Explanation about my comments yesterday -- the Elijah Radio 1 interview

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

After some comments and questions following my entry yesterday about Elijah's Radio 1 interview with Jo Whiley, I felt that some explanation (and perhaps something of an apology!) was warranted.

I was really pleased, on a personal level, about some of the things I heard Elijah say during the interview -- I felt others would probably be similarly pleased. But I think my enthusiasm might have inadvertently given the impression that some kind of "big announcement" was forthcoming!



First off, I've sometimes felt that Elijah was perhaps trying to distance himself too much (for my liking) from the LOTR movies and his role as Frodo. But when he said he was particularly proud of LOTR, it became obvious that the movies are still very important to him. Of course I loved hearing that.

As someone who really misses the whole LOTR boys thing, I was almost ecstatic when Jo Whiley asked if he was still in touch with the other LOTR cast members and, without hesitation, Elijah confirmed straight off that he speaks to Dom regularly -- yay!! He mentioned Billy & Viggo too, and I was hoping he would mention Sean of course, but the conversation kind of moved on a little.

Then the subject of Lost came up, and Elijah stated that he loves the show and then, "Initially of course I was interested in the show because of Dom & I wanted to support him." More squeeing from me!

There followed a question about how he feels regarding being over here in the UK and Elijah replied, "I love pub culture -- I love it, it's great!" More yay!! :-) He mentioned that he's a huge fan of Stella (Artois). I'm not a beer-drinker myself, but that's my son's favourite too! It's just great to know that he feels so at home over here -- that means that perhaps he'll be spending a lot of time in the UK in future, and of course that has to be good news for us!

Finally, when I met Elijah at ORC 2005, I congratulated him on the wonderful way he played Frodo (of course!), and then I told him I felt that he, and Sean too, should be made honorary Brits for their portrayal of the lead characters in what's perhaps our greatest story. His reply was: "I wish!"

I was so glad to hear that maybe, just maybe, what I said influenced him a little. And even if it didn't, according to what he said yesterday, he now *does* feel that he's sort of an honorary Brit. Of course I was over the moon to hear that! :-)

So this is what I meant by my comments yesterday. I didn't want to give out any spoilers for those who hadn't yet heard the interview at that stage. But I apologise if I misleadingly gave the impression that there was some kind of "big news" in the interview that we weren't already familiar with!

~Lyra

Comments

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

I think Elijah will always be proud of LOTR and Frodo. It was such an important role for him and such an emotional roller coaster portraying him that he will never lose him.

Also so reassuring to hear that he is still so close to Dom [well we knew he was] and Billy and Viggo but Sean just doesn’t seem to be part of the fellowship these days. It can’t really be an age related issue so it maybe more of a family thing. Sean has too many other involvements and interests to keep a close contact with his old mates. I thought Elijah would be on Jo’s show if he could be. They do seem to have a good rapport with each other and she is relaxed and brings out the best in Elijah I think.

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

I think Elijah will always be proud of LOTR and Frodo.

I hope & believe that you're right. But I remember seeing a magazine cover once -- I can't remember exactly, but I think Elijah might have been wearing a Burger King T-shirt, and the caption was something like: "I'm not just a bl**dy hobbit!" And my heart kind of sank ... hobbits should *never* be referred to as "bl**dy" IMO, and what could be better than a hobbit anyway? Plus, hobbits certainly would *not* eat at Burger King! ;-D

Sean has too many other involvements and interests to keep a close contact with his old mates.

We can't know for certain what really goes on in Sean's head or in his life. Didn't he say at one of the cons that he would drive up to Elijah's house, park outside then call out, "Mr Frodo!" That was so good to hear! :-) And then they were spotted together at some obscure rock concert a few months back. So things might be different than they appear on the surface ...

~Lyra

[ninaeatspie.livejournal.com]

I didnt see the post or the comments you made regarding the interview, but I just wanted to say that I cant wait to hear the interview as I basically agree with everything you've just said! Such excitment!

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope you'll manage to hear the interview soon & that nothing I've said will spoil it for you!

Oh, and I'm wondering whether, after The Oxford Murders is released, you'll be changing your LJ name to "ninalovespi"! ;-)

~Lyra

[kissing-athelas.livejournal.com]

He mentioned that he's a huge fan of Stella (Artois).

It *is* the King of Beer. There's nothing quite like a Stella on a summer's day. But at the same time... Elijah drinks Wife-Beater?! If he's still as much of a lightweight as the rest of the cast said he was during the LOTR days... uh oh! ;)

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

It *is* the King of Beer.

