''Lord Of The Rings'' - Q & A for the Tolkien-Uninformed
by Jeff Crook
Jeff Crook
Click here to read the
piece in Salon first.
My Response:
Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Jean Tang has neither watched
Star Wars with any care, nor read Lord of the Rings.
Luke's uncle's name isn't Otto, its Owen (spelling may
be wrong, but the pronunciation is right). Darth Vader
doesn't blow up Alderan, Governor Tarken (again with
the spelling) does. And black isn't always evil, as
Luke wears black throughout Return of the Jedi, while
the storm troopers are all decked out in pristine
white PVC.
In any case, Tang's comparisons are pointless because
the faults cited with the movie aren't with Peter
Jackson, they are with Tolkien's story. To satisfy
this reviewer, one would not need a creative machete
but the reviewer's own idealized paintbrush adding
details that never existed in the first place. We
never see Sauron in the book except as a flaming eye,
the orcs are always evil... I find it remarkable that
Tang actually complains that we don't find out why
they are evil - this seems so much like a complaint
for the sake of complaining, like something out of a
high school fiction workshop! In any case, we do find
out why they are evil. Tang just wasn't listening.
Jean also references scenes that haven't even appeared
yet, like the swamp before the gates of Mordor. As for
the comparison between it and the Death Star's garbage
chute, I don't know - I guess they both have a bad
smell.
But that's not the point. The point is, Lord of the
Rings was made from a book, while Star Wars was born
entirely from Lucas' imagination. You can't compare
the two and be fair to either movie. Star Wars is a
great movie, but not so great as its sequel, Empire
Strikes Back. The Fellowship of the Ring is a great
beginning. But make no mistake, this was no movie. It
is one third of a movie. And to fit the story into the
3 hours, Peter Jackson had to cut out an awful lot,
including much of the character building that goes on.
It can't be helped, but apparently Tang wanted to sit
through a 12-hour movie just to find out the history
of wizards (something not brought out in either The
Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, btw) and why Sam is so
loyal to Frodo, while enduring a few more lame and
innapropriate puns.
Star Wars raised the bar in moviemaking when it came
out. The Fellowship of the Ring has done the same. Is
it a better movie than Star Wars? I don't know. Is
Citizen Kane better than the Godfather? That's not a
fair comparison, because they are completely different
movies. Jean Tang's greatest sin is trying to group
together Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in a way you
would never compare Citizen Kane and the Godfather.
Just because they are stories of epic fantasy doesn't
put them in the same genre or even the same style.
Tolkien never pretended toward gritty realism, and
some people have always been offended by his sense of
grandeur. In any case, where Tang sees gritty realism
in Star Wars, other people see hokey space opera.
So apparently, Jean Tang's problem isn't with Peter
Jackson, it's with Tolkien himself.
BartCop had an interesting take on the movie
this week. I hope you got a chance to read it.
OK, on to your questions:
I had one problem that more or less wrecked the second
half of the film for me due to a casting problem... I
couldn't tell the two dark-haired guys apart for some
reason, and now I'm left not exactly being able to
figure out which one died or what the heck was going
on in a few places. Is Strider really Aragorn and the
other guy is another character, or are they different
people, or...?
The really dark-haired guy, the one who didn't die, is
Aragorn. He is called Strider by the people of Bree
because of his long legs and the fact that he goes
about in a hurry all the time. He is first introduced
to the hobbits as Strider, and they continue to call
him that throughout the movie. In the end, Aragorn
will take the name of Strider as his family name,
translating it into the Numenorean, which makes him
Aragorn Telcontir (I think - I didn't look up the
exact spelling, so I may be wrong).
The other guy is Boromir. He is the eldest son of
Denethor, who is the steward of Gondor. The kingdom of
men was comprised of two regions - Gondor in the south
and Arnor in the north. (Arnor included the Shire and
Bree, and that's why Aragorn lived there.) When
Isildur cut the ring from Sauron's hand and Sauron was
defeated at the end of the second age, Isildur left a
relative (I believe it was a nephew? working from
memory here) to be king of the southern realm, while
he would remain king of the north. Of course, he was
killed on the journey to Arnor. Many years passed and
Arnor fell into ruin, with the rangers of the north
being the last remnant of the kingdom, and Aragorn as
their leader. In the south, Gondor did not fail, but
eventually one of its kings rode off to war and died
without leaving an heir to the throne. Thus the
stewards of Gondor took over the rule, until such a
time as a king should appear.
