Yes, it's a quite interesting turn, isn't it? I thought it was hilarious. Kat

help,help! link to that Tom-story isn`t working (or is it just my computer?)

(Odessa) help,help! link to that Tom-story isn`t working (or is it just my computer?) The whole site seems to be down right now. You might want to try again later. Kat

*snorting with laughter* Tom story is Too Funny! Thanks for the link Karen :-)

you`ll never know what can happen...LOL!

Definitely a "twist"... (even if it was extremely predictable;))... Karen, thanks for sharing...

And CONGRATULATIONS to our very own BAFTA winner, Mark G !!! His shoes were the focus of our favourite BJD clip. Better luck at the Oscars Mark, next time your whole body should make the cut.

Hey! I open up my browser and what's front & center? Bridget Jones' Style! W/ a photo of Renee'! Yay! Here's the link: So cool! Its a nice little page about how they put together the 'Bridget look' but I enjoyed it!

For you LA folks (thanks to Diana): Helen Fielding is scheduled to appear at Book Soup on Thursday, March 14th, at 8 pm to promote the paperback release of Cause Celeb. Book Soup 8818 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-659-3110

Marianne! Jana2! Are any of you going?

winter: Are any of you going? Sure, why not.

Glad to hear to it! I wish I could join you for another BJD reunion. Remember to ask questions about the sequel, and... if she's considering a third BJD book.

Marianne Sure, why not. Yay! Now here's the bad side... I can't! (I'm *finally* in Indonesia) But be sure to give us juicy details of her visit, and remember to ask that gratutitous "What's Colin Firth up to these days?" Book Soup may have her appear at the Bev. Hills library. The store's WAY too small.

(winter:) Are any of you going? (Marianne) Sure, why not. As of now it looks like my work schedule has me in town that week (have been traveling a lot) so I will try and make it too! Marianne, I'll keep my eyes peeled so we can hopefully sit together. (Moon) I wish I could join you for another BJD reunion. Me too. Thinking optimistiaclly, we'll just have to make a date right now to meet up for the premiere of TEOR. Surely your DH won't mind knowing what a fan he is of ODB ;-). (winter) Book Soup may have her appear at the Bev. Hills library. The store's WAY too small. Ahhh, brings back fond memories of the last time we saw HF at the Nick Hornby book signing (not to mention John Cusack..... heart is still beating faster over that one.) Winter, we will miss you but hope you are enjoying your time in Indonesia.

From an item in THR about summer overseas releases, it mentioned BJD's total grosses at an "astounding $278.2 million worldwide -- $206 million of which came from international markets." (UIP execs were hoping About A Boy will duplicate such results)

(UIP execs were hoping About A Boy will duplicate such results) I'm willing to put down a bet that it won't. The BJD trio will negotiate a hefty salary for TEOR. Lucky them!

Saw the trailer for About a Boy last weekend - Huge looks better with short hair than floppy, IMO; trailer was very short and doesn't say much about the story. Released here 26th April

Have been a few stills released in a magazine, Hugh with baby, Hugh with child.. ... high grossing? We think not and we know not;-)

I loved the book, I think it will and can bring in the money. Rachel Weisz is becoming well-known in the states, and I think everyone (well everyone I know) really likes Toni Collette. As for Hugh, I think he'll play a great Will. They'll definitely target the female genre (i.e., most men griped about seeing BJD, but once they did, they really liked it because it wasn't a "dumbed down" chickflick, (a term I hate!); I definitely would like to see this. I think it'll be a great date movie! (now, I just have to find a guy I like....hmmmmm)

Great book I agree Laura, but the publicity and hype won't be generated to the same degree that BJD was here, caught the imagination long ago in the newspaper columns etc Could be a great date movie ..... loads of places to keep your eyes closed when HG is on too;-) Oops taking an affectionate swipe at the Gnat dies hard, especially on this topic. Plus it's always hard to cheer along a NH project that doesn't have ODB ( or the class of John Cussack) hee hee.

This movie may be more popular in the States. I get the impression that here (in the UK)it is not only some of us diehard CF fans who a bit sceptical about HG. How else could Stephen Fry dare to raise a laugh about the Huge Grunt at the BAFTAs?

It will be interesting to see how successful the Nick Hornby/HG combination will be in the UK, and how the publicity fanfare compares with that for BJD. According to the Telegraph, Nick Hornby has just completed a screenplay, co-authored with Emma Thompson. It's a romantic comedy about two totally incompatible people (now there's an original concept!)

