(Evelyn) I want you all to be real nice to Sue. (Nan) And just what are you implying, missy? ;-p Just a friendly remark.Not trying to be devious:-)

We are all very friendly, Sue. Just follow along and have a minor problem w/ Mark Darcy and you'll be my best friend;-)

Did anyone else notice that Bridget didn't smoke last week?? Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars?

Did anyone else notice that Bridget didn't smoke last week?? Yes, or at least on the diary entry date. Has Bridge gone cold turkey? Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars? I don't quite catch your drift. Need more. Isn't the Horse Whisperer opening in Britain? Will Bridget comment on the May-December thing again (like for As Good as it Gets)? With Redford, however, I had no problem. She could also comment on ATA, with *her* Mr. Darcy semistarring as an Iowa farmboy. Could be funny.

(Karen) Didn't she tell you he went back to his wife? Of course, I will have to deal with Trampetta when she shows up! I have no idea what this means, but it sounds really juicy! ;-) (Evelyn) I want you all to be real nice to Sue. (Nan) And just what are you implying, missy? ;-p (Evelyn) Just a friendly remark.Not trying to be devious:-) Of course not, honey! Just tuggin' your Murphy ;-p

Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars? I don't quite catch your drift. Need more. Remember last summer Hilary Clinton took Julia Roberts on for smoking in "My Friends Wedding and enjoying it !! Oh, furgeddit!

Bridget will be back on the ciggies this week as sure as a sailor returns to the sea. The blissful period must end soon. Incidentally, Jane Leeves would make a great Bridget for all Sue's reasons, unless her Manchester accent is her own and unchangeable, in which case it will sound as wrong to a British audience as an American accent.

Thanks guys for the words of welcome and for not ridiculing my JR suggestion. It's just so hard to come up with the right casting. I hope they make casting announcements soon so that we can be put out of our misery. I don't think it will be an unknown which I think would really be best in this case. Hollywood is always more concerned about the $$$ than the artistic make-up of a movie. Just don't cast John Travolta as MD! I've only read BJD a few weeks ago,but am already addicted. I'm glad I missed the parts in which MD was being a jerk. I hope he's on the road to recovery. He'll prob. backslide sooner or later (he's a man afterall :) ) or else it will boring and then what would talk about.

Oh, he'll definitely backslide. He hasn't been properly humbled, yet!!! And a man who cheats once will cheat again. John Travolta!! Well that would be odd casting:)

Oh Lucy... Yes, Ricky. 'splain to me those police cars. Well...promise me you won't get mad. Just 'splain, Lucy. Well, ok, um, ya see it was like this... 'splain. It was Ethel, not me Ricky. It was Ethel. She did it!!

Hee hee, hee hee. Very funny!! However, this Bridget episode was not. The funniest thing was the phone ringing at 10.30pm; I'm asleep on the couch and answer the phone "Which One!!!" hee hee. Ann or Karen usually phone me w/ Bridget!!

So, how do you think poor Bridge is going to make out.? Will she get busted ? Do you think the leering Lizard Executive is an American:? "Nice goin' , babe" BTW. This really did happen. Story was in last week's London Times. A British Airways pilot detained the passengers on the tarmac for 3 hours...waiting for the smoking culprit to fess-up.Passengers were livid. Pilot got in trouble! Don't think they ever found the stealth smoker.

Oh, I suspect that's the last we hear about it. She's bound to get herself into more trouble on her miniholiday in Strasbourg. Perhaps, she will get arrested protesting the inhumane treatment of geese there (force fed) in order to satisfy the world's craving for foie gras. That is the place, isn't it?

Oh so it was topical then. Although that was one news item that didn't make any impression on me. BTW I'm beginning to see the Lucy/Ricky parallels! Why are they always either in Bridget's flat or on mini-holidays. Is Mark's place out of bounds? He's a non-smoker isn't he....maybehe's afraid that Bridge will set the place alight!

BTW I'm beginning to see the Lucy/Ricky parallels! Having grown up with Lucy and Ethel's exploits, everything is beginning to take on a Lucyesque feel. Perhaps, they could go stomp on some grapes next. Is Mark's place out of bounds?..maybe he's afraid that Bridge will set the place alight! LOL!! Didn't she start a small fire in Paris when they got back together? Mark's house is described as a "wedding cake" house. What is that? Do you think there's an image of one somewhere on the web?

