Only an hour until Fielding is in the Barnes and Noble chat room (take the "Book Talk" link in the banner at the top of the page). I've been asked to keep a transcript of that page, like I did with NH, and I'll try.

(Laura) But next week when on Cape, (Nan, are you going?) Sure am :-) (Evelyn) Laura's fascination with JF is only a passing fancy. And there is this about it...he is single. And CF is taken!! What's a girl to do!! There is no such thing as "taken" when I'm having a fantasy. Unless, of course, he's "taken" by me ;-p

Okay. Tonight on the Helen Fielding Chat Room Baarnes & Noble Book Talk , I asked The Question I knew you all wanted to know: Here it is: Evelyn from Oklahoma : Wish you were coming to the SW. We never get to meet an author...it's like we sit around listening to Garth Brooks all the time! Loved your book . But many of us are eager to know about the film....Mark Darcy ...any luck that Colin Firth will take it.? After all, he IS Darcy .HF: Which I was coming too, do they have cowboys there? Saw Colin Firth at a party and he agreed to keep the next three years free for the film. Stop. I think. Stop.

Congratulations ladies! Ann, Karen, Kate, Laura did you get on too? You all asked probing questions and managed to get Colin into the conversation. Mission accomplished! One question, who is this Mr. Dawcey? Guess the typist never heard a Brit speak before. Well done.

Oops, I knew it was you too Evelyn. Good question. What did she mean though?

Congratulations ladies! Ann, Karen, Kate, Laura did you get on too? You all asked probing questions and managed to get Colin into the conversation. Mission accomplished! One question, who is this Mr. Dawcey? Guess the typist never heard a Brit speak before. Well done.

Oh shit.

I have the transcript up and running! The Transcript From Helen Fielding's B&N Chat

This is the answer I didn't understand: I interviewed Colin Firth in Rome. I was pretending to be Bridget and he was pretending to be Mr. Darcy. We endeed up in front of the statue of Moses, who we both agreed he was clealry gay, murmuring Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy. It was weird but strangely delicious.

Heide, I think Re: Colin Firth taking the MD role...she didn't want to appear too definite. Of course, I think his answer was facetitous too. .Still, it was encouraging and positive...no? Happy?, Bethan?

Sorry for the misspelling: facetious

Thank you all for all the wonderful snippets from Helen Fielding and Nick Hornby. I have really enjoyed hearing what they had to say. It is so good to hear things like- "I met CF at a party" or "I went to arsenal with CF". It gives a small (very small)insight into his real life. Great.

Rof P Ramble Board has a posting by CK "HF in DC" posted on 6/11 in which she comments on the reading and booksigning in Washington DC last evening. Worth reading. I was particularly interested in the comment that HF is still early in the process of writing the BJD screenplay!!! I thought it was ready to go into production this summer!! So, that gives us hope..".....where we dared not hope before...."

I interviewed Colin Firth in Rome. I was pretending to be Bridget and he was pretending to be Mr. Darcy. We endeed up in front of the statue of Moses, who we both agreed he was clealry gay, murmuring Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy. It was weird but strangely delicious. Evelyn, I think CF must have taken Helen on a tour of Rome's famous sights. Didn't she mention the Colisseum and Moses in the BJ/CF interview? (Glad to hear that was real!) Moses must be Michelangelo's statue of Moses in the Church of St Peter in Vinculis, Rome. There's a photo of the statue in our home encyclopaedia, and, I do agree, from his posture and expression Moses does look exceedingly gay!!.......although I must say I think it was highly irreverent of CF and HF to think along these lines! Tut! : ) Thanks for all the news of HF/BJ and CF/MD. I think I'd be reasonably confident now that he will do it, but I was rather disappointed to read that the BJ script was still in the early stages. There's no way they can be shooting this summer...more like next. :-( :-( Didn't NH write about FP that he had to do 6 drafts of the screenplay? It must take quite some time) The sequel sounds interesting .....MD the Avenging Angel (again).

I think we were pushing it along further than they were. Helen Fielding comes across as a bit lazy when it comes to deadlines. So.... Next summer sounds more reasonable. The question I asked her was "Everyone knows that BJD is in preproduction.... I am interuppted.."yeah, pre-preproduction!" lots of laughs and some people saying I didn't know that!!! So, if not next year the year after that!! she did ask CF to keep his calendar for three years!!!

By which time he will no longer be a thirtysomething - perhaps MD doesn't have to be?

IMO I think the real positive outcome of these two book tours (NH &HF) is that they now realize (and hopefully tell CF) that there is an audience throughtout the US awaiting his next project. And you can be sure HF will tell him that wherever she went people asked for CF to play MD!! BTW is Winter going to check out the booksigning in LA? Or JANA?

By which time he will no longer be a thirtysomething - perhaps MD doesn't have to be? Well, CF doesn't look his age, so a just forty will be okay! But not three years ple-e-ase! The newspaper reports certainly created the impression that the movie was about to roll......,sigh! So, what is he doing NEXT then, if it's not MD. Any predictions? :-)

Does this work? Moses in Rome http://familiar.sph.umich.edu/cjackson/michelan/p-michel22.htm

I see in www.bookwire.com that Helen Fielding will be on line on Tuesday June 16 at 8pm: Yahoo National On-Line at the Time Auditorium. Would someone please tell me where the H--- Time Auditorium is? I can't find my way. If I can get there Bethan, I'll ask what the expected timeline is for this film. If she was smart she would get crackin' on that screenplay and strike while the book is Hot.

