simply can't wait to see it;o)

Welcome Penny, Mystery Man and Diane! (Mark), Here's a hint why there may be so many period dramas, Kim - stories that have stood the test of time often make good films. (Of course updates of good stories can work too, like BJD) Actually, there arent't many new period dramas being filmed. Nothing in comparison to the "trailer trash" "gritty gansters" "modern day grunge" films that are being made in UK. The "Foot and Mouth" may deserve a documentary, but it's not the Potato Famin, the Holocust, the Desaparecidos, the Balkans, etc. to warrant stories filmed. I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. Let's not forget that BJD is partly a US production. (Penny) where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. And it had music as a main character. That always helps.

(Moon) I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. Wot!? You don't like to watch Men Behaving Badly 24/7? ;-) Be prepared for the next bit of British fluff to come down the pike... Greenfingers. Saw it last year and is nothing; totally forgetable IMO. However, you really should see Sexy Beast, not for the story or the ultra-stylish direction, but for Ben Kingsley's performance. Ray Winstone isn't bad either, but Kingsley's is a standout.

I've seen the Sexy Beast trailer. I'm hooked already. Can't wait for it to show up locally.

I watch some cooking game show on BBC America... with Ainsley Harriott (who I recall had a cooking/talk show here in the states for a bit). Most of the time, it's just a rehash of stuff I've already seen. I do wish they'd show ABFAB, LOVED that show!

(Moon)I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. I agree. BBC-America came with my new digital cable package, and I haven't been excited about what I've seen so far. On the 4th they ran the six most popular Monty Pythons. OK, so I love the Spanish Inquisition and the Dead Parrot Sketch, but really, haven't we seen these enough?!? They do run some British movies, so I'm hoping to catch something with ODB in it. Who knows, maybe DQ may make it to BBC-America, not that I'm holding my breath. I will confess, sometimes I watch BBC-America just to hear the accents. BTW, was ABFAB a BBC production? Somewhere I read there's a new series being made.

Yep, it was a BBC production. They only did a few shows per year. Weird schedule. I would LOVE if there is a new series being made with the orginal cast:) Perhaps, they'll do a weekly BJD series. That would be cute.

It would indeed;OD

They only did a few shows per year. That's the norm with most British television shows. They only do about 6 compared to 20+ which is a full season here.

(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. I dunno, I love it. Especially since American filmmakers seem unable to deal with issues of socioeconomic class without resorting to tired cliches and racial stereotypes. That was one of the things I loved about Brassed Off, like others have mentioned. Speaking of the Potato Famine, Moon, has anyone read My Dream of You? It would make a good movie, kinda in the mold of Possession, with the current-day story contrasted with the historical story. ObBJD: BJD is still playing at 8 theatres in the Bay Area, mostly second-run cheaper places. I think I'll have to get one more viewing in before it disappears from the screens.

(LauraT), Speaking of the Potato Famine, Moon, has anyone read My Dream of You? It would make a good movie, kinda in the mold of Possession, with the current-day story contrasted with the historical story. That's an idea! I would see it. (Karen), Wot!? You don't like to watch Men Behaving Badly 24/7? ;-) Can someone please explain to me who the audience is for that show? "Ugly People Behaving in Their Usual Way." To think that the BBC is promoting in that US? (Laura), I do wish they'd show ABFAB, LOVED that show! If it's "Absolutely Fabulous" they do show it in the evenings. I do manage to sit through "Changing Rooms." It's fun to see what decorators can do on a small budget.

(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. (LauraT), I dunno, I love it. I love it too! I don't think they find it boring here, it is just not part of the culture. They're fascinated by royalty because they have become such a prt o the media and everyone knows who they are. But an understanding of the Upper class and the Lower class in a Monarchy would not interest most "politically correct" Americans. Yours truly is a royalist. :-)

Thank you all for welcoming me. Hey, I *like* Men Behaving Badly. But not for the men... I think Caroline Quentin is hilarious. She's usually good- in Jonathan Creek and Kiss Me Kate also. I would post some more about BJD and CF, but I have just swapped rooms with my sister (she is away at uni, I chose to study closer to home, her room is bigger) and have been moving furniture. I put something in the wardrobe before I moved the television to a more secure position on the IKEA shelving unit... bad move. Telly crashed down onto the back of my heel. Telly fine, heel KILLING. AAAAArgh I screamed. And then cried some :( Might watch my BJD pirate video later to cheer me up.

