i think may 31, next friday is when TIOBE goes wide. maybe Today will wait till next friday to air colin's interview. praying hard here.

Hello All, I'm a new delurker and I just want to thank all you alumni Firthettes for all your eye catching moments and info. I'm out here in the midwest USA. I called the two theatres here and neither one has heard of TIOBE. So at this rate I may be waiting to this film on video tape. I hope not. But I have thuroughly enjoyed reading all the info hear. For a couple of months now I've been glued to this place of drool and my husband asks me what I'm laughing at while on the computer and I have to invent a funny email to answer him. I've rather new to this obsession just since seeing "BJD" last January and that did it for me and now I'm collecting CF movies by the gross. Including P&P. Thanks to all for letting me share in this adoration for a simply sweet man to put it mildly. And thanks to Karen for helping to put my two cents into the pot, which is growing by the moment by the way.

My pleasure, and welcome to our little sandbox of fun, Jory. Again, for the sleepy heads who missed the Weekend Today interview early this (yawn) morning or our international Firthettes, I've transcribed it and it's up at The Bucket: http://www.firth.com/int/weekendtoday52602.html Also, the far better, 'All Things Considered' interview is there as well (sorry, no pics) ;-) http://www.firth.com/int/atc52402.html

Thank you Karen for the tip that he is in the 2nd half of the show. Got there just in time. Soledad looked fine but was not drooling as much as KC. I didn't think he looked bored - he looked delectable and all *alert* and ready to please - couldn't keep the dimples down. But he looked so thin - the small head seemed out of proportion somehow. I see now what you mean about that "haven't met those people" bit. Surely - he jests! Hint of false modesty there? *splat* ducking for cover from rotten tomatoes But then again what could he have said instead? Better appear modest than otherwise! LOL! Next time any of the Drooleurs meet him - better give him your business cards so he knows that many of the moms, sisters and secretaries who admire him so have also got degrees, businesses, professions etc. No offence meant but only an observation on the narrow frame of reference. What a strange thing to say from he whose nearest female relations are a mother and a wife with their respective PhDs and a sister who went to university. *shaking head*

We should be grateful he didn't say grandmother, instead of "mom, friend or someone's secretary" ;-D Of course, it is false modesty. But what concerns me is that he's had to endure 6 yrs of that kind of focus by the UK press (Wet Shirty) and it might have been rather refreshing NOT to have that kind of baggage when he started doing interviews here. He could talk about other things. His acting, for one. But if they're going to focus on heartthrob, it can't be easy to listen to this crap again.

Karen, thanks for the transcription. I had the VCR ready to go this morning but forgot that we have this little thing in central Indiana called a 500 mile race and Today was pre-empted for coverage. Have these people got a distorted sense of priorities or what?! ::::very heavy sigh::::: Now, for Regis tomorrow!

IIRC, wasn't there a comment last round from a media type who didn't know who he was until his/her 'secretary' raved about him? I didn't see the interview myself; thanks for the transcript! So I can't speak to the intonation or expression of the administrative assistant remark. Of course it stands to reason that he'd *see* more of his US fans if he did more PR or public appearances here Is that a big enough hint? :) I count two interviews so far, and I've probably missed some, with zero mention of wet shirts or P&P. And one of my favorite things about him is his apparent lack of overt public egotism, so, although I adore Darcy, I call this progress. ITA about the PR burden of being a heartthrob. Must be quite tedious if you have even half a brain.

Hi ya Jory!

just got my TIOBE soundtrack and there's an extra sticker that says: Includes Rupert Everett and Colin Firth's hit performance of "Lady Come Down" as heard in the film. we hava a hit! ;)

(Ev) Nice way to start a Sunday. I'm with you, Evvie! Despite being seriously, unforgivably behind in Drool posts (am trying to speed read through more than 500 on this topic alone), I managed to catch ODB on the Today show this a.m. Sure, he wasn't as loose and relaxed as he was on Rosie and LWTUI [Live With Two Utter Idiots] last year, but he did fine. He did sound like he was working on a cold--either that, or he had a very late night before the taping. ;-) Greetings to the newbies! Greetings to the oldbies! Sorry I couldn't help out with the Wash Post--wouldn't you know we didn't pick one up last Sun.? :-/ A big thanks to all the sleuths, review and interview posters and TV/radio appearance transcribers. We former full-timer droolers appreciate your efforts! Mari, I agree with something you wrote oh, about 400 posts ago--let's repost some of these interviews and good reviews when we're in the middle of one of those 'he's fallen off the earth' Firth droughts.

He is correct: he has never met the women who drool. From my experience he has only met classy women who never dared mention his looks (gorgeous or not) but instead concentrated on complimenting him on his acting talents.

(Evelyn)He looked scrumptious in that blue shirt and jeans.Relaxed, hands folded in lap. I didn't think he looked bored, and she was cute. Hey, at least she didn't ask "How come you aren't a bigger star",like the BBC's Talking Movies. He looked rather pleased when she called him "American's Hearthrob" remark; Minkee)I didn't think he looked bored - he looked delectable and all *alert* and ready to please - couldn't keep the dimples down. I agree! I thought it was a nice interview and he seemed very relaxed and *confident.* And what else was he going to say when she told him she was always running into women who liked him? "Yeah, I know, I'm gorgeous, they just love me." C'mon, that's not his style. I thought his remark was sweet and characteristically self-deprecating and it didn't offend me at all that he didn't use "NASA astrophysicist" as an example of his fans.;-)

You got it, Mari!