Karen, I have a picture of a "Wedding Cake" style house for you when I come to Chicago. (Can't type all the red wine I'm drinking tonight:)) It has decorations on the side that resemble the frosting on the side of a wedding cake. Sort of loopy loop and roses or what kind of flower one likes. you will see on. In Massachusetts we have a TON of them!!!

After this experience maybe Bridget will give up cigerettes for good.

Oops! Can you tell that I am a non-smoker and also in serious need of a spell-checker since I cannot even spell cigarette properly.

She's a bum! She just took a couple of weeks off!!! I suppose she intentionally left us with Bridge and Mark being chased down by the cops--a cliffhanger of sorts.

Bad week to take off...Monica before the grand jury, DNA dress, etc. Could have been a riot. ;-D

(Ann) She just took a couple of weeks off!!! Who said " a couple"? I thought just one. (Karen) Bad week to take off...Monica before the grand jury , DNA dress, etc Unfortunately, this stuff will be around for more than a week. HF will have many opportunities to take some shots at it.

She took two weeks off, I think during her book tour. She told one audience that she didn't even begin to write the column until Friday, then spends one day on it, so why does she need so much time off!!!

To paint her toenails.

All right, if I were Bridget and Mark showed such trust and faith in me, I would have gotten out of the car and fumed for a while and let him know fully and loudly that I expected some respect and trust from him! He's known her for, what, 2 years now? Is she that untrustworthy? or is he that insensitive? or has she never stood up for herself in her life? It is getting harder and harder for me to be sympathetic to our Bridge!

I have come to the conclusion that MARK DARCY is a FUCKWIT!!!! And Bridget needs to move on without him. Bridget had been the epitome of the classic emotionally scarred girlfriend!! Mark takes advantage of her and its disgusting!!! Let's see how quickly Markee runs back to the Becks:) Fuckwit!!!!

I think Bridge is a fuckwit!

( Laura)...(.Ann)....I think Bridge is a fuckwit! And so do I!!!! Why, does this woman just sit around and wait for Mark's telephone call!! I 'd tell him to go and stuff his legal profession....and his detached house in Holland Park up his.... Bridget is a world- class- doormat.!!!

Bridget is a world- class- doormat.!!! } YES!!

What I'm hearing, then, is this: MD is somewhat insensitive/thinks Bridget probably smoked in the toilet/doesn't phone often enough. Therefore demands should be made, and/or he should be dumped and Bridget should move on. To what? Do we assume that Mr Even-more-right is just around the corner waiting to be discovered? Or is sisterhood enough and to hell with men? Hmmm .... I can't help thinking Bridget would be plunged into a bigger whirlpool of self-doubt if she took this advice.

MD might v. well be a fuckwit, but to give him the benefit of the doubt, he could be reacting to Bridget's general lack of self-confidence and self-esteem. She should stop comparing herself to media images and girls like Rebecca and tell herself that MD is lucky to have a girl like her. BJ should realize that she is pretty enough, thin enough, and so what if she smokes a few fags a day-if MD doesn't like it he can go bugger off. BJ is turning into a bit of a wimp and she should cut it out.

But, Sue, that is the Bridget character!! She is a real wimp, a doormat, whatever. She has no self-confidence or self-esteem. Given my *role* as the Darcy apologist, he does have some basis for believing Bridget capable of smoking in the lav. She has done lots of stupid, idiotic things. She is Lucy Ricardo, who was always getting into trouble. However, I don't like what is going on here. Bridget and Mark can still be together with funny columns. Helen Fielding does not have to split them up to make it interesting. The phone call one two weeks ago is a prime example of where she could take this. This airplane one and the followup were just plain stupid.

I completely agree with you on this Karen...the last two installments were not up to standard. I think HF feels obliged to work in topical references, to give the column some sort of social commentary slant. But she's at her best with MD and BJ together, but slightly at odds with each other. My mother (who absolutely loved the book) has lost patience with the column. She thinks that Bridget should move in with Mark ("why is she still so involved with her mother? Time she grew up")and HF should write about their new relationship as live-in lovers (how would they get on with each other's friends, work colleagues, share the bathroom, wash up etc (or does Mark have domestic help?) I think my mother's right! Lots of comic potential to be explored!

