines.....Anyway, now that a few days have passed since the A&E interview, what frustrates me most is that there was no mention of CF's forthcoming (Firthcoming?) projects. Aside from the two films in the can, surely he must have some new projects lined up. Or perhaps you are all ahead of me on this. I hope one day we in the U.S. will have the pleasure of seeing him act on Broadway or the like.... Regarding CF's comment about being to old to play romantic leads at 37, I, too, think that he still has the ability to play such roles. Now if he were a woman, I might agree with him, as men over 35 usually are paired with actresses in their 20s. Being over 35 myself, such ageism has always annoyed me, but that is another topic.....

This has become a busy place, between us newbies joining and finally some fresh Colin now being served! I also thought Colin was great in the interview compared to the poor interviewer. I suppose she asked the requisite questions and we got much more than normal for a film promo (usually reduced to mere sound bites), but she was quite nervous. How about her response to his comment "I did a film set in 1989, is that period?" Sorry, I'm being catty (meow). I'm sure I couldn't have done it! RE: fun of chat taking away from this board - don't think it will, we all seem to live in too many time zones to have a big chat regularly. It was fun, though. Ooohhh, Lisa, Firth on Broadway! One could only hope, couldn't one? I'm hoping for more news when SiL makes its British debut. He doesn't seem to be getting much attention/mention here in the States, but after last year, a little sure goes a long way!

THANK YOU, NAN!! ...In explanation, Nan was good enough to translate the scan of the drawing that ultimately elicited the now infamous "2 Karens" photo. Having never attempted this before, let's see if it works:

Isn't it about time to start compiling a dictionary of Firthdoms? Here's a start. Firthification (n.) - (1) the involuntary act of becoming obsessed with C.F. (2) the name given to posters and pictures of CF on bedroom walls. See also to "firthify". Firthify (vb, tr.) to adorn a bedroom wall with posters of CF (ent., corruption of fortify), e.g. "it has been three weeks and still my new bedroom remains sadly unfirthified". Recently extended to apply to wallpaper for Windows95. Firthcoming (n.), (1) a keenly anticipated television event involving a minimum of three seconds with CF on the screen, (2) (vulgar). See slang dictionary. To give Firth (vb.), to worry your friends with rambling, wild-eyed obsessive musings about CF; see also "The Virgin Firth", (mythical.) Ehlefication (n.); the "sister act" of Firthification.

Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, "Ehle-mouthed" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?

My desktop wallpaper has been ehlefied and firthified. (I, too, believe in equal-time). Now, if we can just get some interviewers to mention the fact that JE did also co-star in P&P we would have it made for equality :-) Kimberley and the interviewee kept commenting on the great cast of SIL...but when it came to P&P....silencio.

Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, "Ehle-mouthed" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?

Hello ! Now I have seen "A Thousand Acres" on VCR and I liked it very much. CF looked fantastic (and so thin I think). But I really had to smile as he talked for the first time, because he had an "american" accent :-) But his voice was as absolutely wonderful as always. I haven t seen the interview (too bad) but I really love to read about it (Thank you to Heide) ! Does anyone know when SIL will be shown in Germany ?? (Maybe Renate ??)

Great picture Karen2! Ben, I think you've had too much time on your hands! Now when one is Ehlefied, is it the same feeling or emotions that are felt when one is Firthified? I mean the arousals, are they the same?

Firthcoming (n.)... (2) (vulgar). See slang dictionary. LOL, Ben! But If you think it'll let you off the hook, you're mistaken. Are you teasing us, waiting, expecting us to beg you for the titbits you may - or may not - be bringing? Right then, my guess is that you haven't got much to give us... your mum and Mr Castle have refused point-blank to discuss Colin. * * * Bethan, Ann W - I think you're a bit too harsh on the poor little rag-mag: it's aimed at women who have no access to advance information like we do here on the net. For most of them this may be a revealing and informative article, even though it clearly seems to have been concocted by making extracts from one or more standard press handouts/releases made available by Colin's agent and/or the film press office. But its real significance is that it appears to be the start of the British promo drive in a run up to the SIL premiere in London. The best ones may be yet to come - although I don't expect Colin will reveal anything vastly different from what he's already said to the American interviewers.

