No, I think it has something to do with the position of the moon. ;-D

(Evelyn), I personally think he will get better parts after BJD. (Karen), No, I think it has something to do with the position of the moon. ;-D I will be most happy to oblige. ;-D

Sorry, Evelyn....didn't mean to confuse you. What I meant by "plum, juicy roles not flooding in after P&P" were that the starring roles in major productions like The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, The End Of the Affair etc etc all went to other actors, while CF did low budget, quirky stuff like Fever Pitch. I'm not knocking him here, I just hate to see him only have supporting roles in these blockbusters. As for the wrong side of 40 and the character actor bits, I'm just quoting CF himself in an interview he gave, where he brought up the age thing and he told a funny story of losing out on a role to his own brother, of all people, coz he looked a lot younger. Anyway, he is by ar the sexiest 40 year old on the planet, if you ask me. I would LOVE to see him in major movies and I really, really hope BJD is the answer. Maybe, a gripping courtroom drama as Hollywood is bowled over by his portrayl of Mark Darcy, top barrister. I can just see him now, pacing back and forth in a gorgeous dark suit, or rising indignantly to his feet thundering " Your Honour, I object ! " or intently questioning a witness, overpowering her with the force of his, ahem, intellect as he reduces her to a wet, soggy puddle of drool.....Ooops, sorry, that's really us, isn't it ? O well, I can dream can't I ?

*my arms have been twisted to do this* Contributions received as of 27 September. Thank you all very much.

Finally got around to seeing NB. Thought RZ was wonderful--made a far-fetched role completely believable. Agree with others who make the comparison of NB to Possession insofar as obsession theme. Eerily similar. Am more convinced than ever that RZ will be the perfect Bridget. V.v.g. P.S. Teacher, my check's in the mail and my dog ate my homework. ;-)

And you will be getting mine too.

Oh yes, I know. Have a number of pledges. Will give the amount (in total) collected to date, when Evelyn turns over her local collections next week. It's important to know how we doing relative to goal. BTW, I'm putting names up there in a way so that they are not picked up by any search engines and am not putting up last names and such. If you want to remain anonymous, just let me know. As has been said before, give what you are comfortable giving.

Dane Bowers to sing for Bridget Jones Dane Bowers and American R&B singer Faith Evans are to join forces for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary. The ex-Another Level star told Worldpop he also plans to write the track with the True Steppers. Faith Evans is best known as the female voice on Puff Daddy's I'll Be Missing You, a tribute to her estranged husband Notorious B.I.G. Bridget Jones's Diary, starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, is due to be released in the UK next year.

thanks, Mari. I think this link will take you to the source story at worldpop.com (one of those framed places): http://www.worldpop.com/home/cif.cfm?dir=news&url=news_story.cfm¶m=newsid=1765 Here's what he said: "Speaking to worldpop at the recent Disney Channel Kids Awards, Bowers said he plans to team up with True Steppers to write the track. 'We're doing a song with Faith Evans, so that will be cool - me and Faith Evans singing, and I'm going to write it with True Steppers,' he said.

Should we trust anyone that marries a person called Notorious B.I.G.? Not too promising IMO. Do they think she is hip? Todd Rundgren, now there is a true star!

From the 9/28 Evening Standard: How to have a well-dressed Vespa Some scooter riders may have the retro crash helmet, the designer shades and the hand-stitched boots - but is their Vespa wearing the right clothes? Members of London's growing army of scooter commuters now have the chance to buy some of the best turned-out machines in town, including one with Argyll- inspired bodywork designed by fashion guru Jasper Conran. He is one of eight celebrities who have submitted designs for machines to be sold in an Art Vespa auction being held at Sotheby's in London on Tuesday in aid of the drugs charity Action on Addiction. [...] For the girl about town, however, there can be only one choice - the Bridget Jones scooter designed by writer Helen Fielding. It incorporates essential devices such as a CD player for "blasting out Eagles' hits to create pleasing illusion of roaring along desert highway"; "box for small selection of Milk Tray chocolates"; "very large handbag holder" and "plug-in hair tongs to repair damage done by ludicrous helmet". [...] The celebrity-designed scooters will be on show at Sotheby's in New Bond Street from today until the day of the auction. Complete article here: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/bottom_review.html?in_review_id=320969&in_review_text_id=264216 ~~~~~~~ Pretty funny that HF is participating in this, given the Cause Celeb book.

