Mark, excellent work! Many thanks for your man-about-town reporting and eye for detail, not to mention your brave, hair-based obversations. :-) I agree with Bethan and Heide, the more MD scenes, the better...

Old news but People Magazine has a little snippet on Renee Zellweger and her internship at Picador. Nothing new, no mention of co-stars but I like the publicity. Same issue a whole article on that tragic breakup of Hugh and Elizabeth. One mention of BJD - "Grant, meanwhile, returned from the May 16 New York City premiere of Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks, in which he costars, to begin work on the London set of Bridget Jones's Diary. Sources on the set say Grant appeared relaxed and engaged." Then a quote from Baz Bamigboye but again, no mention of co-stars.

How exciting to have been on location, Mark. You are THE MAN. Wouldn't you consider just another teeny visit? Pleeeeease. (Lisa JH)Many thanks for your man-about-town reporting and eye for detail, not to mention your brave, hair-based obversations. :-) V. worried about the hair. Mark, you DID say it wasn't like FP? Can't picture MD with too wild hair (maybe a little wild, just enough to be dashing, like a Cary Grant or Gregory Peck moment. You know, when the tousled hair falls over the brow during a moment of great exertion). But bigger than P&P? Now you see, here is a v. serious and important reporterish reason to go back and spy on CF at film location! We need a hair update! (I mean it :-)) (Mark) Sideburns slightly longer than your average human-rights lawyer That is encouraging. CF looks sooooo good in sideburns. (Heide)Bethan, your theory that more scenes may be written in to show Mark and Daniel together sounds good. Aren't we all for more Darcy scenes. I would like to add my vote to more scenes involving MD. That is my only severe intellectual criticism of the novel's thematic development. It needs more of the MD theme: MD in a bathtub, MD on a Rooftop chaise lounge. . .other opinions?What is the point of eating KD while watching BJD without more MD? Mari, thanks for posting v. funny article by fellow Bridgetette. Should that be Bridgette? Don't want to sound like a household appliance (And of course, Bridgeters for manly Bridget types) . . .Bridgettes and Bridgeters of the World Unite!

How about Bridgeteers? It will be fun to discuss the scene in the restaurant between DC and MD, when the film comes out.

I've finished reading Possession. A good and interesting book, with several points to meditate on. Not my favourite book ever, though, I'm afraid, Laura :-)

I was trying to make a mouse face and I deleted myself! I agree Moon, 'bridgeteers' is better. So much more. . . distinguished! B R I...D G E...T E E R S pretend there are musical notes here @:-}

(Gi)I've finished reading Possession. A good and interesting book, with several points to meditate on. Not my favourite book ever, though, I'm afraid, Laura :-) Not one of my very favorites, but the last bit had me crying my eyes out probably more than any book ever has.

(Winter) Not one of my very favorites, but the last bit had me crying my eyes out probably more than any book ever has I've just borrowed the book from the library but haven't started it yet. Thanks for the tip Winter, I'll make sure I have plenty of tissues on hand.

Very interesting, if gossipy, sort of article. Sounds like the film set is a happy one--can't underestimate the importance of that! Thanks to Anne who is happy to share. ****** Scottish Daily Record Friday, May 26, 2000 Would the real Bridget Jones please stand up?; IDENTITY CRISIS: Is author Helen Fielding the real-life role modelfor her neurotic, man- hungry character? ROZ PATERSON BEST-SELLING author Helen Fielding's life seems like the blueprint for the chain- smoking, Chardonnay-swilling, navel-gazing, single character she created for Bridget Jones's Diary. But there is one big difference - Fielding is even more neurotic than the fictional character that brought her fame and fortune. She shuns fans who identify with her work and has gone to desperate measures to escape the spectre of man-hunting Bridget. Fielding has even severed links with the star-studded movie of her Diary - and, in the process, ditched one of her best friends. Others who know the writer believe that her paranoia forced her to flee from a comfortable life in trendy Notting Hill in London for a more reclusive existence in California. An insider said: "Sometimes it's hard to tell whether Bridget Jones is Helen Fielding or vice versa." Whoever she is, the writer won't be appearing on the set of the new film, which is being shot in London amid a flurry of paparazzi interest, thanks to recent events in the life of one of its stars--Hugh Grant. According to one source, the atmosphere on set is "tremendous". She said: "Everyone involved, Colin Firth, Hugh, Richard Curtis, know they are involved in something really special and they are really excited about it." Fielding is flying into London this weekend, but she has no plans to visit the set - or her former confidant and the film's director, Sharon Maguire. Those involved in the film say this is not surprising, considering Helen's acrimonious exit from the film. Sharon was immortalised as Shazza in the Diary, but her friendship with Fielding was strained to the limit by the author's attitude to the film. An insider said: "Helen chose to walk out when things didn't go her way. Sharon chose to stay and finish the job. It's Helen's attitude that's affected the friendship." Friends were already concerned about Fielding after one report suggested she fled the UK after a stalker posted a bullet through her letterbox. She also said she had received a number of threatening phone calls at her Notting Hill flat and, in the wake of Jill Dando's murder, decided to leave for California. But although she abandoned Britain, Fielding was still supposed to be involved in the film. She began writing the script, but sources say she wouldn't - or couldn't - write it convincingly. Fielding said: "I had some initial involvement with the script, but authors traditionally turn into monsters when they turn their books into films, so I thought I should retire gracefully." Her "graceful" departure came only after she'd held up production. She worked on the script adaptation for more than a year before she conceded she was unable to transfer the character of Bridget, defined by a hatred of "smug marrieds" and her eccentric mother's match-making, to the screen. It was hardly surprising that the creator of the original, man-hungry single girl should turn to an old flame for help. Richard Curtis, who wrote the script for Four Weddings And A Funeral, is a friend and former lover from Oxford and was happy to help her. The couple's relationship began after Curtis saw Fielding playing Marlene Dietrich in a play, but it ended when he traded her in for TV presenter Emma Freud. Fielding had harboured hopes of marrying the award-winning script-writer and, since they split, she has remained very much a singleton. But, although he didn't manage to "save" her from the single life, Curtis, assisted by Andrew Davies, did save the script - and slapped in a happy ending. But the script wasn't the only problem. Fielding was also frustrated that the film company would not allow her to cast an unknown Brit in the lead role. Largely due to Fielding's resistance, Bridget Jones went without a star for two years. Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett had all been in the frame for the lead role, but they became fed up waiting for Curtis and Fielding to make decision. Fielding said: "I keep seeing girls I think would be perfect for the role. "My favourite was a girl in the gym who was sitting on a machine reading a magazine and not exercising at all. I nearly walked up and offered her the part." Such lack of professionalism - some even said arrogance - set alarm bells ringing at production company Working Title. Studio bosses decided they could not blow their pounds 12million budget on the author's whim. Instead, they went for the bankable American, 30-year-old Renee Zellwegger. Renee, girlfriend of Jim Carrey, was delighted to be cast in the quintessentially English role. She busied herself preparing her accent by working, incognito, at Fielding's publisher Picador as Bridget Cavendish. It's a tribute to her acting skills that the Jerry Maguire star went unnoticed, but the casting of Renee caused shockwaves. Fielding withdrew her support for the movie, saying: "I'm very insulted that nobody asked me." She grudgingly added: "I've never met Renee, but I'm told she's very funny." Fielding became a millionaire following the 1996 publication of the hastily-written diary-style novel. Its heroine is an office worker who agonises over the number of cigarettes she smokes, calories she consumes and lovers she scares off with her predatory advances. Bridget Jones began life as a column in The Independent. Fielding spliced her columns together into a novel to fulfil her publishing contract after her first book, Cause Celebre, bombed. Bridget words, such as "singleton", entered the language and women everywhere celebrated the shambolic side of their natures. Fielding's second Diary - Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - took almost three years to write and even some of her biggest fans admit it is a weak follow-up. Even if the final script of the film were to suffer a similar fate, it's still likely to be a hit thanks to star attractions Hugh Grant as Bridget's boss, Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth as her knight in shining armour, Mark Darcy. But, regardless of the film's success, Fielding's future as a writer of note remains uncertain. Publishers are tiring of ditzy thirtysomethings and are looking for books that appeal to a more mature audience. One critic said: "Bridget Jones has become to Helen Fielding what Sherlock Holmes was to Arthur Conan Doyle." But for all her fears of being overtaken by the character, Fielding is reported to be toiling over yet another formulaic sequel--this time based in America. Bridget Jones in California would be a field day of neurotic asides and bikini body agonies.