Moses' pose is quite compromising alright. But then Michelangelo was gay. Doesn't mean poor Moses (who isn't around to defend himself) is gay.!!

As they say, inside every grey cloud is a silver lining. Last night, Helen Fielding was in town and the turn out was positively pathetic. First off, she appeared at a bookstore in the suburbs and, second, there was a possibility that the Bulls would wipe out the Jazz last night and everyone was fixed to their TV screens. I got there early (fighting Friday night city traffic) and couldn't quite figure out where they would hold the reading. A clerk pointed to a small settee and 4 chairs. I gasped and said "There!!?? You must be joking!" The person said, "Well, it's up to the author and how she wants it set up. We can bring in a few more chairs." I replied that she had huge turnouts in the other cities she had been in. The clerk said, "Well, there is the Bulls game, you know." Yes, dear, I know but that is not until ater. When Helen arrived, there were about 6 people. As she read, several more showed up and there may have been about 20 at the most. I'm pretty sure I was the only one there who knew about the column and was asked by several of the people there for the url. Helen read several selections, the pregnancy, getting dressed and no pantyhose and dieting, as well as a few of the New Year's resolutions at the beginning. Helen volunteered most information as few had even read her book yet. She mentioned our site's discussion and I chimed in with the fact that I am part of it and most often known as the "Darcy Apologist." In response to a question about British newspaper columns, she said that others had done takeoffs of Bridget and there was one recently by Mark Da cy that she hadn't read. I then gave her the copy and said I thought she would probably like the end part. She was quite surprised I had it for her. Anyway, the intimacy of the group allowed me to talk to her quite a bit. But reverting to my true nature (a babbling idiot), I did forget to ask the most important questions (i.e., what did Mark mean when he said 'it's not what you think, what was he trying to say on the phone when he left Bridget the message, and what even got him thinking that it was OK to go out with that piece of rubbish!!). We did discuss the Mark-Bridget relationship and she did assure me that things would be resolved, but that ev n when two people love each other things don't always go smoothly. Life intrudes. She said that Rebecca is bossy and just took over Mark's life. He being such a busy barrister type allowed it to happen. I was arguing that Mark knew what Rebecca was (Bridget told him), but Helen said why should he believe it. Of course I maintained that Bridget was an idiot and that she should never have gone to Rebecca's parent's county home. Helen talked about the Colin interview and reiterated that it did indeed happen. She said that Colin really got into it. She explained to the group about the impact of P&P in Britain and how everyone had the obsession with the wet shirt and how Bridget kept working it into the interview. I told her I liked the questions about having a younger, foreign girlfriend and others. She talked about casting the movie and mentioned she saw someone like Omar Sharif playing Julio. (Sorry, I know this is all disjointed.) She wrote the greatest stuff in my book and on one of the columns. In the book, she wrote "I'll be watching you on the net. vg best wishes from ...." Then I gave her a copy of the column with Mark strutting barrister mode clad only in a towel and I told her that was an image that is permanent etched in my brain. She said, "Do you want more sexy scenes?" I smiled and said but of course. SO when she signed that column, she wrote something to the effect (I don't have it in front of me--sorry): "Mmmmmmmm More sexy Mark scenes for you....." It was great!! I do agree that the screenplay and the sequel are a ways off. SHe mentioned how the new book would pick up where the other left off and she did talk about the Bangkok drug smuggling and Mark rescue. Someone asked her if after all the popularity of Bridget would she be able to write a serious novel or has she been stereotyped now. Her answer: She has no complaints. This is just fine. Hmmmmmm OK, got to go. Jana or Jennifer: It's up to you or someone in Denver (if you're out there)

*sigh*... that was great Karen, you were lucky that so few people turned up! But I am glad for her sake that so many people came to her NYC reading which was the first one, even though it made it impossible to talk to her at all - it must have given her a real boost. And then small discussions like yours would make her know that she has some devoted fans!! One thing I forgot to mention in my report was that a fair proportion (maybe one quarter) of the people at the reading had the british paperback edition - and had obviously read it. So maybe she had more import/traveller penetration in this market.

(Kate) But I am glad for her sake that so many people came to her NYC reading which was the first one She definitely understood the significance of what was going on relative to the Bulls and even mentioned that the same is quite common for football in England. At that, I did bring up how I had seen Nick last week and so thoroughly enjoyed his book FP. yadda yadda yadda However, I do believe location also played in to it. Those bookstore people were pretty smug. Before she got there, they were saying how they get all the *biggies* and get *exclusives.* V. typical attitude for that area. They did serve wine and snacks. A minor plus. fair proportion (maybe one quarter) of the people at the reading had the british paperback edition There was only one other person with the British paperback edition at the signing and she said she picked it up at the airport. There were two Brits at the signing, neither of whom had read the book yet. The younger woman identified herself as British and Helen commented that she sounded more American to her, but I said, to an American she didn't. Then I added that one would never know she herself was from Yorkshire because of her accent. The other woman was surprised, saying she herself was from Shef ield. Helen said that she just lost her Yorkshire accent...it just happened.

