http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/ WAGW as of 4/17 #3 at $22,717,000 Phone Booth #4 at $29,406,000 Not bad considering WAGW not selling as many adult fare evening tickets.

Those look like cumulative two week grosses. Actually, I think the box office results have been pretty disappointing for a film like this. If it doesn't haul it in now, the kids will be at that Lizzie Maguire movie soon.

(Karen)Those look like cumulative two week grosses I should have noted that they are the cumulative (4/18) grosses. I was just glad to see Phone Booth slipping behind;-)

If it doesn't haul it in now, the kids will be at that Lizzie Maguire movie soon. I agree! I've seen the LM trailer and it will drag them in. I find Colin utterly adorable in WAGW, I've seen it 4 times now, that is quite a novelty for me. I have also come to like that very perky AB.

(Moon Dreams)And who can blame her? HS has had too many delays and although the posters may be in theatres in Southern Florida, there is that question of the release date. ;-) But this was an appearance on a fairly major UK chat show, just a few weeks before the movie's release in the UK. I felt she seemed a bit negative about it, I have to say.

I felt she seemed a bit negative about it, I have to say. So Janet, would you say that hse has seen HS and is not happy with it? That she might fear the critics reaction? That she would want to bury it as quickly as possible? MD is usually very good with doing the neccessary promotions, her reaction surprises me. :-(

Moon Dreams)MD is usually very good with doing the neccessary promotions, her reaction surprises me. :-( She certainly concentrated on the upcoming play in the West End with Matthew Perry. It wasn't so much what she said, she just didn't seem overly enthusiastic. (Didn't her last couple of movies bomb though, so maybe she's just being cautious.)

(Karen)Those look like cumulative two week grosses. Actually, I think the box office results have been pretty disappointing for a film like this. You said what I've been thinking:-(( TIOBE which wasn't released in as many theatres & received v. little publicity cashed in at $16.M. WB really went to the mat for this film. Can't understand it. Princess Diaries (aside from Julie Andrews) didn't have a lead with as much star-power as AB and it hauled in $23. the first week. Better movie & reviews, huh;-) I agree Moon...I just came back from seeing Henry again on the big screen before he disapears. Henry is quite fetching. I far prefer him to Jack/Earnest.In fact I even like the whole film better. Take that, Oliver Parker!

WAGW is projected to be at over $27 million by tomorrow. That's more than it cost to make. Plus they'll make a bundle in video/DVD. Nobody's going to lose money on this one. (Evelyn)WB really went to the mat for this film. I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying "the #1 comedy in Ametica," which it was after the first week? And they should have been advertising twice a week on American Idol which is the top rated show, especially among the teens. Their marketing stank, IMO, and they're lucky to be getting what they are. I think they blew their budget on all those billboards.;-) (Janet)It wasn't so much what she said, she just didn't seem overly enthusiastic Colin should be out there doing all the chat shows for this one, and maybe he will. It's *his* movie.

Umm, that's America with an "r", of course.;-) Must proof before hitting send in future.

(Mari)I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying "the #1 comedy in Ametica," Well around here the big complaint about TIOBE was that there was no TV advertising...which costs millions. And all the kids look at TV and seldom;-) read the newspapers.They hit MTV and the teen stations. Did they hit the Amanda's station? I haven't watched it recently. Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I dunno. My newspaper has carried a v. credible ad; each week different with quotes. And it played in every rural movie house in the state. This is the last week, though:-((

[i] (Evelyn) Did they hit the Amanda's station? I haven't watched it recently.[/i] Yes. I saw one about three days ago. [i] (Evelyn) Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I dunno.[/i] Can't speak for 12 year olds but I know that my 10 year old daughter and my 15 year old daughter are both avid fans. BTW, they also really enjoyed WAGW both times we went to see it together. Interesting to note that before both of our screenings of WAGW, we saw the Lizzie McG movie trailer and not a one of us wants to see it.

(Evelyn)Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I think it's pretty much top rated among all age groups. Might have brought in more "full fare paying" adults, as would in-person promo from Colin. I think most ticket buyers don't have access to the Colin Unplugged interview tape.;-) I do realize that network advertising on highly rated shows is very expensive. Still, I think it's doing ok, and should be around a while longer, don't you think? (Evelyn)Henry is quite fetching. I far prefer him to Jack/Earnest.In fact I even like the whole film better. Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film.

Yikes. Didn't do my italics properly. Sorry. :-(

(Janet) Didn't her last couple of movies bomb though, so maybe she's just being cautious. That still shouldn't have come through while she was doing publicity. She should be enthusiastic and make people want to see it. I expect TV and print publicity to start up toward the end of the week, especially as the premiere is in eight days, and Heather and Minnie will be making the rounds for sure. It will be interesting to see how much (if any) Colin does on the TV side. He's always participated fully with the print journalists there. You'll have lots of articles in all the newspapers, color supplements, etc. Get your camping gear ready for staking out the newsagents. ;-) (Mari) The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying "the #1 comedy in Ametica," which it was after the first week? And is not able to say anymore. A lost opportunity to sustain momentum IMO.

