I actually rang Working Title about two weeks ago (before the news of the Universal deal) and asked about BJD and when it would be sceduled for release. They said that they hadn't started shooting yet (which means that they are doing it!) and mentioned the end of the year. Which I took to mean release date (although that's a very fast turnaround) as no shoot for a British film with exterior locations would surely start in December...has to be Spring/Summer. Ann, I like Mark Darcy, and with an Andrew Davies screenplay and world-wide distribution, this has to be a good role!

The article was really definite that they had cancelled plans to make the film but I agree that it could have been printed a while ago as it was the April issue, but would you ring them again Bethan in a few weeks time just to make sure. Although I am not sure about BJD I can't see anyone else playing MD and it would be nice to know that we have two projects to look forward to.

And when you ring them Bethan, please ask who are the actors. How could they have a release date in mind and no confirmed actors?

I keep on pressing respond instead of redisplay. Third time lucky! Was trying to say that I think his in his attributed comment re the Internet, he was objecting more to a perhaps unmwelcome encounter in a party with a boorish individual who seemed to know too much about him. Maybe he didn't like to be reminded about his schooldays! :-) He has never actually said that he objects to the websites (respectfully) dedicated to his work! BTW marvellous filming weather in Scotland at the moment...the hottest Easter for 100 years (allegedly!)

I give up ...should have been posted at #118. Not my day.

Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetition.

A very little tidbit about "High Fidelity" at the ain't it cool news site. Hardly meriting the large font size. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=3381

High Fidelity starts shooting here in Chicago on the 19th.

Karen! Be on the lookout! Keep those eyes peeled for John Cusack! ;-)

I had read that there were posters up at a small record shop that said they needed extras for the movie. Went into three used "vinyl" shops (all within a few feet of each other) the other day, but no joy. Winter, dear, I always I have my eyes peeled for Cusack. So far have only run into William Devane at the grocery store. (hee hee) Am hoping to see Harrison Ford sitting on my front steps next month!

What's Harrison Ford filming?

It's called Random Hearts. Most of it apparently was filmed in DC, but now they're doing stuff here. Bonnie Hunt is in it and she plays a waitress. The restaurant where she works is the place next door to me. Manager of the restaurant told me about the story, had read the script. Said that Minnie Driver was in it as well, but the IMDb says Kirsten Scott Thomas. Who knows??

Please don't tell me Minnie Driver will be Harrison Ford's love interest. Kirsten Scott Thomas and Robert Redford was bad enough.

Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow was the worst...IMHO.

I'd be interested in a game of "The worst pairings ever"...Perhaps at 113 if Marcia agrees :-) I just saw "6 days 7 nights" and was appalled at Anne Heche/Harrison Ford. Don't these men ever grow too old to be cast as romantic interests?

---The problem is NOT that these men are no longer "sexy" as they age. To women of a certain age, they may be sexier than ever. Casting them as romantic leads is perfectly appropriate. The problem is that the mindfix in the entertainment business is that the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30), nubile and knock-your-socks-off gorgeous. Any other actress may be an interesting character part, but certainly not sexy, and certainly not to be cast as a romantic lead. It's the past-it male's ideal sexual fantasy...and since it's mostly the past-it males who run things, we get these absurd pairings!!

The problem is that the mindfix in the entertainment business is that the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30), nubile and knock-your-socks-off gorgeous Precisely and I'll bet we all agree with you. What horrifies me even more is when the role calls for an older actress (as in As Good as it Gets) and they still cast a younger actress. Which is what I'm afraid will happen with the casting of Bridget.

(Gi)I'd be interested in a game of "The worst pairings ever"...Perhaps at 113 if Marcia agrees :-) Oh yes, please do! And I will think up one to start them off. New listing on 113. Thank you Dear Gi! I was at a loss to know what would reinvigorate the old site.

(KJArt)---The problem is NOT that these men are no longer "sexy" as they age. The problem is that ...the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30) I expressed myself incorrectly. I don't mean older men aren't sexy...What bothers me is the pairings in themselves, and also that older men get cast in parts that seem to me demand a younger actor, while the women are always young (sometimes too young). In the case of 6 days 7 nights, at least she wasn't the usual useless screaming girl, but did a lot of work!