Hi everyone! I am still here but I have had a frantic 3 months and now I am having posting difficulties. Bear with me I am going to post in short chunks.

There is an article in our local paper about Crispin Bonham Carter who has just finished filming BJD in which he plays BJ's clanger-dropping office chum, Greg.

He says KZ's english accent is "pretty good". Why do I get such bad vibes about this film? Sorry this is so brief. Will try and get the article to Evelyn in London so that she might be able to tell you about it at greater length. Am having to use IE/AOL rather than netscape at the moment and posting is a nightmare.

Crispin? What a happy reunion. Clanger-dropping office chum. Hmmm, not ringing a bell but no matter. Thanks, Allison.

Welcome back, Allison, and with news. Lovely! Greg?? Who is Greg?? And what's a clanger, other than a thing that...erm...clangs? And what's it doing in an office? (Heide) Crispin? What a happy reunion. These people are shameless. ;-D Hoorah! Note: The newest version of IE works here, although can't speak to the AOL part. :-(

Maybe he plays her sexist boss? The mystery continues. Hello again, Allison! Loved the Vespa idea. In Italy this summer we kept singing a hit tune about going around in a Vespa.

Karen, loved the piece about HF's Vespa ala BJ. Finally know a little more about BJ's taste in music (aside from the fact that she plays classical or jazz music in background to impress people). Am taking notes for possible future reference for FanFic. A visit to the Hotel California, perhaps? :-) Allison, what interesting news about CBC. My mind is running wild at the possibility of other cast members from P&P2 appearing in cameos.... Does anyone know if HF has a cameo? Oooooh, I hope there are no bad vibes surrounding BJD. Want ODB to score big time with BJD. Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-)

(Karen) Greg?? Who is Greg?? And what's a clanger, other than a thing that...erm...clangs? And what's it doing in an office? Wasn't there a Greg amongst MD's friends or was that a Giles (must read books again to check). 'Drop a clanger' is yet another of our obscure English sayings - it means saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Something which I suffer from, always saying things like ' isn't Fred ugly' when either a) Fred is standing behing you or b) turns out to be going out with the person you're talking to - whoops! *clang, clang* Why it's a clanger and not anthing else I haven't the foggiest idea but I hope that helps,

(Gail) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-) LOL! (Tracy) 'Drop a clanger' is yet another of our obscure English sayings - it means saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Great! Now we know he's a bit of a boob (sound familiar?). Could not find a Greg while quickly scanning BJD. Perhaps in EOR? I can't find my book!

Thanks, Tracy, for the translation. This board is soooooo educational. ;-) (Heide) Now we know he's a bit of a boob Certainly not a Bingley!? Wonder if he'll do a lot of dopey grins.

There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Karen, bet HF wouldn't particularly like being reminded about her views about celebs from CC, now that suddenly and unexpectedly she is one.:-) (Lisa - credit where it's due) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? Too funny - and has got me thinking: anybody want to guess what the tag-line for the film will be? you know, the line on the poster usually under the title. For NB, the tag-line used in England was "She needs to see a doctor" which I thought was pretty humorous, but I noticed in the US they were using something else. Dane Bowers and TrueSteppers? Oh lord, judging from their latest effort with Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham, the soundtrack is not going to kick much bottom. So far, we've got two good leads (out of three), a great source material, and some decent publicity. As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. It may be all down to one walk-by extra to pull this thing out of the bag!

(Lisa) My mind is running wild at the possibility of other cast members from P&P2 appearing in cameos.... Yes, doesn't it. Julia Sawalha might make a nice Patchouli. Keep your eyes peeled for HF in glitter caftan, sunglasses and cigarette on long holder. Am not clever enough for those movie taglines. Will have to leave to brilliant minds in H'wood. So far, we've got two good leads (out of three), a great source material, and some decent publicity. (Mark) As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. Don't sugar-coat it, Mark. We can take it straight. So what do you really think? ;-D It may be all down to one walk-by extra to pull this thing out of the bag! We have great confidence in you. Better not end up on big cutting room floor. Will be v. disappointed. Have finished CC. If you thought MD in towel striding in barrister mode was good, ladies, this one's got dueling men in towels. Mmmmmmm (page 302-cannot forget) ;-D Seriously though, it had structural problems. Would've been better laid out in normal linear fashion, rather than annoying back and forth. IMO, it should've had the main storyline be Africa, with her returning to London and her history and what led her to Africa be revealed in flashback. But what do I know.