In the Lord of the Rings, the steward of Gondor is
named Denethor, and he has two sons - Boromir and
Faramir. Boromir is proud, and often said things like,
"How long does it take to make a steward a king?" He
accounted his family no less than the that of a king,
and thought he should be king one day, rather than a
steward. Still, he obeyed his father. When he saw the
ring, Boromir also saw his chance to be king. This was
his great temptation. Yet, at the same time, there was
Aragorn, who everyone said was heir to the throne of
Gondor. In the book, he accepts this, though
grundgingly, but I thought the movie did a good job
having him not accept Aragorn's claim. The scene, as
he is dying, when he accepts Aragorn as his king, was
one of the most powerful in the movie, in fact, one of
the most powerful and moving scenes I've ever
witnessed in a movie, period. Critics have been
applauding the performance of Sir Ian McKellen, and I
think he did an extraordinary job portraying Gandalf,
but Sean Bean should also receive high acclaim. His
Boromir was exceptional.
That's it. Just one question this week. If you have
other question, comments, or complaints, write to me at Jeff Crook
Thanks, Jeff!
Alex's Entertainment Report
Alex
Reader Response
''Lord Of The Rings';
For those of us who have read and re-read Tolkien, I don't suppose
anyone could ever make a film to satisfy us. Having said that, I think
this film goes a long way in the right direction. Obviously the story
must be edited and scripted for the silver screen, but I think it could
have been done better.
First - the meeting of Frodo and Aragorn - in the book it's a very
important and interesting account - in the film it is nearly glossed
over. The important fact that Butterbur, the inkeeper, forgot to deliver
Gandalf's message telling Frodo about Aragorn is left out altogether -
and the hobbits seem to accept Aragorn's company without question (Sam -
in the book, was downright skeptical).
The attack of the Ringwraiths at Weathertop is precipitated with
almost no introduction - and excludes the valiant efforts of Aragorn to
drive them off with fire.
In the wonderful Tolkien calendars illustrated by the Brothers
Hildebrand in the early 70s Elrond always appears as a middle-aged wise
and thoughtful elf. In the film he looks like the young Spock. And by
the way - was it inevitable that the elves would have Spock-like ears?
Whose idea was that!?
While we're in Rivendell - why did the producers conclude that Arwen
needed a larger part - at this point in the film? Her role is at the end
- and could be legitimately expanded there. Tolkien's work was not a
love story - and it was grossly unnecessary to invent one.
The journey through Moria was done pretty well - except for one
detail. As Gandalf faces down the Balrog - he reveals that he possesses
one of the three rings of power. In Tolkien's story this is not revealed
clearly until the very end of the story - though perceptive readers
might suspect it. By the same token Galadriel (worst casting in the film
IMHO)does reveal her ring to Frodo in the story - but not in the film.
The fellowship's respite in Lothlorien (Galadriel's realm) is cut to
the bone - even to the point where the gifts she gave to each member at
their parting were excluded. Some of them - notably the elven cloaks and
the rope she gave to Sam play an important role in subsequent
adventures.
I could go on - but I think I've gotten my point across about the
relationship between the written and film versions.
My last objection has to do with the musical score. I agree with
something I read where the reviewer said it was much better than the
score for Harry Potter. It certainly was. However - back in my wayward
youth my fellow Tolkienians and I used to fantasize about how to score
the Lord of the Rings. Maybe it's generation bound - but we envisioned
music from the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues, Yes, and other
contemporary bands - even the Beatles - together or individually. The
music's not bad as it stands - but for those of you from my generation -
waddya think - Ramble On!
In the end - the film certainly is infinitely better than the lame
animated attempt made at it some years back, but as a dedicated Tolkien
freak I wish I'd been consulted on the details!
~~ Brad B.
Wow! Thanks, Brad. The resident Tolkien-fiend is in total agreement with your
review, right down to the Ralph Bakshi version of ''The Hobbit'' comment.
Another of his other concerns was the end of the movie, with the meeting of Aragorn & Frodo,
just before Frodo (& Sam)get on the raft.
The cliff-hanger in book one was Aragorn came upon the scene too late, hasn't a clue as to what happened,
other than Boromir is nearly dead, and that there had been a fight....What happened to Frodo & the rest?
On a raft? Taken prisoner by Orcs? Which way to go?