Thanks, Mari! Some interesting observations.

Hmm, it seems like HF is getting the standard "let's put the boot in" treatment. Fielding's second Diary - Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - took almost three years to write and even some of her biggest fans admit it is a weak follow-up. Unfair, untrue. Don't know about other fans, but it's grown on me...I quite often dip into it, and some parts are very, very funny...and perceptive. My only initial complaint was that several chapters were familiar because of the Telegraph columns. An insider said: "Helen chose to walk out when things didn't go her way. Sharon chose to stay and finish the job. It's Helen's attitude that's affected the friendship." Friends were already concerned about Fielding after one report suggested she fled the UK after a stalker posted a bullet through her letterbox. She also said she had received a number of threatening phone calls at her Notting Hill flat and, in the wake of Jill Dando's murder, decided to leave for California. Some serious claims here. Hope they're not true.

From this week's HEAT magazine:- "casting is now complete on one of 2001's most anticipated films, BJD.....Heat profiles the cast fmembers" Some I know, some I don't know, some I am not sure about, see what you all think:_ "Shazzer - Sally Phillips - Channel 4 comedy Smack the Pony" - don't know her at all "Jude - Shirley Henderson - was recently in Michael Wintebottom's flic Wonderland" - dont't know her either "Tom - James Callis - was seen recently in TV's Sex Chips & Rockn'Roll" (good series) but played straight man Wolf "Mum - Gemma Jones - Mum to Emma Thompson in S&S", well I do know of her but is she right for MUM "Dad - Jim Broadbent - recently in Topsy-Turvy", him I definitely know and think quite a good choice "Una - Celia Imrie - TV's Dinnerladies", okay I guess. Not all that impressed, what do others think? This is what they wrote about Colin, "Darcy - Colin Firth. Mark Darcy is the man Bridget's mum sets her up with. Luckily, true love survives the initial horror of his diamond-patterned V-neck sweater. CF melted hearts playing Mr. D. in BBC TV's P&P. But his starring role in the movie FP failed to catapult him to global success" Typical!!

Thanks, Ann. Have been waiting for the cast. I can only recall her mum and dad as actors, they are not how I pictured them in my mind. I was hoping other big name actors would take those smaller roles; Minnie D. and Joan Cusack, they have done it recently. Unless they seriously change MDs looks in order to HG look great, I think CF will knock them of their feet.

Thanks, Ann. Like Gemma Jones (also in The Winslow Boy more recently); Jim Broadbent does have a much higher profile now, sort of, in the US. Didn't name Julio? (we're still pulling for Antonio)

Ann, thanks for that scoop. I know sally Phillips from STP on channel 4 and think she would do an excelllent job as Shazzer, Has played some similar characters in sketches already!

Am adding additional info to the Bucket page, but here they are, from left to right, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent, and Celia Imrie:

btw, both Sally Phillips and James Callis have fan pages and both had mentions of rumors, etc., of their being cast in the movie from a couple of weeks ago.

Quick work Karen! great to have names for faces! Mark , belated congrats on your BJD report. It looks wonderful on Murph's pages too. we are relying on you and hope this is not a one off. My cousin lived near there and had her car filmed for Notting Hill, they phoned her up and asked her to move it but she was out at work so it got included in the scenes. I announced my interest in her "sleuthing" for BJD or maybe staying in the car this time!! Sadly she has just moved out of the area, an offer too good to refuse I think, but hardly good timing/helpful for coincidental CF spotting.

Great work Ann & Karen. A big thumbs-up for Celia Imrie, an excellent comic actress IMO - always in the Victoria Wood shows and often in other very funny stuff. I cannot claim to have seen any of the above at the set, but I am so bad at recognising faces that it may not mean anything.

I must be permitted a little chuckle re celia. She has recently been seen in the reruns of "Bergerac", very different image from her Victoria wood ones! I think she will be great in the part,

Thanks Ann for the scoop and Karen for the follow-up. I liked Gemma Jones in The Winslow Boy. Great actress..I bet she can do ditzy.Like the idea of Brit nationals for supporting roles...it diffuses the shock-waves of the one Yank. Remember the ones in Notting Hill...they were fabulous.

