Fantastic pictures - he looks so well and rested. Thank you Karen. Wonder how Sharon M felt being interviewed alongside him like that remembering what she said when she had to stand in for Renee opposite him and say "I love you".

(Cathey) Following is an article from an Australian Magazine. Thanks for taking the time to type out the article. Always nice to see a little hype for our boy. A shame they had to publish those pics under the guise of BJD publicity. A bigger shame is that a Holier-Than-Thou webmistress posted the article and the pics. While she constantly takes things from here without giving credit, I never thought I'd live to see the day she did this... :-(

I'm thinking Colin showed off his Italian during the press conference...don't you think? Thanks Cathey for taking the time to type the article.We always enjoy the publicity from your neck of the woods. A bigger shame is that a Holier-Than-Thou webmistress posted the article and the pics. Thank you boss, for taking the high road on Spring.We all know he was upset over those pics. I thought that's why we have Springfolks. (Bethanne)LOL Evelyn, I'm sure looking at that BAFTA on her bookshelf, made filling in all those Waterstone job applications, less of a chore. Hey pal...you forgot your *winkie*;-)

Fox News reprinted the AP article by Matt Wolf from a few days ago, pictures are of CF & FO, and JD and director, Oliver Parker. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,31400,00.html

Pardon my bad manners, Moon. Grazie for giving Karen the Lucarno FF heads-up.Trans Atlantic! What a team... You made our weekend.

The pictures at the Locarno Film Festival just took my breath away! I just shook my head and said "he is too good-looking!" This is all very odd for me - I am a 30+ year old happily married woman with kids and a career and I have a crush on colin firth after seeing BJD.

On Finnish Cosmopolitan cover:COLIN FIRTH -SEX SYMBOL AGAINST HIS WILL I didn`t have time to look at the article, but I`m going shopping tomorrow:)

I haven't been keeping up on the TIOBE news, but I checked on the Fox site. Thanks, Marianne. And my oh my, those Locarno shots. Ding dong, indeed! But what's with the PC dribble Sharon's spouting? (Hope you don't mind me filching this quote from your site, Karen:) At the end Bridget chooses the more reliable (Firth) but as the director said, "They are two different types, one to marry and the other to have as a lover. It would be lovely if one woman could have both even in real life." I know she was just trying to be nice to Hughie as well as molto Italiano but Ms. Maguire, you can't honestly mean Mark couldn't fulfill both roles quite satisfactorily. What techie stuff did I miss? I haven't got my DVD yet and could use the advice.

Great Earnest pics, Marianne. Thanks. I've added a couple of links to Real Video and audio from Locarno. The video is mainly Sharon Maguire with the movie trailer, but hang in there as Colin is shown being interviewed as well. Unfortunately, there is Italian narration over the whole thing, as in the Audio interview link which is a Q&A session with Colin. Gaaah :-( http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdlff.html If anyone would like to take a stab at translating Colin's interview back into English, feel free. ;-) I'm sure there's another Conference on Spring more appropriate for a discussion of DVD features/prices or email.

Yummy video, thanks Karen. I admire SM for obviously being able to answer the journalists questions, 'wot with being pressed up against Col's chest like that, sharing a microphone. If it were me, I'd be hyperventilating and stuttering to beat the band. If I remember right in BJD and The Edge of Reason, Shazzer and Jude were just as smitten by Mr Darcy/Colin, as Bridge was. I wonder if working with him every day filming BJD, cured her of all that, or if she still gets butterflies in her tummy, when she is up close with him ? O to be SM during that press conference....

Where is everybody? I know those pics from Locarno were devastating but surely everybody has recovered now;-) O to be SM during that press conference.... I have a horrid feeling SM might be more of a Huge girl:-(. I thought her comments about a girl needing a Daniel type as a lover and a Mark as a husband probably reflected her own views and were not just her being diplomatic. After all Colin is a smug married while HG is a famous flirt.

(Allison) I have a horrid feeling SM might be more of a Huge girl:-(. Very true. Even though she may have been part of the group that came under the spell while watching P&P, she probably liked Huge from way back when. It's that or she felt an overwhelming need to stroke his ego by playing up to him in all the press. BTW, Terry has set up several DVD topics, one of them is in Movies, so go to it.