(Mari)I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying "the #1 comedy in Ametica," which it was after the first week? I agree, Mari. I did see a few ads on WB and Nick, but nothing major. I thought it fell off drastically after it opened. Surprising since they stared back in Nov. with the HP trailer. (Mari)Still, I think it's doing ok, and should be around a while longer, don't you think? Agree, again. Also, other than AM it seems that the numbers were down for everything that opened these last few weeks. (Mari)Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film. Once more, Mari...See! Can you blame me for seeing it over and over. Colin was excellent in this. I just can't get enough.

This weekend figures up til Sunday AM: WAGW # 6 Grossed $4.8 Cume: $27.5 ( Doesn't include me this aft;-) Finals Monday . It will be around for a long time. And videos sometimes bring in half as much.

(Mari)Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film. Indeed. I went to see it again with a friend, it was her first viewing. Afterwards she said she didn't expect it, but she got teary eyed during one of the father-daughter scenes.

(Linda), Can you blame me for seeing it over and over. Colin was excellent in this. I just can't get enough. Colin is pure joy to watch. He is really acting, his character has depth. I will certainly see it again.

(Evelyn) It will be around for a long time. And videos sometimes bring in half as much. Whether it makes back its costs, which it will easily, is not the point. It isn't doing well at the box office, and the box office matters ( = bankability). You can't hang it on low attendance, when AM continues to rack up such big numbers, despite being panned by critics and audiences alike. It fell to #6 this weekend. (BTW, the highest per screen average went to A Mighty Wind. Huge thumbs up, a riot.)

The family flick "Holes," based on Louis Sachar's book about the adventures of juvenile delinquents forced to dig holes in a dry lake bed, debuted a strong second with $17.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. "Holes," whose cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight and Patricia Arquette, had the strongest average among the top 10 films, at $7,336 in 2,331 theaters. Box-office analysts were surprised by "Holes," whose returns exceeded even distributor Disney's expectations by a few million dollars. "'Holes' was sort of off the radar," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But kids know this book, and there's really no movies out there for kids right now. Almost every time when there's a void in the marketplace for family films, all of a sudden one pops up, and families rush out."

""Holes," whose returns exceeded even distributor Disney's expectations by a few million dollars. " Disney is in the business of family movies. When parents see "Disney" they know it's a family event. Watch Lizzie Murphy:"brought to you by the peole who made Princess diaries". BTW Holes got good reviews: 76%. I realize I set my sight too high for the BO receipts of WAGW. Somehow when that vile Kangaroo Jack brings in $65.M I felt sure we could do better . What is lacking is the teen repeaters. I wondered when the first viewers on this board reported that Colin had as much screen time as AB.Good for us, but not for the target audience. Perhaps they tried too hard to go for a wide audience.

LOL. I mean't "Lizzie McGuire"

Not sure if this link has been posted. Go to trailers and clips, then Henry meets Libby; there's a prezzie there for those of us who like Henry in a tux and tails.:-) http://movies.go.com/movies/W/whatagirlwants_2003/index.html#

Mari! Thank you....another lovely distraction....

I found a very small pic from the set of LA in a Tube magazine at my local station. It's from when he was filming at Canary Wharf. Am running around with friends in from Canada so can't scan it now, but will, unless someone else picks it up and gets it. Will be out of town until Thursday. Which is, of course, the PEN/ICI event...

I received "The Lisa Tape" yesterday and just have to say a couple of things....did anyone else notice ODB's habit of lip chewing? I wonder if he had something going on and was trying to get at it or...if this is a regular habit of his. Found it most interesting. Also....love the bit were he gave the Phoenix affiliate a London 'tour' pointing out Parliment and Big Ben....I'm only about a half hour into the tape right now but his is great stuff. Voyeurism at its best (if there is such a thing).

(Tress) or...if this is a regular habit of his. Better than his old habit of picking at his nose/face. ;-)

I don't remember lip-schewing being a big number on his list of habits, but I can tell you pulling on his nose is. He almost wore it out in the first interview he ever gave on A&E for SIL. He's come a loooong way since then. I like the inflection he gives to "*ab*-so-lu-tely" talking about the scenery out west. Wouldn't you love to see that pic of him at 12 with the cowboy hat at Big Bend. BTW David really must have taken a wrong turn if he went to the Grand Canyon by way of San Antonio and El Paso.

Hi everyone Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th. Saw this info this morning across my desk. Take care!

(Karen) Better than his old habit of picking at his nose/face. ;-) LOL...He did the nose tug a couple of times...(and I've only seen 30 minutes) (Evelyn) I don't remember lip-schewing being a big number on his list of habits... Watch his mouth on the tape...he's going to town on the inside bottom right lip. I find myself just staring at it (and I don't know why..hmmmm). ;-) (Lola) Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th. Saw this info this morning across my desk. This is good news!! I thought I'd have to go through Hunk Daddy withdrawal. I can last a couple of months...an amazing calmness has come over me. ;-)

ROTFLMAO! Jethro Tull indeed!! Love the "current" Page photo composition.