Karen....What a TREAT you have given us. A real gift. I read your posting twice! HF was probably not disappointed to have a small group for a change. She has been" on the go". And to find someone as knowledgeable as you; she must have been pleased. Thank you, thank you, for taking the time, You , Kate &, Laura , to share your experiences with us less fortunate . And Ann for giving us the on-line transcript. I downloaded the latter and am sending it to a friend in UK!!At her request. How's that for a turn-about!!

Great report, Karen! I'll wait quite happily for the movie (with CF, of course)......although not YEARS and YEARS! (Evelyn, try for an approx. date...1999, 2000, 2007???) I also like the image of MD strutting in barrister mode clad only in towel. All credit to you if we get more! And thanks for the news about the Rome interview. How is BJD selling....I really hope it takes off for Helen. There was an article in the Telegraph last week about her increasing worldwide popularity......I think 700 people (women? or does Bridget have male supporters) turned up for a book signing session in Norway. BTW I thought Mark Darcy's Diary was very, very funny! Bridget could have a rival! :-)

(Bethan I also like the image of MD strutting in barrister mode clad only in towel. All credit to you if we get more! My personal favorite was CHRISTMAS DAY,( 3 January 1998.) I'm going to ask her if she'll include that episode in the screen play.

Okay, I found the TIME Chat Room Auditorium : Helen Fielding Tuesday, June 16 pm ET /5PT Yahoo & Time Magazine On-Line URL http://www.pathfinder.com/time/community/index.html (sorry,I'm not v. good at creating links...Renate...where are you?) also: here are the rest of the dates: 6/15 Denver Tattered Cover Bookstore 6/16 Book Passage, Corte Madera, Ca. (where is that?) 6/18 Borders, LA I shall alert Jennifer in LA. Anyone want to alert Jana?

Regrettably, BJ seems to have dropped off the NY Times bestseller list. ;-(

It's wierd, one Barnes Ignoble near me has About a Boy, but not BJD, and another (larger one) has BJD, but not AAB.

Ann, my local Books-A-Million insisted that BJD wouldn't be released until August! I got my copy at WaldenBooks (which is a much smaller store). Thanks to everyone who posted accounts of HF's booksignings and readings. I really enjoyed them!

Margaret! Where have you been, hiney? ;-p Did you lose ICQ again?

Ladies in yesterday's New York Times, in the Style Section, there was a horrible review of BJD. She called it passe and said basically that women in the UK are to be pited if they indeed are like B. The NYT is on-line so you may wish to check it out. What says you Laura? If Colin reads it he may not be interested in MD any longer. YIKES!

Margaret! Where have you been, hiney? ;-p Did you lose ICQ again? } Sweatie, I've been right here! ;-b I still have ICQ but it never shows your status. ;-( Are you still active?

(Moon) If Colin reads it he may not be interested in MD any longer. If Colin took all the media criticism of his various projects too seriously, he'd have to change his profession.

Arami, I think that is the MOST cogent thing I've ever heard from you;) Personally, not every review is going to be a great review. Take it with a grain of salt. Was it a man who reviewed the book? If that is the case, then he is a fuckwit and has no clue about women at all! Bridget is me, you, Arami, and Karen R. Nan is perfect so it can't be her;) hee hee. Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous!

We've just acquired Ally McBeal. Women reviewers gave her the thumbs down (very emphatically). Men like her. Draw your own conclusions! Arami, I think that is the MOST cogent thing I've ever heard from you;) Sabbaticals sharpen the mind! :-)

Laura, it was a woman who also quoted lots of her female friends: they all hated it! I hope you're right about CF wanting to MD. I just want to see him more often.

(Margaret) Sweatie, I've been right here! ;-b I still have ICQ but it never shows your status. ;-( Are you still active? When I got the new computer I had to re-register at ICQ...I sent you an authorization request but it never went through. I'll try it again, baby ;-) (Laura) Nan is perfect so it can't be her;) Well, I'm glad you're finally catching on ;-p Actually, there are many things about Bridget which remind me of myself. Unfortunately, they seem to be her more negative qualities (or what *I* perceive to be negative qualities). This could be why I sometimes want to crack Bridget upside the head...because I've made similar mistakes.

Ah, Nan the truth comes out!!! I think Bridget is everywoman and everywoman is Bridget!!! Just this morning it took me at least thirty minutes looking for decent hose to put on with a run.

I have contacted Jennifer (Winter) and Jana. They will try to attend the HF Booksigning in LA at Borders. Both concur that CF must play the role of MD. (Actually, I'm getting a little paranoid about this.) Tonight is the Yahoo/Time On-Line with HF at 8PM , ET. I shall try to get on, if I can navigate my way through that Chat Room; it looks involved.