The closest I have ever got to Stella was when I "borrowed for keeps" a Stella Artois ashtray from a cafe on the Champs-Elysees in Paris! ;-) But I'll take your word for it ...

Elijah drinks Wife-Beater?!

Hey, what's wife-beater?! Is that Jack Daniels or what?

If he's still as much of a lightweight as the rest of the cast said he was during the LOTR days... uh oh! ;)

I know there have been some folk around here who were horrified to hear about the amounts he drank, and the type of drinks, whilst in NZ! Or by "lightweight" do you just mean a non-beer drinker?

~Lyra

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

You're so cute. : D

Yeah, lots of squee-worth items in that show. Thanks for telling us what Stella is. I thought it might be a beer, but wasn't sure.

I'm sure he talks to Sean too, he just didn't get around to saying so. Maybe he doesn't talk to him as much as the others because Sean is busy with his family. But I'm posititive he talks to him now and then. Heck, he has to ask Sean to appear for him at the cons every now and then, doesn't he? : D As for him mentioning Viggo, since he'd just had dinner with Vig a few days earlier, it makes sense that Viggo would pop into his mind.

[ninaeatspie.livejournal.com]

As for him mentioning Viggo, since he'd just had dinner with Vig a few days earlier, it makes sense that Viggo would pop into his mind.

Why just that? Dont they live close to each other (their LA homes)? And I remember hearing from Elijah before that he talks to Viggo often (especially on the phone).

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

You're so cute. : D

Awwww, thank you! :-)

Yeah, lots of squee-worth items in that show.

Definitely!

Thanks for telling us what Stella is.

You're welcome! It's full name is "Stella Artois" which means "Pole Star" in French, so now ya know! ;-)

I'm sure he talks to Sean too, he just didn't get around to saying so. Maybe he doesn't talk to him as much as the others because Sean is busy with his family. But I'm posititive he talks to him now and then. Heck, he has to ask Sean to appear for him at the cons every now and then, doesn't he? : D

Yes, I'm quite sure he does. A good point there, regarding the con cancellations (ouch!) ;-)

Elijah said in the interview that the record label business is taking up most of his free time, too -- so I guess that impacts on his social life to some extent.

As for him mentioning Viggo, since he'd just had dinner with Vig a few days earlier, it makes sense that Viggo would pop into his mind.

Yeah, I was so glad to hear him mention Viggo too. And they had Argentinian food. Hmmmm, corned beef maybe? ;-) I thought they were going to eat Vietnamese food that evening but maybe I misunderstood. If I ever did know about Viggo growing up in Argentina, I didn't remember it. Interesting!

~Lyra

And here is the mag cover I mentioned!

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

What seems to be the accompanying article courtesy of elijahfan.com

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

Available to read here (http://www.elijahfan.com/elijah/gear.php).

~Lyra

[(Anonymous)]

I didn't comment on what you said yesterday. My only quiibble with your posting of your thoughts was that this is a public forum for discussion of real Elijah news, such as "Here's a nice new interview on BBC." IMVHO, this really isn't the place for "here are my personal reflections on the interview"; that sort of thing belongs maybe in the ocmments to the post, or if you intend to post at length about it, perhaps make it a post in your own LJ.

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your comments. Firstly, although some people had posted to say the interview was forthcoming, no-one had actually posted to say they'd listened to it. I think it's enjoyable to exchange opinions about the interview itself, and my post yesterday served as a kind of forum for that.

I don't think this post (or the one I previously made) were particularly long -- except of course that quite a few people chose to join in with the discussion. I have to admit I do sometimes miss the "chit-chat" that used to surround news items about Elijah on certain people's LJs, as that function has now been more or less taken over by elijah_finds. I dunno, maybe some others miss that too.

Lastly, my LJ is usually f-locked, and many of the readers here aren't friended to me. So even if I'd created an open post to explain more about my post yesterday, most people here wouldn't have know it existed.

If other people think there's anything wrong with this kind of more "personalised" post, they're welcome to speak up & say so. If the consensus of opinion is against it, then I wouldn't post similar items in future.

I don't object to you expressing an opinion about this, but it would have been nice if you'd posted with your normal username.

~Lyra

[ladysnaps.livejournal.com]

it's ok about the confusion lyra. i know sometimes things come across one way that certainly wasn't meant that way. i can't possibly see how elijah can totally disconnect himself from LOTR. it's impossible really. he's said it himself. he'll be connected with these films for the rest of his life.

i see harrison ford as indiana jones. i see tom hanks as forrest gump. it seems to be their alter-egos even though they will do other things. the important thing i think is to continue on, but never let go of what got you to continue on.

btw, if you're missing any of the LOTR stuff, i'll be posting shortly in my journal that may just take you back there some. :)

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

it's ok about the confusion lyra.