Well done Ann! You've got what we've been waiting for. And a very quick follow-up, Karen! I think Sally Phillips is an inpired choice. She's a very talented (and pretty) comedy actress. "Smack the Pony" is very, very well done. She's won a couple of awards recently, and is hugely popular with young males in the UK, who will flock to see BJD! Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie are both excellent casting. I saw James Callis in a recent BBC drama series...again, I think he'll do well. The only one I'm not sure about is Gemma Jones, because I tend to think of her in more serious roles. They've not gone for the usual suspects...I think it's good to mix in a few unknowns. Probably couldn't afford Minnie Driver!

I wonder who is playing Perpetua (one of my favourites!) and Magda. Lots of scope for expert cameos.

(Bethan) I wonder who is playing Perpetua (one of my favourites!) Yars, yars, yars . . . mine too! :-) Looks like a super cast to me--thanks for the pics, Karen, and Ann, for the news. I like Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones; I think Gemma can pull off Mrs. J. nicely i.e., not play it *too* annoying. It's a fine line.;-) Am really getting (getting??) excited about this film! And I must say, whoever is managing the publicity is doing a great job; it seems every few days I see some sort of reference to the film in magazines, newspapers, etc. Yesterday, I went into a local bookstore and in addition to Edge Of Reason still being there, they had a fresh supply of the original BJD with a sign under it "Staff Recommends!" When I mentioned it to the cashier, she said lots of people were asking for the original since they'd heard there'd be a movie about it! So, the word is definitely out.

I saw Celia Imrie in a really strange Mystery. If I recall, she played a spinster sister. Very strange. Didn't realize she was comic;) Cast so far looks good, let's see how it goes.

Karen you cast page is terrific.... http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcast.html I'm impressed with their acting credentials.

On April 1st, The Times had an article about the Smack the Pony girls and one of them (Doon MacKichan) said, "We want to do a film to prove that British women are great fun and that perhaps they didn't need to cast an American as Bridget Jones, or in Sliding Doors," she says, passionately. "There are so many talented British actresses and I get so bloody sick of seeing those jobs going to Americans."

I'm late joining in, but thanks for all the interesting stuff you guys find. Such a bizarre bit about HF, hey Mari? Hope she's safe. And I hope she's reconciled to RZ as Bridget. And thanks for the great info on the rest of the cast Ann and Karen. I have to confess, I don't know any of the names except for Gemma Jones (great last-name casting!). When I read BJD, I kept seeing Saunders (of French and Saunders) as Bridget's mother -- just the way she says 'darling'. Now I can't get her out of my head.

Unless they seriously change MDs looks in order to HG look great, I think CF will knock them of their feet. Ah Moon, CF can knock me off my feet anytime! (That would mean I'd be horizontal, no?) And no matter what happens to their hair, CF will always look better than HG in my eyes! HG a heartthrob? I should as soon say his pants are all zipped. I am too cruel ... v.sorry, I seem to be confusing novels and alter egos today!

We already know the names, but this was released today: Brits on board for Bridget Jones movie Rumblings over American starlet Renee Zellweger being handed the role of Bridget Jones in a new movie version of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel have subsided now True Brits have been called into action. The makers of the movie, Working Title - who created Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, have gone for a home-grown line-up to accompany Jim Carrey's blonde girlfriend on her perplexing journey. Senior sources at the actors union Equity expressed dismay that Renee had been cast in the role of the weight obsessed, lovelorn heroine to appease Americans backers. She spent three weeks researching the role at a publishing house but expressed her quiet amazement at being offered the job. She said: "It's a dream opportunity and I'm genuinely sorry if I have put any noses out of joint." Now, apart from dashing co-star Hugh Grant being cast as Daniel Cleaver, her mumbling object of desire, the cream of stage and screen are also in the line-up. Darcy is literally back as Darcy, in this case Mark Darcy. Colin Firth, late of Pride and Prejudice, will play the not so sparky lad Bridget's mum sets her up with. Sally Phillips from the Channel 4 comedy series Smack the Pony plays her best friend Shazzer and Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent are in pole position as her parents. Also on board the project are Scottish starlet Shirley Henderson as her high-flying pal Jude, Celia Imrie as her posh neighbour and James Callis, recently seen in Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll as her gay, bitchy male chum. A source on the movie said: "We suffered a lot of flak, especially from casting agents and producers, over our choice of lead lady but there were certain financial considerations and Renee is just excellent."

Jennifer Saunders is too young;) Joanna Lumley I think would've been great! (I LOVE Patsy;)) I'm still baffled by the Celia Imrie casting. She plays crazy well;)(I think she was in Ruth Rendell's "A Dark Adapted Eye" with HBC.)

Yes, Karen, great page. Thanks. Shirley Henderson was good as the main "three little maids" in Topsy Turvy. I recognize her from her picture.

apart from dashing co-star Hugh Grant being cast as Daniel Cleaver.... Colin Firth, late of Pride and Prejudice, will play the not so sparky lad Bridget's mum sets her up with. Nit-picking again..."dashing co-star"... "not so sparky lad"....who writes this stuff?

I'm genuinely sorry if I have put any noses out of joint." Another expression we can toss about. ;-) Thanks, Karen! The page looks great too. They seem to be still casting this film. It looks like they will film all the DC and MD parts first, get them out of the way for their other film commitments? Ah Moon, CF can knock me off my feet anytime! You have good taste, Sadie.

(Murph) Shirley Henderson was good as the main "three little maids" in Topsy Turvy. I recognize her from her picture. You recognized her? Knocked me off my feet. (Bethan) "not so sparky lad"....who writes this stuff? Didn't like that? Actually, I thought it was kind of funny. "Not so sparky" will be one of his *character* roles, as we know CF gives off sparks aplenty IRL. ;-) What did bug me was this continual reference to the female actors as "starlets"!! Renee Zellweger is 30 years old and has been numerous significant films, with AA talk. And Shirley Henderson is a starlet? She's 34 years old. Is the writer insinuating these actresses slept with someone for their roles? Or is this writer subtly slighting all but English actresses? Please note that Gemma Jones, Sally Phillips and Celia Imrie were not so maligned. Sheesh!