Since there isn't much Bridget news lately and I'm having a slow day, I thought I'd add this for all you BJD/Lord of the Rings fans: http://freespace.virgin.net/speedy.russell/myweb/thepurist/bridget_baggins_diary2.htm Anyone see the episode of Family Guy a few weeks ago that had a preview of Hugh's next movie? It was called "What's My Appeal?" and had a v. cute stammering cartoon Hugh. It was probably supposed to be insulting but I thought it was a compliment for him to be mentioned.

(Bethan)According to the Telegraph, Nick Hornby has just completed a screenplay, co-authored with Emma Thompson. It's a romantic comedy about two totally incompatible people (now there's an original concept!) Fever Pitch

Found this blurb on "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" at movies.com This sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary picks up four weeks after the end of the first film, when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person and the arrival on the scene of Rebecca, a beautiful man-hunter.

Hmmmm... wonder who will play Rebecca???? (and Mark and Bridge didn't live together!)

Wonder how movies.com got this scoop since script is tippy-top secret. :-/ (Laura) (and Mark and Bridge didn't live together!) Well, Mark and Daniel didn't beat eachother up in the book version of BJD either. You know how it is when books morph into movies. wonder who will play Rebecca? Ooh, is it time to have a guess-fest like we did with Bridget?

Well, Mark and Daniel didn't beat eachother up in the book version of BJD either. You know how it is when books morph into movies. ] true, but five weeks after dating??? how many people move in with each other after five weeks????? ] In regards to Rebecca she better be beautiful and bitchy!

(movies.com) when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person And we're jumping to the conclusion that it is Mark? Could be Gary. ;-D Wonder if I can run this one-liner past one of my sources for a confirmation of sorts...

And we're jumping to the conclusion that it is Mark? Could be Gary. ;-D ] I still say that HF blew that one out of the water. Gary could've been a good foil for Mark when he was with Rebecca. but noooooooooooo she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:)

(Laura) I still say that HF blew that one out of the water. Gary could've been a good foil for Mark when he was with Rebecca. but noooooooooooo she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:) Interesting viewpoint. :-) Hmmm... I can just see it: Mark ditches Bridget and Bridget ditches Gary. Then Gary in retaliation, sends the bullet to Bridget. Yes, it would have worked. Wonder why HF had to do the Thailand thing? I remember thinking it was so out of place when I first read EOR.

(Kat) she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:) I thought Gary sent her the bullet over her reporting him for leaving the hole in the wall and doing no work. No Thailand in that, I thought (though, indirectly, HF did the Thailand thing for Bridget to regain faith in her own abilities, and she reported Gary out of renewed self-esteem).

(KJArt)I thought Gary sent her the bullet over her reporting him for leaving the hole in the wall and doing no work. No Thailand in that, I thought (though, indirectly, HF did the Thailand thing for Bridget to regain faith in her own abilities, and she reported Gary out of renewed self-esteem). (Sorry about hitting the key too soon there) Yes, you're right. I went back last night and re-read those passages as it'd been a while since I'd read the book. I dunno about the reason for the Thailand thing. If I remember corrretly, the EOR story columns in The Telegraph, Bridget doesn't go to Thailand, Mark dumps Bridget in front of her apartment building, and the three have a confrontation in the apartment. No mention of Gary or a bullet in that scene. Maybe that would have made EOR too short?

(Kat) If I remember corrretly, the EOR story columns in The Telegraph, Bridget doesn't go to Thailand Actually, Bridget did go to Thailand and Mark did save her, but that happened while HF was still writing for the Independent. Quite a bit was changed though from the Telegraph columns for the book, especially as it concerned Gary.

