Have been watching the music video and the trailer on a cable connection. Mmmmmm much better. I think Eileen asked who says, "to Bridget, who we love." It is Tom. Can see perfectly lifting his glass in the toast. The music vid does have lots of Colin as Judy said, especially the fight scene: the karate kick, being tackled by HG and going *splash* through the plate glass window, and CF punching him. But the most incredible thing is it shows Bridget discovering DC's girlfriend in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the tub with only a large book (or something) in front of her. Also, reindeer sweater is shown, as camera pans...

Can't wait to see the video. Thanks Karen. According to Gabrielle's schedule she is due to appear on GMTV on the 23rd March and she and the video will also be on Popworld Channel 4 Sunday 25th March. 9.30am.

I too can't wait to see the video. I tried both Real Player and WIndows Media versions but each missed differing bits out and weren't that clear - but did see reindeer so not all bad. Mari - I'm afraid I was BJ-ing it last night screeching 'It's Raining Men' at the top of my voice at a 21st birthday bash AND wearing big pants. If only there was an MD type lurking in the vol-au-vents the evening would have been complete ;-D Lastly - a reminder that Bridget Jones's Guide to Life goes on sale from tomorrow �2-50 (�2 to Comic Relief)

Happy belated birthday, Tracy! And, thanks for the talk show info.

Spoiler below? Thanks for the video links, Karen. Was lovely on my cable connection. I *assume* she's in bed with Daniel in that one scene? Poor, misguided BJ...

From what I could see, you assume correctly. :-( (Looking at my list, Tracy's bday is nowhere near now, but we one is coming up shortly.)

From Ananova: Harry and Bridget authors write for Comic Relief Student wizard Harry Potter and weight-obsessed Bridget Jones do not have much in common, but both are caught up in Comic Relief's red nose fever. Harry Potter's creator JK Rowling and Helen Fielding, who wrote the Bridget Jones diaries, have put pen to paper to produce short stories for the charity. The books are being sold for �2.50 each, with �2 profit going to charitable projects at home and abroad to coincide with Red Nose Day on March 16. Fielding's offering is Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, where the hapless Bridget offers top tips on how to give the perfect dinner party, handle all accounting and, of course, never put on a pound in weight. After the success of her two Bridget Jones diaries, Fielding was keen to help Comic Relief. She says: "I was honoured. I have been more than lucky with Bridget and was more than pleased to help." The books will be sold in supermarkets and bookshops across the country, with publishers, printers, type-setters and retailers all offering their services for free or at a discount.

My first reaction was that it was Marble Hill House, in Twickenham. (You can see the front of it here: http://www.guidetorichmond.co.uk/marblehill.html, and one of the rooms here: http://www.leisurehunt.com/info/mahihs.htm). But I'm by no means sure. Chiswick House is not so close to the river, and has the famous Octagon, not visible here. Other nice houses on the river in west London are Syon House and Ham House, but it's certainly neither of those.

p.s. I grew up in Richmond, within a stone's throw (well - a mile, anyway) of Marble Hill House, so I will do a bit of sleuthing on my next riverside walk. If I wasn't such a luddite I'd take a picture and somehow get it on this site. But since I have neither camera nor scanner, I can't. p.p.s. Can one of you tell me quite WHY CF in his coutroom get-up is even more attractive than usual, if such a thing were possible? Is it merely the effect of a uniform? Or is it more nuanced than that? In the interests of research, please picture the Firth in the following uniforms and then rank them as best you can: 1. Private soldier 2. Officer (Major, say) 3. Officer in Guards regiment (Blues and Royals, say) 4. Police constable 5. Fireman 6. Ambulanceman 7. Merchant Sea captain (white jersey with anchor, blue cap, pipe) 8. RN (Royal Navy) sailor (bell-bottoms, plain white shirt with blue collar) 9. RN officer 10. Lollipop man 11. Milkman 12. Fighter pilot 13. Commerical airline pilot 14. Scout leader 15. Huntsman 16. Village people (leather + chains) 17. Anything else.

17. Anything else. Garbage Man

The trailer shown on GMTV was BJ at the Fire Station sliding down the pole. Very funny. Neil Pearson is Peter Finch, Editor of the tv show.

Thanks for the offer to go sleuthing, Ben. But we have no evidence that the house in question is in Richmond or its environs. That may be a river or a small lake. It could be anywhere. (Ben) Can one of you tell me quite WHY CF in his coutroom get-up is even more attractive than usual, if such a thing were possible? The serious look and absence of ill-fitting collar. The pinstripe of that suit is a bit too pronounced (or badda bing) for my taste, but I won't complain too much. Is it merely the effect of a uniform? No, I'd take him out of uniform as well. ;-D

So one should add 18. Birthday suit

(Karen) Didn't I say it sounded like Frank Sinatra? ;-D Yep! (Karen) I think Eileen asked who says, "to Bridget, who we love." It is Tom. Can see perfectly lifting his glass in the toast. Yes it was me. Thanks. I thought it was Tom (after the umpteenth viewing).