..... perhaps they didn't need to cast an American as Bridget Jones, or in Sliding Doors," she says,passionately. "There are so many talented British actresses and I get so bloody sick of seeing those jobs going to Americans. How come she doesn't get so sick watching British actresses taking American roles...Maybe if they supported their own films......oh never mind. Bwaaaah

(Karen) What did bug me was this continual reference to the female actors as "starlets"!! Renee Zellweger is 30 years old and has been numerous significant films, with AA talk. Exactly. (31 actually). According to this, her claim to fame is being "Jim Carrey's blond girlfriend." Good grief. It seems like RZ is taking the high road (those good Southern manners at work:-) I feel sorry for her and am wondering if she's sorry she ever heard of Bridget Jones. If it were me, I think my confidence would be shaken, my performance undermined, and my sentiment would be to take the next plane home. Good thing I'm a brain surgeon and not a starlet.;-)

(Mari) am wondering if she's sorry she ever heard of Bridget Jones Nah. She gets to kiss Colin and take home a big paycheck :-)

Donna, she could be making a much bigger paycheck elsewhere, with none of the grief. As for kissing Colin . . .well she could come with us to the Donmar next time.:-)

One of the film sites is listing February 1, 2001 as the release date for BJD (and yes, I'm aware of how these dates are subject to change.)

Report from the set II No CF sightings this time, but ... those bored when I crashed the book launch, do not read on... Shooting when I arrived was a scene of Bridget serenading someone from the street. It appeared she had hired a guy with an electronic keyboard, and stood beside him dancing and singing a song I had never heard before, which sounded like it might be called "You are the one" or similar. It was not a very good tune or song, IMO, and not likely to match the hits from 4WAAF or NH, though obviously a special new scene (maybe a Bridget fantasy?). RZ had long, blonde hair, and was wearing a black dress and tights, with pink high heels, and brandishing a red rose. Fascinating re-write. The other scene filmed afterwards was a shot of Daniel in his light-blue classic convertible Mercedes picking Bridget up from her home to take her away. He honks the horn, she comes out and drops a bag in the back of the car, gets in, they kiss and away they go. HG similar to last week, RZ with a headscarf and big smile. Anyway, the good part is by the time they started shooting the second scene, I was standing around near the extras, gathered to make up the street that HG & RZ drive down. I was taken for another extra and given a particular bit of street to walk down, so if I make the final cut, I could be in the film. I reached roughly the same position when the car went past in all 3 rehearsals and 6 takes, so I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. We were told it was Saturday morning, so I guess this was the ill-fated mini-break which Bridget booked, when Daniel ordered beers and watched cricket on TV.

Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. LOL! An extra on BJD....your talents are being recognised, Mark! We'll look out for you! Thanks for another fascinating update. Although I must admit that first scene has me worried! I hope it's a Bridget fantasy (presumably serenading Daniel, ye-euch!) and not a Real Life Situation. One thing that gives me the occasional twinge of doubt is the massive 5 week "re-write" of the script by Richard Curtis (and which brought HG enthusiastically on board!). Andrew Davies wrote the original screenplay and his scripts are usually regarded as letter perfect. He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations (P&P, Wives and Daughters, Moll Flanders), and several original award winning screenplays and drama series. I remember reading that he'd spent a lot of time with HF visiting her old haunts to get the flavour of BJD. IMHO, he's a much better writer than RC, who can be rather twee. I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. You know the sort of thing.... Hugh Grant plays the dashing, handsome but flawed hero with whom BJ falls overwhelmingly in l-urve. Several passionate liaisons follow, taking up huge wads of screen-time. Colin Firth pops up every now and then as stodgily dependable lawyer favoured by Bridget's mum and Una Alconbury. Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel."I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him." Closing shot of MD clad in unbecoming bomber jacket (clothes to make supporting actor look fat) pecking BJ tentatively on cheek, final closing shot of a brooding sorrowful Daniel gazing into the middle distance. Disgruntled cinema audience departs. "Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant..." I'm 100% sure I'm wrong about this!:-) (but I'd love to see the original screenplay!)

(MarkG) I was taken for another extra Of course years from now we will see this story re-enacted on A&E's Biography series. The story of a cheeky young lad trying to break into the ranks of super stardom. He boldly inserts himself into BJD's film set, and is later spotted by the head of Miramax at a private screening of the film. "Who is that man?" shouts HW. "He's perfect. I've been searching for 'that look' for my next upcoming project with Steven Spielberg. Get him for me!" Of course, the rest is history. MarkG went on to become one of Britain's hottest property :-)

He boldly inserts himself into BJD's film set, and is later spotted by the head of Miramax at a private screening of the film. That's brilliant! Are you giving Mark ideas, Donna? He has already crashed one party. ;-))) Thank you, Mark! We will be looking out for you. Today an extra, tomorrow... a friend to CF. ;-) So that set is supposed to be the front of her apartment? Is it the same as where the last scene took place? I thought they were supposed to film in Notting Hill. I too think Bridget singing has got to be a fantasy. It is a stretch. Is that a slow Frank Sinatra type song or more like Bette Midler? Disgruntled cinema audience departs. "Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant..." Too funny, Bethan. I guess only time will tell.

Mark!! You are incredible!! Party Crashing skills: A+ Reporting skills: A+ and now acting skills. Bravo! (did I use enough exclamation points?) Agree, does look like taking off for minibreak from hell scene. But that serenading thing? Wot on earth? Yes, must be fantasy scene. If that set is supposed to be the NH neighborhood where Bridget lives, then she couldn't be seranding Daniel. He doesn't live there. Or is an all-encompassing bunch of different places? Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. Am off to enter you at IMDb cast listing for movie, as they have finally put Colin and Renee's names in (and took my ordering scenario *ha ha*) He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations They are not aiming for the BBC drama or PBS crowd on this one. What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million?

What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million? Don't forget he also wrote COF which has not made $100m I don't think but has I believe done well for a small film. I saw a copy of the video on sale about 2 years ago and on the cover was a sticker saying that it had made �35m so far not bad!

I haven't forgotten about CoF, but Universal Pictures/Working Title is unlikely to be aiming for a "nice, warm-hearted, family film" destined for the art house crowd. They are going for another Notting Hill that will play the megaplexes.