YOO HOO, LA ladies--how about someone scanning the new pic that I'm told is with this interview in today's LA Times?:-) Thanks to Marie for spotting: Los Angeles Times Sunday, May 26, 2002 Skipping to the Head of the Cast After an unlikely big break, rising actor Colin Firth is getting lead roles in films such as a new Oscar Wilde adaptation. By ELLEN BASKIN It is a truth universally acknowledged that a journeyman actor in possession of leading-man good looks must be in want of a breakout role--or so Jane Austen might have said, were she writing about Hollywood rather than Hampshire. Colin Firth had no idea he'd landed such a role in 1995, when he was cast as Mr. Darcy in a BBC miniseries production of "Pride and Prejudice." The English actor was by then a veteran of more than a dozen film and television appearances, including the title role in the 1989 film "Valmont," and considered himself far more "a jobbing actor" than a dishy screen star. But attention was paid, especially by the female population of the English-speaking world. Firth's smoldering presence and intense gazes in the direction of Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet so dominated the dramatic goings-on that the program could well have been retitled "Pride and Prejudice: The Darcy Chronicles." It didn't end there. In Helen Fielding's 1998 novel, "Bridget Jones's Diary," a comic modernization of Austen's classic, Firth showed up as both himself and via his interpretation of the fictional hero. What's more, Fielding dubbed her novel's male lead Darcy as well. As if all that wasn't confusing enough, the irony ante was upped yet again when Firth was cast as Darcy in last year's hit film, which starred Renee Zellweger as Bridget and Hugh Grant as Firth's rival for her affections. "I'd appeared as a character in the novel," Firth explains with deadpan wit. "And now the actor that appeared in the novel was playing the guy called Darcy from the novel, who is based on the guy I played on television." By the end, even Firth had trouble keeping track of which version of himself he was supposed to be at any given moment. A more literal game of who's who is played out in Firth's latest film. He co-stars with Rupert Everett in "The Importance of Being Earnest," a new film treatment of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners, mores and mistaken identity among the British upper crust. It opened Wednesday in Los Angeles. "Earnest" premiered on stage in London on Valentine's Day 1895 and has remained a theatrical staple. But this production, directed by Oliver Parker, is only the second major film adaptation. Anthony Asquith directed that 1952 version, with Michael Redgrave in the role Firth has. ("Earnest" has been done several times for television, and an independent production with an African American cast was filmed in 1992.) "You jump at something like this," Firth says of the opportunity to play Jack Worthing, a reserved suburban gent who often must journey to London to deal with the exploits of his troublesome brother Ernest--who, by the way, is a fictional creation whose made-up predicaments allow Jack to escape the genteel confines of the countryside. As Ernest, Jack woos the lovely Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor)--that is, when he's not teaming up with suave ne'er-do-well Algernon Moncrieff (Everett) and going out on the town. The plot, such as it is, thickens when Algernon takes on the Ernest title and takes off for the country to court Jack's naive ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon). In the midst of all this, Jack must also contend with Gwendolen's mother, the imperious Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench). Much witty havoc ensues. "My job is entirely language-dependent, and it doesn't get much better than this," Firth says of Wilde's sparkling dialogue. "But it throws down the gauntlet, because it has been tried and tested and proven to work. You can't blame the author if it doesn't." Wilde's works have never strayed too far from the cultural consciousness, but in recent years, particularly, he has been in vogue. Parker first directed Everett in 1999 in "An Ideal Husband." Wilde himself has emerged as a character in a number of film and stage works, including Tom Stoppard's 1997 play "The Invention of Love," the film biography "Wilde" (1997), starring Stephen Fry, and Moises Kaufman's acclaimed play "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde" (1998), which focused on the libel trial that ultimately resulted in the writer's personal and professional downfall. "He was an avant-garde figure in his day, and I think if you are avant-garde and also have substance to your work, you remain relevant," Parker says of Wilde's continued audience appeal. "The conventional image of Wilde is of someone who's brittle and rather too clever. But, in fact, his work is continually probing and also pleading for a tolerant worldview. Beneath the surface of a lot of these apparently simple, glib comments is a great humanity. And I think he's at his most powerful and insightful when his touch is at its lightest." Firth shares his director's observation that Wilde is not exclusively about clever wordplay and sharp wit. "You can also talk about 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' or tell the stories of his other plays and make them sound like heart-tugging dramas," he says. "There is enormous dimension to him, and I think he's relentlessly applicable." But the wit is formidable, and it can be as laugh-out-loud funny today as on opening night at London's St. James Theatre. "If you can laugh at comedy a hundred years after it was written, I'm pretty sure you'll be laughing 500 years later," Firth declares. "Comedy usually dies with the era. It doesn't cross over very easily. But this has. Anybody who speaks English can find these lines funny." Firth, 41, made his film debut in 1984 in "Another Country," in which he also co-starred with Everett. The two played sparring schoolmates in that film, their on-screen antagonism mirrored somewhat when the cameras stopped rolling. "We didn't get on particularly well the first time around," Firth admits. "I was far too--if you'll pardon the pun--earnest for him at that time, and he was far too sophisticated and worldly for me." Both actors also appeared in 1998's "Shakespeare in Love" (Firth was the villainous Lord Wessex, Everett the writer Christopher Marlowe), but they shared no screen time. So when they met in preparation for "Earnest," it was the first time they'd seen each other in nearly 20 years. "They got on like a house on fire," director Parker reports. "Their banter on the screen was often eclipsed by what went on off-screen." "There is something that works between Rupert and myself," Firth acknowledges of their rapport. "People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau." Born in England, Firth spent several years of his early childhood in Nigeria. His parents are teachers, and the family moved around a lot, with Firth even spending one year of junior high in St. Louis, Mo. He lives now in London with his wife, Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli, and year-old son, Luca. Firth has an older son, William, 11, who lives in Los Angeles with his mother, actress Meg Tilly (Firth's "Valmont" co-star). In person, the indeed handsome and charming Firth is self-effacing and almost apologetic about his sex-symbol status. "I will take it on as my achievement," he allows of the "Pride and Prejudice" phenomenon that redefined his career. "But it is completely and utterly an achievement of my having done that job properly." By the time the miniseries aired and the media storm hit, Firth was out of town, on to his second post-"Pride" assignment. When confronted with the unexpected attention, he was "a bit dazed. I simply did not know how to react." Next up for Firth is "Hope Springs," based on the novel "New Cardiff" by Charles Webb, author of "The Graduate." Firth co-stars with Heather Graham and Minnie Driver in the story of an Englishman who travels to a randomly selected small town in the States to get over an unhappy love affair. Written and directed by Mark Herman ("Little Voice," "Brassed Off"), the film is due this autumn. Before "Bridget Jones," Firth had mostly played dramatic roles, often sporting the ruffles and flourishes of period costume. "I'd been wanting to do comedy for many years, then it finally came, and when it rains it pours," he says. "Since 'Bridget Jones,' I have been doing, and I think I will be doing, English guys in romantic comedies for a while." As for what it's like to have become a cultural reference point, "it actually felt rather good," Firth confesses. "There is something about being immortalized in a novel that's rather different than having done a film or being written about in a magazine." * * * Ellen Baskin is a regular contributor to Calendar. Copyright 2002 Los Angeles Times