Grr, windows media is not showing me the Gabrielle vid, though I can hear the music (v.v. nice). Has this happened to anyone else?

I had better (although not great) results with the Real Player option on my pathetic (noncable-connected) PC here at home. Didn't get the whole thing, but a couple of times it stopped on a Colin shot.

Here's the word from Miramax: the New York premiere for BJD will be on Monday, April 2. No other details available right now.

And WOT was the matter with Sunday night? Gaaah!!! What will it cost to change my ticket? This is not fair. Not fair, I say. Thanks, Mari, for prying the info out of Miraclejaws. ;-D

WOT, I don't beleive it, so near yet so far. thanks Mari.

And a little silly story about RZ and Bridget: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4150337,00.html

Wheee! It took a few tries, but Gabrielle video worked this time. Woohoo! Love the lovely Mark Darcy shots. Love the reindeer. Will have them rolling in the aisles.

I received an email from a person who has seen the Comic Relief book, as she works in a book shop. Said it is very good, too short and with an excellent glossary.

Not having much luck with the Gabrielle video. Media Player just gives sound and not video - just the Microsoft MP logo! When I click on Real Player, something called AOL media player is loaded, not Real Player. Does anyone else using AOL have this problem?

Karen, You must change your return! I will be in LA, I thought they would have the US premiere there, where the author lives! NOT FAIR! You must go Karen! No ifs or buts about it! :-D

Moon - thanks for the birthday wishes but as Karen says it's not actually for ages yet. ODBs comes before mine! Ben - 11. Milkman ROTFL 10. Lollipop Man ROTFLMAO Re Marie Claire BJ feature. Someone may have posted this before if so - sorry *must pay attention* But - there is a premium rate phone number to ring to be entered into a draw for tickets to the premiere or one of the first night screenings around the UK (London, Glasgow and Leeds). Call 0906 6166266 by 4th April call costs around 80p

Ooohh News Flash!! have just checked out CD Now and they've got the soundtrack on pre-order http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=1644115305/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/artistid=BRIDGET+JONES%27+DIARY/itemid=1356847 No details of the tracks ;-(

Well Karen, depending on what airline?? $75 to $100 to change ticket..... You have to go and take pics!!! I'll even send you digital camera (hoping Bill won't notice I took camera again...)

I'll take him in or out of uniform, Ben. Thank you.

Moon, the La La Land premiere is probably later that week. That's what Miramax usually does for major releases, NY then LA. Tracy, thanks for the ordering info for the CD. And I'm glad to hear it's still raining men in your neck of the woods.;-) I think I had better stick to the torch songs . . .Can't liiiiiive, can't liive any moooooooooore . . .. OOF, have just woken up every dog in neighborhood.:-)

Moon, the La La Land premiere is probably later that week. That's what Miramax usually does for major releases, NY then LA. Mari, please let me know when your friends at Marimax (;-) give you the date. Karen, you can always come to LA and do it together. :-D)))))))

Moon! Email me! We must get together when you're in town! Karen-- I'm guessing the change may be $75 (on United Airlines). American, I think, charges $100 for changes. I have a feeling the BJD LA premiere will be in Westwood, Moon. This is good news, as I can walk easily down from campus to camp out, etc.

(Moon) please let me know when your friends at Marimax (;-) give you the date. PFFFT! Moon, I was lucky they didn't call Security on me like last time.;-) She's ba--aack.;-) Was able to watch the Gabrielle video. Nice to see fresh shots of MD.:-) Is that him doing the karate kick? That scene is dark and I couldn't be sure. Must have been part of Cornell's training!

LOL, Mari! But we must have the LA date! I have a feeling the BJD LA premiere will be in Westwood, Moon. Westwood would be great. I much prefer it to the G Chinese Theatre. I will e-mail you Winter.

Anybody want to crash a conference in Santa Barbara? ;-D From the Financial Times (3/13): The Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara boasts fresh ocean air and breathtaking views. Hopefully, those organic features will combine to produce enough oxygen to support all the hot air at this week's Talk Innovators and Navigators conference, a star-studded confab organised by an unlikely team: Talk magazine and UBS PaineWebber. The fun kicks off tonight with opening remarks from "Queen of Talk" Tina Brown and PaineWebber chairman Don Marron. But the evening's main attraction will surely be a conversation between General Electric chief Jack Welch and New York mayor Rudy Giuliani on "How to run a Multi-Billion-Dollar Corporation". (Sadly for the mayor, some corporations pay better than others, as Welch's Dollars 16.7m pay package demonstrates.) The talking continues on Wednesday and Thursday, including sessions on "Is Greed Killing Culture?"; "Hollywood in the 21st Century: How do Innovators Survive?"; and "Intellectual Property: Innovation in a World of Unwritten Laws". There will also be a sneak preview of Bridget Jones's Diary, an upcoming Miramax film. It isn't the most obvious fare for the brokerage but PaineWebber says it decided to be there to scout out media deals.