Hmmm, after that little item in the Sunday Times, showing Liz and Hughie together attending a wedding in the country, Neal Travis from the NY Post reports: HUGH & LIZ: TOGETHER �AGAIN' SOME gullible New York and London columnists were making a big deal last week over the "breakup" of Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, but those of us who've been around the track a few times just smiled. As I have often written, Hugh and Liz delight in tugging the media chain. So I won't make too much of this scoop: that the glamorous couple, after some recent quiet days in the English countryside, are together again and planning a big wedding, children and the whole nine yards. My sources say they've decided it's time to stop kidding around about their 12-year affair. Neither is getting any younger, and both feel a sense of mortality now that Hugh's mother is gravely ill with cancer. "They will shortly get officially engaged and will have a formal wedding next year," says one intimate. "They will retain their joint production company, and are looking to do a major romantic comedy together." The sources say the couple had a heart-to-heart talk during their country escape and agreed each had to change. Hugh has promised to stop his serial flirting, and Liz has pledged to free up time for them to be together. Anyway, that's what I'm being told now, and I tend to believe it. At the risk of sounding unromantic, the sum of Grant and Hurley as a screen couple is far greater and more valuable than the parts. And they can laugh their pretty heads off about the dance on which they have led us all - and on which they may still be leading us.

Anyway, the good part is by the time they started shooting the second scene, I was standing around near the extras, gathered to make up the street that HG & RZ drive down. I was taken for another extra and given a particular bit of street to walk down, so if I make the final cut, I could be in the film. I reached roughly the same position when the car went past in all 3 rehearsals and 6 takes, so I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! How exciting! Hope you remember us little people Mark! (Especially those of us who pleeeaded with you to return and meet your destiny! Well ok, so I asked you to go spy on CF's hair, but still . . .) BTW, if it's not too nosy, how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? :-) Hugh Grant plays the dashing, handsome but flawed hero with whom BJ falls overwhelmingly in l-urve. Several passionate liaisons follow, taking up huge wads of screen-time. Colin Firth pops up every now and then as stodgily dependable lawyer favoured by Bridget's mum and Una Alconbury. Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel."I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him." LOL! But this is no fantasy, this is a nightmare! I really DO NOT like Hugh Grant all that much. Does he exude virility? Can he sit a horse so well? Look so stunning in a tall top-hat? Say "Whot"? Finish an entire sentence without stumbling? Act? (And these are ranked in order of importance of course!) Hey, I think I win the prize for most exclamation points in a single response!

And to think we knew him when he was Recon Man.:-) Mark, great report--what fun! Hope your scene makes it into the film. Am amazed that they actually shot 2 scenes while you were there. We always hear how film-making is such a drawn-out affair; sounds like Sharon M. is really moving things right along. Did you catch a glimpse of her BTW? (Bethan)I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. LOL, me too! That's alright, best to confront these fears head-on.;-)

Mari, I think my brain cells are failing. What does NH stand for?

BTW Karen, thanks for digging up that article on HG and EH. They sound kinda bizarre, hey? Sad about his mother.

Mark...May I have your autograph....? Have pic of him at the Luna Nuova that I'm saving for ebay! ~~~~~~ ....Re: Andrew Davies He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations They are not aiming for the BBC drama or PBS crowd on this one. What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million? Ditto. AD writes warm, fuzzy well..but comedy? Uh,uh....I'll go with Richard Curtis..More au courant.

Hi, Sadie . . . NH = Notting Hill (written and produced by the same people bringing us BJD).

Disgruntled cinema audience departs. "Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant..." The more I think of this scenario the more highly unlikely it would appear. They are making a "Cinderella Gets Prince Charming," who for half of the film is still in toad-mode. If the audience walks out thinking positively about Daniel Cleaver, then they've failed miserably and created a total downer movie - hardly one that stands a chance of attracting the date crowd. Besides, if they had changed the script that much, Helen Fielding must have been served with a gag order. (Sadie) how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? :-) Some of us mere mortals have met our roving reporter and burgeoning star. However, I can safely say he will be the most handsome one on screen at the time. And, unless he has done something radical, he will NOT have long, floppy hair.

Besides, if they had changed the script that much, Helen Fielding must have been served with a gag order. You haven't heard? She was banished to LA. ;-)

Mark: As good if not better than your first report. Please give a brief description of yourself so we can be sure to spot you. I really can't wait for this film, but I guess I will have to! 2001! At my age, they better get it out to the US sooner than that!

Karen Some of us mere mortals have met our roving reporter and burgeoning star. However, I can safely say he will be the most handsome one on screen at the time. And, unless he has done something radical, he will NOT have long, floppy hair Mark what a star! And to think Winter, JenK and I actually ate with you once! D You'll have your own drool board next ;-D I had thought they were only filming there for a week or so (perhaps the weather has delayed proceedings) but I noticed the catering trucks and lighting rigs were still in evidence last night (Friday) - perhaps I will get to have a mosey down there after all. Though whether I can be as brazen as MarkG is debatable - come to think of it, from my memory of the book ...short, tubby types don't feature heavily (*groan*) in the story line so it's only right that the balance is redressed with outsized extras.....hello Ms Director I'm here!

..but I noticed the catering trucks and lighting rigs were still in evidence last night.(Friday) - perhaps I will get to have a mosey down there after all. Excuse the personal question, Tracy...but how can you stand it? I mean...just go and take a quick look-see;-)

Evelyn - phew what a relief I was afraid of what you were going to ask for a minute! Like I say - I only get small glimpses from the train as I pass over the area on my way home from work and by then it's been too difficult to stop ...let's just admit it I am a poor excuse for a Bridgeteer/ Firthian/ whatever - I've failed dismally! If they're still filming there next week, I'll definitely try to get there - with camera if I can possibly manage it!....(have covered self with enough vagueness -just in case)