(KJArt) and since it's mostly the past-it males who run things, we get these absurd pairings!! Yeah. And think about Harrison Ford and....oh my, who was that girl in...what was that film again?? Oh yes, Julia Ormond in Sabrina. Ormond is great but the pairing of the two really was near pedophilia, disgusted me. The lovely young girl and the old man again. And as a model for everybody on how things should be or at least could be (="men can not possibly love women of their own age"), it�s seriously deranged, downright age racism. I remember somebody wished that Colin would be cast as the professor in the Pygmalion but that�s actually one of the coarsest girl & daddy roles. I wish he�s not going into that sort of stuff but probably he is because romantic scripts just tend to be like that....don�t tell me MLSF is one of these too? What�s Irene Jacob�s age?!

(Elena) And think about Harrison Ford and...Julia Ormond in Sabrina. Ormond is great but the pairing of the two really was near pedophilia, disgusted me. Anyone familiar with the original stage play? I ask this because the first movie version of Sabrina starred Humphrey Bogart (old and seriously out-of-date for the 1950s, boolah boolah type) and Audrey Hepburn at age 25. Bogie was 55 at the time. Actually I didn't think the Ford-Ormand thing was as bad as many others. Harrison still looks good to me. don�t tell me MLSF is one of these too? What�s Irene Jacob�s age?! Only from the standpoint of her being afianced to Malcolm McDowell, who is 55 now. I'd guess Irene Jacob to be about 30. Older men and younger women is an age-old theme and has prevailed because of what KJ said, "men control the industry" and it's their fantasy. Thank goodness, "Reckless" is on TV tonight (older woman and younger man with nice ass!) and I am taping it for posterity (no pun intended). ;-D

(Elena) I wish he�s not going into that sort of stuff but probably he is because romantic scripts just tend to be like that....don�t tell me MLSF is one of these too? What�s Irene Jacob�s age?! Now wait a minute...Colin's not that old! ;-) He can still be paired with a 25-year old and it not be outlandish. I agree with you, Elena, about Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond though as Karen points out, it was even worse with Bogie and Hepburn. Marcia's got a new list on this topic going at 113.

Irene Jacob is 30-ish (looks younger). Mary Elizabeth Mastranonio must be slightly older than Colin, and of course Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange were older than him. So he's more the younger man! "Sabrina" was on UK TV tonight...I really couldn't be bothered to watch it! I rarely like re-makes.

(bethan)I rarely like re-makes. That's what nearly kept me from watching yet another remake of Pride and Prejudice. But, I did. And, here I am =D Things like that haunt me when I tend to dismiss remakes. Of course, if I know the actors they are talking about in the remake and do not care for them...it is much easier. Still...!

(KarenR)Thank goodness, "Reckless" is on TV tonight (older woman and younger man with nice ass!) Wasn't it goood?! Robson Green is quite droolworthy (not as much as ODB but droolworthy all the same). Bring on the sequel!

(Elena)I remember somebody wished that Colin would be cast as the professor in the Pygmalion but that�s actually one of the coarsest girl & daddy roles. I wish he�s not going into that sort of stuff (Heide)Now wait a minute...Colin's not that old! ;-) He can still be paired with a 25-year old Pygmalion is girl-and-daddy in the sense that the man is superior, and he "makes" the girl, she's his work. Is that what you mean, Elena? In that sense, it can be very male chauvinism, while of course Higgins does not need to be much older than Liza. It can also be taken in other perspectives , like class differences, ecc, and Higgins is so obvious in his egotism that I think it is much less hurtful of women than other, more subtle, stories. Anyway, in the original Bernard Shaw's play, Liza does leave Higgins in the end. (Karen)Harrison still looks good to me. He looks alright with his clothes on :-)

(Gi) In that sense, it can be very male chauvinism Pygmalion of course is a very chauvinistic play and what I�m thinking of is the version I saw recently in which Leslie Howard played Higgins and is considerably older than the actress, don�t know her name. That old movie is dreadful, the girl is put into a role of a complete clown because of her social class and sex....and he can love her only after he has made her the kind of creature that he wants her to be. Yuch! With plastic surgery the result would�ve been ever better!! Anyway, what I�d hate (and what would ruin my admiration) would be to see Colin in a movie that I�d find chauvinistic, and of course the sort of age racism that we have been discussing here is one form of it. I really wish that he has enough sense to keep away from such films.....btw, I haven�t seen Playmaker and I have the idea that it�s pretty chauvinistic actually!

