VCR ALERT!!!
Ms M is going to appear on Rosie on May 13... final chance to see her on Rosie as the show's finale airs on May 22nd. It's always a treat when Bette drops in on the Rosie set... DON'T MISS IT!!
PS.. there are rumors that Bette will be on Oprah on the 13th as well, it's unclear if she is on doing something new, or if it will just be clips from past appearances....

Green Honors...
The Divine Miss M is being honored with the 2002 Governor's Parks and Preservation Award. She's being rightly recognized for all her hard work with NYRP. For anyone reading this who is a diehard Bette Fan, will be in the NYC area and want to help out NYRP, the presentation is Thursday, June 6, 2002, benefits to NYRP. Dinner tickets start at $1000.

DIVINE DVDs
GOOD NEWS!!! FINALLY we are to see more of Ms. M's films be released to DVD. Already the list includes:
Fantasia 2000
Get Shorty
Ruthless People
Oliver and Company
First Wives Club
Outrageous Fortune
That Old Feeling
Drowning Mona
Isn't She Great
For The Boys
Divine Madness
Gypsy
Jackie's Back
What Women Want

SOON TO BE RELEASED
Down and Out in Bev Hills (Aug 13)
Beaches (AUg 13)
Big Business (??)
AND
Hocus Pocus (to be re released June 4)

Of the Beuna Vista collection (Beaches, Down and Out, and Big Business it is said that each will be presented in their original theatrical aspect ratios, but features are minimal, with only trailers included, if that. Sorry, still no extras....
There are reports that some of our fellow bette heads have seen The Rose released, but at this time its not avail in North America.

Paul Newman gets sauced...
Ms M performed at a gala event to celebrate 20 years of Newman's Own. She performed changing the words from "Hey Big Spender," to "Hey Paul Newman...pour a little sauce on me," and only half-kiddingly begged the actor to run for president. Unfortunately... the spot she did wasn't videotaped, so.. no records but those in the minds of the people that were there...

Divine Secrets...
OOO the months are closing in on the release of the movie based on the books by Rebecca Wells "The Divine Secrets of the Ya ya Sisterhood". In many of the ads I've seen Ms. M is listed as Exec Producer, Bonnie Bruckheimer as Producer and All Girls are in the credits, said to be their last project before the company disbanded. Should be one heck of a ride, this movie looks like alot of fun and the books leave the movie open to anything... Stars include well knowns Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, James Garner, and Ashley Judd.

Rutheless People... Marked down by KMART on DVD...
Well whether or not KMART marks it down... it will probably be selling it April 2... on DVD. At last this film has been released to DVD.. Check out your fav DVD dealer or follow this link to get your own copy.... Amazon.com

Bette to sing Star Spangled Banner
Ms M is scheduled to sing the US national anthem at the swearing in of NYC's new mayor on Jan 1, 2002, just before Bloomberg takes his oath.

AGP closes it's doors
It's official "Bette Midler and Bonnie Bruckheimer, friends and business partners for the past 16 years, have disbanded their company, All Girl Productions, to go their separate ways. Midler's rep says the split is amicable." The company brought us two of the best loved of Ms. M's works, Beaches (their first film) and For The Boys.
Wish all of those involved nothing but the best for their future endevors.
Reminders and updates Just to let my fellow collectors know a few items that have been released/re released in the last little while. Outrageous Fortune on VHS
AND Ruthless PeopleA is coming to DVD April 2002. (avail for order now)

As well, NYRP CAFE!!!
If you're in the neighborhood of NYC and looking for a great place to eat and to benefit NYRP at the same time... Visit New Leaf, 1 Margaret Corbin Dr., classified as an American fine dining restaurant, it opened in August of 2001. The eatery is located in Fort Tryon Park, and is owned and operated by the New York Restoration Project, All revenues earned by the restaurant will go toward restoration and maintenance of the Upper Manhattan park, which is home to the Cloisters Museum.
The restaurant, is open for both lunch and dinner and if you're taking the subway, ride the A train to 190th Street. DEFINATELY a nice treat!

