... ;-)

He'd be a perfect Bond--cultured, sophisticated, good-humored, drop-dead gorgeous, and a wry delivery. Also think it would never happen due to the reasons Karen outlined. Plus, from what I've read, there is no shortage of actors actively campaigning for the role--everyone from Rupert Everett to Dougray Scott to Hugh Jackman to Ioan Gruffudd. Our Colin is not a campaigner.:-( Agreed, well, not for himself anyway! I remember reading an interview in which he described how his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply. Even I wondered why he didn't phone, or, pushy-pushy, actually go there and say, hey I've worked with Laurence Olivier etc, starred in the West End etc, etc!! But it's good to see his name mentioned in connection with roles!! My favourite would be the new Dr Zhivago..I wonder if they've cast yet?

his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply If I remember correctly, that was for volunteer work with a community theatre. But it's good to see his name mentioned in connection with roles!! Agree.

his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply Alas, his spelling is a bit, erm, wanting on occasions... so maybe those descriptions weren't given due consideration... he might have been better off talking to people, but he does ramble a bit, especially when embarrassed... and he does get embarrassed when asked to talk about himself...so you see, a good agent is still worth his/her weight in gold.

Bethan, I read last weekend, I think, in The Sunday Times that the "Tony Blair" project is progressing and that they were casting for it! Have not heard anything more about Dr. Zhivago which would also be my favourite project for him, definitely not Dr.Who.

Dr. Zhivago... Dr.Who Enough to confuse some of those popular press wise guys.

Maybe that's how the Bond rumor started . . . Dr. No.:-)

Aha! Of course, that's one thing we always overlook....he can always say ""No"! Ann, yes, I've also read that the Beeb are pushing forward with the Tony Blair project, anticipating a May election. What puzzles me is that it's supposed to be very much a warts and all portrayal (researchers were talking to disaffected Labourites, and anti-Labour), but Greg Dyke is pro Labour.

Have not heard anything more about Dr. Zhivago which would also be my favourite project for him All hinges on the director...a bad one will kill it. He hasn't had v. good luck lately with his directors.

Going back to "knocking on that door" we know for sure its a house with no nets as he remarked in an interview that the passing public could see in and were able to identify him! Imagine if he had his high fashion "Highburys" on when he opened the door! Fed up with seeing clips of /reading articles about James D'Arcy. If that's the Beeb's idea of the "new heart throb", think I'll suspend payment on the TV licence.

I don't think anyone watched "Rebel Hearts" or whatever it was called, despite all the clips. V. bad reviews...I gave up after ten minutes. Why are the Beeb always giving us a new "heart throb"? What's wromg with the old one?! Going back to "knocking on that door" we know for sure its a house with no nets as he remarked in an interview that the passing public could see in and were able to identify him! Must be one of those tall early Victorian(?)terraced houses where you literally open the front door and step onto the pavement.

one of those tall early Victorian(?)terraced houses Or late Regency. Some are very nice, substantial, on three floors.

Hey Echo, you must be from our side of the pond then!

I sure am. :-)

I see that Simon Russell Beale (burp!) has gotten an Olivier Best Actor nomination for NT's Hamlet . Not a good year to bring out the Riverside Studio version. "Good thinking, Colin."

Anybody just watched Have I Got News For You? Unfortunately I was only half listening to it but my ears pricked up when CF's name was mentioned in regard to playing Jonathan Aitken.

Who is Jonathan Aitken? (I trust it isn't Dr. Who's real name.;-);-)

(I trust it isn't Dr. Who's real name.;-);-) *Guffaw and godferbid* Here's something and it not only sounds like something CF would do but it sounds like TV: 1971 Jonathan Aitken accused of offences under the Official Secrets Act for passing on classified information to the Sunday Telegraph about the Biafran war in Nigeria. He was acquitted of all charges having pleaded that it was his "duty in the interests of the state" to have done so.

And, thanks again, Judy, you've really got your ear perfectly tuned into to CF news. :-)

Oh goodie...another rumour... "Pride and Perjury" http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/03/26/stibooboo03003.html ICM here we come;-))

Wait! Apparently, this guy sued the newspapers for their allegations of impropriety when he was a defence minister. Am confused. And has he written a book? http://www.channel4.com/nextstep/biographies/aitken.html

Judy, I think that was a repeat "Have I Got News for You".