Sad, sad day here. Not only did I not realize that there would be a weekend Today show, but now I find out that tennis is pre-empting the regular Today show. Chancing for even one Colin sighting in this fenzied midst is becoming slim indeed. :(((((

this little thing in central Indiana called a 500 mile race Hey, I think Helio's kind of cute, especially when he cries. And the fence-climbing is a nice way to show off the rear view. :) You have a better excuse than I did...I had a late night videotaped film-festival at my house and simply slept through the whole thing. I would be lost indeed without the transcriptions. A thousand thanks.

"There is something that works between Rupert and myself," Firth acknowledges of their rapport. "People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau." As someone who LOVES Lemmon and Matthau, I heartily second this. I'm not sure I'm ready to see him play a "Grumpy Old Man" but the dynamic certainly seems to be there. (First time I've tried tags, hope I didn't mess 'em up.)

older son, William, 11, who lives in Los Angeles with his mother, actress Meg Tilly So they did stay in LA. Thanks for the LA Times article, Mari. Looking forward to seeing that picture. :-) Karen, thanks for transcribing the Today show. I was one of those sleepy heads that missed it. Welcome Jory!

(CF)" There is something that works between Rupert and myself," Firth acknowledges of their rapport. "People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau." Yikes...we have "Earnest II" to look forward to??? Oi...let's not get carried away with this, ole boy;-) Liiiiisaaaa...quit looking at television;-)

that the program could well have been retitled "Pride and Prejudice: The Darcy Chronicles." LOL! Isn't that we have going here? ;-D "People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau." "Since 'Bridget Jones,' I have been doing, and I think I will be doing, English guys in romantic comedies for a while." Ooooowww, getting out the voodoo dolls. NOooooooooooooooo!!!

Thank you Karen for the Weekend Today show transcript. I missed it as well :-( Here is my TIOBE experience: I've been really busy on my research lately and couldn't get off work until 7:00 PM on Friday. I went directly to the only theater in town that shows TIOBE for 7:20 show. I was shocked when I saw a long line (over 100 feet at least) in front of the ticket office. When it was my turn at the window, it was sold out! I've never seen such crowd in an art house theater. I thought it might be some kind of event since I saw people seemed in groups (many of them were gray hairs - lots of gray hairs). Because I was booked all day on Saturday. I tried today again. When I got to the theater, I realized that I made a big mistake for not buying a ticket in advance on Firday. The line was even longer! The lady behind me informed that the line was always there when she drove by in past two days. I was a bit of anxious since it would start in less than 15 minutes and there were at least 50 people in front of me in the line. Luckly, the theater manager decided to delay the schedule in order to get as many people in as possi le. So I finally found a seat and settled myself for the enjoyment. It was full house. The atmosphere was delightful, the audiences were laughing and warmly applaud at the end twice. I enjoyed the movie very much and felt light headed happiness when I walked out of the theater ;-) ODB was so funny and adorable. I thought that he was very good in comedy when I saw MLSF, but this was much better. I've had earwarms of "Lady Come Down" since I was out of that theater. I couldn't help to sing the melody all day long ;-). I'm off the box now ;-)

(Karen)Since 'Bridget Jones,' I have been doing, and I think I will be doing, English guys in romantic comedies for a while." Ooooowww, getting out the voodoo dolls. NOooooooooooooooo!!! There goes the Le Carre... As soon as I read that remark, I couldn't wait to see your post, Karen. I knew you were going to have a fit. That certainly is good news about the number of people at the theater. Caught the Today show interview. He looked great. SOB,(her initials are bad too),I agree, was clueless. I was not thrilled with the hottie remark. C'mon Katie. Please, pray that interview is on fairly early in the week. I cannot deal with anymore recipes. Also hoping if it happens to be tomorrow, it's on before the third hour and doesn't conflict with Regis. If it's on Tuesday then it may conflict with the Early show. At least we have conflicts to worry about. Fire up VCR#2.

Karen, thanks for the Today and All Things Considered transcripts. Oi, he's such a nice boy!:-) Some very early box office estimates for the 4-day holiday weekend, from Hollywood.com: "This weekend also saw the arrival of Miramax's PG rated comedy The Importance of Being Earnest to an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.53 million at 38 theaters ($13,809 per theater). (Miramax estimated its three-day gross at $0.37 million.) "Directed by Oliver Parker, it stars Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson."

Karen, thanks so much for the transcripts of NPR and Today. Knowing that whatever I missed on the air would soon be available is the only thing that kept me a somewhat attentive host this weekend. There are barriers even in the US but Drool always comes through! Mari, you have been a wonder! Thanks for all the reviews and interviews! My dream come true: more articles than I can read in a day! This movie is much smaller than BJD but the PR for CF seems more abundant or is it just me?

