Certainly, it does present a liberal Democratic point of view (long may it live), but that reflects the administration that is portrayed ] So what happens when Bush is Inaugurated on Saturday, does Jeb lose the popularity contest but wins the Electoral vote???? Can we bear to see Gasp! Corbin Bernsen in the West Wing!!??? :)

does Jeb lose the popularity contest but wins the Electoral vote???? Jeb is busy in Florida as the Governor. You mean GW. (Now let's not go overboard--one Bush at a time)!

You mean GW. (Now let's not go overboard--one Bush at a time)!\ [ Actually, I drew a blank Martin Sheen's character on the West Wing is named Jeb Bartlett. I forgot his last name;)

Actually, in the season opener of this season, the funniest line was Josh asking Leo who would nominate another Liberal College Professor from New England... Had to laugh at that one... (I don't think Michael Dukakis will EVER live down his loss to George Bush Sr:))

Gosh...it's good to have Laura back...:-)))) I wonder if West Wing would appeal to folks outside of the US political arena. I'm never interested in any other country's political sagas. (I'm barely interested in West Wing, though I watch it if nothing else is on...Tired of issues. For that I tune into the news.)

the President would not deal with someone dropping her panties and he having to apologize? Oh, I dunno, I seem to recall a certain President who apologized for a lot more.;-) And for the record, it's Josiah Bartlett, not Jeb, and he declined to get involved in the panty pecadillo.:-) you totally agree that the Republicans are bad (they're evil!); that's exactly how they're portrayed. I disagree. They're portrayed as people whose opinions tend to differ from the administration portrayed. I think the Aynsley character is interesting--she dishes it right back at them. Bottom line: it ain't a documentary, nor is it intended to be one.

Donmar Warehouse got 6 Olivier noms:* Mostly for "Merily We Roll Along" a Stephen Sondheim musical. [Are they kidding? Where did they put the orchestra ? I hardly had room for my feet in that first row...] *Best New Musical Best Actor in a Musical: Daniel Evans Best actress in a Musical Samantha Spiro Best choreographer Best Lighting: To the Green Fields Beyond (Best part of the show:The Trees. I saw it) Best Director: Orpheus Descending

it's Josiah Bartlett, not Jeb, and he declined to get involved in the panty pecadillo.:-) ] Yep and they call him Jeb;)(or is that Jed?) This show is all about current issues, and Evelyn is right, it's VERY American, to the point I wonder if the foreign viewers would even care. Oh of course they'll love Donna, she's chippy and witty, much like our dear own Elizabeth Bennet. And Josh, I mean, will he ever get a chair???? And he declined to get involved in the panty raid, because he was tired;) I do like Charlie, can't stand Zoey (Zoe); LOVE Stockard Channing in anything she does.

What about the great episode recently with another fav of mine, Adam Arkin? I thought the story about Josh's Post Traumatic Syndrome was so well written. I agree with Mari. While the group may be liberals, we are often shown how some things they want to support just cannot get done. The politics of issues are treated in the show as well as the issues themselves. I too love Josh, but I think John Webster and Alison Janey are my favorites. Yeah, Karen, what happened to Aynsley? She HAD to get out of that basement room sometime.

Mari: Can't wait to hear what you thought of Croupier. I must rent it too to see it again.

Anyone watch Touching Evil last night? That's a dark show, isn't it?

Sean Penn was on Charlie Rose last night for the whole hour, and the interview was FASCINATING. He's not just a pretty face :-) He was recently on stage in SF in a Sam Shepard play with Nick Nolte and Woody Harrelson, and he mentioned that he would probably never go back to the theater again. Charlie was stunned. Sean's reasoning was that maybe only 20 people in the audience are really interested in theater (and we know who we are, LOL), and the rest are there for a dog-and-pony show. He said it was like a guy is trying to impress his date by getting tickets to see the stars. It's funny how he was able to pick that up from the stage. (LOL, I guess they can detect a great deal more from the stage than we ever suspect! *winkie*) That type of thought certainly entered my brain when I saw True West and saw the audience reaction. Roars, cheers. Flavor of the month. Neither the play/writing nor the performances showed the texture or depth of TRT, imo. Same thing with Betrayal. I enjoyed it, but was floored with some of the rave reviews. Oh well... By the way, Sean mentioned that he enjoyed working with AE on his latest flick, and would like to work with him again. He told a very cute story about when his daughter gets sick of him giving her affection, she feigns turning him off with a remote controller. He should give anger management lessons to the Bloviator (Alec Baldwin). :-)

(Donna) never go back to the theater Just clarifying my own post: Sean said he would probably never perform in theater again.

(Murph)Anyone watch Touching Evil last night? That's a dark show, isn't it? Yeah...me. It is dark..in content and visually. We are about to be inundated with filters on the cameras to show flashbacks. Blue filters must have been on sale in UK! Agree that Robeson Green's eyes do resemble Paul Newman's. Sadly, not his acting skills. (Sean Penn on Charlie Rose)... maybe only 20 people in the audience are really interested in theater. Probably more in the US than UK.Regional theatre has a hard time getting audiences here, yet in UK the theatre in the provinces flourish.(Due to better actors?)

