Rika, it wasn't just you. I'm the one who gets in line (any line) just as it comes to a screeching halt while every other one starts moving. With BOTH of us watching I guess it was a foregone conclusion that there would be no HD sightings. Of course every OTHER movie in the known universe was plugged on the show.

(Mari)And put Dorine and me out of our misery by figuring out exactly wot AB is I finally saw the full HD version of WAGW commercial. It aired during the Simpsons. I have to agree...AB is definitely showing Hunk Daddy some sort of dance move. Moon...best of luck. We'll be here with our fingers crossed. You will have to check out all the parties. Lucky girl!! Thanks Karen, for the premiere news.

(Linda) I finally saw the full HD version of WAGW commercial. It aired during the Simpsons. Sure, rub it on. I just wanted to let anybody know who wants to see the HD version that tonight would be a good night to watch for it. My guess is that it will be on every show, all evening, since I have to work and so won't have the TV on. ;-)

(Rika)Sure, rub it on. Hey, welcome to the club of HD-deprived ;-)

Please check the heading above for the topic. This is Colin Firth News.

Some BJD2 news. It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution and marketing for the sequel and Universal again will handle the international distribution. :) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. We'll see Press junkets for Love Actually in Europe will tentatively begin mid November around the 21st. The junket for the U.S. is being scheduled now to coincide withe theatrical release in early Nov. Will let you know closer to the dates when you can expect to see interviews and press for the movie and cast. Trying to coordinate it with everyone's schedule is a bit tricky. Stay safe everyone!

(Hola) Some BJD2 news. It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution Hurrah!! A NY premiere........ right?! The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. We'll see I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. That's a *really* fast turaround, isn't it? After ending shooting in Oct, according to the last we heard? Thanks, Hola for the BJD and LA update! :-D

Oh! Oh! Oh! Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! At 12:45am. Wouldn't think teens targeted this late and on this show. ;-) HD locks lips with Daphne's mom! Doesn't look too shabby either. :-D Anyone else seen this one? At the end, he tentatively asks Daphne if she likes Cocoa Puffs. Think they were in the kitchen....maybe with him in the robe? Was so flustered by the kiss, my attention was scattered after. ;-)

I see that Colin's name is no longer listed for Jon Stewart's show on the 25th. Could be just the usual schedule shuffling, or maybe he's not too crazy about hopping a transatlantic commercial flight at this time. couldn't Warner's send a company jet?;-) (Dorine)Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! . . . HD locks lips with Daphne's mom! That must be the scene from the "book" where D mentions her parents making out. Am glad that made the cut.:-) (Lola)It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution I knew it. Boo hiss . . .

Thanks, Hola, for the news. (Hola) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. (Dorine) I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. Maybe I missed an update, but I have April 9th on TEOR page. But it is a quick turnaround.

I see that Kelly Preston is now scheduled for Last Call with Carson Daly on 4/3. So, she's doing the heavy lifting for the adult audience. (Hubby is also on the circuit, promoting his film, and they seem to have it all coordinated.)

(Hola) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. (Dorine) I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. (Karen) Maybe I missed an update, but I have April 9th on TEOR page. But it is a quick turnaround I think I thought it was May 9, so that's my confusion. Oddly, it didn't occur to me to check the TEOR page first.

(Lola)It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution (Mari)I knew it. Boo hiss . . . Thanks, Lola, for keeping us up to date...I'm just glad someone is handling it. Thanks for the LA news as well. (Dorine)Anyone else seen this one? Oh no, don't tell me I have to hunt for another new version.

Someone from another list just e-mailed me this about a NY premiere for WAGW. I'm late for a meeting, but can someone else call and find out if he's coming? Could they have bagged the LA premiere in favor of one that's to benefit a worthy cause? http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/news/movie-premiere/index.html

Well this is a mystery! Dorine and Rika, there is your chance. It would be most upsetting if they cancelled the LA premiere. They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-(

Thanks, Mari and whoever, for the news item. Date sure works with all of Kelly Preston's NY-based TV appearances. Is this one of her charities? (Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( There are quite a few.

(Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( ( Karen)There are quite a few. Must be, here is another in San Diego... http://kswbtv.trb.com/community/contests/kswb-contests-whatagirl-main,0,2049374.customform?coll=kswb-home-utility

Are there any confirmed sneak-preview sites for WAGW on the 29th? I'm trying to figure out how to find that out in my area. (Moon) Dorine and Rika, there is your chance. For Dorine and some others, maybe. Unfortunately I teach Wednesday nights. Suppose I could get away with cancelling class using that "religious holiday" line of Tress's? (Dorine) Oh! Oh! Oh! Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! At 12:45am. Naturally, I turned Letterman off at 12:30 am. Sigh. It was also on Good Morning America on Wednesday, according to a colleague.

MariaT, that's an exculsive screening. They have plenty of those, not like a premiere, where the stars are expected.