Hulaween V : New York New York... the aftermath
What a night it was....nothing but praise for the gala held at the Marriott Marquis. The attendance list was star studded and included of course Mayor Giuliani and Gov. Pataki. Nathan Lane sang, Joy Behar was the auctioneer and Miss M. of course wowwed the crowd with her vocals. Also in attendance were a number of peopel from the Official Fan Club and nothing but glowing reviews about the program, the food, and the party.
Another success for NYRP, numbers approx $1.3 million. And at no better time for NYRP is a vital asset to the city in light of 9.11

HULAWEEN V
Bette's 5th annual Hulaween Aloha Ball will be on THIS Monday, October 29th this year (2001). Be sure to check out the official NYRP site (http://www.nyrp.org/) for the number to call for further details. Tickets start at $1000. The ball has been renamed to "New York, New York" in honor of those in NYC.
The Divine Miss M sings for NYC
Bette Midler performed during the "United We Stand" benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington October 21, 2001.
She started off with From a Distance, then Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and finished off with an amazing The Rose. Friends and fellow fans that were there say that not only did Ms. M get a standing ovation from the crowd, but by the time The Rose was finished, there was hardly a single dry eye in the house.
Many big names from the music world came out to join in the event including Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson to name a few. Money raised is going to help those affected by the attacks in Washington and NYC on Sept 11. ABC will be showing a 2 hour compressed version of the 8 hour concert on Nov 1st at 8pm.
Ms. M lends her voice to the healing in Boston
It is said that Ms. M will be appearing on Wed at a memorial service for the 22 Boston crew members lost in the American Airline flights 11, and United Airlines flight 175 who perished on Sept 11.
It is said she will again sing "Wind Beneath My Wings" to help family members of the crew members begin the healing process.
Once again Ms. M shows her heart and compassion for the victims of Sept. 11.

Ms. M lends her voice to the healing in NYC
Sunday, Sept 22, 11 days after the horrific tragedy in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania, a prayer service was held at Yankee Stadium to help with healing. The service was led by Oprah Winfrey and an opening by James Earl Jones.
During the Persian Gulf War, Ms. M's version of "From A Distance" became one of the most requested songs. At Sunday's prayer service, she will sang another one of her deeply emotional songs, "Wind Beneath My Wings", perhaps one of her best known, and most heartwrenching. Ms. M's voice left not barely a dry eye in the stadium, including her own. She touched the souls of all who witnessed it, the song helping to promote healing within the nation and the world in the wake of the tragedy.
At the close of her song she ran to the audience, blowing kisses, showing her love and grief for the people who live in NYC, the city so very close to her heart. Ms. M... your compassion, your love for humanity was not unnoticed.
If you missed it, there are some places online to see it...
MSNBC Has almost the entire performance of WBMW.


Will she.. won't she???
Ms. M is rumored on the official fan club board to be in the running to perform at the Bridge Benefit XV (October 20 & 21, 2001) at tje Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, California. The debates run back and forth as to whether she will be there. The list of performers is truly amazing including: REM, Pearl Jam, and the list of rumored performers includes Bette & Ben Harper, No final word as of yet. Keep checking, if it is confirmed.. it will be posted, also check out the website

Divine Secrets...
A release date has finally been set for the movie "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood." The movie is being put together by All Girls Productions. Release date is July 12, 2002. If you haven't read the book by Rebecca Wells yet.. you have to check it out. It's GREAT, also check out "Little Chapters Everywhere" a prequel to Divine Secrets, you won't be dissappointed and you'll be all set to go in July when the movie is released.

"Bette" Up for an Emmy
Yes folks, Ms. M's sitcom Bette has been nominated for an emmy in the category "Outstanding Art Direction for A Multi Camera Series." It's too bad that's the only category for which it was nominated, HOWEVER, I know there are sitcoms that didn't even make the list.... Good thoughts and support. Here's hoping Ms. M can walk away with the show having won an Emmy.

Adopt Bette's Highway...
Long Island New York's Expressway has a stretch that's been tended to and cleaned up by Ms. M. However, Ms M has been re assigned< so to speak, by the City of NY, to another stretch of highway that's in need of a little DIVINE intervention.
Ms. M, so says columnist Liz Smith, is willing to sell the portion of the expressway, and pass it onto someone else's loving attention.
The area already has been all cleaned up, the next person will just need to move in and keep it that way. Obligation entails a mere $15,000 to keep it clean.
If you're interested in carrying on the work Ms. M and her crew have started, contact Adopt a Highway 212-788-1234.

