Jake Gyllenhaal on stage in NYC 2 October - time to prepare for The Great Shave?

In a mere two weeks, Jake Gyllenhaal will emerge from his cave* into the big city - or Big Apple, to be more accurate. Yes, on Saturday 2 October, Jake is a guest of the New Yorker and will talk with critic David Denby at the SVA Theatre, NYC, about his career and about his upcoming film, Love and Other Drugs. A clue to that is the additional presence of LAOD director Ed Zwick. More details here.


This could very well mean that Jake will be spending the next two weeks preparing to bid a sad, inevitable and possibly teary farewell to The Beard. After several months of devoted care, no doubt twirling it between his fingers and stroking it in moments of deep thought, the time is almost here for when it must succumb to the brush and foam of the barber.


I know that many readers here - well, maybe 2 - are almost as attached to The Beard as Jake is himself. And so, in preparation for the Great Shave, this post is a tribute to Jake's face fuzz and, despite its numbered days, one can take consolation in the knowledge that it will be back. For sure. The video below is my favourite video of Jake with a beard. It's also my favourite video of Jake being interviewed by a Brummie.



But don't take it too far, Jake, please.


*Jake has mentioned living in a cave on two occasions now - in late 2007 and during this summer. Obviously, it would explain a great deal and from now on whenever Jake says something unusual, it pays to believe it. I would like to point out to Jake that we have some excellent cave systems in England, many in close proximity to superb cheese and cider producers.


Cave comment 2007: 'I’ve become an ascetic—I live in a cave now. That’s why I am growing a beard. I have no sex, so I’m much more interesting!'


Cave comment 2010: 'I am an ascetic, living in a cave. I no longer have sex and so I've become much more interesting (laughs).'


I'm picking up a theme...

And finally...

Thanks to everyone for all their votes in our What Next For Jake poll?! At the time of writing, Drama, Musical and Historical film are neck and neck and neck. Mr WDW will no doubt be pleased to see three votes for his choice, Film noir. There are four days left so keep the votes coming!


Update: Thanks to Claire for the alert that the international trailer for Love and Other Drugs has now appeared on the Orange UK homepage with, curiously, a release date of 31 December. I'm not so sure that date will stick although as it's my birthday I do approve...

Pictures thanks to IHJ and thanks to Sweetpea for the NYC headsup.