Thanks ladysnaps! :-)

he's said it himself. he'll be connected with these films for the rest of his life.

Maybe he was worried for a while about being typecast, but he's now proved he can play very varied roles so maybe that doesn't bother him so much any more. And yes, I think his name will be mainly linked with LOTR for the remainder of his career. Unless of course he plays another really big role in some huge blockbuster.

btw, if you're missing any of the LOTR stuff, i'll be posting shortly in my journal that may just take you back there some. :)

Great! I look forward to checking that out when I can. :-)

~Lyra

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

First let me say that I didn't have a problem with your post at all. And I was sqeeing about many of the same things you were. Another thing I really enjoyed was hearing him say he liked vodka - as a woman who loves a good martini that made me very happy!! I'm not a beer drinker at all so I had no idea what Stella was. I have always thought that Dom was the closest friendship that Elijah took away from LOTR - they are closest in age and both share a love of music. I also wonder if Elijah's comments about not liking POTC caused any riff with Orlando - I hope not. Orlando is also the one who got the most "celebrity" out of LOTR. As far as Sean goes - he did recommend him as King of Bacchus. As happy as I am to hear about the LOTR folk getting together, I'm also glad he has some of his life still private.

[maddeningpadme.livejournal.com]

wait wait. did he say that about potc on jo whiley's show? i just listened to it & i didn't hear anything about it. if he's mentioned potc anywhere could you link it to me or tell me what he said? I'm very curious as, as much as i love orli, I've never been big on potc at all. imo it's always been a mediocre type film(s) for its level, typical disney, not even made to its full potential really. and the main reason why I *somewhat* like it is because of jack sparrow. otherwise, i've always found it ridiculously overhyped.. and few share my opinion. i alwasy love when he's very honest about his it opinions, as long as he's not an asshole about it

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

First let me say that I didn't have a problem with your post at all. And I was sqeeing about many of the same things you were.

Awww, thanks for chipping in & being so supportive! :-)

Another thing I really enjoyed was hearing him say he liked vodka - as a woman who loves a good martini that made me very happy!!

Yes, we didn't mention that yesterday but he does love vodka too. So you're a "vodkatini" person then? ;-)

I have always thought that Dom was the closest friendship that Elijah took away from LOTR - they are closest in age and both share a love of music.

Yes, I think he probably has more in common with Dom from at least a friendship point of view.

I also wonder if Elijah's comments about not liking POTC caused any riff with Orlando - I hope not.

Yes, I did hear about his negative comments on POTC (although I didn't actually read the article or see the news snippet in question).

As far as Sean goes - he did recommend him as King of Bacchus. As happy as I am to hear about the LOTR folk getting together, I'm also glad he has some of his life still private.

True enough. I guess we don't, can't and shouldn't ever know exactly what goes on in Elijah's life, however intriguing the idea might be!

~Lyra

[maddeningpadme.livejournal.com]

aw damn. that makes me quite giddy yay! wish I'd had time to come here earlier so I could make a big post. cuz i have lots to say for sure! once i actually liten to the itnerview i'll def post a lot of my opinion on this whole thing. im glad you posted this cuz otherwise i wouldn't have known he said a bunch of this stuff as I wouldn't have had the time really to listen to the interview till later cuz i have way too muh studying to do.. crap i really wish i'd seen this earlier cuz by the time i post my big opinion post i bet few ppl will read it :(

omg, and did Elijah say s/th about not liking POTC? lol AWESOME. i love it. I can't wait to hear the interview.

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

once i actually liten to the itnerview i'll def post a lot of my opinion on this whole thing. im glad you posted this cuz otherwise i wouldn't have known he said a bunch of this stuff as I wouldn't have had the time really to listen to the interview till later cuz i have way too muh studying to do.. crap i really wish i'd seen this earlier cuz by the time i post my big opinion post i bet few ppl will read it :(


Thanks for saying that! :-) And I'm sure at least some people will be interested in your opinions. Good luck with the studying, and I hope you did enjoy/will enjoy the interview as & when.

omg, and did Elijah say s/th about not liking POTC? lol AWESOME. i love it. I can't wait to hear the interview.

I think he has made a comment like that in the past, but he didn't mention it (or mention Orli at all) in this particular interview. Hope you're not too disappointed about that!