Ann,I've no idea,its not something I normally watch, I was in fact reading teletext at the time-P. In this case I hope its well out of date,as its not something I wish to see him in. But how many times can we hear his name mentioned in relation to projects & they never come off?

Uhm, I guess it would be too tacky to have Jack Davenport play his uncle. I thought he was pretty good as Peter Smith-Kingsley in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

In this case I hope its well out of date,as its not something I wish to see him in. But how many times can we hear his name mentioned in relation to projects & they never come off? Agreed! When I first saw Aitken, I thought, it was Dr. Aitken of the famous diet. LOL! Both sound awfully boring to me. Is this what the agent refers to fish in the sea? It stinks! ;-)))))

I think that was a repeat "Have I Got News for You". Gaaaaagh.There should be a law against that! LOL. I almost ordered the book;-) ...sounded OK to me.

Hello? This is the prodigal son. Where's my fatted calf?

Ooops. Shows how long I've been gone. Bush is president, England have won a cricket series . . . . .and my email address, as recorded by this message board, is a year out of date. Ignore it. Of course, all these things have happened, but you're STILL talling about CF. Glad to see some things in life never change. Can there be ANY part of his life, character or anatomy that you have not pored over in the minutest detail?

Wow, we thought you had hooked up with Jennifer Ehle:) Oh right when you left the States is when she came back;) Good to have you back, Ben!

Hey Ben...Wuzzup?....nothing's changed... Welcome Back to Firthdom..same ole...same ole.. LOL I still have the list of Firth/Ehle "dictionary" we put together during tht Dearth-of- Firth Summer. Jennifer is back in New York...opening on B'way next month. You better come over. And she's still single:-))

Greetings, Ben! Have you auditioned for any plays? Be a lad and give us a little gossip. ;-D

Ben, there are only three things you can be sure of... 1) Death 2) Taxes 3) Talking about Colin Firth (Evelyn) Jennifer is back in New York...opening on B'way next month. Hey! I'm going to be there the first weekend in March. Anyone planning on catching a show then?

Hello? This is the prodigal son. Ben!!! Good to see you back at last! And I thought we'd lost you. Where's my fatted calf? What a wonderful opening for another one of my famous ribald jests - but I daren't... (Yes, I DO realize it's a biblical quote... ;-P) you're STILL talling about CF Is there a more worthy subject? Can there be ANY part of his life, character or anatomy that you have not pored over in the minutest detail? Good question... So why not go over these things once again, just to make sure we haven't forgotten anything? ;-) Welcome back, Ben.

you're STILL talling about CF ] well this isn't the "HUGH GRANT" page;) LOL!!!

Welcome back Ben. No fatted calf, only chicken and fish.

Fatted fish? I thought fish was a component in a low-fat diet. Still, there are many kinds of fish. I like the sound of the Jonathan Aitkin project. As for sounding like a television production, that could be considered as a compliment. That is bearing in mind that "Dude, Where's My Car?" is a successful movie.

Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. This week we had Guy Ritchie on Leno and Vinnie Jones on Letterman. Both were awful and both hosts really gave them lots to work with. Their responses were very unenthusiastic. Is it their personalities? Are they just bores? Or something else?

Vinnie Jones seems to think he's God, or the next best thing. He's an ex footballer, who had a reputation for being a hard man (sent off, repeatedly, for head butting etc) who has now transformed himself, somehow, into a Hollywood movie star, reportedly earning $3million a movie. He's a great self-promoter, period. But there's nothing there to promote. As for Mr Madonna, well, his "private" wedding got more publicity than any other event in 2000. Maybe he's become *so* famous that he doesn't feel he has to try any more. I have no doubt that CF, even if nervous, would be better! Hi Ben! Welcome back!

Bethan, Well said!-))

Yes, I'm aware who Vinnie Jones is and, if self-promotion is his forte, then he certainly didn't exhibit any of it on television here. He was quiet and glum. Looked as if he were in a witness chair instead of engaging in lively banter. Letterman wanted to have a good time with him. Held up an enlarged picture of Vinnie on the pitch grabbing a guy's crotch. Audience was howling. He sat there like a blob.