The Independent on Sunday has an article about Honor Blackman. Said "She's been in six series of the television comedy The Upper Hand and has a cameo role in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary." Cameo. Tarts & Vicars Party is my guess. Why isn't it Honour? ;-)

LOL, Mark! Now, who are the two good leads are we referring to? ;-) I like the three leads. I think HG will make a good DC. Lisa, glad to hear you are condidering another BJ segment. The Eagles? I can think of much better to play as road music. I might fall asleep listening to them.

(Lisa) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-) (Heide) LOL! LOL indeed! Think this should be our motto. Definitely. (Mark) There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Considering which scriptwriter left his imprint all over this, IMO we should consider ourselves lucky that Greg isn't a tall, lanky Welshman who answers the door in his underwear. It's nice to hear from you, Allison. Interesting news about Crispin.

Mark, Judi Dench nabbed the Oscar with only 8 minutes of screentime, so there is every reason to hope that the BJD extra can make a similar impression. It's not the quantity, it's the quality. ;-) Film tagline will probably be something punny, with a reference to the girl with the write stuff.;-)

(Mark) There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Maybe they are taking their cue from the writers of P&P1�let's hope not�. As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. Mark, time to pull out the Power of Positive Thinking book from your self-help bookshelf. You know the one -- it is next to your volume on How to Break into Show Business. ;-)

Yes, have cheered up a bit in the face of optimism above. And even Rhys Ifans was quite funny in NH, IMO. Mari: the girl with the write stuff. Good work ... or "looking for Mr Write"?

Dane Bowers and TrueSteppers? Oh lord, judging from their latest effort with Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham, the soundtrack is not going to kick much bottom. (Mark) Hopefully it's only one song which we won't have to listen to... (quote)"we're doing *a* song...". Not the entire soundtrack (ghastly thought!). Greg? Why do we need a "Greg"? What was wrong with Simon from Marketing?!!

(Mark) And even Rhys Ifans was quite funny in NH, IMO. Indeed. He made the movie, IMO. However, I want BJD to be unique, not formulaic rehash of RC's other hits.

Get a load of this--good for Helen! From Excite: Bridget Jones beats cybersquatter The author of the best-selling Bridget Jones's Diary has the right to use the internet web address www.bridgetjones.com, a United Nations panel has ruled. Helen Fielding, a British writer who now lives in Los Angeles, brought the case to get the domain name from the man who had registered it, Anthony Corbett, of Plantation, Florida. Fielding had success around the world with the fictional diary of Bridget Jones, a self-obsessed thirtysomething Londoner in search of Mr Right. The follow-up, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, appeared earlier this year. In her submission to the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Switzerland, Fielding said she had contacted Corbett to ask him to hand over the web address. He told her he was planning to use it as a site for fans of the books. "I've been creating Bridget Jones for over five years now, and have put hours and hours and years and years into making her who she is, and carefully guarding the unique atmosphere around her, not least by registering various trade mark rights. "She is very precious to me. I've been doing a lot of work building her website and trying to make it really funny and true to her," said Fielding in a letter to Corbett. She suggested he might use another address, such as bridgetjonesfans. Later Corbett contacted her and offered to sell the site to her for �10,000. He did not respond to WIPO's letter advising him of the case and asking him to respond to Fielding's claims. Arbitrator Frederick Abbott ordered the transfer of the web address to Fielding. He ruled that the use of a trademark name for a fan site could be a legitimate use of a domain name, but in this case Corbett had owned the name for two years without posting anything on the internet.

(HF) I've been doing a lot of work building her website and trying to make it really funny and true to her Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D Phoar!! Next thing you know, she'll want me take down the chocolate croissant and the chardonnary bottle as her intellectual property.

Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D No kidding... I think I actually remember seeing a news report about this guy. He makes a living creating domain names, and holding the sites "hostage" until their rightful owners give up and pay the fee to have their dot com names given to them. HF certainly is one of the few to fight this out till the end. Good for her.

There are a lot of people trying this out. I think even our own Terry has dabbled a little. Someone register bridgetjonesfans.com quick and try selling it to Corbett for ten Gs :-) Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her "BJD - the film" page for the new official site.