The two of us are on the same wavelength. There would be a lot of comic potential with the two of them living together as we saw with the telephone call column. MD was reacting to the endless calls and consultations that went on with Jude, Shaz and Bridge. Bethan, your mom is right! Tell her to submit a column to the Telegraph! ;-D

"Well, they do have newspapers in the Mediterranean," I whispered. "So what do you think about the Villa Lucia," he whispered back. "Mrs Darcy?" } Oh Helen, we do love you after all:) This was brilliant!!!! I mean keep them like this and we'll love ya forever;) Karen, are you smiling into your coffee and floating through the air???

A lack of fuckwittage in this episode!

HF is back on top form! "Oh hello Mrs Darcy, it's Yolande here from Something Special holidays" Loved it...laugh-aloud-funny, as they say! I even hooted at the Nigel bit. Stick to Bridge and Mark, Helen, backed up with Shazzie and co, Bridget's mum and Tom! :-)

Stick to Bridge and Mark, Helen, backed up with Shazzie and co, Bridget's mum and Tom! :-) } And Gary.

Uh oh, what about Gary??? Is he going to mysteriously reappear to fix the gaping whole in the wall? Will Mark ever ask Bridge to marry? Will Clinton strike again? Ah, we must wait for next week. Hee hee:)

I loved the Mrs. Darcy thing in this week's column. It's like being caught in a private fantasy. MD demostated why women love him so much (even the times when there is some fuckwittage going on). Quiz on current events was priceless. Would we all pass? :-)

, but sometimes I think I have got involved with a member of a brigade of lunatics." LOL....... "You just catching on, Markee? And dear ole Bridget is taking a tip from Rebecca ........don't let a relationship get stale, Bridge.......bring on the Villas....with a small double -bed!!

Haven't known quite what to say. Initially thought it was v.funny, then starting thinking that Helen was doing a v.cruel stereotyping thing with Bridget and that Mark was being v. cruel in ridiculing the way her mind works. If it were me and someone were quizzing me like that I'd strike back with the sort of stuff only guys *care* to remember, like who scored what and when with how much on the clock back in 1967. Arrrgh!! Another thing. What kind of office does she have Mark working in. Isn't he supposed to be some bigtime barrister. His office sounds more like a Dilbertville or cubicle farm. Isn't Nigel a colleague? What high-priced lawyer is concerned with people thinking he's at his desk. I doubt a Mark would even be cognizant of two women talking about anything in the outer office area. Or just maybe I'm in a bad mood???? Or maybe the use of *Mrs. Darcy* hit me right in the forehead because earlier that day I had used something similar in something I was writing, but my inspiration was an old Doris Day-Rock Hudson movie!

Having the experience of working at a big time law firm, I can attest that keeping a jacket on a chair is common practice. You always want others to think you are always working, even if you are not. If you're not around, tongues will wag. While it is unlikely that MD would get too interested in the office gossip, trust me, even the big partners want to hear the gossip when it's good. Life is not that different at a law firm than at other companies. I would be interested to hear the thoughts of any o her attorneys or law firm employees on whether MD's law office is typical. Also, when Bridget used "Mrs. Darcy" I thought - I may have wanted to do that on occasion, but never would have the guts for fear of being caught. My worst fear happened to Bridget! But, I've got to hand it to her - a real fast come back.

Thanks, Kathryn. Your experiences reminded me that HF said she gets a lot of real life ideas from friends, who pass on funny stories that have occurred to them. So likely, someone told her about a guy who had two jackets made for each suit in order to keep one on the back of his chair.

Really think we have found outselves in LA and are not going to drink or smoke but be relaxed modern women of substance. Finally, Lucy and Ethel go to Hollywood. Some of the all-time best Lucys. Whose cement hand and footprints will they try to steal from Mann's? Will they go cruising looking for stars? Loved the description of "thin orange young people lounging all over a giant Bacchanalian mattress talking on mobile phones." LOL!! And the bit about smoking! Banish thee to a leper colony. What in God's name are you doing?" But Markee, bwaaa, I was finding inner peace! ;-) About time Helen brought Bridge over here.

