Thanks Bryonny....and thank your librarian too. The journalist must have picked up all the background stuff from the articles on the web. Surely , Colin didn't blab all that stuff in the interview.(Where's the St. Louis playground trauma;-) Funny, they didn't focus on Rupe; esp since he gets top billing. (CF)" He is about to help kick off an Oxfam campaign on the need for a Fair Trade movement, which educates consumers about the sources of the products they buy". Oxfam!!Hey Boss...better get that page ready for The Bucket ;-)

(Karen)Oh no, a week's worth of Today Show viewing Hey, I like Today! They only put the fluff stuff in the listing descriptions--the celeb interviews, "health" updates, etc. The bulk of the show is hard news. And our Katie is equally adept at interviewing Colin Powell and Colin Firth.:-) Anyway, my onscreen cable guide lists Friday for the Firth appearance, so, fingers crossed. (Karen)All I've got to say is that Lora's M-Day present sure beats flowers, a box of candy, and a bottle of perfume. Er . . . sounds like you were at my house on Mother's Day.;-) Lora, tell your DH that he is now in the Firth Hubbies Hall Of Fame! "She found it absolutely terrifying to step into the legacy of Wilde and felt everybody else could do it in their sleep," Firth explains. "It would be like me playing a biker. But she was wonderful." Oh, man, I'd LOVE to see him play a biker!:-) Tight leather pants and jacket, flying his colors . . .or whatever it is that they fly.;-) Many thanks for typing up the article, Linda! There's a decent sized "opening Friday" ad for TIOBE in tomorrow's Philly Inquirer--it's the one with CF in the middle, and favorable pull quotes from Rollling Stone, CBS, Marie Claire, and NY1. Linda, let's make plans.:-) Thanks for the Globe & Mail article, Bryonny!

Much smaller circulation than the Globe & Mail (thanks, Bryonny) but nonetheless, a relief for me: From Crosswinds Weekly (Albuquerque & Santa Fe): by Sharon Kayne (aka Citizen Kayne) :-) Cover Story: Summer Movies - The Sequel ....The Importance of Being Earnest The Oscar Wilde play, upon which this is based, is so brilliant that even the title has a comical double meaning. Set in 1890�s England, two men (Rupert Everett and Colin Firth) both develop convoluted ploys (which involve the use of the name �Ernest�) to woo two women (Francis O�Conner and Reese Witherspoon). Things threaten to unravel to hilarious ends. Also stars Judi Dench. Rated PG, open May 31. (Picture of Reese and Rupie).... I'm afraid bad reviews will kill TIOBE in our medium-sized market. Now, am anxious to see what Ebert has to say--am hoping he is still in favor or ODB.

Thanks LindaK and Karen (I'm one of those who will not venture into 126 for now) for the article. (CF)"I wanted to be a rock star," "It would be like me playing a biker." Keep talking Colin... I'll be busy daydreaming now... :) About the Today Show, Karen , you did not like Matt Lauer in a kilt in windy Scotland this week? ;-)

Definitely have comments on this latest article you found, Bryonny. v. interesting. Oxfam now, Ev. Give me a break. ;-D I've added Amy's premiere pics to the page if you want to take a looksie. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest_nycprem.html Thanks, Amy!

About the Today Show, Karen , you did not like Matt Lauer in a kilt in windy Scotland this week? ;-) As a rule, I don't watch daytime television, but I did catch Matt kilted out when they interviewed him on Access Hollywood, and I did see him on the beach in Rio the day that Reese was on. I'd like to see him as a biker too. Would really enhance Lisa's illustrated version of UMS.

Lora--The movie poster photo is great!

It would be like me playing a biker. Choking on Diet Pepsi...now there's an idea for a story in that somewhere. Tight leather pants and jacket, flying his colors. How about faded levis and a day's growth???? Oh, I like Amy's pics too....but why did she wear that white strapless bra??? It makes her look like she's got two targets plastered across her chest. Wearing all black, the eyes head straight there! ROTFSMKOW...Rolling on the floor slapping my knee or whatever....I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee Lora, that pic just hit me as being #1 very good and #2 just different enough that it probably would get to him if you sent it. After all, does he ever get photos from any sources when he goes to these things? A note about hubby's MD present and how you flew to get there would be eyecatching IMO.

Thanks, Karen for the great pictures-Thank you, Amy for sharing. ODB as a biker...I had a hard time concentrating on typing the article after reading that. Conjured up all kinds of images...probably why I posted on the wrong topic. Keep hearing the song Born to Be Wild in my brain all day. Mari, I am SO ready to see this. Lets get those plans in the works. Got the VCR fired up for tomorrow-BWTA, and Hot Ticket

Oxfam http://www.maketradefair.com Great article, thanks!

I have a quick question: Is VH1 the station or the show? Is it broadcast or cable? I should know but I don't and I just recently figured out I get Access Hollywood. So, which of CFs appearances will be cable? Hot Ticket?

Colin as a biker...Now there's a visual for ya! I think it's almost too much for my poor little heart to take...

(caribou) I have a quick question: Is VH1 the station or the show? Is it broadcast or cable? I should know but I don't and I just recently figured out I get Access Hollywood. So, which of CFs appearances will be cable? Hot Ticket? Hot Ticket is a movie review show like Ebert & Roeper. Hot Ticket will most likely review TIOBE this weekend. i think it is a syndicated broadcast show. VH1 is a cable channel, you need to look for VH1's "Cast Party" show for TIOBE. VH1 is very much like MTV but targeted for a more mature audience. thanks Amy and Karen for the pics.

Thanks, DaleC. I didn't see it listed as VH1 in the paper and I'm assuming it doesn't have any other names then. It must not be available here.

Colin sighting: A JN fan reported she was at Proof tonight[Saturday], the play in London's West End[Donmar] starring Gwynneth Paltrow and Colin and Livia were in the audience.

