Failure to Adapt

Is the book always better? Are they better off as Movies?? Finally, an answer. Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Comic Red Scott talk media that moves from one form to another. Whether it's Stephen King books becoming Steven Spielberg movies, Fairy Tales loosely inspiring animated Disney musicals, or People transmuting into Wolves, this is the podcast with the conviction and insight to determine a story's correct form.

Sarah Gailey, Fifty Shades Darker 02/21/2024

Sarah Gailey, Fifty Shades Darker Nothing could keep FTA favorite and Hugo Award Winning Author * away from their Christian Grey. Sarah pilots and away in their helicopter to talk E.L. James’ 2012 novel Fifty Shades Darker and the 2017 film of the same name Directed by James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross). * Sarah Gailey is a Hugo Award Winning and Bestselling author of speculative fiction, short stories, and essays. Their nonfiction has been published by dozens of venues internationally. Their fiction has been published in over seven different languages. Their most recent novel, , and most recent original comic book series with BOOM! Studios, are available now. Order Maggie’s latest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/30055488

Christina Lauren, Blue Crush 02/07/2024

Christina Lauren, Blue Crush Christina Hobbs! Lauren Billings!! The writing juggernaut known as Christina Lauren* joins and in Hawaii to discuss the 1998 Outside Magazine article Life’s Swell by Susan Orlean and its adaptation into the 2002 classic, Blue Crush. *Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nineteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by Roomies, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, In a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation and Something Wilder. You can read Life’s Swell, by Susan Orlean, . Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/29845408

The Fast and the Furious 12/06/2023

The Fast and the Furious How do you perfect the premise of NYC street racers who are all in it together? You add Ja Rule and the world’s least charismatic white cop. and slide into a black Honda S2000 to talk Kenneth Li’s 1998 Vibe Article, Racer X, and the 2001 Rob Cohen film, The Fast and the Furious. You can read Racer X, by Kenneth Li, . Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28952648

Colin Winnette, Adaptation 11/29/2023

Colin Winnette, Adaptation Colin Winnette* joins and to talk about the Susan Orlean article, , and the 2002 Spike Jonze film Adaptation. written by Charlie & Donald Kaufman. * is the author of Haints Stay and The Job of the Wasp. His new novel Users is one of the New Yorker's "Best Books of 2023" and was called "a timeless and moving story about fatherhood and one man's yearning for a more meaningful life” by the NY Times. His writing has appeared in McSweeney's, Playboy, and BOMB magazine as well as numerous others. Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28838368

Natasha Muse, Hustlers 11/08/2023

Natasha Muse, Hustlers After the 2008 financial collapse a lot of people said something had to be done about Wall Street, but some of the women at Scores were the only ones with enough guts to take action. Stand-Up Comic and Writer joins and to talk the Jessica Pressler article, The Hustlers at Scores, and 2019’s Hustlers Directed by Lorene Scafaria. You can read the 2015 Jessica Pressler article, The Hustlers at Scores, . Natasha Muse is a Stand Up Comic and Writer who’s appeared on Two Dope Queens, and was named both a “Comedian to Watch” and an “Artist to Watch” by SF Weekly. Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28552595

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 11/01/2023

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Is there an interview subject so humble even God can’t get them to talk about themself? Mister Rodgers is as close as it gets, and yet Tom Junod’s 1998 profile is a masterclass turned into an equally ambitious film. and are back to talk the Tom Junod Esquire profile, Can You Say...“Hero”?, and 2019’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Directed by Marielle Heller. You can read the 1998 Tom Junod profile of Mister Rodgers, Can You Say.. “Hero”?, . Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28482209

Meg Elison, Minority Report 10/25/2023

Meg Elison, Minority Report Precogs can predict crime, but did they anticipate the seminal science fiction novella would become a Steven Spielberg blockbuster? You’d need a specialist to pick apart the causality, and thankfully , a Philip K. Dick Award winning novelist, joins and to discuss The Minority Report, a 1956 novella, and Minority Report, the 2002 film. You can find the full issue of Fantastic Universe, where The Minority Report first appeared, . Meg Elison is a Brooklyn author and essayist. Her debut novel, "The Book of the Unnamed Midwife" won the 2014 Philip K. Dick Award. Her novelette, "The Pill" won the 2021 Locus Award. She is a Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon Awards finalist. She has been an Otherwise Award honoree twice. Her YA debut, “Find Layla” was published in fall 2020 by Skyscape. It was named one of Vanity Fair's Best 15 Books of 2020. Her parasocial thriller, "Number One Fan" was published in August 2022 by Mira Books. Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28417196

