Then I caught the shoes! I think they're Jimmy Choo's. I'e seen them in Vogue Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. Trust me. I think she looks stunning. What was the event? I hope she won for Sylvia.

I don't really want to talk about the ending of "Dogville" ...because it will spoil it for others. But aft everyone sees it , would be fun to talk about the allegorical aspects. Will email you, Dorine.

At ShoWest (the trade show for theater owners), Gwynnie was named her Female Performer of the Year and Jude was Male Performer of the Year.

(Evleyn) Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. And purses. ;-)

(Ev)Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. LOL, good point! She must be due soon I'd imagine. I'm a bit surprised at how tiny Jude looks. Not just height-wise, but the narrowness of his frame. I saw the two of them on ET last night; different outfits. No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps.

(Mark), Think Jude just needs a box to stand on instead of his tiptoes. How very clever of you! And smart of him. (Evleyn) Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. Not crazy about the shoes or the dress. She does look great with more cleavage. And Jude... he's a dreambeau. ;-)

Un petit dreambeau. ;-)

Oui, Mari! By now, I'm sure you know my infatuation with vampires and how sad I am that Angel will be cancelled, well read this: Villagers dig up, 'kill' vampire corpses Romanian vampire slayers ask police: If they were already dead, what's the big deal over cutting out their hearts? BY MATTHEW SCHOFIELD, Knight Ridder News Service MAROTINU DE SUS, Romania - Before Toma Petre's relatives pulled his body from the grave, ripped out his heart, burned it to ashes, mixed it with water and drank it, he hadn't been in the news much. That's often the way here with vampires. Quiet lives, active deaths. Villagers here aren't up in arms about the undead -- they're pretty common -- but they are outraged that the police are involved in a simple vampire slaying. After all, vampire slaying is an accepted, although hidden, bit of national heritage, even if illegal. ''What did we do?'' pleaded Flora Marinescu, Petre's sister and the wife of the man accused of rekilling him. ``If they're right, he was already dead. If we're right, we killed a vampire and saved three lives. . . . Is that so wrong?'' Yes, according to the Romanian State Police. Its view, expressed by Constantin Ghindeano, the chief agent for the region, is that vampires aren't real and dead bodies in graves aren't to be dug out and killed again, even by relatives. PROBE EXPANDING Ghindeano doesn't really have much more to say on this case, other than noting that Petre had been removed from his grave, his heart had been cut out, and it was presumed to have been consumed by his relatives. Ghindeano added that police were expanding the investigation, which began in mid-January, to include the afterdeaths of others in area. ''The investigation is ongoing, and we expect to file charges later,'' he said, referring to possible charges of disturbing the peace of the dead, which could carry a three-year jail term. ``We are determining whether this was an isolated case or whether there is a pattern in the village.'' Romania has been filled with news of the vampire-slaying investigation, and villagers admit there's a pattern, but they argue that's the reason these matters shouldn't make it to court. There's too much of it going on, and too few complain about the practice. On a recent afternoon, the village's single store, which also serves as its lone bar, was filled with men drinking hard as they explained the vampire facts to a stranger. Most had at least one vampire in their family histories, and many were related to vampire victims. Most had learned to kill a vampire while still children. HOLLYWOOD MYTHS Theirs is not a Hollywood tale, and they laugh at Hollywood conventions -- that vampires can be warded off by crosses or cloves of garlic, or that they can't be seen in mirrors. Utter nonsense. Vampires were once Catholics, were they not? And if a vampire can be seen, the mirror can see him. And why would you wear garlic around your neck? Are you adding flavor? No, vampires are humans who have died, commonly babies before baptism or people unfortunate enough to have black cats jump over their coffins. Vampires occur everywhere, but in busy cities no one notices, the men said. Vampires are obvious when dug up because while they will have been laid to rest on their backs, arms folded neatly across their chests, they will be found on their sides, even their stomachs. They will not have decomposed. Beards will have continued to grow. Their arms will be at their sides, as if they are clawing out of their coffins. And they will have blood -- sometimes dried, sometimes fresh -- around their mouths. PREY ON FAMILIES But the biggest tipoff that a vampire is near is his or her family, for vampires always prey on their families. If family members fall ill after a death, odds are a vampire is draining their blood at night, looking for company. Ion Balasa, 64, explained that there are two ways to stop a vampire, but only one after he or she has risen to feed. ''Before the burial, you can insert a long sewing needle, just into the bellybutton,'' he said. ``That will stop them from becoming a vampire.'' But once they've become vampires, all that's left is to dig them up, use a curved haying sickle to remove the heart, burn the heart to ashes on an iron plate, then have the ill relatives drink the ashes mixed with water. TRIES TO ESCAPE ''The heart of a vampire, while you burn it, will squeak like a mouse and try to escape,'' Balasa said. ``It's best to take a wood stake and pin it to the pan, so it won't get away.'' Which is exactly what happened with Petre, according to Gheorghe Marinescu, a cheery, aging vampire slayer who was Petre's brother-in-law. Marinescu's story goes like this: After Petre died, Marinescu's son, his daughter-in-law and his granddaughter fell ill. Marinescu knew the cause was his dead brother-in-law. So he had to go out to the cemetery. Marinescu said he found Petre on his side, his mouth bloody. His heart squeaked and jumped as it was burned. When it was mixed with water and taken to those who were sick, it worked. His son Costel called what happened next a miracle. After weeks in bed, Costel got up to walk. His head wasn't pounding. His chest wasn't aching. ''We were all saved,'' he said. ``We had been saved from a vampire.'' But how could he be sure a vampire caused his illness? ''What other explanation is possible?'' he asked.

