A cookbook extolling the virtues of butter-laden French cuisine has become a surprise US bestseller 48 years after being published. Shedding their growing fear of obesity and heart disease, US cooking enthusiasts are snapping up Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” The book, first published in 1961 and co-written with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, will top the New York Times’ best-seller list in the advice and how-to category from August 30. The book is filled with recipes calling for wads of butter, goose fat, bacon and other delicious ingredients that have become taboo in health-conscious US kitchens. The New York Times said that 22,000 copies had been sold in the most recent week tracked, which was more than the number sold in any full year since original publication. The boost is likely due to the recent release of the movie “Julie and Julia,” the Times said. The film tells the story of Child’s discovery of cooking while in France and a modern blogger attempting to work through the book’s recipes. Child, who died in 2004 aged 91, might not be surprised that her vision finally got through. “Oh, butter never hurts you,” she liked to say, according to the Times.

The wonderful Tina has contributed some new scans from the latest Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine. Thanks and enjoy!

On Saturday, August 22 at 1:00 p.m., KETC/Channel 9 pays tribute to Child with the broadcast of Julia Child Memories: Bon Appetit!, a two-hour retrospective featuring three of the most memorable episodes from The French Chef: Bouillabaisse à la Marseillaise, To Roast a Chicken and The Omelette Show.

Because the broadcast coincides with the theatrical release of the film comedy Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep as Child, the program includes commentary from Streep and author Julie Powell, who wrote the book on which the film is based. Also included are Nora Ephron, the writer/director of Julie & Julia; chef Gordon Hamersley of Hamersley’s Bistro; Russell Morash, producer/director of The French Chef; Sara Moulton, executive chef of Gourmet Magazine; fellow TV chef Jacques Pepin; chef Lydia Shire of Locke-Ober; actor Stanley Tucci; and chef Jasper White of Summer Shack.

Here comes a real blast from the past. Two very rare video interviews from 1993 and 1997. One was taped around the time that “The House of the Spirits” was promoted, the second comes from a promotional interview for “Marvin’s Room”. Captures from these have been added to the Image Library as well. Many thanks to Tina for the heads-up! Enjoy these great finds!

Added the full interview with Meryl and Nora Ephron on The Charlie Rose Show, originally aired on August 07, 2009. Very interesting to watch, as both recall filming “Julie & Julia”, as well as making “Heartburn”. Enjoy!

After claiming last week’s second spot at the American box office, earning a whopping $20 milion, “Julie & Julia” is still doing fine in theaters this week, according to the New York Times’ box office chart: “The inexpensive dramatic comedy “Julie & Julia” (Sony) was fourth with an estimated $12.4 million and a new cumulative total of $43.7 million.”

Remaining scans from 2009 have been added to the Image Library, some brand new ones on “Julie & Julia”, including “Streep’s Latest Dish” from Entertainment Weekly, then a few articles on her 60th birthday and a couple more on “Doubt” from this February. Credit goes to the following contributors, in hope that no one’s got forgotton – Alvaro, Tina, Enchanting Amy and Nadine. Thanks a lot! Enjoy the new scans.

Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Entertainment Weekly (August)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Time Magazine (August)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Gala Magazine (August)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Elle Magazine (August)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Ladies’ Home Journal (August)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Hello Canada (July)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > The TV Times (June)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > OK Magazine (June)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Le Figargo (February)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Herald Magazine (February)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > El Pais Semanal (February)

With many thanks to Jazz, you can now watch Meryl’s appearance on The Colbert Report in the video archive, with additional captures added to the Image Library. It’s a very entertaining and funny interview, so don’t miss it!

The theatrical trailer for “It’s Complicated” has been launched and can be watched in the video archive. Additional screencaps have been added to the Image Libary. Enjoy!

With many thanks to Jane and Universal Pictures, here are the two very first production stills from “It’s Complicated”.