Mr. Darcy's Firth Cousin For Actor Colin Firth, the Privilege and the Pitfalls of a Memorable Role By Alona Wartofsky Special to The Washington Post Sunday, May 19, 2002; Page G01 NEW YORK During the course of a nearly 20-year career, British actor Colin Firth has performed in 40 films and television productions, including box-office hits like "The English Patient," "Shakespeare in Love" and "Bridget Jones's Diary." He stars in a new film of Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest," which opens in Washington on Friday. But in the end, the role he is likely to be best remembered for is the brooding Mr. Darcy in a BBC production of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." That lavish 1995 miniseries, broadcast here on A&E and seen by more than 100 million viewers worldwide,turned Firth into an unlikely international heartthrob and produced a vast following of amorous female fans. Firth's not all that handsome -- his neutral actor's face can be substantially altered by expression and makeup -- but having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. The Darcymania has been a mixed blessing for Firth, whose aspirations as an actor extend beyond umpteen hours spent smoldering in mutton-chop whiskers. Greater celebrity translates into better roles. But the enduring magnetism of Darcy -- whom Firth once referred to as "a bizarre doppelganger that I've spawned" -- somehow seems to take away from his other accomplishments. Here at the Essex House Hotel, Firth has just finished a series of round-table interviews to promote "The Importance of Being Earnest." He stars as Jack Worthing, a gentleman who escapes the tedium of his country life with the assistance of an invented brother, Ernest. During the interviews, the most common question did not concern Wilde, Jack Worthing, or even Ernest Worthing. Nor did it involve Firth's co-stars in the film: Rupert Everett as the irrepressible Algernon Moncrieff, along with Reese Witherspoon, Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench. The journalists asked about Mr. Darcy. "Some people do it with irony and humor. Some people do it earnestly. Some people are ashamed of having to ask the question," says Firth. "And every so often there will be a journalist from Swaziland who doesn't know anything about it -- wonderful." A Lot Under the Surface Firth, 41, isn't fond of giving interviews, and as he speaks, his arms rarely remain still. Again and again, he begins to cross them, and they hover in an almost-crossed position. Then, perhaps not wanting to seem unfriendly, he deliberately uncrosses them. "I'm not particularly comfortable being encouraged to give things away about myself," he says. "I don't think I'm unusual in that. I do have certain questions about what one can really say. My personal life's nobody's business; I'm not unusual in that, either. My views on world politics and the rest aren't really of interest to anybody, particularly; they're not relevant. "And talking about the work is difficult because it's the kind of work that is hard to talk about. It's hard to analyze it and it's hard to say anything sensible about it. . . . So I do find that I'm in a position where I'm doing more to mask than to reveal." Directors who have worked with Firth praise his depth. Oliver Parker, who helmed and wrote the screenplay for "The Importance of Being Earnest," says that Jack -- perhaps the least witty of the play's characters -- often turns out to be merely a foil for the other players. "I framed this adaptation in a way that Jack was central to the emotional narrative," says Parker. "So I was looking for somebody who has a certain sympathetic quality, who could be at once vulnerable and complex. And Colin, I think, is very skillful at creating an active inner life while sustaining the comedic requirements of the piece." Firth prefers to play characters who have a lot going on beneath the surface. "For obvious reasons I tend to do films about English people, and one of the defining features of English people -- at least in the mythology we have of English people -- is emotional repression," he says. "I do think that very often what is not revealed is more interesting than what is revealed explicitly. "One of the great things about the art of writing when it's good is that it expresses the difficulty of communication," he explains. "The moment you most want to pour your heart out is often the moment you're most stuck for words. I find those moments and those limitations very interesting." Firth learned his craft at London's prestigious Drama Centre, where he played Hamlet and King Lear (he describes the latter as "a hideous embarrassment"). He learned the dangers of overplaying an emotion, and the benefits of making a character credible. "Watch Rupert Everett in 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' and you almost get the sense that he's having to repress his mischief," Firth says. "He's not trying to be mischievous. That's why he's so believable -- you get the idea if you let this guy off the leash, he'd be even more outrageous." Firth made his film debut in 1984, playing opposite Everett in an adaptation of Julian Mitchell's play "Another Country." Firth's character was an angry young misfit, an embittered communist trapped in a posh English boarding school. Since then, the actor has chosen a variety of parts, mostly a combination of leading roles in small, interesting films and supporting parts in more mainstream projects. If there's a common link between his characters, it's that they are all outsiders in one way or another. His stammering Tom Birkin in "A Month in the Country," traumatized by the carnage in the trenches of World War I, could relate to no one except the wife of the local vicar. In the political thriller "Apartment Zero," he portrayed a film buff who slowly loses his sanity. Firth played the title role in Milos Forman's 1989 "Valmont," which was largely ignored in favor of the previous year's "Dangerous Liaisons"; his malevolently charming Valmont operated just outside French society. Firth suspects that he's drawn to outsider roles because of his unusual upbringing. Firth's grandparents on both sides were missionaries in India, where both of his parents were raised. His parents were academics, and the family spent the first four years of his life in Nigeria. After that they moved around England for several years, then spent a year in St. Louis before returning to England. "I am an outsider. I have always been. I'm not lamenting that fact. It does create confusion, and it is a little painful . . . but I think it's been enormously beneficial to me," he says. "I've never come from the place I've lived in. I've always been identified with the last place I came from. When I was in school in America, I was the Englishman, and then I came back and I was nicknamed the Yank. "In school I was the only one whose parents had this kind of multicultural background," he says. "I rather reveled in it to some extent. . . . I suppose I got into feeling a little bit different. . . . I saw other perspectives. "It must be there in the way I choose roles. We don't have much control, actors, in terms of what we do. We don't write the material. We don't have the perfect choice of what's available. But I think I've veered toward that." In 1997, an alarmingly lumpy Firth starred in "Fever Pitch," the film version of British writer Nick Hornby's confessional book about his obsession with the Arsenal soccer team. Firth says that even though he isn't much of a soccer fan, he identified "enormously" with Hornby's book. "I just felt he was describing me. He solved his problems with soccer, and I guess I became an actor and played outsiders." The friendship between Hornby and Firth continued after "Fever Pitch," and two years ago Hornby, whose son has autism, edited "Speaking With the Angel," a collection of short stories benefiting educational programs for autistic children. Participating authors included Roddy Doyle, Irvine Welsh, Dave Eggers and Helen Fielding. Hornby invited Firth to contribute a story. "He had often talked to me about writing," recalls Hornby. "He was right on the edge and he just needed a finger to make him jump. I thought he'd be a good writer -- he's smart -- and that there would be interest. I thought, you can make my charity a few quid . . . and we could do each other a favor." Firth's story, "The Department of Nothing," is a lot better than one might expect from a movie star with literary aspirations. In it, a lonely 11-year-old finds solace in the fantasy stories told to him by his beloved, dying grandmother. "I was almost hoping that my story wouldn't make the collection, to be honest," says Firth, but he's not being honest at all. He uncrosses his arms. "If you want to know what I was really hoping, I was hoping it would be brilliant, that it would be great and hold its own fantastically or even be the best of all of them, and that I'd be discovered, and a new literary star is born." Hornby estimates that "Speaking With the Angel" earned half a million dollars for its charities. Probably $450,000 of that, he says, came from Firth fans. The Irresistible Mr. Darcy Jane Austen's Fitzwilliam Darcy may be the most crush-worthy bachelor in all of English literature, so perhaps Firth should have expected to collect a few admirers with "Pride and Prejudice." But he was unprepared for the panting hordes. The Guardian hailed him as "our national treasure." The British tabloids scrutinized his brief relationship with co-star Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennet, naturally), and hounded him relentlessly even after it was over. (The Sunday Mirror once ran a photo of him bringing home a new vacuum cleaner. Caption: "Mr. Darcy does the household chores.") Then there was the proliferation of fan Web sites -- Firthfrenzy.com, afirthionado.com -- and fan clubs that include Friends of Firth and The Darcy Lunatics. For the rest of us, the most enjoyable aspect of Darcymania can be found in Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones" books. In the first one, hapless "singleton" Bridget obsesses over Darcy and Elizabeth and falls in love with a contemporary version of Darcy, a human-rights lawyer named Mark Darcy. In the second novel, aspiring journalist Bridget interviews Colin Firth for the Independent. But she is unable to control her lust, and the Q&A comes to an unfortunate end when she lunges for the actor. "I was delighted to become a popular-culture reference point. I'm still delighted about it actually, and I still find it to be weird," says Firth. "For the books to be these huge bestsellers has probably done as much to burn my name into people's minds as much as anything I've ever done, really." This is how pop culture feeds on itself: When the film version of "Bridget Jones's Diary" was made, Firth played Mark Darcy. Even if "Bridget Jones" didn't conflate Colin Firth, Mr. Darcy and Mark Darcy, some people would still have a hard time differentiating among the three. Carrie Gardiner, a Rhode Island elementary school art teacher and grandmother who is webmaster of the firthfrenzy.com Web site, says she feels a special connection to Firth and both of the Darcys. "We feel for Colin," she explains. "You want Mark Darcy to win Bridget. You feel embarrassed for Mr. Darcy when Elizabeth refuses him. This once-proud Darcy is feeling embarrassed, awkward, vulnerable, and your heart just goes out to him." Director Oliver Parker compares Firth to vintage Hollywood stars like Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. "Colin conveys a quiet reserve and strength of character. There's a natural humility matched with intelligence and wit to sustain the persona that appears onscreen," says Parker. "The more time you spend with him onscreen, the more interested in him you become." But for someone who inspires such adulation, Firth is remarkably adept at portraying unattractive characters. In "The English Patient," he played the chubby obligatory husband of the Kristin Scott Thomas character; how could we blame her for cheating on him with Ralph Fiennes's handsome explorer? Two years later, in 1998's "Shakespeare in Love," Firth's mean-spirited aristocrat Lord Wessex -- "the opposite of everything that film celebrates," says Firth -- lost out to another Fiennes brother, Joseph, who played the love-struck Will Shakespeare. "I think Colin's actually interested in acting," says Hornby. "I know that sounds like a stupid thing to say, but what I know of a lot of actors is that they're more interested in being film stars. A lot of actors wouldn't have done that part in 'The English Patient.' " Unlike Firth, who is married to an Italian film producer, Fitzwilliam Darcy is eminently eligible. After "Pride and Prejudice," Firth received a number of letters suggesting that Mr. Darcy's attraction goes deeper than sexual and romantic appeal. "The letters were from women of a certain age, who said that in some profound way, I had reminded of them of their dead father," he says. Firth began to wonder whether Darcy provided a kind of reassuring presence for women who deeply missed someone. But maybe there's another type of worship entangled in there. Firth once got a letter from a Swiss psychologist who wrote that there's some of the Old Testament God in Mr. Darcy. "Her interpretation was that there was almost a religious archetype that goes on the trajectory from the unforgiving, judgmental God that's going to reject and punish, to actually being benevolent and loving and generous." "Whatever way you look at it, I think that story does make him sort of irresistible," he says. "I read that book, and I fell in love with him." � 2002 The Washington Post Company