(Karen), Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D LOL! Right, and we put them together just to celebrate DBs birthday. ;-) Phoar!! Next thing you know, she'll want me take down the chocolate croissant and the chardonnary bottle as her intellectual property. (Mark), Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her "BJD - the film" page for the new official site. A happy thought indeed! If HF wants this, she will probably be writing more BJ in the future. Of course she may have plans to charge a fee. Karen, you should leave a message for her. She has probably checked what you have done.

i wanted to see the trialors of blue films

(Mark), Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her "BJD - the film" page for the new official site. LOL! HF should hire Karen to design her BJD site, complete with a link to Darcy Drool, a midi file of the P&P2 soundtrack, and a RealPlayer clip looping the P&P2 Darcy wet shirt scene. :-)

In an article about Jeffrey Archer, he mentions his cameo bit for BJD. Not much new: Though he would not go into details of what his availability might be, Lord Archer said: "My agent is dealing with four script offers. [ed note: hmmm, Colin's only says 3] Yes, I would like to be in a film, possibly in America. I have actually already been in one. Salman Rushdie and I appeared in a cocktail party scene for the upcoming Bridget Jones movie. It took two days and I didn't speak. I now really want a speaking part. I enjoy acting intensely. And I concentrate on it fully. I am literally not thinking about anything else at the moment." http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Film/News/2000-10/actor051000.shtml

Rather trashy story in The Express about Honor Blackman. Can't make heads or tails of this beginning bit, unless it is a broad generalization... BRIDGET JONES may have struck a chord with a generation of thirtysomething women but as far as Honor Blackman is concerned she's nothing short of "stupid". The glamorous ex-Avengers star raises one elegant eyebrow at the shenanigans of the fictional dysfunctional woman, whose diary, currently being filmed, she is starring in. "This character seems to have every kind of trauma," she pronounces with husky exasperation. "All this bulimia is completely foreign to me. She keeps promising she won't spend all her time with her head down the lav and I say 'Pur-lease'.But there's a description of her character at the end - again, no relationship to the book. "Financially, she need never work again but took the role in Bridget Jones because the script was "such fun". "I play a friend of Bridget's mother, who has had her ovaries out and it's sent her mad. She's at every party with a glass in her hand." http://www.lineone.net/express/00/10/06/features/f0100splash-d.html

Also have some new location pics will try to post tomorrow. Looks to be in a shopping arcade with a connector tunnel leading to the Liverpool Street Underground station. No sign of CF or HG. Bridget approaches two homeless people sitting on the floor and "there's a bit with a dog" ;-D (Don't believe that was in the book either) Am waiting for the sender to provide additional details.

Still cannot paste !!?? So - re Bulimia - what is going on? Bridget with bulimia. That is a travesty of the character surely? I did not expect them to keep to the same situations as in the book but to have her suffering from bulimia is to change her character fundamentally. The only thing *wrong* with the Bridget of the book was that she was 30ish and not married. Otherwise she was a sane person dealing with society's expectations of her. Re Jeffrey Archer. I'm fascinated by that quote, Karen. That he does not think of anything else when he is *acting*. The man is a complete fantasist. Sorry if this is v off topic, particularly for those of you outside the UK who have not followed Archer's antics over the years.

Bulimia?! Excuse moi.... This is a serious medical condition. Bridget overindulges on the chocolates and Chardonay. Not exactly the same thing. Sounds like Honor Blackman has had one too many (staying in character?). I hope so...otherwise, is this the movie of the book? The only serious acting Jeffrey Archer will do in the near future will be in court. But the Archer connection will help the movie...all publicity is good publicity!

I read Honor Blackman's comments as a broad generalization about younger women today who are obsessed about their weight and go to those extremes. Doubt Honor has actually read the books or the entire script. Besides, it was from The Express so it cannot be relied upon. ;-D

Does this look familiar?

(Allison)Still cannot paste !!?? OK, Allison...you're 'on' for a lesson at the internet cafe down the street from my hotel next time...I also do a quickie HTML for posting images....:-)) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Re: BJD location pic...could be Liverpool St... it received a major renovation recently.Floor looks familiar. ...and #8 & 9 track does too.Was just there last week.It's not Victoria, Waterloo, Paddington or Euston.

