Fom August's Cosmopolitan Report on "Hip to be Brit" and GP and CB winning awards for impersonating us Brits. Comments on GP's roles and CB in E and AIH AND the leading role in the forthcoming film of BJD. Enjoy your weekend Evelyn!!

Hi, thanks for that Aishling, was the report about CB & BJD definite or just speculation again.

Interview with Helen Fielding...nothing really new except she's still hoding out for Colin as Mark Darcy!! http://www.laweekly.com/ink/99/36/books-taylor.shtml

Working Title say that BJD will start shooting in a couple of months (October).

Thanks, Bethan. Did you ask when they will know who will be in it? Doesn't seem likely that CF will do Mark. Schedulewise, it is a smallish part relative to Bridget, her pals and Daniel, but that would be getting near his Donmar run dates.

Karen, OT why are you keeping us in suspense, I am dying to know what you thought of MLSF last night!!

No, I didn't ask about casting, Karen. They wouldn't tell me, anyway! I still think that CF will do Mark. It's a Universal film which will have automatic world-wide distribution, and he must see the advantages of that (witness MLSF having to prove itself in the market, and, of course, SLOW!) BJD must be shot in London, and the Mark D scenes could always be scheduled first. Judi Dench filmed SIL whulst doing a London theatre run...the two can be combined. The reason I think he'll do it is that the screenpl y is by Andrew Davies and I can't think who else could play (or would be acceptable as)"Mr Darcy"!

Nobody else! I hope!

Hey!! I want Colin to play Mark too. Here's hoping that all the writers (HF and AD) have some input and clout.

It would appear Cate B is in discussion for every movie coming up. More conflicts in dates too and same production company. From The Hollywood Reporter: Johnny Depp is committed to star with Christina Ricci in Sally Potter's World War II story "The Man Who Cried" for Universal-based Working Title Films. Cate Blanchett and John Turturro are also deep in discussions to join the $20 million film, which is slated to begin shooting next month. Potter, who helmed the acclaimed "Orlando," will write and direct the film, which follows a young woman who flees Germany for Paris in hopes of eventually making it to the United States. Potter and Christopher Sheppard's Adventure Pictures will produce. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title will finance with Canal Plus, which will have world rights outside of English-speaking territories and Benelux.

There was an item on Radio 5 yesterday (about movie news) on Cate B. She's been offered the lead in "Charlotte Gray" the movie version of the bestseller by Sebastian Faulks, about a woman who goes undercover to France in World War 2 to search for her airman lover who has gone missing in action. It's to be directed by John Madden (a couple of good male roles (supporting, of course!) there as well!). The reporter then said something like "Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star". Cate B. seems to be in pole position at the moment...her only problem seems to be deciding which roles to turn down!

The reporter then said something like "Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star". Don't want to give you all the impression that I am in a grumpy mood today but what is all the fuss about CB? I found Elizabeth unwatchable (though that was not particularly her fault) and in Plenty she was fairly dire. "Acting by Numbers". Much too shrill and self conscious. Maybe ODB could learn a thing or two. Perhaps that is what it takes to get on in Hollywood.

OK, Grumpy here's my take on CB... ;-D Like you, I didn't think the movie Elizabeth was all that good, but I did think CB was excellent. I walked out feeling that that was a best actress of the year performance I had just seen. The reason everyone wants her for their films is that she has demonstrated tremendous range as an actress, unlike her co-nominee Gwynnie. Look at the variability of her roles. She does plain and homely (Paradise Rd, Oscar and Lucinda), Long Island housewife (Pushing Tin), intelligent and steadfast wife (Ideal Husban ). She's demonstrated she can do costume drama, historical uplifting tearjerker to intelligent comedy. Gwynnie, on the other hand, has not. She's hasn't shown her stretch in terms of characters. Shakespeare was a stretch, but she was still playing the beautiful upper class girl. Don't stone me, but CB has a chameleon-like ability too. She doesn't look the same or act the same in her varied roles. Just my two cents. ;-D

The CB phenomenon interests me. Obviously I didn't see her in "Plenty" but I think (from reading the rather lukewarm reviews) that Allison's assessment is spot on. Yet there was a terrific build-up for "Plenty", the run was extended, it was a sell-out and the adverts all managed to stress the few positive references made in the reviews. So CB is established as a great stage actress. Ditto, "Elizabeth"...didn't particularly like it, but the role of Elizabeth was a plum...it would have been difficult for an reasonably good (and CB is this) actress to shine. Where CB is fortunate is that she's now being inundated with choice leading roles in Hollywood backed movies, which will be seen worldwide, so her reputation will go from strength to strength. There's a lot of luck...neither CF or JE (both better actors) have had this sort of breakthrough in movies nor the sort of defining roles which enable them to do justice to theit talent. My three cents worth! PS. If CF has to find a niche, it's playing Mr Darcy! I just want to see him playing one more authoritative, rich, heroic handsome alpha-male!

correction...it would have been difficult for any reasonably good actrss NOT to shine

Here's the URL of an interview done with HF on CNN International. (August 6, 1999) It's three parts. http://cnn.com/books/news/9908/06/helen.fielding/

(bethan)it would have been difficult for any reasonably good actrss NOT to shine Indeed... Forceful characters bring actors out. I've said it before, if Colin had played Wessex less "naturally", like a more caricatural (?) villain, people would have noticed him more. Not that I would have preferred him to do so, mind you!