Times readers can vote (by phone or email) for the Bowmore Scottish Screen film of the year. The five films on the list are: Complicity House of Mirth The Little Vampire Love the One You're With and My Life So Far http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/21/stiecoeco01021.html This is the film's description: AFTER its long and difficult gestation, audiences finally got to see Hugh Hudson's portrait of life in an eccentric Scottish country house between the wars. The film of Sir Denis Forman's memoirs was mired in controversy. Its �1m lottery grant prompted Bill Forsyth's "cronyism" allegations. Forman was a recent chairman of the Scottish Film Production Fund, which recommended the grant. The film was shot on location at Loch Fyne in 1997, with Colin Firth as Forman's father, an inventor who developed moss as a dressing for wounded soldiers. Its picture-postcard idyll is undermined by sexual intrigue and abuse. Lead-in article at: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/21/stiecoeco02015.html

(Karen) Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. This week we had Guy Ritchie on Leno and Vinnie Jones on Letterman. Both were awful and both hosts really gave them lots to work with. I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought exactly the same thing about Guy Ritchie (did not see the VJ piece on Letterman). Guy didn't do well at all in his interview with Leno and I was squirming in my seat as the interview went nowhere. The worst part was that he seemed to be trying hard and struggled with a few unamusing anecdotes about working with dogs. It just reminded me that being charming on a chat show is not as easy as it looks. Maybe CF is wise to stay away. I would hate to see him dying like that on national TV :-). Ben!!!!! Welcome home :-).

Some news in the Sunday Telegraph about the BBC's investment in big budget movies. They've invested substantially in "Tomb Raider" and are going to make a �20million film about Mary Queen of Scots (Kate Winslett to play the lead). Also there's a film starring Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent, directed by Sir Richard Eyre, about the the writer Iris Murdoch, and her death from Alzheimers disease (rather harrowing IMHO). And the BBC confirm that they are to make a �40million movie of Dr Who. A "famous American director" is to direct, starting next year. A British actor will play Dr Who, but they haven't decided who it will be. I'd hoped that Alan Yentob and the new BBC Film division might have something for CF, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He's the right age for Bothwell, but that's about it. The "famous American director" (now, who could this be) will probably want someone of his own choice for Dr Who.

Ben!! Well knock me down with...... the fur trim from CF's parka. Welcome aboard again.

knock me down with...... the fur trim from CF's parka Ah, that stirs wonderful memories... It was exactly a year ago that I was standing right behind him when the madding crowd almost pinned him against the wall in the Donmar foyer...

Times readers can vote (by phone or email) for the Bowmore Scottish Screen film of the year. Done. I used the email address http://www.scotland@sunday-times.co.uk. Thanks.

I see the phone numbers for UK voters but where is the place to vote by e-mail?

Click on best movers and shakers on the right.

Say goodbye to the Queen Mary project: Trainspotting duo to team up for Mary Queen of Scots film Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle are set to team up as rivals for the love of Queen Mary. They will star in a new �14 million mini-epic based on the life of the young queen and her many suitors. Douglas Henshall and Jude Law are also being sought for major support roles. Sean Connery's production company Fountainbridge is co-producing the story with BBC backing. He is not likely to make more than a cameo appearance in the film, however....A source close to the production told Ananova: "Sean wants to gather the cream of Scottish talent together for this one....He feels Scottish history should be told by the Scots whenever possible."

Thanks for your warm welcome, everyone. Still trying to thrust yo' man into mega-stardom, I see. If it were me I might wish for the opposite. Take someone, like, I dunno, Jennifer Ehle. For the sake of argument. If I were interested in her; if say, her knowing smile, flawless complexion and incomparable figure aroused me in some way, then I would probably want to shield her from too large an audience. The world is full of dangerous people. So, were I in that position, I would vote for catastrophic career failure - ending up at a sufficient low that she might turn her lovely eyes towards a grey-suited, ageing office wage slave for just an instant - followed by steady recovery. By the way, the parents met YDB at the Castles again the other day.