OOH, but a Baccanalian orgy with Mark sounds soooooo delicious or is that Colin Firth:) Lucy and Ethel go to Hollywood, good one, Karen:)

Forgive me for barging on in here but I have been a faithful reader for some time now, thanks to Karen, so I feel perfectly justified in whining "What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. Who couldn't guess Mark would show up all cold and stuffy? "What in God's name are you doing?" he said coldly. "I thought this was a respectable bar, and I come here to find you unprotestingly participating in a sordid Bacchanalian orgy." Where's the understated, sexy barrister who only needed to arch an eyebrow or make a snotty, but witty remark? This entry was hilarious until the end. I hope this isn't the means to the end for BJ and Mark.

You know I was just thinking this over. In June when HF was here, I had asked her if she would be bringing BJ to the States, she said no. But BJ is here, strange......

Ricky Ricardo stayed with Lucy. However, we do know what happened to Desi and Lucy:)

(Heide) Forgive me for barging on in here How many times have you been invited? ;-) Glad you finally showed up. "What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. Absolutely agree. Didn't I say something about Dilbert last week when I was ranting and raving and generally out of my mind???? About the only thing she appears to be changing is the animal noise Mark makes!! This week he barked. Most time he growls (although I do *like* the growl). He has probably roared as well. Where's the understated, sexy barrister who only needed to arch an eyebrow or make a snotty, but witty remark? Ooof! Front door bell. Fingers crossed. Is Mark!! Hurrah!

(Heide) "What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. She's making him the British stereotype male ( according to American perception). But who is the little oriental man? I thought Mark was working on some hispanic case. The description of the bar is too funny....think Helen was a participant in a similiar event?

If I were Bridge I would have gone over the edge long ago about Mark's continuing condesension. He doesn't come close to seeing her as an equal, but lords himself over her. I hate the fact that she lets him do it.

(Evelyn) The description of the bar is too funny....think Helen was a participant in a similiar event? I was thinking the same thing too. I wonder if HF has had to endure the Hollywood social whirl while she's been in LA? That should give her enough material for a lot of columns! And I agree with the comments many of you have made. HF hasn't made our Mark too appealing in the boyfriend department, has she? Unless you go for the judgmental, parental type I guess.

I think you're all being rather hard on Mark! He's always been slightly stuffy, part of his charm, (Mark "Perfectpants" Darcy, as Bridget called him!),a non-smoking, non-drinking workaholic! Takes his work v. seriously. Doen't like being embarassed in public or with colleagues (in private may be okay!) A cold comment is quite consistent with all this.......or do you think he should fling off his jacket and join the snogging session on the mattress? :-)

(Evelyn) But who is the little oriental man? We'll probably have to wait for next week's column to find. (Bethan) Mark "Perfectpants" Darcy...a cold comment is quite consistent with all this True, true, true. But totally unnecessary in loose L.A. Get down on that mattress, Mark!! ;-)

Americans do perceive Britons to be stiff; however, I honestly believe that men aren't like that anymore. Let say Mark is to be around 35, so why he is so stiff is beyond me. Here's hoping that Bridget can loosen him up. I wonder what a wild Mark Darcy would be like....hmmmmm....

(Laura( Americans do perceive Britons to be stiff; however, I honestly believe that men aren't like that anymore. (Jana) HF hasn't made our Mark too appealing in the boyfriend department, has she. (Bethan) I think you're all being rather hard on Mark! He's always been slightly stuffy, part of his charm I wonder if that is how British women prefer their boyfriends to act.....hmmmmm? How's that for a Sunday Bombshell!! :-)

yeah, I guess you're right, Evelyn. I do like my men to be stiff too:)

(Laura) I do like my men to be stiff too:) Bad girl!! I'm going to call your mother and tell on you...or I'll just have R do it. ;-D

(Laura) yeah, I guess you're right, Evelyn. I do like my men to be stiff too:) Did Ken Starr make you say that???

Did Ken Starr make you say that??? Well it depends in what context you take the meaning stiff;-) And because I neglected to before: WELCOME HEIDE TO BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY PAGE!!!!