Oh, and please, don't get him started on how badly he thinks Cate Blanchett was cast. Please!
Reader Review
''The West Wing''
I am a loyal and devoted fan of "The West Wing", but I must admit that
yesterday's episode was not one of their best. There were a number of
problems I had with it:
Problem 1: Josh's love interest. After constant build up of Josh/Donna
pairing, which had us all on the edge (well, it had me on the edge), waiting
for that day when they will finally realize how they feel about each other
(remember this statement "If you were in the hospital, I wouldn't stop for
red lights!"), all of a sudden someone comes from Josh's past and snatches
Josh away from Donna. Well, OK, she didn't exaclty snatch him, but still.
Problem 2: This is my main problem with this story. I understand that this
is a show, and its fiction, but still. What republican in his/her right
mind would drop an investigation into a sitting Democratic President? And
they did, and they made them an offer....Why? Why cut this exciting
storyline so quick? Granted the First Lady is still on the hook, but this
could've been a very exciting story to follow through. Instead we get a
resolution, and that's it.
Problem 3: This is a minor thing, it's about the map. I agree with the
President 100%. The map is 300 years old. End of story. Frame it, hang it
up, wait until Antiques Road Show comes to Washington DC, and see how much
that thing is worth!
~~ Alex M
''Survivor 3's'' Survivor
Eric Zohn
This go-around, it's not earthshaking news, but the winner of ``Survivor 3'' is Ethan Zohn.
Zohn, the curly-headed soccer pro from Lexington, Mass., edged out Kim Johnson, the retired teacher from Oyster
Bay, N.Y., on Thursday's two-hour finale to win the ``Sole Survivor'' title and pocket $1 million from his African adventure.
Though the series was taped last summer, the final tally took place live on a Los Angeles sound stage. Zohn whooped
as the vote was announced, while Johnson threw her arms around him in an excited hug.
But viewers still hooked on CBS' game-in-the-rough can take heart: It all starts again when ``Survivor: Marquesas'' - with
a tropical setting, like the first edition - premieres Feb. 28, the network announced.
Although the watercooler quotient has evaporated, ``Survivor: Africa'' is tied (with the CBS sitcom ``Becker'') for
ninth place in household ratings for the 2001-02 season to date. That qualifies as a solid hit, with more sequels guaranteed.
Next up: ``Survivor: Marquesas,'' set on the island of Nuku Hiva, a distant neighbor of Tahiti in the South Pacific.
CBS had to quickly change plans after Sept. 11. A Middle Eastern locale in Jordan was considered the leading
contender for the fourth ``Survivor,'' said CBS President Leslie Moonves.
Eric Zohn
Updated!
BartCop TV!
Visit the site at BC TV
The 'Vidiot' never seems to rest - and doesn't let little things like laundry or
housekeeping get in the way!
Damn near every show on TV must is listed - days & days worth of great reading.
If you have any questions about nearly any tv program, check out
BC TV!
Pink Floyd Guitarist Aids Homeless
David Gilmour
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour is giving the proceeds from the sale of his London house to a charity.
Gilmour sold the home to Earl Spencer - brother of the late Princess Diana - for $6.48 million, and gave the
money to Crisis, which helps homeless people, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
``I don't need the money and I just thought it would be a good thing to do,'' the paper quoted him as saying.
``I've had that house for nearly 20 years. It's made a fat profit and I've scarcely used it for the last six or seven years.''
The Independent newspaper reported that he'd originally bought the London home for $430,000. But Gilmour said
he'd grown tired of having too many expensive possessions.
``You collect Ferraris and then you've got to collect people to look after your Ferraris, and you've got to
collect buildings to house the Ferraris,'' The Sunday Telegraph quoted him as saying. ``Life gets very complicated.
And eventually, at least in my case, you think 'I don't need this stuff.' And suddenly life gets simpler.''
David Gilmour
Advocating Debt Relief
Bono
Rock star Bono of the Irish group U2 will address next week's summit of the 14-nation Southern African Development
Community, the charity organization Oxfam-International said.
Bono has used his fame to advocate debt relief for the world's poorest countries and improved trade relations between
Africa and the rest of the world.
The Oxfam statement, released Wednesday, said Bono and Harvard University economist Jeffrey Sachs want the southern
African leaders to use money saved due to debt relief to fight poverty and AIDS in the region.