(Laura)Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous! Oh, dear... I'm trying to think of something to say about it and can't. Maybe it's best left without a comment...;-)

...Not so sharp then, Bethan, huh? Well, that's emotional fuckwittage for you, baby ;-P

The transcript of the Yahoo/Time Chat Room will be on-line soon, they say. It was an interesting chat. Sadly, I could never get my browser to accept the Java software and was not ablel to ask the question. But other people asked our questions. CF's name was mentioned several times in connection with MD. The most interesting fact is that HF said she expected the film would be out in 18 months. And she hasn't decided whether B and MD will marry!!!

(Laura)Ah, Nan the truth comes out!!! I think Bridget is everywoman and everywoman is Bridget!!! Yes, I think we all have our bursts of Bridget, though most of mine happened in my early 20s. (Evelyn) The most interesting fact is that HF said she expected the film would be out in 18 months. Oh my! That sounds like a long time. I'm afraid my interest will be gone by then...well, unless Colin decides to take the part ;-) (Laura)Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous! (Arami) Oh, dear... I'm trying to think of something to say about it and can't. Maybe it's best left without a comment...;-) Well said, m'dear ;-)

The Yahoo chat was kind of weird. I was in this small chat room with five others all of whom had weird handles, and some of whom had no idea about HF and were only there to ask questions like "are you sexy?" BLERK. Makes me realize how civilized our little corner of the web is. But the HF part was very interesting, and they picked a couple of the six or seven questions I posted, including the "will they ever get together?" one. She said that she never really knows what is going to happen until the Friday morning when she starts writing the column (leaving it till the last minute - woman after my own heart), but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. She also said at one point that not all the columns will end up in the book - some that get written very late are "absolute drivel" or words to that effect!

Bull crap that was well said!!!! Its the truth!!!!

(Kate) She said that she never really knows what is going to happen until the Friday morning when she starts writing the column (leaving it till the last minute - woman after my own heart All procrastinators unite!! But that also supports something I think that Bethan or Allison have been mentioning for quite some time: the fact that Helen doesn't really have a plot well-established in her mind for the columns. I would expect that, when she has to turn the columns into the sequel, she will once again have to come up with a "beginning, middle, and end." ;-) but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. So do we and IF she loses him, how many others will defect!!

I was cheered to read that HF expects the movie to be out in 18 months. I think that's quite a reasonable timescale and could indicate that they may start shooting soon. A lot of British movies take over 18 months from the first day of the shoot to actually hitting the screen. If (:-( ) MLSF had opened in July, the timescale would have been just over 15 months. But obviously movies can be rushed through as well......SIL seems to be opening quickly. Anyway I think 18 months is positive news...I was worried that HF might take another 2 years to finish the script, by which time it would be a case of Bridget Who?!!! If you're interested in checking out info on BJD (or absolutely anything/one else!), one metasearch engine I use at work is www.askjeeves.com/ It pulls up quite a few articles about BJD in the US (although you also have to sift through the irrelevant stuff). The movie seems to have Hollywood backing.

(Laura) Bull crap that was well said!!!! Its the truth!!!! I still don't agree. We've had this discussion about Colin and fame (or lack thereof) so many times that I've run out of things to say--apparently, Arami has as well ;-) Sorry dear, all the exclamation points in the world will not convince me that Colin would accept a role simply because he craves fame.

but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. Actually, last night at one point , she casually said ;"I coud live without him". I will let you know when Time posts the transcript. They seem to be behind.

Has no one mentioned the People magazine article on Helen Fielding this past week? Wot?! Kate Winslett and Minnie Driver being considered as Bridgets? What bitter irony to have a mint fresh, shiny new ingenue playing 30-something, battered-a-bit Bridget. Let's hope the people with influence will see the light.

It's Hollywood star power. If Hollywood have a vested interest in BJD - The Movie, then they will go for names rather than verisimilitude. If Working Title want to be true to the book they should cast someone who is relatively unknown, but if they want the movie to be promoted and successful in the US (and without this exposure, a movie cannot be deemed a success )they'll have to go for names. I'd lay even money it is KW or MD. Does CF have Hollywood star power?!!!

(Heide) Kate Winslett and Minnie Driver being considered as Bridgets? Kate Winslet has the heft, but Minnie Driver has the face of averageness. However, I can't see Minnie putting on the pounds to play the role after having taken up the anorexic/bulimic lifestyle and hanging around with a convict druggie. Of course they are both way too young. (Bethan) Does CF have Hollywood star power?!!! This is a rhetorical question, isn't it? ;-)

What about Kristin Scott Thomas as Bridget. She is a) British, but is b) known well enough in the US, c) has the right age, and d) she's a very good actress. That she is very thin doesn't matter, IMO, since this dieting-mania has nothing to do with the actual weight, but is a state of mind, and would be emphasised in its absurdity by a very slim actress. If it had to be an American actress there can only be one: Jeaneane Garofalo (Help! How do you spell her first name!?). Come to think of it, she's exactl the person who could bring BJ's character across....