(Allison) Where is everybody? Am back from vac and reporting for duty, ma'am. ;-P Am sure many others are still away. People tend to do that sort of thing in August. Karen, loved your hilarious Official MoB Fairy Tale. Was ROTF. Thanks also for the FF pics (hats off to Moon!). Have super-duper zoomed in on that pink piece of paper in CF's hand. It says 'call Karen ASAP, for hot role tips'. So did he call? ;-D

(Eileen) It says 'call Karen ASAP, for hot role tips'. Gaah! Have been on the phone all a.m. Probably has been trying to call. ;-)

Well if he left you a message, plueeeze don't do what Bridge did in E of R and erase the darn thing with an incoming call. Do you have any friends called Tom ? If you do, e mail him and, tell him not to call you under ANY circumstances. Am dying to hear if you remained calm, cool and collected in manner of detatched ice queen, while you were on the phone with him.

Found this little item in this week's The National Enquirer. THAT SPECIAL TOUCH: Gay actor Rupert Everett ad-libbed two weird moves that stunned co-star Colin Firth while filming "The Importance of Being Earnest." In a scene where they're supposed to shake hands, Rupert swept Colin into his arms and KISSED HIM on the cheek! And in a shot that called for Rupert to slap Colin on the back - he slapped him on the ass instead! Both times, Colin's stunned reaction cracked everyone up! After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed!

LOL.That's Rupee, the "scene -stealer". Sounds hilarious.Definitely not in the play;-)

(Marianne) Found this little item in this week's The National Enquirer. Was the line very long at the grocery store? ;-) (birdcage liner) After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed! Wot, no pictures??? Hopefully, the latter scene was while Jack is getting out of the tub. *hee hee*

Pffft! Who wants to bet we'll be reading this at Ananova or PeopleNews (assuming latter is still operating) tomorrow? Homophobic Firth Stunned by Gay Costar [content same as National Birdcage Liner's but without exclamation points and with a misappropriated quote or two.] Am glad they decided to keep the scenes as is. Is worth the price of admission. ;-)

(Evelyn) That's Rupee, the "scene -stealer"....Definitely not in the play;-) As was done by "The Man Born to Do Oscar Wilde," I'm sure it should've been. ;-)

RE: Film Festival Pics I'm glad this is the place to drool because pictures of CF just keep getting better and better and better. Doesn't he know he's over forty and can stop looking so gorgeous now? Not even a bald spot showing. Now how did that happen?

Caribou, absolutely!! AFG or what? corrr .. if only I could work out why my sound card isn't working I could listen to the Locarno stuff, instead of watch and lip read - but then, what lips to read *thud* oops fell off chair

It's offically a fix! Just saw the Hollywood Movie Awards coverage on ET. Guess who was at the awards? Loved the question to NK about how many people were 'touched' by the film to vote for it. Ya right. Sure they were touched - by cookieitis.

Yup, I saw it too......talk about a fix, sheesh !!

Marianne: Rupert swept Colin into his arms and KISSED HIM on the cheek! And. . . slapped him on the ass instead! Both times, Colin's stunned reaction cracked everyone up! After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed! Well, if they do indeed keep those scenes in the film, we'll know who the playwright's alter ego is meant to be (as if we didn't already). The question is, will Cecily "know" that Algy's pendulum swings both ways? This film may be historic for the subtext alone--if the actors play the scenes the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. I can hardly wait to see Judi Dench flirting with CF and RE. Imagine how she can put new meaning into the term "recumbent position". ;-)

Oh, excuse me, that would be "semi-recumbent posture", wouldn't it? (I sort of like mine better, as far as double entendres go).

So when Rupee smacked Col on his posterior, do we actually see his hand make contact, or is it a face shot and we merely see Col's reaction to aforementioned butt smack ? Hmmmmmm, enquiring minds need to know.

Hey if you can catch the Tonight Show, Caroline Rhea is on and she talks about Colin's visit to Rosie and how he didn't 'get' her joke about it being down to her or Renee for the role. Of course dear Jay didn't know who ODB was - thought he was from Notting Hill! ;-P Bloody hell I am in heaven tonight - a Colin mention and my bloody fave band!!!!

(Rebecca) Loved the question to NK about how many people were 'touched' by the film to vote for it. That was funny, wasn't it? Am picturing the scene if the BJD crowd had been there. Colin would be standing there awkwardly (in manner of EMcG), while Julie Moron only spoke to RZ, with strange, silent person (film's director) standing on other side. Colin would then obliging mumble two words about seeing his co-star again. Back to RZ. Hmmm, have just noticed that Valmont is on TV tomorrow night (AMC). Is this a first? Feels like an event to me...might have to put aside my James Dean tape fest... Carolyn Rhea is on Leno right now and has been telling her CF story. Leno wasn't understanding who he was (argh, said Notting Hill) and CR said, "no, no, he's the gorgeous one from BJD." Went over badly.