The mind boggles over the DVD captures that Rika will bring us. When the time comes, we should have a funny photo caption contest. Anyway, I went for viewing # 4 yesterday (I'll never catch up to some of you ladies) and the theater was packed. Lots of kids in my area are on spring break this week. It occurred to me that although the weekend box office has been just ok, WAGW is quietly earning anywhere from a half million to a million every day. Yesterday's (Monday's) figures: $828,411, cumulative total is at $28,056,635. Happy to see "Holes" doing well; this is based on a wonderful Caldecot Medal-winning book of the same name. This is quality children's literature and I'm glad to see families coming out for it in such big numbers. Expose 'em to decent stuff now and maybe in five years they won't be in line for Malibu's Most Wanted.;-)

(Tress)This is good news!! I thought I'd have to go through Hunk Daddy withdrawal. I can last a couple of months...an amazing calmness has come over me. ;-) LOL, I wonder if Lola is a mind reader. I'm calm, too, now. Thank you Lola, for that DVD news, That's my anniversary...I can't think of a better gift. Mari, thanks for the box office numbers. Not exceptional, but holding its own.

(HolaLola)Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th Great news Lola, and it means I'll hopefully have a copy of the Region 1 DVD before it's cinema release in the UK in August!

Re UK Premiere of HS on 28 April in London. I initially thought the date of the Italian Institute reading had been changed to accommodate his appearance. But filming of Trauma commences in the Isle of Man on the same date. So just where will he be? - (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for EmmaB!)

Anyway, I went for viewing # 4 yesterday (I'll never catch up to some of you ladies) and the theater was packed. I had quite the opposite experience. It was #6 for me and #2 for my friend and we were the only 2 in the room. Needless to say we sat where there is "dancing room" in front of us and had an absolute ball getting up to "release the pressure"! Of course this was because it was the 10:30pm show. My experience has been that weekend matinees have been going strong (a ratio of 70/30 kids vs. more mature audience) whereas in the evening, my friend and I are doing our part by vowing to go once a week until it disappears -- that is aside from other friends I drag there (so far all liked it).

I had quite the opposite experience. It was #6 for me and #2 for my friend and we were the only 2 in the room. Sunday matinee for me.. 4 in the theatre total. It's a cute movie and like we said, it will do fine.

(Janet) But filming of Trauma commences in the Isle of Man on the same date. So just where will he be? Hopefully, he will be at the ICI. Just because filming starts on a given date doesn't necessarily mean he has to be there. I'm sure there are many other things on the production schedule.

I thought the HS premiere was the 28th, and thre ICI thing tomorrow? Anyway, I can't imagine he'll miss the premiere--it's his movie--and surely they can work around him for a couple of days. Also, I'm guessing that a flight to the Isle of Man is very brief? Maybe a half hour or so?

(mari) Also, I'm guessing that a flight to the Isle of Man is very brief? Maybe a half hour or so? And BV might even send a plane for him ;-)

(Mari) I thought the HS premiere was the 28th, and thre ICI thing tomorrow? Quite right; the ICI reading was changed to accommodate the premiere. Not paying attention. He'll be at both. I expect the premiere was bumped up to accommodate him, since the film isn't being released until the 9th, when he'll be coming apart and see apparitions.

(Karen), since the film isn't being released until the 9th, when he'll be coming apart and see apparitions. ROTF! And let's not forget how hard he's work to get to fall apart. ;-) Can't wait to see his "look" for that one. This board will be very busy this next week. :-D

(Odile)my friend and I are doing our part by vowing to go once a week until it disappears -- that is aside from other friends I drag there (so far all liked it). Excellent! I dragged my aunt there last night...she loved it. #11 for me:-) I've had different experiences at different times. Usually the weekend shows are packed...the earlier ones, that is. The week day shows in the evenings have been quiet. Last night there were 12 of us, my daughter being the youngest in the theater. I did manage to see the LA video again, too. That is like the icing on the cake. I did pay special attention to the kiss. Moon, I definitely saw what looked to me like tongue action on his part. You can't see the tongue, but his facial muscles certainly looked as though they were working at more than just lip service:-) BTW, I need to go to the AM theater to see this, as I mentioned before. In this theater there were No people for the 8:00 show. As far as I could see, WAGW had the most at 12. (Moon)Can't wait to see his "look" for that one Anything resembling HD or the InStyle pictures will do me.

(Linda)#11 for me:-) LOL, I think you win the price for multipal (sp?) viewings! You have my vote! I hope the "early" attention for LA is good news in this part of the world. Perhaps this could be the next theatrical release here, first one since BJD :-( Thank you for all the articles and news. And - Karen, as much as I love the HD LP dance, I'm not sure the reflection (sp?) in the mirror is the one Rika hoped to see, when she claimed it as a keepsake ;-) Nevertheless, I like it (HD that is).