I'm wondering if the BJD press junkets are taking place in NYC or in LA (or both?). Has anyone got info. on this? Re: Santa Barbara conference: The talking continues on Wednesday and Thursday, including sessions on "Is Greed Killing Culture?"; "Hollywood in the 21st Century: How do Innovators Survive?"; and "Intellectual Property: Innovation in a World of Unwritten Laws". This actually sounds interesting (I'm writing a paper right now on intellectual property in the arts industry). Wish I could go.

Pitiful response to my uniform question. I still haven't worked out why the coutroom clothes were so alluring. Masterful and dominant, perhaps. Regina vs. Firthette: "I put it to you, Firthette, that, on the day in question, you did unashamedly, and uncontrollably fancy me, counsel for the prosecution, without any forethought whatever. Your defence - that you simply enjoy coutrooms - is clearly a tissue of lies."

There's a Hughie article in this month's Elle magazine. Front cover announces "Hugh Grant in black leather". The mag is wrapped up in a heavy duty polythene shopping bag with handles, and sealed with sellotape, but I still managed to prise it open and sneak a peak (never say buy!) Major photospread of Hughie in black leather jacket open to the waist revealing hairless chest. "Sexy devil Hugh - Hugh Grant is BJ's lover, and he's bad and v.v.sexy.....tanned, well toned body". Y-e-ee-u-ch! There's lot's of text but as I was squinting through a one inch gap I couldn't read any more. Not sure what my reaction would be to CF in similar garb. Funnily enough, I think I think I'd be very disappointed in him. To answer your question Ben, a barrister's outfit..the high white collar, the well cut suit..is far more alluring than an exposed bare chest and black leather. It's the aloofness, intellectual superiority, the apparent unattainability (but with some hidden promise)...it's the difference between erotic and "sexy". So it's all happening in New York! Interviews and premieres. I wonder if CF will meet up with JE and Alan Cumming. BTW CF's sister, Kate/Katie , was acting in New York recently, appearing in off-off Broadway productions...Chekhov, Ibsen, and something called "Finally" by US playwright Steven Berber, for which she got good reviews.

BTW CF's sister, Kate/Katie , was acting in New York recently, appearing in off-off Broadway productions...Chekhov, Ibsen, and something called "Finally" by US playwright Steven Berber, for which she got good reviews. Now Bethan tell, how did you find that out? Do you have inside information? Ben, re the barrister garb. It must be what's inside the suit that matters. I get to see quite a lot of barristers in my line of work (no, I am not usually in the dock) and I must confess they usually leave me cold. I agree with Bethan about black leather. Don't you think HG and CF are getting a bit oldfor that?

oh that "old" did not come out right it should have been very small with a sign saying IMVHO;-)

Pitiful response . . . with the exception of Karen, of course. With regard to the water shot, I thought it had been narrowed down somewhat. Where's the scene in the book? Can you remind me when the film is coming out in England? Moon: Marimax A Freudian slip?

Sorry. Now I missed all the other explanations. My research is complete. I'm afraid leather jackets over bare chests say "Wham". They surely go together with screaming 13-yr olds and shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). And what's with the leather trousers these days? I went to a party on Saturday, and met an old friend, now nearer 40 than 30, sporting a pair. If I'd been a little soberer, I'd've refrained from telling him that he was as well suited to the the leather trews as most Jerry Springer guests are to spandex. But I wasn't and didn't. He claimed his wife wanted him to wear them, but I simply couldn't believe that. She is a sensible and discriminating woman. It's one thing to look like an ageing rocker if you ARE an ageing rocker. But if you're a museum curator, it's surely de trop.

including sessions on "Is Greed Killing Culture?"; It has already killed it. See youth today. Moon: Marimax (Ben),A Freudian slip? Moi? Never Freudian always Jungian. ;-) (Bethan), It's the aloofness, intellectual superiority, the apparent unattainability (but with some hidden promise)...it's the difference between erotic and "sexy". Tr�s sexy!

Bookstore contact says that the Bridget Comic Relief book is all rehashed material. But is rather inexpensive and almost all goes to charity.

(Ben) shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). Really? Well I'll be damned... (Bethan) So it's all happening in New York! Interviews and premieres. I was afraid of that.

Marimax... A Freudian slip? No, just a deliberate flattery! ;-D

Is Greed killing culture? Maybe, but not before it's killed waistlines. shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). Really? Well I'll be damned... (Winter) Winter, you have a touching faith, if that's the right phrase, in Wham's credentials. These people will do anything to sell records. Who knows, maybe the Firth wears a wig? Just think: if he was the Hollywood film star you all crave him to be, he would already have had his first facelift. He'd have been through a couple of marriages, a fair amount of drugs and years upon years of therapy. He probably wouldn't be able to call his glutei maximi his own. How on earth could you wish all that on the man?

if he was the Hollywood film star you all crave him to be All????????????? Watch your language, young man! Or your glutei maximi might receive severe punishment.