Is there somewhere I can send flowers to Caroline Rhea at ? Major, major props to her, for mentioning ODB on national TV and generally spreading the disease of Firthitis amongst the masses. ( Who needs West Nile Virus when we have Firthitis ? ) What a shame Leno had to spoil it....gahh !!! What time is Valmont on ?

FRom one of the London Theatre websites: "6th August 2001 Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Rupert Everett are expected to star in a new movie version of Oscar Wilde's classic play The Importance of Being Earnest. The comedy has been filmed before, with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans in the leads, back in 1952. However, Parker's version (due for Christmas release) may yet ruffle a few feathers with the director stating, "The spirit of Earnest demands something different... something wonderfully light but anarchic". A stage version, starring Patricia Routledge enjoyed a West End run earlier this year having initially played at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1999. Dame Judi played Lady Bracknell in the National Theatre's 1982 production" ~~~~~~~~~~ From the reports of Rupee's antics on the set, sounds like anarchy is alive and well on the set of TIOBE;-)Roll on Christmas. *evelyn , who is walking the streets looking for anyone who take Cinemax*

are expected to star Ooh, crack reporting. Film is in can. :-/ evelyn , who is walking the streets looking for anyone who take Cinemax Can't you subscribe for just a month? I remember others doing that in the past, when RV was broadcast on Starz. (Beth) Is there somewhere I can send flowers to Caroline Rhea Send 'em with a note informing her that he *did* get her joke.

Blackadder Back and Forth is on Sky One (UK) tonight at 10 pm (just in case anyone's checking in here in time)

Carolyn Rhea is on Leno right now and has been telling her CF story. .... Went over badly. Good, maybe she'll take that story out of her bag of tricks. Love her to death for calling him gorgeous on national TV but she makes ODB sound like humorless prig. Ooh, thanks, Karen, for the headsup on Valmont. 10:00 pm tonight, EST. I may actually still be awake. Nice of Terry to have set up a DVD topic. Shall I meet you other girls there?

Valmont is on now, Valmont is on now.......ahhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're back! Thanks for helping us, Koti! koti@spring.net got us running again.

If you want to email your thanks to Koti, I won't mind!

Hurrah! I just came back from vacation, and this morning my pseudonym was shown as "unprivileged user." Scared me silly! I thought I was being thrown off for not having posted for more than a week. I couldn't find an internet cafe anywhere we were, so I had to make do with just one picture of Colin for almost two weeks. (A friend made a bookmark with his face on it. So I use that as the bookmark in my diary, thus I have an excuse for carrying Colin with me) I missed reading all the posts and seeing the pictures at the Bucket. Going back to take another look at those, now!

The New York Post has an online ballot on which you can cast your vote/prediction for the Emmys. At the risk of being ridden out of here on a rail, I must point out that this is not a contest. ;-) http://www.pagesix.com/emmys/emmys.htm Karen, the Locarno pics and report are breathtaking! Ding Dong, indeed!:-) What a find--big kudos to you and Signora Luna.

If there's a spot for write-in votes, I have a premonition that "Red Mill" will win. Again.

Signora Luna would rather have a Cosmopolitan rather than a kudo. ;-) Hmmm, can you possibly think of anything better than to watch BJD under the stars with a certain bellringer around... BTW, are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning. Colin's films are finally making it to our television. Unfortunately, the TV Guide (the real one, not newspaper supplement) showed the film as starring Luke Aikman and Beatrice Guard. Was that the mother??????

are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO Holly Aird (who was in FP) featured in this week's Sunday Times glossy mag. She mentions CF....."He's sexy because he's an extremely nice man."

there's more than one film called Fever Pitch...are you sure it's not the non-CF one?

Definitely CF version. LA is young Paul and BG Paul's sister who must have starred for all of five minutes:-)

Bizarre!

Thanks, Aishling, for identifying Beatrice. I was too lazy to look it up, but of course recognized Luke's name, plus there's the year/country of origin and film description which all matched. The only thing missing was the name of the STAR of the film. :-)

Here's the link to the Sunday Times article about "New Brits on the Lot" where she says 'sexy because he's a really nice guy': http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/08/12/stimazmaz02005.html?999 [Didn't know that Holly was in the Flame Trees of Thika as a child.]

