NEWS FOR THE DAY 06.04.06

PotterCast #33 Now Available

PotterCast #33 is ready for downloading! .

In this show:

-The Second PotterCast Impersonations contest: open NOW! Click here for more details
-Voicemail Challenge: How does the chess game from book one relate to the rest of the series? (Calling Knight2King people!)
-Continue to send your Lumos RSVPs to hplive@gmail.com
-If you can't go to Vegas, don't worry! We're planning lots of coverage/video/audio.
-John thinks he has a way to stream the live podcast?
-Harry potter crafts discussion with Josee in the fan interview: cross-stitching, photo albums, knitting; making time turners, pensieves, wands, and more.
-Partying anesthesiologists
-April Fool recap
-The pic of the Memerson4Life IMs
-The WOMBATs
-The rumored movie release date and how it jibes with rumored book release dates
-Flag Day
-Hints about new upcoming segments
-The Galleries forum
-Discussing the Dursleys (Lori Damarell gives an "Order of the Phoenix" reading)
-Verdict on the Dursleys: They're not cool
-Is Vernon afraid of Petunia?
-"Oh no, my sister's just blown something up."
-What Petunia might have seen in Vernon
-Guru does not have painted nails
-In the mailbag: How Ron and Hermione will help Harry in the next book, the possible Fidelius Voldemort Loophole, the Horcrux ring, the absence of Mundungus in Order of the Phoenix.
-Expelliarmusing a locked door
-Kristin to John "You are a terrible man."
-The John Plus Doll
-Call-in show to be announced soon



Running Time: 1:15:57

If you are new to all this podcasting stuff, it's really easy: download and install iTunes, then click here to listen. Everything else is at PotterCast.com - you can also direct download it here, and discussion of the PotterCast is right here. Have fun!

J.K. Rowling Updates Site; Talks Phoenix Movie, Memerson

J.K.Rowling has updated her website today with anew diary entrywhere she discusses Book Seven, the British Book Awards, and a visit to the set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Jo writes:

The book's still going well, I'm sure you're pleased to hear, lack of paper notwithstanding. There was a small interruption last week so that I could go down to London for the British Book Awards, a.k.a. the Nibbies, which was a lot of fun, and rather thrilling as Half-Blood Prince won Book of the Year. I also took the opportunity to visit Leavesden (the studio where they make the Potter films), which I hadn't done in ages due to being pregnant/having tiny babies for what feels like ages. It was exciting to see some of the new Order of the Phoenix sets, but most of all to see the actors again – slightly unnerving to realise that nearly all of them are taller than me now (I speak, of course, of the teenagers; Michael Gambon was always taller than me, and very lovely he looked in his new robes, too.) Apart from the pleasure of seeing Tom Felton, Devon Murray, Alfred Enoch, Sitara Shah (and waving through the door at Bonnie Wright, who was busy being tutored), I had a great time talking to Dan and Matthew about books, Rupert about how his sisters never wind him up, Oliver and James about how difficult they find it to wind each other up, and Emma about Hermione's love life. Also met, and had a long chat, with Evanna Lynch (Luna), about whom there is only one possible thing to say: perfect.

Jo also mentions our April Fools prank which involved Emerson from MuggleNet, TLC's Melissa Anelli, and our sites forming LeakyMug.com. Checkit out herein her rumors section. Finally, there is this updatein the Extras section that this editor appreciated where Jo comments and reflects about society, magazines and the pressure for girls to be thin.

Order of the Phoenix Film to Debut on 7/13/07

As first rumored by Box Office Mojo, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will hit theaters on July 13, 2007, according to a reliable source. This throws into doubt the popular fan rumor that the seventh book will debut on 7/7/07 - whether that means the series will come to an end earlier or later, we have no idea! More info as we get it. Update: Variety is also reporting this today - thanks Petra!

300+ New Hi-Res Images from Empire Awards in Galleries

Another major gallery update; Mary has uploaded more than 300 hi-resolution images from the Empire Awards, in addition to what was there before, including some gorgeous new pics of Emma, and great ones of Dan, Rupert, Robert Pattinson, the twins and more. Check them out here, and enjoy!

W.O.M.B.A.T Update on JKRowling.com

Gather round, Gather round.Here is a bit of interesting news... The W.O.M.B.A.T results are being graded as indicated by a new update on JKRowling.com! A new wombat card that is a portkey has shown up on the main page of Jo's site. To find your results, on the main page, click on the W.O.M.B.A.T. card and enter your code. You will be taken to a room, with a clock that indicates the status of your results. We do not know how long we have to wait to get the results; it could be hours, more likely days. All we can say is that patience is key.

Order of the Phoenix on July 13 Offically Official, Really This Time

All right: for the last time, because it's no longer a rumor or from a "source" or reported elsewhere or anything: as we reported early today, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is slated for a July 13, 2007 release, says WB.