(PennyB) Hope you'll get better, I think CF will do the trick...;o)

Thank you all for welcoming me. Hey, I *like* Men Behaving Badly. But not for the men... I think Caroline Quentin is hilarious. She's usually good- in Jonathan Creek and Kiss Me Kate also. I would post some more about BJD and CF, but I have just swapped rooms with my sister (she is away at uni, I chose to study closer to home, her room is bigger) and have been moving furniture. I put something in the wardrobe before I moved the television to a more secure position on the IKEA shelving unit... bad move. Telly crashed down onto the back of my heel. Telly fine, heel KILLING. AAAAArgh I screamed. And then cried some :( Might watch my BJD pirate video later to cheer me up.

AB FAB is absolutely Fabulous. Just shortened it as it's easier. Brits like that only 6 shows? I'd go nuts! I watched Ballykissangel when it first aired on PBS a few years back, really liked it. But like everything else, it became a soap opera;) I think I've only seen Jonathan Creek once, the guy who plays him is quite funny.

sorry about the double post, my PC crashed :(

(Moon)I do manage to sit through "Changing Rooms." I love Changing Rooms! They made an American version of it that's on HGTV now that's sorta entertaining too. They're so much more realistic than most of the other home dec shows - I wish I had that much money and that much space and that much time! PennyB, hope your foot improves, oww. A good viewing of CF will cure most anything. ;) BTW, I just got Pride, Prejudice, & Jasmin Field from WH Smith and was reading it at lunch, and it's amazing how much it's like BJD. CF and RZ could slip right into the main roles (except RZ would have to dye her hair dark and gain weight again).

(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. (LauraT), I dunno, I love it. (Moon)I love it too! I don't think they find it boring here, it is just not part of the culture. OK. *I* find it boring. .. I'm a cultural boor. * Scratching head..wondering which last "class thing film" was a big commercial success....* Except for RV of course;-)

Two quickly come to mind. The one with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins (forget the name) Plus, "A room with a View."

"Howard's End"

(Laura)I watched Ballykissangel when it first aired on PBS a few years back, really liked it. But like everything else, it became a soap opera;) It is running its final year in the US now, and the original writer/producer came back. It's less soapy.

From Screen Daily: Ladies Day: Lara & Bridget rule UK Who says there are no good roles for women? Films with female leads dominated the box office in the UK at the weekend. Computer-game icon Lara Croft demonstrated her pulling power taking $5.4m (�3.8m) in her first big screen venture: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Played by Hollywood hot-property Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft achieved a stunning $12,184 site average from 444 sites. The figures included one-day previews of $547,433 (�389,225). Meanwhile in fifth position and dropping just 19% from the previous week, despite being on release for 13 weeks, Bridget Jones's Diary continued to make a significant entry. The local favourite, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, has now taken $56.4m (�40.1m) at the UK box office. The comedy is only the sixth film ever to pass the �40m mark in the territory, behind Titanic, The Full Monty, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Jurassic Park and Toy Story 2.

There will be an interview with Hugh Grant in the Danish magazine Eurowoman, witch is out from 26th of july, propably on the BJD-subject, as BJD is released in Denmark the 27th of july... I'll try to translate it to you when I get my hands on the magazine:o)

which even

Being not objective AT ALL about this movie (and CF), I'd be interested in any opinions expressed by those NOT obsessed with CF. What did your friends, who do NOT know the background of P&P2, mentions in the book BJD, etc. think of CF and the movie? Did they have the "ding-dong" reaction, and "who is this guy?!" or were they more interested in Hugh Grant? Just wondering about the general public's reaction to CF. If Katie Couric's reaction was any indication...;-)

A friend of mine, after we saw BJD, compared her reaction to CF to my reaction to Johnny Depp - very attractive, but not quite her type. Several of my female friends think that P&P2, and CF's performance in it, were a little too calculated-ly 'repressed Englishman to have fantasies about'. My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts. But that's nothing new. ;)