Just got back from the reading/Q&A/book signing for Helen Fielding�s book Cause Celeb. It was fantastic, I really enjoyed myself � but he wasn�t there. As far as I could tell, there were no celebrities in sight. She read two excerpts from CC(Nadia - the model and the refugees, and meeting O�Rourke for the first time) and one from The Edge of Reason (the bad haircut). Frantically trying to remember things, before my mind turns to mush � I asked her was the script finished? No, Andrew Davies was still writing it. He�s wonderful at adaptations, and that he�s very good about writing for Mark Darcy. She�s good at Bridget and Richard Curtis is good at romantic comedy. Will there be a sequel to the EOR? No, she�s currently writing something on the Caribbean � and that she�s only page 4, but you never know � And has her roof been fixed? Yes, big smile of relief on her face, then she brings up Bridget�s troubles with Gary and the hole in the wall. So I ask, Gary will be in the movie? Maybe � No one wants to commit until they�ve seen the script. But shooting may begin this summer??? She did say jokingly that O�Rourke�s line of �dirty bitch� was inspired by Hugh Grant. Would she like CC to be made into a movie, and who would play Rosie and O�Rourke? It would be difficult as the story is set amidst famine, but if it was made into a movie, Russell Crowe. Will Bridget�s interview with Colin Firth be in the movie? She�d like it to be in there � she said that CF should play himself in a beard and mustache??? About Daniel? She said that got in trouble for joking about having to make HG�s part bigger. Who will play Rebecca? Gwyneth Paltrow? Cate Blanchett? She didn�t really answer so much as say that she was envious/annoyed? with women who could toss back their long beautiful hair. Will she be attending the Academy Awards? No, but she has been invited to a party. She didn�t say, but it must be the Miramax party. Some of the questions were stuff we�ve already heard and read about. Like what was your reaction to the casting of RZ? Why did RZ have to put on weight, cause Bridget wasn�t fat? HF replied that she never said how tall Bridget was and that everyone thinks they�re fat anyway. If Cecilbee was at the Q&A, maybe you could add more information that I missed. And I wish I had made a list of questions to ask her and bought the book :(

Remembered a few more anecdotes related to BJD and EOR � She was asked if she got to appear in the movie? No, but did you think she was the tall thin one? Who�s going to direct? No one mentioned yet. Will she be participating in this one? Only if shooting will involve the trip to Thailand.

Hurrah MArianne! Good sleuthing! Asked all the good questions too! Were you the one to ask about the roof? LOL...

Excellent questions, Marianne. You really tried to nail her down. She seems to give real answers when the questioner knows her stuff, as you sure do. (We train well here!) The other, neophyte types get blown off with her usual soundbites. she said that CF should play himself in a beard and mustache??? Haven't we been saying that for ages? ;-D

Marianne, you asked great questions. One of our top "CNN" reporters, really :-)! (Marianne)I asked her was the script finished? No, Andrew Davies was still writing it. He�s wonderful at adaptations, and that he�s very good about writing for Mark Darcy. She�s good at Bridget and Richard Curtis is good at romantic comedy. Interesting answer as to how each writer has a subject that he's best at. But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! Maybe his part is not bigger after all or he can just get the leftover lines ;-). Well done, Marianne!

Thanks, Marianne. *clapclap* Capital! Capital! (Karen) She seems to give real answers when the questioner knows her stuff, as you sure do. (We train well here!) The other, neophyte types get blown off with her usual soundbites. Good point, v. true. We've taken the advanced course. ;-) IMO it's great that HF supplies new info when asked the right questions, even if it's a little vague. For example, it's good to know the script isn't finished at this point. It helps put newsie bits (such as that movies.com 'leak') in perspective. (Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! Maybe his part is not bigger after all or he can just get the leftover lines ;-). Note HF's comment regarding that issue: (Marianne) She said that [they?] got in trouble for joking about having to make HG�s part bigger. Aha! Ahahaha!

Thanks for all the praise, but I can't take all the credit for getting all the answers. There was one other lady there (Cecilbee???) who got the ball rolling by asking about HG's role, he is only in about 2 or 3 scenes, and some other good questions. HF's reply was that joke about making his part/piece bigger ... she just laughed and laughed, full of innuendo there.

(Eileen)Note HF's comment regarding that issue: (Marianne) She said that [they?] got in trouble for joking about having to make HG�s part bigger. Aha! Ahahaha! (Marianne)HF's reply was that joke about making his part/piece bigger ... she just laughed and laughed, full of innuendo there. Innuendo, exactly. Was it really a joke? Or is it now another comment to throw us off the path again? They seem to like to keep the well-trained ones guessing ;-). I just don't think HG will take a small part in this sequel. It will be an equal one or none at all. Remember how he said he counted the lines last time? (he said it with a winkie or did he? ;-))

(Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! I think it's safe to say that Richard Curtis takes care of Hugh. Coincidentally, this is on Empire's site today: As if Tony Blair didn�t have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by � surprise! - Richard Curtis. According to Grant, who said shooting would begin this autumn, Curtis will also direct the still-unnamed project. Grant, who is in New York filming his next rom-com with Sandra Bullock, spilled the beans during a taping session for US TV series Inside the Actors� Studio. 'To my horror,' he deadpanned, '[the script] was really good, which means I�ll have to do it.' Presuming that what he said during the show, which is only screened in the US, wouldn't get back to Blightly, Grant was fairly harsh on his homeland when the show's host asked why English humour was so 'sublime'. 'You�ve got to have something to be funny against...the average English person is in an agony of embarrassment 24 hours a day. It's the awfulness of being English.' The session ended with a personality-based round of questions during which Grant revealed that he hopes God is a luvvie. Asked if he did eventually make it to the Pearly Gates, what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!'