Thanks Jana for the link. Was definitely done during her last book tour of the US in June. She's wearing the same suit that I saw her in. And she mentioned that the sequel was due one year ago Monday. Didn't say anything new about the casting. Told same old story about wanting to cast an unknown, but this time she embellished it by saying that she wanted to go up to the girl at the gym who is doing nothing and offer her the role.

(Allison)...but what is all the fuss about CB? I found Elizabeth unwatchable (though that was not particularly her fault) I agree with you and Bethan...'n Gi. Really didn't want to say so before....yeah...I do wish Jennifer would get offered those roles.But she's not bankable enough. "Elizabeth" was a plum role.Kate Winslett, Emily Watson both tried out for it. And any one would have been as good!! I saw AIH and was not blown away by CB's portrayl as the wife...she played it so bland ...the love scenes with Jeremy Northam (fergawdsakes!)were positively neutral.No chemistry there. "Paint-by-number"-acting. I'm glad that filmed bombed...but sadly MLSF came right on its heels. IMO it had a negative effect on MLSF.

Am not disagreeing that another good actress *could* do Elizabeth, the point is that CB did it and got the acclaim, the nominations, the awards and therefore the script offers. ;-D As I recall, she got the part of Elizabeth because of Oscar and Lucinda. Re: AIH, I don't think I said she was brilliant in it (no one particularly was). My point is that she's shown her versatility, something Jennifer has been trying to do. And I don't put Winslet in the same category of talented actresses with CB or Emily atson.

From The Guardian, August 19, 1999: Work in progress Film producer David Parfitt It's still terribly early days, but among the projects I've got bubbling away, I'm working on a movie adaptation of Bridget Jones' Diary. Now when I say early days, I mean it - we're basically in pre-pre-production - but taking these first steps (knocking the script into shape, finding our Bridget, generally ensuring everything is on schedule) is something I relish. We're lucky in that our director Sharon Maguire - aside from being enormously talented - has an unusually close relationship with the subject matter. She was Shazza in Helen Fielding's original book (I believe the phrase "fuckwittage" was her invention), and she's got a fresh take on what could potentially have seemed slightly dated and clich�d. For me, one of the attractions of the project is that it's obviously a break from the period pieces which take up so much room on my CV (I've co-produced, amongst others, The Madness of King George, Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V). In particular, it was important for me to find something which was radically different to my last movie, Shakespeare In Love; I'm not, of course, going to feign modesty here - I'm enormously proud of Shakespeare - but it was important to prove I could work with material which was set in the 20th century! Having said that, it's great that I could be involved in a film which has hopefully helped make it easier for British films to get out there and find their audience. What we could do with - and not necessarily from government - is a way of letting development money flow a little easier; ideally, you want to be able to say "OK, the script's ready - let's get it made". Because getting it made (whatever it may be) is what a producer's life is all about. � David Parfitt is the co-producer of Shakespeare In Love

Thanks, Karen, this sounds promising - at least they *are* working on it!

While visiting Oxford, I had the manager/buyer for Blackwells (which is an important bookstore), ring up Picador to inquire about the release date of the next BJD book. Their contact at Picador assured us that there is no set date for its release. If the script is still in pre-pre production, I am sure they will want to hold off its release at least until the pre-production stages so that the time difference does not amount to two years. I am happy to see that they want to cast the perfect Bridget, I think we might trust Shazzer on this one.

They must really want this guy!! Cage plays 'Mandolin' again (Variety) After scheduling conflicts caused him to walk away from the project once (Daily Variety, July 22), Nicolas Cage is back in negotiations to star in the Working Title/Universal feature "Captain Corelli�s Mandolin." "Notting Hill" helmer Roger Michell is directing the adaptation of Louis De Berniere� novel, a sweeping love story set on the idyllic Greek isle of Cephalonia during World War II. Cage previously entered negotiations to star in the pic nearly three months ago (Daily Variety, June 7), but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. It�s not clear what has been resolved since that time. However, in July, the actor added another starring role to his upcoming roster when he signed to topline Beacon Communications� "Family Man" for Universal. "Family Man" is slated to go before the cameras in December, leaving Cage available to shoot "Mandolin" in April in Italy, although these dates are likely to change.

There was a good article about BJD in the paper Sunday. It seems that there have been several pirate copies written. None of which measures up. The writer really loves the book and recommended that we forget the others.