Thanks everyone for your coments on WW. Have videoed and will hope to watch this weekend. I will re-read your comments again then! Looking forward to seeing it! I think it will appeal to us here eventhou' it's outside our political arena. Brits always have a global interest! Guess it's also the nearest you come to a royal family. "The Bill and Hill Show" R.I.P. ;-))

Maybe I should have put that the other way around! ;-))

Same thing with Betrayal. I enjoyed it, but was floored with some of the rave reviews. Isn't that directed by David Levereux? With that face, he can do no wrong! ;-) If only I could be stuck in an elevator with him. ;-)))))

Okay, here is the official cast listing from IMDB.com for West Wing. It is Jed;) Cast overview: Martin Sheen .... Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States) John Spencer (I) .... Leo McGarry (Chief of Staff) Bradley Whitford .... Joshua 'Josh' Lyman (Deputy Chief of Staff) Richard Schiff .... Toby Ziegler (Communications Director) Allison Janney .... Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg (Press Secretary) Rob Lowe .... Samuel 'Sam' Norman Seaborn (Deputy Communications Director) Dule Hill .... Charles 'Charlie' Young (Presidential Aide) Janel Moloney .... Donatella 'Donna' Moss (Aide to the Deputy Chief of Staff) Stockard Channing .... Abigail 'Abby' Bartlet, M.D. (First Lady) Elisabeth Moss .... Zoey Bartlet (First Daughter) Kathryn Joosten .... Mrs. Landingham (Presidential Secretary) Jorja Fox .... Gina Toscano (Secret Service Special Agent) (2000-) Moira Kelly (I) .... Madeleine 'Mandy' Hampton (Political Consultant/Media Director) [1999-2000] rest of cast listed alphabetically Timothy Busfield .... Danny Concannon (White House Press Corps) Melissa Fitzgerald (II) .... Carol (Aide to the Press Secretary) Emily Procter .... Ainsley Hayes (Associate White House Counsel) (2000-) Kim Webster (I) .... Ginger (Aide to the Director of Communications)

(Moon) Isn't that directed by David Levereux? With that face, he can do no wrong! LOL, he did fine Moon. I was just underimpressed with Liev Schreiber. He wasn't bad by any means, but he did not wow me. Plus his British accent didn't work for me. It was a very enjoyable evening though. But the reviews were very uneven. Some were positively glowing, and others had reservations similar to what I was thinking, mostly involving the actors. I don't recall any criticisms of direction. :-)

It is Jed;) Like I said, not Jeb.;-) The show and several of the actors are up for Golden Globes this Sunday, including Sheen, Lowe, Janney and Whitford. I think they won pretty much everything in sight at the Emmys. Good to see them recognized. I like John Spencer too, Murph. His Leo is a rock, isn't he? He beautifully balances the decency as well as the flaws of his character. BTW, I did see Croupier when it was in the theaters, so this is a repeat treat for me!:-)

From Media Guardian: West Wing wins UK vote Critics choice The West Wing, the US drama import focusing on a fictional president and his White House staff, made an impressive debut on Channel 4 last night. The West Wing, which stars Martin Sheen as the US president and Rob Lowe as one of his advisers, went out on Sky One last year. But this did not stop the UK terrestrial premiere pulling in 2.3m viewers on Channel 4 last night. The show took a 12% share of the available audience between 10pm and 11pm. It beat BBC2 opposition from a repeated Have I Got News for You, which got 2.2m viewers; and Newsnight, which attracted 1.2m.

Thanks Karen...good news for WW. But I found this surprising.... from a repeated Have I Got News for You, which got 2.2m viewers; That's a lot of viewers for a repeat of *news* for godsakes. But now we know the *news* about CF was indeed as Ann W. reported... ("Oh you can never fool a Droolie..." ;-)

It's not just a repeat of news, it's first and foremost a very bitingly satirical program which for some unknown reason keeps getting away with making very irreverent - not to say scurrilous - comments on current headlines and various public figures. Up my street, really... ;-)

It's not just a repeat of news, ....comments on current headlines and various public figures. Up my street, really... ;-) But dontcha' get tired of seeing the same thing *twice*?

But are the British watching it for the "content" or the beautiful people that are on it???? (I've LOVED Bradley Whitford forever! I think, he's sexy, funny, sad, beautiful, blah blah blah... I like the West Wing, I just think it's VERY democratic (as in political party));)

dontcha' get tired of seeing the same thing *twice*? Funny how this question never arises with reference to P&P... Personally, I don't normally watch repeats. I guess the repeats are for the "converts" who missed the show(s) the first time round.

But are the British watching it for the "content" or the beautiful people that are on it???? (I've LOVED Bradley Whitford forever! I think, he's sexy, funny, sad, beautiful, blah blah blah... I like the West Wing, I just think it's VERY democratic (as in political party));) ********* Bradley Whitford's wife is the woman who plays the mother in Malcolm In The Middle. I forget her name, since I have an aversion to Fox's programs EXCEPT for Boston Public, which has become a new favorite of mine. Can you tell I don't get out much?

Speaking of Odds and Ends... This is from tomorrow's Daily Telegraph in Sydney. Boy, does my new hero need to lose weight, wash his hair and get some sleep:

Murphy. I love Boston Public. I think it is one of the best show I have seen in the last five years. The one last week was a very powerful episode. The writers are great and the cst is wonderful. Every week I think, how different school is now.

Have you noticed how Russell Crowe looks and sounds like Richard Burton.

As a product of the Boston Public School system, can I tell you that David E. Kelley takes Poetic License regarding the school system... It just isn't that way.... :)

are the British watching it for the "content" or the beautiful people that are on it???? I don't know about beautiful but their comments can be hysterical.