Laura, have you ever been Firthralled? Thanks for the laughs Ben! Yours Firthfully, etc, etc

Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, "Ehle-mouthed" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?

Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? Am I doing something wrong?

(Ben)Winter - what was my pledge? Not so much of a pledge but a casual reference to being invited to one of those swanky dinners (or did I just completely misunderstand?). Run into any noteable actors/actresses? Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? HA! Count Almushy has now taken a liking to Ben! Arami, you are finally safe (for the time being... :-)) Let me add to the dictionary: Ehlicity: n1: The state of being happy due to infatuation with actress Jennifer Ehle. Firthilize: v 1: To engage in detailed, analytical discussion or thought, most often after CF's performances or interviews. e.g. "Upon viewing 'Shakespeare in Love' we spent a few hours firthlizing in the chat room."

out damn italics, out!

I'll try to help you there...but I'm not sure it'll work. Apart from cloning posts, the date is still wrong and that signifies a touch and go situation. BTW, I think I know how cloning happens. You can't blame anyone: it's a program fault as well, IMO. Ben, stop teasing and distracting us! Firthfully, Ehlecitly, reveal all at once, please!

BTW, forgot to explain to Ben and all newbies: Count All Mushy is our resident ghost (first identified by Renate, I think) responsible for all these program mishaps ;-)

Firthralled, hmmmm... I like that one. Yes, I have been Firthralled. Similar to and enthrallment, but headier;)

Thank you, Nan. Just wanted the others to get a glimpse of what to expect when that tape Karen, Evelyn, Sue (who else?) are putting together comes to your town. KJArt, what a terrific picture! I wish I had that talent. I'd be drawing pictures of Colin all day. Ben, I'm afraid my bedroom walls remain sadly unfirthified. Wouldn't want company to feel deflated (I mean defeated) the moment they walk through the door. Still, I remain completely "colinized" in my heart. Sabine, so glad you saw 1000 Acres. We're really going to have to talk about this one soon, ladies, considering how many have seen it now. I think I may have to put it in the old VCR soon just to watch him jogging again. A little bit of sweat never did anybody any harm. I read the New York Times during lunch hour and saw an article about David Puttnam. Just a very brief mention that his latest, My Life So Far, will be released in May. Guess that's the US but surely it will open soon after in Europe.

(Heide) I'm afraid my bedroom walls remain sadly unfirthified. I'm a little Firthified. I have that lovely, wide smiling Harper's Bazaar photo (given to me by Kate before she moved back to Australia) hanging on the wall in the hallway--right under Messier ;-p. And the flip side of that photos is just delicious... Don't you think? ;-)~~~ Then I have that really yummy, BIG, Radio Times poster in the living room, given to me by a dear pal. You'd think I was too old for this, but I can't help it. I been Firthified! ;-D

Nan, thanks for sharing again! I carry a tiny picture of him in my wallet (my husband has not seen it yet). I guess that is how we firththified firthaholics carry on while waiting for another opportunity to firthilize (say that word 3 times!).

(Arami) The best ones may be yet to come Yes, that�s it. It�s a sign of something beginning to happen that those �rag-mags� (what a lovely phrase!) are starting to write about Colin. Soon the better ones will take on, surely? I haven�t stopped thinking about the Interview. It does seem surprising that a man who�s so used to cameras in his work would be SHY when interviewed in the tv! But to think of it, it�s easy to act before cameras when you have a role and a script, but to be Colin is not a role. What I want to say is, I�m so happy that he obviously hasn�t created a certain �Colin Firth role� for public appearances, which would prevent us from seeing what he�s really like. I wish he�ll never fall into the ridiculous hubris of so many other celebrities who take interviews as just another show. It�d kill me (or at least my love for him.) ....goes to show I�m absolutely firthified plus firthilized I guess. I particularly like the latter one, makes me think of....um....

Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? Am I doing something wrong?

We're in a time warp!!!!! Look--- we're now in the year 2036!!! I've heard of the y2K problem, but jeez... it's only 1999!