I love the way you just slipped that BTW in at the last moment Ben! We remember your style! Having got us all a flutter you will just sit back and await the thousands of questions that are bound to come flooding on to the board that we all want answers to. Such as ------ "Was Livia there? What did she wear? Is she maybe pregnant?" What did she say? Is her hair the same? Wot? Ask about ODB? Moi? NEVAH!

Say goodbye to the Queen Mary project: Trainspotting duo to team up for Mary Queen of Scots film Never thought it was a runner, not for one nanosecond! :-( Too many Scots actors around. It's scripted by Jimmy McGovern who wrote "Cracker" and is not known for pro-English sentiments. But I wish the BBC had channeled their �100million into something other than Dr Who, Tomb Raider, Alzheimer's, and Ewan McGregor on a horse! Most tantalising, Ben!

Mark your calendar! A big thanks to Fran�oise who said the date for HBO's airing of Conspiracy is May 19. That being a Saturday, it will be HBO's weekly premiere flick, which usually airs at 8:00 ET and then is replayed on Tuesday at the same time.

Thanks Francoise & K. And watch next year's GG for TV movie award. With that cast, I bet Conspiracy won't be a miss.

Can you see how green with envy I am from here? How wonderful for you all.

(Karen)Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. What I would love to see Colin on is "Inside the Actors Studio" (think that's the right name) -- the talk thing hosted by James Lipton on the Bravo channel, where he sits down with an actor and goes through that person's body of work, practically film by film. I always find this fascinating, even if I'm not a huge fan of the actor being featured. And Lipton sticks to the films, not personal stuff, so would be perfect for CF. He might need a couple more big hit films under his belt first, though;-}

(Ben) So, were I in that position, I would vote for catastrophic career failure Welcome back, Ben. You did not spend a lot of time recently with ODB's agent?

Excellent idea, Susan, although I haven't noticed any British actors on there. Have you? It is a good show, but they're going with some bizarre (= unqualified) people lately. Saw Mike Meyers going on about the development of his characters (Linda Richman) as I was flipping through the channels. *EEK*

Can you see how green with envy I am from here? How wonderful for you all. Isn't "Conspiracy" a BBC co-production? Mind you, my faith in the Beeb is at an all time low (Zero). I just can't see where a one off serious drama about the Final Solution would fit in with all current fluff. 11pm BBC2 perhaps? Apparently Greg Dyke has said that the BBC's new drama policy (to win viewers) will focus on putting familiar actors in familiar situations (cotton wool for the brain). Don't think Mr Darcy as a Nazi quite fits in!

It wouldn't hurt to ask the BBC about their plans for the airing of Conspiracy. It would be ideal as part of the Holocaust official commemoration next week, but I don't think the film is ready yet.

By the way, the parents met YDB at the Castles again the other day. So did they chat? You do tempt the Eve in all of us, Ben! ;-)

(Bethan) Isn't "Conspiracy" a BBC co-production? Yes, that's what HBO told me. They did say "BBC Films." Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV?

(Mari) Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV? LOL!! Surely (or Shirley), you forgot the winkie winkie.

From AnneR, who cautions that CF's "part" in this Project looks to be only the author's dream casting...nothing more than what WE do all the time. BTW, this seems to be the Blair project and it's still being written. Hardly ready to start as yet. PR Week Friday, January 19, 2001 DIARY: Hype on BBC drama The Project spins out of control Edited by JENNIFER WHITEHEAD Reports about a BBC drama on the role of Labour spin doctors in the run-up to the 1997 general election got Diary thinking about casting. But it seems that what the papers wrote isn't strictly true. A BBC source said the proposed film - which is currently being scripted under working title The Project - is 'not about spin doctors'. However, he confirmed it will feature characters who worked behind the scenes on Labour's campaign. Unfortunately for bigger egos in the Labour election machine, there won't be any recognition factor in the characters who do make it into the drama. Nonetheless, should the BBC change its mind and go for a docu-drama instead ... in the role of David Hill, Diary would like to see David Jason. Derek Draper could be played by Dale Winton - as long as he was prepared to butch up for the role. Shandwick's Colin Byrne might be represented by former Queen Vic hardman Ross Kemp. And for sex appeal, Rob Lowe, Colin Firth and Daniela Nardini lining up to play Finsbury's Karl Milner, Cicero's Richard Elsen and Millbank's Margaret McDonagh respectively.