Sometimes a "little" perspective helps... :) On Pygmalion, from my Halliwell's: "Despite 1964's My Fair Lady, this straight version of Shaw's play, directed by Anthony Asquith and Leslie Howard, remains the most satisfying and perfectly cast: Howard as Higgins, Wendy Hiller as Eliza, Scott Sunderland as Pickering and Wilfred Lawson as Dolittle. Produced by Gabriel Pascal, photographed by Harry Stradling, with music by Arthur Honegger, it remains one of cinema's most civilized comedies." Shaw's plays revolutionized the Victorian stage. This one, written in 1913, satirizes English class attitudes. He based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, the king of Cyprus, who was also a sculptor, who fashioned a statue of a beautiful woman and, by praying to Aphrodite, was able to bring her (Galatea) to life and then married her. Through the ages, men have fantasized about creating the perfect woman. In the Victorian age, when class was everything, Higgins' transformation of Eliza into a lady who would be accepted by society was a major coup for him professionally. This version did not have the happy ending that was done for My Fair Lady. What does that say to you? Playmaker's male-female relationship is not chauvinism because of gender. It is a master-slave or teacher-pupil type thing. It is power and authority, not necessarily having anything to do with gender.

Forgot the most important thing! We don't watch Playmaker for the story (unless you want to laugh). Colin is at his most adorable as Michael, the very clean Michael ;-D

I will jump in and say that Robson Green looks better with his clothes off, whereas, CF definitely looks better with his clothes on. Just stoking the fire, girls;) hee hee. Yes, bring on the sequel!

(Karen) It is power and authority, not necessarily having anything to do with gender. Haven�t seen Playmaker so I can�t really say if it�s chauvinistic or not, I only know about that teacher-pupil thing and that the pupil (I�ve understood) is naked or almost in the movie poster!? Anyway, I feel that power and authority have always a lot to do with gender. Naturally one or two cases never prove anything but if there is a tradition of certain type of thing like that superiority is usually a male quality in movies, or that it is usually the man who looks at the woman and she has to please that look, you can see a trend and call it an ism, or even a social pattern that�s reinforced in art....! What I mean is that it�s never JUST a teacher-pupil relationship or an upper class- lower class thing, it�s always a male-female thing as well, and the reason why the woman usually isn�t the authority with power is called chauvinism. (Laura)CF definitely looks better with his clothes on Why? Tell me more:-)

(Laura)CF definitely looks better with his clothes on Actually, it was Robson's puppy dog eyes that got me (he was looking pretty wounded all through Episode 3). There was only one naked butt shot that I recall. I think Colin's taller and thinner (conjuring up images from "The Advocate") but I didn't see too much of a difference. And Colin (as of mid-March, anyway) has more hair (on his head)!!

(Elena) the pupil (I�ve understood) is naked or almost in the movie? Oh yes, Elena but the teacher is too ;-). Which goes back to Karen's comments as to why we tolerate watching this film. Sorry Elena, you actually had a serious discussion going but I just can't get that mental picture of Ross Talbert out of my mind (Michael's pretty cute too);-).

Robson Green vs. Colin Firth I think we need a cheek-to-cheek comparison. ;-) In another PBS/A&E (who remembers) show, where RG was a bodyguard to the Prince of Wales and it was a Cyrano-type story, he's au naturel there too! In Playmaker, there is a reversal of roles. The woman gains the upperhand, the power a little later on. We all remember this turn of events and what poor Michael has to do!

don�t tell me MLSF is one of these too? What�s Irene Jacob�s age?! If Irene Jacob is 30....I'm 50!!That doll has mileage. And Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is 40. They paired him with some ole broads. **** (BTW...a reminder....let's use role names and not actual names when referring to anatomy:-) Ahem....I'll put Courteois' and Ross Talbert's butt up against anybody's (pun not intended).