Big article on RZ in The Sunday Times (any pics in the actual paper, ladies?): When Ren�e Zellweger was cast as Bridget Jones, few thought her suitable for the job. But after two weeks of undercover research, she's already got into her stride, says GARTH PEARCE Going by the book Ren�e Zellweger is thinking the unthinkable for an emerging star: she no longer wants to be recognised. The Hollywood-based actress hopes to be ignored as she lives and works in London, tackling her new role as Bridget Jones in a film version of the fictional diary of a thirtysomething English publisher, riddled with insecurities about men, weight and work. In practical terms, that means out go the party frocks and on goes 15lb in weight. As Zellweger is American, beautiful and successful, this could prove more difficult than she imagines. But then landing the part of Bridget was always going to be a challenge. The character is already so ingrained in the public consciousness as an emblem of our times, her habits and neuroses both mocked and mimicked in print and on screen, that any film adaptation would inevitably provoke contention. Everyone, it seemed, had their own idea of the best way to do it and, more significantly, who should take the title role. There were plenty of British screen actresses with the right image and experience to tackle the part - Kate Winslet, Kate Beckinsale and Helena Bonham Carter among them. So when the producer Eric Fellner announced that the part had gone to a little-known Texan actress, whose only notable role to date had been in the quintessentially American film Jerry Maguire, the response was one of shock and dismay. It was all very well for Fellner to praise Zellweger for having "the passion the character needed", but how could an American do justice to the role? Why sacrifice the essence of the book on the altar of global marketability? Even Helen Fielding, the author of the book and a driving force behind the film, announced that she had "retired gracefully" from involvement with the script as a result of the casting, adding: "I am very surprised that nobody asked my opinion." Well, with shooting now under way, the real shock is that Ren�e Zellweger is as British, and as Bridget, as they come. In the past few weeks she has undergone radical rehearsals for the part that have seen her completely alter her identity. "It is a beautiful book, an extraordinary character, and the role has been such a gift for me," she says, delivering a perfect English accent. "I have had dialect classes every day since February. More important, I am thinking English and speaking with an English accent. It has meant a complete cultural change, from whistling Spice Girls songs at the weekends to understanding all about the appeal and reference of Harvey Nicks." More significantly still, she and Fellner came up with a plan to integrate her so successfully into the London publishing scene that nobody could question her Bridget credentials again. When we met, Zellweger had just spent 2� weeks working incognito in the lion's den - Picador publishing, which has sold 1.5m copies of Bridget Jones's Diary so far. In a bid to counter the bad publicity and prepare his star, Fellner persuaded David Macmillan, co-director of Picador's owners, Macmillan, to give the actress a job. She was assigned to the head of publicity, Camilla Elworthy, the only person let in on the secret, with a cover story that she was Bridget Cavendish, a young woman seeking work experience in publishing. Turning up at 9.30 sharp each morning at the office in Eccleston Place, London, just around the corner from where hundreds of journalists work for the 70 or so magazines at IPC publishing, Zellweger played the part so perfectly that nobody guessed her true identity. Even when she confronted the media head-on at the launch party of A Question of Bruno, a collection of short stories by Aleksandar Hemon, plus a presentation at Waterstone's, nobody suspected the ruse. In the process, Zellweger completely won over the doubters at Picador: "Everyone found her friendly, charming and hard-working," says Elworthy. "All sections of the business came into contact with her during the 2� weeks, without ever realising who she was. She even ran the office one day I was out of the country. There was no trace of an American accent and, having got to know her, we can all imagine she will make a perfect Bridget Jones. She was so good that one of our directors was about to offer her a full-time job." In truth, Zellweger is such a charmer, she could probably talk herself into any kind of job. She's blonde and pretty, and, with her new intensive eating plan now complete, she does not look, like so many other pinched American actresses, as if she needs feeding up with croissants. "I have been learning a lot about this character and a lot about myself, too," she says. "But I really needed to be removed from the subculture of Los Angeles to help understand her." It's not hard to see her point. Gallons of chardonnay, cigarettes by the packetful and guilt-ridden bingeing on mince pies are not really the Hollywood style. For the film, she finds herself surrounded by a very British cast. Hugh Grant, currently overwhelmed by our peculiar obsession with his love life, plays Bridget's office lover, Daniel Cleaver. Colin Firth, in a nice casting twist, is the gallant Mark Darcy, and Bridget's supportive friend Sharon is Sally Phillips, first noticed as the acerbic receptionist in I'm Alan Partridge and then a star of the comedy series Smack the Pony. With Gemma Jones playing her mother, Pam, rediscovering her sex life at 60, and Jim Broadbent as the long-suffering father, Colin, there's a few cultural shockwaves still to come during filming. But Zellweger insists that she's ready for them. "It is easy to imagine the emotions and problems of Bridget, wherever you are from," she reasons. "What woman over 30 isn't concerned about the same things - men, body image, work, relationships? Or women under 30, come to that. I've had plenty myself. Who hasn't?" Zellweger, from the small town of Katy, Texas, has certainly had some lean times. She moved to Los Angeles in December 1993, following a slender acting career and a degree in English literature from the University of Texas. The high point had been an appearance as a white-trash character called Starlene in the oddly titled film Love and a .45. But she struggled until her 1996 breakthrough in Jerry Maguire. She had previously worked in a bar to make ends meet: "I cleaned up after young Hollywood, carrying cases of beer and stocking up the freezer," she recalls. "I could just about pay the rent on a grungy little one-room apartment, but couldn't afford things like a television. I did not know if my acting career was going to lead anywhere - I still don't - but I was going to hop on the road and see where it took me. It was not a matter of moving to Los Angeles and saying, 'Hey - I'm here.' Nobody cares, and that's the toughest part. You feel as if you have something to give, but nobody really notices." But Tom Cruise did notice, hiring her ahead of Winona Ryder, Bridget Fonda and Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei to play the single mother Dorothy Boyd, at a point when Zellweger had run out of ready cash at a laundrette and driven to meet him in her clapped-out Volkswagen, leaving wet washing strewn around her flat. Since then, she has not come anywhere near repeating such box-office success, despite good personal reviews for some high-profile roles. There was A Price Above Rubies, as a Jewish wife who defies her frigid Hasidic husband, and One True Thing, opposite Meryl Streep and William Hurt, playing an ambitious Manhattan magazine journalist asked by her father to quit her job to take care of her dying mother. Now there are two other films on the way. In Nurse Betty, to be released in the autumn, she plays Betty Sizemore, a waitress obsessed with daytime soap dramas who leaves Kansas for Hollywood after witnessing the murder of her no-good husband. Sizemore becomes convinced that her soap hero, Dr David Ravell (played by Greg Kinnear), is her ex-fianc�. He, in turn, believes that her enthusiasm for his character is method acting at its best and offers her a role in the show. It's a funny, if bizarre, movie that should do well. Zellweger has also recently completed the comedy Me, Myself & Irene, from the Farrelly brothers, the team who brought us There's Something About Mary, in which she stars opposite her real-life boyfriend, Jim Carrey. "What can I tell you about Jim, other than my love for him?" she asks. "He is a very handsome man. That is a surprising thing, because his face is never still when he's acting. He is working all the time and playing characters, but when he walks into a room, just normally, he's so good looking, you go, 'Oh, you have got to be kidding.' He is very intelligent, but not one of those people who is always 'on' and feels that he has to entertain you. He is creative, compassionate and understanding. He's wonderful." It would be hard to imagine Bridget Jones ever giving a man such an even break. At least, not in those terms. But then Ren�e Zellweger has come to grips with the difference between America and Britain. "On the surface, it's not foreign, but it is completely foreign," she says. "We speak the same language, without speaking the same language at all." She's already getting the hang of it all. Playing Bridget should be a breeze.