The Birds 10/18/2023

The Birds Is it possible a movie that helped define Horror in cinema for generations is exceeded by the Novelette from whence it came? and step inside a phone booth besieged by corvids to investigate Dame Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 novelette The Birds and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 classic adaptation, The Birds. Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28351373

Victoria “V.E.” Schwab, Almost Famous 10/11/2023

Victoria “V.E.” Schwab, Almost Famous , bestselling author of Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue joins and to talk about the 1973 Rolling Stone article by Cameron Crowe, , and its adaptation into the 2001 Cameron Crowe film, Almost Famous. Order V.E. Schwab’s latest novel in the Shades of Magic series, . And if you haven’t already, check out The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, now in ! Order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28283417

Top Gun 10/06/2023

Top Gun The most famous Volleyball scene in cinema was adapted from a magazine article with NO volleyball at all?! and step into the Danger Zone and talk Top Guns[1], Ehud Yonay’s 1983 article published in California magazine, and the little known film it was adapted in to, Tony Scott’s 1986 action film, Top Gun. Pre-order Maggie’s newest book, [1] Yes, plural. If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28242104

Molly Sanchez, Shrek! 09/20/2023

Molly Sanchez, Shrek! One of the GOATs of children’s literature has their disgusting green monster licensed by Steven Spielberg and somehow after a decade of development hell we get a generation defining comedy. Comic, Writer and best friend of the pod joins and to talk the 1990 William Steig picture book Shrek! and the 2001 Dreamworks film Shrek. Pre-order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28089563

Coyote Ugly 09/13/2023

Coyote Ugly What happens when an article that is technically a prequel to Eat, Pray, Love is made into an ode to midriff and low cut jeans? and have a meltdown as they discuss Elizabeth Gilbert’s March 1997 GQ Article and its adaptation into the 2000 David McNally film, Coyote Ugly. Pre-order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Following the pod on X: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/28017933

Sarah MacLean, It Happened One Night 09/06/2023

Sarah MacLean, It Happened One Night We’re kicking off Season 4 of Failure to Adapt with bestselling romance novelist and FRIEND OF THE SHOW, !!! Sarah shows some leg and secures a ride with and as they discuss the August 1933 short story published in Cosmopolitan magazine, and the 1934 winner of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay: It Happened One Night. Sarah MacLean is a New York Times, Washington Post, AND USA Today bestselling romance novelist and god of the MacLeaniverse. Her sexy historical novels have been translated into over 25 languages. She also co-hosts the with romance critic Jen Prokop. BUY SARAH MACLEAN’S , the 3rd Book in the Hell’s Belles series Pre-order Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/27954039

Fifty Shades of Grey, with Sarah Gailey 02/01/2023

Fifty Shades of Grey, with Sarah Gailey What’s a better digestif to a season of Austen than bringing in Hugo Award Winning Author (Just Like Home, The Echo Wife, EAT THE RICH) to talk Twilight fan fiction. Sarah whisks and away to sunny Seattle to talk E.L. James’s 2011 novel Fifty Shades of Grey and the 2015 film of the same name Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. BUY SARAH GAILEY’S Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25794138

Austen’s Heirs: Bridgerton 01/25/2023

Austen’s Heirs: Bridgerton Netflix’s Bridgerton, based on the Julia Quinn novels, is the most successful regency romance in years, and based on the setting of 1813 England, is begging to be compared to Jane Austen. After a season of covering slow burns it’s time for and to put on a Vitamin String Quartet cover of thank u, next and clutch some pearls. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25718631

Austen’s Heirs: When Harry Met Sally 01/18/2023

Austen’s Heirs: When Harry Met Sally After spending a season of Failure to Adapt discussing Jane Austen adaptations, it’s time to take a look at her significant influence on modern films that aren't quite adaptations. couldn’t think of a better example of a modern movie with deep connections to Pride and Prejudice than When Harry Met Sally (1989). ’s feelings are a bit more complicated! Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25639041