Karen, there is no comparison in the body parts between Colin & Robson Green, Colin wins hands down as he does in the acting department, Robson always wears the same expression whatever he is in, sorry to get on my soap-bos about Robson Green buts thats all we hear over here, he is very popular over here but not with me . He was in something called Rhinocerous on Sunday which was on at the same time as the BAFTA's and got 10million views approx compared to 4.5 millions approx. for The Bafta's but I person lly can't understand it, I feel as if I would like to wipe the smile off his silly face and as I say in every role he plays himself, that's not acting. Oh dear I have gone on a bit, I apologise to RG fans.

soap-box not soap-bos

(Karen)We all remember this turn of events and what poor Michael has to do! Now some people actually like this. Only kidding, Mr. President! Hee hee. Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. It's more toned, in shape, curvier. Yes, he doesn't have the height, but ah, well you can't win'em all! Karen, the PBS movie was Prince of Hearts w/ Tara Fitzgerald playing an American (really bad one at that!). What do I mean about CF looking good with clothes on? Hmmmm... I prefer CF w/ clothes on rather than off. Even he states the same thing!!! Remember when he say something like who'd want to see me in those Arsenal boxers!!! Ha, but Robson Green, he could wear nothing and make me simply happy! CF just doesn't have the "gorgeous" body as does Robson Green, doesn't make CF less of a person. {Just means he doesn't work out;)} Now has anyone read Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary. I found it on the ET, it was a column just before BJD and I tried sending it to Karen, did it work???? It was interesting, not as clever nor witty as BJD, but it seems as tho a regular gal did it. It's now out in book form.

(Evelyn) If Irene Jacob is 30....I'm 50!!That doll has mileage. And Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is 40. According to the IMDb, Jacob was born in '63 and is 35, but that's OK, her character is supposed to be engaged to Malcolm McDowell, who is in his 50s. Now Mastrantonio was born in 1958, so she's slightly older than Colin by two years. Not all that significant. They paired him with some ole broads. They don't look so old, and I'm a very old broad by comparison! :) (BTW...a reminder....let's use role names and not actual names when referring to anatomy:-) Actually, within this context, it's OK to use real names. :) Now, this is really where we need some side-by-side Snappies! (AnnW) there is no comparison in the body parts between Colin & Robson Green, Colin wins hands down as he does in the acting department As Laura says, they are very different body types. RG is short, compact and curvy. Definitely looks very buff. Colin on the other hand is tall and lanky. Agreed that Colin wins hands down in the acting and overall looks department. RG is not a great actor, though he has incredibly blue eyes and good-looking bum, but that's about it! :) (Laura) the PBS movie was Prince of Hearts Thanks, I'm always forgetting the name of this one and I liked it, a combination Cyrano story and political satire. Even he states the same thing!!! Remember when he say something like who'd want to see me in those Arsenal boxers!! His usual self-deprecating comment. Besides, most guys would say the same thing. :) Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary...I tried sending it to Karen, did it work???? It was interesting, not as clever nor witty as BJD, but it seems as tho a regular gal did it. It's now out in book form. I could read what you copied and sent me via email, but couldn't get to it via the link, nor could I find it by searching at the Telegraph site. What section was it in and when (date)? You are right, though, definitely not as clever as BJD. A second-rate ripoff. This week's Time magazine reviews three new books about the life of 30-something single women. The title of the article is "Beyond Bridget Jones: Three new novels dig deeper into single life." Apparently, these are not clones nor ripoffs, but you do remember that Time magazine hated BJD. The last paragraph: "Defenders of Bridget Jones brook no complaints about its portrayal of the single condition because the book, after all, is a comedy. But there was something unsettling--something that drained the satire--in Bridget's pursuit of a boyfriend. It was was though she wanted one not because falling in love is a signature experience of humanity but because she saw a man as a necessary accoutrement of urban life, like a Prada bag. Her bane Stateside compatriots aren't nearly as abs rd--or maybe they just have better shrinks."