Just a reminder, we have boards for: Russell Crowe http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/92/new Robson Green http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/81/new Ralph Fiennes http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40/new Several of us use the Jeremy Northam (43), Mel Gibson (6), Stephen Dillane (132) and Jonathan Firth (102) boards. You might want to take a look at what exists: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/ and if the person is not there, let me know and I'll set it up. You never know who might be interested if you never post there. I subscribe to the Field of Dreams dictum: "If you build it, they will come." It worked for Bridget Jones and Possession. ;-)

Thanks Karen...I'm at fault for breaking those rules. I forget the topic #, but I have now noted them. You're right, a lot of people don't read Odds 'n Ends..(don't know what they're missing. Sorry:-((

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly highlights 2001's "big events." In the theater section, topping the "Must-See List--Stage" is: DESIGN FOR LIVING--The Roundabout Theatre Company resurrects Noel Coward's giddy romp; trendy Tony winners Alan Cumming (Cabaret) and Jennifer Ehle (The Real Thing) are two thirds of an artsy, codependent menage a trois. (March 15)

(Echo) Robson Green...Paul Newman?...I don't really know why, but all that I can see in RG's eyes is just a great endless pale blue void... Sort of like a Malamute dog's ice blue gaze? I never saw "The West Wing". I don't watch much television in general. I quess that might make me un-American on both counts.

DFL.....two thirds of an artsy, codependent menage a trois. I saw "28 Days"just to see the other third of that menage a trois...Dominic West. Worst movie I have ever seen.Why would Sandra Bullock sign on to do something like that at this stage of her career.. DW was OK.Didn't go into American accent;which wouldn't have helped.

From my weekly London Theatre newsletter: "It is rumoured that GLENN CLOSE is likely to make her UK stage debut next year at the Royal National Theatre in "A Streetcar Named Desire". She would play Blanche Dubois, the neurotic heroine of Tennessee Williams's drama. Trevor Nunn is expected to direct the play, which has never been produced by the National before" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Isn't she a little "long in the tooth " to play Blanche?

(Cheryl) Sort of like a Malamute dog's ice blue gaze? Hm... don't know... Dogs have intelligent eyes...

Briefly tuned into E!'s full-day coverage of the Golden Globes and they were doing a bit on Sunshine. E! must have resurrected all its footage from the press junket plus they had on-the-scene film. Szabo spoke quite a bit and so did Rafe. Lots of scenes from the movie itself. Unfortunately, also caught the promo for the Melissa [Rivers'] Guide to Pregnancy so had to turn the channel. Is there anything more nauseating than this mother-daughter team? ;-)

Unfortunately, also caught the promo for the Melissa [Rivers'] Guide to Pregnancy so had to turn the channel. Is there anything more nauseating than this mother-daughter team? ;-) Hmmmm... let's see... Watching the conception, the birth, and the afterbirth;-)

Miramax is backing another film, which will include a recent Tony winner that we have come to admire :-) "The Hours", based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by Michael Cunningham that follows the separate characters lives over the course of a day, and how their 3 different stories interweave. Cast includes, in alphabetical order: Eileen Atkins, Claire Danes, Stephen Dillane, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Meryl Streep. The film is directed by Stephen Daldry, who directed Billy Elliot.

Fabulous news, Donna, you must be ecstatic. That is the Virginia Woolf thing. Just read that Allison Janney, who is a new edition, I think is replacing Julianne Moore. Here's a description I had read on Ananova: Daldry said it's the story of three women in different places at different times who are trying to define their identity in a world that wants to see them behave slightly differently. He said Julianne Moore plays Virginia Woolf, Nicole Kidman is in 1950's LA and Meryl Streep is in New York in the present day.

(Karen) That is the Virginia Woolf thing. Oh yes! I read about that earlier, but didn't connect the dots. :-) More news on "The Hours"... It's scripted by David Hare. Filming starts this month and casting seems to still be fluid. I found another site that shows Toni Collette as added to the cast. It still shows Julianne Moore. Hmmm, if she dropped out of this one, I wonder what she is up to? She was originally going to be in Design for Living, but dropped out of that too. A little more description: The novel is a homage to the Bloomsbury writer Virginia Woolf, and tells the story of three women living in different periods of the 20th century. One is Woolf, at work on her novel Mrs Dalloway in 1923; the second is an LA housewife in the late 40s; the last is a young woman in 1990s New York, planning a party for an Aids-suffering former lover who called her "Mrs Dalloway".

who is a new edition Am horrified! Allison Janney is not a book, newspaper or magazine. ;-)

... the separate characters lives over the course of a day, Wonderful news....good script writer, director, cast, Harvey...a winner!! And I like the three stories thingy...he better use different color camera filters etc.;-)

My nominee for worst dressed (of the major people we saw) at the Globes: Charlize Theron. Absolutely hideous and remarkable as she was regularly touted as the best dressed at last year's awards shows (though I didn't like her orange Oscar dress).

Scary, huh?

The face looks OK, but did she really have to expose that emaciated trunk with such abandon? And why didn't she look in the mirror before leaving home? Sad.

The DGA (Directors Guild of America) has announced their nominations for excellence in directing for the year 2000. The directors nominated for Best Feauture are: Cameron Crowe -- Almost Famous Ang Lee -- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ridley Scott -- Gladiator Steven Soderbergh -- Erin Brockovich Steven Soderbergh -- Traffic If this is a duplication of something posted previously, I am really sorry.