*note* New issue of InStyle has a CF pic in the letters section (RZ on the cover).

(Amy)*note* New issue of InStyle has a CF pic in the letters section (RZ on the cover). And a V. fine CF pic it is! Must be from the same photo shoot as the March In Style article. Mmmm,Yummy!

There was some talk about lack of TV ads regarding WAGW. They are showing them on MTV (I won't mention what I've been watching). Have seen it twice tonight. Testimonials from the young ones about how great the film is, with clips....one woman saying how she 'loved the father/daughter relationship'. A "Now Playing" tagged on the end.

The release date for WAGW in South Africa has been confirmed by Numetro as 25 July. Now the waiting begins.

The release date for Love Actually in South Africa has been confirmed by Numetro as 28 November. I sent an email for each of the upcomming films, and by the 3rd email, the reply was - As a dedicated Colin Firth fan, I will hold thumbs with you! I can't wait, and I am glad to see that there is at least one other CF fan in SA.

Re: those questions of WAGW's budget, from yesterday's Martin Grove column in THR, an article about comedies: 4. "What A Girl Wants" from Warner Bros. and Gaylord Films. A family comedy appealing mostly to teenage girls, it's directed by Dennie Gordon and stars Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Eileen Atkins, Anna Chancellor and Jonathan Pryce. "Girl," which only cost about $20 million to make, took in $4.5 million last weekend and was down only 28 percent. With its three week cume at $27.2 million, it could end up with around $50 million domestically. "Amanda's last film 'Big Fat Liar' did $48 million and opened up to less than this ($11.6 million in February 2002)," Warners' Fellman said opening weekend. "Based on the way 'Cody Banks' has been holding (this should do nicely). She's got an audience of from 7 to 17 and we're also getting moms and families." http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1871456

(Martin Grove article) With its three week cume at $27.2 million, it could end up with around $50 million domestically. Good news! And it still has its 'international tour' (glad you got a date for South Africa Leah)! After DVD sales (I predict a few in this crowd alone), it should do quite well! Thanks for the article Karen!

and we're also getting moms and families. Moms are a separate category. LOL! If it took 20 million to make how much did Colin get paid?

(Moon Dreams) If it took 20 million to make how much did Colin get paid? Whatever it was, it was'nt enough!! ;-))(come on, you knew someone had to say it!)

(TRess)Testimonials from the young ones about how great the film is, with clips....one woman saying how she 'loved the father/daughter relationship'. LOL.WB heard you Mari. $50 M.ain't bad. Princess Diaries made $24.M on the VHS rentals*. *"The Total VHS Rentals figure at the top of the page is the cumulative figure before it drops off the top 10 rentals chart. A video, on average, will make about 60% more after dropping off the top 10 rentals chart. " At this rate not even TIOBE was a loser.

Eoww! I didn't think the numbers were all that good myself, especially when you look at what some of the others will be pulling in (How to Lose a Guy, et al.). Then when you couple it with how quickly the DVD/video is coming out tells me they don't think the film has much of a shelf life. Sorry, but I don't find it all that encouraging. *looking at my half empty glass*

(Miss Cranky Pants)especially when you look at what some of the others will be pulling in (How to Lose a Guy, et al.) "Ah feel yo'pain" But listen, WAGW can't be compared to "Lose a Guy" or the other rom-coms. For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific.Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience, and your repeaters. My sights were set too high too re:$$$ I look at it this way: It's better than the book. On the bright side, I just recieved my WAGW soundtrack. Oliver James is there, but no Kelly Preston.What a gyp! Three pics of Colin in backside of cover. The "20yr old" coming to meet the parents, the playground scene (they cut his bum, but I've decided the bulge is where he parked his chewing gum!), and going to the office in the Rolls wearing "my blue suit". Inside has the air-guitar scene.

(Evelyn) LOL.WB heard you Mari. Am glad somebody listens to me.;-) I think $50 million is fantastic. I figured $40 million would be a stretch. And the reason they're rushing the video/DVD out there in July is to catch the kids while they still have a month of summer break left. Has nothing to do with how long it will be in theaters. (Evelyn) WAGW can't be compared to "Lose a Guy" or the other rom-coms. For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific. Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience, and your repeaters. Exactly. Plus "Lose A Guy" has "date movie" appeal--which gives it a big leg up right off the bat. WAGW's audience needs somebody to drive them to the theater.;-) Take another look at that half-filled glass, Miss Cranky P.;-) ;-) Also, as a comparison, take a look at the big name films released at about the same time (Gwynnie's View From the Top, Cuba Gooding's Boat Trip). Dead in the water.

Just running for shower, ironing skirt, dreading how terrible I am going to look next to Italian fashion-istas...but also very excited! Will report in tonight. Digital photos (if available - remembering he can still easily cancel) won't be ready till Sunday or Monday since I can only get them downloaded at DBf's house.