Persuasion, with Alex Brown 01/11/2023

Persuasion, with Alex Brown When genius writer and critic was spotted gnashing their teeth at the release of Netflix’s Persuasion, the crew knew they had to ask them on to discuss it, and they’re so glad they agreed! Alex joins and to discuss the Carrie Cracknell Directed Persuasion (2022) and the book it was kind of adapted from, Jane Austen’s Persuasion (1817). Alex Brown is a librarian, local historian, author and writer, and an Ignyte Award winning critic. Their work can be found on tor.com, Locus magazine, NPR, and Buzzfeed. Much of their writing covers Black history, librarianship, YA, and speculative fiction. Their two books of nonfiction, and , are on sale now. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25571052

Emma & Emma. 01/04/2023

Emma & Emma. When there are two famous regency Emma adaptations, you have to ask yourself: Do you want Bill Nighy to be in it or one of the all time great VHS covers featuring Gwyneth Paltrow. and to discuss the 1996 Douglas McGrath film Emma and the Anya Talyor-Joy lead, Autumn de Wilde directed, 2020 movie Emma. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25501203

Emma & Clueless, with Sarah MacLean 12/21/2022

Emma & Clueless, with Sarah MacLean We brought in an expert to talk Jane Austen’s impetuous matchmaker Emma and her transformation into Cher, a virgin who can’t drive. Best-Selling Romance novelist joins and to discuss the 1815 Jane Austen Novel Emma and the 1995 film directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless. Sarah MacLean is a New York Times, Washington Post, AND USA Today bestselling romance novelist and god of the MacLeaniverse. Her sexy historical novels have been translated into over 25 languages. She also co-hosts the with romance critic Jen Prokop. , the latest in the Hell’s Belles series, is available now! Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25390443

Pride and Prejudice: BATTLE ROYAL 12/14/2022

Pride and Prejudice: BATTLE ROYAL After covering enough Pride and Prejudice adaptations to fill Mr & Mrs. Bennet’s dining room table, and are here to decide once and for all the best and brightest of all of them. We decide the best characters, the best chemistry, and ultimately, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25321134

Bride and Prejudice VS Pride + Prejudice + Zombies 12/07/2022

Bride and Prejudice VS Pride + Prejudice + Zombies From the most faithful PnP adaptations to the most treacherous and fickle, and dice up the 2004 Bollywood inspired Bride and Prejudice Directed by Gurinder Chadha along with the Burr Steers Zombie thriller Pride + Prejudice + Zombies. These adaptations take the most chances yet with Jane Austen’s source material, did it pay off? Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25247775

Pride & Prejudice, BBC Series vs 2005 Film, with Amy Schneider 11/30/2022

Pride & Prejudice, BBC Series vs 2005 Film, with Amy Schneider Fresh off her win at the 2022 Jeopardy Tournament of Champions, Amy Schneider stormed into the Failure to Adapt podcast studio and demanded to talk Jane Austen, and and were happy to oblige her. When it comes to Pride & Prejudice adaptations, two works sit atop the regency class system: Pride and Prejudice, the 1995 BBC series, and Pride & Prejudice, the 2005 film directed by Joe Wright. But which one is canonically the best??? Listen and find out. is the winningest woman in Jeopardy history, the first transgender contestant to win the Tournament of Champions, winner of the 2022 Queerty BADASS award, and a genuinely delightful person. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25170825

Bridget Jones VS Lizzie Bennet, with Molly Sanchez 11/23/2022

Bridget Jones VS Lizzie Bennet, with Molly Sanchez Jane Austen Adaptation CONTINUES as returns to discuss two Pride & Prejudice adaptions: The Sharon Maguire Directed Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) and the Bernie Su & Margaret Dunlap directed vlog, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012). Molly is the former co-host of the podcast , as well as , along with being an accomplished writer and comic. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25107357