(WP)" In 1997, an alarmingly lumpy Firth starred in "Fever Pitch,"... In "The English Patient," he played the chubby obligatory husband of the Kristin Scott Thomas character; how could we blame her for cheating on him with Ralph Fiennes's handsome explorer? " C'mon...he looked adorable in that Santa suit. Hornby estimates that "Speaking With the Angel" earned half a million dollars for its charities. Probably $450,000 of that, he says, came from Firth fans. LOL. Not surprising. Wonder who bought the other $50 thou;-) So the junket was at the Essex House.Not too far from the Paris theatre. Harvey must be trying to pinch pennies. Thanks Mari.

Firth's not all that handsome... Excuse me?! "Watch Rupert Everett in 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' and you almost get the sense that he's having to repress his mischief," Firth says. "He's not trying to be mischievous. That's why he's so believable -- you get the idea if you let this guy off the leash, he'd be even more outrageous." Actually, I find this to be an interesting statement. Watching RE in the movie, I kept thinking frequently that his performance was the equivalent of watching him sit on his hands to keep himself in check...to "repress his mischief". Ironically, I found RE less believable because of that. When I see it again, I'll see if my opinion changes. (Evelyn) So the junket was at the Essex House. Not too far from the Paris theatre. Harvey must be trying to pinch pennies. Next time Colin does work for Miramax here, I know which lobby (or similar types) to hang out in. Thanks so much, Mari!

unlikely international heartthrob ???? not all that handsome...his neutral actor's face GRRRRRRR

Colin sighting: I can confirm this! My son was there. Apparently he had phoned earlier in the day and spoken to my DH as he had 2 spare tickets. DH refused as we were going out to dinner. **grrr, arghhh etc ** I still have to try and get more info ffom son without sounding unduly desperate. He saw him first in the ticket queue where women were asking for his autograph and he was letting them take photographs. (Have to say that I think asking for those privileges when he is at the theatre in a private capacity is bad form.

Thank you Mari I just turned on BWTA Elliott Forrest introduced the show and talked a little about each segment. No mention of TIOBE. Maybe he was only giving us what was going to be on in the first hour?

Good article. Thanks for posting, Mari, but I hear the online version has been edited down. Can anyone in the DC area let us know what the differences are and whether there are pictures? but having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. Really? I wonder how she arrived at that conclusion. Telephone survey? Polling? Here at the Essex House Hotel, Firth has just finished a series of round-table interviews This would certainly explain why so many have printed exactly the same thing or would know what he said to another interviewer, unlike one-on-ones. "...So I do find that I'm in a position where I'm doing more to mask than to reveal." Let's keep this in mind when we attempt to take his words too literally or truthfully for that matter. "The moment you most want to pour your heart out is often the moment you're most stuck for words. I find those moments and those limitations very interesting." As in..."what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is..." or "I liked you ever since...I...liked you" or"my feeling will not be repressed..." Hmmm, didn't know he thought this all. ;-D In 1997, an alarmingly lumpy Firth starred in "Fever Pitch," In "The English Patient," he played the chubby obligatory husband Lumpy and chubby!! Seems inordinantly focused on CF's weight. Wonder if she asked what he weighed now, now that he's thin as a rail. He uncrosses his arms. "If you want to know what I was really hoping, I was hoping it would be brilliant, that it would be great and hold its own fantastically or even be the best of all of them, and that I'd be discovered, and a new literary star is born." Ooooh, v. interesting. v. revealing IMO. Loved the bit about how much WE contributed to total sales of the book. Nick owes us big time. ;-) Director Oliver Parker compares Firth to vintage Hollywood stars like Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. Well, then, let's see him do more dramatic work as they did. Those guys work for me, but I'd also add young Paul Newman roles like "From a Terrace," "Long Hot Summer," or the "Young Philadelphians" and others. (Allison) he had 2 spare tickets. DH refused as we were going out to dinner. **grrr, arghhh etc ** Poor, dear. :-( I do agree with you about infringing on his privacy. Taking pictures with him too? Lordy, lordy.

Saw Hot Tickets last night and TIOBE was deemed a "flop" by Leonard Maltin and Joyce didn't like it all. She did say that Colin and Dame Judi were the only ones to "get it right" but then in Leonard's turn he said he didn't think JD had either (too heavy-handed was the term he used). So (wishfully thinking) maybe he thought Colin was fine. Strangely enough, I found the adjectives they used to describe the acting more appropriate to the old version (arch, stagey, mannered) than this. v. odd. No review of TIOBE on Ebert & Roeper and it won't be next week either, as they are showing a pretaped show since E & R are in Cannes.

Just saw Colin's interview with Harry Smith on BWTA. I thought that, too, was very revealing when he said that there wasn't anything(roles) he wanted bad enough that he would crawl through lava or molten rock.

But that statement represents a rather "extreme" case. He did go on to say there were others... Colin looked lovely, but I am wondering about his shoes. What were they? Two-tone whats? Did he ever keep his hands neatly folded in his lap!! It was like he had them rigidly glued there. They were only set free I think once toward the end. He was wearing a black shirt and black slacks...and two-tone shoes. Harry mainly asked him to explain TIOBE: who is who, why they both assume the name Ernest. I liked the behind the scenes footage that showed Colin on the street in London as the dapper Ernest. You only get to see him for a sec in the film on the street and he looks so devilishly good as he swaggers down the street on the way to the music hall. Is anybody transcribing?

And...even I wouldn't have answered that question in public because it would be splashed all over the press "Wot Mr Darcy Would Kill to Do" Far more sensible to say "No, nothing."

About the shoes...I have to admit I have those very boots (but I have had them for a few years--coincidence honestly!). They are called "Blundstone" boots. v.v.v.good in the rain--the two-tone bit is elastic. (You Aussies should know all about it.)

Colin looked lovely, but I am wondering about his shoes. What were they? Two-tone whats? Did he ever keep his hands neatly folded in his lap!! It was like he had them rigidly glued there. Black shirt, black jeans. Just don't ask about the shoes and... those brown socks! I too was amazed at the effort he made to keep still. I wonder if he's been reading our comments? ;-) He does look very thin. I woke up just in time for him! It must be my automatic cf alarm. ;-) Allison, I feel for you! Thanks, Mari for the article.

(Allison) He saw him first in the ticket queue where women were asking for his autograph and he was letting them take photographs. (Have to say that I think asking for those privileges when he is at the theatre in a private capacity is bad form. Agree. Or at Starbucks;-)He shudda worn his glasses. I didn't like the BWTA interview. I missed Elliott Forrest with his unassuming friendly manner ; Harry Smith is marginally better than Kimberley. LOL when he asked Colin what role he would walk over lava to do. Put away the Hamlet stuff, Bethan. That one isn't even on the back burner any more.He likes"unpredictability" However, I was glad he didn't go into any political tirade. Looked gorgeous. Is he taking lessons from JN and RF? That shirt seems to be getting more unbuttoned .Hmmmm. Maybe there's hope for an R-rated after all;-)

Thanks for the article Mari. Why would a reporter feel the need to comment on his looks? (Jealous?) Seems strange. As for you Allison, dinner you can have every night of your life, but.....! Your DH needs to speak with Lora's DH. (HA).