It's done. Per Variety: Cage just pacted for "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" with "Notting Hill" helmer Roger Michel.

...Cage just pacted for "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" I am not pleased. But maybe they'll get MEM for the female lead. She's even of Italian heritage...but then so is he.

Pelagia was Greek, not Italian. No matter, MEM could do it. Cage's performance in Moonstruck comes to mind here. Can't see Correlli with a wooden hand, though :-P PS. OT (but then, so is this whole discussion) Ever notice the kitchen in Moonstruck? It bears *strong* resemblance to another notable Italian kitchen: white tile walls, pics of saints hanging...I was looking for the old radio on the shelf (alas, no DB pouring espresso, only Olympia, Vincent and Cher).

Don Johnson as Julio, Gi?? There's one we haven't heard before! I was thinking about the person who proposed Ricky Martin for Julio a few months ago--bet Working Title couldn't afford him now, even though he is *way* too young.

Don Johnson would be perfect. I've said it before. Think about it! Look at him and don't you see how he thinks he is so handsome? The perfect gigolo. Ricky Martin is too young and not "vile" enough.

And is Don Johnson your *type*? Eowwwww!!

Okay, no Don Johnson (though he is cute.) NO KATE WINSLET!!!!! Nada absolutely not!!! Hurricane Floyd won't stop me from jinxing the set;) AND WHEN is CF going to be named as MD. Jane Horrocks would be smashing as BJ actually;) Um on the weather front, Tineke is enjoying this hurricane, I, on the other hand, could do without it!

Jane Horrocks would be smashing as BJ actually Yes... but, just like HB-C she's too thin. The girl's gotta put on a few more pounds before she'd even be considered in the running. BTW, would Toni Collette be considered too young for the role? As for Antonio, there's an actor I'm sure all of you have seen: Joaquim de Almeida (Clear and Present Danger, Only You, Good Morning Babylon). Bears a weird resemblance to the late Phil Hartman. I think he'd be perfect.

Joaquim de Almeida He was also in Nostromo! v.v. short, but he only has to seduce Bridget's mom.

Nostromo?! Really? Guess I haven't been paying attention.

How could you miss him in that bright red jacket. He was the jerky colonel.

(KarenR)And is Don Johnson your *type*? Eowwwww!! No, ma'am, he is not. Joaquim de Almeida... v.v. short, but he only has to seduce Bridget's mom. Portuguese actor playing portuguese gigolo? Ummm... A good idea, and Joaquim can act the part. Approved from this side. Short? They can work around that anytime, make him step on a ladder, sit him on a book... whatever :-P

They don't have to do anything about the height thing, you know. Just commenting. He was an effective seducer in Clear and Present Danger. All depends on who plays Bridge's mom. But it still may not matter.

Now I'm curious... HOW short is JdA??? It never occurred to me that the man was below average height. But then, I'm only 5'0"-- Humphrey Bogart never struck me as a short actor either.

I've sat in the same restaurant as JdA a few years ago, but as he was sitting too, I didn't notice the height.

Gi-- how popular is he in Portugal? He seems to have a somehwat steady career here, usually as the foreign scoundrel, however. What roles has he played there?

He is very popular. The Portuguese only value their own after they are recognised abroad - so Joaquim's career in the US has landed him leading roles here for several major films.

Okay, here's my two cents worth. I think Kate Winslet is not a good choice for BJ. 1. she is too young. 2. Can she be neurotic enough? 3. Can she be funny in a zany(and witty) way. 4. She just isn't Bridget Jones material, honestly. Winter, Jane Horrocks could easily gain weight for the part if that is what it called for, but I suspect that BJ is not overweight, nor does she have a weight problem. She's just your typical woman obsessed with weight. I always thought of BJ as a normal size woman. Jane Horrocks has this crazy zaniness about her that is endearing; and she's brilliantly hysterical! I can easily see her getting into BJ-type dilemma's! RE: Who to play Julio? Well I always thought of a Julio Iglesias lookalike, but I guess the Portuguese man Joaquim (insert last name here) would do nicely. All in All, I still think Colin Firth is the only one who could play Mark Darcy. And I think it would be a sad loss if he passed up on the chance. One more thing to note, I hope they have at least a decent screenplay. I don't see how what the difficulty is in turning BJD into a movie. I loved this book and would be really upset if they destroyed it in anyway. We're all very strong as to who shouldn't play BJ. I hope when they finally do cast it they choose someone because of talent and acting, and not just a name. Big name doesn't necessarily mean good, and we know that all too well.

For more on Joaquim de Almeida go to: http://www.hollys.com/joaquim/ There's several pics from his movies and a midi sequence of one of my favourite songs by a Portuguese songwriter, it's called, in translation, "If I could one day be your look" - as in "The Look". It is here: http://www.hollys.com/sounds/Olhar.mid

Gi, what are you doing up at this hour?