Karen, I've read all of the Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary. I can't believe the link doesn't work??? I have it bookmarked. this is the link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000772005502828&rtmo=awHeRbaL&atmo=99999999&pg=/et/97/11/8/tltif08.html It will bring you up to I believe the last diary entry, but above it has all of them that you click on to get one, two, etc..., they were interesting, could've been very good. It had a huge following one and was brought back by popular demand when it was "cancelled". At the end of the run, it said if someone else wants to take over the column to send a note to the editor. It does leave one just hanging. I found on Amazon.com/uk that they have it in book form with a couple of reviews, although, most of the reviews do say to stick with BJD. and speaking of BJD, has the new book come out yet, it IS April;) !!!!

Now, that link worked. Interesting how BJD started right after this one. Will read the other parts later. Thanks.

(Ann) and as I say in every role he plays himself, that's not acting Sounds like he has the "George Clooney Syndrome." 'Reckless' is the only thing I've seen RG in. (Laura) Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. He has a different body type. Long and lanky can still be appreciated. Variety is the spice of life!

Long and lanky can still be appreciated. Variety is the spice of life! ] for someone who IS long and lanky, I hope I can be appreciated:p; However, it could be that I just prefer men of the Robson Green type??? His blue eyes just mesmerize me. Piercing blue eyes!! oooh!!!

(Laura)Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. It's more toned, in shape, curvier. Yes, he doesn't have the height, but ah, well you can't win'em all! Hey , Laura....."size matters" :-) ***** (evelyn) They paired him with some ole broads. (Karen)They don't look so old, and I'm a very old broad by comparison! Don't take it personal....Don't you know? "Present company is always excluded."..If you don't believe me...take a look at Sabine's picture of the Donmar Dolls!! Anyway Karen...everyone knows you're a Natalie Wood look-a-like":-) I got pissed at MEMastrantonio because she gave an interview in last month's Movieline...all about a new movie she is shooting and never even mentioned MLSF. Gwynnie was more magnanimous.

Personally I prefer brown expressive mesmeric eyes that speak that say so much !

(Laura)His blue eyes just mesmerize me. Piercing blue eyes!! oooh!!! Could you be a fan of Mel Gibson's eyes as well? ;-)

Natalie Wood look-a-like":-) That would be *after* she washed up on the beach, right? ;-p I got pissed at MEMastrantonio... From looking her up on the IMDb, I found out she was born in Lombard, IL - western suburb of Chicago. I think I had to go there once???

(Evelyn).... got pissed at MEMastrantonio... (Karen)From looking her up on the IMDb, I found out she was born in Lombard, IL - western suburb of Chicago. She is also the wife of Pat O'Connor, Director of C of F. And, also AMITC.

I don't think height and "size" have much correlation, Evelyn!!!! OR else I would hope so. And I think Karen does look like Natalie Wood, when she was alive, not when she washed up on the beach. (that was bad!!)

Waterstone's has the new BJ book listed as: "BJ and the Seven Men" hardback 12.UKP to be published in April 99. I called Waterstone's in Islington and the person in charge will find out exactly when it will be in. Will call tomorrow. Stay tuned....

BJ and the Seven Men? Oh dear!!!

Amazon.co.uk has it listed as "BJ I Will survive" paperback 6.99UKP to be published 23 April 1999 by Picador' ISBN 0330367358 I'll go with amazon...they are seldom wrong.

Hee hee, Evelyn, I did the same thing!! Bridget Jones: I Will Survive Helen Fielding Our Price: �6.99 Category(ies): Literature & Fiction Paperback (23 April, 1999) Picador; ISBN: 0330367358 Learn more about 1-ClickSM ordering Availability: We expect to be able to find this title for you within 4-6 weeks. However, please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4,634 hahahahah!

I suggest we coordinate orders to save on the exorbitant shipping!

Bridget Jones: I Will Survive Helen Fielding Our Price: �6.99 This price seems very low. That's what I paid for my BJD paperback in the UK last summer.