Maybe this was posted here? But I recently read an article in which he rang up Nick Hornby after reading an excerpt from AAB to say that it should be a movie...NH replied that it was already sold. Colin commented that he would've like to play the part of Will, but figured that they went with HG because they needed "someone more bankable than me". Was that an attempt at going through lava? (as much of an attempt that he would make?)

Apparently there are several new photos with the print version of the Washington Post article--pics taken during the interview. Could someone please get hold of it and scan it, or share you copy with someone who can scan?? I thought Colin did well on the BWTA interview. And Harry certainly gave the film a good plug, sayng it was hilarious and how much they enjoyed seeing Colin in it. And no, he didn't touch his face once!:-) And every so often there will be a journalist from Swaziland who doesn't know anything about it -- wonderful." Pfft! Hornby estimates that "Speaking With the Angel" earned half a million dollars for its charities. Probably $450,000 of that, he says, came from Firth fans. I love it! "The letters were from women of a certain age, who said that in some profound way, I had reminded of them of their dead father," he says. No way, no how, I'm feeling daughterly about Darcy!;-)

I agree that admitting that there is something he'd kill to play leaves him open to more publicity than he seems to enjoy. He REALLY doesn't like these interviews does he? As he has said he does "more to mask than to reveal" but in its own way I think it is revealing that he doesn't seem to have a master plan re: his career, just sees what comes along and what catches his interest at the moment it seems. Definitely NOT anxious to be a "star", or he too could employ a well-oiled publicity machine a la HG; seems rather to want to be an actor with a private life that stays that way. Really can't blame him but DO wish he were a tad more ambitious, we'd get to see more of him that way. Well, the above seems to convey what I'm thinking at the momemt, rather inarticulately. And maybe for once I can post without an egregious typo or grammatical error that I don't catch until I hit the submit button. P.S. The "Valmont" DVD arrived. Absolutely NO extras and I'm not convinced that it isn't counterfeit. No security strip along the top of the case, somewhat grainy graphics. A little "Made in Taiwan" sticker on the outer wrapping and LOTS of Chinese as it boots up. Only had a chance to watch a few minutes but the quality of the movie itself seems ok so far, although I did have to go back and turn off the subtitle default. Since I can't read Chinese or Taiwanese or whatever, it's rather more of a distraction that anything.

Ladies, remember last time on BWTA he was asked what role he really wanted to do, and he said Hamlet and that he'd be doing it on stage at year end. And we all know what happened to that. So, he wasn't about to commit himself publicly again. Don't read more into it than that.

Well, looks like this one is moving ahead; dare we hope he and Gwynnie discussed the film last night?;-) Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. From Hollywood Reporter Focus books Plath biopic for Paltrow May 18, 2002 By Gregg Kilday and Stuart Kemp CANNES -- In its first acquisition, Universal Pictures' new specialty film division Focus, headed by James Schamus and David Linde, is striking a literary note, picking up U.S and Canadian distribution rights to an untitled biopic starring Gwyneth Paltrow as the late American poet Sylvia Plath. The project, written by John Brownlow, will be directed by Pawel Pawlikowski ("The Last Resort") and will center on the turbulent relationship between Plath, who committed suicide in 1963, and her husband, Ted Hughes, the British writer and Poet Laureate who died in 1998. Focus will be joining BBC Films, the Film Council's Premiere Fund and Capitol Films in financing the feature. Focus president of production Glenn Williamson brought the project to his company and will oversee filming along with U.K.-based Universal Pictures' Graeme Mason. It was developed by independent producer Alison Owen and BBC Films and will be produced by Owen under her Ruby Films banner. "This is something (Focus' predecessor USA Films and Schamus and Linde's company Good Machine) were aware of. And I've known Alison for a long time," Linde said. "What happened was, it was a closeable deal the day we started our jobs (at Focus). We absolutely wanted to support Glenn and the team, and so we asked them what they wanted to do." Capitol Films - which was associated with USA Films on "Gosford Park" - is co-financing and taking international rights on the as-yet-unbudgeted piece. BBC Films will handle U.K. distribution, with Focus taking the United States and Canada. Said BBC Films chief David Thompson: "It is yet another example of the films we are involved in which have great parts for actors and actresses which attract talent." "This is a company that is going to be based in relations with directors and producers," Linde said, commenting on how the project reflects the direction that the fledgling Focus will take. "When you have collaborators that include Pawel, Alison and the BBC, it is a natural fit. It's interesting because James and I have known about Pawel since 'The Last Resort,' and he's a director who we were interested in working with at Good Machine." Paltrow is appearing in London's West End stage production of "Proof" and next stars in Neil LaBute's film "Possession," which Focus will release in August in the United States. Owen received a best picture Academy Award nomination as producer on "Elizabeth," for Working Title Films. Her other credits include "Moonlight and Valentino," in which Paltrow also starred, and "Hear My Song." Upcoming projects from Ruby Films include Tom Stoppard's adaptation of "Tulip Fever" for DreamWorks and Alex Keshishian's "The American." "The fund is intended to back excellent talent such as Pawel. After our successful collaboration with Capitol Films and USA Films on 'Gosford Park,' we are delighted to be partnering BBC Films, Capital Films and Focus on the movie," Premiere fund chief Robert Jones said.

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and had to just laugh about the interview on BWTA! Not at Colin, but at myself. Had to sneek out of bed at 6AM this morning to watch about 90 minutes if the beginning, only to have my husband of 28 years (last night was our anniversary) come in at the exact moment I was going to turn on the VCR and tape it. He sits down, and asks why I was up so early, only to see Colin come on.... says "if I didn't know better, I'd think you were in love with him".... Asks me about his laundry, could I get it from the dryer, then goes to take a shower on his way to golf. Glad to have him leave the room so I could at least tape 1/2 of it. Dreams Dreams. I try to keep this secret only because he told me years ago he REALLY liked Beverly D'Angelo, and I gave him such a bad time about it, I know he would get way too much enjoyment about paying me back. Love all your comments and being able to live though you all... Keep up the excellent work ladies! I will have to wait a couple more weeks before I get TIOBE in Utah....

SANDI LOL at your Sunday AM scenario...."Ain't No Mountain Higher...." Thanks for sharing.Stick around.

Emma has scanned in the Washington Post pics and I've put them up with the article: http://firth.com/articles/washpost51902.html She's also scanned in the new display ad--IN FULL COLOR--and I'll get that up here shortly. Plus I've also put up the Globe and Mail article as well. Links are on the News page and the Articles Index, although I cudda swore I uploaded the new index page...

Thanks, Karen! That was fast as is your usual! :-) Looking more like brother Jon now. Welcome, Sandi! (Mari), Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. I tend to disagree. They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation.

And, a big thank you to Emma.

They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation. Hang on! I cannot let that go by. I live in an area of London where lots of celebs live. I would not dream of approaching them in the street and neither would most people here. Going to the theatre with your wife is in the same category as going to the newsagent to buy a paper or any other personal activity. That is their private time. The reason they like living in the UK is that people generally leave them alone. Otherwise they might as well be behind security gates in LA.

There are ways and there are ways of approaching people. I would not do it but at the theatre standing in line it is a social situation.