I called and got an answering machine that takes your info for RSVPs. Will hold tix at Will Call window. I also asked in my message who may be attending and how to donate to the Rainforest Alliance (how PC of me). Actually it's a cause I believe in. I suppose it's a tie-in to Sting and his wife, Trudy Styler's annual benefit concert. It's usually at the beginning of April. Whether he's there or not, if I can get tix, I'm going. Ziegfeld has a huge screen. Great old theater. Thanks so much for the heads-up, Mari.

Hi y'all Just want to tell you that I contacted Katie MacAllister, author of 'Improper English'. I could have sworn that book was written by one of our more talented members. I had to ask: Q) Is it my imagination or did you write Improper English as a screen vehicle for Britain's dishiest actor? A) you know there are several actors I wiould personally like to see in the role of Alex. Of course I would have to audition them all privately just to make sure they were right for the role --- come to think of it many many auditions --- very, very privately---- would probably be in order . It would be a sacrifice on my part, but nothing is to good for my readers. Mmmm, yes! You're not buying that, are you? I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and Yes! Colin Firth is just about right for any role. Awed by Katie's marvelous sense of self-sacrifice your humble servant has decided to spare her the trouble of one particular audition at least, by offering my poor self in her place. If you haven't read it yet please do, you will love it. you can get it through dorchesterpub.com

(Dorine)Ziegfeld has a huge screen. Great old theater. Way t,go, Dorine!!You're our rep! That's where we attended the BJD premiere exactly two years ago. On 54th St. across from the Hilton off 6th. Lots of premieres are shown here...SIL when Colin and Livia attended. They had one in LA too.(Also with C& L)

I just caught a glimpse of Colin on Extra. It was between 5 and 10 minutes into the show and was an old clip (probably) of him walking down the carpet at some premiere. Maybe BJD? He didn't speak and I missed what the announcer was saying. Something about Colin coming over to the US to do publicity. Very short clip but it made my heart pound anyhow. After I saw that I went back to watching the Letterman show I'd taped last night and got to see HD's kiss in the new ad. I see lips parting! Kelly very cleverly goes for the upper lip. He gets better looking in each new ad. Dorine, Sting and Colin in one night?! They'd have to carry me out. Be sure to take extra oxygen :-) Marilyn, thanks for mentioning the "Improper English" book. Colin is quite the muse. I had written to Suzanne Brockmann about how she referred to Colin in her Into The Night book. She said she's a big fan and thought it was funny how I read the book because she wrote his name a few times. He should get royalties!

(Brenda) I just caught a glimpse of Colin on Extra. Grrrr! Nothing we can do here. All those shows have been preempted. Wonder if there's a late night replay... Yeeees! At 1:35 in the morning. Surely, that won't be preempted. Time to start that tape... ;-)

Just caught the trailer with the kiss on E! during E!News Live. That kiss didn't look half bad. I wonder if it will be repeated on tomorrow's repeat? Does that make sense? Now, I have to check if there is a late night repeat of Extra here. Just got my copy of Improper English, can't wait to read it.

I just saw the rerun of Extra and what they said was that Colin won't be flying over to the US for publicity for WAGW.

I just saw Colin on Extra -- not good news I'm afraid. The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW!!! (Wonder if I should cancel my trip to London????) I just ordered Improper English--curiousity got the best of me!

(Linda) That kiss didn't look half bad. I wonder if it will be repeated on tomorrow's repeat? Does that make sense? I just caught 'the kiss' on The Simpsons. Yeah! Finally! I hadn't seen this trailer and was about to just give up! And I agree....the kiss doesn't look half bad! Had the worst day at work....not feeling well...come home to CNN blasting....the DH walks out of the room for 2 seconds. Had my window and BAM! There is ODB making-out (and appearing to do it quite well)! I feel so much better now! ;-) BTW, love the 'eye thing' he does toward the end.

The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW Thanks all you Canadians for the reports from Extra. My question would be why did Extra announce this? It's not like anyone knows Colin or like it was the Huge Gnat. Seems strange to me. But I'll try to catch the replay later.

(Leona) The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW (Karen) My question would be why did Extra announce this? It's not like anyone knows Colin or like it was the Huge Gnat I thought it was rather bizarre as well. Especially if they didn't mention anyone else. Maybe when he got that new agent, he actually did pick up a PR rep and they're just getting his name out there for any reason. Can't believe how they're promoting the heck out of this movie. The WAGW posters are in all the subway stations on the express line in Queens. I noticed them as we blew through each station. Multiple posters in each station, not just one. And as I said, if I can get tix, I'm going anyway. :-)

(Brenda) Sting and Colin in one night?! They'd have to carry me out. Be sure to take extra oxygen :-) Well, will bet it's neither. Be surprised to see Sting at this, but as it is one of his wife's (and maybe his) pet projects, maybe they will be. Oddly enough though, haven't heard a peep about the concert. Maybe not having it this year? Usually all over the rock stations. (Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( I don't know about other times of year, but during awards season, almost all, if not all contenders seem to have bicoastal premieres.