(Mari) I'm a bit surprised at how tiny Jude looks. Not just height-wise, but the narrowness of his frame. I saw the two of them on ET last night; different outfits. No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps. I was surprised when I saw him at the BAFTA Q&A how slight he was. He seemed so built up in the movie we'd just seen (and yes, he was also 20ft high ;-))...though he did say he had to bulk up for that movie. There's a pic of them in today's NY Post with the different outfits and his hair slicked back at the screening of their new movie, whatever it's called. The Sky Something, or whatever. Don't care to look it up now. (Moon's article) Romanian vampire slayers ask police: If they were already dead, what's the big deal over cutting out their hearts? LOL!!! A logical question. ;-) "Before Sunrise," reunites the original's Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years after their one-day encounter in Vienna as they meet up again in Paris. WIP plans to open the film in the top 10 markets nationwide July 2, daring to offer it as adult-oriented counterprogramming on the same weekend that "Spider-Man 2" sets down in theaters. A not so hot move IMO, unless they really don't expect much. Adults and kids alike like Spiderman, I believe. They'd have to for the amount they did just in opening 3 and 5-day gross last year. Subsequent months will see WIP roll out..."We Don't Live Here Anymore," John Curran's adaptation of two Andres Dubus II short stories starring Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, Peter Krause and Naomi Watts A Sundance entry this year.

"Before Sunrise," reunites the original's Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years after their one-day encounter in Vienna as they meet up again in Paris. (Dorine) A not so hot move IMO, unless they really don't expect much. LOL...and that's one I own on DVD! I liked it because it seemed so real. Half finished thoughts and random encounters...a bit like real life (also liked White so enjoyed Delpy in this...though Blue and Red were the better of the trilogy). I'd go see "BS the sequel" ;-) (was one that left me thinking "I wonder....??").

I own it, too and wasn't making a judgement call on the quality or whether it will be liked or desired to be seen *at some point*........ given the choice, unless Spiderman is sold out, I'm sure it will be *at least* a second choice on opening weekend for a vast majority of people. Spiderman will be a $$ machine and Lord help whatever throws itself out there at the same time. And I'm certain they'd have fairly conservative expectations, too.

(Dorine) And I'm certain they'd have fairly conservative expectations, too. I'm surprised that it is being put out as an alternative to Spiderman (though I guess some film has to be 'it'). I would think it would be art house stuff...wasn't the original? I can't remember where I saw it. Spiderman will probably be in every third theater when it's released...my head already hurts...those who face sold out shows and are anxious to see Spidey will hardly think of BS as a good alternate, I think. LOL...something (slightly) related, a co-worker (randomly) just said over her cube wall to me "You know what the best part of Thelma and Louise was? The fact that they drove their car off the side of a cliff so we wouldn't have to see a sequel" (A-ha, it all becomes clear....her son is asking to go to Scooby Doo 2 this weekend).

(Tress) I'm surprised that it is being put out as an alternative to Spiderman (though I guess some film has to be 'it') Not necessarily. Possibly they aren't happy with it (I have NO idea of that...just throwing it out there) and think it may do better as counterprogramming to something so different vs. throwing it out with likeminded product and coming up short that way. (Tress) those who face sold out shows and are anxious to see Spidey will hardly think of BS as a good alternate, I think. My point exactly.

Moon, that Vampire article had me in stiches! LOL thanks for sharing! btw -have you ever read Christine Feehan? best vampire fiction around (imho) :-)

Many thanks girls for the above articles and stuff! . .Have enjoyed catching up! Dorine - I do love KW as well .caught her Actor�s Studio episode . .she seems to be one of those quality real down to earth girls . .more of a girlfriend than a �movie star�! Hey luv gwyenth�s shooes!!! . .I�m just amazed she could balance baby and all on them . .I have trouble walking on heels and I�m not even pregnant! (Mari) No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps. Dooooom! . .one does not want to be American stick insect to continue in this profession! (Not to mention, I like my food too much!)

closing tag

According to my cable schedule, Charlie Kaufman is supposed to be on Charlie Rose tonight.

hmmm...so are we up yet?

(Ada)so are we up yet? If we're not-this is the twilight zone;-)

I see you all. ;-)