Bette takes in U2
A fan from the Official Fan Club ran into Ms. M backstage last week at the U2 concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC, June 19. She was accompanied by Jann Wenner and was looking VERY stylish in jeans, stillettos (of COURSE), a ponytail and of COURSE the dark black glasses.
(Thanks to debbiez57 for posting this in the club)

Bette Sightings
A dinner held at Le Cirque, for the TNN movie "James Dean", brought out the star studded masses. The movie, directed by Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond and of COURSE For The Boys) is a biography about the legendary "Rebel" who died at 24, in 1955. The dinner was attended by directors Barry Levinson, Arthur Penn and Baz Luhrmann, gossip columnist Liz Smith, AOL-Time Warner chairman Gerald Levin and his wife Betsy, Time magazine's Walter Isaacson, Stanley Donen (Singin' in the Rain) and friend, comic writer/director Elaine May. Bette Midler and husband Martin von Hasselberg were also in attendence to support Rydell's latest project. The movie will air August 5th, on TNN, starring James Franco ( Freaks and Geeks). Emmy award winning actress Peggy McCay, (known best for her role as Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives) will play Dean's maternal grandmother in the film.

In THESE SHOES
The First and newest Single release for Ms. M off her latest album is taking the dance club scene by STORM. The Maxi single went on sale May 15th and is hot on the charts.
'In These Shoes' is #12 on dance charts as of June 1, it has moved up from #14 to #12 on the Billboard Music Charts during it's 8th week on the charts.
GO Get EM BETTE, IN THOSE SHOES!!!!

The 13th Annual New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Bette Midler: Dirty Girl in a Bathhouse (Clip Presentation)
June 3, 2001 @ 03:30PM NYU 101 Tickets are$10
here's the release for it... how can you NOT go? Thanks Mike for sending it!
" Video Clip Presentation by Andrew Ingall, Collections Manager of the National Jewish Archive of Broadcasting and Media at The Jewish Museum, cruates screenings and exhibitions on popular culture, video art, and opera.
Disappointed with network television's sanitized showcase for the Divine? Then time travel back to a chic bathhouse on the Upper West Side where "the Jewish Tinker Bell" dazzled a half-naked audience of homos and their friends. This clip presentation not only pays homage to Miss M, but also critically examines why gay and Jewish audiences perceive Midler as a celebrity icon. Vintage video from 1971 to 1982 will help us better understand Bette's special brand of camp - playful, political, ethnic, feminist, and thoroughly queer. Excerpted footage will include amateur video from the Continental Baths, the first televised concert for cable (The Fabulous Bette Midler), and her outrageous stunt to score a $5,000 pledge at the 1975 UJA Telethon. "
Bette Midler settles Tom Cruise controversy once and for all
The New York Daily News reports that Bette Midler was in rare form as the final act at the "Spring Gala" to benefit the 92nd Street Y in New York. She had much to say about her short-lived sitcom on CBS from which she was "what’s the word?-- oh, yes, fired." She even weighed in on the Cruise-Kidman divorce and the stories that have dogged the handsome actor for years: "Tom and Nicole...all these rumors about him being gay. I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it for one minute. He hasn’t been to one of my shows."
Typical Ms. M humor that no doubt brought down the house!

Monday, May 21, A "Family Affair
Producer Carla Weiss ("A Class Act") put together a show bringing together celebs to bring attention to the arts programs offered by the Y. Bette Midler, Katie Couric ("Today Show"), Connie Chung (ABC News), Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Charles Grodin and Swing! star Ann Hampton Callaway are promised to perform or give cameo appearances, along with Broadway singers from The Full Monty, A Class Act and Kiss Me, Kate.
Ticket prices start from $500, and can be purchased by calling (212) 415-5488.
May 04, 2001 Elton, Bette, Liz
Elton John, Bette Midler, and Liz Hurley helped honor noted oncologist Dr. Larry Norton in New York Wednesday night, at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's annual Spring Gala. Midler told PEOPLE, "I'm having a ball."
CANCELLED!!!! is CANCELLED
In the news this week, the planned book deal for Ms. M to write about her experiences during the course of "Bette" has been cancelled. Bette and Bonnie (her business partner) agreed with Simon and Schuster who believed that showing the network in a bad light would be detrimental. (Viacom who owns Simon and Schuster also owns CBS.) So folks, the 7 figure deal has been put to bed.
We can only hope that maybe the writing bug will bite Ms. M in the future on some other topic, so we'll have more of her words and humor to read and enjoy.