Hello. I've been away for a while. Followed interestedly the discussion about CF's withdrawal from Hamlet. I won't add anything, except to say that it's a shame no Firthettes will now be visiting London. Almost entirely off the subject, I preferred Sam West to SRB. Back on the subject, I will offer only a dismissive sneer at the decision to relegate JE to the background of the DVD cover. The favourable comparison with Jane - the abundance of flesh crammed into one sister's neck is rather more attractively distributed in the other - is all the starker.

Speaking of Fever Pitch, Empire has an item (from the Mirror) about the American remake of the film which I shall put on Topic 148...even though Empire has a pic of CF accompanying the article. Nice to see you back, Ben. However, fortunately, for you, the British DVD shows a very equal JE and CF on its cover. Besides, art should not be judged by the amount of cleavage shown.

From the same people who don't know when to broadcast Conspiracy: Spielberg drama loses BBC1 primetime slot Steven Spielberg's Second World War drama Band of Brothers has lost its primetime BBC1 slot in a schedule change. It was not considered mainstream enough for primetime broadcast and will appear instead on BBC2. The show was directed by Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks. Its �7million price tag makes it the most expensive programme ever bought by the BBC. BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey told the Media Guardian: "It's a fantastic, quality piece of drama. "It looks like a movie. But I didn't think it was broad enough for a mainstream audience." The BBC bought the series before Heggessey took control, but their decision to play down the drama coupled with its high price tag could spark controversy. *shaking head*

Here's the full article from the Media Guardian: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,536820,00.html But do click on this for the Guardian's suggestions for alternative ways to spend the �7million (especially #2): http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,536934,00.html

Interesting that this week the Guardian reckons 7 million = 7 hours of P+P when an article last week about the return of Only Fools and Horses quoted P+P as costing 750,000 quid an hour ... maybe they could use some of it to film some of the "sequels" in fanfic *ROFL*

maybe they could use some of it to film some of the "sequels" in fanfic *ROFL* Yes, they'd be more costly to film. Think of all the ripped shirts and laundry expense! ;-) Another Colin mention in The Times yesterday: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,622-2001281173,00.html

Speaking of Fever Pitch, Empire has an item (from the Mirror) about the American remake of the film Yes, and they've totally fabricated Nick Hornby's reaction; we know the truth because people here heard it. Shades of Helen Fielding being allegedly miffed over BJD casting. :-( Another Colin mention in The Times yesterday More inaccuracy--wot's that nonsense about his name being tiny on the BJ posters here? He had higher billing than in the UK! I can't get over how they just make this stuff up. While I'm in a good mood ;-), I may as well weigh in on the P&P DVD cover. While I'll happily display it next to my boxed video set . . . this isn't right. It's all about marketing; A&E knows it'll sell more this way. He was wonderful, but it's Jennifer's show all the way. To see her relegated to the background with Jane . . . ridiculous. If the Lizzie portrayal isn't right, the whole show goes down the tubes. I expected better from A&E. On a brighter note, Apartment Zero will be on Starz this Thursday evening, 10 p.m.

So where do we send our suggestions for which Fan Fic story to be filmed first, with the excess 7 million quid ? I'm going to nominate that story about Arabella's conception, when Darcy and Lizzie...er...."do it" half way up a tree. I'm not slighting the works of our other talened authors, really I'm not It's just that the Beeb wouldn't exactly have to cough up mega bucks for sets, now would they ? Safety nets and bug spray are far cheaper than hiring out stately homes as locations. I have also read quite a bit about British ire, that recent World War 2 movies focus more on American participation in the war, than that of the British. So I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was a factor, in the Beeb giving it a less prestigious time slot. While Saving Private Ryan was a fabulous movie, I know some British Veterans Association's noses were a little out of joint at the plot which they felt implied the American involvemnt in D Day was more important than theirs was. I never got that impression from Saving Private Ryan, but then again I didn't risk my life 56 years ago on the beaches of Normandy....so what do I know ?

Not to minimize the incredible English effort in fighting the Axis powers (fairly single-handedly for many years) and enduring the bombings, Saving Private Ryan was strictly about the landing at Omaha Beach. You guys landed on another beach, where they weren't slaughtered. This movie isn't about anybody winning an entire war. It's about a senseless little mission to find one little guy. Please, let's not overblow this one. As I read in one of your newspapers some time ago, if you want to showcase your history, then you're going to have to make the movies. Don't blame us if we concentrate on American contributions. Just look at the project Russell Crowe is going to direct. It too is WWII, but about an Aussie unit. My whole point was: you don't get more mainstream than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It's not possible. Lorraine just tossed your money away.

But do click on this for the Guardian's suggestions for alternative ways to spend the �7million (especially #2) I'll second #2 (as long as extra P&P2 scenes involve ODB), and if I may, I'll cast yet another vote for #6. I just love Jack Frost.