(Karen)...although I haven't noticed any British actors on there. Have you? They had Michael Caine on. Or is he an American now? ;-)

What is conspiracy. Dinner chez Castles was sometime last autumn, so I doubt Madame Firth was showing then if she isn't now. (Poor CF - how many of you will remain loyal, discussing the charm of his latest wrinkle, in thirty years' time, when there's another, younger version - Salvatore Firth - on the loose? None of you, I suspect.) But he remains v. good company, I heard. Wife v. nice. Talked a bit about P&P. Professed to be astounded by reaction. I didn't delve that deeply. I find it awkward asking too many questions on the grounds that "I have a friend who says she really fancies him". But I will try and broach the subject again, at the opportune moment. What is Conspiracy?

thanks for the Dr. Who -information I don`t know what I should think about it (good or bad thing?)...

Conspiracy is an HBO film (which will be shown at some point on BBC). Kenneth Branagh stars as Reinhard Heydrich and Stanley Tucci as Adolph Eichmann. Colin plays State Secretary Dr Wilhelm Stuckart of the Interior Ministry. He's one of 15 Nazis who had an hour and half meeting in a Berlin suburb, had lunch, and hammered out the Final Solution. Here's a description from an interview: Dispassionately, he proceeds to nutshell the Conspiracy plot. He says 'Some senior Nazis, 15 to be exact, in January of 1942 met and discussed the extermination of the Jews. They had a nice buffet lunch and went home. Minutes of the meeting have survived and this thing is based on those. It is shattering stuff. This is utterly banal. They cracked a few jokes. Discussed whether bullets were better than gas. Whether sterilisation was better than forced emigration. Basically, the brief was no messing around with these half measures. We have to free German living space, as they put it, from all Jews so there is not one left.' If you want to read more or delve into the historical links provided, go to: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/conspiracy.html Odesssa, re: Dr Who I don`t know what I should think about it (good or bad thing?)... Can't tell you what to think, but I'm thinking bad thing but it seems very unrealistic to think he would really be interested in such a role.

Another news item from AnneR: Conspiracy will also be broadcast simultaneously in Canada over The Movie Network.

They did say "BBC Films." Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV? Tell me it isn't so.... another seige of humping it through all the festivals??? I noticed that JAZZ also had BBC Films in the credits.Must be another arm of the BBC vs. Alan Yentrob's.

To "nutshell"? What is this passion for turning nouns into verbs? I thought it had been restricted to the Olympics, where people "medal", or they "podium". Some linguistic vandal, who is also a big shot in these parts, this morning sent an email to all the worker bees saying that some poor bastard had been chosen "to transition [sic] into roll [sic] of European Technology Strategist". I ask you. On top of mis-spelling "role" (I've heard of a bacon roll, but this one sounds a little indigestible), our noble leader feels the need to invent a new verb. WHY????? Sorry. It just ****** me off. No surprise about The Firth not being asked to act in the Mary (Q. of Scots) thing. It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte.

(Ben) It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte. I'm not sure about psychopathic or decadent, but gay seemed to be on full display in Relative Values :-).