Pride and Prejudice to Fire Island, with Walt Hickey 11/16/2022

Pride and Prejudice to Fire Island, with Walt Hickey (creator & writer of & Senior Editor for Data at Insider) is not only an insightful and hilarious guest, he is Failure to Adapt’s first Pulitzer Prize winning guest. Who better to kick of our SEASON of Jane Austen adaptations? Walt joins & to discuss Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice, and it’s adaptation into the 2022 Andrew Ahn film, Fire Island. Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/25031754

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, with Sarah Gailey 06/28/2022

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, with Sarah Gailey The honeymoon’s over, and Hugo Award Winning Author (Just Like Home, The Echo Wife, EAT THE RICH) joins & one last time to wait out the 72 hours between giving birth and heading to the most sensual Thomas Kinkade inspired love shack. There was of course, only one way this could ever end: with a teenager betrothed to an infant and a supernatural battle for the ages (or not). They’re (finally!) talking the final half of Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn (2008) and its adaptation into the 2012 Bill Condon film, Breaking Dawn: Part 2. PRE-ORDER SARAH GAILEY’S Buy Maggie’s newest book, If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/23561213

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1, with Sarah Gailey 06/21/2022

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1, with Sarah Gailey Hugo award winning author (Just Like Home, The Echo Wife, EAT THE RICH) joins this shotgun podcast with & to witness Edward & Bella enter the holy state of Batrimony, before heading to Isle Esme (formerly: The Island of No Innocents Were Murdered Here) and then back to the Cullen homestead for some moderate body horror. They’re talking the first half of Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn (2008) and its adaptation into the 2011 Bill Condon film, Breaking Dawn: Part 1. PRE-ORDER SARAH GAILEY’S !! Buy Maggie’s newest book, !! If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/23490713

Heartstopper, with Joe Wadlington 06/14/2022

Heartstopper, with Joe Wadlington Author and Drag Artist joins to discuss a graphic novel showed the world a present and future of gay love that a previous generation could only dream of and the show based on it which became a sensation. Joe, & discuss Alice Oseman’s graphic novel Heartstopper (2016) as well as the Euros Lyn Directed Netflix series, Heartstopper (2022). Joe Wadlington has been published in the New Yorker, Architectural Digest, Vox, Food and Wine Magazine, and Catapult. He co-hosts/co-produces "Happy Endings", a live, literary mixtape every 2nd Tuesday at the Make Out Room in San Francisco. As the drag queen, Jubilee, Joe is the reigning "Miss Cowgirl." Joe is currently writing a Young Adult novel about teen witches in the Appalachian Mountains. Buy Maggie’s newest book, !!! If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/23421695

Edge of Tomorrow 06/07/2022

Edge of Tomorrow Whether you love a Tom Cruise movie or would rather he die repeatedly on a distant beach, this adaptation’s got something for you. & discuss Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s All You Need is Kill (2004) and the Doug Liman Directed Edge of Tomorrow (2014). Buy Maggie’s newest book, !!! If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/23345882

Holes 04/26/2022

Holes A beloved young adult novel is turned into a beloved young adult film, but only one can break the centuries old curse, while the other will meet its end in the dirt surrounded by Yellow-Spotted Lizards. & discuss Louis Sachar’s Holes (1998) and it's cinema counterpart, the Shia LaBeouf vehicle Holes (2003). Buy Maggie’s newest book, !!! If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/22906208

The Black Cauldron, with Chuck Wendig 04/19/2022

The Black Cauldron, with Chuck Wendig Disney sends Assistant Pig Keeper Jeffrey Katzenberg back to the Well with the task of adapting beloved fantasy novels into an animated film, what could possibly go wrong? joins & to talk Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three (1964) and The Black Cauldron (1965) as well as the film that almost killed Disney, 1985’s Animated Feature, The Black Cauldron. Chuck Wendig (, @ChuckWendig ) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath, as well as the Miriam Black thrillers, the Atlanta Burns books, Zer0es/Invasive, Wanderers, as well as his most recent books Dust & Grim and Book of Accidents. Wayward, the sequel to Wanderers is scheduled for publication November 15th. Buy Maggie’s newest book, !!! If you like us, you’ll also enjoy: Following the pod on twitter: Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: /episode/index/show/failuretoadapt/id/22835546

Failure to Adapt

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