My best friend has teased me for ages about Colin. When we watched the video of SIL together, she told me that every time Colin is on screen I smile. And she's right. The first two times I saw BJD, my face hurt from smiling. Now, when I hear "Have you Met Miss Jones?" I remember how good I felt at the end of the move and I grin all over again. When I finally took this friend to see BJD, her reaction was similar to Laura's friends. Nice, but not her type. I think she was amused at my reaction to Colin. I almost smacked her when she said that Hugh Grant looked good. But hey, she's a big Kevin Costner fan, so Colin is clearly not her type. Several other women I know who didn't know much about Colin (they're not close friends, or they'd have heard LOTS about him from me!) are now fans. Not perhaps, as rabid as we are, but new fans are always appreciated. Another friend who saw BJD with me is a already big Colin fan. On the way to the theater, she said that she couldn't imagine that he looks better than he did as Darcy. I promised her that he does, and when she saw him, she squealed "Omigod! You're right! He's even better!"

As I posted here before, some of my friends couldn't understand why I liked CF, with his 'lactose intolerant' looks and all. And more than one of them also complimented Hugh's performance - one said he looks so much better as he aged. They prefer the funny Brit to the stiff Englishman - but I told them just think about what is under all that repression!!! ;-P

My youngest sister had no comments about CF but said HG was perfect in his role. Humph. As Seinfeld says, 'too much chlorine in the gene pool.'

Well, HG was the perfect Daniel. The first time you see him, the elevator doors open and he does this shifty-eyed thing that's almost reptilian. But how much acting did that take? Nobody involved in the film said "Oh, Hugh is so different from Daniel." But several people did comment that Colin is much more pleasant, livelier, etc. in person than he was as Mark. As the Master Thespian would say, "ACTING!"

Hugh wasn't acting (at least not all that much) when it came to Daniel. I believe he was only doing what came naturally!

my work mate (who is aware of my firthaholism) said she much preferred Daniel to Mark as Mark is boring (mind you, her taste in men ...??? I knew her last 2 boyfriends *ouch*) and Colin's sideburns are too long! However to be fair, when we watched SiL at her house a few weeks ago, she did catch on that she had to shut up every time Colin appeared on screen ...

BJD is about to open in Australia. Although its *official* debut is 26 July, most cinemas seem to be having advanced screenings commencing around 19 July; guess what I'll be doing on the weekend of 21/22 July? ;-) That's after I go on the evening of 19 July of course! A friend in Perth won tickets to a very advanced screening (over a week ago) and she tells me that we have the Hugh ending over here, rather than the USA ending. This is what I expected but was still hoping .... Nevermind, the kiss is still there ;-) I'm thinking of putting an announcement up at work to say "yes I know Colin is in a new film; yes I will be going to see it (even though I have seen it twice already; once with Colin in attendance)". At least they all seem to know who he is now. Once upon a time they would have said "Colin who?". Although I'm not a big magazine reader, I have been keeping one eye open for any *new* articles. I also have a friend looking for me too but as yet, there doesn't seem to be anything major; except for the Sun Herald article which Karen posted a little while ago. If I do find anything, I'll be sure to let you know.

RE: What non-obsessed people think of CF.: My friend commented on him during the boating scene; she said, "He is so jealous." She gets it! She gets it! How great he is at communicating without saying a word. :-)

HG was the perfect Daniel. The first time you see him, the elevator doors open and he does this shifty-eyed thing that's almost reptilian. In fact I thought it was an interesting twist with another - intentional? - link to P&P: this scene reminded me of the first few times we see Fitzw. Darcy in P&P - a total sourpuss... only Darcy transforms and Daniel remains the same.

I didn't think Daniel was sour. More like sneaky, untrustworthy, wonder-what-sort-of-trouble-I-can-get-into-today kind of guy.

I didn't mean that he *was* sour, merely that he *looked* sour in that opening shot.

