Adapt or Die

Adapting isn’t easy. Ask any movie producer (like any of us really could…) who has made a movie out of a popular novel, play, historical event or TV show. The combinations of what could go wrong, right, or just meh are endless.

was an awesome collection of children’s books. The TV show was pretty good. The movie was… oh sweet hosanna would someone please think of the children! Then the opposite happens with

. A very comical, memorable and popular movie; a very unfunny, unpopular and forgettable TV show (Even with most of the same cast!). was just another popcorn movie. The TV show, a smash it. established itself as an iconic powerhouse with lifelong fans for generations to come. But it’s first movie adaptation was one big snore. But then they saved themselves with a series of good to great movies to follow.

Anything can happen when adapting. And it’s not easy. How did you adapt from being a teenager to a 20-something? How about from making x-amount of dollars to y-amount of dollars per year? Or adapting to a new diet? The life as it was before is the TV show, or comic book. The life afterwards is the movie or the Broadway play. It’s a lot of work. Just ask anyone who’s gone through a dramatic change in his/her life.

Maybe it would be a whole lot easier if we approached it like a movie. You get to be your own producer, director and actor. You make it as good as you can. You’ll have many critics, but who cares? They’ve had to make their own adaptations, and chances are they’ve made some It’s Pat and Car 54 Where are You? movies themselvesBut this… this change in life is yours. Make it wonderful.

Congratulations This is your week.

Best Actress: Julianne Moore as Dr. Eastman in Best Actor: Robert De Niro as Al Capone in Admittedly, Sean Connery’s role is more memorable. But watch the movie again and I believe you’ll be most impressed by De Niro.Best Quote: “I don’t care!” — Tommy Lee Jones as Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard after Dr. Kimble shouts “I didn’t kill my wife!” I just love that scene.

Top 10 TV shows I thank God were never made into movies:

10. Three’s a Crowd — It had John Ritter, but it was no Regal Beagle.9. Bob Izumi’s Real Fishing Show — Hopefully they won’t make this movie “a possibility” (hyunh hyunh hyunh).8. Another World — Soap operas. The second hand smoke of television. The bag-over-the-head-punch-in-the-face wet belly button lint of television. No need for movies here…7. Danger Bay — Ah, the sweet stench of CBC television shows from the 80’s!6. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo — To quote Weird Al Yankovic in (1989), “Here, I want you to take this crowbar and… just bash my head right in! Go ahead. Really. Please! Just BASH it right in!”5. Joanie Loves Chachi — The disappointment could possibly be just as bad as that of the TV show itself.4.  — The only reason this was ever watched was for the sake of seeing Heather Locklear. Trust me, it was neither William Shatner nor the big hair guy. The only way a movie adaptation could be enjoyed is by hate-watching.3. Hee Haw — As funny as dust balls under the couch.2. Hee Haw Honeys — Not quite as funny as Hee Haw.1. The Jerry Springer Show — No movie adaptation (thankfully), though Donald Trump’s campaign seems like the closest thing.

Movie of the Week