What about Meg Ryan? She is also the right age.

unbelieveable... so exactly 24 hours ago, Jana and I actually saw Helen Fielding! She made an appearance at the Borders Bookstore at the Santa Monica Promenade (same setting as Colin's interview a while back), and just our luck: we sat right in front of HF's podium!!!!! She read the pregnancy test excerpt from her book, which drew lots of laughs.OH oh! oh!!!! AND she enlightened us (me at least) on the correct pronunciation of "fuckwittage": [fuck-wit-ahh-zsh] very shi-shi and French for a cuss word, if you ask me ;-) anyway, she's really very beautfiful in person, taller than i had imagined, so she sort of looks statuesque in an un-Bridget sort of way.But she's so down to earth, and answered all the questions, and didn't mind the 2 colin questions i asked her. -she didn't get specific about whether or not he'll be marck darcy, but she's run the idea past him, he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years, and ... well, she's hoping for him to sign off to do it. -i asked her about the interview she did in rome with him. she had a good time with him, and they kept staring at a statue somewhere in rome, and she kept thinking "mr. darcy, mr. darcy.." anyway, i also hit her up for a part in the movie.. since i'm considered an 'ethnic type' in Hollywood, i figured the only part i was good for was Elena Rossini (was that her name?).. the woman accused of murdering her employer, and who was defended by mark darcy in trial. (Bridjet gets an exclusive interview with her). HF drew a complete blank when i told her i wanted to be Elena Rossini-- really dumb question on my part, but hey-- i had to ask. she'll be living in LA now, for the time being, as she writes the screenplay. I'm so excited! Jana and I had a lovely talk after the booksigning (i'll try to scan our picture!).. and it's so amazing how much we have in common and can talk about, though this was the first time we've actually spoken to one another. Anyway, i'm neglecting someone in the other room right now... so i have to sign off. but i just wanted to share our little encounter with HF. winter (jennifer)

There has to be actresses out there not only the right age but also the right look. Kristen Scott Thomas? I wonder if she can get past her "classy dame" typecasting; Janeann Garofalo, oddly enough, looks like the Bridget in my mind - that's a possibility; Meg Ryan? IMO, too blonde and bubbly. Surely there are other Brits out there who can do this? How about Emily Watson?

he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years E-e-ech! I want him to do MD...but not THAT much! Commit, Colin, commit!

Commit, Colin, commit! Ditto here. This must be some misunderstanding, surely. Perhaps at the time they talked he had no other plans and tentatively agreed to keep BJD in mind.

on casting bridget: I always thought that actress from "Friends" should play Bridget. I don;t remember her name, but she playerd Ross' finacee, and sh's been on a PBS series for a while now. can someone gimme her name?

Thank you Winter and Jana for attending the LA Booksigning. You did us proud!! And we appreciate your efforts. , he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years, and ... well, she's hoping for him to sign off to do it I am in shock.Why, Why is he doing this?? Casting Bridget: Tara Ftizgerald ( Brassed Off, Tenant of Wilfell Hall). Kate Beckinsale, Samantha Bond (Rebecca), It can't anybody too beautiful...they wouldn't be out there looking for a husband. The guys would be lining up for them!! As for CF's Star Wattage ...if it's a well-known Bridget, MD's role would not need a megastar. (Sliding Doors with GP and John Hannah...an obscure Scottish actor...has been on the top 10 films in the US) I hope they don't cast Jennifer Jason Leigh...I read she is eager to do a role with a British accent!!! If HF is to live in LA for the duration of the screenplay writing...will she continue the weekly BJD installments in the Telegraph.??

Sorry I'm tardy with my report on the Helen Fielding book signing, but thanks for sending me. Jennifer and I had a great time! I have to admit I hadn't read any of BJD before I went, but enjoyed the reading and meeting her in person. As others have said, HF is quite attractive, witty and charming. I'm not sure I have a lot of news to report. Most of the comments and anecdotes that HF shared I have already (or since) read in other interviews with her. For example, we got the "looking at the Moses statue in Rome and moaning Mr. Darcy" story, for example. There was a pretty large, appreciative crowd there who laughed in all the right places during the reading. Winter (jennifer) was brave and asked if CF would consider playing Mark Darcy. HF related the story I've read before about her asking him to do it at a party and him saying he'd save the next three years. Hearing her say it in person however, I got the distinct impression it was just teasing banter between them, not a real type of commitment. She had quite the twinkle in her eye and she phrased it so carefully, I would bet that there is no real understanding yet that CF will in fact play M.D. This is ertainly only IMHO and I will happily eat my hat later if it turns out to be true. Someone asked if she would be returning to London since this was her last signing, and she said no, she was staying on in LA to work on the screenplay. The crowd oooohed in unison to this for some reason, and we all laughed, HF included. I think we were just so happy that she was sticking around our little world for awhile. (She didn't say for how long though, Evelyn. Sorry, I should have asked.) It sounds like there is still quite a bit of work to be done on the screenplay. Maybe HF will snag tha CF commitment yet! Someone asked what she thought about the different places in America that she'd visited. She really liked New York and thought it looked like a movie set. She didn't see much of Washington DC or Boston other than the hotel rooms. She liked Chicago and thought it looked like a perfectly designed, imaginary city one would create in the SimCity game. She didn't think the Denver reading went particularly well. There was a lot of shifting about uncomfortably when she used the first swear word (I think it as F**kwittage) and she said she felt a bit like she was heading towards Niagara Falls in a barrel because she knew she had to read the "B**stards, B**stards" part shortly. Jennifer asked if HF had really done the CF interview in person, and she said yes. HF said CF was a delightful person and that he really got into the spirit of the interview. (or maybe she said he was charming. I can't remember exactly, but she clearly likes our DB. :-) We had just a brief, private moment to speak with her when she was signing our books. The book store folks were moving the line along quickly. Jennifer told HF we were from the internet group and she brightened up and said something like "You folks have been at almost every signing. There was a woman in Chigaco, I remember." (so you see K, you made quite the impression) I said, "Oh yes, that would be Karen. And the ladies at the net made sure we were attending tonight so that we would definitely have LA representation." HF just laughed. Then Jennifer had a moment with her, we got our picture taken and were whisked out of the way. So, as I said, not a lot new to report, except that she's currently doing the Hollywood thing. My journalistic skills are a bit lacking, I fear. Anyway, thanks ladies, for suggesting a lovely evening. Far and away the best part was meeting Jennifer, real live and in person :-).