That's a right! Drink up! Article in this week's Time about the upcoming princess movies: The Princess Paradox Hollywood's newest Cinderella stories seek to inject some feminist messages into the age-old fantasy. But can you really wear your tiara while spurning it too? By JAMES PONIEWOZIK It's the recurring nightmare of high-minded modern parents of daughters. You ask your relatives to lay off the pink pinafores at the baby shower. You give your daughter Legos and soccer balls, not Barbies. You encourage her to play fire fighter and immerse her in Dora the Explorer videos. Then one Halloween rolls around, and your empowered, self-confident budding Marie Curie tells you that she wants to be...a princess. Call it nature or nurture, harmless fantasy or insidious indoctrination, but Hollywood is discovering that it still pays not to fight the royal urge. Following 2001's $108 million � grossing The Princess Diaries, Hollywood has waved its wand and conjured a set of Cinderella stories for girls, including next month's The Prince & Me and Ella Enchanted, as well as A Cinderella Story in July and a Princess Diaries sequel in August. That's not to mention other fairy-tale projects (Shrek 2) and transformational stories like 13 Going On 30, in which a gawky teen is magically morphed into a fashion-plate magazine editor played by the perpetually miniskirted Jennifer Garner. We've come a long way, it seems, from the girls-kick-ass culture of just a few years ago (Charlie's Angels, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) in which a 360� flying-roundhouse kick was a girl's best friend. (On the proto girl-power cartoon, Powerpuff Girls, one of the heroines' worst enemies was a spoiled brat named Princess Morbucks.) But brush off the fairy dust, and you find a new kind of Cinderella, one who would rather save Prince Charming, thank you, and who has learned the lessons of feminism � or at least learned to pay lip service to them. You can have the girly dream of glass slippers and true love, these films say, as well as the womanly ideal of self-determination and independence � and any contradictions between them are no match for the movies' magic. Ella Enchanted, for instance, is a spoof of Cinderella in which the title character (Diaries' Anne Hathaway, Hollywood's queen of princesses) spends her free time protesting the discriminatory anti-elf and -giant policies of the family of Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy). What she wants at first is not love but to free herself of a fairy's curse that forces her to be obedient. In The Prince & Me (what, The Prince & I would have been too egghead-y?), Paige Morgan (Julia Stiles) is a workaholic soon-to-be medical student who rolls her eyes at friends rushing to get their M.R.S. degrees. When she falls for Eddie (Luke Mably), a rakish-but-sweet exchange student who turns out to be Danish Crown Prince Edvard, the prospect of becoming queen upsets her dreams of working for Doctors Without Borders. (Stiles, who played Ophelia in the 2000 film Hamlet, should know that dating the prince of Denmark can be a pain.) "The Cinderella story has always frustrated me," Stiles says. "What I like about The Prince & Me is that my character is a lot more active and is ready to live a life by herself and be independent." SPOILER ALERT: Skip this paragraph if you don't want to know how these movies end. O.K., here's the shocker � they end happily. What is surprising, however, is that, in the original ending of The Prince & Me, Paige broke up with Edvard to go to med school (in the final version, she gets to have both the guy and the career). And what's downright shocking is that Paramount approved the first, decidedly non-fairy-tale ending. "But when I saw it," says director Martha Coolidge, "I knew it was wrong. What was wrong about it was not what we thought � whether she got together with him or not. The real issue was about him making a compromise and the monarchy making a compromise." Reinventing fairy tales has been a favorite project of feminist authors from Angela Carter (The Bloody Chamber) to Marlo Thomas (Free to Be...You and Me), who understood that wish-fulfillment stories are about teaching people what they should wish for. Among an earlier generation of women, the wish was to be able to do everything men could. For the modern Cinderellas' audience, which takes that freedom as a given, the wish is to also be able � unashamedly � to fall in love and go to the ball. Indeed, in Prince, Paige realizes that she needs to be "rescued" from her disciplined but single-minded careerism as much as she needs to assert her independence. Girls asserting their right to choose the fairy-tale ending is not a bad thing, says Thomas, since now the movies are balanced by varied depictions of young women in films from Whale Rider to Blue Crush. "What women have tried to achieve for other women," she says, "is choice in every step of their lives." But to succeed on both the feminist and the fantasy level, the new Cinderella has developed rules and conventions as strict as a Joseph Campbell template. She should be pretty, but in a class-president way, not a head-cheerleader way. She should be able to stand up for herself (recall the Crouching Tiger moves of Shrek's Princess Fiona). She must be socially conscious � a result, says Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries books, of Princess Diana's charitable work. And she should above all not want to be a princess � at least until she changes her mind. In Diaries, Prince and Ella, it's not the girl who must prove herself worthy of princesshood; princesshood must prove itself worthy of the girl. There's something a little have-your-tiara-and-disdain-it-too about making your protagonists ambivalent about the very fantasy that people paid $9 to see them live out. But that may make the fantasy more palatable to parents and filmmakers: men and, especially, women who are educated professionals. "I don't want to sound like an archfeminist," says Sherry Lansing, chairman of Paramount, which produced Prince, "but it really is important that it imparts contemporary values. It's a good love that allows both people to remain whole in it." Still, the fantasy couple that this earnestness yields in Prince is more yuppie than romantic: she, committing to years of med school; he, giving up his love of car racing to strap on a necktie and negotiate labor disputes. Goodbye, Chuck and Di; hello, Abbey and Jed Bartlet. But it's easy for someone who has been through college to say a diploma and career are not cure-alls. The movies' audience of young girls makes the filmmakers much more message conscious � at least as far as the girls are concerned. The princes in these stories have fewer options than their Cinderellas. Edvard and Charmont are both reluctant to become king, but they learn, through the love of a good woman, to mature into the role and use it for good. The girls fight to control their destiny; the boys good-naturedly learn to accept theirs. Of course, they're not the target audience. "It's nice to have something that's not toxic or repellent to men," says Nina Jacobson, a top executive at Disney (Diaries' studio). "But we know we don't need guys to make a movie like that successful." You just need a feisty girl, a prophylactic dose of skepticism and a fabulous ball gown � about which no ambivalence is necessary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Check out the website for the cartoon image: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040405-605501-1,00.html In The Prince & Me (what, The Prince & I would have been too egghead-y?), Paige Morgan (Julia Stiles) is a workaholic soon-to-be medical student who rolls her eyes at friends rushing to get their M.R.S. degrees. When she falls for Eddie (Luke Mably), a rakish-but-sweet exchange student who turns out to be Danish Crown Prince Edvard, the prospect of becoming queen upsets her dreams of working for Doctors Without Borders. (Stiles, who played Ophelia in the 2000 film Hamlet, should know that dating the prince of Denmark can be a pain.) LOL!

Nice to have Drool back�.. I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. The news of his passing brought to mind many fond recollections of Masterpiece Theater on Sunday nights long ago and how I became enthralled with British costume drama. This, of course, led to an introduction to the BBC, Monty Python, and all those wonderful shows. Now here I am with a total obsession for a tall dark and handsome British actor searching for all sorts of creative ways to disguise just how much time I actually spend on the computer each day in search of a �fix�. Sound familiar, anyone?

(Leslie) I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. In addition to introducing us all to the best in UK television he also stood for integrity in journalism as well Alas...the last good friend the US had on the BBC. We all mourn his passing.

Glad to see you all back! I've been dreadfully busy and missed my quick Drool fixes!

(Leslie)I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. First time I saw Alistair Cooke, I had been watching the Poldark series and I thought he had the loveliest voice. Before I forget, birthdays for April - April 4 - Lora April 8 - Kim April 25 - Eithne Please let me know if I've forgotten anyone:-)

I missed you, too, I'm so hooked on Drool! I've filled the time with watching ODB in WAGW. Now, before y'all are all amazement that I haven't seen it before this, remember, I'm rather new to the world of OCD. Two of the best scenes were out takes tacked onto the special etiquette feature. Jonathan Pryce had me choking on my tea when he, in all seriousness, told Henry that Libby wasn't what he thought she was, et.al. I just wish there had been a better shot of ODB cracking up. BTW, doesn't he fill out a Saville Row suit nicely? Yummy! And for you Brosnan fans, NBC is showing Thomas Crown affair Saturday night. Glad you're back!

Hooray we're up again! Saw on the temporary drool sight Karen brought up the subject of accents again . .am currently reading "Shooting the Actor" by Simon Callow . .and ran into some rather humorous exercpts on his expereinces working with accents/dialogue coaches in a prticular film . .I'll try to type it up for your reading enjoyment . . .