just something that was on newspaper today... (my translation, see the book cover here: DISCOVERY: BRIDGET JONES`S LEGS Did you think that those legs on the cover of Bridget Jones`s Diary belong to some professional model or RZ who plays Bridget in the movie? Wrong! The legs on the cover of Finnish version belong to Leena Fyrqvist, 26 year-old day nursery assistant. About 4 years ago she had a summer job at her aunt`s shop. One day, someone from the opposite photo shop came and asked her to borrow her legs. BJ wasn`t yet a world famous singelton, but Leena agreed right away. "I laughed with my friends that they wanted my legs! I never have had thin legs!" A couple of years ago Leena`s legs were borrowed again, to the cover of the sequel. You could think that her legs have become famous. But no: "Nobody has recognized them yet!"

so the link wasn`t working :( http://www.booknet.fi/kirjat1998/luokat/03/03.0302.html

Well done, Marianne! This is the first time we get better answers from HF. Thank you! (Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! (Karen), I think it's safe to say that Richard Curtis takes care of Hugh. So I ask, Gary will be in the movie? Maybe � Maybe HG will play Gary with a beard and a mustache. ;-) what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!' I guess he's not tired of that line. As if Tony Blair didn�t have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by � surprise! - Richard Curtis. Wasn't this role talked about in the press for Colin? Maybe this was something Colin was waiting for, thinking, I've worked with RC, we are on good terms, etc. etc. Now Hugh gets the part. (picture Big Sucker here)

What a lot of information. Good memory. Thanks Marianne! How much fun that must have been to be part of the evening. And, I concur, your questions were well thought out and got excellent responses.

Bridget made the front cover of Romantic Times this month!! almost fell over in shock when i saw it (had insane, mind-numbing hope that HF had slipped a 3rd BJ to the publisher w/o us knowing about it, before sanity returned) -normally RT only puts new releases on the front, but there was BJD headlining for a feature on "Chick Lit" a new genre of woman's literature. Article sighted HF as leading the 'new' craze, list other authors who have similar styles. Only one i personally think comes close to being as enjoyable as HF is Jenny Colgan (Amanda's Wedding/Talking with Addison) -But there is a list of 'like reads' listed, for any one who's interested.

(Moon) Wasn't this role talked about in the press for Colin? Not the same production. The other one was to be developed by the BBC as more of an "inside politics" type thing. Can't seem to find the article in my Rumor/No-Go file...

Great questions, Marianne and co-questioner. Fantastic work to catch HF on the hop before she's got her soundbites down pat, as Karen remarks. Wonder how many times we'll hear the "beard and moustache" line from here on in? I'm still wondering whether HG will make the film at all. Taking Mari's smart read on the previous story as pure HG publicity (begging for a role), maybe they're following the book and leaving him out. In which case I'd still love to see Liz Hurley given a shot at Rebecca (just for the in-joke, not the acting talent).

(Mark) In which case I'd still love to see Liz Hurley given a shot at Rebecca (just for the in-joke, not the acting talent). Actually, I think she would be v.g. in the role. She looks the part and can do the right attitude. I saw her in that devil role (hey, it was on TV!) and she's could be a formidable Rebecca, one that could make RZ's Bridget easily feel inadequate.

she could be a formidable Rebecca, one that could make RZ's Bridget easily feel inadequate. Especially if she wears those tight Versace dresses she's so very fond of.

um, but one thing you guys are neglecting??? She's preggers!!!! :)

(Laura) She's preggers! EoR won't shoot for months and months. Surely she'll have the baby by then...unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P

(Eileen) EoR won't shoot for months and months. Surely she'll have the baby by then...unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P Just looked her up on Internet Movie Database and the baby's due 02 April, so there's plenty of time.

Yeah, but one who has had a baby, doesn't necessarily mean that kid is coming on 02 April....:)

unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P Judging by the looks of Bing-Laden, she's delivering a Baby Huey. ;-) Sorry, but that guy is a pig. I feel bad for Liz, but she's really shown some grace and guts throughout this, IMO. Would love to see her as Rebecca. Mark, nice to hear from you!:-)

Are there any pix of a pregnant Liz??? I haven't seen any.