Oh!! Emma good luck! I can't wait to hear about your adventures! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.... Since we were talking about movie grosses, I have found an interesting site so that you can see how WAGW is doing compared to other films....I predict it will do better than 'Dreamcatcher'....but never see the numbers of 'Bringing Down the House' ;-) (Karen if this is the wrong place for this I apologize): http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/moviesofyear.mv?moviesof2003

Emma I'm lighting candles for you. He will be there!!

(Linda)#11 for me:-) Wasn't that your magic number for TIOBE? I see HD is probably going to leave Jack/Ernest in the dust... LOL! I am glad to see that there is at least one other CF fan in SA. Yes! and a fan ready to acknowledge herself as such. I'm sometimes tempted to just go and introduce myself to other "mature", by-themselves ladies at WAGW... I mean they can't all be there for AB! :) Of course, that might prove a bit embarassing... maybe not as much as some friends of mine talking to each other saying :"oh yeah, last week I went to this movie with Odile called WAGW" "What? You too? How many times has she seen it?" -- Of course that is an answer I own up only on Drool. :) Good luck EmmaB! Can't wait to see your report!

Good Luck Emma, off course he will be there. Have faith! Just got a mail from filmfactory confirming no release in Denmark :-( They suggested I might catch it in Sweden, where it is released June 25th. Perhaps I should plan to cross our little pond? As always, thank you for the articles, links and news. signed TCDWAHFG (The Crazy Dane With A Half Full Glass)

(Mari) Take another look at that half-filled glass, Miss Cranky P.;-) LOL! I spent years writing rationalizations for operational results, but could keep my fact and fiction separate. ;-) Good luck, Emma! Hoping to see your report soon.

(Odile)Wasn't that your magic number for TIOBE? I see HD is probably going to leave Jack/Ernest in the dust... LOL! LOL, glad to see you remembered. Yes, it is a hard one to call. As much as I love Jack/Earnest...HD has, alas, won my heart. Hoping I don't kick up too uch dust, but #12 is tomorrw. I think it was the looking at the tatto on Daphne's neck while she was asleep that did it, or was it the BLP, or waiting for Daphne on the stairs before the Royal Dress Show???...I'm still trying to decide. Good luck Emma, he is going to be there, and you are going to see him. Looking forward to your post. I've been thinking of you all day. What kind of glass should we use in thinking about the HS date here in the US? Thanks for the box office observations, Miss Cranky Pants, sheesh;-)

Sorry for the missing letters up above, it's the blasted keyboard.

(For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific.Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience. I wonder, since those young ones do pay a lower price for admittance, how much money it would make if everyone paid the same? I discovered one thing about pre-teen girls, is that once they really like something, they will try to buy everything associated with that thing. My neighbor's daughter has seen the movie 3 times (more than me!),is going to see it again this weekend, bought the book 2 wks ago, is getting the CD for her birthday next week and is intent on buying the DVD when it comes out in July. If you go by her, I think WB will make out pretty well.

(Ada) I discovered one thing about pre-teen girls...once they really like something, they will try to buy everything associated with that thing. My neighbor's daughter has seen the movie 3 times (more than me!),is going to see it again this weekend, bought the book 2 wks ago, is getting the CD ...is intent on buying the DVD ... ROFLOL! And that differs from most of us how? LOL I guess you truly never really grow up. (Gotta go check my email for my ebay Colin Firth search update....would not want to miss anything!)

Emma can't wait to hear your report! That tape is so very enjoyable! Joyce, we can discuss it here.

(Moon Dreams) That tape is so very enjoyable! Joyce, we can discuss it here. Here? Or 166? My tail has'nt stopped wagging since watching it!:-}

(Maria)Here? Or 166? My tail has'nt stopped wagging since watching it!:-} ROTFLOL, what an ab...solutely appropiate way to put it. Yes, I'd love to discuss it, too. (saying "absolutely" in CF mode)

For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific. Plus "Lose A Guy" has "date movie" appeal Miss Cranky Pants suggests you add the following v. plausible reasons to your list: - The moon was in the second house - Jupiter was aligned with Mars ;-))))))) Shocker! Saw a WAGW commercial this afternoon on network TV. Was not a HD one, and I think they changed the message, saying it was the "top teen comedy." I suppose they had to give it one more shot before the big Cancun movie opens. ;-) (Linda) Yes, I'd love to discuss it, too. Waddaya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, "talk amongst yourselves"? OK, your topic today is: Would closed-captioning have helped you to understand the questions better on the 'Lisa are you there' tape? Talk amongst yourselves...

The moon was in the second house And what was Moon doing there? ;-) Just remember, peace doesn't guide the planet. ;-) daya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, "talk amongst yourselves"? Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea who Linda R is? I'm waiting for Ms. Cranky Pant's permission. ;-) So here goes: Isn't wonderful to have him just staring at us? That Lisa bit killed me. I called my friend Lisa on her birthday and left a message on her machine. Is she sad to have missed the call? ;-) He fidgets quite a bit, slurps often when he drinks water and says "You know" repeatedly.