~Lyra

[mechtild.livejournal.com]

I loved that radio interview, too, Lyrastar.

As for the varied reaction to your post being posted *here*, I've never quite understood the grey areas here and elsewhere.

If we can all lap up fans' wonderful, squee-filled reports on being extras for OM at Harrow, why not other posts that have a squee factor?

But I'm just an irregular visitor and don't understand what the parameters really are. Whatever the parameters are, I suspect that like in most communities, virtual or real life, the most important ones are unspoken. :)

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

I loved that radio interview, too, Lyrastar.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it too! :-)

As for the varied reaction to your post being posted *here*, I've never quite understood the grey areas here and elsewhere.

Me neither! The other day one of the posters here complained that someone had taken her material from this comm without thanking her, and re-posted it in their own LJ. (Don't get me wrong, I can understand why she was annoyed.) Also if people post things here f-locked, it could be they too don't want the item re-posted or discussed elsewhere. Then maybe we have to start thinking that, if we can't post personal viewpoints here, only basic news, and we can't talk about it in our own LJs, then where can we talk about it?

If we can all lap up fans' wonderful, squee-filled reports on being extras for OM at Harrow, why not other posts that have a squee factor?

I was an extra on the OM set at Harrow too! But I did not post my account here. The occasion really was something to squee about, but as you can see I'm not here in elijah_finds just to squee!

Whatever the parameters are, I suspect that like in most communities, virtual or real life, the most important ones are unspoken.

You could well be right! Myself, I haven't always had time to be a regular visitor here, so maybe someone could spell out the "unwritten rules" for us!

Thanks for your contribution to the discussion ...

~Lyra

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Ok I just went back and read the post you are referring to (as I didn't read it yesterday because by the time I got here yesterday the download was already linked). Anyway I just have to give you a warm hug because I can see that you couldn't help but squee in your original post over things that had meant so much to you and of course inadvertently you got a couple of people excited over what you could be meaning. Oh dear!! Sometimes a person can say something so innocently and it creates a big reaction and then you're there like saying "No! No! No!' Reminds me of Basil Fawlty dealing with his guests, he would say one little thing and they would pounce upon it and overeact and he'd have to go into damage control. Anyway I just wanted to say I don't think you needed to explain yourself and I couldnt' see anything wrong with what you did post. I think it was more a case of people getting excited over possibilities because that's what people do. It's rather funny really. But no need for to feel like you made a gaff or anything.

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

I just have to give you a warm hug because I can see that you couldn't help but squee in your original post over things that had meant so much to you and of course inadvertently you got a couple of people excited over what you could be meaning.

Awwww, thank you for that! :-) *hugs back*

Yeah, I think maybe I inadvertently gave the wrong impression to a few people. For a start, non-Brits might not have reacted the same way I did or had the same reference points. I sometimes forget, too, that some people here are not English mother-tongue so it's easier to misinterpret what's being said.

Reminds me of Basil Fawlty dealing with his guests, he would say one little thing and they would pounce upon it and overeact and he'd have to go into damage control.

Hehe, maybe I should start a comm called "Fawlty Finds" where people could say whatever they liked! ;-D

I just wanted to say I don't think you needed to explain yourself and I couldnt' see anything wrong with what you did post.

I'm glad you feel that way, and it was really kind of you to come along & say it, so thanks again!

~Lyra

[mumis.livejournal.com]

Lyrra I'm sorry if the was me who I misunderstand you the don't was my entention I was curious I'm a LORT fan, the was there I sow Elijah how wonderful actor he is!

[lyrastar77.livejournal.com]

Awwww, please don't worry about it, mumis! :-) I realise that you are not a native English speaker, so it can be more difficult for you to understand what is being said sometimes.

You are curious, you are a LOTR fan, and you think that Elijah is a wonderful actor. So I'm sure you are just the same as me in that respect!

~Lyra

[mumis.livejournal.com]

"So I'm sure you are just the same as me in that respect!"

you are so right and thanks for you respond!:D

[sani-84.livejournal.com]

thanks for sharing!!!

People are free to express their opinion as long as it doesn't hurt someone else.^^

Hm, i didn't know, that Elijah doesn't like POTC. he admires Johnny Depp as he said somewhere, don't remember where. I think he has the closest relationship with Dom, but he also has good one with the other, include Orlando Bloom as well, i think. When i watched several scenes on the LOTR premiere or interviews or on the Special Edition of LOTR, i saw how all the five guys enjoyed being together and do things together.

but i'd like to see them togehter again.^^