From Empire: Kaufman Cusses Clooney There's no love lost there 01 April 2004 Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is a man with a grudge � and the object of that grudge is none other than the former scrubs-wearing TV doc turned Hollywood A-lister George Clooney. It seems that Kaufman, whose latest film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is out this month, is still irked by the way Clooney treated his script for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. In an interview in the May issue of Arena magazine, Kaufman explains the situation. �I was upset by the fact that he took the movie from me and then cut me out after that. I�m unhappy with the end result. And I�m unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn�t it.� Clooney�s big mistake, it transpires, was to take Kaufman�s script and tinker around with it. �I�ve always been involved in the process with Spike (Jonze) and Michel (Gondry),� Charlies says. �If there�s any rewriting to do, I do it. But with Clooney it was different�even the end of the movie is different. I mean, Clooney went on forever about how my Confessions�screenplay was one of the greatest scripts he�d read. But if someone truthfully felt that way they they�d want the person who wrote it to be onboard offering their thoughts and criticisms. But Clooney didn�t. And I think it�s a silly way to be a director.� Thankfully Kaufman isn�t letting his Clooney chagrin keep him from planning new ways to bemuse and befuddle cinema audiences the world over. �Spike and I recently pitched this idea for a scary movie to Sony pictures. I don�t have a title for it yet and I�m not even sure what the plot�s going to be. But that�s the way I write: without knowing where something is going.� You can read the full interview with Charlie Kaufman in the May issue of Arena which will be on newsstands Friday 2 April 2004. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=15727

'Century City' collapses CBS has pulled the plug on midseason drama "Century City" after four airings. The Universal Network TV series, revolving around a futuristic law firm in Los Angeles, had little ratings traction for CBS in the Tuesday 9 p.m. slot, where it went up against Fox's "American Idol." Goodbye, Ioan.

Trailer on BBCA of "State of Play" looks like it stars Bill Nigh (in non-aging-rocker role)and David Morrissey. Starts Apr 18.

(Evelyn)Trailer on BBCA of "State of Play" looks like it stars Bill Nigh (in non-aging-rocker role)and David Morrissey. Starts Apr 18 Thanks, Evelyn. I wanted to mention this a few days ago before drool went down. Looks like it might be OK. Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new?

(Kaufman)I�m unhappy with the end result. And I�m unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn�t it.� Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. Did anyone see Kaufman on Charlie rose last week? Very bright and articulate, as you'd expect, but oddly huumorless and intense, given his body of work.

(Linda)Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new? They showed two in a row. The first was a repeat from last week, and the second was new (at least to me). Several weeks ago there was discussion about connotations with the name Colin. I was very ammused by this article, and wanted to share it, both for the Colin reference (though not ODB) and the word highfalutin. The name game Traditional and unique monikers rise and fall in popularity with trends By BILL HENDRICK The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 03/31/04 Funny. You don't look like a Bertha. But if that's your name, smile � you're being complimented if someone tells you that. Once one of the most popular names in America, Bertha no longer ranks in the Top 1,000. In our society, it's come to mean fat, severe, dour. If someone says you look like a Bambi, it's OK to feel insulted. Sure, it connotes perkiness and cheerfulness, but it's more closely associated with strip club lap dancers and ditsy mob molls. Alas, what's in a name is a lot. And experts urge prospective parents to be careful, asserting that the names they choose could come back to haunt them. Ask Laura and Gary Eaton of Brookhaven. Gary Eaton, 47, wanted "Benjamin" for their unborn child � fairly common at 28th in the Social Security Administration's Top 1,000 names for boys. But his wife quickly nixed it. "I was like, 'Are you kidding?' He'll be called Ben," says Laura Eaton, 39. "Think of it. Ben Eaton, like 'been eating.' You want people calling him that? He'll be teased for life. Now we're looking for something different. We don't want him to be one of three Johns." The Eatons, says Cleveland Kent Evans, a psychology professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska and leading member of the American Name Society, are representative of a new trend: Increasingly, Americans are turning their backs on family names that honor ancestors and trying hard to come up with uncommon monikers � or even unique ones. In a look-alike culture where every suburb, every mall, every school feels the same, new parents are seeking ways to distinguish themselves and their offspring. It's a trend that started a few decades ago but has gathered steam, spawning a cottage industry of books and Web sites. One indicator: For the first time in history, the Top 50 names account for less than half of the names given to baby boys each year, according to research recently released by Evans. And less than 40 percent of girls are getting one of the 50 most popular names. For now, the Eatons have settled on "Elliott," which ranks 544th. And if the child, expected in four months or so, turns out to be a girl, they're thinking "Catherine" � which ranks 100th. Kristen Gates, 30, and her husband, Steve, 31, of Acworth also wanted a "different kind of name. We have friends whose dog is named Cooper. We like that. We're 95 percent the baby will be Cooper." They know it'll be a boy but never considered naming him Steve � "they're everywhere in his family" � or Junior. And that's good, says Evans. "Studies show there are negative things about being a junior," he says. "It sounds like somebody who is never going to grow up, who's always inferior to what senior is. Young men with 'junior' after their name, compared with Roman numerals, are a bit less responsible, get lower grades in school." It's also not smart to give a child a nickname that sounds, well, juvenile, like Billy or Jimmy. "It's harder to take a Billy seriously, we know," Evans says. "That was a little bit of Jimmy Carter's problem. I think the fact that he kept that form allowed people to see him as ineffectual or incompetent. It was easier to stick him with those labels." Out of the mainstream But names can be harmful in many ways, says Bruce Lansky, author of many best-selling baby books, including his latest, "The Mother of All Baby Name Books," which contains 94,000 names, their origins and meanings. Lansky, who also released a survey about Americans' attitudes toward their names this month, contends some parents make mistakes by trying too hard to find unique names for their offspring. Lansky, 62, says, for example, "an African-sounding name can cause perception problems when people are looking at r�sum�s. Sure, it's wrong, but an aggressively African name could communicate negative stereotypes. A name way out there might even have the effect of sort of thumbing your nose at normal rules and regulations." Rigorous research supports this belief. Economics professor Marianne Bertrand of the University of Chicago found in a recent study that employers apparently do discriminate based on whether names on r�sum�s sound "white" or "black" � even when other credentials are equal. They found that r�sum�s with white-sounding names generated twice as many callbacks as those with conspicuously "black" names like Jamal. That wasn't a factor for Pam and Marc Buchanan of Stockbridge, who named their new son Caleb Meyah-Nwing. Their 2-year-old daughter's name is Faith Nening. The couple picked the names to reflect their Christian faith, but also her roots in the African country of Cameroon. But for many African-Americans, the possibility that names could hold their children back does affect their decisions. Richard Brooks, 36, of metro Atlanta and his wife, Pamela, said they intentionally chose "unisex" names for their daughters, Kaila and Kelsi. "I feel there's a bias against women in the workplace," said Pamela Brooks, 40. "The thought of giving them African names never was a factor. It didn't have anything to do with our pride. We just wanted beautiful names." Pop culture weighs in Research also shows that people with desirable or attractive first names are treated more favorably by folks with unattractive names, says Albert Mehrabian, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles and an expert on names. He says smart prospective parents will study meanings and possible impressions of names before making selections. Bubba, for example, connotes redneck. So does Floyd. And favorite names can rise and fall in popularity according to the images they evoke in American culture. Monica has gone down in the ranks since the name made headlines along with Bill Clinton in early 1998. It was the 97th most popular girl's name that year but sagged to 179th in 2002. Its negative connotations far outweighed positive notions evoked by the "Monica" character on the hit sitcom "Friends." On the other hand, Evans says, "Colin" � an old and highfalutin English name always rare in America � has climbed from 150th to 116th since Secretary of State Colin Powell became famous during the first Gulf War. This means he's well-liked. (Question: How are they pronouncing the names of these boys? COL-in or COH-lyn?) Jacob is the top boy's name, except in Georgia and several other Southern states where William remains No. 1. "The South is the William belt," Evans says. "This has to do with the original ethnic makeup of the South. English." And he says Williams are about equally divided by race. "In the South, there is more pressure to name sons after ancestors than in other parts of the country. You're going to have more Michaels in Roman Catholic areas." Girls' names move up and down more than boys' names do, he says, because male names are more boring. And that may not be all bad. Evans says he's found a boy in Florida whose first name is "Tragedy." A baby in Michigan was named Jon Blake Cusack 2.0, obviously by techie parents. Lansky worries that "the really far-out names" could be harmful, but on a positive note, points out that it's not hard to change your name. That's what Raymond Allen Gray Jr. did. The Illinois man grew up with the nickname Bubba and last fall decided he liked it better than his other names. So now he's officially Bubba Bubba Bubba.