(Bethan and Arami) Commit, Colin, commit! Ditto here. This must be some misunderstanding, surely. Perhaps at the time they talked he had no other plans and tentatively agreed to keep BJD in mind. My impression of CF's comment that he'd wait three years to play MD was that it was something flip he threw out at a party to hush up HF, not that he really had no plans in the works for the next three years. I could be wrong, but I thought HF made it sound that he was just teasing about waiting the three years for this part. Only MHO, but there you are.

Jana, you have excellent journalistic skills. And we thank you for going.to the LA Booksigning I, too, am glad that we had representatives all over (except Denver...which didn't go well. Maybe, that's why!! ) Thanks to all The Spring Reporters, the rest of us got to find out some good stuff.Thanks for sharing guys!! BTW USA TODAY list of the Top 50 Best Sellers in the US ranks BJD as 42. (Last week it was 58). I noted at Borders that it is a Book of the Month Club Selection. Way to Go, HF!!

Have you seen HF's diary of her trip around the States? It's hilarious, especially the account of her media training (no wonder the poor thing answered all questions the same way!) and the sound-bite-esqueness of the whole interview process... I LOLed at this... "Go to Central Park, first removing all jewellery and stuffing money and credit cards cunningly into bra. Assume will be murdered on arrival but find ambrosia-like Utopia - children playing ball games, gay lovers canoodling, smiling grandpas etc." since I did exactly the same thing when I first came to NYC.

Thanks Jennifer and Jana for the great reports. I remember in one of her interviews, she said that she bought a book in true Bridgetesque fashion on how to write a screenplay. Guess that it didn't do the trick!! Needs private tutoring from the pros. Either that or wants to go to Disneyland. Loved her *Report* from the States. I seriously doubt that the sign she posed with in Chicago said "Haircolouring by Bridget" unless signmaker is time-served graduate of Chicago Public School system and therefore cannot spell. Too bad she went to eat at the 95th. Is only good for the view and for having a drink on a clear day. Have found inverse relationship between altitude of restaurants and quality of food. Starting, though, to notice absence of anything old Hmmm, Chicago call boy escort must failed to have told her that city burned down in the 1870s. Another CPS graduate. BTW, call boy did not look like Richard Gere. v.disappointing. You're quite right, Kate, about that media training. She certainly learned her bullet points well. OK, big question: What is a twin set? The only association I get from twin sets are those sweater sets that were worn in the '50s and '60s and might be worn today by those shopping at Talbots or readers of Town & Country. Retro fashion????

(Winter) I always thought that actress from "Friends" should play Bridget. I don;t remember her name, but she playerd Ross' finacee Her name is Helen Baxendale. I'm glad you agree. She is playing Cordelia Gray in the Mystery series, "An Unsuitable Job for a Woman." She is average looking (i.e., not perfect), but has the potential to be pretty. The only thing is I wonder how she would do playing a major ditz. Renate: While Janene Garafalo (sp.?) might look right and definitely played a woman who is insecure in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," I've heard her being interviewed and she is way too intelligent. I couldn't imagine her playing a ditz.

I've heard her being interviewed and she is way too intelligent. I couldn't imagine her playing a ditz. LOL! So much for your knowledge of acting skills...

Congrats Karen on getting recognition for the Chicago ladies! Yes, it does sound as if HF was repeating (as per her orders) the same sound bites. I think it's interesting that she's staying on in LA to work on the screenplay.....maybe it's reached the "knocking into shape" stage! I'm repeating what I've just said on #59, but I think that Emma Thompson's younger sister Sophie (she was in Emma) would make a good Bridget..she usually does comedy.

Yes, it does sound as if HF was repeating (as per her orders) the same sound bites. The media-managers didn't count on us who followed all her television interviews and on-line chats....AND the reports from The Spring Reporters. I would have liked to have heard what HF herselfwould have answered. Instead of scripting her.

(Maria) LOL! So much for your knowledge of acting skills... She is primarily a comedienne and I wouldn't think she would want to play a ditz. That's just my take on her. It has nothing to do with obviously my inferior knowledge of acting.