I was reading this tv magazine and then, there it was: big photo of his smiling face!(and again, it`s my humble translation) Sex symbol against his will (Katso 22/2002) When British actor Colin Firth (Bridget Jones`s Diary) recently visited Los Angeles promoting Oscar Wilde movie The Importance Of Being Earnest, he met a herd of drooling women. The father of 2 children, married a couple years ago, Firth,41, smiles awkwardly to the sex symbol thing that started from BBC`s Pride & Prejudice. And when he played Mr. Darcy again in Bridget Jones`s Diary, the legend was born. -I still can`t understand all the fuss with the transparent shirt, which supposedly glinted to my body shapes, which I don`t even have. The idea of jumping to the pond was not even planned, but afterwards men wrote to me asking how I did it. Honestly, even my wife wouldn't get excited if I`d go home wearing a dripping shirt. In costume dramas confidently working Firth plays Jack who`s suffering from an identity crises in soon to be seen love farce The Importance Of Being Earnest with famous cast including for example Reese Witherspoon, Rupert Everett and Judy Dench. - You have to be little insane if you want to be an actor. You have to suffer from many illnesses to be good in that. I bet that the ability of playing someone else convincingly comes from unhealthy sources. So we`re all more or less nuts, says Firth with serious face. The star waits BJD sequel with mixed feelings. Ren�e Zellweger has announced that she won`t gain weight again, so maybe the movie makers have to find a new Bridget. -If they wait 10 years with the sequel, it won`t be a problem to hire someone else to play Bridget. They did that for example with Silence of the Lambs. But now people remember the movie so well that it`s going to be difficult, even impossible, Firth guesses.

wake up! wake up! i know it's a holiday and everyone is probably sleeping in. in my half asleep state i turned on the Today show and heard(i'm pretty sure i wasn't dreaming) katie mention colin will be on today.

You got that right....people get up and turn those sets on. I have no TV Guide...but I think a fellow Oz-er said we are being pre-empted by the French Open here. (Lleyton Hewitt is playing today!)

Yes it is true--this 1\2 hour on Today show. (8:30am, EST)

I think it's very bad news for us here. The program is listed as NBC Today and it is only on for an hour at 2am. Tomorrow we have tennis all night. Is there a chance this NBC Today is the other show you have been talking about with the SOB lady????

(He has on the same outfit as the Weekend Today interview)

All righty girls, it is over. (I'm sure someone will transcribe it all!) Katie (and Colin) were all smiles. She played with her hair a lot. Clips form BJD and TIOBE. She did ask about a sequel to BJD--He said he "Could neither confirm or deny it" and that he reads the gossip columns to find news about it. BTW--His hair is looking a bit odd--especially at the top. Could it be.....?

I can't believe I missed most of it! Will be looking forward to a transcript. Alert to our friends in Central Mountain and Western time zones!

Katie was certainly all flustered! How many times did she mention that it was good to see him! And right at the start, didn't it look like their feet were touching? Was THAT on purpose, Katie dear? I was having a good giggle over it. As per usual, Colin was very articulate and full of smiles!

Blast it! And I thought he was on Regis today! There will be an uproar, all of us watching on Friday and so very few today! Who knew?! :-@

He is on Regis (right now actually). Why Oh Why does he do this show???? (Talking about is being a hunk.) Yikes!

OK, it has taken a more redeeming turn (concession). Are chatting about some more personal type things that haven't been mentioned lately. He is being a good sport.

Was wearing black blazer/grey t-shirt/rolled jeans. Maybe he does Regis because Regis goes off on some strange raving tangent and he and Kelly discuss it while the guest (CF) sits there and watches...and thereby doesn't have to answer embarrassing questions. (they opened the show with the singing bass fish on a plague)

Boy, that must have been a fast clothes change between studios! Liked the grey t-shirt, jacket and jeans look on "Regis". You are so right, Amy - he was being a very good sport! I thought he was quite funny, especially since a large part of the interview had to do with his being a sex symbol. Thought there was a lot repeated from the Chevy-Kelly interview of last year - the baby, the Italian family, the scholarly parents... They really should get better researchers to add more variety to these interviews - especially before "Hope Springs" hits theaters in September. Anyhow, what a wonderful day to be home sick (in Canada, not Memorial Day here) - 2 early morning tete-a-tetes with Colin!

Myou--it had to be prerecorded. He has been seen in that outfit (and versions of it) on all the PR interviews. Didn't he have that very ensemble on during 'Cast Party"? Yes, hopefully when HS comes out they will all have to do some work. What, they have 3 months to get to it...unless they rely on this conference (and Karen) as one reported recently admitted....get ready Karen.....

As it seems like few people are even around this morning, I am now taking bets on how many droolers will stumble in here later and lament about missing these shows. :))))) 1 to 4 droolers......Even Money 5 to 9 droolers......3 to 1 10 to 15 droolers....10 to 1

yes, regis and kelly are so clueless. i liked the bit about luca walking. colin said something like luca was not really walking yet at 13 months because he's really lazy, very cute.

I caught both, but almost missed the Today show since he was not mentioned until the beginning of the second hour. He had on the same outfit as Weekend Today with SOB. I can't believe Kelly started off the interview with the Sexy Colin Firth thing again. Ugh! Show was taped-Regis and Kelly had on different outfits with each guest. Interview did get better as it went on. Katie looked v.happy again. Her feet were still at the beginning, but by the end they were doing the old 360's. Still thinking about the "quietly diversifying" comment...then the comment that he will be playing the romantic comedies for awhile...ODB does seem have a talent for being able to, very quickly, paint himself into the dreaded undiversified corner.

OH!OH!OH! Missed Katie interview. Panting away for transcript!! Please daughters of Drool help me out!

