The Smurfs are known as Schtroumpfs in French. It is interesting what the Smurfs became in different languages... they are Puffi in Italian, Schlümpfe in German, Pitufos in Spanish...

I thought I'd look it up because I didn't think the Smurfs originated in the U.S., although Hanna-Barbera produced the cartoons. They were originally a comic strip produced by a Belgian cartoonist named Peyo. It does seem like Frances said that they have a variety of names.

Wonder what the Welsh is - I can't find it :roll:

Since Ioan referred to them as Smurfs, I wonder if it is just a carry over word for the Welsh. That's assuming they were called Smurfs in Britain.

Wow! I'm impressed,you guys!! See what one can learn by hanging out in the "Ioanzone"?!!!!!

Does make you wonderwhy they decided to call them Smurfs since that wasn't really a word in English when they were created.

Nicolette, It was a cartoon series---late 60's? early 70's---VERY popular here in the US.....the Smurfs were little troll-like characters,blue in color, and had all types of adventures in a land all their own. Kids went crazy for them,as I recall,and there was all kinds of merchandise of them and everything. There was "Papa Smurf" "Smurffette"...........and I'm creeping myself out because I'm remembering waaaay too much about all of this!!!!!!! 2:No problem :mrgreen: and thanks for explaining. Ohhhhh now I know. I LOVED the Schtroumfs!!!!!

Thanks to eagle-eyed annees over at IMDB for this titbit of Ioan info about the Blood River premiere (see http://ioanzone.19.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=208&start=660). Seems Jeremy Northam is a pal.......wonder if they watched the rugby in a sports bar or at home? The Tudors star was speaking at the Hollywood premiere of Blood River. He said he was attending after watching the rugby at the weekend with Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, who was also on the red carpet but avoided doing interviews. And what's with no interviews, Welshboy?????? http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jo_J20_rz4FEFzV9oF3rdxLGjDhA

Interviews would have been nice, but pictures were greatly appreciated, too. Maybe he didn't want to take away from his friend's premiere. One of the stars Andrew Howard was in Shooters with him and hails from Cardiff. I'd guess Ioan was there in support of him. I hope the movie was a good one.

Hello. Yes, I would have liked an interview. Mboh! But I can understand GG's point of view. Maybe Ioan didn't want to put "shadow" on the stars of this movie.

I'm sure glad we got all these lovely pics,even though a short interview would have been a nice plus too. That's okay,Ioan, maybe next time,huh?

I did wonder if it was a spur of the moment thing to go along, given his dress and all. Maybe him and Jeremy were just watching the rugby and Jeremy said 'just come along!' Maybe Ioan was at a loose end........ :hmm:

Could be. Spontaneous things are kind of fun like that sometimes,I guess. Good way to wind down after a spirited rugby match too.

If it was the Ireland/Wales match I saw (can't quite remember which day) that was certainly an 'edge of the seat' match. Ireland was winning all the way and near the end, Wales clawed it back, only to be pipped at the post by an Irish drop kick! I'll bet there were some Welsh swearwords flying in LA that night!