No, Daniel definitely looks shifty. What is so funny about his introduction is that because he looks so shifty you know that Bridge shouldn't get involved with him, yet his shiftiness is appealing to women who think low of themselves, AND Hugh Grant is delicious (yes, delicious, I wouldn't kick him out of bed if he asked!)

a while ago, a bloke mate of ours asked why women didn't go for the nice guys but "the bastard with the twinkle in his eye" - we said, the twinkle, of course!! This, I think, is Daniel's appeal - Mark is the nice steady guy, sweet and kind, but women are drawn to the naughty twinkle Daniel has

OK, shifty AND sour, then. ;-) And I don't find HG tempting in the least. Or feel like I wanna go for bastards with the twinkle in their... whatever. But there just aren't enough Mark Darcys in the world to go round, my dears... or are they all drawn to little blondes with big busts and small brains? Typical men, eh? ;-)

First of all, most guys that are bastards don't allow you to see that until WELL into the relationship. And if I recall, Mark Darcy is a bastard just as well, he's definitely not perfect (Rebecca, anyone???). Mark Darcy cannot communicate his feelings, so he comes across as cold. (I'm talking of the books, articles, rather than CF's portrayal of him in movie). I see a blurring here. Mark does not clean up after himself, he steals flowers rather than purchase them and yes he's come round to Bridge's JUST FOR SEX!!!

(Laura)because he looks so shifty you know that Bridge shouldn't get involved with him, yet his shiftiness is appealing to women who think low of themselves Yes, it is. I've seen this too often with women I know (not me, I'm way too arrogant to put up with a creep just because he's cute). You want to tell them, "You can do better than this." So often, they find this out for themselves too late. Partly it's because such men don't show themselves for the bastards they are, and partly it's becaues the women refuse to see it. Bridget knows from the start that Daniel is not a nice guy. In the diary, she resolves not to get involved with a long list of characteristics that are exemplified by Daniel. And then she seems to regret email flirting with "office scoundrel." So she has a clue about him, but ignores it anyhow.

Daniel is paying attention to her. She's flirting, he's flirting, she's vulnerable. I mean Bridge mentions in her diary the type of person she wants to stay away from, but like a moth to flame, she can't deny the sexual attraction that she has to these "bastards". There is part of us that like the guy who isn't exactly what he appears to be. Think James Dean, Marlon Brando. I think we all have fantasies of being dominated at one point or another.

(Laura) Think James Dean... And what has he to do with the subject?

And what has he to do with the subject? As the bad boy...and the good girls who adored him...

Sorry, but that was not his persona. Are you thinking about, perhaps, Cal Trask in East of Eden or Jett Rink in Giant? Certainly not Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause. I wouldn't equate any of characters with the Daniel Cleaver cad type, nor would I put him in that category. Wearing a leather jacket doesn't mean one is bad boy.

Wearing a leather jacket doesn't mean one is bad boy. No??? Damn;) But YOU get my point!!! I bet had JD lived long enough he'd have played a cad, so it's now hypothetical:)

but Laura, even in the books, Mark may be unable to communicate but is esentially caring whereas Daniel is just a user - and the "user" bit comes across well in the film, IMO, when he turns up at Bridget's birthday dinner - total contrast to Mark who has tidied up the kitchen while she's cleaned herself up then he helps her (also does this in the book although the dinner party scenes are different)

I agree with both Laura (Daniel definitely looks shifty) and Echo (I don't find HG tempting in the least). I wouldn't have either HG or DC on a silver platter. As my granny used to say, "Handsome is as handsome does." I wouldn't waste my valuable time on someone who would probably enjoy Divine Brown's company as much as mine--more, probably, as she doesn't need to be wined and dined.