She is on IM with me and it is storming out and she could not sleep!

I have come up with another Bridget! Why not a real Bridget...Fonda! She could pull it off. I am not so keen on Jane Horrocks, she reminds me too much of that TV actress Amanda...(forgot last name).

I remember Joaquim de Almeida , but I think he is too old looking for the part. He should be younger looking for there to be a big contrast in looks between B mom and himself. (some young handsome gigolo type)

Hi! I am the one who has the web site for actor, Joaquim de Almeida. I saw all the hits from this site and HAD to come check it out. Yes, it is true, Joaquim is not very tall. He is between 5'6 and 5'8, but I've never asked his exact height. I can find out if you want. Smiles, Holly Webmaster: Joaquim de Almeida Fan Site

(Moon) but I think he is too old looking for the part. He should be younger looking for there to be a big contrast in looks between B mom and himself. (some young handsome gigolo type) I don't think Julio is a younger gigolo type. Remember, HF said her role model for the part is Omar Sharif. Could definitely be an older man, who is very suave, debonair, etc. Thanks, Holly, for giving us an approximate height. I don't think we need anything more. His height really showed up in Nostromo, standing next Colin or SST. In Clear and Present Danger, it wasn't as evident.

HF said her role model for the part is Omar Sharif. Could definitely be an older man, who is very suave, debonair, etc. True, but I think it works better if there is more of an age contrast. After all, he is supposed to be latin and OS is an Arab.

OS could pass for any number of ethnic types. Remember, he was Dr. Zhvaigo and Nicky Arnstein!! ;-o

Yes, but never Ricky Ricardo! ;-)

True, only one person has played Ricky Ricardo. However, Omar did play Che Guevara in the movie Che! He seems to have played a multiplicity of ethnic roles and I can see exactly what HF meant in saying that is who she pictured in the role.

Case closed!

Case closed! Judge Moonie has spoken. ;-D

How nice of Holly to drop by, wasn't it? I think I can welcome her in Drools's name :-)