Sorry Karen, I didn't mean to imply that that I wanted to stir up the WW2 controversy, mentioned in the Guardian article. I just remember reading/hearing a fair bit about it, over the past year or so, thats all. I have no feelings on the matter myself. The county I come from, didn't even fight in WW2 so I'm not really informed enough to have an opinion, one way or another.

I agree about SPR - great film, and never intended to portray the entire Allied effort. (There were three British beaches, btw, and a fair number of casualties on them, including my own grandfather.) People get pissed off not so much with ommissions as with clear fabrication - (U-571, the Patriot, etc.) Of course, for inventiveness, nothing beats Fleet St. - the exaggeration of NH's reaction should come as no surprise. As a three-year visitor at Fenway, I am looking forward to the film. (With due apologies to both, there is definitely a similarity between the moaning of the Arsenal and BoSox fans.) As for JE, I freely admit that my objection to her relegation on A&E's cover had nothing to do with art.

No need to apologize, Beth. I probably shouldn't have gotten on my soapbox. (Ben) People get pissed off not so much with ommissions as with clear fabrication - (U-571, the Patriot, etc.) Quite. I don't condone messing around with the facts. Again, I don't wish to minimize or trivialize the British effort, except that the Germans were there to meet the US landing at Omaha in great strength and covered the other beaches where they thought the landing might occur to a lesser degree. (Ben) nothing beats Fleet St. - the exaggeration of NH's reaction And I thought you guys understood irony. ;-)

What price CF? �7m for seven hours means a million an hour for P&P. Colin on screen for, say, one third of the time? That's 50G per Colin-minute. It SEEMS a lot. But wait! Let's give it a worldwide audience of 20 million (does someone have a more accurate figure?), each of whom (judging by present company) has seen it at least twice, on average. That works out at less than 0.2 cents per Colin-minute per woman. I call that a good deal.

Two years and three months of free biscuits and tea for everyone at the BBC Heehee. Brain food. (Karen) My whole point was: you don't get more mainstream than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It's not possible. Lorraine just tossed your money away. After seeing HBO's (somewhat melodramatic, IMO) promo, Band of Brothers strikes me as 'SPR II.' So I see your point, Beth. I agree with Karen that the Beeb should have considered the issue of mainstream-ness before they signed the cheque for 7M.

Here's what I don't understand about the Band of Brothers/BBC "controversy": Doesn't the same audience who gets BBC1 also get BBC2? In other words, doesn't it have the potential to reach the same number of people? Regardless, the series cost $80 million to produce. Presumably, a fair chunk of that was plowed into the local English economy, in terms of acting jobs, crew, craftspeople, location access fees, lodging, meals, transportation, etc. Surely much more than 7 million worth. So, it's gone out of one pocket but right back into the other. Seems like good business--and good public policy--to me, no matter what channel eventually shows it.

Had my date with Paul this morning on HBO Signature (wish the blonde with the shrill voice didn't show up too ;-)). *sigh*

Mari, the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 - everyone gets it - but traditionally, BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. This whole BBC/HBO business is extremely annoying when the BBC can't even say when they'll screen things they co-produced!! as discussed earlier, why do we pay our licence fee? *rant*

(Karen)BTW, are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning. Colin's films are finally making it to our television. Unfortunately, the TV Guide (the real one, not newspaper supplement) showed the film as starring Luke Aikman and Beatrice Guard. Was that the mother?????? In a bizarre coincidence (or not), FP will be showing next Tuesday on the Canadian Showcase channel. The TV Guide description sounds the same as yours; i.e. no mention of CF. And one of our movie channels (CEN) starts running RV next week. Maybe I'm on a roll and they'll actually show something I haven't seen! Conspiracy hasn't made it here yet.

BBC had been led to believe there would be much more to which a British audience could relate. It will now go on a more culturally elitist channel (BBC 2) It will still be shown.

Thanks for the clarification on the Beebs, Rachael. As for Conspiracy, my guess is they'll schedule it soon after the Emmy Awards; if it does well in the Emmys, then that's an extra "hook" for reporters/critics to put into their articles i.e., "the award-winning film, Conspiracy." Miss Teryman/Mister Eman) BBC had been led to believe By whom? The book by Stephen Ambrose on which the series is closely based was published almost 10 years ago. I can't see how there could be any confusion about its content. Anyway, my original point was actually to cut the BBC some slack as I felt that the press carping was unjustified. But, I know things often look differently to outsiders.