Ah this news items returns to BJD like a little boomerang... ;-0 From The Sunday Observer: My Left Foot and Mouth... and other tasteful tales by Euan Ferguson Almost enough fun has been had since 7 June at the expense of MPs who know nothing about their jobs - transport supremos who can't drive; sports Ministers who assume Formula One is the stuff sitting in a grim pool behind the Grecian 2000; Harriet Harman - but one that slipped under the net was Kim Howells, the new films and tourism Minister, who said last week that the country's film industry should now address its vast talents to contemporary issues. 'When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis?' Not soon enough, Kim, obviously: but the trouble here is that you're giving us no guidelines. The problem isn't simply the idea of a British film about how a bovine virus caused varying levels of microeconomic destabilisation within the parameters of an already complex European farming returns policy - Hollywood lives for little else - but which type of British film, for we do, of course, only three. A soft orange light washes Cotswold stone. The strains begin of Richard Robbins' haunting 'Ode to Repeating The Same Five Gentle Lucrative Chords in Different Orders for Merchant-Ivory Forever and, Stunningly, Getting Away With It Rather Than Landing In Pokey'. Charles Dance, tenderly hefting his traditional farming tools across his broad shoulders - an ancient hoe on one, on the other his trusty Sturmey-Archer Brainfever III bolt-gun - turns to Maggie Smith with a sigh. 'In India, you know, cows are sacred.' She purses her lips, makes some acerbic reference to his father's sexual abilities, and we... Cut to: India. A soft orange light washes Delhi stone. Jeremy Irons, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emma Thompson engage in a wittering three-hour longeur about social mores and someone eventually takes off a petticoat by a river in the sunshine. We see some carvings of cows. Another two hours pass. Suddenly, nothing happens. Or we could, getting more modern, pull in Richard Curtis. Pretty American Girl in church, acting slightly archly: 'But, look... how can I come and live here while you've got this... cow thing?' Hugh Grant (after 10-second goldfish-mouth thing): 'Gosh. Um... yes. Um... no. Um... Josh?' Other Floppy-Haired Type, but fatter and richer: 'Not a problem, gorgeous. It only affects poor people.' Everyone laughs. Hugh kisses Pretty American Girl, to the haunting strains of in-jokes about Colin Firth and Helen Fielding. The audience smiles appreciatively, being composed wholly of Time Out and Guardian film reviewers who live next to each other. Or do we truly modernise, go the whole hog, pull in the Trainspotting team? A farmer shoots up into a distended green vein while standing by a silo of infected cowshit. Twa dabs and he's away with it. Blasted his jammy wee crozzle intae orbit. Up comes his wife and pukes on him and they slip right intae the shit an start choking on it. Robert Carlyle arrives, dressed as a Maff inspector and carrying a shotgun. The farmer gasps, his face a mask of blood and snotters and shit and puke, and begs: 'End it! Jist end it all, now!' Actually, Kim, maybe you're on to something.

Lord Karen, that was just tooooooo funny, for words. I especially loved the Merchant Ivory bit " Suddenly nothing happened ".....

That sounds very nice, but "Lady Karen" would be better still.

Long article about HG from the Melbourne paper about BJD: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/2001/07/16/FFXXB4R47PC.html

Thanks Karen. That's a hysterical article.The guy is a natural DC. Didn't know HF had been a former girlfriend. Helen gets around;-) "And Grant is now one of Britain's highest paid actors, commanding about $US 8 million a film, plus a nice percentage of the box-office profits." He'll make a bundle with BJD. Think Colin is getting a cut of the BO? Which would account for his willingness to publicize.

I found this little bit interesting in the Australian article:Some of the film's most outr� dialogue comes when Grant's blue language surfaces in the script (and boy, can he do blue). In the pivotal seduction scenes with Bridget, we get the unabridged Grant going through the gamut, from naughty ("Silly little skirt, silly little shoes, f... me, absolutely enormous pants") to frankly risqu� ("Turn over and let me abominate you").That last line is definitely *not* in the US version. I wonder if it's in the UK one. Someone wrote me that had seen both and mentioned that the 'wild dogs' done in voiceover twice are Alsatians in the UK version, as were in the book. Does the 'abominate' line appear in the UK version?

From USA Today (7/18): Hollywood dreams of sequels By Josh Chetwynd USA TODAY It's a Hollywood tradition: A good, old idea is usually better than an untested one. If a movie is a blockbuster (or sometimes if it just turns a profit), studio execs usually aim for a sequel. While those efforts don't always work out (Basic Instinct 2 appeared a go before casting problems, among other glitches, nixed it), Hollywood is always on the lookout. A few potential sequels that hope to cash in on their reps: * Bridget Jones's Diary. Early stages. Working Title, which produced Diary, has the movie rights to Helen Fielding's follow-up book, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. But there have been no specific talks.

In the UK version, we had "Alsatians" twice (accompanied by pictures of Alsatians, which don't look particularly wild to me, sniffing around a body). And definitely no "abominate".