(Mari)As for kissing Colin ...well she could come with us to the Donmar next time.:-) Why, Mari, did you get to kiss Colin? :-o (MarkG) I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! ...as shall be all of us! :-D Good work, Mark! (Bethan)I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. You know the sort of thing.... Creepy, creepy... I do hope you're wrong and Karen right about this. (Karen)Colin Firth, in a nice casting twist, is the gallant Mark Darcy Wonder what he means, a casting twist. Doesn't he know the part was designed for Colin?

So the Sunday Times is continuing all this nice publicity. I can't wait for the quotes from Renee telling us what a joy Colin is to work with. It's obligatory from his female co-stars, isn't it? Written in his contract or something. Mark - our intrepid reporter. We are your number one fans. And remember that three times is the charm. Next time they'll give you a line to speak. (Bethan) Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel."I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him." Closing shot of MD clad in unbecoming bomber jacket (clothes to make supporting actor look fat) pecking BJ tentatively on cheek, final closing shot of a brooding sorrowful Daniel gazing into the middle distance. Disgruntled cinema audience departs. "Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant..." Huge LOL, Bethan. While we know this will never happen, we do, don't we?, I can appreciate where the gallows humor is coming from. The script can only include additional scenes with Mark. No additional scenes with Daniel are allowed unless Mark is punching him out...like a gentleman, of course.

(Gi) Why, Mari, did you get to kiss Colin? :-o Sorry, but I *never* kiss and tell.:-) Nice article from the Times, Karen, thanks. Sounds like RZ's accent passed muster with this writer as well as the Picador people, so that shouldn't be a concern. Too bad they keep repeating Helen Fielding's woefully out-of-context remarks. What she said, of course, is that she was surprised that no one asked her (to play the part)--all very tongue in cheek, but I guess the humor was lost.

YIPEE.....THEY WON.... Welcome to Broadway!!!Our Gang cleaned -up! THREE TONY'S BEST REVIVAL THE REAL THING BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY STEPHEN DILLANE BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY JENNIFER EHLE So take that Olivier's!!

Moon: Is that a slow Frank Sinatra type song or more like Bette Midler? Neither, really - maybe serenading gives the wrong impression. It was more of a pop song than a croon - just trying to remember it again makes me shudder ... it was not good. Karen: If that set is supposed to be the NH neighborhood where Bridget lives, then she couldn't be serenading Daniel. He doesn't live there. Or is it an all-encompassing bunch of different places? The latter. On one side of the street are a Greek restaurant (Kalispera), and shops called Frangipani and Pritchard's Fine Wines (all fake, I now believe), and on the other a pub (not fake) an unmarked doorway and Dial-a-lift minicabs (fake), and I think they use bits of this "set" for all different locations. e.g. Bridget serenaded the top floor of the pub (!), and came out of her flat at the unmarked doorway beside it. Sadie: how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? Call me superstitious, but I'll let you know after it's been edited and I can't be cut out by film co lurkers! :-) Mari: they actually shot 2 scenes while you were there. That really surprised me too, but I think I was just lucky to catch the last take of the serenading scene, before the eternity that it took to shoot a 10-second car shot. I failed to identify Sharon Maguire, as none of the women in the area I thought she would be in seemed to fit the bill - but I don't know much about shooting movies... TracyT: if they're still filming next week... a security guy told a couple of onlookers that there were 8 more weeks of shooting after a short break, but he didn't know whether it would all still be in the same place - but then the same guy had told these girls that HG would arrive at the set in four hours time, about ten minutes before the scene with HG in it actually began. Mari: Too bad they keep repeating Helen Fielding's woefully out-of-context remarks. I completely agree. Isn't it horrific to see her odd quote mutating into a bitchier comment report by report.

Arrggh Hopefully closing italics.

It was more of a pop song than a croon A ha!! As I suspected...the "Say A Little Prayer" touch. Did the passersby join in song? ;-)

From www.thisislondon.co.uk How did Renee become Bridget? by Neil Norman Renee Zellweger: Texan, tiny and attached to Jim Carrey. It doesn't get much crazier. Renee Zellweger with her version of Colin Forth - Jim Carrey

Grr, I can't post the rest of the article. Here's the URL: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=288014&in_review_text_id=233150

I am Soooooo envious. Are you using Zoom Binoculars, Mark? You are neglecting your cricket for us - we are most grateful - and more than a little envious. Mahalo!

Re: Neil Norman article. Wish journalists would stop being so condescending about RZ. I think she has Bridget's sweetness, and sweet face. Did American journalists gripe this much when VL landed Scarlett? Hope it's o.k. if I post more Bridgetesque stuff,I'm in a silly mood. (Please let me know, Karen, if it's not appropriate here, and I'll stop after this. :-D ) June 5 2000 13:2349 Am distracted by Drool board and must say something. Must get dictionary. June 5 2000 15:23:49 Destroyed baked potatoes (singular: no 'e', plural: 'e'. Would make brilliant American politician!) Am beginning to suspect Mark G might be real-life Mark D. And is movie star too! Boyfriend just got home. Is dressed like Seinfeld again. Must seriously reconsider options. Wrote Boss 'dear Boss' letter. Am now looking for new job, but spending all my time on drool boards. V. confusing! Ooh, 'nother photo of CF... Excellent... ACK, Ack.