How on earth could you wish all that on the man? Ben, you mistake our meaning. We like him at reach. We just would like to see him a bit more often and in roles that appeal to our cultural side. Mark Darcy was a role written for him and which to his own admission, he debated taking. Does that make any sense to you?

(Ben)Winter, you have a touching faith, if that's the right phrase, in Wham's credentials. Dear Ben, how could I not? George Michael and Andrew Ridgley occupied a good deal of my adolescent musings! Shuttlecocks or not, they hold a sentimental place in my heart. (Who was it for you? Debbie Boone, no doubt). ;-P "Has 'Wham!" killed culture?"

I feel like an MI6 spymaster. Have sent out one of my operatives (the bookstore person) to take a closer look at the plastic-encased Elle magazine contents. She has no qualms about ripping it open in the course of doing her job. Will let you know if there are any relevant details.

Don't remember if anyone brought this up, but I finally got to reading my copy of Entertainment Weekly (Jessica Alba cover) and saw this: Special Advance Screening for Bridget Jones's Diary, for the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco & Washington, DC. To enter, go to http://www.ew.com/freescreening

Debbie Boone? I must confess I hadn't heard of her. But I looked her up on Amazon, and she isn't too hard on the eye. What's more, according to one of her Amazon reviewers, "Debby Boone is a much finer singer than critics have claimed". Now there's an endorsement! No. My musings, such as they were, were more centred round one Lindy Ambrose, a luscious cellist I used to play with. And a few other assorted musicians who would send me puce with the merest hint of a glance. Took another look at that photograph, and the boating scene in the trailer. Marble Hill House? What a load of b*llocks. Couldn't possibly be. Idiotic suggestion. Must be a lake; but don't know where.

OK, ticket will be changed today.

Does that make any sense to you? (Moon) Sorry, Moon. No offence meant. But, like the appearance of daffodils in spring (they've just started to come out here), a periodic flaring up of the CF career debate is part of the natural order of things :-)

Sorry, Moon. No offence meant. Ben! Amici come prima, no offence taken I assure you. Bravissima, Karen! Have a wonderful time, take lots of pictures, and don't ask him about TIOBE. We want you in the best of moods. ;-)))

Thanks for the info., Marianne!!! Are you going? JanaH, are you out there? Shall we make this another outing?

ROTFLOL, Ben. I was only teasing about Debbie Boone. (Karen)OK, ticket will be changed today. It'll be worth the change fee, I assure you.

winter: Of course ... even without tickets I'd show up.

Let me know if they give an LA date. I can't sign up from Miami because they don't have a screening set up here. How provincial! Don't they know we travel? ;-) I hate not knowing dates!

Arena magazine (British lad-mag) features Embeth Davidtz this month - "shortly to be playing an office harpy in BJD" - article* accompanied by tiny picture of ED standing next to CF at some formal function, CF wearing a ghastly red tie with white snowmen on. Natasha's taste, perhaps? (Apolgies if this picture - and tie - is old news) *Article is, of course, excuse to show huge photo of ED in stockings

If someone in the LA area called the Miramax office out there, I'm sure they could give you a date for the LA premiere (if there is to be one). Renee is the cover story in the new April issue of Premiere magazine: "Sex & The Singleton Girl--Renee Zellweger Carries On With Bridget Jones." Big spread inside, but no pics from the film. However, there is a 4-page advertisement for Diet Coke (they're giving away a trip to London in their "Visit Bridget Sweepstakes") that includes a new pic of Colin from the film, plus the turtleneck one we like. In the new pic, CF looks like he's in the same turtleneck and coat, and holding up what appears to be a diary (giving BJ a new one, as we're heard?) Or maybe it's a can of Coke.;-) ;-) Back to the article, Colin is quoted: "On set," says Colin Firth, who plays the straight arrow to Hugh Grant's rogue in the film's skewed love triangle, "Renee was absolutely indefatigable and in good humor, even through three weeks of night shoots. She was friendly and available to everyone on a scale I've never seen from a major actor. I kept thinking, 'What's the catch, when's it gonna change?'" Like the rest of the company, he rallied around her when the British gutter press indicted her as a "Texan comic" who had grabbed a role a homegrown actress (say, Kate Winslet or Helena Bonham Carter) might have had.

Wow, Karen. I think your picture must be next to the word obsession in the dictionary! You put us all to shame.

Oooh, have just heard "Out of Reach" on Radio 2 for the first time. It was on the Richard Allison Show and he mentioned that there was a Special Screening last night, also mentioned that it starred Colin Firth. Would not comment on the film said "I will say no more", or something like that, I would rather he had said something!!