To end the casting question once and for all. Hello all I am back from the Cape and cannot believe that Renate was left in charge. Hee hee. Anyway. For Bridget: Imogen Stubbs aka Lucy Steele Claire Rushbrook aka I have no clue. Janeane Garofalo is too intelligent to play Bridget and too American!!! And can we please be civil here. I understand everyone has their own opinion as to who should play what and whom, but when everyone starts getting testy it makes for a nasty page ESPECIALLY when we now know that Ms Fielding can jump on this page whenever she wants. Thank and now back to the studio.

(Karen)She is primarily a comedienne and I wouldn't think she would want to play a ditz. That's just my take on her. It has nothing to do with obviously my inferior knowledge of acting. I am sorry if you feel offended, but it seemed that you were questioning an actor's ability and/or willingness to stretch. That's typecasting. (Laura)And can we please be civil here. Are you taking over from Renate?

Ms Fielding can jump on this page whenever she wants. I have to confess that this is not something that fills me with joy and delight (much as I love your books, Helen). If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion, could you at least give us some notice, if not actually discuss it with us?

Kate: If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion, could you at least give us some notice, if not actually discuss it with us? I was under the impression that this is a public board. Anyone can access it through The Spring. No one invited me!

Kate: If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion.... I thought that she found it on her own, and that she mentioned having found the website before anyone had told her about it. I know I've done a couple of web searches on my name, and it's not surprising that other people do as well. Now, if only HF will join us in the chat room some time!

I was under the impression that this is a public board of course it is. But that does not mean we actually have to tell the objects of our discussion about it - if they find it on their own, well and good. I thought that she found it on her own Oops! in that case I was mistaken. I thought Karen or Laura gave her the url.

TIME MAGAZINE has posted the transcript of the June 16th interview in the TIME/Yahoo Chat Room with Helen Fielding. http://pathfinder.com/time/community/transcripts/chattr061698.html

HF found this site by doing a search, but I did not get the impression that she comes here very often and only to get a feeling of our reaction to her columns, i.e, why there isn't a lot of discussion when she focuses on news items v. the Bridget-Mark relationship. She has not intention of posting. I gave the Electronic Telegraph url to several people, but not this place. So I suggest that we just continue as before...saying what we want to and forget the fact that HF *might* read it. However, I might tone down my threats of bodily harm a bit...or maybe not!! :-) Speaking of Time magazine, the cover this week is entitled "Is Feminism Dead" and depicts Susan B. Anthony to Ally McBeal. I had a feeling that BJD might be mentioned and she is...about three paragraphs trashing the so-called British version of AMc. Ah yes, where has feminist literature gone? To compare BJD to the 60s and 70s seminal works of Germaine Greer, Kate Millet, Betty Friedan, et al. is positively absurd. Time: lighten up!!@ BTW, Kate, I was surprised that Bridget in America didn't note the absence of pavement folk art (chalk outlines of people) in NYC which, if one believes all one sees in movies/TV, should be all over the place. Perhaps, Bridget/HF thought Central Park was a violent place because Kennedy hunks might be assaulted by their fiancees! ;-)

Thanks for the transcript of the HF interview! Actually, talking about searching on names, if you search on "Colin Firth" on some search engines you come straight into the Spring (Drool), and the same must apply to a search on HF!

Evelyn, read the chat transcript and thought the session had some great stuff in it. More than the usual answers we heard everywhere else. Her comment about whether Bridget and Mark are EVER going to get it together was definitely optimistic. "But I really like Mark Darcy as a character and I'm not sure I could live without him." Was that your question, Kate? Does no one know what a "twin set" is? Am on the edge of my chair and have bitten my nails down to the quick! ;-)

Her comment about whether Bridget and Mark are EVER going to get it together was definitely optimistic. "But I really like Mark Darcy as a character and I'm not sure I could live without him." Was that your question, Kate? yes. ;-) Does no one know what a "twin set" is? Am on the edge of my chair and have bitten my nails down to the quick! ;-) A twin set, as I understand it could mean either a sweater and cardigan set or a dress and jacket set. I don't think it refers to a suit, but I'm not claiming to be an authority on english fashion terms, and I could have this complelety wrong.

Karen: To compare BJD to the 60s and 70s seminal works of Germaine Greer, Kate Millet, Betty Friedan, et al. is positively absurd. Time: lighten up!! Why don't you write a letter to the TIME editors and tell them that. Someone should come out in defense of Bridget and HF. (I feel as if they're part of my family!!....or at least good friends!!) BTW twin-sets are the short sleeve and cardigan matching sweater sets. They're hot now...a little retro.

Re: Twin Sets ...but didn't she mention a gingham one in the Denver section? I've never seen a gingham sweater set, but then again I've never seen a purple cow either. ;-)

I have nothing enlightening to say, but just wanted to join in the enthusiasm over THE BOOK. I have just read it (twice) and am passing it around to my single friends (I am a smug married). My husband asked what I was laughing so much about. I have a question to those of you who are "in the know". Why is there this backlash against Mark Darcy in these postings? Has Ms. Fielding continued the story and turned the dashing man from the book into something else? Does she continue writing for the newspape (or wherever this story started) and if so, which one, and can I access it from my computer? I'd love to read a continuing saga. Thanks.

