Adapt or Die

A podcast about movies that used to be books. Or TV shows that used to be movies. Or... well, you get the idea. Co-hosted by Pippa Russell and KJ Minzner.

The Golden Compass / His Dark Materials / Northern Lights (Why So Many Names?)

The question in the title isn't rhetorical! Pippa has an answer for KJ about why Phillip Pullman's book goes by so many names, as well as info about the movie adaptation and the HBO series... and all the ways those adaptations went astray. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod  Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden.   Sources: THE DARK SIDE OF NARNIA by Philip Pullman: https://web.archive.org/web/20010628221443/http://riff.hiof.no/~steinabl/PULLMANLEW.HTML THE GOLDEN COMPASS MOVIE WHAT WENT WRONG by Andrew Blair for Den of Geek: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-golden-compass-movie-what-went-wrong/ WHERE DID 'THE GOLDEN COMPASS' GO ASTRAY? from Vulture's The Take (no byline): https://www.vulture.com/2007/12/golden_compass_scripts.html HOW HOLLYWOOD SAVED GOD by Hanna Rosin for The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/12/how-hollywood-saved-god/306444/ Philip Pullman’s thoughts on the HBO series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=oce5gKgdPFM&t=75s Kathleen Crawford's interview with Casting Networks: https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/how-all-of-us-strangers-casting-director-kahleen-crawford-turned-people-watching-into-a-thriving-career/ HIS DARK MATERIALS IS FINALLY GETTING TOLD WITHOUT (MUCH) BACKLASH by Nathan Smith for SyFy: https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/his-dark-materials-golden-compass-religion-church-hbo-movie

12-30
01:01:49

The Lego Batman Movie - Let's Discuss Male Loneliness

I'm only sort of joking with this episode title. In this episode, Pippa and KJ discuss the history of Batman as a character, and how the Lego adaptation of his story just might be the best understanding of who Batman really is. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden.

11-18
58:30

The Green Knight and the Absent Author

Pippa and KJ are back again, and this time discussing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and its 2021 adaptation directed by David Lowery. Listen on as we examine what it means to adapt or translate a poem whose original author has been lost time, and bringing your own biography to the text. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translated by Simon Armitage In Our Time - Podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001kr8 Indiewire: David Lowery Almost Quit Filmmaking Before ‘Green Knight’ Release - https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-green-knight-david-lowery-interview-1234654659/ Vanity Fair: Director David Lowery on The Green Knight’s Eerie Influences - https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/07/the-green-knight-david-lowery-preview-dev-patel-willow-influences

10-21
01:00:14

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? And... Who Adapted Him?

KJ gives Pippa a history lesson about 1980s Disney animation, and the hosts discuss how Who Framed Roger Rabbit is very diffferent from the book it is based on. Includes a brief digression to discuss the implications of a potential Hercules TikTok musical. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden. Pulling a Rabbit Out of a Hat by Ross Anderson: https://pullingarabbitoutofahat.com/ kaptainkristian Video Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWtt3Tmnij4

09-30
59:23

It Ends With Us: Fresh Takes on a Fresh Adaptation

For once, Pippa and KJ aren't a million years late to an adaptation! They are joined by Pippa's sister, Maia Russell, to discuss the 2024 film adaptation of the 2016 novel, It Ends With Us. We cover everything from the effects of TikTok on the publishing industry and book recommendations to the contentious marketing of It Ends With Us, both novel and film. Please be advised, this episode contains discussion of domestic abuse. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/colleen-hoover-coloring-book-cancellation-intl-scli/index.html Bestselling writer Colleen Hoover apologizes for planned coloring book based on domestic violence novel by Issy Ronald, CNN

09-09
01:03:43

Fifty Shades of Grey - Let's Take This Seriously

What if we didn't immediately discount Fifty Shades of Grey? What if we analyzed this adaptation seriously - is there value to be found within published Twilight fanfiction erotica? How many times can KJ hear the phrase "inner goddess" before they go insane? KJ and Pippa return for the premeire of Adapt or Die Season 9! Dan Olson's Fifty Shades Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzk9N7dJBec 2016 Interview with Anne Coates: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-anne-coates-governors-award-20161104-story.html Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio.

08-28
01:13:16

DUNE - An Overview! (Re-release + Dune Part 2 Discussion)

Let's get Dune-pilled. In the first part, KJ and Pippa discuss their opinions on Denis Villeneuve's modern Dune series, and in the second part, you'll hear them discuss David Lynch's Dune adaptation with special guest Ryan Trumpler. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode was provided by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

04-01
01:13:47

CINDERELLA SPEEDRUN - 50th Episode Spectacular!