Okay, today's was all right. But Bridget weighing 110lbs is ridiculous:) hee hee. At least she knew he was wrong:) Counselling Recommended. It took an American police officer to tell her that???? hee hee.

It was cute. Bridge and Shaz aka Thelma and Louise. Hmmm Probably looking for Brad Pitt! Watch out for dem truck stops. What on earth do they want to go driving in the desert now? Isn't it like 125 degrees now?? This is going to be tough: Trouble magnet or Love pariah??? Only those two could see a compliment (110 lbs) scrawled on a speeding ticket.

Wasn't "counselling recommended" just the cop's way of setting up a date? Maybe I read this wrong...

I think the cop thought she was crazy! -- He must have been part-phychic. I liked the fact that Helen softened Mark's reaction from the end of last week's, and made him more understanding. And she also seemed to have made Bridge a little stronger this week--which I am happy about. She was really sinking into a piece or worthless jello there for a while.

Yeah, a little bit stronger, Ann. She could have followed Shazzer's advice, bought a gun and driven off from the cop. But she's still eager to take everybody's advice under consideration. Okay, that's Bridget. I liked this weeks. At least we didn't have to watch Mark be a prig. I want him stuffy and I want him a little condescending but I don't want him to be a pompous ass. Actually, what I really want of him is for him to growl more. More sexy Darcy.

Actually, what I really want of him is for him to growl more. More sexy Darcy. ] Hmmm, Heide, I can just imagine what you would like MD to growl to you too:) Margaret, a date??? Hmmm.. I think if that is what he wanted she should go for it!!! Let MD know that other men find BJ attractive also. With those bluish-grey(gray?) eyes;)

(Laura) Hmmm, Heide, I can just imagine what you would like MD to growl to you too:) I'd put money on: "Here?" "Yes, here." Two of my all-time fav lines. ;-D (Heide) She could have followed Shazzer's advice, bought a gun and driven off from the cop." How would she explain driving Mark's car off the cliff to Mark? He being a lawyer, you know. :)

WHY IS BRIDGET IN LA? I mean the people there are soooo plastic (Not you, Jen:))I don't see the plot in this at all.

(Karen) I'd put money on: "Here?" "Yes, here." Two of my all-time fav lines. ;-D Took the words right out of my mouth. And of course, "You have to marry me." Actually, I kind of like Margaret's take on the counseling. Would that be plot enough to satisfy you, Laura? (Laura) WHY IS BRIDGET IN LA? I mean the people there are soooo plastic Ouch, I almost winced but I know you'd never be guilty of such a gross generalization, my dear. ;-)

(Laura) Why is Bridget in LA? Reason #1: Why not? Bridget wants to go on miniholidays with Mark. Mark cancels out on Corfu villa. OK, LA is not Corfu but he is risking his professional career inviting her to accompany him and to bring one of her partners in crime. Reason #2: Helen Fielding's been in LA. It's a goldmine, a veritable treasure trove of people, places, things to amuse her readership. Reason #3: (I know this is before your time, Laura, but...) HF's in LA and is no different than Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen, Shari Lewis (RIP) and Lambchop, Paul Whosits and Jerry Mahoney. Get the idea!! :) I mean the people there are soooo plastic Are you implying Bridget has the depth of character of a Mother Teresa? ;-D Didn't the two of them just admit they had come into their own element??

Sorry, just depressed for some strange reason today. Bridget is British and I like her in London, not LA. It will make her too American;(

My take on the "Counseling" recommendation is the near-universal perception that everyone in California has a therapist. HF's audience would likely share that perception. (Of course, I'm not saying that its true or not true!!) ;-D Where I live they just want you to pay the lousy fine. Counseling is not an option for a speeding ticket, although I beat two in court!

This is one funny installment. Again I wonder if this happened to HF or to a friend. Discriptions are too accurate...esp. the policeman. Love the confused look on his face when she went into the stones bit re: her weight.....imagine how he would have reacted if she said she needed a fag "right now".....!!