(Mari), I feel bad for Liz, Please! If anyone could turn the phrase dumb blond into dumb brunette, she's the one.

Ah, Moon, you know what a softie I am. ;-) Nice article in today's New York Post: WHY ZELLWEGER DESERVES THE OSCAR By JONATHAN FOREMAN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 22, 2002 -- IT'S infuriating but true: Ren�e Zellweger has almost no chance of winning the Oscar for Best Actress. In fact, she was lucky to have been nominated at all for "Bridget Jones's Diary," given the Motion Picture Academy's strange allergy to comedic performances. Still, if there were any justice in these things, the plucky young Texan will be taking home a statuette on Sunday night. Because with the possible exception of Judi Dench's turn as Iris, Zellweger's performance as the bouncy, awkwardly endearing British "singleton" was simply a far more impressive achievement than any of the others nominated. It's not than any of them were bad - though Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in "Moulin Rouge." It's just that in an age when the standard of Hollywood acting is so much higher than the standard of Hollywood writing, you expect competent professional performances in roles that don't require tremendous skill or effort. In "In the Bedroom," Sissy Spacek, who continues to be the favorite (though Halle Berry is surging), was fine in what was really a supporting role. All she had to do was look like she was bottling up her rage at the loss of her son and at one point shout at Tom Wilkinson. There wasn't much else to her character. Berry's role in "Monsters' Ball" was more demanding and certainly showier: This preternaturally gorgeous actress was required to weep, shout, sulk and writhe around half-naked with Billy Bob Thornton. But - and it wasn't her fault that the screenplay was so clunky and clich�-ridden - there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. She carried out what was required of her with the competence you would expect from the star of TV's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" but no more. Zellweger was more than competent as "Bridget." She was terrific. It wasn't just that she took the risk incredibly rare among Hollywood actresses of allowing herself to appear much less conventionally attractive than in real life by packing on the pounds. Nor was it just that she caught a specific foreign accent more precisely than any technician since Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice" (as someone educated in the U.K., I can attest to its perfection.) She did all these things and, at the same time, transformed a comic persona - one miles away from any character she'd attempted before - into a real, believable, wholly winsome person. Comedy is really, really difficult to do well, as anyone can tell from the vast numbers of failed comic exercises that come out of Hollywood. And it's absurd and unfair that those who pull it off, like Ren�e Zellweger, should so often come second to actors playing heart-tugging, afflicted characters.

Comedy is really, really difficult to do well, as anyone can tell from the vast numbers of failed comic exercises that come out of Hollywood. And it's absurd and unfair that those who pull it off, like Ren�e Zellweger, should so often come second to actors playing heart-tugging, afflicted characters. Words of wisdom. Thanks, Mari!

Very good article, Mari, thanks for sharing it. The writer is so right. Those are my sentiments exactly. Wish the voters appreciated and understood what she accomplished. I think they will vote for the spectacular display of Nicole and MR instead. Hollywood seems to be more impressed with that, and lets face it many of them are voters :-(.

If that journo wanted to have any impact, this article should've been printed WEEKS ago!! Then, it could've been used by Miramorons to spearhead some kind of publicity campaign. There are so many accurate statements about the other actors' performances that it might have served to instill a little guilt in Academy voters minds about their propensity to go for the showier, dramatic performances. To wit: Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in "Moulin Rouge True. Berry's role in "Monsters' Ball" was more demanding and certainly showier...But...there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. Precisely.

Ditto, ditto, thanks for sharing, Mari. RZ's nom doesn't even get mentioned in many of the Oscar run-up speculation shows. :-/ That aside, I find myself v.v. disgruntled about the Oscars. Am sure this cr*p goes on every year (though those in the know say the campaigning has reached an all time high) but...unless Congress passes an Oscar campaign reform bill along with the other campaign reform bill (quick! Get McCain on the phone) things will only get worse. I haven't seen many of the films so I won't be making any guesses myself. Regardless, I will be glued to the set on Sunday. Can't wait to see what Steve Cojo (whatever his name is) is wearing. Anyone else think he's getting to look more and more like Michael Jackson?

LOL, Eileen! Reforms are needed in so many places. I don't know who Steve Cojo is. ( Karen), To wit: Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in "Moulin Rouge True. Berry's role in "Monsters' Ball" was more demanding and certainly showier...But...there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. Precisely. And what he says about Sissy is spot on. Don't be blinded by the melodrama of ITB.