I was looking for sneak preview information, and while I didn't find any that was relevant to me, I did find these. They're all at universities, and I don't know if passes are restricted to students or not. At any rate, it's interesting that they've lined up a lot of these, and I wouldn't think college students would be at all the target market for this film: MIT, April 1, 8 pm - http://lsc.mit.edu/current_term/desc.html University of Georgia, March 31, 9 pm - https://db.uga.edu/stuact/cal.html RPI (Troy, NY), March 31 - http://cinema.union.rpi.edu/s03b.html University of Rochester, March 31, 9 pm - http://sa.rochester.edu/urcg/ U Cal. San Diego, April 2 - http://eventplanner.ucsd.edu/stafffeaturess1.lasso U Cal. Davis, April 1, 8 pm - http://campuscinema.ucdavis.edu/films.html U Cal. Santa Barbara, April 1, 8 pm - http://www.as.ucsb.edu/aspb/calendar.html

Just wantet to say thank you for all the news, ladies - though sorry to hear that he will not appear on the Daily Show:( Good luck to those of you, who are going to the previews.

Looks like another opportunity for Matthew Modine is looming in the horizon;-)

(Rika)Are there any confirmed sneak-preview sites for WAGW on the 29th? I'm trying to figure out how to find that out in my area. I called our local multiplexes where I've seen the poster. One confirmed a sneak preview, or sort of...the guy was nice, and tried not to give out info that he wasn't supposed to, but he did tell me that I could buy tickets on Tuesday;-)

Thanks Winnie and Brenda for the CF news from Extra. What context was it in? War affecting Hollywood plans? Did they say why he wasn't coming? Didn't want to fly over? Didn't want to appear trivial? Didn't want to appear? ;-) (Evelyn)Looks like another opportunity for Matthew Modine is looming in the horizon;-) LOL!

(Mari) Didn't want to appear? ;-) How convenient everything started now. ;-) April 2 is still almost 2 weeks away. Maybe there's a *slim* chance that he'll pop over then. Maybe things will be "calmed down" some by then. (One can hope) (Linda) I called our local multiplexes where I've seen the poster. One confirmed a sneak preview, or sort of...the guy was nice, and tried not to give out info that he wasn't supposed to, but he did tell me that I could buy tickets on Tuesday ;-) Nice work Linda! Guess I'll start an investigation, too, and check out Sunday's paper. Nothing in this week's Time Out. :-(

Mystery's threads beginning to unravel. Turns out Extra is produced by Warner Bros. At its website, here's the blurb for yesterday's lead story: On the next "Extra," will the Oscars go on? The war has begun and Hollywood's setting up for the Academy Awards, but will the stars show? Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt. Find out how the war could devastate the travel industry. And the stars speak out about the war. There's a video preview. Doesn't look like there's even a Colin snippet, but that could just be for my slow connection. http://extratv.warnerbros.com/ Probably should check later when they switchover to today's lead story; maybe this one will rate an article and we'll get the context.

"...but will the stars show? Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt. Find out how the war could devastate the travel industry. And the stars speak out about the war. " Oscar folks say all the [Ed. note "brave"]nominees are coming "from around the globe". I posted snippets and the URL from the NY Times article on O&E.

(Mari) What context was it in? Mari, the part about Colin came up right after they mentioned that Will Smith would not be attending the Oscars. No specific reason was given just that a lot of stars were being extra cautious because of the war. There was mention of some other people too who had cancelled various things because of what's happening... (But it was a nice shot of Colin...)

Extra cautious? The stated reason for Will Smith's cancellation was that he didn't feel comfortable attending, given the situation. There's a big difference between "being cautious" and "making a statement." Was Colin's name in the latter group? I would expect that to be the case more so than the first. Besides, he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-)

(Leona)(But it was a nice shot of Colin...) Thanks Leona. For whatever reason...at least it gives him exposure;-)

Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt So will I be the only one on the plane to Atlanta tomorrow? ;-) Was looking forward to seeing some of these shows live with CF for a change but 'tis not to be.

'Tis not to be for me either. I was so close. I will not be attending the premiere if ODB's not there.

I don't know what Colin's reasons are for not traveling, but I don't blame anyone for not traveling within the next week or two. (Moon)I was so close. I was too, I was definitely going to NY if he was attending the premiere there;-(

(Linda)but I don't blame anyone for not traveling within the next week or two. I am....so is a buddie from UK....:-D Have a good time in Atlanta, Allison. Wish it was Chicago;-)

Wish it was Chicago;-) That's next month :-)

Allison, there's a preview showing of WAGW on Saturday, March 28 throughout the US and Canada, so if you're staying on, you can see the film and your trip won't be a total loss. ;-) ;-) ;-) (Evelyn)For whatever reason...at least it gives him exposure;-) No such thing as bad publcity, eh?;-) Thanks for the Extra description, Leona.