(Karen) Reason #2: Helen Fielding's been in LA. It's a goldmine, a veritable treasure trove of people, places, things to amuse her readership. This was my take on it as well. I thought the LA junket was sort of an inside joke to her readers who know she's been here doing the Hollywood shuffle. I am enjoying the LA storyline quite a bit, but maybe I'm biased being born and raised in LA. And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :-)

(Evelyn) .imagine how he would have reacted if she said she needed a fag "right now".....!! Oh yes!!! LOL!! And HF is very aware of how Americans would react. She mentioned it at her booksigning. Yes, time to bring on the fags and why not see what kind of reaction she'd get to "pissed." Such an uncouth word to us. ;-D (Jana) And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :) So glad to hear that. And you say you were born and raised there??? Ah, so plastic is embedded for non-natives, then???? :) Just kidding. Another perception.

why not see what kind of reaction she'd get to "pissed." Such an uncouth word to us. ;-D New one on me too. Karen, you are a walking dictionary. Pray tell...what means "pissed " in merry ole' England. (Jana) And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :) Droolers are excepted, Jana. You 'n Winter :-)

One use of pissed (aside from the various ways we use is) is to be drunk. Too bad Bridget didn't plead the "Kase for Kilometric Konfusion" to his officership. He might have bought it. Would've been going near real speed limit then. Stones, pounds, kilometres, miles, whatever. ;-D

Too bad Bridget didn't plead the "Kase for Kilometric Konfusion" to his officership. He might have bought it. } Yes after all 100 KPH is 60 MPH, so Bridget could easily have claimed to have mixed the two up.

(Jana)This was my take on it as well. I thought the LA junket was sort of an inside joke to her readers who know she's been here doing the Hollywood shuffle. I am enjoying the LA storyline quite a bit, but maybe I'm biased being born and raised in LA. See, this is where I'm going to have to disagree. As much as I like this town (not a native) I don't want to see Bridget stuck here for the next few weeks. I really miss seeing Bridge in action in familiar surroundings--- f***ing things up with people and settings she's accustomed to. Here, it's like "Lucy goes to Hollywood" (which were the episodes I didn't think were as funny as when she was her bumbling-self back home).

Though "pissed" and "having a fag" are understandably vulgar-sounding in the US, this works the other way round sometimes: Possibly Bridget would be as shocked as I was a few years ago in NY to hear several people described as "anal" - or maybe I'm just too stuffy/pompous. Also Bridget would never have thought of the clever MPH/KPH thing, as we still use those old miles in Britain.

(MarkG) Possibly Bridget would be as shocked as I was a few years ago in NY to hear several people described as "anal" Have you never heard of anal-retentive, a psychological condition? I merely thought it would be funny for HF to play up the (s)language differences for a couple of columns. BTW, "pissed" is crude here as well, especially when referring to bathroom functions. :) MPH/KPH thing, as we still use those old miles in Britain. On your speedometers? On the road signs? Hmmm, I haven't driven in your country for over quite some time, but things change. Well, at least I didn't refer to your driving on the "wrong side of the road" (as HF did for ours). I've always tactfully referred to this aberration as the "other side of the road." :)

I still think Helen Fielding will Americanize Bridget. I wish she would develop some sort of plot line. Even in sitcoms, we have some semblance of a plot. And they at least answer questions we might have. Like what about the damn gaping hole that is a wonderful conversation piece, but has since disappeared. Much like the originator of the gaping hole. What happened to Simon that Shaz was shagging? or Tom? Where has he been? and I hate this LA mini break. How much time does Bridget get off from work? not very realistic, imvho, of course! She's all over the place and it's driving me absolutely bananas!! I'm a little disconcerted with what's been going on with everything. Sorry if I'm sounding a little blase. It's how I feel:(

Where has Tom been? I agree with you, Laura. I wish sometimes that the "story line" flowed rather than jumped. For instance, I would have liked to have heard some more about Mark's bossy friend Giles whose wife had left him. Or what else happened to Bridget and Mark on their minibreak in Strassbourg (?), apart from being "chased" by a police car. And, yes, there's the hole. And did Rebecca just fade away. Sometimes I would prefer that HF wasn't writing in weekly column format. I'm looking forward to The Diary 2!! Mark, I'm all in favour of the occasional show of stuffiness! I'm in the minority here, but I find MD rather endearing when he's being pompous! :-) (Strange looking word, "pompous"....what's its origin?)

