Excessively Diverted

Welcome to part 1 of our 5-part series on the 2012 web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries! We'll discussed what worked (the very true-to-life female friendships) and what didn't (slut shaming booo). This was one of the most refreshing, truly modern adaptations we've watched for the show. Make sure to join in the discussion on our Facebook page!   

Sammi and Beau take a brief step back into the regency to watch the film adaptation of PD James' Death Comes to Pemberley. A straightforward "Elizabeth Darcy Murder Mystery" was too much to hope for, and instead we get a dour miniseries with a convoluted plot and characters that don't quite fit the Austen mold. We found ourselves unequal to caring about such questions as "Who killed Captain Denny?" and "Who is that hissing woman in the woods?" because we were so wrapped up in figuring out WHY Colonel Fitzwilliam was so aggro and why Darcy was ALWAYS SHOUTING.  Death Comes To Pemberley was directed by Daniel Percival and stars Anna Maxwell Martin, Matthew Rhys, Matthew Goode and Jenna Coleman

AAAAAnnnnd Sammi and Beau are BACK just in time to celebrate #pridemonth to discuss the first-ever gay Pride & Prejudice (film) re-imagining, Before The Fall.

In the season 1 Finale of the JAFFcast, Beau is joined by IPPY-Award Winning author Karen M Cox to discuss Heather Lynn Rigaud's Rock & Roll retelling of Pride & Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy: Rock Star

Jenetta James, author of Suddenly Mrs. Darcy and The Elizabeth Papers joins Beau to discuss Elizabeth Adams Austen-inspired contemporary romance, Green Card, as well Austen's talent for comedy and her current cultural significance. 

Beau and Sammi are together again! Join the Excessively Diverted origin story as we discuss KaraLynne Mackrory's IPPY Award-winning book Haunting Mr. Darcy, as well as Austen's legacy of Feminist comedy. 

This week Beau is joined by her collaborator on The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Brooke West. They discuss Jenetta James' marvelous debut Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, and why angst is absolutely necessary in fiction. 

Time to talk books! Author Linda Beutler joins Beau North to discuss Jane Austen Fan Fiction, her relevancy today, and Joana Starnes' swoon-worthy book, The Unthinkable Triangle

Sammi and Beau are joined by the effervescent Robin of Drunk Austen to discuss the 2004 Bollywood Extravaganza "Bride and Prejudice." With full dance routines, color wheels, horrible mothers, Sitar workout playlists, and all the Grand Canyon Canoodling you can handle! Bride and Prejudice was directed by Gurinder Chadha and Stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Martin Henderson   Special thanks to Robin!  Please check out Drunk Austen on all their social media! 

Sammi and Beau are joined by two very special guests - Brian Skinner and Josh Hollis of The Predict-O-Cast! In this episode the fearsome four discuss adult men who can't dress themselves, embarrassing singing, therapy horses, swiss cheese, limousines, and lotion. SO MUCH LOTION. What's that smell? It's fruit, flowers, and a whole lotta bull. Also, despite the inoffensive movie we watched, the language gets a little salty, so listen with discretion. 

Sammi and Beau have some exciting guests to announce as well as some housekeeping announcements. 

Sammi and Beau get a little liberal with the cursing in this episode as they travel along with Amanda Price - all they way back to Longbourn. Join the ladies of Excessively Diverted as they discuss Modern ideas in a Georgian world, and why a life without Lizzy is one they're just not interested in.    Lost in Austen was directed by Dan Zeff and stars Jemima Rooper, Elliot Cowan, Hugh Bonneville and Alex Kingston

Sammi and Beau take on Mansfield Park in discussing Metropolitan, Whit Stillman's clever tale of young Manhattan socialites in the early 1980's. The whip-smart humor of the Sally Fowler Rat Pack hit our intellectual sweet spot and their rapid-fire dialogue evoked our love for both Jane Austen and Gilmore Girls. Stay tuned for the miraculous declaration at the end of this episode (spoiler: the declaration is that this clever, lovable movie made us rethink Mansfield Park). Please enjoy responsibly.    Metropolitan is written and directed by Whit Stillman and stars Carolyn Farina, Edward Clements, Chris Eigeman, and Taylor Nichols

Sammi and Beau return to discuss Jane Austen Book Club, Hugh Dancy's bicycle shorts all while lamenting the lack of modern 'Persuasion' adaptations in this episode of Excessively Diverted.    Jane Austen Book Club was directed by Robin Swicord and Stars Kathy Baker, Hugh Dancy, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Maria Bello, and Maggie Grace. 

Sammi and Beau are joined once more by Karolinn to discuss 2011's 'From Prada to Nada' in what might be the silliest episode of Excessively Diverted to date. From Camilla Belle's bristly law student to Wilder Valderrama's bevy of tank tops, the greatest love and affection in this episode is reserved for the best inanimate character ever, ShrubDad.    From Prada to Nada was directed by Angel Gracia and Stars Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Nicholas D'Agosto, Wilder Valderrama, and Kuno Becker

Sammi and Beau are back to talk Zombies, Wickham, and period drama half-measures in this episode of Excessively Diverted. While this wasn't close to the worst of the movies they've watched for the show, it was nowhere near their favorite. One thing they agreed on: Matt Smith was, as always, a delight.  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was directed by Burr Steers and stars Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote, Lena Headey and Matt Smith

This week Sammi and Beau get a reprieve in the form of the crackling onscreen chemistry between Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth in 2001's 'Bridget Jones's Diary,' a loose homage to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.' This week the only yelling is over how superhuman Colin Firth's eye acting is and Hugh Grant's questionable attributes, with the occasional eye roll directed at the soundtrack.    Bridget Jones's Diary was directed by Sharon Maguire and stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones. 

In this episode, Sammi and Beau are joined by guest Karolinn to wonder why this movie was made, why any movies are made, what is the meaning of art, and why is that pool table inside a black void?  Revisit 1995 by way of 2003 with us in 'Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy,' a retelling of Austen's most beloved classic set in the world of the Latter Day Saints. An interesting concept with great potential that was squandered on bland modernization and some very (VERY) questionable character choices. We apologize for the abundance of swearing.    Pride and Prejudice is directed by Andrew Black and stars Kam Heskin and Orlando Seale

This week we stray slightly away from our formula to discuss 2013's 'Austenland,' in which Jane Seymour embraces her inner Lady Catherine and JJ Field makes us all swoon. Make no mistake, this is a very silly movie that nevertheless is a very clever poke at fan culture (particularly to all the Austen "purists" out there). Austenland stars Kerri Russell, JJ Field, Bret McKenzie, Jane Seymour and Jennifer Coolidge. Directed by Jerusha Hess Podcast Music by Nicolai Heidlas Podcast art by Josh Hollis

In this episode, Sammi and Beau take you back to a magical time: 1997, when Windows 95 and Ska ruled alike, and the preeminent adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma' was born in 'Clueless.' This is one of three or four Modernizations of Jane Austen's work that really manages to successfully translate into the modern era.  'Clueless' stars Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, and Stacey Dash. Directed by Amy Heckerling   Podcast Music by Nicolai Heidlas Podcast art by Josh Hollis