I'll second that having just come from yet another screening! This was the funniest so far. I was sitting next to two ladies, and as the opening scene in Snowshill unfolded commented on the "luvlay" swans in the Jones' garden. I knew I was in for non stop comments. Phew! When they saw ODB at the TCB, they said "Is that Colin Firth? Is he Luvlay?" but were totally won over and I had to endure sighs and swoons from them. They kept repeating "No but he is gorgeous" and enjoying reading out all the slogans, labels etc to be seen in the film. The only time they were silent was when MarkG makes his entrance, so at least I could get my own back!! Why didn't I move ? Happy to say that even in week 14 the cinema was pretty full.

Happy to say that even in week 14 the cinema was pretty full It's still going strong (number 5 ?), taking more per screen than Pearl Harbour and the Mummy which opened later. The HG Melbourne article appeared first in the Telegraph magazine. All the initial promo in the UK concentrated on RZ (naturally) and "sexy Hugh". I remember seeing a BJD trailer on Channel 4 (target audience) and CF wasn't even in it. I'm not sure if this was a marketing ploy (keeping CF in reserve as the secret weapon, which, actually, doesn't amke sense) or whether HG was predicted to be the automatic draw, with CF as the also-ran. But after BJD opened, CF seemed to get equal ranking, and then more mentions than Hughie!

It was the same Stateside before the movie came out. I saw several trailers that didn't even feature CF at all, but Hughie was all over the place in them. I'm not surprised that happened in the States, coz HG is much better known over here, than Col, but I'm pretty shocked that it happened in the UK too.

BJD is actually at no 6 - it took �269,00 at the weekend, after 14 weeks. Hughie "riding high on his success in BJD" (quote)i s reported to have been offered the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in the next Harry Potter movie. That makes about the fifth role for Hughie I've read about! News of CF soon please!!!

Oh and I caught The Gnat on the cover of "Hello" or "OK" this week with Kate Winslet, so he's doing the celeb circuit, still resplendant with the "Tiggywinkle" cut.

Do we post film commitments for RZ here or on O&E? Or #150 (-; I've read about 3.Next is White Oleander.The latest on 7/17: FRom Variety: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Renee Zellweger, star of "Bridget Jones's Diary", is in talks to star in "13 Going on 30," which is described as a female version of "Big". The director has not been assigned yet.

From an Australian review.... For some strange reason, Firth has spent much of his recent career portraying buffoonish cuckolds who lose their women to one or another fellow named Fiennes, from Lord Wessex in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE to the ill-fated Geoffrey Clifton in THE ENGLISH PATIENT. Yet Firth has more sex appeal in his pinky than either of those guys, and than Hugh Grant, and if BRIDGET JONES is redeemed by anything, it's that Our Boy Colin finally gets the girl.

From an Australian review.... I love it, Bethan. Where is it from?

In case anyone wants to watch the trailers in German (Colin in German?? ugh), here you go: http://trailer.uip.de/bridgetjones/trailers.html

Have read today that RZ is in advanced stages of negotiations for the BJD sequel.

Really Echo, where ? Is it a reliable source ?

(review) Yet Firth has more sex appeal in his pinky than either of those guys, and than Hugh Grant, and if BRIDGET JONES is redeemed by anything, it's that Our Boy Colin finally gets the girl. OOH! A reviewer with excellent taste in men!!!! Firth has spent much of his recent career portraying buffoonish cuckolds who lose their women to one or another fellow named Fiennes This is the image many people had of Colin if they hadn't seen P&P. But before he was losing women, he was getting plenty of them--two out of three sisters in ATA, the serving wench in HotP (and the gypsy girl fancied him, too, I think), etc.

"Just curious", Echo, where?

Does the 'abominate' line appear in the UK version? I'm going to my first "Australian" viewing tonight, so I will pay particular attention and let you know next week whether its there or not. Its Friday for me and I'm not back at my computer until Tuesday.

(A chorus of curiosity) Where? Where? Where? ;-) Daily Express, probably the best quality tabloid in the UK... but they are citing "Hollywood trade paper Variety" as their source.