(Mark) Embeth Davidtz this month - "shortly to be playing an office harpy in BJD" Office harpy? Does this top family barrister now work at one of Bridget's places of employ? tiny picture of ED standing next to CF at some formal function, CF wearing a ghastly red tie with white snowmen on. Natasha's taste, perhaps? Possibly near end of film (Christmas time), where Mark and Natasha's engagement is supposed to be announced and Bridget fesses up. Sheesh if Embeth is doing publicity for the film, then they (British press) are saving the best for last. Mmmmmmmm ;-D (Mari) CF looks like he's in the same turtleneck and coat, and holding up what appears to be a diary (giving BJ a new one, as we're heard?) Definitely end of film and are together...finally. Quite nice and eloquent words from our boy re: RZ. Never lets you down, does he. ;-) I think your picture must be next to the word obsession in the dictionary! Good gracious, no. NO. No.

Love the fact that ongoing BJD publicity continues to include ODB (formerly known as 'the invisible man'). Good, good, good. (Karen, aka 'the obsessive' ;-)) Quite nice and eloquent words from our boy re: RZ. Never lets you down, does he. ;-) No, he never does. Though one would never expect to hear anything negative said about a costar, CF does have an original and sincere way of expressing his opinion.

And imagine how his big brown eyes would look while he is being so sincere!

Yes, he is always a gentleman. To be fair, Hugh made some very nice comments also, but I didn't feel like typing them out.;-) HG is the cover boy of the April Biography mag; no leather though.;-) Talks about how it was a "blessed relief" to play the cad Cleaver and that people mistakenly think he's the endearing bumbler of previous roles, but that he's actually closer to Cleaver. It's a very flattering article.

From the Mirror: RACHEL FACES BEAUTY BAN STUNNING actress Rachel Weisz was turned down for the lead role in Bridget Jones's Diary. Her problem? She was too beautiful for the role, according to the film's director Sharon Maguire. Sharon tells Harpers & Queen: "She was very funny. And of course she was beautiful - too beautiful for the part in fact." That doesn't say much for Renee Zellweger who eventually did get the part, does it now?

Yes and no. RZ is what I'd call "cute" not beautiful, although we know Ben would call her gorgeous. Rachel Weisz...ummm...never really thought about her looks, but she is not and IMO cute was necessary. Bridgt couldn't be beautiful, stunning or gorgeous. And besides, what has Rachel Weisz done that was "funny"? Without makeup...maybe

I can't think of any comedy she's done either, unless you count The Mummy, but there was nothing comedic about her role. I think RZ looks more like a regular person (or can be made to look like one) than RW, and she has a very down to earth, very accessible screen persona which I've never sensed in RW. Plus, of course, she is an excellent comic actress. I think they chose well.:-) BTW, in the Premiere article they mention/confirm that the early word on the film is good. Interview was done right before she returned to London for the "looping" sessions.

Now they are taking snippets from magazine articles and creating news items with those. From Ananova: Renee Zellweger's boobs refused to grow for Bridget Jones Renee Zellweger piled on the pounds for her next film role, but could not get her boobs to grow. The actress stuffed herself with junk food to fill out for her part in Bridget Jones's Diary. But her breasts didn't follow suit, so she resorted to a pair of falsies. Zellweger had to transform herself into a curvy size 12 for the film. The 32-year-old Texan told Ananova: "The whole thing was weird. I have never had so much food in my refrigerator. I didn't go around staring at my body in the bathroom but I felt good. I felt quite sexy about the way I looked. "I'm back on my Los Angeles diet now. The funny thing is that I never needed to wear a bra because I was so boyish when I was younger." Zellweger spent eight months in the UK making the film, which is released next month. Voice coach Barbara Berkery - who assisted Gwyneth Paltrow on Sliding Doors and Shakespeare in Love - helped refine Zellweger's London accent.