Look who's written another article, with a mention of Colin? ;-) From This is London: Culture clash - Italian style by Jasper Rees It was like that heaving opera house scene in Where Angels Fear to Tread, the film of the EM Forster novel about middle-class England's obsession with Italy. The main room was packed and the overflow blocked the tall thin hallway, flooding up the grand staircase. For latecomers there was hanging from-the-chandeliers room only. They listened - Anglo-Saxons, Italians, a smattering of Asians - in something like devotional silence as two leading novelists, Hanif Kureishi and Alessandro Baricco, compared notes on the solitary business of writing. It never used to be like this at the Italian Cultural Institute. But then they never used to invite people such as Kureishi to come and talk there. Or indeed Baricco, whose novels are best sellers in Italy and well reviewed here. For any Londoner fixated on Italian culture, this has always been a port of call. The only problem was the place was ever so slightly desiccated. You couldn't move for middle-aged ladies in pearls, or for parties thrown to celebrate the publication of the third volume of the academic edition of the drawings of Parmigianino (yours for �200). But of news from the front line of contemporary Italian culture there was precious little. The ICI was no ICA. Even as high up as the Italian Foreign Ministry, there seems to have been a realisation that drastic action was required. A few months ago a new young(ish) director of the Italian Cultural Institute was appointed. Mario Fortunato, 42, is a Roman novelist. In a short space of time he has turned the place upside down. Teeming events are now a regularity. The pearls are still there, but now they are augmented by the odd voice of bovver-booted dissent. Ken Loach was heckled from the floor last month for failing the working classes. Fortunato's first idea was to get more English voices into the building. The Kureishi/Baricco event was one of a series of talks yoking British and Italian artists onto one bill. So along with the top Italian novelists such as Baricco, Daniele Del Giudice and Andrea De Carlo, recent guests have included Ian McEwan, Mavis Cheek and Michelle Roberts (Nick Hornby cancelled, sadly). Colin Firth reading from Pirandello and Sciascia was a big draw. The idea, presumably, is to use the familiar as a stool pigeon to promote the unfamiliar. "Yes, but one of my ideas for the institute is to cross over with local culture," says Fortunato. "I want to present Italian culture of today, but I want to cross it with the local culture and create a dialogue. We are in Europe. We are so close." The institute is in a big old barn of a place in Belgrave Square, with no designated performance space and, unlike stand at the edges. Fortunato has spruced up the basement by installing a genuine Italian caf�, but his long-term instinct is to flog the place and move to the more vibrant Islington or Soho. He had the building valued at �12 million. An equivalent in north London would cost half that. His forward thinking doesn't chime with the Italian Foreign Ministry's old-fashioned concept of bella figura. "They laughed. I think the ministry thought it was a Dadaist suggestion. But the ICI came here in 1950. In these 50 years we've changed a lot. Now it would be more interesting to have a more industrial, less formal kind of space." He points out that the British Council promotes British culture on four times the budget and five times the staff of its Italian equivalent. "With the profit you could organise fantastic things. You could live without money from Rome. You could be autonomous. It's a fantasy for now, unfortunately." The other problem for the institute is the English reluctance to be told anything new about Italy: whereas Italy laps up The Full Monty and Ian McEwan, for us it's either the mafia or Michelangelo; the only films we buy into are sentimental myths like Il Postino and Cinema Paradiso. Tomorrow, the Genius of Rome exhibition opens at the Royal Academy. "It's very strange," says Fortunato. "English people are so interested in Italy and they know nothing, in a way. They know just a dead Italy of the past. They do love Italian fashion and Italian food. But I think in Italy we have a lot of interesting literature and cinema too. The arts scene is very interesting." Hence, the ladies in pearls may find the forthcoming diary of events disorienting. On Monday, there will be a fashion show from the funky Roman designer, Miss Sixty. February is Fabrica month, when Benetton's production arm is behind various events in London - an exhibition of 20th century archaeology, a concert, photos from Kosovo, and films coproduced by Fabrica. March brings dialogue between Italian and British poets and in May, organised with the help of the institute, there is an exhibition of Arte Povera from the 1960s at Tate Modern. Fortunato is hanging a show to run concurrently, exhibiting the recent work of surviving artists from the movement. "That's the point for me," he says. "To get attention on the cultural scene of today. It's so alive."

To "nutshell"? What is this passion for turning nouns into verbs? I thought it had been restricted to the Olympics, where people "medal", or they "podium". Some linguistic vandal, who is also a big shot in these parts, this morning sent an email to all the worker bees saying that some poor bastard had been chosen "to transition [sic] into roll [sic] of European Technology Strategist". I ask you. On top of mis-spelling "role" (I've heard of a bacon roll, but this one sounds a little indigestible), our noble leader feels the need to invent a new verb. WHY????? Sorry. It just ****** me off. No surprise about The Firth not being asked to act in the Mary (Q. of Scots) thing. It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte.

Sorry. I reloaded this page and the stupid message came up again. You remember how cack-handed I was about this sort of stuff. I have not improved. I need another lesson. Is CF reading from Pirandello because of his wife, do you suppose? It's funny, actually, I've often wondered why he doesn't do more readings on the radio. Every night, on the BBC's main radio station, there is a twenty minute reading of a book ("A book at bedtime"). They usually condense it into ten parts of twenty minutes, or something. This is pretty heroic, but usually so well read that it doesn't matter. Anyway, they have some wonderful people. Currently it's Sam West (flavour of the month - he's a v.g. Richard II at the moment). But I've never heard CF doing it. I'd've thought it was right up his street. Has he done any taped book readings?