Oops, make that Saturday, March 29.

I found this tidbit in a Canadian mag called Inside Entertainment: What a Girl Wants....a girl gets! Particularly if she's a 19-year-old loud American (Amanda Bynes) who bursts her way into upper-crust British society like a bull in a china shop, forcing a reunion with her absentee father. Kelly Preston stars as the bohemian mother who, together with Colin Firth, begat the ingratiating--and thoroughly grating--Daphne. I like the word 'begat'. I don't expect any great reviews for WAGW, but the writers should remember it's for kids. And me!

Ten Reasons Why Colin Will Not Be Coming to the Premiere* *Note : This is a traditional response on Drool whenever he is a no-show. No offense is mean't. All in fun. 1.(Karen: message 242)... he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-) 2.(E) The anti-war marches are more fun in London than in LA;-)

(Evelyn)Ten Reasons Why Colin Will Not Be Coming to the Premiere* 1.(Karen: message 242)... he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-) 2.(E) The anti-war marches are more fun in London than in LA;-) 3.He will be too busy monitoring(a la Ross Talbert)Rika, and manipulating the networks, to ensure she never sees the HD trailer prior to the movies release...

Too funny Evelyn! You'e right, we must carry on with Drool no-show tradition: 4. Big party at Will Smith's house. 5. Quantas Captain John Travolta refused to give him a lift over here. 6. He suffers from SPS--Shy Piggie Syndrome--a rare but debilitating disorder that prevents sufferers from removing their shoes in front of airport personnel. 7. Susan Sarandon already stole all his topical one-liners for the talk show circuit.

(Dorine)Anyone else seen this one? Yes, I've seen it a couple of times this week. Only saw this version this week though. Was flustered by kiss too. Looking vg. Above average kiss. (Dorine) Maybe when he got that new agent, he actually did pick up a PR rep and they're just getting his name out there for any reason. One can only hope. LOL ladies. Great list. 8.Who needs press junket, when black leather pants speak volumes.

FYI, the April Empire prominently features the Love Actually pic of Laura Linney and that guy she never mentions. The write-up gives the story (yada yada), whose in it (yada yada) and naturally some soundbytes from the Gnat about his lover Richard Curtis. How Richard wanted to direct him, instead of fawning and being a syncophant, and he kept asking Huge to do it this way or that way. ;-) 8. Volunteered to sort the Spring collection into appropriate bins at Oxfam. 9. Everything he owned clashed with the red carpet.

Thanks for all the info everyone. Do go to Ziegfeld, it was great for the BJD premiere. I see that today's Guardian has taken a leaf out of Laura Linney's book and mentioned all 4 of ODB's co-stars in its TIOBE review plus Oliver Parker...... So 10. Too busy writing to the Guardian letters page about their lack of fully informed Arts coverage in times of strife.

9. Everything he owned clashed with the red carpet. And its corollary: 11. Rufuses to walk a red carpet that's not covered in white mystery foam. *Waving to you Lizza, our Ziegfeld Girl!* I just got a callback from a very nice lady at the Rainforest Alliance. April 2 is indeed a real premiere, with stars, press, etc. She said she was told that all the main stars were coming, including Colin. But . . . she may not have been watching Extra last night.;-) I doubt he'll have a change of heart in the next week and a half (which is the problem with avoiding things out of fear--when does it become "safe"?), but if anyone is planning to go, I say do it anyway--and pump Kelly P. about the snogging skills.;-)

12. Mario (is he still there?) at ICI called a rehearsal for the reading in April. 13. "You want me to go back? I was just in Canada last month." and the corollary: 14. Going to Bradford ....hey, better late than never.

I just got a callback from a very nice lady at the Rainforest Alliance Bugger, I don't know if I have tix or not. No calls to confirm. :( Must be patient. Must be patient. LOL re the list everyone!

15. Can't possibly travel, not feeling well after overindulging on Luca's birthday cake. 16. Avoiding Mr. Travolta as he may be angry that I slipped Ms. Preston the tongue. Okay, I'm not 100% sure on that last one, but a girl can dream. Good luck Dorine! Hope you hear that you have your tickets soon...

17. Angry about small size picture in Premiere Mag. 18. Not invited to Vanity Fair party. 19. Can't face Moon and her kissing lessons question.

Once again, words fail me. I'll try; thank you for the informations (what good will it do me ;-)), and marvellous list, ladies (clapping my hands;-)) About the red carpet thing, didn't he mention once in that interview from Italy with MEM that he would never "wear" read again? :D (I'm trying to vary my winkies)

Hi, Just wanted to drop in and say that I am with Karen on the belief that Colin's decision not to come to the US is probably more motivated by a political stance/statement than by fear. There are many people in other countries talking about boycotting US industries and products, including the US movie industry. Australians are talking about 'boycotting' the Oscars, though I really think it's a bit pointless, since most of the actors in Hollywood are just as opposed to war as most Australians... Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think it's more probable that Colin is 'boycotting' America, not that he's afraid to come.