Laura, you might be interested, although the book is probably not available here: ******* She writes about the lives and loves of the Nineties single woman, but Marian Keyes is much more than Ireland's answer to Bridget Jones. Take her new novel, which is even outselling Roddy Doyle at home. By Alex O'Connell ******* Craicing good read The atmosphere in The Clarence, Bono's modernist hotel in Dublin, is a perfect combination of style and surliness. Thank Jesus, Mary and Joseph, then, for the Irish writer Marian Keyes, who is so down-to-earth you are tempted to look for soil under her fingernails. Five foot nothing, with the carefully crafted features of an expensive doll, Keyes is a cross between a young Vivien Leigh and the generic heroine of a children's book. Her cute cheeks, long black hair and green eyes combine to make her look naughty when she's trying to be serious and tragic when she's delivering a devastating one-liner. But then Keyes has a lot to smile about: shortly before we met she learned that her latest tragi-comic novel, Last Chance Saloon, out in Britain this week, had reached the number one position in the Irish book charts. It shot ahead of the competition despite the fact that bestselling Irish authors Patricia Cornwell and Roddy Doyle both have new titles out. This is Keyes's fourth novel. Her first, Watermelon, published in 1995 by Poolbeg, a small Irish publisher, was an immediate success in Ireland. Reed International spotted her and a �435,000 deal was signed. Her second novel, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married followed in 1996. In 1997 the giant Random House swallowed Reed and Keyes decided to move to Penguin.The same year, Rachel's Holiday, her third novel, a semi-autobiographical story of alcoholism and recovery, properly established her as a serious cont nder in a by now burgeoning "single girl" market. But just how seriously is a female comic novelist taken? Keyes, 36, is definitely earning serious money. She is seriously married to Tony Baine, a book editor, and lives in a seriously grown-up house. (In 1997 she decamped with her husband from a small flat in Gospel Oak, north London, to a townhouse in South, Co Dublin). She has a serious past (the alcoholism and depression that plagued her twenties) and a serious future (two new novels in the pipeline and film deals coming out of her ears). Last Chance Saloon, which is about the lives and loves of three Irish childhood friends living in London, is likely to be seen as following Bridget Jones (although Keyes was published before Helen Fielding's book) and lumped together with other, less stylish contemporary "women's novels". Keyes's latest is certainly accessible and addictive. But it is also well-written and entertaining. "There is a part of me that thinks something is missing, that I'm just not serious, which is a pity," she says. "The thi g that most makes me happy is entertaining people and giving them a lift. But I want everything and nobody can have that." In Ireland, she says, there is an even sharper division between literary and mass market fiction than there is in Britain. "There is a growing acknowledgement for what I write, but it's not going to win the Booker Prize, as people are fond of telling me," she smiles. "There is more than one set of criteria for judging a book. If you divert people, take them away from their own situation, that is valid. I think it is sad that mass-market authors take on the shame given to them by others. It's seeking appro al." Keyes's novels are character-based rather than plot-driven, but she reckons that this is hardly a crime. "I think I'm just really interested in people," she reflects. "I love getting to know people. I don't want to write about perfect people, I like it when they're flawed." But does she consider herself a key member of the girly gang led by Helen Fielding and which includes Jane Green, Louise Bagshawe, Lisa Jewell and Freya North? On this point she is impeccably diplomatic. "Everyone likes to think they are unique, but it is nice to be part of a Zeitgeist. I don't want to write a book that isn't funny. Not yet. It would be excruciating to write an entirely bleak book." There is no commercial reason why she should. Watermelon is being optioned for a 90-minute film for Granada Television, with Caroline Aherne as executive producer. Rachel's Holiday has been bought by Touchstone Pictures. And Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married has been made into a 16-part ITV series to be shown next year. Although Keyes was an obsessive Enid Blyton fan as a child, she did not come from a particularly literary family. "I so wanted to go to those boarding schools and I loved Jilly Cooper and P.G. Wodehouse. But there really wasn't an Irish writer I identified with until Maeve Binchy." The eldest child of five, she was born in Limerick but soon afterwards the family moved to Cork. When Keyes was 11 her parents, Ted and Mary, moved the family to Dublin because her father, a local government worker, had changed jobs. "I found it very hard to settle, but please don't make it sound like I'm blaming them," she says. "Some people have a propensity for feeling displaced and I'm one of them." A model student ("I was too scared not to be") she excelled at school, despite persecuting the nuns at the Presentation Convent in Dublin with dodgy make-up and dangerously short skirts. "I had a great thing about justice," she remembers, "not doing what people wanted me to." After A-levels she took a year out working as a clerk in Dublin, and then went to University College where she gained a 2.2 in Law. However, she realised that she did not want to be a lawyer and would have to rebel against her parents' wishes. So she fled to London in 1986, along with hordes of other Dubliners. This was before the trendification, when the city was deep in economic depression. Delighted to be in London, despite feeling guilty at letting her parents down, she spent her twenties working as a clerk and later began an accountancy course which her subsequent success left uncompleted. Keyes's experiences during this period provided much of her inspiration for her novels. Boredom with her succession of dead-end jobs prompted her to hastily scribble the odd short story in her spare time, although she didn't do anything with them until 1994. I had been warned that Keyes did not want to talk about the drink problem that led to a spell in the Rutland treatment centre in Dublin in 1993. But while she does not elaborate on the subject, she is the first to raise it and we talk about the previous comments she has made, and what she describes as a "salvation" of sorts. Low selfesteem, a fear of being single and getting involved with men who didn't want to commit themselves all contributed to her illness. She had what she now suspects was clinical de ression. "I could have died, been knocked down and killed, but then eventually I realised that I was OK and nothing had really happened to me," she says. The drying-out centre, which a friend had persuaded her to check into, changed her life. "When I went there [the Rutland] I remembered all the terrible things that nearly happened to me as an active alcoholic. I don't want to go all New Age on you, but I felt like the first novel was written outside of me. It was the most magical, joyous experience I have ever had." Brought up a Roman Catholic, Keyes now favours a looser form of spirituality. "I very much believe in God but I am opposed to any organised religion. I think it is very anti-democratic," she says, playing with her hair. "I am repelled by the cruelty of Catholicism. Women in Ireland have 13 children. It is very misogynistic." She adds quickly: "My poor mother will cry her eyes out when she reads this." Keyes's own story reads like the most thrilling of plots. But she insists that her characters are neither based on herself nor her friends, ("the thought of putting someone I know in a book feels like the biggest abuse of power"). She is happy, however, to compare herself to her creations. The two women protagonists in Last Chance Saloon are opposites. Katherine is a control freak with perfect hair, Tara is a dumpy victim with a chronic fear of being single. Katherine, says Keyes, is the least like her. "She is the woman I wish I was. She is tragic and damaged but has a smart answer for everything. But I'm much more of a Tara really. Tara was me at my worst. I did think I'd end up alone, I did, I did, I did. I got past 30 and I'd had relationships with men not concerned with my wellbeing. But I was the one shooting myself in the foot. I picked people who weren't emotionally available, or only up to a certain point." She met her husband six years ago through a mutual friend. At the time he worked as a computer analyst. When she talks about him the corners of her eyes crinkle up. "He is a good man," she says. "That need for door-slamming passion has abated. He is very supportive of me and me of him." Falling Upwards, her next book, which is about a London journalist who goes to Dublin to edit a fashion magazine, is already on its way (Keyes has obviously been doing her research and has written an article in this month's Irish Tatler). She also plans to write a book set in Los Angeles which will feature the same family as Rachel's Holiday and Watermelon. Meanwhile she remains realistic about the future. "I realise that I am on the crest of a wave at the moment," she says. "There is this 'ordinary girl fiction' craze now, but before it was Aga sagas and before that it was sex and shopping novels. I suspect there will come a time when I'm no longer favoured." With her track record, that looks highly unlikely. The Last Chance Saloon is published on October 7. LAST CHANCE SALOON Penguin, �9.99 (Fiction) ISBN 0 718 14385 X Special offer: Order from The Times Bookshop for �8.99 (free p&p in the UK). Telephone 0870 160 80 80