I want to kiss Jonathan Foreman! Perfect! Wonder what the NK lovers are going to say when I post this at Gold Derby! ;-) ;-P

Am I the only one who thinks Renee has a chance? They're chumps if they rubber stamp the other awards.Surprise the audience.

I wish I could make myself believe Renee has a prayer - at least she'll have mine.

And we know who we'd vote for "best extra" ;-)

(Mark G.) I wish I could make myself believe Renee has a prayer - at least she'll have mine And mine as well. However with a family who worked Hollywood (my Dad was in PR and my mum was in film processing in Techincolour for many years) I can tell you the members of the Academy vote on pure sentiment and not on merit. I haven't watched the Oscars in many years but I intend to look out for the Best Actress award, and keep my fingers crossed for Renee. :-)

Let me tell you...no one thought Jennifer had a prayer for the Tony two years ago. If you see the tape, Cherry Jones was primping her hair getting ready to go on stage for her award....when Matthew Broderick called out Jenn's name I nearly fell off the chair. Karen and I (on the phone) whooped and hollered. The audience surprise was audible. There's always hope.

It's so ironic that comedy has always been spoken of by those in the business as the hardest to do and get right. How many quotes have I heard from actors and others about this? Yet, they seem to be reluctant to recognize a superb comedy performance at awards time. Still, RZ was nominated. That's something I suppose and while I haven't seem any of the other performances, hers was v. good! And, between the male and female actor/supporting actor catagories, the females are the ones that seem to have more surprises when the envelopes are opened. Keep fingers crossed. Toes too! :)

With all this talk of Renee deserving her Oscar (gets my vote) , thought I'd share with you all our very own BJD tour which took place last weekend, and believe me we prayed for you Renee every step of the way!! We went to Borough market and were lucky enough to encounter a film crew there, so gave us a feel of what it would have been like when the real thing was happening.......! That's the bit she wanders thro' dejected and sobbing in her bunny girl outfit (should there be anyone reading this who didn't know ;-) ) We also stood outside Bridget's flat and the antiques shop which doubles as the Greek Restaurant is right across the street. Among our group we were lucky enough to have someone with a talent for can ferreting out people who know ODB, and we were fortunate to meet a lovely lady who was part of the BJD crew. She said Colin was a lovely man, charming etc and great to work with , as was Renee , who was delightful. It had been a great experience to work on the film , lots of fun etc, she couldn't praise ODB enough. It was generous of her to spare so much time to talk to us as she was working with a film crew and took time out for us.

From there we passed the spot where MD walks , jacket over shoulder after the fight and then went to the "diary shop" and the street corner of the final scene. Our contact told us that filming outside had been very difficult, with limited time to do so and therefore a lot had been shot in the studio. It was a great way to spend a few hours in London. Thanks to our favourite BJD extra for directional assistance and to that blonde bombshell for making it happen ;-) Way to go Renee!

LOL.For anyone going to London...it's a fun tour. Thanks Lizza . BTW we toasted "absent friends".

HF is having another discussion/book signing for her book tomorrow. Are there any questions you might have for her?

Where is the signing going to be held?

oops sorry, Barnes & Noble in Encino, CA, 7:30 pm

Marianne, you are an expert and know exactly what we want to know, the thing is to trick her into committing to an answer. ;-) Looking forward to your report.

OK, Marianne, ask Helen if she'd like to test out her new book on a group of very intelligent readers? Focus group type stuff.

(Karen) ask Helen if she'd like to test out her new book on a group of very intelligent readers? Focus group type stuff LoL - excellent idea Karen!! i'll volunteer :-)