(Evelyn) Harry Smith is marginally better than Kimberley. He was laughing his head off. Seemed ok to me. That shirt seems to be getting more unbuttoned. Hmmmm I noticed that too. You'll get an eyeful when I put up the screen caps. ;-D Maybe there's hope for an R-rated after all;-) You people getting working with those rosaries and candles! Welcome Sandi!!! Let your husband have Beverly D'Angelo, especially if that means you can enjoy Colin out in the open. This way you have more to share. ;-D (Amy) Colin commented that he would've like to play the part of Will, but figured that they went with HG because they needed "someone more bankable than me". Do you recall which article that might've been? The background on the movie, though, was that it was initially going to be set in the US. HG has indicated he had read the book and made his interest known. (KathyC) The "Valmont" DVD arrived....and I'm not convinced that it isn't counterfeit. No security strip along the top of the case, somewhat grainy graphics. A little "Made in Taiwan" sticker on the outer wrapping and LOTS of Chinese as it boots up. And Amazon is selling this? I shocked and rather disappointed. I would voice my complaints to Amazon as to why this isn't clearly labeled as an "import" at a minium. Who's label did this out under?

And here is the improved version of the display ad from the Washington Post, as scanned by Emma:

I realize now, that I read the article on (gasp) another web page. The paper cited was "Now!" (UK) dated 5/16/02 titled "Colin Firth's Advice to Renee: Put on Some More Weight" the page says not to reproduce the article...so if you want to read it it, find it here: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/articles/02now0516 (is it proper here to list other sites?, by the way, why didn't they interview you Karen, for the Post piece?!)

Thank you Karen and Emma.[Don't go running off , Emma. Stick around, we haven't heard from you in a long time. Tell us how you like TIOBE.] TIOBE has certainly gotten more than its share of media exposure for an art-house film.Beautiful colored advert too. Why didn't Colin's agent muscle him in for an audtion for AAB.Surely agents must know when book rights are bought.NH has an agent too.They're all pretty clubby.

I remember Colin saying in some interview that there was a part he wanted, but didn't get. Could it have been something that one of the Fiennes brothers did? I don't remember it being AAB. Welcome Sandi I was wondering about those shoes too. I don't believe in approaching someone on their private time BUT he was standing in the ticket queue. I think it's good for business-he does have a movie opening next Friday. Now, once inside the theater and seated-no way.

Thanks for all the articles, Mari, Bryonny, Linda, Caribou, and Emma. So much info floating around makes it a challenge to sift through it all. (Mari)Lora, tell your DH that he is now in the Firth Hubbies Hall Of Fame! With such an honor, he may start posting yet! ;-) (Lisa)ROTFSMKOW...Rolling on the floor slapping my knee or whatever....I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee ROTFLOL! It's like he got a tattoo with my name on it in manner of TIOBE! *Sigh* (Lisa)Lora, that pic just hit me as being #1 very good and #2 just different enough that it probably would get to him if you sent it. After all, does he ever get photos from any sources when he goes to these things? A note about hubby's MD present and how you flew to get there would be eyecatching IMO. Thanks, Lisa, for giving my a very good start. I'm mulling it all over in my head and will let you know my progress as I make 'room for development' in this direction. ;-) (Evelyn) So the junket was at the Essex House. Not too far from the Paris theatre. (Dorine)Next time Colin does work for Miramax here, I know which lobby (or similar types) to hang out in. Wish we could have gotten some 'vibrations' about this location too! We could have all met there Tuesday morning for breakfast! Amy thanks for your pics, though Livia is practically airbourne in them! ;-) BWTA was really nice. Hope Harry asked CF if they could do a Biography on him before he left! Have been wishing for one on CF for a while... Maybe he got those two-tone rain boots at a car boot sale. They look like a pair that might be found at one of those...unpredictably ;-)! Welcome, Sandi! We have a lot of Firth fun here! Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy.

(Lora), With such an honor, he may start posting yet! ;-) You don't want that to happen. ;-) (Lisa)I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee (Lora), ROTFLOL! It's like he got a tattoo with my name on it in manner of TIOBE! *Sigh* LOL! I thought of that. ;-D (Lora), Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy. These are actors. Let's not get that carried away. They have a duty for their many privileges. It's not like he's with his kids in church.

(Moon)You don't want that to happen. ;-) Was definitely kidding...Nevah! (Moon)These are actors. Let's not get that carried away. They have a duty for their many privileges. It's not like he's with his kids in church. I agree with you. And I like the point that you made, Linda, about when he's outside in line (and with his movie coming out) that it's okay, but it would not be after he's already seated.

Glad to read (Now article - thanks Amy!) that he'd be delighted to do BJD The Sequel. And that he likes Size 12! (Rene *is* too thin now) And that he's doing work for Oxfam.

Thanks Karen and Emma for the article and new photos. I like the series of three different expressions. Looks like they were taken while he was being interviewed instead of a special photo shoot. Oh, these two weeks have been exciting. What's come and is to come is better than I had hoped a month ago. Yippee! Wheeee! (I love this part of the Firth Coaster!)