I haven't read the latest, but Marian Keyes' first three books are not quite in the Bridget Jones mould. Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married is the most singleton-seeks-man storyline, and a decent read, but Watermelon and Rachel's Holiday are more about a woman with a problem sorting out her love life. In the former, the wife is dumped by her husband an hour after giving birth, and the other is about an addiction clinic recovery. For a classic Bridget Jones style book, track down Blonde With Attitude by Virginia Blackburn (or Blakeburn?)

I read (or attempted to at least) Watermelon, and only got about a third of the way through it. It just didnt capture my interest the way BJD did and i gave up and went on to another book. I passed Watermelon onto a friend, who loved BJD, and she didnt like it either. Havent tried any of MK's other books -so cant comment on them. I was disapointed, cause i was really hoping to find another good author. I'll have to try BWA -thanks for the tip Mark. :)

Early comments on High Fidelity at the AICN site. Check out the Talk Back section. There are two mentions of Colin and, no, I didn't do it! http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=4535

So Karen, do you agree with "Grunter's" assessment why it doesn't matter what the film's locale is?

In a sense, I do agree. Hornby's characters in FP, AAB, or HF could live anywhere. They are very universal types. Rob's record store clerks--Dick and Barry--are garden variety slackers. That being said, I would have still liked Colin to play the role. I identify him with music than Cusack. So did Suki comment? ;-D

Months of no Bridget, huge delays on the sequel, and only the odd snippets about its progress posted on the CF topic to keep fans of BJD interested, but at last HERE IT COMES! Radio ad this morning announced that BJD - The Edge of Reason would have advanced snippets serialised in the Daily Telegraph from Wednesday (Nov 17) onwards (so online also for sure). I did not recognise the woman reading a diary entry as Bridget on the radio, but doubt they would have cast and obtained the actress for the impending (ha!?) movie yet. And the book is due for release within a couple of weeks as far as I remember from the sleuths over at 123. Incidentally, re post 1358 on Marian Keyes above, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married is being serialised on ITV at 10.30 on (some, odd) weekday evenings at the moment. It is surprisingly (a) true to the book, and (b) good.

I bet the party at the Hilton is on the 17th as well. Any chance of you crashing Mark? Thanks for the info!

Excellent news, Mark. I'll be checking out the ET nightly. *hee hee* We get to read it before you get up in the morning.

Karen, I was thinking about not telling you till Wednesday so I could read it first - then I remembered your sleuthing powers, and quailed. Moon, I will admit I was thinking about trying to crash the Hilton bunfight - but I doubt that these things really happen like Notting Hill where you find out where it is and just breeze in at the back. Could I claim I'm from Horse and Hound? I'm not convinced it's on Wednesday just because that's the first day of serialisation. Should I ring the publishers, the PR company or the hotel to try and find out what day it's on, do you think? Alternatively, I was thinking of ringing Picador to ask for a review copy (claiming to be from online web review site Springnet, perhaps?)

Horse and Hound Brilliant choice of publications! ;-D Do remember to stammer, as is required for all staff. I did check out Picador's website several days ago and nothing on Bridget. Call the publishers and ask. Never hurts to ask. BTW, Helen is very familiar with us, so it's wouldn't be too much of a fib to use Spring. Here's hoping that it works. Should we start referring to you, Mark, as our *colt* reporter? ;-D

Well, Picador just took down my details when I said I wanted to be on the review copy list, as if they'd been expecting my call. I represent SpringNet, an online magazine. Now let's see if a book arrives.

Isn't it amazing! These people will give away the store without asking for credentials. And the party? You could drop hints all over the place about who we want them to cast in the movie.

I represent SpringNet, an online magazine. Now let's see if a book arrives. LOL! Bravo Mark! And do try to crash the party, what a hoot that would be *grin* you would definately be knighted Sir Mark for that effort, espically if you start every conversation with "you know of course who absolutely HAS to play Mark Darcy..." (Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. ROTFLOL

Wow, Mark, you're really in the spirit of all this. *clap clap* Good for you! Go to it! (Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face.

(Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. (Eileen)LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face. And the blinking.... you can't forget the constant blinking. *hee hee* :D

SB, this book is what I've been waiting for. The whole reason I found Drool was that I was looking for somewhere to talk about BJD. Then of course the hilarious adventures of the CF pursuers keep you coming back for more. I don't personally care who they cast in the film, as long as they capture the flavour of the book. The only reason I would like Colin to get the role is because he's a good actor.

(Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. (Eileen)LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face. (SBR) And the blinking.... you can't forget the constant blinking. *hee hee* :D Gee, who could this be? ;-D *Am laughing hysterically* (Mark) I don't personally care who they cast in the film But since you represent SpringNet, a zine, your editorial staff expect nothing less than a pro-Colin position (stop thinking what you're thinking, ladies). Anywho... we are trying to obviate a similar situation as happened with Ms. Sagay. We know Colin (as Mr. Darcy) is HF's model and first choice. So Bethan, what magazine will you represent? ;-D

DroolNet? *cracking myself up*

How about Modern Drooler or Popular Drooler?

(Mark),I'm not convinced it's on Wednesday just because that's the first day of serialisation. Should I ring the publishers, the PR company or the hotel to try and find out what day it's on, That is exactly why it would be on that day! Go to it and make the call!

Very enterprising, Mark. I am impressed! The whole reason I found Drool was that I was looking for somewhere to talk about BJD. Then of course the hilarious adventures of the CF pursuers keep you coming back for more. Did we remind you of a certain serial? ;-) But of course we are so glad you found us and have kept coming back.

...and don't forget he is a formidable Cricket player... *smile*

*tapping fingers* OK, where is it? *tapping fingers*

Looks like print version only - and if you think I'm going to type it up...

Mark, there is no need to type...just scan and post. ;-)

Print version only!!! How dare they?! No wonder there was no mention/hype about the "Return of Bridget" to its pages. Time to email the ETelegraph editors.

Sorry the Electronic version isn't available. If Mark is a techno-whizz and can scan I'll leave it to him, but I do have two copies (home/work papers) of the excerpts and could post them (and tomorrow's) if need be, if you e-mail me addresses. The book is apparently in the shops tomorrow, so I shall certainly buy a copy! Brief summary...continuing story of Bridget and Mark. Bridget ateends posh "do" with some of Mark's legal eagle colleagues, makes discovery about Mark which leads her to question relationship. Mark meets Rebecca and is impressed. Bridget accuses Mark of never taking her to his place. He reluctantly complies. Disastrous evening. Mark Darcy does not even know where to find his own fridge. Bridget makes second even more shocking discovery about Mark. Discovery proves to be erroneous, Bridge and Mark re-unit for evening of lust and dicussion of spiritual tendencies. Bridget decides, in true Mills and Boon fashion, that Mark seemss a bit scary, but "underneath is very kind and sweet". Jude and Shazzer seem to think that Bridget should chuck Mark. This takes us to the beginning of February...I can distinctly see the "Persuasion" plot-line looming. Great fun, But I'll need to read the whole book before I pass comment. Very much looking forward to Mark's review!

So Jude and Shazzer will be Lady Russells, huh? ;-D Am very curious about that "shocking, though erroneous discovery about Mark." Since this early part of the book would have been based on the columns in the Independent, does it seem familiar to you, Bethan? [I've never read those.] How were you planning on distributing? An emailed scan or a retyping (eek)? How many installment will there be? Did it say? I've sent off an email to the ET's editor asking why. Love this instantaneously democratic internet!

It doesn't say how many instalments we'll get, except today that "Tom Kemp returns next week" (who he?). Each day we seem to get about 5,000 words. Bethan is avoiding spoilers by not telling you about Bridget's bizarre "discovery" about Mark Darcy. I have no scanner, I'm afraid. Day two is v good also, featuring Jude's marriage to Vile Richard. I did not try crashing the Hilton yesterday. No review copy has turned up so I'll have to buy the book. Does "published today" mean "in the shops today" always?

It should be in the shops today. Mark and Bethan, we want *spoilers*. What is the discovery? Bethan if you could scan it here it would be fantastic. I too have emailed the DT.

I went out at lunch to check the bookshops. No book, just a flier saying "Bridget Jones is back! Helen Fielding will be signing at our Piccadilly Branch on Thursday 18 Nov at 1.00" I looked at my watch. It was 12.45! Gaaaah! Mobilised myself on the Tube, and got to the shop just in time to witnes the arrival of HF, and listen to the reading. Enjoyed telling a photographer to shut up until it finished. Q&A was same old, same old: Autobiographical? Well, Bridget is exaggerated. How did the first book go down? I wouldn't have written it if I'd known how many people would read it. Bridget seems to be a universal character (well Europe and USA recognise her). Who will play Bridget? Would prefer an unknown (old story about woman not exercising on exercise bike). Are you writing the film? Well, everybody seems to be writing the film, you know how it is with films (er, no. How is it?) I'm afraid I could not stay to get a book signed, as there were fifteen photographers to satisfy first and a queue of about 150 people with books to be signed, so I bought one (special price 9.99) and left. Helen looked very well, was dressed in black (of course), admitted she missed the deadline by 71 weeks, new book is 420 pages long. Oh, the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit.