Has he done any taped book readings? We haven't heard of any recently except for a reading on a CD. I just received mine yesterday. It's released by an Italian record company in Rome. The CD features several musical and electronic emsemble segments. Colin reads an excerpt from Moby Dick.."The Albatross". Very dramatic. We'll discuss it later when everyone else has received their copy. Along with Pirandello,I suppose it too is because of Livia.

Ben: Thanks for the word picture of dinner at the Castles. I am having great fun picturing the two (John and Colin) as they are now versus as they were then. Castle was recently on one of the Mystery things I watch on TV. He still looks pretty darn sexy.

The video/TV site www.blackstar.co.uk has details of "Donovan Quick", plus ""Windmills on the Clyd: the making of Donovan Quick". Does anyoneknow anything about this? Also, I found this discussion at at deja.com. Doctor Who rules! Okay?! "Did anyone else see this (Donovan Quick) one-off drama on the BBC over Christmas? It was basically a Dr Who adventure cunningly disguised as gritty social realism. A mysterious stranger (floppy hair, expensive clothes, no past, boundless self-confidence, totally eccentric) turns up out of nowhere in a grimy Glasgow suburb and enlists the help of a family of no-hopers (one alcoholic, one mentally handicapped trainspotter, one car theif and one old lady) to destroy a ruthless mega-corporation. Colin Firth's character, "Donovan Quick", *was* the Eighth Doctor! It was excellent, best drama out of BBC Scotland since 'Taking Over The Asylum', but then selfless deluded champions of lost causes are always good, particularly if they win. "Quixotic fool!" as the Master once said. Like the Doctor though it was sad to see Donovan's mystique reduced by the revelation of a concrete past. I totally agree. The best BBC drama over Christmas, and the best one- off drama they've done in a long while..."

Sorry, typed in great haste. For "Clyd" read "Clyde"

You are such a wee bonny lass that we will let you off!

OK. Am back from absence far shorter than Ben's, due to (take your pick): a) moved into new house and am suffering from acute money hemorrhage. b) bad news from Jersey (and I don't mean Jets missing playoffs). c) have just been inaugurated as 43rd President of US. d) have not been away at all. Have been here all along using an alias and sucking up to everyone. e) have had an episode of acute confusion in manner of Liz T at Golden Globe Awards. Have just read a kabillion posts and am on CF info overload, though it kinda all sounds familiar (must be those 'Darcy at the breakfast table' quotes--aargh). Am not surprised to read all the great reviews of DQ. Think Bethan should write stinging expose about how BBC shelved it for more than a year. Thanks to those who supplied the articles, pics, reviews and other news bits. Welcome, newbies and oldbies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Happy Birthday as applicable. Off to catch up at other topics!

Hi Eileen, good to have you back, we missed you.

d) have not been away at all. Have been here all along using an alias and sucking up to everyone. *snort* As always, a winner!! Good to see you back. Make sure you read everything very carefully. There will be a quiz. ;-)

Eileen you are, as always , able to make me ROTFOL! Welcome back.

Hi Eileen! Welcome back!

I've never heard CF doing it. I'd've thought it was right up his street. Has he done any taped book readings? Ben, he has done one only: "Comeback" by Dick Francis, some 10 years ago. Superb voice characterizations. And it would be hard to find a duller description of a major operation on a horse's intestines read in such a compelling fashion or by a more mesmerizing voice. On the whole Dick Francis leaves me cold, but I find myself listening to this one particular story over and over again...

Eileen, I'd give anything for the answer to be "c" ;-) Welcome back, hon, you've been missed.

LOL, Eileen! Was wondering were you were. I'm glad you're back!

