Jake 'looking for a little hip hop' and avoiding cowboy bars

Tonight is the night when New Line Cinema, the makers of Rendition, commemorates 40 years of moviemaking with a black-tie and posh frock gala at the Lincoln Center in NYC. The evening will be hosted by the chairmen and CEOs of New Line, Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, and, judging by the price tickets are going for on the internet, it should be some night. The event was announced in May and we've heard almost nothing about it since. At the time it was indicated that Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon would be there among the stars. But who can say - I suppose there is nothing for it but to wait and see.


A week today, Jake will be on Tonight with Jonathan Ross. A friend rang the production company and was told that they were postponing the usual Thursday recording of the show until the Friday, on account of Jake - make of this what you will. Jake's schedule is getting heavier by the day - not to mention a healthily increasing accrual of airmiles. As requested, I will put up a schedule over the weekend and, if anyone hears of any new TV or radio, whether in the UK or US, it would be great to hear of it. So everyone keep your eyes and ears open - we don't want to mis a thing. At the moment, we have Letterman, Conan, Regis and Jon Stewart in NYC and, presumably in LA, Ellen.


2005 Radio 4 interview with Jake (audio file)

When I was searching around this evening to see if I could come across clues to any other UK appearance by Jake, I found an old Radio 4 interview in which Francine Stock talked with Jake about his contrasting roles in Brokeback Mountain and Jarhead. It took a few goes to get the file to play, but when it did, and once I got over my annoyance at the mispronunciation of Jake's name, Jake exhibits some apprehension about how Brokeback will be received by wetsern fans and filmgoers in general. This is before the acclaim of the Oscars - at this stage, Jake says that 'time will tell how people will respond' to the turning of these iconic cowboy figures on their head. 'I'm not going to show myself in any cowboy bar soon' and, he adds, neither will Heath. Jake even says that he is expecting protests, despite the film being 'very conventional' on many levels.


It's easy to forget, now that Brokeback Mountain is so critically acclaimed - time has indeed shown how people have responded - that this was new territory, both for a film and for a young actor.

Press warned not to salivate or sigh too much

So while we're thinking of Jake in London and Jake being acclaimed for his Jack Twist, we should remember the BAFTAs 2006 and Jake's well-deserved reward. Here is an anecdote about that night by a Guardian reporter: 'There was no doubting the press pack's favourite winner of the night - Brokeback Mountain star Jake Gyllenhaal. A warning "not to salivate or sigh too much" when he came in the press room went largely unheeded, and he was greeted with whooping and cheering when he returned with co-star Heath Ledger and director Ang Lee. Gyllenhaal turned the table on the hacks with a question of his own. "I have a question for the radio people," he announced. "I was looking for a little hip hop in the car [on the way to the awards] and I could not find any." Well, even a Hollywood star's gotta relax those nerves somehow. A chap from Radio 1 suggested he try his station on a Friday night. Not much help on a Sunday though, is it?'


And finally...

... Variety interviews young actor Josh Hutcherson. When asked who his role model is, Josh replies 'Jake Gyllenhaal. He chose projects not based on potential box office but for the most diverse characters and stories. That's how I want to go about my career.'


Includes pictures from IHJ.