Thanks Cheryl, I've never seen this list before. Directors judging their peers. Quite an honor for those on the list.

Karen, ET and Access Hollyweird are touting Charlize as best dressed this year. I thought the dress was a bit out there, but she has the looks to pull it off. That pic of Lara Flynn Boyle *is* scary; she looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie.;-) Best was the woman from Crouching Tiger who fell right out of her dress. Gotta use that boob glue next time, honey.;-) These awards shows are not nearly the fun they used to be. These celebs all have personal stylists to select their ensembles now, so rarely does someone make a major fashion faux pas. In the good old days, you could always count on somebody like Cher to show up in something ghastly with feathers and sequins located where fabric should have been. Even Angelina Jolie is all cleaned up now! Out of affection for Moon, I won't even mention what Bjork looked like.;-) My cutest guy award definitely goes to George Clooney. Honorable mention: Javier Bardem. Geekiest-looking guy: Steven Soderbergh. Honorable mention: Cameron Crowe. Nice line: when Martin Sheen thanked "my trophy wife of the past 40 years." I thought they were going to have to prop up Bob Dylan, but darned if he didn't make it up on stage under his own power.;-) Liz Taylor looked great; confused but great. Goodyear Award: Russell Crowe (tied with last year's winner, Camryn Manheim;-) Odd Couple Award: Kate Hudson and that . . .fellow she just married. Poor Goldie is putting on a brave front, but inside she must have agita big time.;-) Was glad to see Kate win, very deserving of those nommed. Anybody have any other awards they want to hand out?:-)

(Cheryl) The DGA (Directors Guild of America) has announced their nominations... which will turn into the Oscar candidates and ultimately the winner for Best Director. Thanks, Cheryl. Nothing surprising. Soderbergh will continue to suffer from a split vote I think. (Mari) ET and Access Hollyweird are touting Charlize as best dressed this year. I know. I saw them. Am disgusted big time. Her dress looked like something Cher donated to a thrift store. And if Cher had worn it, you know she would've been ridiculed. This is rigged. ;-) Looks like those personal stylists need to form a network. Did you see that Brenda Blethyn and Lisa Nicole Carson (??) were wearing the same dress? My big gripe this year was hair! Do people really pay for looks like that? Sheesh, Bob Dylan's looked better than 75% of the women there. What was that peacock plummage deal going on behind Sandra Bullock's head? And those hunks of hair hanging forward from Sarah Jessica Parker's head? Kim Cattrell, a comb. A comb, Kim Cattrell. My favorite part of the show was Bob Dylan, white belt and all. You knew when you heard that song during the end credits for Wonder Boys that it would take it. Classic Dylan. Loved how the audience members were in awe of him...a real legend. Another good Clooney moment: the face he made while being referred to as a "second-generation" talent. Rosemary is his aunt, not his mother. They should've used Angelina Jolie instead.

Ooooowwww, I forgot, another hair-impaired one. Jane Seymour's daughter, who was on stage the entire time, being the chosen child. Strand of long hair hanging straight down the middle of her face.

That strand of hair cracked me up. She looked idiotic. (Mari),Out of affection for Moon, I won't even mention what Bjork looked like.;-) Bjork is a rock-star and very artistic. I always enjoy what she wears because she does it for fun. She makes fun of everyone in her subtle way. You know, Bob Dylan's outfit didn't kid either (Mariachi with a twist?) My cutest guy award definitely goes to George Clooney. Honorable mention: Javier Bardem. I enjoyed GC. Seems to have a great personality. Definitely someone to invite to your party. But my cutest award goes to Russell Crowe, loved the longish hair look. Finally saw Traffic (so much better than Erin B), and although it is flawed, It is still a very good film. Javier ws great. Still, I was happy Ang Lee got Best Director, and Kate Hudson as well. Can't comment much more because the tape ran out before time.

Extensive preview of 2001 films in the past Sunday LA Times. Bridget is listed for spring, with a one-line capsule synopsis, and there's a pic in the gallery (sliding down pole). Possession is listed under Fall/Holiday; no pic. Captain Corelli seems to be 'the' literary adaptation of the year from all the space devoted to it. Good article and very extensive gallery of upcoming pics. Walk through it. Article: http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Sneaks-X!ArticleDetail-17870,00.html Releases by season (no dates provided, all alphabetical) and gallery on left.

Russell Crowe IMO loooked way heavy.... (perhaps in dumping MR, he turned to food????); overall no one really jumped out at me. Lately, I love the style of Randolph Duke and Pamela Dennis (I went ballistic over a pair of Manolo Blahnik mules I saw at Neiman Marcus, alas, WAY too expensive for my taste:() RZ looked nice, but WOW, she lost lots of weight.

From Mitchell Finks' column: Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein was nevertheless gracious in defeat. "DreamWorks kicked a�," he said. "They won Best Picture in two categories. They deserved all the bows."

Moon, you're thinking of Benicio Del Toro in Traffic. Javier Bardem is the hottie (from Before Night Falls). Bjork's clothes were fine, from what I could tell. It was her hair, Louisa.;-) (Karen)Soderbergh will continue to suffer from a split vote I think. Yes, he needs to signal pretty quickly which film he'd rather get nommed for, or he will lose out altogether. What did you all think of Julia Roberts? She looked nice, but maybe a bit too understated? More Harry Winston needed next time.;-) It was good to see Robert Downey Jr. looking straight and healthy. I'm glad he won; Ally McB has improved considerably since he came on board. Such a good actor, but so many demons.