(Laura) Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. (AnnW)...no comparison...Colin wins, hands down... Girls, girls! Now remember, there's no accounting for taste. Laura faults Colin for not having looked like he "works out". Well, I vote with AnnW on this one. You may have the bulgy weight-lifters, Laura, but unless they're lumberjacks or construction workers, they look absolutely grotesque to me...(they look like they're perpetually eager for a punch-up, which does not appeal). I prefer Colin's clean natural (and lithe) look...it's more than sufficient for the occasional sword-fight, horseback ri e, or swim; aesthetically it's a great part of the drool factor (but not necessarily the admiration factor...it's the acting for that...) To my artist's eye he has several characteristics that seem positively made in heaven. And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee, I only find that endearing. Nevertheless each part is perfectly proportioned within itself. Yum! But that's MY taste!

(KJArt) And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee LOL! What ever is your meaning? Much as I admire ODB's talent and *other* attributes, I will admit there was a time when he looked too thin. Those Levi's he wore in ATA positively swam on him. Did anyone else notice this? At the time I wondered if he was bouncing so much from country to country (London-Rome-LA) that he forgot to eat!

Laura faults Colin for not having looked like Geez, nothing like having words put in my mouth!!! I don't fault him for not working out. I was saying that he doesn't work out. Obviously Robson Green has some sort of physical workout (not horizontal either). RG DOES have a better body. End of subject!

But he is too short!!

"Better" is subjective. :-) To each, his/her own. How I wish! ;-)

So what if he's short??? Karen's short but I don't dislike her for it? (Karen, just using you as an example only;))

That didn't sound good actually. I mean that because Karen is shorter than me, I would never not like her because of that. I like Karen very much indeed! She's a great person. and I bet Robson Green is a great person too! as is CF also!

I like my hero's to be taller and gorgeous and with the most wonderful speaking voice in the whole world.

a nd Karen is not a man!!

and Karen is not a man!! LOL! Yeah Ann, you said it! Besides, it�s the *something* in Colin that is simply unique. Hard to beat that one, Laura? :-)

Unique??? He's a man. He goes to the bathroom just like you and me. He brushes his teeth and washes his face. He probably yells and screams like the best of us. Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird.

Ann and KJ , some great comments. It's like comparing the chocolate they use on Reese's peanut butter cups with Lindt excellence chocolate. One is rough and kind of unfinished, the other is quality, smooth and satisfying. Know which one I would rather nibble on!!! Those of us who remember RG in his "Soldier Soldier" days and as a sometime MOR crooner, could never find him fascinating in the least. As he is a millionaire, maybe it is his "wad " rather than his buns of steel that are the attraction. He certainly doesn't get paid due to his acting talents. Those of us seeing our DB on stage know we have been in the oresence of a phenominal talent. Off for my chocolate ration!!!

OK OK it's "presence"!!!

and phenomenal!!

(Laura) Karen is shorter than me just like you and me than I & like you and I!! tsk tsk ;-) He goes to the bathroom just like you and me Not really, unless you're hiding something from me. ;-) I consider myself fairly versatile. Sometimes I like cheapo chocolate candies, although I really prefer the good stuff. I can turn down the cheapo stuff when I want to, but rarely the good stuff. Colin is definitely the good stuff, to be savored and appreciated despite the calories! Nothing wrong with looking at buns of steel, but I don't confuse them with acting ability. ;-)

(Ann) I like my hero's to be taller and gorgeous and with the most wonderful speaking voice in the whole world. I couldnt agree more :) (it also helps if they can sing to you... but if they've only got the first three, i wont complain)

(Laura) Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird. OK I admit I�m weird enough to think that one can be unique in spite of being a man, using the bathroom, brushing one�s teeth etc.!!!....To be honest, I haven�t given much thought to these things in Colin�s case, you�ve opened my eyes to reality Laura :-))

Entering into the fray, I have to say that Robson Green plays the same part in everything he does (macho Geordie hero gets girl) and is fortunate that both the BBC and ITV seem to fall over backwards to offer him a never ending series of vehicles for his rather limited acting talent. But it's made him very, very rich. He's 5'6", apparently! I like tall and lean, although I have to agree with you, Eileen, that in ATA Colin really looked too thin and in need of some tender loving care and dollops of pasta!