Thanks, Mark, for your report from the field(ing). Her responses are getting v. old. Isn't Tom their gay friend? the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit. Am guess that Bridget thinks the former is Mark's son. Can't imagine what she thinks about latter. ;-D

Here's my response from The Telegraph: Dear Karen, I'm afraid we didn't get the legal rights to publish these new extracts online. I'm very sorry about this, but we simply could not afford them. The only Bridget Jones available via our site at the moment is in the archive. If you still want a copy of the new pieces, our back issues department can be phoned on (England) 01268 725579. Please accept our apologies. Best wishes, Richard Greenwood, Electronic Telegraph

Oh, the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit. ] My book is in the mail. Can't wait to read that ONE!

Karen, you're too chaste. Bridget in fact says that "the one time someone seems such a nice sensible person such as approved of by mother and not married, mad, alcoholic or f---wit, they turn out to be gay bestial pervert." Needless to say, MD turns out not to be gay bestial pervert (probably). I think the DT means Tom Kemp is a regular feature writer who has been left out for a while as they serialise BJ. But full marks for remembering Tom the gay friend. The book begins where the last book stopped. Does this mean it runs side by side with the columns? Or have we moved into a parallel alternative universe? The first two pages I am sure I have read before: "Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep.", but then it's off on a new tack, and straight into a new "Now back to the studio" story. Do you think the PR company would have had the launch party last night, then make HF get up and do readings and signing today, or will the launch party be tonight instead? I am pretty sure that this was the only signing session as the Waterstone's flyer claims an "exclusive".

(Bridget) they turn out to be gay bestial pervert Actually, my thoughts re: rabbit were along similar lines, i.e., boiled bunny a la Fatal Attraction. But, alas, could not fit in wooden balls. ;-D "Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep." I remember that as well. Seems she will have to fit in parts of her with a basic storyline (the development of which has probably been the difficulty all long). Will definitely want to know if she's left in one of my favs: At Rebecca's house party, Mark clad in towel doing his barrister stride. :-D I may not buy the book if it's not there! (yeah, right!)

"Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep." I remember that as well. ] That was in columns not in the first book. By the way why is it the same picture as the original book? (I mean cover art?)

(Laura) That was in columns not in the first book. I believe that's what Mark meant. That it was from the columns and that Helen had incorporated bits from the columns into the sequel as we expected. Amazon UK and Waterstones show different cover art, both of which are variations on the previous UK PB. Actually, I thought the real cover would be neither and this was something they whipped up to fill space. ;-D

The second installment covers Jude's wedding (to Vile Richard) and seems to come towards the end of the book (December). Also seems to indicate that Bridget and Mark may follow Jude and VR's example, or at least, are a couple again (Rebecca ends up with Giles...remember, Mark's boring colleague) Again, I laughed out loud (several times!} BJD will be a hard act to follow...and I'll bet that several of our vinegarish reviewers will be only too happy to knock the sequel..but I very much like what I've read so far!

Thanks Mark and Bethan for giving us day-by-day reports of the the new BJ book. I'm too cheap to pay for all that postage...Wonder when we'll get it.

More reports from the Field(ing) - (pun copyright KR) At Moon's insistence, I crashed attended the launch party last night. I can report that celebrities in attendance included Salman Rushdie, Sebastian Faulks (writer), Harry Enfield (comedian) and ...... wait for it ..... HB-C. So I would guess she's a certainty to play BJ. Meanwhile the only male actor I spotted was Tim McInnerny, who played HG's brother-in-law in Notting Hill. Sadly I had used up all my courage getting in, so I did not ask any of these people questions like: HF - do you remember the Internet group who tracked you round the States? HB-C - delighted you're playing BJ, who's the leading man? TMcI - What was CF like when you filmed Blackadder's Time Travel? Further reading in the book suggests that she has mixed the best stuff from the articles with new material - Gary the builder and Rebecca the jellyfisher have been introduced from scratch right at the start of the book, and we just had the incident where Giles whinges at the time BJ spends on the phone succouring her friends and then Giles rings to say he's getting divorced. I guess they have gone with a variant on the same cover art to persuade readers it's just like the original, and keep her looks obscure (i.e. you conjure her up for yourself). The speech of the head of Picador suggested that he has fallen into the *sequel trap* - "this book is longer, funnier and crazier than the original" (yeah, maybe the crazy bits weren't the best bits) - of course it'll still sell like hot cakes. HF received an award for passing 1m UK sales (although the total is now 1.5m), and made the same jokes as at lunchtime: In Spain the book is called the Diaria of Bridget Jones (amusing pronunciation) - and an Italian review called it a transcendental study of existentialist despair. She looked great in a sparkly black dress and classic Bridget kitten heels.

WHAT are kitten heels?