Mari, the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 - everyone gets it - but traditionally, BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. This whole BBC/HBO business is extremely annoying when the BBC can't even say when they'll screen things they co-produced!! as discussed earlier, why do we pay our licence fee? *rant*

oops!! sorry, don't know how I did that twice!

BBC had been led to believe (Mari) By whom? By the same person who kept DQ on the shelf, but of course. *snort* (Rachael) BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. Thanks for the clarification. So BBC2 is where you'd go to watch reruns of "I Love Lucy," right?

Bryonny: Are you in Canada? Cause I was curious about the channel you mentioned (CEN) playing Relative Values. I haven't seen it yet! :-(

(Mari) Miss Teryman/Mister Eman LOL! Ah, but MysteryMan sees all, knows all. *snort* (Rachael) the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 What's the difference in viewership? Just curious--I want to be prepared when I hear that Conspiracy will air on BBC2. ;-)

Well, I'll say this for MysteryMan, at least he/she can write a graceful sentence without ending it with a preposition.

It never don't make no difference to me;-)

Ooh, my favorite Churchill quote, re ending sentences with a preposition: "A pedantry up with which I will not put." Um, Band of Brothers. I'm actually frightened that someone thought that filming a Stephen Ambrose book was a good idea. God bless him, but after a while you feel bludgeoned by his point of view, even with the books.

Rebecca: Yes, I'm in Western Canada and CEN is one of the cable movie channels not on basic cable. I don't know if the East is different. All the vid stores here have RV however, so I've rented it. And if you happened to copy only the CF scenes, by the way, which I'm sure I'd never do, it only takes 30 minutes of space!

(Evelyn) It never don't make no difference to me ;-) Me neither. *sniff* Though I abhor dangling gerunds. *sticking my nose in the air* Wish there was CF news.

Eileen the top rated programmes on BBC1 (soaps, big football matches, big comedies) will get between 12-14 million viewers, a major one off event might get 18 million viewers; the top stuff on BBC2 will get around 4-5 million, but most BBC2 programmes will be less than this

Grammar: 1 Content: 0

Reads frantically thru all archived posts to check my grammer.....ack, ack, ack, don't like what I see.

Correct me if I am wrong. Hamlet was cancelled because it "conflicted with Mr. Firth's filming schedule." I know you ladies to be crack detectives (among your many other talents), yet we know nothing of any filming with which to conflict. My obsession is in need of food.

Just caught Apartment Zero on Starz East. I can't believe TV Now didn't even mention it. Can it be that Starz changed their schedule from that originally planned due to CF's popularity? Maybe they have been deluged with e-mails demanding more movies starring Colin Firth. And only a couple of weeks to go until Londinium. It's good to be a cable subscriber (with multiplex) right now. ODB was so adorable in AZ. You just wanted to cuddle him when his mum died. Except he would have probably climbed straight up the wall if you tried, due to his particular neuroses. What a performance. "If that's a mask. . ." Sigh.