Um, if that were the case, Jane, he'd have to boycott Great Britain too, right? By that measure, he'd have to leave home and hang out in Italy until he's no longer mad at either one of us.;-) His reasons are his reasons. I wouldn't be surprised if he felt it was a bit trivial to go hawking a movie (especially one as trivial as this) at the present time. Whatever. The Top Ten List (which has gloriously grown into a Top 19 and couting) is Drool's way (and a very healthy way, IMO) of dealing with disappointment/sadness/nerves with a touch of humor and irony. Not meant to be taken literally.

Dorine, just leave your order on the answering machine. That's what she told me to do if I decided I wanted tickets. They'll hold them for you at "will call" on the day of the premiere. BTW, it didn't sound like they'd run out of them any time soon.:-) Flipping through the new Entertainment Weakly, I see Colin was to have been a guest on Regis & Kelly next Tuesday. But here's the best part: Regis's guest co-host that day is to be: Sean Combs! Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-)

(Jane) I am with Karen on the belief that Colin's decision not to come to the US is probably more motivated by a political stance/statement than by fear. I didn't think I'd voiced an opinion. Nor very importantly have I said anything one way or the other in judgment of his decision. Just wanted to make that clear, folks. (Mari) Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-) Oh man, total bummer!! But at least we wouldn't have Kelly going into the post-partum stuff again and again and again.

Just saw on Access Hollywood that while several premieres in the next week are cancelled, WAGW's press/publicity junket and premiere next week are still a go. No mention of stars to attend. Thanks, Mari re: WAGW premiere. Would be nice to have confirmation beforehand, so I don't have to worry that they've gotten something wrong and just find out when I get there. (Mari) Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-) ROTFL!! I'd pay lots of money to see that. Oh wait, I'm giving the cable company my first born. ;-) I wouldn't be surprised if he felt it was a bit trivial to go hawking a movie (especially one as trivial as this) at the present time. But....but....it's for the Rainforest! That's a worthy cause. The Top Ten List (which has gloriously grown into a Top 19 and couting) is Drool's way (and a very healthy way, IMO) of dealing with disappointment/sadness/nerves with a touch of humor and irony. Not meant to be taken literally. Thank goodness I have you guys to amuse me. I try my best to reciprocate. ;-)

(Dorine)But....but....it's for the Rainforest! That's a worthy cause. You're right, it is. I hope they get lots of donations. I like when the premieres benefit a good cause. And I shouldn't have called the film trivial. If it was trivial, he wouldn't have done it, right?;-) Here's our first WAGW review from a major critic--and it's a decent one. I'm sure they'll post the full review soon. From Rolling Stone: A New York teen (Amanda Bynes) leaves the mom who raised her (Kelly Preston) to find the Brit lord of a dad (a charming Colin Firth) who deserted her. It's slick girlie stuff, but the cast makes it go down easy. --PETER TRAVERS (March 21, 2003)

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think it's more probable that Colin is 'boycotting' America, not that he's afraid to come. I doubt that v. much. The Oscars have nothing to do with foreign policy , fergodsake. There are many people in other countries talking about boycotting US industries and products, including the US movie industry. Gasp! That's terrifying.

And I shouldn't have called the film trivial. If it was trivial, he wouldn't have done it, right?;-) Nor if it teemed with frivolity, right? ;-) Thanks for the mini RS review, Mari. Just figured it wouldn't seem so trivial to hawk this film in NY, at least, as it's tied to a good cause. Though if he's concerned about the safety of himself and family, can't blame him. Geez, how selfish of me to think only of this premiere than sitting at home staring at the TV and not living life. Staying home won't help those soldiers or show whether I'm supportive or not.

Love the top 10+, and very honored to have been a part of it! Saw another AB-centric trailer (heavy sigh) tonight on Gilmore Girls, which I taped on Tuesday but hadn't watched yet. This one had Daphne (I assume) tossing him something as he sat among other people, and he was startled as it landed in his lap. The WB was also doing tie-ins to the movie with promos for her TV show. And I've seen tons of banner ads for it. (Peter Travers) to find the Brit lord of a dad (a charming Colin Firth) Woo hoo! Off to a good start, anyway. Thanks, Mari!

You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. Ok, Rika, now you have no excuse. Thanks to Robair at amandabynesnow.com, we have the commercials! #3 (which I'll call headbangers ball, due to the final frames;) is my personal fave.:-) Enjoy, ladies! http://www.amandabynesnow.com/channel/channel.htm

(Me)Geez, how selfish of me to think only of this premiere than sitting at home staring at the TV and not living life. Staying home won't help those soldiers or show whether I'm supportive or not. (Mari) You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. Thank you Mari. I forgot my excessively sarcastic winkie after my statement. ;-) Thanks for the link and ad info Mari.