(Moon) Isn't wonderful to have him just staring at us? Yes it is!! And my favorite bit is when he does the 'two handed cover up'. First covering the thin spot with one hand then running the other hand through his hair. Also love the lip pinching...which he does several times....

I don't even know what to say! I just had the most incredible night. And I am very intoxicated on white wine (also what he was drinking!!) courtesy of the ICI. I am so glad that I brought a friend with guts with me - who took the chicken, me that is, and said "can I get a picture of you and my friend?" to Colin who not only remembered this during his own picture-taking obligations for PEN, but also pointed out that the string of the camera was in the way of the view finder. IT WAS AMAZING! Livia is incredibly beautiful - which a lot of you already know. She is very pregnant right now, which you also know, but she looked amazing. Feel free to ask anything you want. I am on cloud 9. The alcohol helps =). If you want to do justice to a book, get him to read out a section or three of it. His voice - well, you all know how good it is! But to hear that in person is just surreal. The whole night has been completely surreal. Took lots of digital photos with a mini camera so I hope some turn out that I can share. The important one of me and him (so embarrassed that Kristen even harrassed him for it) is on my normal camera. I can't even believe that I was in the same room as him. With very few people. And, like, he moved in when the photo was taken. And I managed to say thank you. And he said you're welcome. I'm very sorry - I will be more sober tomorrow =).

I'm so happy for you EmmaB! Enjoy the wine but don't forget everything before tomorrow. Ok I'll start the questions... What was he wearing?

(Emma) I don't even know what to say! I just had the most incredible night. OMG!! Emma!!! I am so, so happy for you! After several near misses, it was your time. Sounds like you got more than one picture. Did you get a picture of Livia and Colin together? Does Livia look 'almost done'? What sections of the book did he read aloud (can you remember)? You said there were very few people. How many (do you guess)? And you said ODB 'moved in when the photo was taken'...how 'in' is 'in'? ;-) Did you get an autograph (did you bring your copy of The Leopard)? I'll stop now! I'm thrilled for you!!

Emma...sounds as if you had a 'transcendental experience'. So happy for you.

Congratulations, Emma on a wonderful evening. So happy for you to have actually met him, talked with him, having your photo taken with him, breathed the same air.... I have to stop, I'm on my way to your cloud 9 as it is:-) Thank you so much for sharing. Will look forward to the pictures. You see, all the good vibrations, candles, optimistic thoughts and whathaveyou really paid off;-)

Congrats, Emma! I told you alcohol is the key!! ;-)

EmmaB Congratulations! Very happy for you and very clever to bring a friend with guts. Looking forward to hearing more. As if that isn't enough! (Karen)Waddaya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, "talk amongst yourselves"? Re: Lisa Tape. I'm working on a transcription of it(unless someone else already did it). Hope to have it done by the weekend and will post it somewhere here (where appropriate) for people who don't have access to it. Some of us may try to discuss it live but that is not to take the place of usual discussion here. It would be extracurricular. : )

Okay, Kristen is now telling me to get off the computer, but I will try to answer some questions. He was wearing a navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer (which she can confirm is real suede as she grabbed his arm to get his attention) with grey/light green khakis. And boots? Dark brown or black. Very prominent part in his hair. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) But looked exactly like he does on camera. Unbelievable really. Brushed by both of us. How juenvile I feel that that is so exciting! Funny Annette, I said - I am breathing the same air as him! That was really enough. But I am thankful that someone had more guts than me or I would have left and not taken the fantastic opportunity. I think maybe there was a 100 people there, maybe a few more. Some literary, some interested in Sicily/Italy, and some there for my same motivations =). I will look at the book again and remember the passages that he read. The first and last were the most vivid - the passage in which the garden and the death of the soldier were recounted. And then the Prince's death.

(EmmaB)I think maybe there was a 100 people there, maybe a few more I just checked the English Pen site (via Karens link at The Bucket), and it states that the event was sold out. So it seems they wantet it rather intimate and small. Lucky for you, Emma :-) Thank you for your quick response, Good Night, and sweet dreams!

Emma, I'm thrilled for you! Good things come to those who wait and breathe the same air as YKW! Relax, relive it, and try to remember every detail slowly but surely! Thanks for your report. Love the sound of what he was wearing, but wonder if the 'boots' were the funny ones he wore for the interview with Harry Smith?

Emma...thanks so much for sharing! Living half way around the world from ODB, I have to live vicariously through others. Thanks for all the tidbits you could throw our way!! And remember, if you think of anything else, we are here...waiting...like puppies by the back gate. Have pleasant dreams!

(Emma)And he said you're welcome. He said that? "You're welcome?" Whattaguy! ;-) Very happy for you, Emma. You're on a roll--are you going to try again at the HS premiere? navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer . . . with grey/light green khakis. Sounds . . . lovely . . .;-) Very prominent part in his hair. Side part? Or flopping in the middle part? I love the side part look from WAGW. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) We need to all chip in, get the hair and makeup lady from WAGW, and put her on retainer.:-) Were there any other readings, or just Colin's?