(Lisa) I am now taking bets on how many droolers will stumble in here later and lament about missing these shows. :))))) Not those of us with phones! As I putting a toothpaste-covered brush in my mouth, the phone rings and Evelyn's there, telling me Colin will be on in the next hour. I rush downstairs and get the tape and TV ready, although barely able to discern screen without contact lenses. Fortunately, everything came together during the commercial breaks. ;-D The interview was good and Colin looked very comfortable and relaxed. He didn't really say anything new, except to comment that his relationship with Rupe was similar to that of Algy and Jack. He elaborated on the unusual performance of JD as Lady B, and this time he mentioned he *had* seen a repertory production of TIOBE (minor case of amnesia before, huh?) I expect we will be seeing the headlines about how Colin isn't interested, in the abstract, about doing the BJD sequel. But really, what is he going to say? Yes, I'm dying to do it? Katie didn't appear as ga-ga as she did before. Will scrutinize tape for hidden body language.

Oh Happy Day! I caught both interviews! Katie was adorable...she is soooo smitten..hhmm...sounds like some people I know ; ) Colin was just incredible, as per usual!

The Today Show usually puts up the video of various segments. While the site hasn't been updated yet for today's show, keep checking at: http://www.msnbc.com/news/TODAY_Front.asp to see the interview online. I don't see anything either at the Weekend Today site. http://www.msnbc.com/news/weekendtoday_front.asp?ta=y I don't get Regis & Kelly until 1:00 a.m. (no market for those guys here), so will have a long wait to hear the cute stories.

Caught CF on Live. Thought he was a little reserved--no doubt waiting for the odd 'eating placenta' comment or two. Thought Reeg and Kelly were their typical selves; however, Regis actually segued nicely into the reason CF was there. CF had a few funny one-liners, but again I thought he was not as relaxed as he was on the shows last year. I did miss Today, however. Am sure he had more fun with Katie. ;-)

Ahhh, manage to catch both interviews today! Talk about Firthabundance!!!:-) Katie was so sly, slipping in the BJD2 question--her newswoman's instincts.;-) He's clearly very comfortable and relaxed with her. And believe it or not, even the Regis & Kelly interview was good. As goofy as those 2 are, it set Colin up for some very funny retorts, which went over really big with the audience. He got a lot of laughs. Must have been some fans in the audience, as I saw flahsbulbs go off at one point. One thing I do like about the R&K show is that they dare to ask personal questions--it's not just sell the movie and you're off. Colin mentioned that his father keeps a scrapbook of all his work and his interviews. He also said that his parents came to terms with his acting career, and his dad said that with the travel and exposure to different people and roles, that was as good an education as one could hope for. Dad sounds like a good guy.

Didn't you like how his face lights up when he speaks about Luca....LOL. "who is too lazy to walk, at 13 months. Has a v. irritable look on his face when we try to stand him up to walk. "[Colin putting both hands up imitating standing up baby]. Cute show. He seems v. relaxed on these shows now. Wouldn't be surprised if he tackles one in the UK.

Don't forget the Early show tomorrow. I know it is listed on the Bucket, but if you are like me-I keep forgetting to check. Does anyone every watch this show? Please give us a heads up when the celeb interviews take place. First hour or second? I noticed on the Today Show all celeb interviews took place between 8:20 and 8:40.(est) I should know after 10 days of watching times 3hrs. a day.

Loved Katie. It's obvious she's a (cough, cough) drooler. I like both interviews. Laughed at the remark about having to wait in line if he wants to play with Luca when they're in Italy.

Just watched the Today interview again. At the very beginning, Katie literally slips the toe of her show under Colin's shoe. It remains there for more than half of the interview. That's why her feet were so still until the end. I wouldn't have moved mine either if I were in her position.

Colin mentioned that his father keeps a scrapbook of all his work and his interviews. He also said that his parents came to terms with his acting career, and his dad said that with the travel and exposure to different people and roles, that was as good an education as one could hope for. Dad sounds like a good guy. Didn't you like how his face lights up when he speaks about Luca....LOL. "who is too lazy to walk, at 13 months. Has a v. irritable look on his face when we try to stand him up to walk. "[Colin putting both hands up imitating standing up baby]. I just love both these comments! His dad does sounds like a nice (and proud) dad! Colin normally seems to talk about his mum...so it's good that Dad gets a mention! Thanks for all the updates and news.

I thought these were both great interviews. Regis has a way of making people comfortable, even when it's obvious that Regis doesn't know who the guest is :-). He usually shows photos from an actor's career but showed Colin's magazine photos instead. Loved the joke about the shed in the background of the Vogue pic. I think R believed him! Finally Colin handled the "sexy" comments the way I want him to. Just go along with it and laugh. I realized during R&K that I've rarely seen CF laugh normally. Such a treat!

(Mari)Katie was so sly, slipping in the BJD2 question--her newswoman's instincts.;-) He's clearly very comfortable and relaxed with her. And believe it or not, even the Regis & Kelly interview was good. As goofy as those 2 are, it set Colin up for some very funny retorts, which went over really big with the audience. He got a lot of laughs. Must have been some fans in the audience, as I saw flahsbulbs go off at one point. I agree with Mari. It looked like a regular conversation with Katie, not so self aware of cameras like at the Cast Party, except for BJD2 carefully worded reply. Oh well, Katie tried. I also liked the R&K interview; I agree that the audience was definitely entertained and so seemed Regis (which is no small feat). The only problem I had with it was the makeup: abit heavy on the reds on my screen and definitely made his eyebrows disappear completely. But the smiles and better the smirks (especially with the Hugh Grant jokes)...

I'm looking forward to staying up late to catch R&K and then getting up early again for the Early Show. I might need Rupe's shovelfuls of makeup. ;-D Here are some fun pics: http://www.firth.com/earnest_castpartygal.html (Sorry, if I haven't kept up.)