Sorry for the delay ... I eavesdropped on a conversation before HF arrived, and it went like this: BJD, the movie is nothing like the book, the book is about Bridget and HG. [Ugh!] I wish I had something new to report � but it was the same excerpts and quips as before. There was lots of laughter, sometimes drowning out HF, except when she read the part about western women being thin and dressing like refugees. [Was I the only one who wanted to giggle? You had to be there.] This time I took notes � cause I couldn�t think of anything to ask. � BJD was inspired by Jane Austen�s �Pride & Prejudice.� The program was very popular in England. HF asked the audience if they�ve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino]. � How did she get started? She was always writing. She worked at a newspaper, and wrote an article about the Squidgeygate scandal [Princess Diana�s affair w/ James Gilbey]. She quit when her copy was changed. She met JG a few weeks later at a party, was about to apologize, when he said that he liked the story � �a bloody good article!� � Did she have a choice in the CF/HG/RZ? She insisted on CF, but stood back on the casting of Bridget. � Is RZ how she pictured Bridget? Her Bridget looks like the cover of the British book, and she finally met her the premiere. � Her next book will be like CC � broader canvas. It�s coming along, but another story may crop up. She spent 5 hours on it today. It�s set in L.A., about Hollywood. She went to a Hollywood party a few days ago, hosted by Brian??? She politely asked the person next to her how he knew Brian. His nervous reply was, WHY do you want to know? � WHO are you? [It was terribly funny.] All she could think was ka-ching. � Does she have any rituals? She does a lot of rewriting, making up, taking notes and writing dialogue. � What was the reception of BJD? Big in the UK, but was warned not to try the US. It turned out well. She also spoke about a complaint about BJD not being a good role model, her reply was that her first book was about famine relief and nobody read it. � Will the CF interview be in the movie? Don�t know, but he should play it with beard and mustache. Although he does have �an attractive younger brother.� � Bridget�s mum is like her mum in some ways. She spoke about her mum and her question [to the accountant/taxman?] �Do you know to make a brioche? � [My favorite] Who is your MD and does he mind your writing about him? MD has always been CF. She said that she knows him well � socially. When she sees him with his wife, she wants to say, [hope I quote this correctly and the way she said it � conceding but not gracefully] �Ok, you can have him.� � When does she know she�s done? When it�s on sale � explained that she knows she can always rewrite stuff and push deadlines back. � BJD was primarily cut and paste. She laid out her columns and matched it up with the P&P plot. � Any favorite characters? She doesn�t really think they�re funny as she�s doing them. � What does she think of the movie? Relieved. She came and went during the script process. She did the first draft, then Andrew Davies � who did P&P [no reaction], then Richard Curtis � who did FW&AF [lots of ahhs]. � What did she think of RZ? Fantastic. They were furious in the UK, but since then, no complaints. � She was an English major at Oxford, but she can�t spell or correct her punctuation. She always wanted to be a writer. She talked about being �Fires of Zanzibar� being rejected by Mills & Boon. But she�s been vindicated cause Mills & Boon is trying the BJD format now. � The book she was trying to write prior to BJD is about the Caribbean cultural divide, cash customers vs. poor hotel workers. � She didn�t attend the Oscars. But she did go to the Vanity Fair party. Her invitation said if she was going solo, to go at 11, if as a couple, then 12. She loved it. Celebrity watching is like being in a safari. I did actually ask something at the very end � why wasn�t she on the dvd commentary? It was only Sharon Maguire. She said she did record something for the dvd. [I�m turning red and am confused.] Then she said if must have been the day she had an awful haircut, and that�s all she could concentrate on. [Still confused.] Of course, she�s only the writer, not really important. I purchased CC so she could autograph it and I could ask 2 other questions. She kept munching on M&M�s as she signed books and dvd�s. How about Elizabeth Hurley for Rebecca? She made polite noises as if considering it, then said she can toss her hair. Then I made the big mistake of saying that EH would have been perfect for Lara/Suki. She looked at me. I told her Lisa Barbuscia played her in the movie. HF: that was Natasha. Me: umm, no that was Embeth Davidtz. [Really quiet all around, and the sales assistant was giving me a really strange look]. I decided to end it there, thanked her for the signed book and made a hasty exit.

No flies on you, Marianne. I suppose one tall, thin woman with baby giraffe legs looks like another. Per all the entertainment shows, the Vanity Fair party is the hardest one to get invited to. Interesting about arrival times. Wonder why? Are all singles supposed to pair up in the first hour so they don't hit on the group with dates and/or spouses or both? ;-D HF asked the audience if they�ve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino]. LOL! Am amazed the same people actually made it to a bookstore. Was this at a mall? ;-D Don't think Livia has anything to worry about... *snort* You done good.

Great report, Marianne--thanks! I have one question: the movie is nothing like the book, the book is about Bridget and HG. Was she talking about the first movie or the sequel? I thought Daniel Cleaver was barely in the 2nd book. Did she mean--gasp--that the 2nd movie is all about Cleaver? *Shudder* HF: that was Natasha. Me: umm, no that was Embeth Davidtz. [Really quiet all around, and the sales assistant was giving me a really strange look]. I decided to end it there, thanked her for the signed book and made a hasty exit. LOL! Ya gotta know when to hold, and know when to fold.;-) Well done, M, and great anecdotes!:-)

Thanks, Marianne!