Sorry Karen - certainly didn't mean to "put words in your mouth". I thought that when you posted (post #242)... There's a big difference between "being cautious" and "making a statement." Was Colin's name in the latter group? I would expect that to be the case more so than the first. ...that you meant that you thought Colin was more likely to be "making a statement" than "being cautious"... please pardon my confusion. As for my remarks about boycotts, I was simply trying to let you know what is going on in places other than the US. I didn't expect anyone to be "terrified". ;-)

Mari, thank you for the link. Now I know where to go and get my fix of HD whenever I need it. (Also thank you Rika, for fretting, if that has anything to do with the link being postet here ;-)) About the videosnippets, once again being silly, but I couldn't help but notice at least to small Mr. Preston imitations; blp/sleeveless top and the "two finger attitude" from PULP fiction. Not intentional, I'm sure ;-)

Mari thanks for the link * waving back *

(Mari) You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. *in manner of British Parliament*...Here! Here! And those guys on TV wouldn't want it any other way. Thanks for the link, Mari. Should we celebrate Amanda's 17th b'day next week?;-) As for my remarks about boycotts, I was simply trying to let you know what is going on in places other than the US. I didn't expect anyone to be "terrified". ;-) *Whew! Whiping brow* I wouldn't want to boycott those divine Australian wines;-).

Ev: Now just a darn minute! I must have my say about Australian wines: http://www.australianwines.com/contents.html http://www.mcguiganwines.com.au/awards.php3

(Mari)Ok, Rika, now you have no excuse. Thanks to Robair at amandabynesnow.com, we have the commercials! #3 (which I'll call headbangers ball, due to the final frames;) is my personal fave.:-) Mari, you're my HERO!!! I've been to that site a few times this week to see if they had the spots, but always on the WAGW page - I didn't know about the "AB Channel" page! Finally got to see the head-banger dance! Am doing a happy dance myself.

OT (Murph)Now just a darn minute! I must have my say about Australian wines: LOL.You won't get an argument outta me...I said: "divine Australian wines...." I'm a Lindemann Chardonnay girl myself ( what we drank at "192", Mari.) But hey...those reds from Adelaide are a close second;-) sorry boss

The list continues as to why YKW isn�t attending the US premiere of WAGW: 20. Has taken up new hobby of memorybooks (scrapbooks), and is too busy sorting and pasting (with acid-free glue stick) pics of Will and Luca. 21. Has decided to �do� Hamlet after all...next week. 22. Is coping with own version of �Shock and Awe:� he found Spring and is busy reading all the postings from the beginning to the present! Gaaaaaaah! Thanks to all who have posted so much CF news of late. Mari, I was v. grateful for the ads, as I have only seen the hunk daddy version once. Isn�t that guitar riff from the ubiquitous La�s �There She Goes?�

Article about Vermeer at The Telegraph today because of an upcoming BBC2 documentary on 29 March. Since the site requires registration, here it is: Violent truths behind the Vermeer of tranquillity (Filed: 22/03/2003) In a new BBC2 documentary, Andrew Graham Dixon reveals details of the life of the great Dutch painter that have never before been made public - details that, he argues, show his art in an entirely new light. He talks to Jasper Rees For 300 years after his death, almost nothing was known of the life of Jan Vermeer. In the past 20 years, researchers and scholars have retrieved scraps of information from archives in Holland. We now know that his grandfather was a coin-forging huckster, and possibly a spy, while his grandmother ran illegal lotteries. His father was a humble innkeeper who mortgaged his property to pay for his son's apprenticeship. We also know that Vermeer married into a Catholic family, had 13 children, of whom two died young, and lived with his mother-in-law, whose own experience of marriage consisted largely of beatings handed out by her violent husband. Vermeer died in penury aged 43. Pieced together, such details tell us something about the turbulence of 17th-century Holland that the paintings withhold. Or do they? In his film on Vermeer for BBC2's The Secret Lives of the Artists, Andrew Graham Dixon argues that the artist imagined on canvas a vision of tranquillity which eluded him in life. Q: Yours is the first film which brings these findings to a wider public. Why have they not emerged before? A: Vermeer and his Milieu by John Michael Montias was published in 1989. I can't think of another book that has more changed the landscape of what we know about an artist, and yet for some mysterious reason this information hasn't got across to the general public. Montias set out to write a book about the economic conditions of the art market in Delft and in the course of his researches he found that he had discovered Vermeer's family quite by chance. He managed to recreate this web of history. Q: He is the person who found all this information? A: He didn't find all of it. The most amazing document of all is the eyewitness account given by Vermeer's widow of his death. Vermeer dies a pauper, broke because of the French invasion of Holland in 1672 and the Dutch decision to break the dykes to expel the French; this ruins the economy, the art market crashes, Vermeer can't sell his pictures or pictures by other painters which he has as part of his stock. He goes mad, he dies. We wouldn't know any of that if it hadn't been for the fact that his widow was from a very rich family in Gouda. Her great-great-grandfather left a charitable bequest to the Charity Chamber in Gouda, and any member of his family who fell on hard times was entitled to claim that money. After Vermeer died, she went to Gouda. In her claim there is this account by his wife of how he died, which is totally extraordinary. She is possibly laying it on a bit thick because she needs money for her and her 11 children. But she says, "Please help me. Tormented by anxiety my husband fell into `decadence and decay' and went into a frenzy," so that in a day and a half he went from being healthy to being dead. This document was turned up by a schoolteacher. He even published it, but in the form of a private pamphlet, so nobody saw it. Q: You take these scraps of fact to make a case for a sort of unified vision in Vermeer's work. Can these biographical details - in particular, the discovery by scholars of a violent father-in-law and an equally violent brother-in-law - be read into the paintings? A: The aim of this series is to take artists who are very well loved and to reveal facts that 99 per cent of people don't know about them, which are capable, I think, of making you see the art in a completely different light. A lot of art history is highly suspicious of attempts to interpret artists' works in the light of artists' lives. The notion that art is an autobiographical activity comes after Vermeer. But the fact is that Vermeer's paintings are decidedly strange compared to all other Dutch 17th-century painters. There is something about the nature of their calm and their overall consistency that is fascinating. You do feel you are dealing with a vision rather than a series of paintings. There is an interesting archival basis for this because it turns out that nearly all his pictures were painted for one man, Jacob Van Ruijven. It makes you think that Vermeer could, more than nearly any other painter of his time, paint the pictures that he wanted to paint. You have an artist who is painting, in a sense, his own pictures. So it's not completely mad to see those pictures as the expression of some kind of personal fantasy or compulsion. Q: An art historian in the film accuses you of being "very 19th-century". A: I suppose I am being quite 19th-century. There is a degree of advocacy. Do I really believe that The Milkmaid is Tanneke Everpoel? There is a fight with Willem Bolnes, Vermeer's mad brother-in-law, who comes into the house just when Vermeer's wife is at her most pregnant and attacks her with a long pole to which there is an iron pin attached. You just think, there is something extraordinary about the extent to which the paintings fail to reflect any of this, and in such a pointed way. He even has paintings of the most unattacked pregnant women you could imagine, in their peaceful interiors. We know about Bolnes because the Vermeer family tried to have him put away. Various witness statements were taken to have him sectioned and these give the details of these attacks. At one point Vermeer's maid, who is called Tanneke Everpoel, and who must have been fairly strong, actually disarms and restrains this psychotic brother-in-law. The Milkmaid is the only painting of a female servant in all of Dutch art where you don't have that nudge-nudge, wink-wink, she's got a big pair of tits atmosphere. Tanneke probably isn't the milkmaid, but she could be. He had to model her on somebody. And she does have very strong arms. Once you start running the facts of his life against the chronology of his paintings, I do find it very striking that his two pictures of pregnant women had been dated to around 1663-64 long before any of this information came out. And when did that attack happen on Vermeer's pregnant wife? 1663. Q: Are you the first to have spotted that it's raining in The View of Delft? A: No, I don't think I am. The danger of this is that, like a detective looking for evidence, you will find what you want to see. But once I started thinking about Vermeer as an artist who is determined to make in paint a kind of paradise of peace and tranquillity that his world will not furnish him with, I began to see things that I hadn't previously seen. I was looking at The View of Delft, which is one of my favourite pictures in the world, very close up. When you're filming, you get to see it under slightly different lighting conditions and I was looking at the incredibly delicate way in which he has painted the roofscape. I think he has used a version of the old medieval technique where you grind your pigment to different grades according to how sparkly you want it to be. He has ground it so the pigment is thick and granular like sandpaper and has created this incredible effect of shine on it. I was talking to the conservator and he thinks that was Vermeer's way of painting roofs that looked as if they were wet. It was one of those moments. I felt stupid that I hadn't realised it before. You've got this story of the clouds. You can see what's happening in the sky. There has been a storm that has passed over the town. The rain has wetted the roofs and the sun is shining and the city is literally gleaming. The storm has passed. And that is the Vermeer moment. His life and the life of almost everybody he knew was always lived under threatening thunderclouds, whether of war or domestic abuse or threat of financial ruin, and yet what he paints is the moment when the storm has passed. Q: To what extent will there be a scholarly rubbishing of your theory? A: I don't really mind. I'm not claiming to be able to prove that I'm not talking rubbish, and it could be totally inappropriate to read the facts of Vermeer's life into his pictures. But there are reasons for doing that in the case of Vermeer. Even the most cautious academic or art historian would have to agree that there is something very, very unusual about Vermeer's pictures. There is a deep underlying consistency to them which is almost like the kind of modern consistency you get in post-Romantic artists. He does invite this kind of interpretation. He very knowingly makes these paintings enigmatic. 'Secret Lives of the Artists: The Madness Of Vermeer' is on BBC2, Saturday March 29 at 7pm. A companion programme, 'Constable in Love', is on BBC2 this evening.

