Thanks to Ringer GrgOffr for alerting us to the upcoming March 8th episode of CBS’s ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ The episode is titled “The Precious Fragmentation.”  The story has the crew finding a replica of the One Ring at a garage sale.  You can imagine what follows. Check your local listings! [Official Website]

Linuxelf writes: Peter Jackson talks about the beginnings of the making of the mammoth task which became the lotr trilogy. Plus some personal insights from Peter Jackson. Peter also reveals that’s Gandalf’s voice is based on Tolkien’s voice!

Sir Ian McKellen likes the idea of returning to Coronation Street – this time as a permanent character. The Lord Of The Rings star played novelist Mel Hutchwright in 2005.

He told the Daily Mirror: “There’s a part of me which is strongly drawn to the idea of returning and making it a job that simply goes on and on.” He added: “I know it wouldn’t be a universally popular decision – there is still a bit of snobbery about appearing in a soap. More..

Woody Woodmass writes: Sir Ian McKellen was on UK TV, ITV ‘Loose Women’ yesterday (9th Oct). Unfortunately this programme is not on their ‘ITV-player’ so did not get a transcript or record it. However, he did indicate that his play would be touring down under shortly, and on completion in New Zealand, he will be making the Hobbit. Of course we all know he will be in it, but the time frame appeared to be within 6 months.

linuxelf writes: I’ve posted another interview, this time its with Costa Botes (he’s the one who recorded the bonus behind the scenes footage) added to the “2 Disc Lord Of The Rings Limited Editions” sets. I hope the bluray version of the EE’s will have more of his footage then the Limited Editions do. They only ever showed the ‘Fellowship of the Ring’ behind the scenes footage at a New Zealand film festival.

Celebrities and news-makers are grilled by Matthew Stadlen in exactly five minutes in a series for the BBC News website. This week, actor Sir Ian McKellen talks to Matt about the appeal of Shakespeare, the difference between working in theatre and film, the importance of having a child’s imagination and how Newsnight helps him relax after a show. More..