It's our 50th episode! To celebrate, Pippa has created an innovative way for us to talk about adaptations - we're using it to talk about as many Cinderella adaptations as possible. With special guest, Matt Pinkney!   Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode was provided by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

02-27
01:17:52

The Masked Singer: Adapting Across Cultures

Pippa and KJ are joined by our friend Rachel to discuss the reality competition series, The Masked Singer! Did you know The Masked Singer is based on a Korean reality show? Listen on to learn more about the Korean original and how the show was adapted for an American audience.   Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode was provided by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

02-13
53:26

Scott Pilgrim Re-release: Comics vs. Movie vs. Limited Series

Thanks for hanging with us through our hiatus! New episodes are coming soon, but in the meantime, please check out our re-release of our episode covering Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, now featuring an added intro with our thoughts and opinions on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Scott Pilgrim is a great TV show, but is it a good adaptation? Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode was provided by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

01-22
01:03:35

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: Underrated Adaptations & Tricky Legacies

Pippa and KJ are joined by their friend Emry Sottile to discuss the 2016 TV adaptation of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books, exploring how shows can be undersold by their own networks, and asking how we should engage with our favorite media after learning upsetting things about a creator. Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

12-05
57:21

O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Adapting Mythology (Again!)

Pippa and KJ are ready to talk about the 2000 Coen Brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? and how it is an adaptation of The Odyssey into a classic-feeling American fable. Pair this episode with our Hadestown episode if you want maximum mythology! Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

11-13
54:44

Coraline - Creating Horror for Children

Just because it's for kids, doesn't mean that Neil Gaiman's novella and Laika Studios' film aren't creepy as heck. KJ and Pippa discuss the value of spooky stories for kids, and talk about the old short story that inspired Coraline in the first place. Check out The Nostalgia Club Podcast and Wayland Productions' other shows! https://linktr.ee/waylandproductions Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

10-30
58:35

Twilight: Breaking Dawn pt 2 - We're Finally Free

Well, it's the end of the road. KJ, Pippa, and Isabel discuss the end of the Twilight saga, and look back at how far they've come. Cue the Christina Perri music! Check out The Nostalgia Club Podcast and Wayland Productions' other shows! https://linktr.ee/waylandproductions Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

10-16
59:24

Annihilation and Adapting by Memory

This week, Pippa and KJ are covering Jeff VanderMeer's strange science fiction novel Annihilation and the 2018 Alex Garland directed film of the same name. Listen on as we grapple with textual and visual ambiguity, the challenges of adapting the dreamlike and the weird, and how Alex Garland adapted by memory. Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio. Friends of Volo Bog: https://www.friendsofvolobog.org/ Tree People: https://www.treepeople.org/

06-05
59:50

Romeo + Juliet (1996) - Shakespeare Should Be Fun!

KJ and Pippa are back at it talking about Baz Luhrmann, this time discussing his 1996 MTV-inspired adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But did you know that Shakespeare himself was doing an adaptation with this play? The plot doth thicken... Check out The Nostalgia Club Podcast and Wayland Productions' other shows! https://linktr.ee/waylandproductions   Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod   Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

05-22
01:00:21

Princess Diaries and Necessary Changes in Adaptation

This week on Adapt or Die, we tackle The Princess Diaries, the first novel in a series by Meg Cabot and its film adaptation directed by Garry Marshall. We delve into the changes from book to movie, and how to appreciate both as different pieces of art best suited to their respective mediums.   Check out The Nostalgia Club Podcast and Wayland Productions other shows! https://linktr.ee/waylandproductions   Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod   Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

05-01
58:38

The Disaster Artist, The Room, and Being a Bad Director

Pippa and KJ are joined once more by Ryan Trumpler, this time to discuss James Franco's The Disaster Artist, based on Greg Sestero's memoir of the same name about the making of The Room. This is an episode that started out silly, but turned into a deeper discussion of bad behavior from directors and whether that behavior is tolerable for the sake of art. (Spoiler: it's not.)

04-18
01:17:32

Maze Runner and Remembering the Dystopia Craze

This week, KJ and Pippa are joined by special guest Jino from the Nostalgia Club Podcast! Listen on to hear our hot takes, fun facts, and critical analysis of the sci-fi dystopian tale that dares to ask: what would society be like if you put a bunch of teenage boys in a weird little maze? We're digging up this somewhat forgotten moment of the dystopia craze with a little help from our resident nostalgia expert.   Check out The Nostalgia Club Podcast and Wayland Productions other shows! https://linktr.ee/waylandproductions   Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod   Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

03-28
58:52

Headless and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ft. Shipwrecked Comedy

KJ and Pippa are back with a new season to talk about the webseries Headless, joined by the co-creators of the series, Sinéad and Sean Persaud! The gang gets to talk about Washington Irving's classic tale, the process of adapting the story into a comedy series, and Sinéad's life-long love of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. It's an episode to die for... or to come back from the dead for.   Patreon: patreon.com/adaptordiepod   Sound editing for this episode by Isabel Forden. Cover art by Jess Rubio.

03-13
56:54

Recommend Channels