They are scheduled to meet with the heads of state on Monday in Blantyre before leaving for the capital, Lilongwe.
Bono
Cease & Desist Letter
Howard & Dr. Phil
Howard Stern has been ordered to stop playing tapes from Oprah Winfrey's show on his program - the latest chapter
in a dispute between Stern and Oprah's resident shrink, Dr. Phil McGraw.
"They sent me a cease and desist letter," Stern said yesterday during his morning show. "I think Dr. Phil went and
complained to her - that's pretty much what I heard."
McGraw, a Texas-based psychologist and author, regularly appears on Winfrey's daytime show to counsel troubled guests.
He is slated to get his own daily TV show next fall.
"Dr. Phil doesn't like the fact that we actually expose him for being a wacko," Stern said yesterday. "He's a car salesman."
Stern has stopped using the clips - but is still bashing Dr. Phil.
"Anybody who's really in the medical community knows this guy is a wack job," Stern said. "Only Oprah buys into this.
Anybody who's seen real therapy done, you don't just quick-fix yell at somebody and then they cry - it's a long process."
Stern ratcheted up his attack after a caller asked how he'd compare Dr. Phil's segments to the get-help bashfests on Jerry Springer.
"I applaud Jerry Springer 10 times more than Oprah," Stern said. "Jerry Springer is what it is.
"Oprah is pretending she's helping someone [but] it's all about getting ratings and more money," he said. "How
much more money does she need before she stops humiliating people?
"Dr. Phil, that's not for real," Stern continued. "I don't know why Oprah's pushing this garbage. I thought she was better than that."
Howard & Oprah's Dr. Phil
Doesn't Like The ''Regis'' Show
William Petersen
"C.S.I." star William Petersen isn't mincing any words about his feelings for ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" - calling
the show's contestants "dumb people."
Petersen tells this weekend's edition of USA Weekend magazine that people are tuning into "C.S.I." because they're tired of
"watching dumb people think for an hour" on "Millionaire," which airs opposite "C.S.I." "Our audience gets to watch smart
people think," he says.
More Petersen quotes: " 'X-Files' was the end of one era, and 'C.S.I.' the beginning of another. 'X-Files' operated off
of 'What If?' It's completely nebulous. But our show is about reality."
William Petersen
Sweeps Spoiler?
Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal may finally get to be a mom this season!
Jill Clayburgh, who guest-stars as the mother of Calista Flockhart's character on the Fox comedy, let it slip
yesterday that she'll become "a granny."
"I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you that," Clayburgh said to TV critics at a Pasadena press conference
touting her NBC series, "Leap of Faith."
The sweeps-week plot has a 10-year-old girl declaring Ally is her biological mother, a source tells The News'
Donna Petrozzello. Ally remembers that she did have some of her eggs frozen after breaking up with boyfriend
Billy (Gil Bellows). But could this girl really be the dancing baby she's longed for?
Sweeps Spoiler
New!
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Big Meow
Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall is only a year older than Melanie Griffith, but the "Sex and the City" star says she's not keen on
the way her colleague is handling the aging process. "I don't think the answer is plastic surgery," said the
45-year-old Cattrall in Britain's Red magazine. "I see women my age like Melanie Griffith who have had surgery,
but I don't want ever to look at myself and see Joker from 'Batman' staring back at me" ...
Big Meow
Another Cancellation
''The Tick''
Fox Wednesday confirmed that it will not order any new episodes of rookie laffer ``The Tick.'' Despite
stellar reviews, the show never generated solid ratings in its Thursday slot. The final episode will air Jan. 24.
No word yet on a replacement, though there's been speculation Fox could move sudser ``Pasadena'' to Thursdays.
Buh-Bye To ''The Tick''
Six Flags Magic Mountain
''X'' Is #15
At Six Flags Magic Mountain, "X" will mark the spot of the world's first fourth-dimensional roller coaster ride.
When it opens to the public on Jan. 12, "Xtreme" will be the 15th coaster ride for the park, setting a world
record for the most coasters in one location.
"Xtreme" riders will race at 76 miles an hour in small cabs perched on the edge of a 20-foot wide, wing-shaped
vehicle for 2 1/2 minutes. The cabs, which hang off the track, are capable of spinning 360-degrees forward and
backward on a separate axis, giving the ride its unique 4-D effect. Traditional coasters have trains that parallel the track.