From The Independent (16 March): Help! I'm the real-life Bridget Jones Life was pretty unremarkable: she took pictures and went to the pub with friends. Then a newspaper column changed everything. For Bridget Jones, nothing would ever be the same BY BRIDGET JONES Tuesday 13 March Weight - 9st 2lb (fat because of heavy weekend away drinking and smoking to excess), alcohol units 13 (four pints of lager and two gin and slims to cancel out the fat content of the lager), cigarettes - more than 10 (lost count after the first three pints), fat content 236g (very naughty). Wake up this morning feeling depressed - not only have I broken my holiday diet and started smoking cigarettes after giving them up for Lent, but also, to my horror, I realise the opening of Bridget Jones the movie is imminent. My name is Bridget Jones, and until 1995 I led an unremarkable life. Then, The Independent started printing a weekly column by the phoney Bridget Jones (as I like to call her now), and my life began to change... Back in the early days, Bridget Jones wasn't a household name. My friends and I would get together and read "her" column and laugh about "my" stress of everyday life - wondering what hand my alter ego would deal me next. But as Bridget's popularity grew, her column would be promoted with big headlines splashed across the front page. They would read "Bridget Jones has a bad hair day" - on a day when I was genuinely suffering from not only a bad hair day, but also lack of rational thought and civilised behaviour (a hangover). I became more than sensitive to the issue. "Bridget Jones gets fired" was a particular joke among my colleagues. Numerous photocopies of the headline appeared, strategically Sellotaped to my drawers, desk diary and even the office coffee machine. My favourite headline was "Bridget Jones gets a raise" - you can guess the state of my manager's office by 9.30am. Sadly, on that occasion, life did not imitate art. At first it was a bit of fun, but with her increasing notoriety, brought about with the publication of her diaries in book form in 1996, it started to become a bit of a pain. It got to the point that whenever anyone asked my name, the response would be: "No, really", followed by inane giggling. It was a nightmare. In the pre-Bridget Jones era, I had been a confident, outgoing kind of a girl; now, I was struggling to carry out even the most simple daily tasks. I wasn't being taken seriously, and making appointments over the phone was like signing a cheque "Mickey Mouse". Visits to the bank, hairdresser, dentist and doctor's surgery became more and more difficult. What could be worse than having your name read out in a crowded waiting-room? "Bridget Jones," the doctor announces. The waiting-room echoes with suppressed giggles. I hold my head up high and follow the doctor. "Is that your real name?" he asks. "Mm." "Sorry, you must get this all the time." "That's OK." "So, what's the problem... smoking too much, bingeing again, or is it Mr Darcy? Ha, ha." The scariest thing, though, is that we do have quite a few similarities. I'm not as obsessive as the phoney Jones, although I do weigh myself every day. My weight goes up and down - ideally I should be about 8st 13lb - but I occasionally go up to 10st. I don't count calories; I'm more interested in fat content. According to Rosemary Conley, you shouldn't eat anything that contains more than one gram of fat. Unfortunately, that rules out eating most normal food, and it becomes a tough choice between rhubarb stewed in diet lemonade and a mouthful of air. I usually start the day with good intentions, an apple and a cup of tea for breakfast, but by 11am I'm absolutely starving and desperately searching for a shop that sells bananas. Unfortunately, the best alternative the local newsagents can offer is a Mars bar; with 30 grams of fat, it means I shouldn't really eat for the next three days. Lunch has to be a Shapers skinny salad sandwich from Boots. But I've never been ashamed about eating, so after work I ring a friend and we get a Chinese takeaway. I've joined the gym more times than I can remember. I tend to think that paying the membership fee alone will get you fit. I've made a few attempts to go along with friends, but unfortunately there's a pub en route and we always seem to end up there instead. I guess I do drink and smoke a lot more than I should. I try to ration myself to 10 fags a day, but on a bad day, I can smoke my way through up to three packets. I've found the best policy is, once you get into double figures, just to stop counting. I always make sure I combine a heavy lager-drinking session with gin slims, as it eases my calorie conscience. I've been on a diet for the past three weeks, but this weekend my drinking spiralled out of control. It started on Thursday, and by Sunday the total alcohol count was about 40 units. And after a seven-day religious break from fags, I was determined to make up for lost time. One of my best friends has been happily married for five years. She's currently in the middle of her pregnancy and although she's not exactly smug, she makes everyone else feel insecure about why they aren't settling down and have kids, too. She's so happy. I'm not desperate to have a kid, but with only a year to go until I'm 30, it's definitely on my mind - although I don't want to give up my career as a photographer, and my friends would say I'm not grown-up enough to have children. I don't really fancy Colin Firth [Ed note: she lost me here; am no longer sympathetic], but I've got a bit of a Mr Darcy obsession about Jude Law: he's gorgeous and often the major topic after four pints of lager and a couple of gins. However, I do actually have a boyfriend; I've been with him for three years, and we do live together, which makes my life slightly less tortured than the other Bridget's. Just when I thought the Bridget Jones phenomenon was losing momentum and I was happily regaining my anonymity, Bridget Jones the movie looms. Once again my name will be plastered over billboards; there will probably be a soundtrack released on CD, T-shirts printed and possibly even a Bridget Jones doll. It's fine when you're feeling sociable, but when you're fed up and having a bad day, it's hard work. The only solution to this problem is one of Bridget Jones's ultimate ambitions: I shall get married. "Bridget Gower's Diary" just doesn't have the same ring.

(winter) Thanks for the info., Marianne!!! Are you going? JanaH, are you out there? Shall we make this another outing? Yes, I'm heeerrre!! Winter and Marianne, I think this definitely smells like an occasion for an outing of the So Cal contingent! Chardonnay and Milk Tray anyone?

Bad news Ladies, no UK Premiere tickets! Have had a lter from UIP today as follows; "The Premierel of BJD has been confirmed fo5r Wednesday 4th April, 2001 at the UCI Empire London, and will be attended by the cast. The Premiere will be held in aid of Charity, but unfortunately the limited number of tickets that were made available for sale have been purchased by companies associated with the film. As I am sure you can appreciate, with this being a British production, demand has been huge". So there we are no ticket, boo hoo. PLEASE NOTE DIFFERENT DATE TO WHAT WE HAD THOUGHT. May still go and watch from outside, if you remember the RV debacle, we would have seen more of Colin if we had been outside!! Oh hum, I am glad it is so popular though. I was offered an opening night performance on the 13th April, but won't take it up as I can see it in Brighton then.

sorry for the typos.