LOL...pl. Karen...don't tell her to stop. "You should publish"....3 DOR, Act I

After such praise, I'm seeing stars and dollar signs! Maybe could lead to movie? You know, Mark G cast as Mark G. Would be 'inevitable'. Then I could move to L.A. Then for novel sequel (as in literary form, not extent of originality), I could interview him, and cast his younger brother to play him in movie sequel. Whot say you Mark? Wanna be in a home movie... Oops, v.v. sorry. Am already turning into sleazy couch-casting mover-and-shaker type. Need humble pie. Just checked. Humble pie is burnt.

You're on topic, as far as I can see. On the RZ front, there was a segment on her on Access Hollywood. She will be on the cover of the July Vanity Fair (on newsstands June 13). Journalist who interviewed her talked about how much she ate at lunch, how much flak she had been getting from the British press and how it had gotten to her. Lots of images from the photoshoot. Wonder if the article will show her co-stars (especially the *other* one) ;-)

(Karen)Wonder if the article will show her co-stars (especially the *other* one) ;-) Ummmm....hope so. May have to buy Vanity Fair for first time.

More tidbits from the Vanity Fair article on Renee at one of the NY Post's gossip columns: The "Jerry Maguire" star has now moved onto "Bridget Jones's Diary." The movie, based on the best-selling book, demanded that the 5-foot-5, 106-pound Zellweger eat like an Alsatian. To pack on a whopping 12 pounds, she quit working out and now starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr�me caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream "I think I'm the only actress in Hollywood who has weight-gain powder on her kitchen counter," Zellweger tells inteviewer Ned Zemen. The rest (including a cute pic of RZ and JC) is at: http://www.nydailynews.com/today/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-68993.asp

I'm feeling very serious today. How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? Granted she's no blonde Amazon on a rooftop, but, from the sound of that previous article, you'd think she was 4'5. 5'5 is a nice height. (Besides, studies show that taller men usually partner up with shorter women.) Rant, rant, whine, whine, I'll say no more.

Thanks Karen..Glad that BJD is getting so much mention in the US press. I can assure HF and others that this pre-publicity would not be happening if Bridget was an un-known British star.

I'm very thankful for RZ. Say a little prayer, every day! :-) Without her (and with KW or H B-C), BJD would have been just another all-Brit romantic comedy which might have taken �2million max at the box office. I think they've got the casting just right (a very good mix).

Geez, I'm 5'6/5'7 weigh 125lbs and am considered anorexic!!!! We just can't win!

(Karen)To pack on a whopping 12 pounds, she quit working out and now starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr�me caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream I don't think I'd need all that to put on weight :-(

(LauraMM)Geez, I'm 5'6/5'7 weigh 125lbs and am considered anorexic!!!! We just can't win! You sound perfect to me :-)Now if I could lose 8 pounds in the right places ;-)

Report III: Film set gone. :-(

(MarkG)Report III: Film set gone. :-( Now could it materialize in Albufeira? :-)

Now could it materialize in Albufeira? :-) There must be a film commission for Portugal. Why don't you ring them up or some regional entity for the Algarve... Your luck, they will probably film Meditterranean scenes if any in the Isle of Man. Thanks for reporting in, Mark.

(MarkG)Report III: Film set gone. :-( I know....v. dischuffed having psyched myself to have a peek. Never mind I daresay our spies will be out and about...this may be the 'short break' security guy was talking about. They may be back! In meantime will (in the words of Shaw Taylor) "keep 'em peeled "

Mark, your reports grow ever more daring, you'll be a CF "bodydouble" at this rate. Full marks (that's v v v good) Sadie, LOL! Too too funny. Thanks everyone for your info and articles, much appreciated.

(Sadie R) How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? I'm 5'5", and I feel like one of the Seven Dwarfs. Sneezy, if anyone's interested.

(Sadie R) How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? What the heck does that make me, I'm 5'3".....one of the 7 Dwarves little cousins - Dinky?

OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets.

It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't work among the Amazon women. The two female co-workers I have the most contact with are both 5'10".

(Lizza J) OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets. Unfortunately, some of us are both vertically challenged and flat chested :-(

...starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr�me caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream Jayzuz! 12 pounds, Renee, not 22! How does she fit it all? Large pizza? Whole chicken? She'd better take it easy or she'll be looking like Liz Taylor during the Senator Warner years. Aww, c'mon everyone, we're all tall, blonde and gorgeous. This virtual stuff has to be good for somethin' ;-D

But if she's 106lbs and gains 12 thats 118, that is not big at all. In fact for 5'5 that's underweight. I'm considered underweight for my height (and have hard time putting it on, perhaps I should follow in RZ's shoes!) Frappes for lunch! (Milkshakes for the rest of you;))

Mark G, hope I didn't offend with my silly posts, but if I did, I'm truly sorry. (Tracy T)What the heck does that make me, I'm 5'3".....one of the 7 Dwarves little cousins - Dinky? LSSLOL! (LSS= Loud sudden snort) v. funny. (Lizza J) OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets. And big spirits, so we've got that goin' for us. (Cheryl)It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't work among the Amazon women ALSSLOL! Time to take that Warrior Woman training. Just remember though, the bigger the woman ... the bigger the woman! Run! (Donna DL) Unfortunately, some of us are both vertically challenged and flat chested But what are rocks to mountains of men? Seriously though, breasts are just heavy globs of fat with a few mammory ducts meandering around inside, and it all steadily descends towards your knees as you --- gee, I don't think this is working as a collective cheer-up. I know that I'm getting depressed. Sorry! I'm liking your virtual suggestion, Eileen. Have a frappe for me will ya Laura? I'll be standing on my head to fight gravity. :-)

Offend me, Sadie? Only if offend is the new definition of the word "delight". I'm just keeping quiet, hoping for more comparisons between MarkG and MarkD. Only those who have met me (sadly too many here) can know how truly disparate people with the same first name can be. Assuming my brother (older) rejects the chance to play me in my life-story, I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on.

I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on. LOL, Mark! At this point I think we are working on smelling the frappe. ;-D

(Moon)LOL, Mark! At this point I think we are working on smelling the frappe. ;-D Okay, coffee frappes for everyone! Mark, you can have mocha;)

(Mark) Assuming my brother (older) rejects the chance to play me in my life-story, I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on. LOL! Mark, if you would only cross Upper Street in broad daylight you would not have such worries. Oh well, I'm sure we can get Jude Law to play you. (Moon) smelling the frappe *hee hee* Is far better than drinking it.