Divine Miss M Drops Endeavor
Bette has decided to drop Endevour in favour of ICM (Talent firm International Creative Management) ICM will represent Miss M for everything but personal appearances.


CANCELLED!!!!
You might be asking, why is CC posting "Cancelled" in the news section in April, when we already know that "BETTE" was taken off the air a few months ago. WELL my fellow fans, hang onto your hats... NEWS out today says that Bette and her business and producing partner Bonnie signed a deal worth an estimated $1 Million Dollars with Simon & Schuster. For What you might ask? How bout a tell all book about working on the set, creating the show each and every week, and about the cancelation. No date as of yet for scheduled release, as writing is of course yet to begin. But dust off a place on your bookshelf next to "Baby Divine" and "View from a Broad", there's a new one on the way.


HULAWEEN V
Bette's 5th annual Hulaween Aloha Ball will be on Monday, October 29th this year (2001). Be sure to check out the official NYRP site (http://www.nyrp.org/) for the number to call for further details.
Divine Secrets REVEALED...
Yup that's right folks, many of you were aware that All Girls had bought the rights for a film of "Divine Secrets of the Ya ya Sisterhood" (AWESOME BOOK IF YOU HAVEN"T READ IT also check out the PreQuel Little Altars Everywhere" both by Rebecca WElls)
Cast list includes the following: Ashley Judd; Sandra Bullock; Ellen Burstyn; Maggie Smith; James Garner; and Cherry Jones. Should be definately a must see. Don't ya think?


Bette SIGHTINGS...
As if the Divine Miss M isnt' busy enough with the hectic schedule of her sitcom, she still pops up from time to time all over the place. Recently she appeared on Larry King Live, and presented the "Album of the Year" award with Stevie Wonder at the Grammy's, looking DIVINE as always.

Cast Changes: New Hubby to Appear
Yup, you read correctly, Kevin Dunn who played Bette's husband Roy on the sitcom "Bette" has left the show. Look for the first show featuring the NEW Roy to air March 7, 2001. Who is the new guy? None other then Robert Hays of "AIRPLANE" fame. Accounts of the taping of the episode say that the two of them are nothing but laughs together, and the chemistry is great. Here's looking forward to many many laughs together.

For the Boys DVD release
Yup.. you read correctly.. April 17, 2001 is the scheduled release date for For The Boys! A MUST for your DVD library!!


BETTE MIDLER IS THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE
MS. M was handed the first People's Choice award of the evening for Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series. The people have spoken! Congratulations to Ms. M, on her first People's Choice Award.
Don't stop watching folks, preludes to Golden Globes, and TV Guide Awards?? Keep up the support and don't forget to VOTE for TV guide (see entry below)

VOTE and show Ms. M we're out here...
Ms. M and "Bette" have been nominated in 3 categoriesfor the TV guide awards. The best part is, the public gets to vote, by mail in ballot, OR by online ballots. Categories to look for are: Best New Comedy Series, Actress of the year and Best New actress of the year. Go to TVGUIDE.COM, click on TV Guide Awards and VOTE for Miss M!!!

How'd you like to chat with Ms M??
That's right folks.. another chat has been scheduled with the Divine Miss M.
Wanna join in? MSN.com is hosting the chat on January 23rd, at 9:00pm EST.
More info? Go to http://chat.msn.com/msnlive/features/bettemidler.asp
The last one was GREAT, don't miss this one!
-Thanks TIFFANY for this info


She's got 2 pairs of em...already...room for one more?
What am I talking bout? NOT POI BALLS THAT'S FOR SURE!!
Ms. M is up for another Golden Globe, she has been awarded with 4 Golden Globes so far in her career, as well as 3 other Golden Globe Nominations. Bette Midler has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy! Golden Globes awards night is on Jan 21, 2001.
Nominations in her category include:
CALISTA FLOCKHART Ally McBeal
JANE KACZMAREK Malcolm In The Middle
DEBRA MESSING Will & Grace
BETTE MIDLER Bette
SARAH JESSICA PARKER Sex and the City
It's DIVINE to see she and her show recognized the first season out, keep your eyes and ears open for Golden Globes and the People's Choice Awards.

( For more info on the awards she's received so far in her career... go to the Divine Recognition page and check it out!)