Yes, there is a tunnel that says Liverpool Street Underground. So this is the actual train station? OK, have put the pics up at the Bridget site http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html

here's one that I didn't use on the page because that's not Renee, but her stand-in, but it shows the entrance to the tube station:

Looking vvg, Karen! (Off to see Dancer in the Dark)

Liverpool Street Underground. So this is the actual train station? Yup. That's the main rotunda.Tracks are along the north side of the rotunda, ticket agents are on opposite side.Shops are along the balcony,on the sides and in a mall leading from the street. Good pics Karen....

Used to travel on it all the time in the 1960's lol I know the areas so well - I hope the film turns out okay.

Bingo!! Here's the description of the action. Somehow it just doesn't have the same panache as when Mark reports: The photos were taken during filming in Liverpool Street station. The scenes involved Renee whilst she is wearing the black coat. She walks towards the homeless people and stops to give them some money and carries on walking. Behind her there are some girls laughing in a Christmas themed shot. The shot of Renee with the dog was taken during a break and we felt it was a good shot to get. I could be wrong but according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts'

I could be wrong but according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts' Maybe that is the title of the song Renee breaks into before taking the train. ;-) Could she be taking singing lessons from Bjork? ;-D (Or are they afraid of mob scenes if it read BJD?)

according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts' Maybe now the film has changed so much (characters, scenes, songs, bulimia), HF has withdrawn the rights to the title, and it's going to be just production-line-Curtis. You KNOW they'll write out that Darcy character (no relevance to witty modern urbanites in farce situation, har, har, har) if that happens. *Peering through his fingers in fear* BTW, Liverpool Street concourse v familiar, and thanks for the flattery Karen

(Mark) *Peering through his fingers in fear* Be afraid, Mark. Be *very* afraid.;-) Interesting pics, Karen. Thanks much. I agree with your assessment of Hono(u)r's remarks. Boy, would love to get our hands on this script!

(Mark) Maybe now the film has changed so much (characters, scenes, songs, bulimia), HF has withdrawn the rights to the title, and it's going to be just production-line-Curtis. I can see it now: Daniel calls Bridget "duckface," and Andie MacDowell is wheeled out at the end. Humph�. Now it's my turn to pull out "The Power of Positive Thinking."

When NH came out, the screenplay was published a good two weeks before the movie hit the screens (all part of the promotion campaign....."I picked this up in the bookshop and wept with laughter/spilt my sides/screamed etc). It included photos and all the scenes that didn't make it to the final edit. Will they do the same for "Lonely hearts"? Time will tell. I guess there'll be a movie website, well in advance of the release date. Bridget gives money to the homeless and loves dogs? Is this the Bridget we love and know? And why is she always at the railway station...I thought she drove to Grafton Underwood!

Another mention of Crispin Bonham Carter being in Bridget from the Independent on Sunday: Taking a Gamble on the Family Name: Bridget Jones to Gogol - Crispin Bonham Carter is on the Move By Louise Jury ...Similarly, by a stroke of good fortune, filming the big-budget Bridget Jones movie provided some useful background information for Bonham Carter's other ongoing project - directing a fringe production of the play Gamblers by the Russian dramatist Gogol. "There's this big literary party scene in Bridget Jones and I found myself standing next to Salman Rushdie (who was playing himself) for two days. It turns out he knows a lot about Russian literature and he thinks that Gogol is the greatest Russian writer so we talked about him a lot," says Bonham Carter. "I'm hoping he will come and see the play."

(Karen) Bridget approaches two homeless people sitting on the floor The closest the book came to this was 'dole youths'. Thanks for the pics, K. Re: the second one--note the tallish gentleman, clad in black leather coat, watching the action (to the left of RZ stand-in)? Hmmm. Mark, is that you? ;-) (Post-oopherectomy Honor) All this bulimia is completely foreign to me. I'll say, since you don't know the difference between a serious psycho-medical condition and weight-consciousness. Gaah, this is how rumors start!

.... filming the big-budget Bridget Jones movie.... Love to see that....at last, ODB in a Big One!

Too bad most of that "big budget" is going for Hughie's salary. ;-)

Eileen: the tallish gentleman, clad in black leather coat, watching the action (to the left of RZ stand-in)? Hmmm. Mark, is that you? ;-) Tchoh ... the fellow clearly lacks my charisma. (I would have been round the other side, desperately trying to get in shot...)