(article)"Please help me. Tormented by anxiety my husband fell into `decadence and decay' and went into a frenzy," V. interesting, thanks Karen. I wish we could see The Madness of Vermeer here in the states. Thanks, Mari for the link to WAGW snippets. LOL.You won't get an argument outta me...I said: "divine Australian wines...." Yes, they are divine...our local liquor store invited the owners of an Australian winery to promote their wines, excellent;-) Enjoy!

Thanks Karen. That's v. v. interesting. Got a book on Vermeer on the Frick a couple of months ago I haven't read yet. I'll have to keep this in mind when I read it.

Rather that should say....at the Frick. :-)

" Vermeer and his Milieu" by John Michael Montias *in supercilious manner"... Ahem....some of us used this book as reference in the GWAPE book discussion. "thinking about Vermeer as an artist who is determined to make in paint a kind of paradise of peace and tranquillity that his world will not furnish him with, I began to see things that I hadn't previously seen." Great insight. Can see ODB playing Vermeer like this. Thanks Karen for posting this. Those slugs at the Telegraph make you pay now. Boo Hiss. Lots in that article that I hadn't heard of before...mad brother-in-law etc. Reason #23: Wants to see "Madness of Vermeer" on BBC2 on Saturday, March 29th...for possible re-takes;-)

(LisaJH) 22. Is coping with own version of �Shock and Awe:� he found Spring and is busy reading all the postings from the beginning to the present! Gaaaaaaah! ROTFL! Shock, for sure - I don't know about the "Awe" part, though! More like "Shock and Horror," probably! Thanks, Karen, for typing up that article for us. I had the good fortune to see the Vermeers in the Frick Collection back in January (thanks to Mari posting that she'd done so when she was in New York - great idea!). This article puts a whole new spin on the remarkable tranquility and delicacy of the paintings.

One more... 23. He had second thoughts about Livia wearing Angelina Jolie's missing dress to the WAGW premiere.

(Linda)23. He had second thoughts about Livia wearing Angelina Jolie's missing dress to the WAGW premiere. Especially after having read Rikas comment on O&E during his read-through of spring LOL, Linda. Great list. Thank you for the article, Karen. Very interesting and in harmony with the other stuff I've been reading about Vermeer.

Hi, just to let all of you Aussies fans know - I saw an ad tonight for WAGW. It was on Ch 10 during Everybody Loves Raymond. Said starting April 3rd (as we knew). Was greeted with much joy and jumping up and down. Family thought that I'd gone mad (as usual) !!!

I have seen the WAGW ads too - finally! They are playing on most of the 'teen-targeted' evening shows (Home & Away, Neighbours, Simpsons, etc.) Since I can't stand many of these shows, I just turn to that station and go do other things until I hear the music from the ad... then run into the room to watch. *LOL* I also snuck into the previews before Maid In Manhatten on Saturday when I went to see The Emporer's Club and saw it twice - first in MiM previews, then in the previews before TEC. Sydney-area CF fans who would like to get together on the weekend of Apr 5-6 for a WAGW viewing in Sydney, please email me. It looks more like Sunday than Saturday at this point, but if enough ppl want to go on Saturday, I could be persuaded to go both days... ;-)

Re Vermeer on UK TV. I'd be happy to tape it (remember it will be PAL format), and send it to anyone interested, in return for a copy of one of his more hard-to-obtain movies. Email me if you're interested.

From the better late than never bureau 24. He's still chafing from those leather pants. 25. His hippy wig is at the cleaners. 26. He already used his best autoeroticism jokes. 27. He threw his back out doing air guitar. 28. He's practicing picking things up with his toes. 29. He's been told to limit his carbohydrate intake and this movie is just too damn sweet. 30. He ran out of political causes to discuss at those pesky movie press junkets. 31. He has a fear of potted palms. 32. LD told him that What a Girl Wants is for his ass to stay home. 33. That little Amanda Bynes is a B----! ;-))))) (apologies to Amanda fans, I'm sure she's a very sweet girl. No letters please.

(Joyce) From the better late than never bureau ROTFL....late? They were worth waiting for! 24. He's still chafing from those leather pants. Where was that assistant with the baby powder?? ;-)

34. As a socialist, he hadn't yet met his quota of things to boycott. (Not sure if that's really what socialists do, but that was a line in a play I saw last night. I have nothing against socialists) 35. Found out the crazy chick on the potted plant actually has a ticket to get *into* the theater this time. ROTFL, Joyce! My favorites of those....26, 29, 31, 32.

(Tress) Where was that assistant with the baby powder?? ;-) I was there but he didn't want powder. Likes to suffer says it helps his performances. But I did get to give massage.

The ad schedule for WAGW is rather odd. Just saw a shortened version of the HD-centric one with the kiss at 2am on TNT.

Not sure if it's a definitive source but www.odeon.co.uk has a release date listed for WAGW - August 8 2003.