(Mari) I'm glad he won; Ally McB has improved considerably since he came on board. Agreed. Have read today that he's signed on for, like, 10 more episodes. So much for there being a crisis about his son and moving to be with him as the next week teaser seemed to imply. (Mari) It was her hair, Louisa.;-) It was everyone's hair! What's with this 1860s bun thing going with so many of them? And Allison Janney's? Blech (also she doesn't get any kudos for the way that Pamela Dennis dress fit; it had potential, but did you see that skin hanging out and over the top of the bodice? hard to believe on someone so thin)

My big gripe this year was hair....What's with this 1860s bun thing going with so many of them? Including Renee. I like her with the long blond tresses. What about the guy's get-ups? What's with all of them with the dress white shirts and long black ties...they looked like undertakers. Best dressed of the far-out look...Ang Lee. (Looked like Chairman Mao, you say?) I like that look.

You know the more I see photos of Steven Soderberg, the more he looks like Elvis Costello!!! :)

Well as I'm partial to sleek looks, I like RZ's shorter style. (I only wish they all had extremely curly hair, like me so I could see how they deal with it on a day-to-day basis!)

That pic of Lara Flynn Boyle *is* scary; she looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie.;-) ...and they say the camera adds 10+ pounds. Yikes! Scary to think what she looks like in person.

I wasn't really sure if I should join in on this topic of too thin actresses or even what board to place this in ... I found this picture of Renee Zellweger and thought: gahd, where's a pashmina when you need one? was she a victim of bad lighting? and was breaking up with Jim Carrey that bad that it put her off food?!? http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/20010122/en/imdf97228.html

(Marianne) I wasn't really sure if I should join in on this topic of too thin actresses The more the merrier! Gah! What a hideous shot. She really didn't look that emaciated IMO. Maybe there's a flaw in the photograph. ;-() Did you see how high that dress was slit? Must have been a Liz Hurley hand-me-down.

I thought Renee looked very thin too. And Mari, shouldn't Jessica Sarah Parker (or Sarah Jessica - I get mixed up) get some kind of award for biggest fake flower on dress and longest speech? Sela Ward was elegant, even in that revealing dress. My thoughts on Liz Taylor. I felt so sad for her. The brain tumor obviously has affected her. I hate when older women try at any costs to stay young looking. She looks now nothing like any version of the real Elizabeth Taylor. Even her features are completely different. Anyone have anything to say about Al Pacino's rambling trip through the past? ************** I read The Hours and enjoyed it very much. Should make a great film. I am now reading "The Journey Home" by Olaf Olafsson. Quite a character study. I recommend it. Next will be Peter Carey's "The History of the Kelly Gang."

Sarah should get an award for originality and changing the pitch of her voice. Rambling, no joke, I thought he lost it toward the end. I can't fault Liz Taylor, I thought she did great. Bless her heart. Healther Locklear gets the slit down the side dress award. Most revealing. Sarah Jessica Parker and that whole Sex and the City crew are great!

(Murph)..shouldn't Jessica Sarah Parker (or Sarah Jessica - I get mixed up) get some kind of award for biggest fake flower on dress and longest speech? Why don't we just give her the Biggest Fake Award .. period. Sela Ward was elegant, even in that revealing dress. A real stand-out...first time I've seen her...TV star? If so..not for long. (Murph)I hate when older women try at any costs to stay young looking. Madam...I beg your pardon. ;-)) IMO that's not the problem as much as the fact that she doesn't want to let go of the limelight.

Anyone notice if Lisa Snowdon was with George Clooney BAC?

George Clooney wasn't with anyone at the awards show. It was mentioned on our entertainment shows, so they were on the lookout.

I can't find the one I saw before, but does anyone notice something unusual in this picture?

No alcohol?!

You mean the bodyguard next to Calista is really a warden for RD Jr.? But I don't see 'no' handcuffs....

Harvey Weinstein with young gal? Benjamin Bratt without Julia Roberts? Hey, it says Golden Globes??? ;) I see her boobies??? I don't know:) Evelyn, Sela Ward has been around for a while. Loved her as Teddy in Sisters (awesome show!!) She was in Hello, Again! (um, yeah, I saw it) with Corbin Bernsen and Shelly Long (Sela was always cast as the vixen).

Wait! Bodyguard next to Calista, I volunteer! But Calisto isn't in the running for "golden globes"; Sela Ward is doing the Spring commercials now, riding a scooter, it's cool as commercials go.