I guess the 30 going on 13 one will have to wait. This sounds good and both these ladies are among my faves. From Ananova: Renee Zellweger to star in comedy film Renee Zellweger and Toni Collette are to star in a new comedy movie, Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn? Ryan Murphy will write, produce and direct the �25 million film, set against the backdrop of the acting world in New York. The project has been in development for more than four years, with Tea Leoni once marked down to play the starring role. Ashley Judd and Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar were also keen to portray the would-be stage star who falls for a Broadway producer. Zellweger, who starred in Bridget Jones's Diary, has just finished making the drama White Oleander. Australian star Collette found fame in The Sixth Sense, and has just completed Stephen Daldry's The Hours with Nicole Kidman and Claire Danes. Filming of Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn? starts in the autumn.

(Mari) guess the 30 going on 13 one will have to wait. Since it doesn't even have a director attached, I would think so... Besides, RZ will probably need a couple of months off to be with her dog. ;-)

"13 Going on 30," which is described as a female version of "Big" Yeeccch. That's been sooo, like, done. Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn?...set against the backdrop of the acting world in New York...would-be stage star who falls for a Broadway producer Better.

I just saw "America's Sweethearts," and as the trailer shows, there is a fight scene. But it isn't much--no birthday cake, no "It's Raining Men," no crash through a window. And something else was missing, too... After the vigil we all kept watching for interviews and articles about Colin and BJD, I found the scenes of the press junket interviews very funny, especially noticing how anecdotes kept changing.

Has anyone seen "Legally Blonde" and wondered where the idea of the bunny costume (as seen in the previews on TV) came from? The storyline behind the reason for inserting the bunny costume gag is pretty familiar, too ;-). Oh well, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The movie is actually very funny, and RW is very good in it. Reese's boyfriends in the movie reminded me of two other boyfriends, but as Kate says above, something was missing...no body plays the noble, helpful boyfriend better than Colin!

BJD is actually back up at number 4 (from number 5 last week)in the London Box Office! If there's a sequel, what happens to Hughie? Daniel's role in TEOR is only a cameo. Major re-write, or do RZ and CF carry the show?

My guess is Hughie pops up again in the sequel, if they are able to write him in. He is after all, a bigger "star" than Colin and, movie producers always have an eye on the drawing power of their actors. Plus, I think he earned some new fans with his bad boy image in BJD and, Hughie him self would probably want to capitalize on that. I for one, hope he comes back. I'm not a huge fan of his, but I thought he was very funny in BJD.

(Bethan) If there's a sequel, what happens to Hughie? Daniel's role in TEOR is only a cameo. Major re-write, or do RZ and CF carry the show? I guess it will be the major re-write. I can already see where the bad boy Daniel Cleaver could fit in: as the one who hides the drugs in Bridgets luggage. With many others I hope there will be more of Bridgets friends this time, which should be easy, because EOR was modelled after Persuasion. Now I wonder how it will go on after that since HF has not written a third part... I'm speculating: it will go to television, with some actors one has never heard of before, and will be made into an endless series. ;-)

Have just found out that Husbands-Bosworth is the name of a village in Leicestershire. How funny. ;-) Here are some aerial shots: http://www.skyfilmsnational.fsnet.co.uk/husbands_bosworth.htm

Iread somewhere that JK Rowling used to collect unusual place names ready for her books. Maybe HF does too!

Review of BJD from the Sydney Morning-Herald, which says: "There's a delicious irony to the casting of Firth, the only actor alive who can look interestingly grim and not just snotty." http://www.smh.com.au/news/0107/23/entertainment/entertain25.html

Thumbs from Down Under! Won't do any more spoilers save to say LOL at the bit about Hughie not just acting with his hair, c'mon , it wasn't the hair , was always the eyelids ;-) Thanks for sharing Karen

I always thought it was the hair which caused the eyelids to blink rapidly, which distracted HG and caused him to stutter.

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I've been trying to figure out who would be the best person to play swingy-haired, Mark Darcy-purloining Rebecca in the sequel to BJD. Rebecca reminds me greatly of Sigourney Weaver's character in "Working Girl", but I can't figure out who could play her. All of the actresses I come up with who would be perfect (Uma Thurman, Gwynneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz) are all used to being leading ladies, so they are out. Have any of you given any thought to casting BJD2? Just curious.