At Six Flags Magic Mountain, ''X'' Is #15
Josh, the weather-dude on KCAL in LA, rode this coaster twice on the afternoon news - looked really
interesting. Magic Mountain recommends riders do not wear loafers...they fly off.
''It's Not About Money''
Jordan Divorce
You have to be slick to sneak up on Michael Jordan, but his wife, Juanita, blindsided him with her divorce
filing Friday. Friends say he didn't learn of her petition until Monday just the time that the media learned of it.
Juanita had reportedly threatened the hoop legend with divorce before. But just a few months ago, the couple
were shopping for a house in Las Vegas, where they eloped in 1989. (His High-Rolling Airness reportedly won
$1 million at the Paris Las Vegas casino about a year ago.)
So why now? Sources say Jordan had been trying to be a good family man, but that after he signed on to the
Washington Wizards, Juanita resented his wanderings.
Word is that she recently had a spiritual awakening and friends told her to stick to her principles.
"This is not about money," one of her friends told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Whether she is Mrs. Michael Jordan
or the ex-Mrs. Michael Jordan, there is more money there than anyone can spend in 10 lifetimes and their grandchildren's lifetimes."
Jordan Divorce
Whenever someone says ''It's not about the money'', you know it's about the money.
``Seinfeld'' Curse? She Doesn't Buy It
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
``Seinfeld'' curse? What ``Seinfeld'' curse?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus isn't buying it. The former Elaine is hoping the third sitcom to star a former ``Seinfeld''
actor is charmed - unlike the short-lived series with Michael Richards and Jason Alexander.
``I think there's pressure, period, regardless of the past successes or failures of any of my friends,'' said
Louis-Dreyfus, whose ``Watching Ellie'' premieres Feb. 26 on NBC. She plays lounge singer Eleanor Riggs.
Louis-Dreyfus, who said she took a few years to ``chill out'' and raise her two children, is easing back into it.
She's working with her husband, executive producer Brad Hall, and will film only 15 episodes of the series. Most
sitcoms make 22 a season.
``Seinfeld'' Curse?
New JFK, Jr. Biography
''American Son''
John F. Kennedy Jr. was a patient man never more so than when dealing with his high-strung wife, Carolyn Bessette,
according to a controversial book about the Prince of Camelot.
The book is "American Son," by Richard Blow, who was Kennedy's last executive editor at George magazine.
According to sources who've peeked at the book, Blow contends:
Carolyn resented John's closeness with his sister, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.
John relied on Carolyn's advice in conceiving the mag's covers which featured everybody from Cindy Crawford to
Arnold Schwarzenegger dressed as George Washington. But she became suspicious when he went to lunch with gorgeous
Gabrielle Reece figuring that the model and volleyball star might be interested in more than a cover.
Carolyn tried relentlessly to get her husband to appoint her as George's fashion editor driving a wedge between
John and George co-founder Michael Berman. "When Michael finally took John aside and asked him to please make his
wife quit her self-sell act for a job she wasn't ever going to get, John went ballistic," according to a source
quoted in next week's Globe magazine. "He told Michael, 'You stay out of my business!' To which Michael replied,
'This IS my business!' "The two squared off and were about to punch it out when John stopped, noting, 'Is this un-cool
or what?' He and Michael then shook hands, but the bond between them was forever broken."
Blow, who has signed exclusive deals with Vanity Fair and Barbara Walters, didn't return calls.
''American Son''
So, He's Honest, Just Not Faithful?
Poor Arianna
Remember when the columnist Arianna Huffington told W (magazine) that her husband Michael's bisexuality had come as a big
shock to her after they married? Now Michael is having his say to W. He tells the editors in the Feb. issue: "I
would never go into a marriage without telling someone I love about my sexual orientation.
On Dec. 23, 1985, Arianna and I were sitting on my sofa in the living room of my townhouse in Houston when I
told her about my deepest secret, being bisexual. She fully accepted it and me ... I want our children to know the truth."
So, He's Honest, Just Not Faithful?
Liberal Radio !
Erin Hart
Liberal radio - what a concept!
Back to the usual time slot with the usual suspects--the Atty. General has recused himself from the Enron case--President
Bush is busy backpedaling--is this a tsunami that makes Whitewater look like a trickle?
And the latest on the Thomas Junta case; he is the hockey dad who killed a fellow spectator during their sons' match.
Is sports rage a defense?