(Lilnda) Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new? There were two episodes last night, both not new. Next week's will be new. (Kaufman)I�m unhappy with the end result. And I�m unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn�t it.� (Mari) Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. Did anyone see Kaufman on Charlie rose last week? Very bright and articulate, as you'd expect, but oddly huumorless and intense, given his body of work. I saw it. Could C Rose fawn over him any more than he did? I don't think so? As to his personality, I wasn't surprised he wasn't LOL funny in a traditional standup comedian way. I'd say his word perfectly reflects his personality. It's all about strangeness, oddities, bizarreness, not pie-in-the-face humor. That's why Jim Carrey appearing in Eternal Mind will be classified as one of his serious works, as opposed to his usual comedy stuff.

(Karen)But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. Or I might have liked it less.;-) Re: Charlie the K--I wasn't expecting Soupy Sales. But generally people who write with humor are not so intense. Maybe Charlie Rose made him nervous with all his boot-licking.;-) Anybody here watching 24? Tuesday's episode was the best of the season, IMO. Sopranos is having a great season as well.

Just wanted to say I recommend State of Play, really enjoyed it when it was on here. I think I just heard it was nominated for some tv BAFTA's, too.

I caught all of the episodes of SO Monday night and watched this week's installment on Tuesday.....LOVE IT ! Will not tolerate future viewing of *canned performances* on sit coms ! Now, they tell me next week's installment is the season finale? Wot? Boll**ks.

(Kaufman)I�m unhappy with the end result. And I�m unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn�t it.� (Mari) Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. (Karen) But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. I *loved* Confessions as is. Possibly it could have been even better, but I don't recall any standout complaints on my part. Was one of my favorite films that year actually. I'm sure there's always nitpicky things. I am surprised to read that though, as CK generally gets *much* better treatment than most writers, who are indeed locked out of the filming and rewriting process. I thought CK was a lot more relaxed than I expected he'd be after reading frequently how uncomfortable his is in public and with interviews. I was fascinated to hear his writing process.

Romola tops Austen shortlist By Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail 2 April 2004 Romola Garai is top of the shortlist to play the spirited Elizabeth Bennet in the first big screen version of Pride And Prejudice in more than six decades. The fast-rising young star is one of several British actresses being considered by director Joe Wright and executives at British studio Working Title. Last year, Romola was seen in BBC TV's Daniel Deronda and in the films I Capture The Castle and Nicholas Nickleby. She's now appearing in the play Calico in the West End, which finishes its short run tomorrow. Jane Austen's novel is one of the best loved in English literature. When Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred in a BBC version ten years ago, as Elizabeth and the haughty Mr Darcy, the tale of their repressed love for each other gripped the nation. But the latest adaptation, by Deborah Moggach and Lee Hall, will be even sexier - although not explicit. The last time Pride And Prejudice was seen on cinema screens was in 1940, when Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier played the will-theywon't-they? couple. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has shot her Bollywood all-singing, alldancing version, calling it Bride And Prejudice. It opens later in the year and it could be an Oscar contender. Working Title's P&P will begin filming in the summer. But no cast member will be contracted until a major leading hunk is cast as Mr Darcy. Everyone from Brad Pitt to Orlando Bloom is being considered. Working Title is behind the Bridget Jones movies, and author Helen Fielding based her Mark Darcy on Colin Firth's portrayal. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/showbiz/articles/10047047?source=Daily%20Mail

Oh my....it's a sad day when The Rock is a guest on Charlie Rose before ODB. :-( (That being said, I actually kinda like The Rock, or at least have nothing against him. He's come across very articulate the few times I've seen or heard his interviews).