Yahoo, Emma. Way to go. I'm so thrilled for you. Can you breathe into an envelope and send me some air?? I'll pay the postage. Did you stay till the end? How long did he and Livia stay. Who left first? The Firth's or you. Oh Gawd, I'm on cloud 9 right along with you. Now you must go to HS premiere. Now for Miss Cranky Pants... Who is Linda Richman?? Have I missed something:-) (MCP)Would closed-captioning have helped you to understand the questions better on the 'Lisa are you there' tape? Talk amongst yourselves... No, but sitting on his lap and sharing his earpiece would have been a great help. Ok, don't ff through the test patterns, you can't see him, but the sound is still on. I'm changing my name to Lisa I loved the look he was getting by the end of the tape...like if one more person asks if the scenery behind me is real, I'm going to blow a gasket. That's it for the moment, want to get my questions posted for Emma... Linda Richman...*scratching head* Now where do I know her from??? (Karen)Shocker! Saw a WAGW commercial this afternoon on network TV. Double Shocker--Watching a NY affiliate just now, have seen a WAGW commercial at each commercial break for the last hour.

(Cranky Pants)spent years writing rationalizations for operational results, but could keep my fact and fiction separate. ;-) Poor CP. Made cynical by years of cookin' the books for the accounting firm of Dewy, Cheatham & Howe. ;-) (Moon)Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea who Linda R is? Hysterically funny Jewish mother character performed by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live. LR is a radio phone-in talk show hostess. "Her" show is called "Coffee Talk" which she of course pronounces "Cawfee Tawk." Classic comedy. Karen has done some very funny takes on it for our Odds & Ends birthday parties--has her down to a tee. Joyce, thanks for taking on the job of transcribing Colin Unplugged! Will be much easier to discuss that way. For now, we could do it Jeopardy style, as we know his answers, but have to come up with the questions.;-) "Alex, I'll take fidgeting and lip biting for $200 . . .";-)

(Emma) Took lots of digital photos with a mini camera so I hope some turn out that I can share. The important one of me and him (so embarrassed that Kristen even harrassed him for it) is on my normal camera. Wonderful news, Emma! I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to see the pictures. I don't know if you can do it over there, but here you can have film from regular cameras processed as prints and saved to a photo CD, so you have both. You might check into it. If I had a picture of me and ODB, I'd want it saved every possible way. (Odile) Yes! and a fan ready to acknowledge herself as such. I'm sometimes tempted to just go and introduce myself to other "mature", by-themselves ladies at WAGW... I mean they can't all be there for AB! :) At my #5 there was a suspicious-looking woman of a certain age in the audience, sitting way up close. Afterwards I saw her in the ladies' and asked her how she'd liked the movie, commented on CF, etc. She thought WAGW was cute and said "he" was good, but it didn't seem she was a particular fan. Later I saw her in the parking lot, putting flyers on the windshields of cars. I guess she spent her break in the movie.

Congrats, Emma!! And did you take a deep breath as you posed so you could remember how he smells? Suede-ish? ;-) navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer Is this the same as the Lisa Tape clothes? AKA Colin Unplugged (LOL, Mari. At first I thought you were referring to the hair, or lack thereof.) (Mari)For now, we could do it Jeopardy style, as we know his answers, but have to come up with the questions What do you suppose was asked when he said, "What's not to like?" I hope he was responding to a compliment. And what was he talking about when he mentioned how he had fantasized about it for years? Joyce, thanks for the future transcription. Listen for his quiet F-word near the end around the "what an asshole" comment. My very dear, and alert, fellow fan friend caught that one, much to our delight.

My favorite is the "Elder Statesment" segment. He puffs up waits for the young'uns to come to him for words of wisdom and it nevah 'appens. Poor baby:-((

Thank you for not keeping us in suspense! How ab-solutely wonderful! Just remember, no detail is too small for us to be interested in so please try and recall every molecule that occupied the room! Sweet Dreams Emma! (EmmaB)I will be more sober tomorrow =). I have a suspicion you won't be "sober" for a long time! ;-))

(Brenda) "What's not to like?" Not all the way through yet so I'm not sure and memory might be faulty, but does this not immediately preceed the bit about never seeing evidence (of adoration) but only hearing about it...the infamous "somebody's mother, sister, aunt..." bit? I was thinking the question to probably be something like "How do you feel about being considered sex-on-a-stick and the hottest thing in tails by fantasy-fixated, frothing women everywhere?" (OK, maybe it wasn't quite like that but I bet I'm close.)