Thought this was a riot!! I don't care what some of you think, the fish out of water (i.e., Bridget in LA) is a tried and true comedic genre. Traffic School as an encounter group!! Too funny (although I did see it coming)! "My name is Bridget and I am a traffic violator because I am a trouble magnet!" Say it, Bridge and you'll be cured. If not, put a couple of crystals under your pillow, wear a few magnets and start chanting. ;-D Loved the "whatevers" she came up with for Mom. "Madly over-confident nightmare" "Lump-free grasvy obsessive adultress" "Girl-child torturer" Musn't forget the *growl* Yes!!

Yes, he is growling again. "Com'ere". Ummmmmm. This was terrific starting with Mom's advice to Monica that she should be "riding high on her triumph" and it just got better and better. Kudos to those of you who guessed the counseling/encounter session. Priceless. Bridget really is a trouble magnet though, isn't she. How else to explain Alexander?

Musn't forget the *growl* Yes!! "Com'ere". Ummmmmm. Let's hear it for that growl...... Can just hear CF saying that as Mark!! And that would be a good opening audio for the new website......

"Com'ere". Ummmmmm. (Evelyn) Can just hear CF saying that as Mark!! And that would be a good opening audio for the new website...... What an idea!! Now, I know you want him saying something from Rupert Brooke, Bethan, but this does sounds soooooo delicious and, since the site sprung from the loins of Drool, it shouldn't be toooooo hoity-toity. :) Were Evelyn, Heide and I the only ones to have read the column this week? Yeah, I know there was competition on the lurid and licentious front, but really that was soooo boring and repititious. ;-D

Nope, I read it as well! Is Mark becoming a "new man"......cooking meals for Bridget, calling her "sweetheart" and giving (sorry, not giving) good-night kisses.

I can't see Mark changing into a "new man" for any length of time, but it was a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. She truly is a trouble magnet just the same way some people are naturally clumsy. Evelyn- I hope this will do. I'm waiting for BJ to get back to her home turf. Hopefully,then I will have more to contribute

a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. She truly is a trouble magnet just the same way some people are naturally clumsy. I think Life with Bridget would be a lot of fun....unpredictable,yes..but never boring. Doesn't that make a better relationship?

(Sue) but it was a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. He's been amused at her antics since the beginning. Even in the book. At that cocktail party he attends with the other ice queen (whatshername? Natasha??). I suppose it could just be a matter of how much work pressure he's under. As Bethan has mentioned before, Mark is serious and a workaholic. But I do love when he's not so serious and *growls* ;-)

Hi all, remember me? Well, personally, I didn't really care for this epi at all. Of course Bridget would start showing how truthful she could be to a SEX ADDICT; Come to think of it. Maybe she should send Alexander over my way:) Have we ever heard Mark or Bridget say I love you; I wish they would open up more to each other. It's that damn communication thing.

( Ahuntie Laura) Mark or Bridget say I love you; I wish they would open up more to each other. It's that damn communication thing Or that "commitment-phobic" thing.....

Remember the book, Laura! Page 306 "..and he (Mark) told me all this stuff how he loved me: the sort of stuff, to be honest, Daniel was always coming out with." Mark does try! But Bridget doesn't always seem to be listening properly. :-)

( Bethan) Laura! Page 306 "..and he (Mark) told me all this stuff how he loved me: Actions speak louder than words, folks.

Bullcrap!!! Sorry, guys. But the book was YEARS ago!!! This is now and they haven't said I love you EVER!!! I'm sorry just disillusioned lately. End of summer depression and lack of a certain domestic felicity that both M&B seem to be sharing lately:( as wellas C&L.

Actions speak louder than words, folks. And sex is just sex.

And sex is just sex. } Tell that to Clinton.

Hello my name is Laura and I am a ________aholic. I am not a trouble magnet nor am I a cheating wife. But I do covet my girlfriend's husbands, mother's sons and girlfriend's boyfriends. I understand where Mark is coming from it is human nature. (Get this, I am actually defending the dog!) Like I said earlier, sex is just sex. Making love is something entirely different.