Here's another goodie, from today's San Diego Union-Tribune. Can anyone in SoCal get hold of this one for scanning? I'm told there are new pics with it. Thanks to Lynne: A good mind and great dimples Colin Firth's 'Earnest' about the acting life By Karla Peterson ARTS WRITER May 19, 2002 LOS ANGELES � He had Rene� Zellweger dashing through snowy London in her underwear. He crashed a plane on Kristin Scott Thomas' behalf. He turned the women of Britain into a quivering mass of human pudding. Whether he is the uptight suitor in "Bridget Jones's Diary," the half-mad cuckold in "The English Patient," or the simmering Mr. Darcy in TV's "Pride and Prejudice," love does funny things to people when Colin Firth is on screen. But playing the lover doesn't do much for Colin Firth. "I find no great joy in playing romantic characters or leading men," the 41-year-old Brit says firmly. "I find no great joy in trying to woo the audience. It's boring. For me, the fascination about being human lies in its difficulties." Like the stuffed-shirt types he fills out so well, Firth speaks with a drawing-room elegance that is both impeccably polite and confidently abrupt. The voice would be scary, if the face weren't so dimpled. And the discourse would be intimidating, if the man behind it wasn't so bent on making himself clear. As it turns out, the actor who's been called, "The Thinking Woman's Crumpet" is a thinker. And as Firth discusses a career that includes Oscar-winning blockbusters, art-film curios and at least one media sensation, he scatters quotable crumbs that never go quite where you'd expect. Take his new film. For his entry in the Summer Movie Sweepstakes, Firth journeys back to 1890s England for Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." With a top-drawer cast that includes Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon, and a witty adaptation by writer-director Oliver Parker, "Earnest" (opening May 31 in San Diego) is a pretty tropical fish that could get lost in a sea of cinematic sharks. But if you thought this was a good time to engage Firth in a battle against the Dummies of Summer, you would be wrong. "I love dumb movies," Firth said. "I think the cinema is a great place for mindless entertainment. It's not just a place of personal expansion and stimulation and education, thank God. It's the place where you go to be taken away somewhere. I think that's very important. I'm a great champion of triviality." Lounging on a hotel couch in jeans, a plain brown sweater and sneakers, the surprisingly boyish Firth could pass for a regular guy on his way to an "Attack of the Clones" matinee. But beginning with his film debut in 1984's "Another Country," the son of two liberal-minded teachers and the grandson of missionaries has spent much of his time playing stuffy prigs and slow-boiling headcases. From the pompous Lord Wessex in "Shakespeare in Love," to the homicidal introvert in "Apartment Zero" and last year's Emmy-nominated turn as an anti-Semitic lawyer in HBO's "Conspiracy," Firth is often the man least likely to be liked. But when he played one of literature's most uptightgentlemen, a nation went just a little bit nuts. The film was "Pride and Prejudice," a 1995 BBC miniseries based on Jane Austen's beloved novel. As the very rich, very proper Mr. Darcy, Firth was snobby, imposing, vain and distant. But when he fell in love with the feisty Elizabeth Bennett (the wonderful Jennifer Ehle), the brooding Darcy melted in the most stirring way. By the end of the six-part series, the BBC had a huge hit on its hands, and a busy character actor had become a full-fledged sex symbol. "My country became a different place for me," Firth says of the flurry of press, gossip and Darcymania that followed. "I was delighted that it was happening, but it took me so by surprise, I couldn't really make sense of it. I had never focused on playing romantic characters, so I actually felt like it was happening to someone else, and I did not know how to answer for it. "When people asked me about the experience, I tended to sidestep it. And immediately that became identified as an attempt to shun it. I became, 'The Reluctant Heartthrob.' It's not that I hated it. I just didn't feel like I owned it." Never the most savvy careerist, Firth did not follow his Darcy triumph with a fleet of celluloid dreamboats. Instead, he devoted himself to fiber-rich BBC roles ("Donovan Quick," the "Nostromo" miniseries) and quirky art-house films ("Fever Pitch," "My Life So Far"). Then along came Ms. Jones. Like most British women (and the Americans who caught the hugely popular A&E airing in 1996), "Bridget Jones's Diary" author Helen Fielding had a "Pride and Prejudice" fixation. So much so, that she based the pompously attractive Mark Darcy character on Firth's version of Mr. Darcy. When the book became a movie, Firth became the 21st-century version of his 19th-century snob. Once again, he was playing a prickly, difficult man, and once again women on either side of the screen were dropping like flies. "I haven't ever seen an actor who generates the excitement, especially from females, that Colin does," says Donald Haber, executive director of the Los Angeles branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. "He transcends his technical expertise by being so very appealing. He's not just carrying his role, he is adding warmth. I think over the next 10 years, he is going to become a very major star." Meanwhile, the man behind the buzz just shakes his head. "I do not understand it," Firth says, looking convincingly baffled. "As a man, I don't dare to venture a theory as to what makes women so attracted to these characters. But I do think there must be something appealing about a powerful, forbidding figure who becomes warm and loving. That's about as far as I dare go." And that's as far as he needs to go. While it is true that Firth is a handsome man and a first-rate smolderer, women fall for his difficult heroes for the same reason he does. Because they are complicated and conflicted. Because they are stubborn and principled. Because when you truly win them over, you have truly won. "I turned down Mr. Darcy several times. And then a very literate friend said I had to do it, because no one was capable of being as unashamedly unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. And that was the hook for me. I wanted to engage with his difficulties. He was emotionally impeded, and that's what I was going for with that performance. I just said, 'Here I am, to hell with the rest of you. Hate me if you must. I don't care.' "I enjoyed the honesty of that," Firth says, settling back with his bottled water. "I enjoy the fact that you can sometimes be more honest with that acting mask on than you can at any other time in your life." Firthomania! For an actor who has yet to carry a major motion picture on his own, Firth has a rabid and well-heeled female following. They buy his used pillowcases and gently worn sweaters at charity auctions. They attend his talks on behalf of those seeking political asylum. Earlier this month, some fans trekked down from Seattle and Portland for BAFTA/L.A.'s screening of "Earnest" and the question-and-answer session that followed. "You would think that at a certain point, everyone who was going to get excited about Colin Firth would have done it," Haber says with a chuckle. "But every time we have a Q&A with him, we have more people wanting to come. It is quite comical sometimes the length they will go to to get into the theater. All great actors have people who really follow their careers and enjoy their performances, but Colin somehow touches a deeper nerve. It isn't just a fan club, it's an emotional fan club." Obviously, Firth's fans admire his intelligent, oddball movies. But because they read that he is a devoted husband and father, a dedicated political activist and a lover of difficult novels, they admire him, too. And Firth is not sure that's such a good idea. "I get letters from people who think they've got an understanding of what sort of person I am, but it's actually a montage of snippets from interviews and the kinds of things I've chosen to say in public. People want to create an image for the human being behind the part, but that image is not recognizable to me or anybody who knows me." "I have no problem with it," he adds with an amiable shrug. "But I think it makes much more sense to piece clues together by looking at someone's work." For those of you who are keeping track, the next clue drops in the fall. In the bittersweet comedy "Hope Springs," Firth plays Colin Ware, an awkward British artist who takes an impulsive trip to the United States after being dumped by his girlfriend. Minnie Driver is the acid-tongued ex, Heather Graham is the sweetly dippy new love interest, and Firth is the man in the middle. The one whose bruised silences speak volumes. "Outsiders have always been a bit of a leitmotif in my work," Firth says, that rich voice rising smoothly above the lobby Muzak. "And it isn't an accident of typecasting that repression comes up a great deal. I'm always interested in what happens to people when they're stifled and limited in some way. Watching people try to contain tears is often far more moving than watching somebody's body fluids exploding all over the screen."

Thanks to Emma for the Washington Post scans and Karen for getting them up so quickly!:-) Don't you love a man who is down to earth enough to admit he loves dumb movies, and smart enough to use words like leimotif? Sigh . . .:-)

(CF) "I love dumb movies," Firth said. "I think the cinema is a great place for mindless entertainment. It's not just a place of personal expansion and stimulation and education, thank God. It's the place where you go to be taken away somewhere. I think that's very important. I'm a great champion of triviality." *Now* you're talking, Colin. Movies have to transport me. And not every movie has to be an Oscar winner!!It's ok to like dumb... K&L, remember?;-) Super article.Thanks Mari.

For our "international" Drooleurs and the cable-deprived, here's a transcript of the BWTA interview with a few screen caps. Sorry, he wasn't smiling much at all. (if anyone can fill in the opening few words, I'd appreciate it, as it missed a nanosecond or two while the recording cogs were engaging. ;-D http://www.firth.com/int/bwta51902.html

Karen, you are amazing. Thank you for the screen caps. I missed the opening words too. I almost missed taping the whole beginning as I was caught off guard-pouring a cup of coffee. Mari, thanks for that great article. Looks like ODB has been v.v. busy with interviews. Lounging on a hotel couch in jeans ooh!

(Amy) is it proper here to list other sites? Sure, especially those sites that respect and credit their sources. Meluchie's is A-OK. (Lora) Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy. The premiere is about as PUBLIC as it gets. Did you not see the pen of photographers? Plus, you can tell Livia is dressed to be photographed despite her choice of bra color. ;-D Thanks Mari and Lynne for the San Diego article. I've emailed 'Keepsie' Cathy in SD about the article and to see what she can do about it. Loved that subtitle re: dimples "I haven't ever seen an actor who generates the excitement, especially from females, that Colin does," says Donald Haber, executive director of the Los Angeles branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. And Bafta/LA's coffers are just that much more richer for the experience. ;-D For an actor who has yet to carry a major motion picture on his own, Firth has a rabid and well-heeled female following. They buy his used pillowcases and gently worn sweaters at charity auctions. They attend his talks on behalf of those seeking political asylum. Earlier this month, some fans trekked down from Seattle and Portland for BAFTA/L.A.'s screening of "Earnest" and the question-and-answer session that followed. "...It is quite comical sometimes the length they will go to get into the theater. *snort* You guys have been busted, big time. ;-D "I get letters from people who think they've got an understanding of what sort of person I am, but it's actually a montage of snippets from interviews and the kinds of things I've chosen to say in public. People want to create an image for the human being behind the part, but that image is not recognizable to me or anybody who knows me." Finally!! I feel like putting this is bold face type on the main page. Am ROTFLOL slapping my knee whatever. ;-)))))))))

Lora, why can't I find your picture of ODB with the Lora 2002 tatoo?

Linda, you will find the tatooed shots here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest_nycprem.html I swear to God, I didn't put it intentionally in the same place as either Ernest or Gwendolen's in the movie on the fourth pic. Now if Amy had gotten a butt shot, I could've double-tatooed him. *hee hee*

I swear to God, I didn't put it intentionally in the same place as either Ernest or Gwendolen's in the movie on the fourth pic. Now if Amy had gotten a butt shot, I could've double-tatooed him. *hee hee* Sure, sure Karen, I believe you! Butt shots, lounging on hotel couches-yikes-more pleasant dreams tonight!

One more thing, Butt shots, next time Amy, butt shots

Down girls, down! He had a suit jacket on--couldn't have very well asked him to, er, lift it up for me. (There seems to be no other way to type this...digging myself into a huge hole...downward spiral....) Is this the begining of another leitmotif? (word o' the day) Shall I reference you all to the beginning of BJD to satiate you all? ;^)

Afterthought-- Doesn't Lora have one (sort of) getting into a limo?