(Louise)but I can't figure out who could play her What do you think about Elizabeth Hurley as Rebecca? Maybe the script could be rewritten to have her (EH) end up with Daniel (Hugh) instead of Mark's friend (who Bridget helps out with the woman problem). Therefore giving Hugh a bigger part (but not the best part ;-)). It might be pretty interesting.

Excellent choice! However, I would definitely miss seeing Rebecca ending up with fat old rich guy instead of luscious MD. I love the scene in the church where she's trying to get MD back. She might not be so desperate if she had DC in reserve. Also would hate to see HG trying to steal ODB's limelight. He should be left in a cameo role (if any), where he belongs. Who do you think should play Vile Richard and Simon?

This weekend's foreign box office report: After scoring a phenomenal $58.4 million in the U.K. and a lusty $8 million in Spain, "Bridget Jones's Diary" saw sexy figures in Sweden ($581,000), Norway ($465,000) and New Zealand ($207,000). Its foreign total is $74.6 million from just seven countries.

(Louise)I would definitely miss seeing Rebecca ending up with fat old rich guy instead of luscious MD. You're right about that. Maybe HG could be the one to gain weight this time for the movie ;-). Do you think HG would do the movie if he has just a tiny cameo like in the book? As for Vile Richard and Simon, I haven't a clue. But I'm glad you asked, Louise, since I was just thinking about who might work as Rebecca. I also think Cate Blanchett could handle Rebecca quite well. She'd give her all the appropriate nuances here and there.

Yes, she could definitely act the part. But the role definitely calls for swingy hair, and I always think of her with non-swingy hair (as in Elizabeth). Perhaps her real hair is swingy (can't remember enough about what her hair looked like in "Pushing Tin"), or she could wear a swingy wig.

Could this girl get any hotter? Super cast, if it comes to pass. From ET online, where you'd better all be casting your votes for Colin, RZ, and BJD today!!:-) REN�E IN CHICAGO July 24, 2001 | REN�E ZELLWEGER is in talks to join CATHERINE ZETA-JONES and KEVIN SPACEY in the movie version of the BOB FOSSE musical, Chicago. KATHY BATES is also on board for the adaptation executive produced by CRAIG ZADAN and NEIL MERON, the team responsible for recent musical TV hits "Annie" and "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows." Jones, who began her career in musical theater, will play Velma - the role originated by CHITA RIVERA in 1977.

Hot news on the BJD front. Looks like we have a date for the UK video release. It's Dec 3rd. I expect the delay has to do with the very slow rollout across Europe and other PAL countries. Wouldn't do to have the PAL video on the market when it is still in theatres. It can be preordered for �13.59 (�16.99 list) from: http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk/cgi-bin/ChoicesDirect.storefront/1338807406/Product/View/69296

BJD still showing on the multiplex near me, 4 times a day - Pearl Harbour down to 1 a day, Captain Corelli long gone - still haven't managed my ambition of having the whole cinema to myself for a totally exclusive experience *LOL* guess I'll just have to go again. how about Gwynnie for Rebecca - swingy hair, can do a Brit accent ;-)

How about Madonna ? Her English accent is pretty much flawless now and she ain't even acting......I'm kidding, I'm kidding.....runs to avoid bricks being thrown at my head....

Three very positive reviews for BJD at Urban Cinefile, a very thorough Austalian Film website and can you believe BJD is #2 in the Box Office and it is only previewing!wonder where it will be next week. Thanks Karen for the information re the relase of the video in the UK, is that the date for the DVD as well and do you know if there are any extra's for the UK. I hear there are quite a lot of extra's with the US DVD. Definitely going on my Christmas list.

I went to see BJD again (and got grief from the BF! the rudeness! ;)). It seems to me that the little things are what elevate this movie from just fun to really good - Natasha's uncomfortable look during the 'single 30yo women' conversation at the dinner party; Bridget's nervous "okay" before she started on the conversation with Mark by the Xmas tree; Shaz's little wave from the car near the end; etc., etc.... But am I the only one who finds the American ending credits bit kinda icky? I dunno, there's something about the kiddos mirroring what will happen in the future that just creeps me out. Everyone else in all the theatres I've been in sure thought it was cute, though. :)