Besides, our dear MarkG is fair-haired :-)

I don't think I am - unless I was particularly grey the night you saw me, Gi :-)

It must have been your brilliant aura, Mark. :-D

Sorry, Mark. You are lighter than the man in leather though, or is it my Alzheimer again?

Interesting article in The Observer about how all the new fiction gets optioned for film, but that 97% are never made into movies. Will excerpt: In the last few years, there have been a lot of high-profile successes, adaptations like Trainspotting and High Fidelity. Inevitably, this starts some kind of trend, and so lots of novels are being snapped up, often even before being published. It's certainly a primary source of inspiration for film-makers, especially British ones.' In America, he explains, writers can often make a very good living churning out film scripts purely on spec, then hawking them around Hollywood with a good chance of getting a development deal. This doesn't tend to happen over here, and so the industry inevitably looks instead towards that most primary area of storytelling: books. 'If a book sells well,' says FilmFour's Jim Wilson, currently adapting both Sebastian Faulks's Charlotte Gray and Giles Fodon's The Last King Of Scotland, 'then it has a ready-made audience, which is naturally appealing for us. Everyone who read The Beach, for example, went to see the film. I think the profile alone of Bridget Jones will keep this trend in place for some time.' Despite the fact that it's not released in cinemas for the better part of a year, hype for the film version of Helen Fielding's The Diary Of Bridget Jones is already colossal. Ren�e Zellweger may well have recently appeared in Neil LaBute's Nurse Betty and the Farrelly Brothers' Me, Myself & Irene, but the only questions British journalists wish to pose to her concern the fictional character she is about to bring to 70mm life. [...] 'Basically, we are always on the lookout for good stories,' says Wilson. 'And ideally, we're looking for something that really sticks out and marks it as a true original.' He swings around in his office chair and points to a poster of the new FilmFour-funded Lars Von Trier film, Dancer In The Dark. 'And often, I must say, that's not particularly easy. Look at something like Being John Malkovich (by US screenwriter Charlie Kaufman). I very much doubt screenplays with that kind of scope and depth exist in this country. And if they do, I haven't seen them. The UK has always been far stronger in its original fiction than screenwriting, which is why we do scour for new talent in books. But every time I read what I consider to be an excellent novel, I wish with all my heart it was already in screenplay form, because, believe me, that's when the hard work begins.' Which brings us to the cloud behind the silver lining - my own book's adaptation possibilities. During my research, I learnt a sobering statistic: 97 per cent of all books optioned within the UK will never make it to the screen. With mathematics like these, England are far more likely to win the World Cup than Sidewalking is to reach Leicester Square. [...] http://www.observer.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,378893,00.html

I`m going to ask a stupid question: is there 3rd Bridget book (or is it even coming)??? *I want more*

There is no third BJD planned by HF. We can only hope she gets so much mail after the film comes out that her publisher will make her an offer too hard (or too stupid), to refuse. :-)

What Jane Austen book would she model hers on, then, do you think? Emma?

Maybe! Bridget finally has MD, so she decides that every singleton she knows should be coupled too. She starts out trying to fix Daniel up (good for sequel to have HG), but ends up introducing him to a woman that MD also finds attractive and all sort of problems arrise when the rest of her friends get involve. Am thinking Scotland Yard, James Bond, Europe...

Or she starts setting up Shazzer with all the WRONG men;) Friends of MD's??? Of course, Shazzer is in love with Nigel or whatever the hell his name is, but Bridget doesn't think he's "good" enough for her... Then MD asks Shazzer to dance .... Hmmmm... I see it now;)

Avert your eyes: Fundraising Notice Ahead We've done very well, ladies, so a big Thank You for being so generous. As a housekeeping detail, I have personally contacted every person who made a donation. If you haven't gotten a thank you from me, then I haven't received it. Please let me know.

