NEWS FOR THE DAY 10.04.06

Video of Jo and Jason Isaacs at the British Book Awards Now Available

Thanks to Andy from our forums, we now have two videos for you of Jo Rowling at the "Nibbies," the British Book Awards, where Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince won book of the year; one is a montage that shows and talks about her often and also features Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy; the other is of Jo's acceptance speech. They're available in WMV and MP4 (video iPod friendly) format (right click and save-as):

Arrivals montage (.mp4, 9.7MB, iPod friendly)
Arrivals montage (.wmv, 15MB, Windows friendly)

Acceptance Speech (.mp4, 7.7MB, iPod friendly)
Acceptance Speech (.wmv, 12.5MB, Windows friendly)

We also have the transcript of Jo and Jason's appearances on this video:

Jo, in arrivals montage:
"The Nibbies mean a lot to me. I'm really happy to be here. I was first here nine years ago I think. And it was different. Far fewer cameras."

Jason Isaacs, in arrivals montage:
"In my experience writers are generally found on the floor in a pool of their own dribble, and I'm hoping to see a lot of well-known authors get horribly drunk."

Jo's acceptance speech:
"A Nibbie is the first award that Harry Potter ever won. That night I was wearing much cheaper shoes, and I've been terrified ever since sitting down, of having to come up here because these are coming off me. The publication of Harry Potter involves frank insanity, some of which is fun, some of which is just plain mad. Half-Blood Prince brought a lot of that, but in the middle of it all was a book that I was quite proud of, and that is really the best a writer can say - obviously, apart from, 'Look at the royalties.' [Laughter.] And the very last thing I would like to say is I would like to say to Alan Bennett: you think you've got it bad. This is a great opportunity to say, I know owls don't bloody well eat bacon. Thank you."

W.O.M.B.A.T. Scores Are In!

Make sure you have your student ID number in hand, and head over to JKRowling.com for your W.O.M.B.A.T. results! Be sure to tell us what you got in the comments - I feel a bit like Harry with the Potions exam in saying I got an E (that blind picking of answers sure paid off...)

The note that comes with it says, be reminded, that this is Grade 1, and "we hope that you will attempt our next and more difficult examination in due course." Oh, man. It gets harder. A theory: Seven tests leading to a title, perhaps?

Leaky Feature - What's Left in the HP Books

In February, we quietly introduced this feature on our book seven page, but now it's grown so much that it's on its own page and will soon be better categorized and organized: What's Left?, our master list of the remaining questions of Harry Potter.

We're seeking all your input. With only one book to go, there are tons of questions and plot threads left, and we're looking to make a running tally of what they are. This isn't, mind, things you'd simply "like to know" - these should be questions that have been raised but not answered yet in the Harry Potter books. For an idea of what a question would be, head on over to the page; please then feel free to send your own list to whatsleft@the-leaky-cauldron.org. Enjoy!

PotterCast Call-In and Chat

PotterCast

(We're extending past 11 a bit...)

So that you all don't have to go crazy while waiting to get through on the PotterCast call-in, we've opened up our forum's text chat (you must be a member of the forum to get into it); it's right here. (If you aren't yet a member of our forum, you can sign up here. Chris Rankin will be here shortly and we'll be ready to begin: Again, please, if you get through, let others get a chance, and please don't pound the number so many times that our computers implode. :) Relax :) Also please do NOT call in a conference call; just one at at time guys, please.You can call us by:

Skype to contact the name PotterCast, or 1.702.42.LEAKY (U.S.)
02071932872 (U.K.)

Edinburgh Shops Boast Paper Wares After Rowling's Lament

The Scotsman reports that after her latest diary entry lamenting the lack of normal, lined writing paper in Edinburgh, shops have assured that they are fully stocked in lined paper, ready for Rowling to arrive in need of some.

"Meanwhile, at the Bruntsfield Post Office, also five minutes or so from the writer's home, Tahir Hussain showed off reams of lined paper. "I've never seen her in here before, but if she wants lined paper, she can get it here. We sell all sorts of paper," he said.

Rowling Roundup: "Thin" Article Hits Mass Media

Since J.K. Rowling published her rant on our society's definition of "thin", newspapers, magazines and Web sites all over the world have picked up on the story. At BlogCritics.org, Dawn Olsen says, "At least J.K. Rowling is using her fame and popularity to try to turn the tide and for that, she gets some serious credit," while the Sunday Herald says, "It's good to be reminded of this. Almost every woman I know, and many men too, has experienced moments of repulsion, as well as pleasure and indifference, towards her body and those around her." The Times Online notes that her rant "might well have the editors of Vogue, Cosmo and the like running for cover." Forbes says that, "even a billionaire wizard begetter such [as] herself needs to vent every once in a while."

INS News first says that the message makes the writer of the article punch the air and shout "Yes," but then goes on to prove that she hasn't read the books with any amount of comprehension, calling Hermione "ravishing and trim" in the books (and "especially as played" in the movies). (Trim, thin, skinny, lean, fit - not ever ascribed to Hermione or hardly any character in the books.) And even more to the negative, The Scotsman says, "Rowling is taking herself a wee bit too seriously and should, perhaps, get out more."

Other mentions include The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Monsters and Critics, IBN Live, Inside Online, Fametastic and The Associated Press.

Followup: Dan Radcliffe on Ricky Gervais Show "Extras"

Last year we told youthat actor Dan Radcliffe was thought to be appearing on the show "Extras" with the very funny Ricky Gervais. The comedy series is set to return with new episodes on HBOstarting in June, and there is a new quote from Dan today in the pressabout his upcoming appearance on the show.

"I'm so excited that the night after I got the call I didn't sleep a wink. I know nothing about what I'm going to do but it's a great opportunity to do something different."

New Profile of Actor Timothy Spall

The Financial Times has a good profileof actor Timothy Spall, who portrays Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter films. While Mr. Spall does not discuss his role in the Potter films, this article gives an in-depth look at his career and his battle against Leukaemia. Mr. Spall will also be seen in an upcoming film "Pierrepoint" for which he is getting rave reviews. He is also star of a new television seriescalled "The Street" , that also features fellow Potter actorLee Ingleby(Stan Shunpike). "The Street "is set to debut on the BBC Thursday April 13.

New TV Series Starring Jason Isaacs on the Way

Actor Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) will be starring in a new television series for Showtime called "Brotherhood", which is set to debut on July 9 . The website for this adult program is now live, and you can see a video preview of Jason in this series, here.Jason also is set to star in a new mini-series for the BBC called "The State Within", where he will play the role of the British Ambassador. This film is currently in production in Toronto,Ontario, Canada. Jason will be seen again as Lucius in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", which will be in theatres July 13, 2007. Thanks to Kay , Char ,and all the fine people at Jason'sFanzone for the heads up!