Speaking of buns and their desirability, everyone who thinks his are less worthy of Drool than others should go back and look at the Turkish Bath scene from TA or I'll send Karen one to post...delightful!

What other little Snappies do you have squirreled away, Marcia? (one eyebrow is now raised....)

Hey I'm 5'6 and considered tall;)

(Laura) He goes to the bathroom just like you and me (Karen) Not really, unless you're hiding something from me. ;-) Ditto! Laura, do you have something to tell us? 8-o I've got images of "The Crying Game" in my head! ...I'm kidding! KIDDING! Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird. Then I must be wierd.

5'6" is tall for a girl, short for a man!!

These days, 5'6" is more average for a girl. idolizing to a certain degree is well, weird Nope, you did say *certain* None of us goes overboard or subscribes to stalkerish activities. What we do here is fun. Not weird at all. Now if we were idolizing a serial killer, that would be weird. Colin is deserving of adoration for his talent (and his looks aren't anything to sneeze about).

Here, here and isn't that why these boards are called Drool because we love to drool over this man, nothing wrong with that. Aishling, as you were the first to post the report about JE, does that mean that you are a fellow UK drooler, I do hope so as we are in the minority here, so please keep posting and oh yes welcome, sorry.

Karen, I have just enough of them salted away to prove my point about TDB. He is so exquisite, is he not. I am also 5'6" and out here that is sky-scraping.

Welcome, Aishling. (KJArt) And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee (Eileen) LOL! What ever is your meaning? I mean the various parts don't seem to quite match to others, as if 2 "man-kits" were used but the pieces got mixed up (Incidentally, I'd like to see the other one, too!):) We all focus on the broad shoulders, the long, thick neck, the tapering LONG waist...the torso is beautifully assembled. But hadn't you also noticed that the arms are a bit too slender for that torso, the hands (beautiful though they are) a bit to big for the arms--and for the face, which is about a half-size too small for the neck, tc. Everything is beautiful, but slightly out of proportion to everything else (I won't even begin on those thighs, which shall remain nameless!!!) as if someone else took charge after the one who had started the project had to leave to answer the phone, or something! I can remember several people groaning when the term "burly" was applied to our young hero in that article done just after Lost Empires was aired (1986)...but I can understand the illusion. And his appearance in ATA is an excellent example: coming at you he looks broad and bulky, with those wide shoulders and broad chest. But it's not deep--when he turns sideways, he practically disappears!!!;) So I just lovingly think that there was a slipup somewhere--more likely it was done on purpose...we m stn't have perfection, now, must we?! That might go to his level head!!! (which, though a bit out of proportion to the rest, is still the best part of him, what?) All the more reason to admire AND drool! But, as I said before, MY taste and MY perception, which as Karen reminds us is purely subjective!

Nick Hornby will be at the following locations for booksigning: Wed, Apr 21 7:30 PM New York, NY Barnes & Noble 4 Astor Place (212-420-1322) Sat, Apr 24 7:30 PM Dayton, OH Books & Co. 350 E. Stroop Road (937-298-6540) Sun, Apr 25 7:00 PM St. Louis, MO Left Bank Books 399 N. Euclid (314-367-6731) Tue, Apr 27 7:00 PM San Francisco, CA Booksmith 1644 Haight Street (415-863-8688) Bookwire doesn't show that AAB has come out in paperback yet. Only the hard cover is shown.

(KJ)the torso is beautifully assembled.....but slightly out of proportion Sometimes an artist can sound about as merciless as a surgeon dissecting people! But I think you�ve probably found something essential about him as an actor, I mean the chameleon quality. He looks very different from different angles and depending on which of his features are emphasized by the makeup & clothing department. But I wish you could see him in real life! You�d forget everything about proportions. Like I�ve told you his beautiful body looked absolutely perrrrfect on stage, nothing was out of proportion......yes Laura, I�m being weird again but I just can�t help it:-))

Laura, how could you possibly be attracted to ODB's brother? There are no muscles there. I have never been attracted to the muscular types. Their brains suffer from it I'm afraid.