Speaking of The Rock, he was on Letterman last night. Before the opening sequence, they had Dave and The Rock backstage talking together. Dave asks: So, what's your new movie, Walking Tall, about? The Rock replies: It's based on a Jane Austen novel and I play the tall, dark, handsome hero, named Willoughby and I win the girl. Dave looks blank and doesn't know what to say. The Rock says: No, I was just kidding. I really take out a baseball bat and beat guys silly with it. Dave smiles excitedly. Something tells me they were making fun of me.;-) Guess Dave's target audience is not Jane Austin fans.

LOL, Caribou! (Kaufman)I�m unhappy with the end result. And I�m unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn�t it.� Clooney did a great job! What a whiner. Working Title's P&P will begin filming in the summer. But no cast member will be contracted until a major leading hunk is cast as Mr Darcy. Everyone from Brad Pitt to Orlando Bloom is being considered. Heaven forbid! I will make an exception for Vigo. I do like him with dark longish hair. I bet Colin is thrilled that someone else will be Mr. Darcy. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has shot her Bollywood all-singing, alldancing version, calling it Bride And Prejudice. It opens later in the year and it could be an Oscar contender. Really? As much as I love Bollywood movies, I can't imagine them as Oscar contenders.

Oh Lora . . . You�re here! It�s your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Have the happiest of days today!

Isn't it tomorrow, the 5th?

OH! . .I thought it was the fourth that was her b'day . . I'm really early then!

(Ada)Before I forget, birthdays for April - April 4 - Lora April 8 - Kim April 25 - Eithne Please let me know if I've forgotten anyone:-)

Yes, I know. But my printout from last year says the 5th.

LORA, BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO YOU Early or not, they carry lots of good wishes for a fun filled day ;-))

(Karen) Yes, I know. But my printout from last year says the 5th. LOL...is this the same printout that gave me a birthday in September and January? ;-D (will go hide now.....will try not to be so cheeky)!

Leave Lora alone, she's in the kitchen making my latkes;-) I saw a recipe on TV for sweet potato latkes that one eats with applesauce....yummmmm

Evelyn, wrong holiday. ;-) Now I do make lots of lovely flowerless confections like walnut cookies and chocolate-almond macaroons that I'd be happy to sharewith all.

LOL! She should know the difference. We were just talking about kugels the other day...though she only knows about luchen kugels and not the matzo farfel ones for this holiday. I've got gefilte fish cooking on the stove right now and have opened up the door to air the place out. Oh man, I need an exhaust fan! ;-)

(Shoshana) Evelyn, wrong holiday. ;-) (don't like walnuts/chocolate) Drats...No latkes,..but kugel is a fave... ...how about apple- matzoh kugel:-)))) (Got cha'...no flour there.)

(Karen)Isn't it tomorrow, the 5th? Karen is right as usual, it is on the 5th. Somehow last year it started on the 4th by mistake. But thanks for the early greetings anyway since today I can still eat regular birthday cake and tomorrow night it will have to be Passover sponge cake ;-). Thanks Kimberly and Lizza for the warm wishes. Shoshana, sorry for the confusion. Evelyn, don't worry I'm saving you some of my special chocolate chip, coconut macaroons and matzah ball soup!

(Lora) it will have to be Passover sponge cake ;-). My condolences. ;-) At least you have a cake. Every once and awhile, mine will fall on Yom Kippur and you know what that means...NO cake. You really should look into making just a basic flourless chocolate cake and then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-)

(Karen)You really should look into making just a basic flourless chocolate cake and then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-) Yummmm, that sounds really good. Thanks for thinking of a cake like that for my birthday and Passover. There are definitely some wonderful aromas emanating from this topic today ;-P!

(Karen)then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-) Pssst....*I* like that nice yellow, eggy sponge cake...yummmmm. Thank you Lora for saving some of the seder goodies for me. Can you drink-ie tomorrow....I have a bottle of bubbly chilling....;-))))

Happy Birthday, Lora, and may you have many more! Mazel Tov! And for those who will be celebrating, may you have a blessed Passover!

(Evelyn)Can you drink-ie tomorrow.... But of course, with lots of Manischewitz to go around ;-). Thank you, Eithne, for your happy birthday wishes.

Well Lora . . I'm just going to have to wish you another happy b'day tomorrow . .perhaps's I'll get the pic to work next time around . . Chocolate Chip macaroons you say? Mmmmmmmmmm;) Flourless Chocolate cake, another yummy idea. .Shosh, do you have a recipie for one of those too?

I'll put the roadmap back up so as not to affect Lora's party. Okie doke?

(Me)April 4 - Lora Oops..so sorry Lora, my bad. I hope this birthday pic makes up for the confusion:-). Happy Birthday! with grateful thanks to firthissimo

Ooops! I've been caught sampling Lora's prebirthday birthday cake. I wasn't too keen on having the dreaded sprongecake. Happy Birthday Lora!

Hang on, hang on!! Get that mic between us, so we can all sing Happy Birthday to Lora!

C'mon everybody...take a piece...this one is legal...no flour, no dairy , even steamed:-((( Happy Birthday , Lora

For Karen, Shoshana, Lora and anybody else who gonna pig out on the seder...;-) Enjoy the season!

Wow, thanks for all the happy birthday and Passover messages. Thanks for putting the roadmap back up too, Karen. I assume "roadmap" means we get lovely pictures. And it just wouldn't be a birthday celebration without the birthday wishing face of ODB ;-). Ada, thanks for my favorite tuxedoed happy birthday wisher. I'll take him anyday! Karen, LOL at that sneaky Colin snagging my pre-birthday cake - the only real birthday cake that I'm getting! At least he made up for it by singing happy birthday to me with Scarlett and Peter. Will definitely wear pearl earrings tonight for Seder ;-). Evelyn, you make virtual sponge cake look really good - will be thinking of you when I eat it tonight. Happy Passover to Karen, Shoshana, and all who celebrate it.