I see her boobies??? I don't know:) Yes, you do. How can you see what doesn't exist, as anyone who watches the show would know. Those are either the best prosthetic devices or she's had sympathy boob growth from adopting. ;-)

We had been discussing Possession a bit ago. I don't know if you have seen the Times reve=iew from the other day on Byatt's new book.: A. S. Byatt's Bumbling Literary Sleuth Ends Up Clueless By MICHIKO KAKUTANI THE BIOGRAPHER'S TALE By A. S. Byatt. Illustrated. 305 pp. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. $24. Possession," A. S. Byatt's 1990 Booker Award-winnning novel, was a glittering story within a story about two modern-day scholars following a detective trail of literary clues to uncover a love story between two Victorian poets. The book was erudite and dense, but it was also enormously entertaining: a Chinese puzzle box of a novel that took elements from Jorge Luis Borges, John Fowles and David Lodge and combined them into something marvelous and strange. Ms. Byatt's latest novel, "The Biographer's Tale," is also a story within a story about a modern-day scholar following a detective trail of literary clues, in this case to uncover the life story of a famous biographer. Unfortunately for the reader, this novel is erudite and dense without being the least bit engaging. For the better part of the book, Ms. Byatt inexplicably renounces her copious gifts as a writer to construct a dry, tendentious and thoroughly irritating narrative designed to hammer home a single philosophical point, namely the familiar notion that historical truth often eludes the human rage for order. The story begins with a geeky postgraduate student named Phineas G. Nanson deciding to abandon his career as a postmodern literary theorist. He's sick to death of deconstruction and dissection and discussion, and hungry for "a life full of things," "full of facts." He decides to write a biography of a biographer, one Scholes Destry-Scholes, the author of a three-volume life of an explorer and polymath named Sir Elmer Bole. Phineas turns out to be a thoroughly inept researcher. He makes only the most perfunctory efforts to find people who knew Destry-Scholes and no effort at all to use the Internet or other resources to try to find more information. As for the two finds he stumbles across, they prove to be more perplexing than helpful. The first is a cache of documents that purport to be biographical sketches of the dramatist Henrik Ibsen, the taxonomist Carl Linnaeus and Francis Galton, a statistician and eugenicist who was related to Charles Darwin: three men, Phineas observes, who were "students in their own ways of the connectedness of things and people." The second discovery includes a bag of marbles, a trepanning instrument (for making holes in a skull), some old photographs and a shoe box containing a bunch of index cards, filled with quotations, stories and reflections on psychology, philosophy, evolution and hybridization. Ms. Byatt insists on giving the reader the full text of the three biographical sketches as well as many of the index card entries, an exercise that fills up half this volume and makes for eye-glazing reading. She also insists on giving us blow-by-blow descriptions of Phineas's efforts to make sense of these writings and to extract from them an understanding of Destry-Scholes's mysterious life. Needless to say, Phineas fails abysmally in both endeavors, as one clue after another turns into a dead end. He finally discovers that the portraits of Ibsen, Linnaeus and Galton are riddled with lies and distortions, which make a mockery of the art of biography; and he realizes that the index cards � which he randomly arranges and rearranges in different patterns � can be made to yield a multitude of arbitrary meanings. No doubt these lengthy passages are meant to satirize Phineas's academic training as a deconstructionist, while simultaneously underscoring the postmodern conviction that truth is always relative, knowledge always provisional. The problem is that Ms. Byatt spends pages and pages making these obvious points, subjecting the reader to all the frustrations Phineas experiences himself. We are made to listen to tedious digressions about everything from Ibsen's "Peer Gynt" to the art of composite portrait photography to the creation of eugenic utopias. And we are made to listen to Phineas's repeated complaints about the futility of his task. In the course of investigating the life and work of Destry-Scholes, Phineas meets a curious assortment of people including Vera, a beautiful radiographer who is Destry-Scholes's niece; a pair of travel agents named Erik and Christophe, who "sell odd holidays" and have "a Fourieriste ambition to cater to all tastes"; a feisty bee taxonomist named Fulla, who is an expert on Linnaeus; and a sinister stranger who gives Phineas a list of pornographic Web sites. These people help pull Phineas out of his hermetic ivory tower existence and expose him to the perils and pleasures of the real world. He begins affairs with Vera and Fulla, takes a job with Erik and Christophe and starts to consider a vocation as a travel writer. But while the later Bildungsromanesque chapters of "The Biographer's Tale" demonstrate Ms. Byatt's gifts for portraiture and storytelling, they come too late to make the reader the least bit interested in Phineas's sentimental education. They remain overshadowed by the ponderous chapters that have gone before, and they feel like an incongruous coda to what is an otherwise lugubrious and flat-footed novel.

Ouch! You win a few, you lose a few.

Thanks, Murph, I have the book here, courtesy of Evelyn, and with Ms Byatt's autograph. The reviews in England seemed favorable as I recall. But I haven't read it yet, even though it's quite short in comparison to Babel Tower...but then again, anything would be. ;-)

quite short in comparison to Babel Tower...but then again, anything would be. ;-) Karen, I'm STILL fried because of that book (am seriously considering rereading the whole lot of Federica Potter series INCLUDING Babel Tower:)) Yes, you do. How can you see what doesn't exist, as anyone who watches the show would know. Those are either the best prosthetic devices or she's had sympathy boob growth from adopting. ;-) LOL!!! They say that women can have a certain shot to stimulate lactating... ;) Ever see "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" when Rebecca De Mornay starts nursing???????

Ever see "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" when Rebecca De Mornay starts nursing? In that film, Rebecca had lost her baby and had the milk.