Plus the jury is being selected in the case of Andrea Yates, who has confessed to the murder of her five children--is
insanity due to post-partum psychosis acceptable?
On the Seattle waterfront, Mayor Nickel has come out like gangbusters--is the City Council one of them? or is this the decisive Mayor many wanted.
That and the latest war news, and features. "Where in the World is. . . Dick Cheney?"--you might be surprised.
Plus "Tomorrow's News Today" and the "Bash". Join us!
Erin Hart at regulation time (9 pm to 1 am [pst] Sat & Sun ) on www.710kiro.com or www.kiro710.com (It's
a browser thing).
And there's a chatroom, too!
For more details, visit Erin's homepage, http://www.erinistas.com/, or to join her mailing list, drop a
note to erinistas@aol.com
Still No Charges Filed
Winona Ryder
A judge Thursday gave prosecutors more time to consider whether to bring criminal charges against ``Girl,
Interrupted'' star Winona Ryder, who was arrested last month for allegedly shoplifting nearly $5,000 in clothing
and accessories from a posh Beverly Hills store.
Dressed in a black skirt, white blouse and black sweater, Ryder, 30, was brought into the Beverly Hills Superior
Court through a back entrance for a brief hearing at which Judge Elden Fox extended her bond until Feb. 8, pending
further investigation of the case, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said.
The Oscar-nominated actress has not yet been formally charged with a crime, District Attorney spokeswoman Jane
Robinson said, adding: ``We want to review all the possible evidence before we make a decision on this case.''
Ryder's attorney, Mark Geragos, said at the time that Ryder's arrest stemmed from a ``misunderstanding'' and predicted
charges against her would ultimately be dismissed.
``It will become clear that there was no theft here,'' Geragos said. ``Ms. Ryder had no intent of depriving anybody of any property.''
Geragos added that the painkillers Ryder was carrying with her had been prescribed and that she was not under
the influence at the time of her arrest.
Winona Ryder
To Portray Mother Teresa
Olivia Hussey
Olivia Hussey, who was Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's classic movie about Romeo and J, will star as Mother Teresa.
It films this summer in Calcutta.
Once married to Dean Paul, the late son of Jeanne and Dean Martin, now married to her third husband, former
rock musician David Eisley, Olivia is still a beauty. She spent seven hours in makeup for the tests.
Olivia Hussey
CBS Finds Numbers In Nostalgia
Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett is talking to CBS about doing more specials, part of what one top executive called a ``feeding
frenzy'' for nostalgic television programming.
The latest trend is toward TV classics, after CBS won the November sweeps period with the help of top-rated
specials saluting Burnett and Lucille Ball.
CBS wouldn't be specific about additional plans, but is discussing other specials involving old television stars.
The network has scheduled a salute to Muhammad Ali later this month.
What surprised TV executives was how well some of these nostalgic shows have done with young people. They didn't
realize, at first, that many young people were familiar with these old shows because of syndicated reruns.
Traditionally the broadcaster with the oldest audience, CBS has lowered its median age this season by 1.2 years.
Among the advertiser-desired 18-to-49-year-old age demographic, CBS is closer to first place (now held by NBC)
than it has been in a decade, Moonves said.
``Survivor'' and ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' have been key to that success. CBS' Monday night comedy
block is drawing younger viewers as the shows become hits and more people learn about them, said David Poltrack,
the network's top researcher.
CBS Finds Numbers In Nostalgia
Shopping For Coffee Table Books?
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres. At Book Soup, L.A.'s big bookstore off Sunset. Shopping for literary works. For decoration not
recreation. Oversized coffee table-type things dealing with style. Selected on the basis of how they'd look, not how they'd read.
Her purchases totaled $5,800. Smart, savvy Ellen happily told friends she then requested a discount. And got $300 off.
She also got a parking ticket. And also got the book store to pay it.
Ellen DeGeneres
Spawn Of The Famous
''Orange County''
Colin Hanks looks and sounds an awful lot like his dad, Tom.
Hanks stars as Shaun Brumder, a high school senior in suburban Orange County, Calif. His only goal is to get
into Stanford University so he can study writing with an author whose novel changed his life.
But when a guidance counselor sends another student's transcripts instead of his, he's rejected. What should have
been a shoo-in becomes an obsessive quest for admission.