V. cute eyeballs! Quite in keeping with the "season".

From the Calgary Herald (thanks to Fran). First of many complimentary remarks about CF, no doubt.:-) I like this gal more and more--CF *and* Paul McC--she has impeccable taste!:-) Bet on it: Zellweger's nice After taking a beating in the press, actress says there are worse things to be called Jamie Portman, Calgary Herald Nurse Betty opens Friday in Calgary theatres. Renee Zellweger skips into the interview room saying she needs to lose some weight now that she's finished shooting Bridget Jones's Diary in London. If you tell her she looks just fine, she doesn't really believe you. "This is still very, very big," she says cheerfully, turning away from reporters to display her rear end. She contends the dark, striped slacks she's wearing conceal the poundage she had to gain in order to portray the plump heroine of Helen Fielding's best-selling comic novel. "They're good pants, aren't they?" There are elements of ingenuousness and puppy-dog friendliness here -- a sense that with this unpretentious 31-year-old with the peaches-and-cream complexion and casually knotted ponytail, what you see is what you get. She's here to talk about another movie -- the black comedy, Nurse Betty, in which she plays a small-town waitress and soap opera addict whose fantasies blur with reality -- but she's also overflowing with goodwill towards the world. Even towards those nasty members of the British media who went into instant attack mode at the news that she -- a Texas gal -- would be portraying the quintessentially English Bridget Jones on the big screen. "Isn't it funny?" she asks sweetly. "Ironically, it came on the heels of an Englishman winning the Academy Award for playing an American," she says, referring to Michael Caine's Oscar for The Cider House Rules. "Sometimes it feels that there was a hurtful intention in some of the articles," she pouts, but then turns forgiving. "You know, I understood it, especially after having been in England where you could see that the market is much, much smaller. You could see that the opportunities for these very many, very talented English actresses are smaller as well. And besides, the character of Bridget in particular is representative of a new generation of British working women who are facing new challenges and the the new opportunities that are arising. So yes, I could see why they would think a Brit might better play that role." And she was surprised when she beat out the likes of Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson for the role. "But I was really glad and excited as well, because I also responded to the book and think Bridget is a beautifully written character. So it turned out to be a wonderful challenge and a real gift too." There was the added bonus of her male co-stars. "Hugh Grant and Colin Firth -- not a bad day at the office!" she says happily. "I made a couple of really good friends." The only real downer, apart from the media, was that Britain's stringent animal quarantine laws barred her from bringing her dog Dylan along. She doesn't say whether she also pined for boyfriend Jim Carrey, with whom she starred in Me, Myself and Irene. Furthermore, Zellweger can be coy when she wants to be. Asked when she's getting her ring, she delivers an enigmatic smile and response: "Just rumours." "She's so darn nice," comments one veteran journalist just before Zellweger bubbles into the room. Zellweger herself muses that reporters have been asking about her niceness all weekend, and have also been asking whether she's getting tired of hearing about it. She figures the "nice" tag has stuck to her because of her performance as Tom Cruise's girlfriend in Jerry Maguire and not because of her roles as a victim in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation or as a prostitute in Deceiver, but she's not complaining. "I guess people could say worse things." Still, you would never mistake her for a bubblehead. For example, she did some serious research into the psychology of the title character in Nurse Betty, controversial filmmaker Neil LaBute's bizarre new comedy opening Friday. Betty Sizemore is a good-hearted waitress with an obsessive passion for a soap opera, A Reason to Love, and an even greater passion for the character of intrepid surgeon Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear). When this TV fabrication gazes at the moon and announces that "I know there's someone special out there for me," she figures he's talking about her. Unfortunately, Betty has an odious husband (Aaron Eckhart) who's also crooked. He ends up being eliminated by two hit men (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) -- and she is a hidden witness to the murder. The event traumatizes Betty and she assumes the character of Nurse Betty and sets off for Los Angeles to reunite with the love of her life, Dr. Ravell, with the two killers in hot pursuit. Zellweger, an alumnus of the University of Texas, has a thing about research. She loves it. In the case of Nurse Betty, she interviewed psychologists and psychiatrists and studied case histories. She also gained a deeper understanding of the obsessive behaviour behind the fan worship of someone like Betty. "I can understand where it comes from and I'm sympathetic towards someone who falls into that kind of syndrome because it can't be pleasant." But has she herself ever felt passion for a celebrity? Zellweger's face crinkles into a wistful smile. "I had a great, healthy, distant adoration for Paul McCartney. We've had a wonderful relationship all these years. I admire him from afar, although he has no idea that I do! And it's still going strong!"

Long article on Renee in our local Sunday Newspaper - was going to put some up but not mention of Colin or anyone else in the picture and nothing new was written up - almost the same as the above. She is certainly getting publicity if mentioned in our local Sunday rag. So at least BJD will be coming to Oz. Something at least.