(Susan) Does she continue writing for the newspaper (or wherever this story started) and if so, which one, and can I access it from my computer? I'd love to read a continuing saga. Welcome , Susan. Yes HF writes a weekly column in the Saturday issue of the Electronic Telegraph (only it stays on all week) www.telegraph.co.uk Click on "Etcetera" Scroll down to the bottom. And as a bonus, The Telegraph gives you all the back installments too. You'll be as hooked as the rest of us. And hey, we all like Mark Darcy....on account of we expect Colin Firth to play the role in the forthcoming film. So ,start reading and then, by all means tell us what you think every week..

I have to say that this was one of the funniest columns HF has written recently. First of all the recitation of the famous people: "gay". And the description of Jerome's poetry reading had me ROTFLOLing.... And it ties up so neatly at the end: Jerome: straight.

I couldn't help but think of HF's book tour when she started talking about book groups. I was just waiting for her to mention someone named Karen or Laura.

I thought last week's column was a hoot too, Esp. the ladies of the Lifeboat Book Club sitting on their faux regency chairs listening to Pretentious Jerome!! What a picture! BTW I wrote to Time Magazine and explained that HF did not write BJD to be a feminist treatise to be compared with Germaine Greer or Gloria Steinem as the writer intimated in last week's cover story. Anyone else want to email: Letters@time.com Give name, address and daytime phone..

CNN is doing a piece on Helen Fielding and Bridget Jones. It will be on their Entertainment Weekly/CNN show Thursday night at 10 PM Eastern.

THERE'S only one explanation," declared Jude. "Mark Darcy's gay." Quite right!! Only one explanation that a scorned woman could accept. One that would make her feel better as though the breakup had nothing to do with with her!! So, that would...what...make Rebecca a transvestite, right? ;-O She's v.tall and has a pert bum. Could only be a guy. Is biologically against laws of nature!! no. of days since saw Gary the Builder, who...pretended something had happened between us, then disappeared again: 13 So much for the grand passion, Laura. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. How better than to get Bridget than to put Mark down and pretend to be the sensitive Alan Alda-ish male and bring her capuccino in the a.m.!! Can spot a skunk at 1000 yds.) (Ann) I couldn't help but think of HF's book tour when she started talking about book groups. I was just waiting for her to mention someone named Karen or Laura. Yes, I was starting to get uncomfortable, myself!! :-) Hmmm Does HF think we should, perhaps, get a life? FYI, there is a great interview with HF at amazon.com. It has some of the pat answers we've all seen plus a few of the things that were in her "Bridget in America" column, but other new comments. The url is really long, but you can access from the home page. There's a ref to HF and Bridget and there are three link options. I'm sure you can figure out which one to go to. :-)

Hmmm Does HF think we should, perhaps, get a life? Nevah!

Susan, welcome to our nightmare!!! hee hee. Regarding the why I hate Mark Darcy. Well read the columns and you'll see;) Hee hee. I really have noting to add, sad isn't it! I've been gone for a week or so and can't think of one bloody thing to say:)

Welcome Back, dear leader....we have missed your pithy remarks!! Thank you, Ann for the info on HF to be featured on CNN tomorrow night What would we do without Ann who keeps us posted on the BJD promos. . And Karen, that interview with HF on Amazon.com is great. Mobetta' than some of the Chat Rooms where they often ask inane question. (Like mine!)

On the CNN/Entertainment Weakly show, the bozo bloke said that Bridget should be played by Christina Ricci! Excuse me! Yes, let's have a 30-something, with biological-clock ticking, woman who is reaching her sell-by date played by a 19 year old. EXCUSE ME!!!! I really fear that Hollywood is going to do this sort of thing to BJ.

(Ann) I really fear that Hollywood is going to do this sort of thing to BJ. I do too. I just hope they keep the cast British.. But if they do I lay bets GP gets the role...she was mentioned in the CNN /Entertainment Weekly Show. Along with Toni Colette, and Heather Locklear (sp?)Also Minnie Driver with 20 lbs.( I said that months ago). No mention of MD in the interview.CF still has a shot...esp. if they cast it with a well-known Bridget. Two unkowns in a $$$ film...uh,uh.

Wednesday Addams!!! Are those people out of their minds? Definitely agree with you, Ann, Christina Ricci is TOO young. That list of possibles they came up must have really taxed their little pea-brains. Not one new name that we haven't already heard bandied about. All pretty mainstream choices. No one who would really qualify as an unknown. BTW, Looked like the outfit HF was wearing in Chicago. Dark pantsuit with a white bodysuit underneath. The one here had little subtle pin stripes. Couldn't tell if this one did as well.

I just hope they keep the cast British.. But if they do I lay bets GP gets the role.. ?? last time I checked, GP wasn't British....

?? last time I checked, GP wasn't British... I knew someone was going to get me on that the minute I hit submit!! But you know what I mean...I don't want them to Americanize Bridget (keep London locale etc.). And GP's British accent is "flawless" (London Times) Aside from the fact that she is too skinny and too beautiful...I wouldn't have a problem with GP. She was great in Sliding Doors.