Congratulations Emma, you lucky, lucky girl!! I hope you felt us there with you in spirit, because we were all cheering you on! I think you would have been intoxicated even if you had skipped the wine. Cloud nine is getting rather crowded, isn't it? Sweet dreams. (Barb)does this not immediately preceed the bit about never seeing evidence (of adoration) but only hearing about it...the infamous "somebody's mother, sister, aunt..." bit? You are absolutely right! Just watched that part while trying to find the bit where he says my name (Hello, Lisa, can you hear me Lisa?) OMG! This tape is a must have for Droolers everywhere!

(Hen Lisa) Just watched that part while trying to find the bit where he says my name (Hello, Lisa, can you hear me Lisa?) Too many Lisa's having too much fun with the name thing around here. I must have my share! (Oooh, I feel better already!)

OMG! I'm in firthette hell! Emma's great news and tidbits, the Lisa tape discussions starting, and whatever will come this coming week and I'm leaving town and my two computers tomorrow at 6:00 am! Whatever will I do? I've become addicted to this board but I shall conquer this, I shall! Nahhhhhh. I'll catch up. Great news Emma and thanks soooo much for sharing and the opportunity for vicarious drooling. I'll even take him frizzy and balding. Now back to the Lisa tape before I sleep.

Congratulations Emma!!! All your efforts have paid off in the best way possible. So very very happy for you. Can only imagine how you are feeling. I know how I would be, if it happend to me. Thank you so much for sharing, can't wait to hear more and see the pics. How wonderful!!!

Emma, I am so happy for you! Sounds like a fantastic night; thanks for sharing all the news. I hope you can share the pictures too.

Great reportage, Emma!! Sounds like a night you will always remember. Now, where were his hands and where were yours? Were you bold enough to put them around him? If not, then you didn't have enough to drink. Colin who not only remembered this during his own picture-taking obligations for PEN, but also pointed out that the string of the camera was in the way of the view finder. Tell us about his picture-taking obligations for PEN. Do they have a monthly magazine?? newsletter??? Hmmm Very prominent part in his hair. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) We talking part on side or the one in the back we all saw as he pointed out the sights of London? ;-) Colin is a real pro when it comes to taking pics like this. Remember him asking which camera and where should I look, plus the infamous, "should I lose some height?" (Brenda) At first I thought you were referring to the hair, or lack thereof.) *snort* Finally, our two Maple Leafs in London came through on the same day with the Tube magazine pic from Love Actually. It is rather small and I've enlarged it a bit. Thanks to both Emma and Leona. Colin is wearing headphones. I'd say, "quick, somebody claim them," but we can't be sure that is in the movie or a behind the scenes shot and Colin is listening to playback. The caption: Next autumn's box-office hopeful from the makers of Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral is a series of ten intertwined love stories with a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth - playing a man who discovers his girlfriend's affair - recently shot a scene at Canary Wharf station. Looking forward to your transcription, Joyce.

Up early for more sightseeing and feeling a bit rough...but bloody good =). It would have been really easy for me to have run out of there last night just content with seeing him in person, but I did feel like I would be letting the team down if I didn't do *something*. So spent half the night trying to find something intelligent to say, which wasn't happening. Thankfully I had outside intervention that worked out well! Okay, let me see what I can tackle here... Colin and Livia - did not get a pic of them together. They weren't standing together that much. A few times they walked over to say something to each other, and when they were leaving (which is just when he remembered he still had a picture taking obligation with me!), but other than that it seemed like she was busy talking to people she knew, and he was a little busy with various women around him =). Livia is very pregnant, I don't know how much since I don't have a lot of knowledge about pregnancy, but 7 or 8 months? She just looked stunning - not that her clothes were anything outside the ordinary, but physically. I didn't get a hug - a bit of a 'lean in' for the photo is all. It's true Karen I just hadn't had quite enough wine at that point! No autograph either. I didn't think last night was the time for that as it was supposed to be about the book and author. But then I was kicking myself as someone had their copy of Speaking with the Angel. I heard from someone that he is maybe not going on Monday to the HS premiere (they asked). Doesn't make a lot of sense since it's all about him, but we'll see (am going after work). The good omen on the way last night, the reason why I really knew he would be there, was the sudden appearance of giant HS posters in the tube tunnels. Nice to see his face in giant proportions on the way home too =). He was completely charming and nice to everyone. He looked a bit bored during the bits of the presentation not involving him. But smiled at the funny parts. Held his hand to his mouth in that way that he does. I couldn't get photos in that bit since it was very dark and I was standing at the back - I actually turned up late, so awful! The evening went like this - presentation was David Gilmour speaking, Colin reading, woman that I don't know her name right now speaking, Colin reading, audience comments and questions, Colin reading. Never heard what happened to Mr Blahnik! I haven't seen the interview so I don't know about the boots or clothes. Don't mind my friends perception of his hair - he looked great! It was a middle-ish part. As the picture I have was taken on their way out the door, the Firths left just before 9pm I think. We were ready to go but we waited (didn't want to seem creepy). Plus that way I could freak out and not worry about him seeing =). Gotta go to Westminster Abbey, but I will check in later... Thanks for wonderful encouragement and good thoughts everyone!