Happy Birthday Lora! First, a rose for the birthday girl! Now, my specialty... a flourless chocolate cake called a Chocolate Oblivion Torte! Totally pesadic (only dark chocolate, sweet butter, and eggs), it tastes like a mixture of a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse!!! I made it especially for you, Lora. Just don't eat too much... you need the space for *yum* dry, tasteless matzah! ;-)

While Colin is whipping up some of his famous curry for you, Lora, thought we'd have a few last tortilla chips and this: I had the guy at the next table try it out: hope it isn't too spicy for you. ;-)

(Shoshana)First, a rose for the birthday girl! Thanks so much! And I believe, correct me if I'm wrong Ada, that it's actually that very rose that belongs to me in keepsakes. I claimed it from TIOBE when it first premiered - the one ODB catches at the dance hall when he first gets to the city to see Algie. Did you know that I had claimed it Shoshana? I guess it's more than a coincidence since your name means rose in Hebrew (so I'll share it with you)! And Kimberly and Karen thanks for mentioning the flourless chocolate cake yesterday. Looks like Shoshana does have an excellent recipe for it, kosher and all! It looks quite yummy - and anything that tastes like a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse has got to be amazing. Hmmm, chocolate and ODB what more could I ask for ;-).

Ay, Dios Mio! A song and a dance for Lora's Birthday! "You say she's witty I say she's pretty You say she's funny I say she's sunny Witty! Pretty! Funny! Sunny! Let's all wish Lora a Happy Birthday!

ROTFLOL, Karen! And bring on the virgin daiquiris too! Spices and booze give me a headache. Just give me rich chocolate and a spicy ODB!

Happy Birthday Lora!!! Millions of people heard me introduce Norah as Lora. It was most unconsciously done but, it could not be helped. All I kept thinking about was you in Southern Florida I was anxious to get to you and take you dancing. Yes I had learned a few salsa steps from mi amigo Ferecito. So my dearest loveliest, Lora, I�ll be right over.

Psssst.....Have you heard?? It's Lora's Birthday!!!We've got to get ready!!! Party hat...checkCake....check Cocktails...check ...and a birthday toast!"To Lora, just as she is!"

Oh, I love the song, Mari! My favorite dancing pair! So glad they didn't end it with, "we're jees keeding" ;-D! Thanks so much for the new birthday song they/you put together for my birthday. I'm going to keep it in "my favorites!"

(Shoshana), it tastes like a mixture of a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse!!! Yum! There's nothing better! Happy Passover, Karen, Lora and Shoshana!

Everytime I answer a birthday wish, another one appears! (Moon)but, it could not be helped. All I kept thinking about was you in Southern Florida Can you hear me sighing down here in South Florida? I love it, especially that last picture with that great smile. Thanks Moon for a wonderful birthday message. Tress, thanks for your birthday wishes too. Love the birthday hat and your message is finger licking good to the very last morsal...I mean picture ;-))).

I mean "morsel" I appreciate all your efforts for a fun birthday party. You've already made my day! Thank you!

Happy Passover Shosh, Karen, Lora and everyone else celebrating!

(Lora)that it's actually that very rose that belongs to me in keepsakes. I claimed it from TIOBE when it first premiered - the one ODB catches at the dance hall when he first gets to the city to see Algie. Did you know that I had claimed it Shoshana? But of course, Lora, it's your red rose straight from Jack's/Ernest's hand! I guess it's more than a coincidence since your name means rose in Hebrew (so I'll share it with you)! Yup, rose or lily of the valley! In regards to TIOBE, I'm partial to Jack's buttonhole. ;-)

My dearest Lora, it's been two years since I've seen you at the Paris Theatre in New York...promise you'll come to the Bridget premiere next November Happy Birthday , Lora.... I looked all over Islington, and found some

Awwwww shucks Lora . . . I�m slightly embarrassed I got the day wrong . . . but early is better than late, right! So I�ve been on my mobile to Livy To tell her I�ll be late coming home tonight . . . Cause� I�m just going to pop over to your party for awhile;) Wouldn�t miss it! Happy Birthday, darlin�! ********************** Just to copy my last b�day post: Oh Lora . . . You�re here! It�s your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Have the happiest of days today!

Thought I'd pop back to the party before I pop into the seder to say thanks for all your birthday thoughts: (Shoshana)it's your red rose straight from Jack's/Ernest's hand Wouldn't have it any other way. But on special occasions he can use it as a buttonhole if you'd like (no matter how I tried to word that it sounded off color, sorry ;-\). (Evelyn)I looked all over Islington ROTFLOL! It must have taken him all day! And I love that TIOBE pic with his fist to his chest, one of my favs. (Kimberly)It�s your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Don't worry, Kim, early is on time and on time is late ;-)! And it was worth the wait for "my belahved!" ;-))) You guys are so clever. Thanks for all the great gifts of words, song, and charming pics of ODB!

Lora, hope you like my new shades. I bought them for all that sunshine...and they work great for hangovers, too. Can't wait to party with you. Wishing you a healthy and peaceful Passover, too! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Lora abd a blessed Passover.

After lotsa, lotsa matzah...just want to thank you Linda for the happy birthday and Passover wishes with "Shade Man" doin' that thing he does. Thanks Lucie for your happy birthday and Passover wishes too! It's been a lot of fun. Thanks to all of you!

Jack�s in black, tails and top hat HD�s in a tux. A feathered hat, yes I saw that And ODB pulled it off. Shosh even baked a chocolate cake So good I bit my screen. May have broke tooth, no, it�th juth looth Man oh Manischevitz. The dancing two made it official too We are having a ball. If you celebrate this Passover date Good wishes to you all. It wouldn�t be right to end this night Without more to say, To you dear lady, hope it was dandy Lora, Happy Birthday.

Lora, cannot miss the chance to say "Happy birthday!" Best wishes for your new year!

Am very late to the party, but Happy Birthday, Lora!! Sorry I have no great pix, just lots of good wishes. I appear to be jinxed - all attempts to post images recently have failed miserably

Sussen Pasach Happy and Yummy holiday wishes and a belated Happy Day to Lora!