(Amy)Is this the begining of another leitmotif? No, just the end of a crazy week. I've been in a downward spiral all day! Hey, did anyone have to look up leitmotif?-just asking.

Not a good time to be away when CF is launching a movie - so much to catch up on! But thanks to all who are so prompt and generous in sharing anything and everything about CF. Welcome Sandi! Karen - thanks for thinking of us "internatinal Drooleurs" - it is an exercise in imagination dreaming up all that is described on the US television screens. Well - at least we will get "Today" down here. I think it starts at 1 am - looks lots of late night/early morning vigil coming up this week. To the other Aussies on the board - if anyone is taping the segment, is it possible to get a copy of it? I am travelling around and will be watching from my hotel rooms so won't be able to record. Please email me offlist - minkee@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance. Mari - love the San Diego Tribune article. Thanks for posting. The voice would be scary, if the face weren't so dimpled. And the discourse would be intimidating, if the man behind it wasn't so bent on making himself clear. This line could launch a thousand sighs. Never the most savvy careerist... Now don't get Mari started...LOL! (Mari), Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. (Moon) I tend to disagree. They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation. I think most of CF's fans are generally considerate and well-behaved. I tend to agree with Moon. As one who holds such a public career - he is probably prepared to sacrifice a bit of his "privacy" in such public situations. Much better that he is recognised (especially when he's got a movie to open) than not.

close tag?

sorry trying to close again

I'm a great champion of triviality." Say it isn't so! :-( "I turned down Mr. Darcy several times. And then a very literate friend said I had to do it, because no one was capable of being as unashamedly unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. Should we take him at his word? ;-) Thanks for posting it, Mari! And thanks for typing up the BWTA interview, Karen.

That's one of the best interviews of CF that I've ever read. Thanks, Mari and Lynne! New SAT analogy question: A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? ;-);-) (CF)But I do think there must be something appealing about a powerful, forbidding figure who becomes warm and loving. But also that the forbidding, snobbish Mr. Darcy learns something and changes for the better because of the words of a powerful and intelligent woman. That's what I think appeals to women and CF does it to perfection. (Amy)They are called "Blundstone" boots. v.v.v.good in the rain--the two-tone bit is elastic. I didn't mean to make light of your boots in post # 349. Did you wear them on Monday night because of the rain? Wish we had known then that he had a pair too. You could have started a conversation with them! ;-) (Amy)Doesn't Lora have one (sort of) getting into a limo? I have another as he is about to turn towards the limo from a standing position, but a woman dressed in red walked right in front of him! Gah! Hmmm, how did you know I had another? ;-)

Karen, my taping of BWTA ran continuously from the beginning to the end of Colin's interview with HS. I just reviewed the CF interview several times, and from what I read of your transcript you have it all. It was interesting hearing the P&P music played over the collaged "Earnest" scenes they showed, wasn't it? It sort of worked for some of them. Made Ernest look like he was pretending to be Darcy too!

(CF)And I probably thrive on that. I thrive on being this sort of, you know, as we call it, car boot sale, a garage sale. Not knowing what?s going to show up. You lift this up and something?s underneath it . I find that exhilarating in a way. I like to see what comes. LOL.Know who he reminds me of? Walker Janeway, the flaneur ;-) Boss you little fingers must be worn down to a nub. What a day! The BWTA transcript page looks terrific.

Time to finally de-lurk and greet you all and thank you for all the information and some great laughs. I've not been around that long, but last week was a great week to be reading over your shoulders. I know none of you but felt a kinship this morning at 7 CDT for BWTA. Also, Karen, thanks first of all for unlocking the door for me and also for the BWTA pictures and transcription, they are wonderful! I don't come totally empty-handed, Biography magazine has a small Spotlight article on ODB I've not seen mentioned here yet (no new info but a picture I've not seen before.) I can type in the text but could as easily scan it if you'd like and can let me know what format to send it in. Thanks again and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!

Barb!! So glad you're here! The heavens have answered my prayers. Another person who can scan. *Adrenaline kicking in now* [btw, you can send the pic in jpg or gif form to me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com] If you think this is a fun time, catch us on Colin's birthday. ;-D BTW, the San Diego newspaper will be in the mail tomorrow. (Lora) A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? I'll bite. ...is to muffins. ;-D

Welcome Sandi & Barb! (CF)"I get letters from people who think they've got an understanding of what sort of person I am, but it's actually a montage of snippets from interviews and the kinds of things I've chosen to say in public. People want to create an image for the human being behind the part, but that image is not recognizable to me or anybody who knows me." True, but between paradoxes, evolving through the decades, and voluntarily "brouiller les pistes" (meaning: messing up the tracks), it sure makes for a fun exercise to try to analyze the guy... that is when there are no dimples in sight in public places. :) Plus he spends most of his roles being the guy we try to understand (Valmont, Darcy, Paul Ashworth, Robert Lawrence, etc...), so he should not be surprised that that's what his fans strive to do! For my part, by now I've read enough contradictory statements from him to cure me from advancing theories about him... because in the end, (he's right) I'll never get a chance to test them anyway! :-( Now back to business: on another site I saw a reference to an interview for TIOBE on the film itv site (sorry can't remember the URL), but they seem to be talking to CF v.v. briefly (he actually only gets to say thank you to a gushing interviewer) and then longer to RE and FOC. Was there something else? (I haven't seen this mentioned before here, sorry if it has). If the Valmont DVD from B&N.com was illegal, what is the official word about its release? I had read somewhere (again, must learn to take notes obviously :) ) June. Was that an official word from the studios/production?

While it is true that Firth is a handsome man and a first-rate smolderer... Since this is seems to be a general consensus, would love to hear why the writer from the Washington Post seems to be so far off the beaten path...I guess to each her own. "But every time we have a Q&A with him, we have more people wanting to come. YES! Especially in NY! (that actually take place) It is quite comical sometimes the length they will go to to get into the theater. Maybe because they cancel Q&A's in NY :-/ (Karen) You guys have been busted, big time And I thought I was invisible standing on that flowerpot, sopping wet, head and shoulders above the press. Thanks Karen and Mari for all the interviews! Welcome all newbies from a relative newbie!

Time to 'fess up with my sources: Marie-Claude on the A&E P&P message board mentioned the site with the TIOBE interview and the link: http://www.fmitv.com/movies.asp?videoid=importance_colinfirth and I got past the chopped problem by switching readers (Windows Media instead of RealPlayer). I liked the "I sing like a cat" (if he's like Thomas O'Malley, it sounds good to me ;) ) And the Valmont DVD is shown as upcoming July 2002 for region 1 by meluchie's site (FoF)

Well, I have something to report. I know, I find it hard to believe myself. I just got through scanning News headlines from Yahoo and clicked in Entertainment and upon scrolling down, there it was. Big as brass. "Mr. Darcy Hard To Shake" Very short article rehashing a bit from one of those above about Swaziland and one other point. Funny though, just below it is another of nearly or the exact same headline. Two articles in a row, one has a pic from last year's BJD opening in London. Both dated May 20th. Still, I was rather pleased to be the first to report such a 'find'. It looks so good to see CF in a headline where you usually get Madonna or Britney Spears! Yep, he's right in there between Robert Blake, the "Clones", and Liam Neeson! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=493&ncid=790&e=1&u=/ap/20020520/ap_en_mo/people_firth_2 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=762&e=4&u=/ap/20020520/ap_en_mo/people_firth_1 Can you recall CF being a Yahoo headliner before or is this a first???? And, thanks to everyone who has posted these last few days with the multitude of info, articles and pics. I, for one, have really had a great time with it all.