I never thought I would be so happy to be unemployed right now - today is complete overindulgence...first Today, then Regis and Kelly, and I just returned from a 1:15 showing of IOBE (to which I drove 35km each way and went on my own, the lengths I will go to...). I mostly just sat there with a stupid grin on my face, it was great. I really like him in all of it, but particularly in the last scenes, very amusing. There was only about 10 people in the theatre, but lots of giggles from some younger folks (meaning around my own age). In the bathroom afterwards, two older women were discussing his natural reddish hair colour and how it is always curly, too funny. And tomorrow, the Early Show and I get part 2 of Master of the Moor. Wow - I must remember these times when we are in drought, as has been said!

i just watched the regis and kelly interview agian. it was a good interview, colin pretty much went with the flow of things. this was one of kelly's comment's, "they refer to you as britain's sex god screen idol, is that a heavy title for you?" colin, "no... i've always felt that way about myself."(then nice smile from colin). i have a question. for those who've already seen the interview or will be seeing it, does anyone know one of the magazine articles that regis held up. not the one recent vogue one, the other one where there's 4 pics on the page which included cary grant, colin(believe this is an old pic we've seen), hugh and prince william. anyone know this article and what it's about?

Dale, the magazine you're referring to is Town & Country. So far, so good on the box office front. Finally weekend stats from the AP: "In limited release, a new adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" opened solidly with $470,000 in 38 theaters. Directed by Oliver Parker ("An Ideal Husband"), the film stars Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, Frances O'Connor, Colin Firth and Judi Dench."

Sounds good. Was walking around 57th st. today and there was a huge line outside the Paris theatre....mostly elderly people, (could this be attributed to, er, slowness in transactions?) but a line neverthless! :^) (Or all the viewers of morning talk shows?)

Wow! I've been thoroughly Colonized this morning! I caught both interviews by the skin of my teethe. TWO Colin exposers within an hour. You can't beat that with a stick. well maybe you can but, Thanks to Karen and all of you getting the info out so we can be alert. I have so enjoyed this month and all of your posts. (Dribble Dribble!) oops! better go clean up this puddle.

Blast!!! Have missed Today. Oh well, thanks to everyone who have posted. The box office tally sounds great--from the total that Mari saw, an average of $12,368 per screen, which means LOTS of butts in the seats. Woo hoo!!! (Pining) Now, if it will only come to my neck of the woods.....

was Colin on the early show on cbs this morning? if, so was it in the first hour? my local affiliate does not start until the 8 am hour. if so did anyone see it?

Looks like he will be on shortly. He and Rupe were announced for the next half hour (we're one hour behind the East Coast). Also, Colin is shown for the Daily Show on June 3rd at 11:00 pm (repeats at 1 am and the next day)

Sorry, I meant Frances O'Connor and Colin. This could be really cute.

On the east coast, Colin and Frances O'Connor's interview was just after 7:30. I enjoyed this one because it was different to see the two of them together. It was fun to see the two of them exchange looks to see who would answer the questions. I love the clip they showed-one of my favorite scenes in the movie. No startling revelations, more of the same type of questions. Looks like Jane watched Katie's interview and picked up on TEoR question. Colin, I think, really doesn't have an answer to this as he did say "it has gone very quiet". Hopefully that means--we're operating under the radar screen. (Just wishful thinking on my part). The Town and Country magazine that Regis showed yesterday...does anyone know what issue it is?

Oh my! As a result of all my Colin viewings/tapings this weekend, he has hit ODB overload. He was under control when I taped SOB's interview, but exclaimed, "Colin Firth again! Are you in love with this guy?!" when Katie mentioned him on Monday (and I promptly got up to put in a tape). All I could give in reply was a sheepish grin as I hit the record button again ;-D . To make matters worse, he was forced to watch all the interviews since we had only one TV available and I had the remote! Ironically, he was the one who commented that Katie was "preening" by touching her hair a lot. I had already given him a heads-up about how much she loves Colin and mentioned her interview with RE. I noticed that it looked like her feet were right on him too. They do seem to have a rapport like old friends almost, compared to any of his other interviews. My boyfriend also seemed to enjoy the R&K interview. My favorite line from that show was "Englishmen play hard to get even when nobody wants them". (or something to that effect...haven't had a second viewing of anything yet). Didn't Colin use that same story about having to stand in line to hold his own baby last year on R&K? At least no placenta discussion! I don't normally watch The Early Show on CBS, but thought Jane whatshername did OK. I thought Mark McCuen usually did the celebrity interviews. FOC seemed to like to lob the ball to Colin a bit. I thought he was pretty relaxed and she seemed more uptight. To comment on a post from several days ago....Can't really blame SOB for screwing up about who Jack pursues in TIOBE...she's reading from a teleprompter and the director may have thought it unimportant to correct it until it was mentioned in the interview. What a great Colin holiday weekend!

Hi Linda, It is the current issue, it has Mathew Broderick on the cover. Aside from the picture, there is only one or two sentences mentioned. I read it at Barnes and Noble

The Early Show interview was pretty good, as these things go. Having the two of them there seemed to take much of the pressure off Colin, except when FOC didn't want to answer. Good, polite boy that he is, he bore the burden of having to answer most things. Can't really criticize the Q&As, as most viewers are like ourselves and have this stuff over and over again. (What was it like to work with JD? Was it as fun to do as it looked? etc.) I will reserve my criticism to those rolled up jeans. ;-D I thought Colin was making a serious attempt to be clever and funny here and on R&K. Rege surprised me (mainly because I don't watch him ever) as being fairly decent. But did they watch the tape of last year's program and decide to ask him the same exact questions, about the parents being scholars? C'mon, let's mine some new territory, folks.

But I did like that they showed a clip from Another Country. Thumbs up for their doing a little more homework than your average show! Colin was definitely trying to be funny with this one on how he was now more sophisticated like Rupert.

I find this pretty amusing, the adjectives used by THR to describe the box office returns for the smaller films opening this past weekend:In the limited-release arena, Miramax's "The Importance of Being Earnest" had a promising start as the romantic-comedy-drama debuted in 38 locales and took in an estimated $470,000. Based on the Oscar Wilde play, "Earnest" averaged a strong $10,454 per theater and has grossed about $491,000 since its opening Wednesday. Sony Pictures Classics' "13 Conversations About One Thing" debuted in New York and Los Angeles in nine venues, grossing an estimated $98,061. The Jill Sprecher-helmed drama averaged a hopeful $10,896 per theater. UA's "CQ" opened in seven theaters and grossed an estimated $56,000. Directed by Roman Coppola, the Paris-set drama averaged a stout $8,000 per theater.

karen how far into the show is the interview? I am about 40 mins and not mention, did I miss it?