(Moon)I have never been attracted to the muscular types. Neither have I, and isn�t it a real turn-off to find a heap of body building gear lying about in a man�s apartment?!? I also can�t stand men who are aware of their good looks. I liked it that Colin obviously did nothing to his looks when he came down to the Donmar lobby from backstage, except possibly wiping some makeup off and changing for the nice worn clothes of his own. He seems to mind his looks amazingly little for an actor, dunno how that�s possible in such a highly looks-conscious job.

Excuse me ...may I digress for a minute to say that Waterstone's in Islington does not have any concrete news on the new BJ book...not even the title...only that the "new BJ book will be out in April '99." Big Deal!!We knew that in October. We better stick with Amazon. Thank you.... Now ,please continue with the discussion at hand.....

I phoned our local Waterstone's re BJD..the sequel (whatever the title is!). I was told that it should have come out at the end of last year and a first draft had been submitted, but there was some problem with the structure. I was told that there was no actual date for publication but it should be "soon" and news of this would certainly be in the papers. I'm wondering if they'll time it to coincide with the start of filming of the movie...good promotional tie-in. Re. the BJD movie. I noticed in today's Times an item about Working Title and a new film about the Manchester United and Matt Busby which hasn't been greenlighted yet, but they expect to start shooting later this year. What struck me was despite the fact that the screenplay wasn't complete, the greenlight not given, they still gave details of the cast (Liam Neeson, Robert Carlyle). Can't understand why they can't announce who is playing BJ and MD...they must know!!!! His body...one thing I'm in total agreement with Elena about, is that I can't stand any man who is too conscious of his looks. I'm sure a lot of actors spend a lot of time working out and preening in front of a mirror. And you can be fit without being muscular...a lot of athletes are lean (aerobic as opposed to anaerobic). I think if those thin arms suddenly acquired muscles, I'd be disappointed in him! Anyway, strength with vulnerabilty is a rather attractive combination!

Re: His Body... ...If a commitee put him together....they did one-helluva-job!!

--I never denied it!! Such an appealing combination, what? Perfection can be so boring, but he's perfect in the ways we want him to be. To repeat: yum!!

Isn't it great to be "Weird". It's even better to know we found each other to be weird together!!! Actually I was convinced that I was weird till I found thees boards. Long Live "Weirdos" ( of the drool kind).

Here, here!!

Ditto, Ann and Lizza! I watched 'Reckless-The Sequel' last night and noticed Robson's lack of height (and he is quite follicularly challenged, just like *sob* ODB :-( ). But I uphold my original comment that RG's body is not better than CF's--just different. Thanks for your 'committee' explanation, KJArt. I think of CF as just plain thin (too thin in ATA, part of which I watched on Encore Saturday night. Those jeans he wore in the making coffee scene were way big, but the back ones weren't so bad. And he looked ssoooo handsome in this film--its only redeeming quality!).

Whoops, that should read "black" ones, not "back" ones...not that I wasn't looking at his back!

(Eileen) ..not that I wasn't looking at his back! Needed more *front and back* in the garbage-y love scene IMO! ;-)

In earlier discussions on this board there was word play as to who would make a good BJ. I'm kinda late with my suggestion, however, we don't officially know who's going to get the role. I was wondering what do yout think of Julia Ormond. She's really classy and extremely beautiful and after reading the book I'm not sure she'd fit--it might be a total stretch. But, she's british and thritysomething and she's talented. Funny thing is she used to live in Hackney. I wonder if she knew CF.

Jana, I like JO, you're right, she could do it. All they need to do is to dye her hair. That Hackney artistic click is breaking up.

(Ann) Here! here! Isn't that "hear! hear!"?? (I know, picky, picky :-))

Well it won't be Kate Winslett...she's spending the summer filming "The Marquis de Sade" with Geoffrey Rush "described by insiders as a pornographic SIL" (do we really need this?!!) And I doubt if it will be GP...she must be overwhelmed with offers. But if it's a Universal production, it has to be someone currently bankable. Really dunno.

Of course, "Hear, Here"!! oh no "Hear,Hear" (got a lot on my mind including another trip to the Donmar with Eveleyn and Lizza.)