The coincidence of this appearing today: The Office stars 'used tongues' in final kiss Lucy Davis has admitted that she "used tongues" when she kissed The Office co-star Martin Freeman in the final episode of the show. She told Heat magazine: "Well, you have to don't you? At the end of the day two people like Tim and Dawn are going to use tongues. "That's how I kiss, it would be weird, it would look weird - even though I hope no-one could see a tongue. "Martin and I had to do it a million times because it was like: "That's a bit short, can you do it longer." And she added: "Martin's good looking which makes the kissing scenes easier." Lucy says their on-screen passion must have been convincing because lots of people believe they are a real life couple. She added: "It always surprises me how much people believe what they see on TV because they all know we're actors. But if you love something you don't want to ruin that little fantasy, I suppose."

Wow, my point exactly. Funny bit though.

I hope this hasn't been posted here yet?? Question is....can she act???? Pink takes a little piece of Renee's 'Heart' with Joplin project April 5, 2004 BY BILL ZWECKER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Word has it, newly crowned Oscar winner Renee Zellweger is seeing red over the news rock star Pink is planning to make her big-screen debut in a film based on the life of Janis Joplin -- rivaling Zellweger's own Joplin feature, "Piece of My Heart," being developed by Paramount Pictures and Chicagoan Tom Rosenberg's Lakeshore Entertainment. Daily Variety reports that Zellweger -- a lifelong Joplin fan -- is driven by the passion of someone who "grew up in Texas worshipping the singer." At this point, it looks like the Pink project could go before the cameras first. Penelope Spheeris is set to direct, the Joplin family has endorsed it and Pink (whose real name is Alecia Moore) has put together a screen test as Joplin that's generating lots of big buzz in Hollywood. Apparently Pink's imitation of Joplin's gravelly voiced singing style is amazing -- so much so, music mogul Clive Davis is already planning a soundtrack deal at Pink's label, Arista, where he signed Joplin to her first major record contract.

I had read that her screen test was amazing. Penelope Spheeris is probably the best choice to direct. I felt that Renee took Bridget away from Kate Winslet. Those things do happen.

(Sonia)no, it�th juth looth Man oh Manischevitz. LOL! Thanks for summing up the occasion with your great celebration verse! Thanks Barb, Leslie, and Beedee for the birthday and Passover greetings too. It was a fun day with firth friends like all of you.

Brosnan done with 007: Pierce pal By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Toronto Sun HOLLYWOOD -- Pierce Brosnan is finished with James Bond, according to his friend, neighbour and one-time 007 co-star, Michael Madsen. "Pierce lives right down the beach from me. Our kids play together," Madsen said during interviews for his own new movie, Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1. "And he told me he doesn't want to do another one. "I also heard that they bought him out. I really don't know but an impasse is an impasse." Madsen said he was told that Brosnan will be replaced with an Australian, although he did not know who and could not confirm if it was Hugh Jackman, who has been touted as a possible future Bond. So has Englishman Clive Owen. Madsen's comments seem to put in stone something that Brosnan has only hinted at. The Irish-born actor admitted last month that, while he was willing to do his fifth Bond picture if the filmmakers could get a decent script written and find a director for the project, the negotiations were not going well. Neither was the script development. "We've reached an impasse with the producers," Brosnan said in March. "They seem to be paralyzed and cannot move forward. If they want me, they know where to find me. "I was prepared to do a fifth film and then walk away. I made that very clear to the producers. We had started negotiations and I want to follow through, but conversations and telephone calls have dried up." Madsen said he himself is interested in the new Bond because he was supposed to get a role in it. He last worked with Brosnan as Bond in Lee Tamahori's Die Another Day (2002), playing Damian Falco. Now Madsen is wary. "Well, I was going to do it with Pierce but, now that Pierce is out of the Bond picture, I don't know what is going to happen. If (producer) Barbara Broccoli calls me up and says: 'Michael, I want you to be in the James Bond picture,' I'll probably go do it, but I'm not going to call her. "I don't know the new Bond guy. I've never seen anything he's done. I don't even know what he looks like. I can't remember the guy's name. I would have to feel like he's going to be a good Bond for me to want to do it." Madsen, who plays the assassin Sidewinder in the Kill Bill films, said that watching Brosnan on Die Another Day taught him how torturous it is for the star on a 007 set. "You know, making a Bond film is not an easy thing to do. That's a heavy shoot, man. That's a long, long, big, big, heavy thing. The Bond thing is a tremendously gigantic production and the last one was hugely successful. "For Pierce, that was the fourth one that he did. He's tired, man. You know, he's James Bond. He doesn't have to do another one. Why would you? Why would you bother?"

So is the portion of the Negotiation Show where there's an impasse in the private talks and one party decides to go to the press (themselves or surreptiously through a third party) to force the other's hand publicly? ;-)

This is not quite Odds & Ends, just Odd. I think "Happy Passover" has just about been pounded into the ground, but having had my required four glasses of wine and then retreating to the DVD player, I started thinking about what ODB's four glasses would be. Somehow I came up with something that makes me dislike Manishevitz a little less. ;-) Please enjoy! L'Chayim and Mushimoko!

Not sure if anyone's interested in The Alamo, but I saw it last night. Jason Patric introduced. Funny, when he got there, he walked right up to me where I was behind a table waiting to start checking people in. Guess I was looking all busy and important and like I knew what was going on. ;-) The BAfta biggies were standing nearby in a huddle. All I was actually trying to do was avoid eye contact with the increasing crowd chomping at the bit to start going in. His adorable grandmother I had the conversation with last year after the Narc screening was there again. It wasn't bad, I did like it, but wasn't anything to write home about either. Of all the stars, I liked Billy Bob Thorton the best as Davy Crockett. Dennis Quaid as Gen. Sam Houston and most of the rest of the main high profile characters were a bit overwrought I thought. Heavy handed direction. Think it could've been shorter if some lingering shots were cut. I've managed to catch more bits of Significant Others and it is indeed v.v. funny, but it still annoys me, too. Might be the editing. Karen, have you seen any more of Nip/Tuck? Thanks again Tress for the heads up on the repeats for that. I'm so thrilled! Can't wait for the new season.