Amazon says the LE DVD is finally out today. If anyone actually gets this elusive DVD, please let us know. I want to watch AC again after seeing the clip on CBS. What a pile of hair!

(Bryonny)Amazon says the LE DVD is finally out today. If anyone actually gets this elusive DVD, please let us know I have the VHS edition. I too, would like to know if it is worth getting the DVD, if there are any extras?

I just checked Amazon, and there aren't any extras listed for the DVD edition of LE. Three discs, Amazon price $44.96, running time 416 minutes, ships in 4-6 weeks (?!). Wonder why it takes so long to ship???

By now, my response about when Colin's appearance on the Early Show would be too late., but you probably got it, as he was in the 7:30-8:00 segment.

I just checked Amazon, and there aren't any extras listed for the DVD edition of LE. Three discs, Amazon price $44.96, running time 416 minutes, ships in 4-6 weeks (?!). Wonder why it takes so long to ship???

Ack!! Sorry for the double post; not sure how that happened...

If you hit Reload or Refresh, you will double-post. Can't do that type of thing here. To check for new messages, go out to the main Drool page and, if they are there, then the topic will show up, having "new" messages.

I've just read that, on May 20, HBO Films and the BBC won a Peabody Award for Conspiracy. The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. This is considered amongst the highest honors in the broadcast field.

On R&K, Regis asked if Luka was named after Luka B??? I don't know the name; did anyone get this? Did Colin? ;-) Luka or Luca?

Luca

He meant Luca Brazzi(sp?) from the Godfather movie.

I am thrilled to not be the last person to see CF on Today, Live, and Early! I couldn't help but notice what else was being shown. On Today, they also did a segment on roller coasters but I don't think the Firth Coaster was highlighted. How did they miss that one? They did however say, "We have enough thrills, chills and spills for all of you." That sums up Firthdom for me. :-) On Early, they were also doing a segment on managing depression. Probably should have taken notes that would help in, say, about six weeks. ;-) He looked so much like Jess of ATA. The shirts he had on and the haircut seemed to be similiar. But, on the other hand, it may have been the "I'm in America--must remember to smile" thing.

From the UPI wire; good news at the end for those of you waiting for it to expand: Wilde comedy may challenge audiences By Pat Nason UPI Hollywood Reporter Published 5/28/2002 4:35 PM LOS ANGELES, May 28 (UPI) -- Actor Colin Firth tried to tell a friend the story behind his new movie, "The Importance of Being Earnest," but he gave up when he realized the real appeal of Oscar Wilde's comedy masterpiece isn't the story -- it's the chance to see people at their most ridiculous. "You can't pitch this movie," said Firth. "I try to explain it, and I realize there's no point. There's this guy who has a boring life so he pretends to be someone else -- as soon as you hear yourself explaining it, you give up and just say, 'Go see it and listen to the way it will make you laugh.'" Firth -- best known to American movie audiences for "Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001) and "Shakespeare in Love" (1998) -- said the story is there more or less to provide characters with opportunities to deliver some of the wittiest dialogue Oscar Wilde ever wrote. "In all of the other Oscar Wilde plays, you can tell a very compelling story," he said. "'A Woman of No Importance' has plot and conflict. You can tell that story without raising a single laugh. 'An Ideal Husband, 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' all could be told as serious dramas." But try to get serious about "Earnest," said Firth, and it "flips out of your hands like a bar of soap." For the record, the story goes like this. Two young gentlemen in Victorian England decide to twist the truth to make their lives more exciting. Jack Worthing (Firth) has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as a pretext to leave his dull country life and visit the ravishing Gwendolyn Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) in London. Algernon Montcrieff (Rupert Everett) appropriates the fictitious identity to get somewhere with Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon) at the country manor. When all four young lovers wind up together, Jack and Algernon have some serious explaining to do if they don't want to lose their ladies. Oliver Parker ("An Ideal Husband") adapted Wilde's play and directed the movie -- adding some physical comedy that some critics have found objectionable. The physicality is intended to transform the piece from a "talky" play to the kind of visual experience that moviegoers expect. "I think this film definitely plays to a crowd," said Firth, who counts himself as a Wilde fan of long standing. "I can barely remember a time before I was a fan," he said. "He's just sort of in the air in the English-speaking world. Quotes float about." Even with Parker's approach, "The Importance of Being Earnest" faces a stiff challenge breaking into a marketplace dominated by movies that appeal to the widest possible audience. "I'm not even sure I would be rushing out to see it if I didn't know it was good," said Firth. "I am hoping word of mouth will help." Audiences seemed to respond to the movie in limited early release. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it grossed $470,000 at 38 theaters, for a solid average of $12,368 per theatre. It is scheduled to expand to 40 markets this Friday. Copyright � 2002 United Press International

(Bryonny) I don't know the name; did anyone get this? Did Colin? ;-) Oh, I'd bet it wasn't the first time someone mentioned the Luca who sleeps with da fishes. ;-) (Caribou) But, on the other hand, it may have been the "I'm in America--must remember to smile" thing. That's right! We smile too much here. :-D (Neeson) Wilde comedy may challenge audiences Which part of the muffin fight won't they get? said Firth, who counts himself as a Wilde fan of long standing. From the cradle we'll hear next. I've posted a new pic of Colin taken by the Newsday photographer and printed with the article, which was kindly sent to me by KathyC. http://www.firth.com/articles/newsday52102.html The Sunday LA Times should be winging its way here tomorrow...

One new insight--The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname "Frothy". (It was nice to see him in a different pair of pants!)