Bad luck Ann. Just two days after the NY premiere now.

So the publicity is LA now, NY premiere and London. Very disappointed for you, Ann. We would still love it if you could go and take pix as he enters. Isn't Rachel W. Sam Mendes's girlfriend?

That's too bad, Ann. Would seem that the cast could now return to the US to do TV promotion during the opening week now without the conflict of a London premiere. But I'm sure that's no consolation for you. :-(

Yes, Ann, do see if you can go just to stand outside. You're Drool's official UK premiere reporter, after all! Mari, are you calling your good friend Prince Charles to see if he's going? ;-D

Looks like media got to see BJD in London last night too. From Ananova: Bridget v.g. says preview audience Bridget Jones got the seal of approval at its preview at the Empire Leicester Square. And American actress Renee Zellweger, going British for the first time to play Helen Fielding's creation, was given the thumbs up. The �25 million movie, which also stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the men in Bridget's life, is being released in the UK in April. Film writer Ivan Waterman says of Zellweger: "A lot of people had doubts about whether she could pull it off. She is brilliant. She is just a great comedic talent." Lawyer Tony Kennedy from South West London said: "It was a very funny movie and quite touching at times. They captured the essence of Fielding's work so those fans won't be disappointed." The film was co-written by Richrad Curtis, the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill.

"A lot of people had doubts about whether she could pull it off. She is brilliant. She is just a great comedic talent." Yes, yes, YES! *giddy laughter from those of us who knew it all along* "It was a very funny movie and quite touching at times. They captured the essence of Fielding's work so those fans won't be disappointed." Wheee! Guess all those rosaries and novenas paid off ('please let it be good...please let it be good')!

Bummer about the UK premiere, Ann. But, as you said, you probably have a better chance at a photo op by waiting outside. This is what we're always reduced to here--rarely can the public get in to a premiere unless you know someone. are you calling your good friend Prince Charles to see if he's going? ;-D LOL, Eileen! I think he'll show up if he has a guarantee that I won't be there to mow him down.;-) The poor man. Nice to read the Ananova reaction--thanks, Karen. I especially liked the "it's quite touching" part. Good to hear that they've retained that sense and that it's not just laughs. I'm a bit puzzled by the timing of all these events. Why would Elliott go all the way to LA for his interview if CF will be back in NY this Thursday for Today? Unless the Today interview is taped ahead of time in LA--in which case it will be conducted by one of the lesser lights, instead of Katie or Matt. I did check Today's website; they now have up the guest lineup for the coming week and he's on there, alright. And why are the two premieres so close together--April 2 and 4? Unless Harvey or Universal send a jet, they won't get back to London until the morning of the 4th. Cutting it close, not to mention the jet lag. I guess one possibility is that they all seem to have filming commitments coming up very soon. CF has a bit of time until late April, but RZ's film with Michele Pfeiffer starts filming mid-April (and she does *not* play the daughter, I just read!) and Hugh mentions in the Biography interview having to get started on About A Boy in April so that they can finish before the strike deadline at the end of June. Moon, BTW, I was thinking re: the free screening tickets--just put down an LA zipcode--that's how they determine the city you're closest to.

A review from the Singletons of the World website: Last night saw the largest preview screening for Bridget Jones's Diary the movie in London and Singletons of the World Unite managed to sneak in with the crowd to catch the show. The verdict? Well I won't beat around the bush - the movie had a great reaction from the crowd with people clapping and cheering at the end. Everyone laughed at the right bits and the general consensus seemed to be that Working Title had another hit on their hands. Fans of the book may be concerned at certain key scenes which haven't made their way into the final version - but this is a two-hour film, so something had to give. The screen version is more romantic-comedy than situation-comedy, and the homage to Pride and Prejudice a lot more obvious. Some characters get lost along the way entirely - there's a lot less of Bridget's friends. Renee Zellweger British audiences will no doubt be dismayed at the Renee's wholesale butchery of the English accent, but Ms Zellweger more than makes up in screen charisma what she lacked in the speech department. The accent itself turned out to be part Dick Van Dyke, part Sloane Ranger - quite the oddest English accent to be heard since Joaquim Phoenix had a go in both Quills and Gladiator. Hugh Grant Bridget Jones marks a true departure for Hugh as he gets away from his 'Tim, nice but Dim' image with an absolute bastard character in Daniel Cleaver. True, he camps it up massively - but it's clear that he enjoyed the filming and the audience loved every scene he was in (with the possible exception of the first sex scene - we're not quite prepared, it seems, to see Hugh getting hot and sweaty). Colin Firth Can the man do no wrong? Yet again, Mr Firth turns in a sterling performance as the wronged Mark Darcy. Pernickety viewers may think that Colin merely reprises his role from TV's Pride and Prejudice - but in this humble reviewer's opinion, Colin Firth is bound for leading man stardom as a result of this role. The best bit? The way Tom reacts to an altercation between Daniel and Mark The worst bit? Shirley Henderson's depiction of Jude - a totally incomprehensible performance. Rating? A high 3 stars

Colin Firth - Can the man do no wrong? *snort* Catherine has not read our boards. Colin Firth is bound for leading man stardom as a result of this role. Cannot get over this woman's wholesale slaughtery of RZ's accent. *sheesh* Lighten up. It's just an accent.