Wotcha, Eileen. CF info overload? I didn't think such a thing was possible for a Firthette. I have no such excuses for my absence, though virtual contact overload is a candidate. I am a luddite. Occasionally, I need to see people's faces when I'm talking to them. I am unqualified to comment on John Castle's sexiness, but he's v. amusing company. I should be seeing him soon because they always have a big election night party. God, Eileen's last message reminded me that it's my birthday next week. I won't tell you which number. It's too frightening. Suffice to say that I was persauded by various office mates (one of them an avid Firthette, incidentally, though as yet unfamiliar with this site) to go to "Fighting Fit", a kick-boxing workout, on tuesday night, AND I AM STILL FEELING IT. There are weird muscles in my back screaming with complaint. For an hour we flailed around and kicked imaginary attackers. I took care to avoid placing myself in front of a mirror. If I looked half as daft as I felt, I wouldn't have managed it. I don't know how real boxers do it. Not only do they have to flail, but someone is beating them up at the same time.

Poor Ben. Take care-- these kick-boxing workouts have actually done more harm than good (continuous, repeated kicking is hard and strenous for the joints). Stick to swimming or running.

Look what riding horses has done for ODB! And fencing is a gentler pursuit.

Tsk. Ben, why suffer through kickboxing when you could have hired Cornel Wotshisname, trainer to the stars?! After all, he whipped Leo into shape for The Beach and, of course, ensured that ODB looked better than Hughie (pfft!) in BJD. I'm sure he'd give you reasonable rates since you're friends with the Castles. ;-) Thanks for the welcome, everyone. Mari, just call me Dubya (am actually doing the dance of joy that Laura lost the helmet head--someone must've whispered in her ear about top secret of cutting hair in layers). Karen, quiz away. My answer to everything is 'very old ladies'. ;-D

Good thing Evelyn didn't buy the book.;-);-) From Film Force: Doctor Who Faces Ultimate Enemy: The BBC Fri, Jan 26, 2001 04:02 PM EST It's been another rough week for fans of Doctor Who. Buoyed by reports in the press, specifically by UK newspaper the Telegraph, fans thought they were closer than ever to seeing the adventures of the good Doctor on the big screen for the first time since the '60s. Unfortunately, that story, which reported an estimated $65 million budget and a "big named U.S. director", has been refuted by representatives for the BBC. Quoted on the SFX Network website, a representative from the BBC announced, "The Sunday Telegraph got it wrong." She added that, as often stated, plans for a movie version of the show were in development, but that there had been no further progress with them. A source at the BBC told IGN FilmForce today that "the production is in a state of disarray. We have missed a golden opportunity to have a marquee project available during a time when the American market is the most accessible because of the coming talent strikes. A Doctor Who will happen some day, of that I have no doubt but that day will be later, rather than sooner."

(BBC) We have missed a golden opportunity... And this would be the first time? ;-) Thanks, Mari, am putting my decoder ring back in the drawer.

From the Jeremy Northam topic: [Honestly, Boss...I'm trying...but I don't know where the hell to post this stuff...Okay here?] (Moon)I bet that is a role Colin would have loved.[Tom in ENIGMA] Don't JN and Colin have the same agent? I wonder if there was a struggle as to who to give the script to? JN and Colin are both with ICM, but have different agents.JN also has a publicist in NY. IMO JN is Colin's competition in all these roles. The Winslow Boy included. Of course, the filming might have conflicted with Colin's schedule ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ "It's been another rough week for fans of Doctor Who..." Whoopee...not for me...*Doing a little victory dance*!

(Evelyn) Of course, the filming might have conflicted with Colin's schedule ;-) Actually, it did. Enigma started filming on April 17, which means it overlapped with BJD.

JN and Colin are both with ICM, but have different agents Doesn't CF have the same agent as Alan Rickman? The agent must have a hot line to Mike Binder - CF and AR have both done Binder movies! :-( I'd suggest they both move to JN's agent, but perhaps this isn't ethical! What exactly does an agent do? I thought casting directors determined role choice, and agents dealt with the money and the billing. There was something about Sundance Film Festivall on BBC News24. "Enigma" (apparently) failed to find a distributor, whilst Liz Hurley's latest opus was snapped up! BTW I wonder how much of the decision to do "Hamlet" is CF driven? I should think he's decided he wants to do it and that he'll be involved in all the decisions...casting, staging, interpretation etc. It seems to me that this is the only way an actor in the UK can actively determine his own career. He should do this more often...he'll always get a full house, especially for short runs.