In that film, Rebecca had lost her baby and had the milk. Duh! I completely forgot!!! (I was a new mom when I saw that movie, dumb dumb dumb thing I did:)) But I have heard of women who can have a shot to help stimulate the breast milk... However, it is entirely possible that Ms. Flockhart is nursing OR she is wearing prosthetics;)

Hi everybody--Had to let you know I got my Fever Pitch DVD for only $3.95 (that includes shipping and handling) Ordered it off the web at the Trimark site. Couldn't believe the price.

when she lost the baby she continued using a pump as they would not go dry. i presume it was her intention to have milk when she was trying to use there lifes

For the Year of the Snake:

From Variety: UNIVERSAL ADOPTS NEW LINE'S 'BOY' Dramedy steers co. to more niche-driven fare By CATHY DUNKLEY, MICHAEL FLEMING Universal Pictures is expected to wrap negotiations this week to pick up the $30 million-budgeted Hugh Grant/Weitz brothers vehicle "About a Boy" in turnaround from New Line Cinema. The bigscreen adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel, a comedy/drama to star Grant, originally was set up three years ago by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro's New York-based Tribeca Prods. at New Line Cinema. "Boy" was put into turnaround by New Line earlier this week after the announcement that longtime New Line prexy Michael De Luca was ankling, to be replaced by Toby Emmerich. The shift is expected to steer the company away from mainstream projects and back to more niche-driven fare. "Boy," which will now be produced by Tribeca for Universal, is expected to be the first pic to go into production under Tribeca's new three-year, first-look production pact with the studio. Universal-based Working Title Films has a long-standing relationship with Grant after their collaborations on such hits as "Notting Hill" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and the upcoming "Bridget Jones' Diary." It also has a relationship with Hornby after their recent screen adaptation of his novel "High Fidelity." The company may be involved in some production capacity with "Boy," though details are yet to be finalized. Other contenders for the highly sought-after project, the cachet of which has risen in pre-strike fever, included Fox 2000, Miramax and DreamWorks. But Universal was in pole position for the pic due to the Weitz's previous collaboration with the studio on the hit "American Pie." The loss of "Boy" signals a major about-face for New Line, which optioned the then-unpublished manuscript of Hornby's novel three years ago for $2.75 million. Though its turnaround from New Line didn't cheer either CAA, which reps Grant, nor WMA, which reps the Weitz brothers, the newly installed Emmerich has garnered praised from insiders for his quick resolution to the problem, which allowed the project to make a pre-strike start date. New Line is expected to be reimbursed for its development costs on the project. Grant has long been in the frame to play the lead -- a wealthy, 36-year-old womanizing slacker whose fear of commitment leads him to seek out relationships with single mothers on the grounds that they are easier to leave. But his plans go awry when he becomes best friends with the 12-year-old son of his latest target. [huh?] Chris and Paul Weitz, the brothers behind Universal's teen hit "American Pie," were tapped last month to direct (Daily Variety, Dec. 10). The original version of the screenplay, penned by Peter Hedges, kept the North London setting but rewrote the central character as an American. Iain Softley was attached to direct but dropped out over casting disagreements. Two of Hornby's other books, "High Fidelity" and "Fever Pitch," also have been filmed. His agent, Jenne Casaratto, is currently submitting his next book, "How to Be Good," to studios.

Rambling a bit... The Apostle is on Bravo tonight, and watching just a bit of it makes me angry all over again that Duvall was passed over for the Oscar in 1998 in favor of Jack Nicholson in "As Good As It Gets." That was also the infamous Titanic year. Robert Duvall, like Ed Harris this year in Pollack, is an actor who should have won an Oscar a long time ago. The Apostle was all his, and what a great effort it was. The film is mentioned this week in an interesting article in the New Yorker on Flannery O'Connor. The article says that the film has the flavor of her stories. If you have never read O'Connor, try her. Her writing is funny, sacred, scary and insightful all at the same time. I wish Duvall would do something substantial soon again.

(Murph) Robert Duvall, like Ed Harris this year in Pollack, is an actor who should have won an Oscar a long time ago. He did. Best Actor for Tender Mercies in 1983 and has been nominated many times. When you look at the other nominees for that year: Nicholson for As Good As It Gets (winner) Matt Damon for Good Will Hunting Dustin Hoffman for Wag the Dog Peter Fonda for Ulee's Gold, which I never saw I suppose Duvall really should've gotten it, although doing an evangelical preacher screams nominate me. Frankly, I couldn't handle all the ultra-OTT stuff. But that movie was his personal project. I would've given it to Hoffman. Loved him in that.

I loved Duvall in The Apostle too, Murph. I didn't think he was over the top at all, Karen; if anything, he toned it down a bit. Ever been to one of those evangelical churches?;-) But I also thought Hoffman was great in Wag The Dog; terrific script. "This? This is nothing. This is nothing." A classic, IMO. Anyone seen Thirteen Days? I liked it. Good, taut drama, well-written and acted. Bruce Greenwood really impresses as JFK, without resorting to trying to do an imitation whch I think would have been a mistake. Kevin Costner, IMO, redeems himself in this one, and doesn't try to hog the show. Apparently, parts of the script were based on JFK's White House tapes with a lot of the conversations being taken from there; what struck me was how isolated and alone JFK was during this crisis. Other than Bobby and a couple of trusted advisers, he had no one to turn to. The military was itching for a fight with the Russians and wanted to redeem themselves after the Bay of Pigs. Many in Congress didn't think he had any business being president. Thank God cooler heads prevailed. Maybe certain people are put into certain positions at points in history and it only seems that their work was left unfinished . . . Anyway, there's a neat bit of "in" casting in this one, with Christopher Lawford playing a reconnaissance pilot. A small role, but a pivotal one; I won't spoil it. I read an interview with Chris not long ago and he said he has a couple of HBO movies coming out this year; dare we hope that Londinium is one of them? He also said that Steven Soderbergh is trying to work him into Ocean's Eleven, as a nice nod to his dad.