I watched it last night also, Louise. It's among my Firth faves. And isn't this timely--an interview I've never seen before from '89, in which CF talks about it. Many thanks to Lisa, who sleuthed this one out. Enjoy!:-) ACTOR ON THE RUN: FROM `VALMONT' TO `APARTMENT ZERO' -- COLIN FIRTH'S EFFORTS INCLUDE A VERSION OF `DANGEROUS LIAISONS' (BY) JOHN HARTL 09/10/1989 The Seattle Times Can Colin Firth be ``a sexier bad guy'' than John Malkovich? According to this month's Premiere magazine, that's what it will take if Milos Forman's ``Valmont,'' the latest and most expensive film version of ``Dangerous Liaisons,'' hopes to match or top the success of last year's Oscar-winning adaptation of the story. Firth plays the title role - the Malkovich part - in the $36 million production, which opens in mid-November. To many moviegoers, Malkovich was the chief problem with last year's version, and the success or failure of the Forman film will most likely rest on the actor playing Valmont. ``Milos' version is going to be incredibly different,'' said the 28-year-old Firth during a trip to Seattle this week. ``The characters have the same names, the story is still about sexual manipulation, but that leaves room for a lot of differences. ``Our emphasis is not on overtly decadent behavior. `Valmont' has more to do with what it is that works when you manipulate someone. There are hearts beating inside these characters, and you should leave the theater with questions about Valmont's true feelings. If you're not convinced that he can persuade this woman that she's changed him, if that doesn't work, the audience will laugh.'' While Firth is gearing up for the publicity push that will inevitably surround the release of ``Valmont,'' he was actually in town to talk about another movie: Martin Donovan's extraordinary thriller, ``Apartment Zero,'' which opens Friday at the Egyptian. At the Seattle International Film Festival three months ago, it won the audience awards for best picture and director. Firth plays the very un-Valmontlike part of a repressed, neurotic Buenos Aires film buff named Adrian, who is so obsessed with movies that he declares at one point that he can't be friends with anyone who's never heard of Geraldine Page. When Adrian takes in an American roommate of questionable background (Hart Bochner), their relationship and the film start to function on increasingly complicated psychological-political levels. ``Adrian's only reference point is film,'' said Firth. ``He only understands film language. When Jack (the Bochner character) turns up, it's as if he'd just stepped off the screen and into Adrian's life. Adrian is such a pitiful creature, so transparent; he sees himself as a David Niven character, the perfect English gentleman, but he's really quite pathetic.'' Firth based his characterization on a couple of people he knows, and a ``precious, brittle movie-obsessive'' he once observed at a British art house. He thinks the character's speech patterns ``come out of constipation''; during the shooting of the film, he and Donovan decided to include several scenes in which Adrian talks to himself, once in Spanish. ``I think I gave Adrian a certain neurotic fastidiousness that is not in the script, but Hart had the more difficult job,'' he said. ``He had to appear to be a boring fellow, and it's tough to play that kind of superficially easygoing character. He was very intense about getting it right. I know very few English actors who ever take the job as seriously as Hart did.'' During the three months he stayed in Buenos Aires, Firth became increasingly aware of the political focus of the script, which makes frequent references to the recent repressiveness of the Argentine government. ``Just five years ago, they were scooping people up off the street,'' he said. ``I loved the country, which has such an air of sophistication that you can't see why they're repeatedly susceptible to fascism. But it's a very badly damaged place.'' When he returned to England, he was so concerned that he joined Amnesty International. Born in Hampshire, Firth spent some of his youth in Nigeria and St. Louis before returning to England, where he joined the National Youth Theatre and moved on to the Drama Centre. After playing the lead character, Guy Bennett, in the London stage production of ``Another Country,'' Firth made his movie debut playing Guy's communist friend, Judd, in the 1984 film version. ``I still get the bulk of my fan mail because of that picture, especially from Japan, where there's a cult for it,'' he said. Firth has also starred in the excellent ``A Month in the Country,'' the best-forgotten 1984 American TV remake of ``Camille,'' and several British television series, including ``The Lost Empires,'' which was shown here on Masterpiece Theatre. He's just finished another picture, ``Wings of Fame,'' in which he plays the assassin of a movie star played by Peter O'Toole. Most of the picture takes place in the afterlife, at a posh hotel that houses only celebrities who are still famous. Firth ends up there only because he's famous for killing a movie star. ``I begged them to put me in that movie,'' he said. ``I'd never seen a script like it. There are no real effects, no `Beetlejuice' makeup, and it's much murkier and less obvious than that picture. But I think it's quite extraordinary. ``I don't know what to do next,'' said Firth, who was so bored with ``The Lost Empires'' that he dropped out of acting for a few months after he'd finished it. ``I really need to stop. I'm always working on the next picture even if I'm not actually shooting it. I have to find out if there is a life between movies.''

To many moviegoers, Malkovich was the chief problem with last year's version Hmmm, I thought everyone considered Malkovich's performance wonderful. Oh, I see he said moviegoers, not critics. ;-) (CF) you should leave the theater with questions about Valmont's true feelings. Haven't we argued this one numerous times? (CF on WoF) "I begged them to put me in that movie," he said. "I'd never seen a script like it. There are no real effects, no `Beetlejuice' makeup, and it's much murkier and less obvious than that picture. But I think it's quite extraordinary. Don't we know that? ;-) "I really need to stop. I'm always working on the next picture even if I'm not actually shooting it. I have to find out if there is a life between movies." He has.

Thanks, Mari, for posting the article from Lisa. Loved it.

CF on WoF)``I begged them to put me in that movie,'' he said. ``I'd never seen a script like it. There are no real effects, no `Beetlejuice' makeup, and it's much murkier and less obvious than that picture. But I think it's quite extraordinary. VERY extraordinary! I enjoyed our discussion of WoF. I wish we could ask Colin about some of the interpretations we kicked around. Thanks for finding that article, Mari. I loved his comment about "life between movies." So, OK, Colin, you've had some "in between" life. Now, tell us what you're doing NEXT!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Lisa and Mari. I love reading new comments about old projects. Firth based his characterization on a couple of people he knows He's used this several times, most recently about Mark Darcy. He thinks the character's speech patterns ``come out of constipation'' Heehee! Am sure Moon will enjoy that. ;-) "I really need to stop. I'm always working on the next picture even if I'm not actually shooting it. I have to find out if there is a life between movies." (Karen) He has. And how!