His girlfriend, Ashley (Schuyler Fisk, who resembles HER famous parent, Sissy Spacek), wants him to stay with her
in Orange County, as does his alcoholic, co-dependent mother (Catherine O'Hara). Only his brother, Lance, rouses
himself from the couch to drive Shaun up to Palo Alto in an all-night, drug-induced stupor.
The offspring of yet another famous parent is the film's 27-year-old director, Jake Kasdan, son of Lawrence
Kasdan, whose directing credits include ``Body Heat,'' ``The Big Chill'' and ``The Accidental Tourist.''
Unlike other teen movies that have infiltrated the multiplexes in recent years, ``Orange County'' has a heart,
and even its ridiculous moments toward the end are forgivable, simply because it means well.
''Orange County''
Original ''Survivor'' Survivors Speak
Gretchen & Sue
Two of the original "Survivor" contestants have two very different takes on how the CBS reality show changed their lives.
"When I first came off the island I thought it was a really good thing - then I went through a period thinking it
was a big mistake," says Gretchen Cordy, the Tennessee homemaker who's now a local morning DJ in Clarksville, Tenn.
"I don't know if anyone can really prepare you from going from complete oblivion to everyone knowing who you are,"
she says. "As much as you might fantasize about that, nothing can prepare you for it."
But the sudden fame didn't faze Susan Hawk, the tough-as-nails Wisconsin trucker who delivered the famous "rat eats
the snake" speech in the original "Survivor" finale.
"It gave me a year-and-a-half break in my life - and with personal appearances and TV work I don't have to work that
hard," says Hawk, who has sinced moved to Las Vegas with her husband and is thinking of starting her own business.
Cordy says that her sudden fame made her appreciate what celebrities go through on a daily basis - even though her
fame is on a lesser level.
"I never wanted to be a public person - the show was all about competition for me," she says. "I didn't want to be
famous. I never thought ['Survivor'] was going to be a big show.
Original ''Survivor'' Survivors Speak
New! Updated!
(10 Dec., 2001)
The official BartCop Astrologer, Geneva, has done good, again!
Very interesting reading!
Sundance Film Festival Opens
Park City, UT
A constellation of stars is descending on Utah - where the Sundance Film Festival opens tonight - despite ultra-tight
security imposed because of the Winter Olympics and Sept. 11. Russell Crowe, Robin Williams, Jodie Foster, Ben Affleck,
Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, Mariah Carey, John Malkovich, Javier Bardem - and quite possibly Nicole Kidman - head a
glittering A-list bound for the nation's premier film festival.
Park City, home to Robert Redford's 20-year celebration, is an hour from Olympics headquarters in Salt Lake City.
Festival organizers are tight-lipped about the security measures instituted in the tiny mountain town.
Parking, always difficult in Park City, will be all but banned - and it will be harder than ever to get into events without proper credentials.
Mailboxes for participants, which are usually crammed with all sorts of giveaways, will this year contain only, well, mail.
This year, the hottest ticket is "Texas," a documentary produced by RussellCrowe in which he appears as a performer with
his rock group, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
Sundance Film Festival Opens
More On ''Last Call''
Carson Daly
NBC executives yesterday admitted they screwed up the debut of MTV personality Carson Daly's new late-night
talk show, "Last Call."
"We made a mistake and our mistake was we should have put our foot down on a contract when he did the test
shows," Scott Sassa, President of NBC West Coast, told reporters here.
Meanwhile, NBC executives revealed that a live comedy show - to be called "New York Live" - hosted by comedian
Colin Quinn and produced by "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels is in the works for later this year.
More On ''Last Call''
World's Longest-Running Musical To Close Sunday
``The Fantasticks''
``The Fantasticks,'' which ends a nearly 42-year run at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York's Greenwich Village on Sunday,
became the longest-running musical in the world by surviving some close brushes with death.
The first came almost as soon as the show opened on May 3, 1960, when producer Lore Noto was advised by his ad agency to shut because
the newspaper reviews were tepid.
He ignored the advice, and the show went on.
Last year, when the 41st anniversary of ``The Fantasticks'' passed without the usual spike in ticket sales, Noto -- who
is 78 and in poor health -- began to think of closing. By the first week of September, he had decided that there was no
way that the show could go on forever.
The last of 17,162 performances will be Sunday night.
Only the Agatha Christie play, ``The Mousetrap,'' now in its 50th year in London, has been around longer.