(Mari) I loved Duvall in The Apostle too I did too. Very enjoyable movie, IMHO.

(Ben) Unthinkingly, filed in to "Incassable" (Unbreakable) (Moon) My DH saw it in London and he wants me to see it so that I might explain the ending to him. It has not shown in the States yet. Sure it has. It opened probably in the Thanksgiving timeframe and is still playing at the cheapie shows now in my area. Haven't seen it though. And one can never believe what adverts and posters say. The superlative comments are either purchased or lifted totally out of context from real reviews.

This is hysterical! From the BBC: Connery and Walters 'greatest UK actors' James Bond favourite Sir Sean Connery and Billy Elliot star Julie Walters have been voted the greatest British movie actors of all time. The duo, who beat esteemed thespians including the late Lord Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and Dame Maggie Smith, topped the Orange Film Survey of more than 10,000 voters. The poll also ranked Elizabeth Hurley above Emma Thompson and Barbara Windsor above Helen Mirren. And of the top five actors in the poll - to tie in with shortlist for the Orange British Academy Film Awards out on Wednesday - only Hugh Grant, at number four, has not been knighted. Sir Sean, 70, whose distinctive voice and looks are famous across the globe, found fame as 007....Sir Sean is followed by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Alec Guinness who died last year. But Sir John Gielgud, regarded as one of Britain's finest actors, is not mentioned in the top 10. Instead the spaces are filled by relative newcomers Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle, and also current James Bond star Pierce Brosnan. [who isn't British, but Irish] Walters, an Oscar nominee for Educating Rita, is also well-known for her TV comedy work with writer and comedienne Victoria Wood....The actress is followed by Dame Judi Dench, who took the best supporting actress Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare In Love. And headline-hitting Catherine Zeta Jones, tipped for an Academy award nomination this year for Traffic, is in third place. The survey also found that cinemagoers find the experience so relaxing that many fall asleep. Nearly half of all those who took part had fallen asleep at the cinema and almost a quarter had nodded off in the past three months. The lists Favourite actors: 1. Sir Sean Connery 2. Sir Anthony Hopkins 3. Sir Alec Guiness 4. Hugh Grant 5. Sir Michael Caine 6. Pierce Brosnan 7. Robert Carlyle 8. Ewan McGregor 9. Sir John Mills 10. Lord Olivier Favourite Actresses: 1. Julie Walters 2. Dame Judi Dench 3. Catherine Zeta Jones 4. Elizabeth Hurley 5. Emma Thompson 6. Elizabeth Taylor (s/b listed as Dame too) 7. Barbara Windsor 8. Helen Mirren 9. Dame Margaret Rutherford 10. Dame Maggie Smith Wonder about the coincidence of the fourth-place finishers. ;-)

Hysterical, agreed. One is gratified, however, that the British media are not the only and exclusive source of hysterical revelations about the contemporary popular tastes in the Western society. :-)

There is a report on About.com's British TV page that after 2002, PBS will no longer show us British-made mysteries. In my mind that is a disaster. I even watch Hettie Winthrop!!!! http://britishtv.about.com/tvradio/britishtv/library/weekly/aa012801a.htm Here is a notice about upcoming shows on Mystery. Morse on Feb 22 is not to be missed. *********************** On February 15th, John Thaw is back as Inspector Morse in "The Wench Is Dead," attempting to solve a murder mystery over 100 years old! A week later on February 22nd, the evening begins with a change of pace: a documentary look at the career of Inspector Morse entitled "The Last Morse." Interviews with the actors, writers and producers are included in this special. It's immediately followed by the final chapter for Morse, "The Remorseful Day," which brings to a close his adventures after 64 episodes. Be prepared for a tearjerker! March 22 through May 3, Clive Owen is strong, silent-type D.C.I. Ross Tanner, a maverick cop who is slowly going blind, in six new installments of Second Sight.

A question: Will we have Oscar predictions/nominee discussions? Is there a topic for that, Karen, or do we do it here? I know Mari is all ready with hers.

Murph) PBS will no longer show us British-made mysteries. In my mind that is a disaster I heard about that and thought 'somebody must have misread an article,' but the info seems pretty certain and nonambiguous at About.com. Seems that PBS really has no choice if they're competing with cable networks. But I do foresee problems in quality if PBS cannot find partners to help them produce original Mystery programming. This place is where our Oscar and other awards discussions take place.

(Mari), Moon, Unbreakable played here months ago. It's the M. Night Shyamalan film Bringing over from CF topic. I mixed up titles. I have seen U and was v. disappointed. I was referring to a French film my DH saw in London. (Shoot me now, I can't remember the title!) Just saw the list of films that won at Sundance. What liberal crap!!!! Do we need films on sex-change and transexuals? (They must be big fans of All Abiut my Mother)

(Moon) I was referring to a French film my DH saw in London. Could it be "Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train"? I noticed that it played recently to pretty good reviews in London, but when I saw it two film fests ago, I thought it utterly worthless...second only to the Oliveira thing (same fest) at which I fell asleep for the first time in a movie. This had similar snoozable characteristics. ;-)

Could it be "Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train"? I saw that last year and we walked out. Utterly worthless is quite correct. The French film he saw was a murder mystery with a quirky title. He liked it but need me to explain the ending. :-) I will ask him and post the name later.