Mari: Was she talking about the first movie or the sequel? the first movie

Marianne, thanks for the great report on meeting HF again. So sorry I didn't read about it until this weekend or I would have gone with you. I can't believe that HF came all the way to my neck of the woods and I missed seeing her. (Marianne) The program was very popular in England. HF asked the audience if they�ve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino] LOL! Well, it is the home of the Valley girls after all ;-).

Again, meaningless stuff, considering its source...but from an interview with the Huge Gnat promoting AAB: At the Polish Club, we order beers with Bison Vodka chasers. I ask if he is going to do the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, as rumoured. He says only if he would be letting everyone else down by not doing it. 'I certainly don't want to do it, to be absolutely honest; it's like getting back into wet swimming trunks. And I'm not sure Ren�e is ever going to pile on those pounds again.' http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,676459,00.html

"Even if I don't really fancy the actress, I always get a stirring" ROTF. Thanks Karen..hilarious interview. He's a clever guy, found his niche as an actor and ran with it.

I do frequently fancy the girls I'm working with, particularly if I have to snog them. There's something so fabulous about two strangers being made to kiss. I think being on set is a very sexy atmosphere. Extremely sexy. Even if I don't really fancy the actress, I always get a stirring.' LOL! Somehow, I don't see the chemistry between him and Sandra Bullock. I wonder if that happens to other actors. (Maybe that's why our married DB had become such a prude. ;-) Thanks for posting that, Karen. It's 4pm by me and I have been celebrating my wedding anniversary (one champagne bottle down) :-) Well, we had a flourless chocolate cake with the kids at snack time and you know how well champagne and chocolate mix. ;-)

'I certainly don't want to do it, to be absolutely honest; it's like getting back into wet swimming trunks. I can understand that. It's not *the* starring role and why repeat yourself? Unless there's nothing better on offer. ;-) Reading this article reminds me that I saw Jamie Grant, Huge's bro, at our office last week. He has, as my mother used to say, A Big Job, with a New York investment banking firm whose name I won't reveal other than to say it begins with the letters Goldman-Sachs. ;-) He's much darker than Huge, very nice looking, and apparently very well-regarded in that biz.

I would bet none of them want to do EOR; despite the fact that CF has said he "loves Bridget" and would do it depending on the script.Sequels are seldom as dynamic as the original. Renee seems to be branching out into more dramatic roles and Hugh always has a slew of offerings.

Very true about sequels, although there are a few exceptions where the sequel was better than the original (Godfather and Babe) or at least as good. I noticed you didn't say what CF has been up to. ;-D

(Karen) I noticed you didn't say what CF has been up to. ;-D *snort* Don't ask me. Ask Fortunato ;-))

ROTF! It is bad news for CF if there is no TEOR. The other two will not be affected.

Neither RZ and HG "need" TEOR....I'm hoping that TIOBE and "Hope Springs" will boost CF so he doesn't "need" it either.....but I still hope they'll do it. It will be interesting to see how "About a boy" fares. Promotion has already started in the UK, and it's very much a HG vehicle, without the advantage of a major leading lady. I don't think UK audiences will be queueing up. To be honest, the main theme (rich 40-ish immature playboy type hangs out with 12 year old boy) has never really struck me as particularly "real". If AOB isn't wildly successful, HG may be less sniffy about TEOR ( and don't forget he was the only cast member to be honoured with a share of the profits for BJD...a very nice little earner, thank you!!). Yes, I agree that HG and RZ are forging ahead regardless...and what has Mr Firth on offer, I wonder?! Hardly any films are being made in the UK at the moment, so if he's missed (or turned down) the Hollywood boat, theatre seems to be the most obvious (only?) option. Cate Blanchett is reported to be playing Sylvia Plath in the BBC film. Keeping my fingers crossed that they go for a bone fide Yorkshireman fot Ted Hughes (Firth is a West Yorkshire name). Also, just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere ("avec Colin Firth") scheduled for release in France in 2005!!

(Bethan) Hardly any films are being made in the UK at the moment Why is that? just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere ("avec Colin Firth") scheduled for release in France in 2005!! Oh, not that old warhorse...;-) Funny that it's 'scheduled for release' when the darn thing seems to be having so much difficulty getting made.

(Bethan)just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere ("avec Colin Firth") scheduled for release in France in 2005! Not exactly the bounce we were especting after BJD. Anybody check the Italian websites;-)