``The Mousetrap'' has moved theaters since its opening, leaving ``The Fantasticks'' as the holder of the record for
the longest-running live theater performance at a single location.
The show's theme is the timeless story of a young boy and girl thrown together by scheming fathers, then torn apart by
a yearning for an adventurous wider world only to find that life was better at home with the love next door.
``The Fantasticks''
Another Tuesday Clunker For NBC
``Imagine That''
According to Nielsen estimates, the new Hank Azaria laffer ``Imagine That'' opened to weak fourth-place ratings
Tuesday night (6.77 million viewers, 2.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49) -- about 20% lower than the premiere
of ``Emeril'' in the same 8 p.m. half-hour last fall.
Despite its woes at 8, though, NBC remains competitive on Tuesdays this season thanks to the 9 p.m. combo of
``Frasier'' and ``Scrubs,'' both of which won their half-hours in adults 18-49 this week.
NBC finished second to Fox in adults 18-49 (4.3/11 vs. 4.5/11), with the latter's ``That '70s Show'' sweeping the
8 p.m. half-hour in adults 18-49 (5.3/15) and every other younger demo.
Fox's ``24'' (8.31 million, 4.3/10 in 18-49) improved upon its two most recent scores, perhaps the beneficiary of
high rankings on year-end critics' lists. It ran third in its 9 p.m. hour in 18-49, but right behind ABC's ``NYPD
Blue,'' which logged a season low 4.5/11 (12.18 million viewers).
``Imagine That''
BC Entertainment Favorite Link
Moose & Squirrel Information One-Stop
http://geocities.com/mooseandsquirrel1
What a great site! Information and reference materials of the first order!
Between 'Moose & Squirrel'
and 'Google', who needs daddy drudge!
Temporarily Bumping ''Dharma'' & ''Spin City''
``The Chair''
ABC's new high-profile quizzer ``The Chair'' will premiere Tuesday at 8 p.m. -- beating Fox's similarly
themed game show ``The Chamber'' to air by five days. The latter bows with a preview episode Sunday, Jan. 20; it
moves into its regular slot on Friday, Jan. 25.
ABC's six-episode run of ``The Chair'' will bump ``Dharma & Greg'' and ``Spin City'' off the air until late February.
It'll mark the first time ABC will be without comedies on Tuesdays since 1971, when ``Happy Days'' premiered.
Fox has provided only sketchy details about the content of ``The Chamber,'' but ABC insiders believe it borrows
several key elements from ``The Chair.''
ABC began promoting the premiere date during Wednesday's ``American Music Awards,'' which coincidentally is produced
by Clark. Its late scheduling of ``The Chair'' means ABC will miss out on proper listings in weekly TV publications,
though daily papers will get the schedule change in time.
Temporarily Bumping ''Dharma'' & ''Spin City''
Latest Vogue Model?
Prince Charles
Prince Charles will make an appearance in Vogue magazine.
Fashion photographer Mario Testino - known for his depictions of women including the late Princess Diana,
Charles' former wife - photographed the heir to the British throne at his Highgrove country estate, said a
spokeswoman in Charles' office at St. James Palace.
The spokeswoman said four photographs of Charles would be included in the issue of Vogue coming out on Friday.
Two will also be displayed as part of an exhibition of Testino's work opening at the National Portrait Gallery
in London next month, she added.
The Vogue pictures include one of Charles in a charcoal gray suit and another of him relaxing with his rare Welsomer hens.
Prince Charles
At The Sundance Film Festival
Benicio Del Toro
In greater demand since his Oscar win last spring, Benicio Del Toro has the flexibility to cross back and forth
between big studio films and independent projects that first brought him acclaim.
``Definitely, the studios will have a door open for me. For how long, I don't know,'' Del Toro said in a telephone
interview Tuesday from the set of ``The Hunted,'' a big-budget thriller co-starring Tommy Lee Jones and directed by William Friedkin.
While making him a more sought-after actor for bigger movies, Del Toro's supporting-actor Oscar for ``Traffic''
also strengthens his clout to get independent-minded films off the ground.
This Sunday, Del Toro will receive the Piper-Heidsieck tribute to independent vision award at the Sundance Film
Festival in Utah. Del Toro's films include ``The Way of the Gun,'' ``Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'' and ``The
Usual Suspects,'' which played at Sundance in 1995.
Benicio Del Toro
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Still MISSING
Marc Chagall's "Study for 'Over Vitebsk'"