(Lora) A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? ...work. ;-) Welcome Barb! If you think this is a fun time, catch us on Colin's birthday. ;-D That's September 10th, so mark your calendars. :-) (Karen) You guys have been busted, big time (Dorine), And I thought I was invisible standing on that flowerpot, sopping wet, head and shoulders above the press. LOL! I was payback time. ;-D

Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-)

(Mari)Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) I know! She really included Colin's part in the movie as part of Rupie's interview. Maybe she wants to log in, Karen! ;-) We always thought she was on our team ;-)(heehee)

Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) HeeHee indeed! Maybe someone oughta warn Livia before Friday! She may want to escort him into the studio. :) Just what part of the program was it in then Mari??? (Gotta check when it comes on here...around midnight I think.)

Lisa, it was just past the 1 1/2 hour point. I am almost positive that Rupe's segment was pre-taped and that Colin's will be too. Hint: Katie is wearing a different outfit for Rupe's interview than she is on the news portion of the program. "Colin Firth . . . be still my heart . . .I love Colin Firth!"

Pardon me - rest of Drooleurs, please excuse the next few seconds while I try and catch Lisa's attention just in case she does not read her email..... Lisa - pretty please.... I am in a hotel in Melbourne all week and away from a VCR - if you are still up and can tape the relevant segments of "Today" - may I please get a copy from you later?

Movies: Wilde at Heart Costume comedy in the grand Miramax tradition By David Ansen NEWSWEEK May 27 issue � The best moments in Oliver Parker�s screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde�s comedy �The Importance of Being Earnest� are when the movie just sits back and lets Wilde�s supremely witty scenes play. LIKE THE ONE in which the imperious Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) interrogates Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who is pleading for her daughter Gwendolen�s (Frances O�Connor) hand in marriage. �To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune,� she hisses icily upon discovering his orphan status, �to lose both looks like carelessness.� The play is A total artifice, built on farcical symmetries: Jack and his ne�er-do-well friend Algernon (Rupert Everett) both have to pretend to be the nonexistent Ernest Worthing, for they have fallen in love with women, Gwendolen and Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), who insist on marrying men of that name. Probability wasn�t at the top of Wilde�s priorities. Parker, on the other hand, seems afraid that Wilde�s theatricality isn�t �cinematic.� He encourages his cast toward a sotto voce naturalism and slices Wilde�s scenes into fragments, scattering them around the �real� world to open things up. And the drawing-room settings get upgraded Miramax style: grand country estates and chambers worthy of monarchs. When the movie misfires�in the dreadful �fantasy� sequences in which Cecily�s girlish romantic dreams are staged as Pre-Raphaelite tableaux, or the jarring flashback revealing Lady Bracknell�s �secret� past as a chorus girl�Parker just gets in the way, spoiling the rhythm of Wilde�s shapely comic scenes with fussy business. This may be a less than ideal �Earnest,� but it still has delights, not least of all Anna Massey�s Miss Prism, Cecily�s dotty tutor, and Tom Wilkinson�s Dr. Chasuble, her clergyman admirer. Firth�s comic timing is subtle and seductive, and plays nicely off Everett�s jaded foppery. Witherspoon is quite at home in the English surroundings, but surprisingly misses much of her character�s humor. You�d think Lady Bracknell was a role Dench would hit out of the ballpark. She is funny (how could you not be, with these lines?), but she plays her with a severity more befitting her Queen Victoria in �Mrs. Brown.� I wish she�d had more fun with the part: she gets Lady B.�s tyrannical side, but neglects her silliness. Wilde, after all, was never more serious than when he was being utterly frivolous. � 2002 Newsweek, Inc.

Lisa, it's at the end of the program during the last half hour. Unless Today has an extended hour in Minkeeland. If so, it is in the regular last half hour. Our Today Show hours EST: 7am-9am with an extended hour until about 10am. Rupie was interviewed at about 25 minutes till 9. Hope that helps and isn't too confusing. It was definitely recorded at an earlier date because Katie had on a different outfit. Loved both your answers to the analogy, Karen & Moon. Both answers work very well and yet say something different about him. It just goes to show that it's hard to pin-point his personality ;-). Karen, your page on the BWTA interview is so well done in so little time! How do you do it so quickly? You have it all done and finished before one can say leitmotif! Welcome, Barb!!!

Lisa, don't worry about my earlier request. Found another solution so I don't have to bother you. But thanks anyway. I'll keep vigil with you tonight/this morning! Enjoy.

OMG...Minkeee, we have a new VCR that I've never tried to tape from. And, where would the tapes be??? If I have any...would you mind having the interview on a tape with Funny Farm and Coming to America? :))) I'll do my best.

Whew, good, heart rate is returning to normal.

Again, the East Coasters beat us to the punch. Shoot, I should've taped Rupe's interview, just to have Katie holding her hand fluttering over her heart and saying "Be still my heart" when she mentioned Colin. Oh, baby, I can't wait until Friday. This ought to be great. ;-) Highly recommended viewing, ladies in the western and other time zones on the other side of world. Thanks for posting the Newsweek review, Mari. At this rate, I won't have anything to put on the website, except the nice thing he had to say about Colin's performance. And he's the first to criticize the bit about Lady B's past. But why not the ending revelation? And I don't mean to leave out anyone, even though Sandi has posted on another topic so... Sandi!!

British press, picking up on snippets of Colin's printed interviews. Love Ananova's title and how out of context it is. Next headline should probably be: English are repressed and illiterate. ;-D English are repressed, says Bridget Jones star Colin Firth says the English are emotionally repressed. The actor is best known for roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The English Patient. Firth stars with Judi Dench and Rupert Everett in a new film version of The Importance Of Being Earnest. "For obvious reasons I tend to do films about English people, and one of the defining features of English people - at least in the mythology we have of English people - is emotional repression," he told the Washington Post. The Importance Of Being Earnest is due out in the UK in September.

But he's often best remembered for his role as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC miniseries "Pride and Prejudice," which was seen by more than 100 million viewers worldwide. Wow!! Not many English actors can top that number for a TV series! Thanks Lisa for bringing us the Yahoo links.*glowing* Barb C'mon you lurkers... y'all come! New folks bring verve and enthusiasm to our board!You don't have to bring news to jump in...just your happy face:-)) Mari, I'm encouraged by the Newsweek review. *dumming fingers..waiting for TIME*

Like most British women (and the Americans don`t forget me, fixated Finnish girl;) I have seen all kinds of Darcy comments here too, one not so nice was in a K&L review where Leopold/HJ was praised: "even beats CF`s divine Darcy"...

Exciting news...well, could be...!! Daily Telegraph has a very prominent article on page 3, from the Cannes Film Festival, with huge pics of Gwwyneth Paltrow and her mother. GP is tp lay Sylvia Plath in the BBC's film of her marriage to Ted Hughes. Filming to start in the autumn. Colin Firth and Russell Crowe are being considered for the role of Ted Hughes. It's a long article, must be online.

HI all again! thanks for making me feel so welcome.... I also have a scanner....And thanks Barb for the heads up on the biography magazine, received it but had not had a chance to read it yet, but the INSTANT I heard your comment, I grabbed it and scanned it. Who can I send this to so it can be posted? I think it might be an older picture, he has a red TN on. Iam also in the process of getting an ariticle from the LA Times living section from 05/08/2002 which I have not seen yet, will keep you posted.

(Bethan)Colin Firth and Russell Crowe are being considered for the role of Ted Hughes. Bethan, I'm skipping the candles and the rosaries and fast-forwarding to a group novena for this one. *All faiths welcome.* ;-) Murph assures me that Russell has jobs lined up through, oh, 2009, so we may have a shot at this one. *Praying that shooting of ho-hum-sounding TAG doesn't interfere.*

(Mari) Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) (Lora) She really included Colin's part in the movie as part of Rupie's interview. Katie was way too cute! She's gushing just talking ABOUT him... She'll be a puddle on the floor when he's there! Bet Rupie didn't appreciate how Katie dovetailed that interview right to Colin ;-) Also, did anyone notice an inordinate amount of eyeliner on RE, or was the glare on my TV distorting my picture? Can't wait 'til Friday!

thanks for all the great articles, really liked the one from the San Diego Union-Tribune. does Ted Hughes fit into Colin's leitmotif of outsiders?