Thank you Mari and Lisa.I don't think we had those quotes when we discussed those films. Too bad the interviewer didn't think to ask him to decipher the mystery of Bianca;-: (CF interview)"`Our emphasis is not on overtly decadent behavior' " Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-)

Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) Through today's eyes. Cecile was getting married to the much-older (than Valmont) Gercourt a short while.

This is from the E!Online site, Marilyn Beck's column. I was waiting for this.. As Jack Frost, I wish he would nip at my nose....;-P Dear Marilyn: What can you tell me about Colin Firth? Is he married? Any new projects coming up? Jessica, Boston Dear Jessica: The six-foot-one, 40-year-old actor hails from Hampshire, England, and is married to Livia Giuggioli, a production assistant he met in 1996 on the set of the BBC drama Nostromo. They have a son, Luca, born in March. (He has another son, William, 10, with actress Meg Tilly). Firth's passion for drama started early. As a kid, he played Jack Frost in a Christmas pantomime. He joined a drama workshop at age 10 and, by 14, had decided on acting as a profession. In 1980, he was accepted at London's prestigious Drama Centre, where a casting agent caught him in a production of Hamlet and recommended him as a replacement for Rupert Everett in the Queen's Theatre production of Another Country. Firth went on to star in the 1984 film version and hasn't stopped working since. His films include The English Patient, Valmont, Shakespeare in Love and Bridget Jones's Diary. The Mark Darcy character he plays in the latter film was inspired by Firth's turn as the dashing Mr. Darcy in the popular BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice. His latest project is a big-screen version of The Importance of Being Earnest, with Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon.

(E)Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) (Karen)Through today's eyes. Cecile was getting married to the much-older (than Valmont) Gercourt a short while. The *former* was pervy....the latter was disgusting. Cecile and Danceny was "mainstream";-)

(Marilyn Beck)As a kid, he played Jack Frost in a Christmas pantomime. Perhaps that's where he got the snowman tie?????????????????? Becka, I wish you hadn't made that remark about Jack Frost nippin' at your nose. Now I'll have that Christmas Song stuck in my head for a week.

Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) } And that scene was even edited from the original theatrical release. Bravo altered that scene too when they showed it, but AMC's alterations were more subtle.

(E)Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) } (Ann)And that scene was even edited from the original theatrical release. You mean there's *more* than what was on the video?Like TA vs. THOTP? WOW. BTW, the scene was consensual ( not exactly a rape).I'm not a big prude here...hey, I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is "R" rated;-)

(Evelyn)I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is "R" rated;-) Lighting candles for an R-rated movie? I can sense the fierce Sister Margaret (Sunday School teacher) turning over in her grave!!!! Ann, as you appear to be our resident expert on *that* scene in Valmont, did Bravo and AMC show less than the tape does?

You mean there's *more* than what was on the video? } Both AMC and Bravo altered that scene (differently). As far as I know the commercial tape is the original version. I'm one of the very few people who saw V in a theater when it first came out, and only saw the icky DL a couple years ago on tape.

(Evelyn)I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is "R" rated;-) Lighting candles for an R-rated movie? I can sense the fierce Sister Margaret (Sunday School teacher) turning over in her grave!!!! *blowing out candles* In deference to the good Sister;-) How about joss sticks;-) And I don't mean Londinium...although any film about ED is bound to be;-) I hear that Cinemax is running an ad on Londinium.As part of a Max Binder (pardon the expression)series? Anybody see it?

OK, Teenage Fanclub may not be performing, but I'd say it had possibilities... Stars line up for asylum seeker concert Top actors are teaming up with musicians from the world of classical music for a concert supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Emma Thompson and Michael Palin will take part in the event at London's Royal Festival Hall on November 19. The stars of Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson - will also be reunited for the night. The concert was put forward by human rights charities the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and the Prisoners of Conscience Appeals Fund. Ms Stevenson is directing a segment of the gala, while the second half will feature the London premiere of a choral work by composer Richard Blackford. Bournemouth Symphony Chorus commissioned the work and will perform accompanied by a 20-piece ensemble from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, including soloists Robert Tear and Paul Whelan. Others taking part include actress Fiona Shaw, comedian Jeremy Hardy and poet Tony Harrison.