Chicago humorist conjures up a Harry Potter parody (from the Chicago Tribune). El Paso Times columnist Robert Seltzer says that the Potter book burning was misguided.

Harry Potter conjured up most popular fictional character in a poll conducted by famed waxwork maker Madame Tussaud’s (from the BBC; thanks to the Harry Potter intayside site for the link). Even after dubbing the Thai soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, some of the young actors who provided the voices of JK …read more!

Australians spellbound by Harry Potter drug (from CNN). In a well-written, very opinionated article, Chicago Sun-Times’ Richard Roeper editorializes on the recent book burning in Alamogordo.

Under the watchful eye of author JK Rowling, Warner Bros and EA executives, Australian game designers are busy programming adventures and animating ogres for two new games that will be released in November alongside the second Harry Potter film, The Chamber of Secrets (from the Sydney Morning Herald). Speaking of games, GameSpot reports that the …read more!

The BCC news reports that the Harry Potter books have reclaimed their position as the top sellers in the UK. Harry Potter gets rave reviews! (from the Columbus Dispatch).

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone finished 2001 as the top-grossing film with $291.6 million in the (Gringotts) bank and counting (from E! Online News). JK Rowling’s UK publisher Bloomsbury is reported to be concerned that the millionaire writer will miss the deadline for the fifth Harry Potter book. British tabloid newspaper The Mirror quoted …read more!

Two things from popular New York City radio station Z100 today. First, they report that a spoof is in the works! Yes, coming this year, Scary Movie 3: Episode I: Lord of the Brooms (Ok, but have they seen Giverius’ Lord of the Snitch?). Also, the station’s morning show had a very rowdy discussion today …read more!

BCC news reports that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has won an award for Best Family Film from the Las Vegas Film Critics’ Society. Also from the BCC; an article on Miriam Margolyes, soon to be seen as Professor Sprout in Chamber of Secrets (thanks to Amanda for the link). According to Sunday People, …read more!

Weasley sweaters as made for the Harry Potter film can be ordered from Pride and Joy, along with “Neville Longbottom sweaters” and “Hermione berets.” A reader pointed us to the website for The King’s School, one of the locations used for filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. From the New York Times; a priest …read more!

Wishing everyone a happy 2002! More on the Russian version of Quidditch (from The Times (UK); thanks to Alena for the link). The BBC reports on a Harry Potter reading marathon to raise money for a cancer charity. From a nondescript factory on the outskirts of Missouri’s capital city, trucks carry the magical world of …read more!