(CF)"I'm not even sure I would be rushing out to see it if I didn't know it was good," said Firth. "I am hoping word of mouth will help." We're trying dahling, we're trying! (Amy)One new insight--The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname "Frothy". Certainly conjurs up very different images than the "biker" remark.

can we still expect to see colin on the Jon Stewart Show on june 3?

"I am hoping word of mouth will help." And I'm hoping Miramax puts a few bucks behind the advertising and starts running commercials! They are so cheap. The stars--primarily Colin--have done more than their share on the publicity trail, and are the reason for that "solid" opening weekend. Time for the studio to get behind it. I've posted a new pic of Colin taken by the Newsday photographer and printed with the article, which was kindly sent to me by KathyC. Thanks, Karen and Kathy. Not his best one, but I've never net a Firth pic I didn't like.:-) Karen, do you have the originals on the LA Daily News pics--the ones taken on the grass? Which part of the muffin fight won't they get? LOL! Now now, it *is* v.v. confusing. Who started the fight? It's not clear. Also, what flavor are the muffins? The audience is left totally to its own devices. And here's my biggest quibble: why do the crumbs seem to ball up and stick to their faces and clothes instead of dropping to the ground? Why do the laws of gravity applicable to my kitchen not seem to be in effect at that estate? ;-) ;-)

(Karen) Oh, I'd bet it wasn't the first time someone mentioned the Luca who sleeps with da fishes. ;-) LOL, what a family for names! Colin has been known to make remarks about his own first name. And then his wife has the name of an infamous Roman empress. (anyone ever see "I Claudius"???) Just got back from holiday weekend and checked my tapes (thank God I have two VCRs). I think Colin definitely seems more relaxed in the taped interviews. I wonder if it's because there's less pressure, especially compared to live TV. Live TV, especially Today, which is made of snippets, must be driven by the clock. That creates a tension that can become contagious. I don't know how the anchors can remain so chipper with a director screaming in their earphones. ("We're out of time! We're out of time!") I hate to bring up the hair thing, but is it just me or are those curls less, um, dense?

Just in case anyone is interested...I logged onto Bravo's website and they have a place to contact them. I asked them if they would consider interviewing CF for Inside the Actors's Studio. I got an answer back which, I'm sure, is standard issue, but they did say they would forward my request to the programming dept. It's worth a try. http://www.bravotv.com

For the others who missed BBCAmerica Talking Movies, they have updated. Scroll down and click on watch this week's episode. TIOBE and CF is the third one after Insomnia and Unfaithful. http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies.jsp

(Amy)The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname "Frothy". Oh my, what is the clue!? I was wondering about how he got that nickname from Rupie on the TIOBE set. Sorry to say that I missed the Early Show, Regis & Kelly, and Today Show interviews :-(. "I'll be sacked!" ;-) (Mari)And here's my biggest quibble: why do the crumbs seem to ball up and stick to their faces and clothes instead of dropping to the ground? Why do the laws of gravity applicable to my kitchen not seem to be in effect at that estate? ;-) ;-) LOL! It's got to be because of Rupie's inch thick make-up which, according to Colin is 18 years worth and when scraped down, is from "Another Country!" (heehee, I loved that line of his from the VH1 cast party...I had to listen to it twice before it suddenly hit me that he meant the movie they did 18 years ago and not France or some other country ;-D). Colin also said that Rupie's make up got all over his suit during the muffin fight. So that must be why the crumbs stick there too ;-)! When it's that old it must be really sticky! ;-);-)

Lora-- on The Early Show (I am paraphrasing here) he answered a question or made a comment about the 'era' or the dialogue (someone must remember!)...and did some sort of impression of the way words were spoken...and said it was "frothy". I know wrong conference, but wasn't RE eating the bread and butter? It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. (to be continued @ 126?) sorry!!!;^)

Amy, thanks for the "Frothy" explanation. Didn't he do that sort of impression for (toward) Rupie on the VH1 cast party when he responded to Rupie for misinterpreting him when he said that he (Colin) was in the "Raining Men" video? Rupie thought Colin had said that Rupie was in it. And Colin was making fun of Rupie for claiming the distinction (that didn't belong to him). He did it with great froth. (Amy)It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. At first I thought the same, but perhaps they were all English muffins. After all, what other kind would there be? :-) And now back to our regularly scheduled topic ;-).

(Amy)It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. At first I thought the same, but perhaps they were all English muffins. After all, what other kind would there be? :-) Yes, they were not what we call muffins, but it's like the line in Relative Values about horseback riding. The 'horseback' is understood. ;-D

Ah yes. Makes sense now....(except I didn't think english muffins were actually "english"). BTW Is there some pun/hidden meaning in this muffin segment that I am missing? OK! Enough! Yes, back to the studio, er, 162.

Horrors: I just checked the movie schedule for this weekend here in Central NJ-no sign of TIOBE. A small art house theater in Princeton is showing it just about 10 mins. from me, thank goodness. I am extremely disappointed that none of the multiplex theaters in the area have it listed. Is this still a limited opening weekend? Why? Karen, can you help answer this v.disturbing question? How are people supposed to see it-commercials for it are numbering ZERO,and I'm in the Phila/NY viewing area. Maybe Miramx should provide camels so we can cross the great divide to try and see this film. If it is left out there to swing in the wind...we know who will get the blame.

TIOBE is being released as an art house film. Do not expect it to show at the big multiplexes, unless one theater within those is designated to show art house films. It is playing in the big cities, and this weekend's expansion is to more "bigger cities" not the suburban areas. If they decide this film has wider appeal and can sustain more screens per metro area, then it will go beyond a city's main art house cinema. At least, that's my take on it. However, my complaint is that the reel they have playing in my town is damaged; it gets all fuzzy during the Gwendolen attacking Jack scene. Another example of Miramax's lack of quality control. There were problems with prints of BJD all over the country too.