Bidding update

Hey guys, just a quick update on the whole Sothebys, Book-5-card thing. We're talking to lawyers, but it looks like it could happen. Soon. TLC would incoporate as a non-profit charity corporation, and that can be done in a day (Monday, one hopes). If that happens, the rest is cake, and we could be looking at having everythingContinued...

Free Dobby?

We just got this in — apparently, there's going to be a "Free Dobby" rally on Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati on November 26 (Tuesday) - our reports say it will take place behind the glass wall of the WKRC-TV morning news show, and ralliers are planning on coming out with signs insisting on the ethical treatmentContinued...

Interview with Rupert Grint

Reader Tia sent us this link to a CBBC Newsround article where Rupert Grint discusses the detention he received after the Chamber of Secrets premiere.

Christian Critics Split on "Chamber of Secrets"

An article from Christianity Today reports that religious press critics widely disagreed about the film. Some are of the opinion that the "moral center of [the] series is dead-on." while others believe that it "glorifies the occult in a glamorous way." (Thanks to The Wizard WorldContinued...

Is there a banker in the house?

First of all - THANK YOU all for the gazillion emails of support you've sent saying you'd donate to the collect-for-Book-Aid-and-get-that-Book-5-info-published fund (that's a working title). If those who emailed represent more out there who'll donate - we're in very good shape. Second, we areContinued...

The Burrow goes MAD (Magazine, that is)

RonSoup at The Burrow has posted sections of the December MAD Magazine, which parodies CoS. Warning - if you click on the thumbnails on that page, the images are all pretty large. Funny too, but large.

Kenneth Branagh Interview

From website Canada.com comes this article on Kenneth Branagh, where he discusses, among other things, JK Rowling's response to his portrayal of Gilderoy Lockhart: "She said, 'You were absolutely wonderful; you were absolutely loathsome.'"

Action for Sotheby's Auction

We all want to know what’s on that blasted card that Sotheby’s is auctioning off, right? Sadly, none of us are rich - but we are enthusiastic, and we are large in number. And that gives us a tremendous advantage.

Editors B.K. DeLong, Heidi Tandy and myself have been in a mass transit of emails all day. WeContinued...

Utah Cinema Sells More Tickets to "Chamber" Than Any Other in US

The Deseret News reports that more people saw the "Harry Potter" sequel at the Megaplex 17 in Jordan Commons than at any other theater in the country. (Thank you to Izzers for the link.)

Birmingham Post: Detective Denies Harry Potter Scam

A Birmingham [UK] police officer is accused of duping book dealers into paying for first edition "Harry Potter" books in an Internet scam.

Jason Issacs article in USAToday

Blondes do have more fun. You have a lot of fun when you have a wand as well.

Finally, a Sneak Preview about Book 5

Thanks to reader Sylvia, we're pleased to bring you the first sneak preview of Book 5, word for word from an article in Yahoo!

Thirty-eight chapters ... might change ... longest volume ... Ron ... broom ... sacked ... house-elf ... new teacher ... dies ... sorry

Final Weekend #s

It's a strong showing with $88.357 million taken at the box office. For a sequel. The Harry Potter franchise now holds two of the top three records for all-time opening weekends at the box office, the top spot still sitting with Spider-man.

Dan on Santa Claus

Dan Radcliffe is quoted in the new issue of Reader's Digest on his thoughts about Christmas:

The moment when I understood there is an amazing man who visits children all over the world and gives them presents was mysterious and magical for me. I remember making sure that my list had been sent weeks before, that Santa hadContinued...

Notes from the Pleasure Island showing at 7pm, November 15

Now that I'm back and posting more news reports after a weekend planning Nimbus - 2003 at Disney World, I can finally say hello to the people about two rows back in the second set of seats at the 7pm showing who were talking about The Leaky Cauldron, but who left before I could getContinued...