We have been saying that haven't we? And to think that he debated signing on to do this role???? (Have I said that before???;-))))) The accent itself turned out to be part Dick Van Dyke, part Sloane Ranger ROTF! No one ever said that about Gwynnie. It must be that high squeaky pitch voice that RZ has that makes it hard to do POSH. I can't wait to see this film. (Mari),And why are the two premieres so close together--April 2 and 4? Unless Harvey or Universal send a jet, they won't get back to London until the morning of the 4th. Cutting it close, not to mention the jet lag. I agree! I only wish that April 2nd had been in LA. Might there be a possibility, as the screenings put force positive reviews, that they might change the dates? You don't want your actors with jetlag when they are to be photographed. The only positive thing to this is that I might run into them at the airport.

Good review for BJD at Shadows on the Wall - hope this works: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/shadows/htm

ET alert! New scenes to be shown on Entertainment Tonight!

Sorry that link above does not appear to be working, can you help Karen?

ET: v. short. Some new scenes (including the e-mail/skirt episode ), but NO Colin. RZ to be interviewed on Monday.

Thanks, Ann, here's the review. I got to it by selecting "previews" at http://shadows.wall.net/. I like the pic of CF there better than the one they're using on the poster. Three and a half stars out of four Fielding's mega-selling novel makes the leap to the big screen with the help of the talented team at Working Title, including the writer and star of both Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. And the result is another hugely entertaining Brit-com, filled with memorable characters and situations. Bridget (Zellweger) is a 30something Londoner who feels condemned to being a "singleton"--despite the valiant attempts of her mother (Jones) to set her up with former childhood playmate Mark Darcy (Firth, in a nifty bit of casting). Meanwhile, Bridget is developing a flirtation with her boss (Grant), while her loyal circle of friends (Henderson, Phillips, Callis) love her no matter what she does. There's nothing terribly original about the story--indeed, it's basically a 21st century reworking of Pride and Prejudice--but the character details make it great fun. As played by Zellweger, Jones is a pretty hopeless case, but we can't help but like her and root for her to find some happiness in her life ... somewhere! Her friends are drawn in broad stereotypes, but are still hilarious. And both Grant and Firth make the most of roles that subtly subvert their well-honed images. As the plot lunges toward it's predictable finale, there are all kinds of joys along the way--carefully observed comedy extremely well-written by Fielding, Davies (The Tailor of Panama and, erm, Pride and Prejudice) and Curtis (Four Weddings and Notting Hill), and adeptly directed by Maguire. No, it's not terribly demanding, and it's too busy setting up the happily-ever-after finale to even attempt a serious point about being single. But there are astute observations along the way, more than enough big laughs and, in Zellweger's ca able hands, a terrific look at a singleton on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Here's the picture: (Firth, in a nifty bit of casting). Huh? The part was written for him. Where do these people come from?

Missed ET tonight but evidently nothing new. Thanks for the heads-up re Monday's show. This link takes you right to the review: http://www.shadowsonthewall.co.uk/swbrijon.htm And both Grant and Firth make the most of roles that subtly subvert their well-honed images. What well-honed image is Colin subverting?

Sorry, have figured out answer to own question. Must be the image of Peter.

Ann, I received 'that letter' this morning booooooh! Will attempt to watch proceedings from outside - camera at the ready!

So Andrew Davies DID have input on the screenplay? He's listed everywhere, but I wondered, with Richard "I'm just a girl..." Curtis involved, if there is any trace of AD remaining. Not that I didn't love 4W and NH, but with ODB, am feeling maternal (NOT) and proprietary about the production, and of course, don't want it to be the Hugh Grant show.

Must be the image of Peter. LOL! So that's his well known image???

(Meredith) So Andrew Davies DID have input on the screenplay? From that one article I have posted about AD, it appeared that he only did a little work on it and wasn't sure he would even want screen credit. Said he was going to decide when he saw the final cut. BTW, they are listing him as screenwriter for the Tailor of Panama and I just read an article that Boorman tossed AD's script and LeCarre wrote it with Boorman; however, AD will get top credit because his was first.

Shame about the accent, if it's true. It does matter, I'm afraid, Karen - it's v. distracting. It's not a matter of principle: it's simply that it makes it a lot harder to suspend disbelief and enjoy the film. I think you'd find the same the other way around.