RZ is on Letterman tonight. Probably a re-run.

From OK! magazine: Royle Family star Caroline Aherne says she was asked to play Bridget Jones in the big-screen version of the Helen Fielding novel. She was approached by Richard Curtis, who had written the screenplay for Bridget Jones's Diary, but said: "I'm far too common for it." News to me. Royle Family is British TV, as is her other role (Mrs Merton). Would have been very different from RZ, who also appears in the same magazine (the classy stuff I read!), sporting a new do - straightened bob - at the VH1 awards.

Anyone seen the "take off" of CA in the spoof "Royal Family," done by Alistair McGowan and friends? Very funny. very common!! Actually the CA character is "Camilla". I thought it was a hoot. CA has found it difficult to remain sober at these award ceremonies in the past. Perhaps that's what prompted the BJ connection. Ouch, pass the chardonnay please.

CAROLINE AHERNE Our Bridget???? Puhleeze.....

Sounds like a tall story....OK style! And would she really say "no". Definitely not BJ, too downmarket. Can see RZ and CF making a good couple... but CA and CF,abolutely not!

I actually dare to think she would have been quite good... more the "drunken haze" Bridget than the "sweetly single" one - great picture, Evelyn, a typical shot of CA. ...EXCEPT for the reason identified by Bethan and by Caroline herself: not posh enough. But you remember how we used to say about all the names floated: Wrong nationality Wrong age Wrong weight?

(Mark) great picture, Evelyn, a typical shot of CA. Thanks...I found a better one in color...a bit risque. Didn't dare post it while the boss is away...she'd kill me ;-)

(Evelyn) Our Bridget???? Puhleeze..... Well, she does look as though she wouldn't have to stretch for the 'oof falling over' scenes. In addition to the other points already raised, I add: Would RC have casting control? I doubt it. And CA is unknown here in the US, where the all the buckets of box office money are found.

Wot you mean by risque? ;-D Actually, I think CA looks right...even a bit like HF herself with that pose. But I have to agree with the others that "being offered the role" seems a bit farfetched. Maybe she read for it? ;-D

Sloane Street, SW1 Wednesday 25 October 2000 Last night, Consuelo Castiglioni, the Milanese designer, and Joseph Ettedgui, celebrated the opening of their store, Marni, above the latter's own Joe's Caf�. The kitchen had the night off, however, and the champagne, gorgeous crispy-duck pancakes, and Brie and sesame fritters were by Tabletalk. Model Lisa B talked about her role as Hugh Grant�s girlfriend, the eponymous heroine's nemesis, in Bridget Jones�s Diary.... I think we have our Suki, blonde giantess, on roof: http://www.sports.com/tips/swimsuit/models/johnfisher/australia2000/lisa/

Hey...she's gorgeous alright..and with the dark hair in the pic she looks like Hughie's former squeeze.

Vg find, Karen! Those bathing suit pix are so Pamela Anderson.

Blonde giantess indeed ... unless there's more deviation from the book and she gets a full role in some way.

Did you click on the url? She's blonde in the swimsuit pix. The brunette picture with the blurb was from the event she attended.

(Karen) I think we have our Suki, blonde giantess, on roof: Wow, good casting. Stumbling upon that in one's boyfriend's apartment would make anyone intimidated ;-).

If you click on those pictures, they get bigger and bigger and bigger! v. intimidating. ;-D

Oh my! And what happened to Evelyn's CA picture (at #1381)? That'll surprise people who pick up this thread later.

How funny! Apparently, they've switched the images.

#1381???Creepy. Who switched the pics??

I suppose the switch was done in whichever site you got the pic from, Evelyn.

Probably everone knows about this site (there's a link to Karen's site) http://www.bridgetjones.co.uk

A news item about the woman who did stunts for RZ at This is London. Here's the last bit: Coming to a cinema near you next spring is Bridget Jones's Diary, in which Biernat does the stunts for the eponymous heroine played by Ren�e Zellweger. In one scene she stumbles drunkenly out of a taxi, trips and falls flat on her face. Some us have been known to do this after drinking a few doubles, but Dani Biernat can do it completely sober. To perfection. Again and again. And without so much as a damn or blast. Full article here: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=337446&in_review_text_id=280565

Cool! This Dani Biernat seems an interesting sort, I'll have to watch for her name... Thanks Karen! Any news about BJD is good news!