Good Omens

Apache · 02-05-2019, 07:34 PM

Anyone else excited about the release of BBC 2 and Amazon's Good Omens? Once I know the release date I plan to reread it, again, right before it is broadcast.
https://youtu.be/2ZSXlNRRoGU
Apache

Sirtel · 02-05-2019, 11:04 PM

Can't say I'm awfully excited (I'm not a huge fan of Pratchett), but I did add it to my watchlist and certainly intend to watch it. As to the book, I'm pretty sure I've read it years ago, but regrettably remember almost nothing.

gmw · 02-06-2019, 06:29 AM

Not sure excited describes my reaction. Cautiously optimistic is probably better, the shorts look promising.

HarryT · 02-06-2019, 06:40 AM

I remember enjoying the book when I read it many years ago, so I'm interested to see what the TV adaptation's like, but "interest" is as far as it goes

.

There have been some excellent BBC adaptations of books in the last few years (John Le Carre's "The Night Manager" and China Miéville's "The City and the City" are two that spring to mind) so I am optimistic.

patrickt · 02-06-2019, 07:30 AM

I won't be buying a television for this but I did get the book for my Kindle. It will be the next book I read.

Apache · 02-06-2019, 11:09 AM

One reason I am looking forward to this is because I think the British do a better job bringing a book to life on the screen.
Apache

HarryT · 02-06-2019, 12:06 PM

I think that one of the reasons for that is that here, when a book is adapted for TV, it's a self-contained adaptation in 6 episodes (or whatever). My impression is that US TV wants to milk the property for all it's worth and plans 10 seasons of 26 episodes each (and then cancels it after the first season

).

Apache · 02-06-2019, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think that one of the reasons for that is that here, when a book is adapted for TV, it's a self-contained adaptation in 6 episodes (or whatever). My impression is that US TV wants to milk the property for all it's worth and plans 10 seasons of 26 episodes each (and then cancels it after the first season

).

You hit the Nail on the Head. I find most British adaptations, especially mysteries, to have much tighter writing and tend to be better at casting actors for the parts.

Apache

Tarana · 02-06-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think that one of the reasons for that is that here, when a book is adapted for TV, it's a self-contained adaptation in 6 episodes (or whatever). My impression is that US TV wants to milk the property for all it's worth and plans 10 seasons of 26 episodes each (and then cancels it after the first season

).

One can never figure out what the TV executives are doing. They replaced mediocre programming with reality tv, cancelled good shows because they weren't instant hits and change the time slot of a good show to kill it off. I haven't watched broadcast TV in years, although I appreciate that I can watch Netflix and see some of the good ones later on.

I just bought a year membership on Acorn (BBC shows on Roku) for my Mom and she's in seventh heaven. We do get confused how they mark series though.

Related to the original topic, however, I finally got the audio for Good Omens, so will have a chance to hear it. I read that it is standalone from the Diskworld at the stage I'm at, so doesn't matter that I'm only up to book 25.

DiapDealer · 02-06-2019, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

We do get confused how they mark series though.

That's easy to keep straight. British series = U.S. season.

GlennD · 02-06-2019, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

You hit the Nail on the Head. I find most British adaptations, especially mysteries, to have much tighter writing and tend to be better at casting actors for the parts.

Apache

It's changing a bit though. I think the success of shorter series and seasons on HBO/Showtime and streaming services is having an impact. US companies do tend to adapt a book series rather than trying to directly transfer the book to the screen. I'm thinking of series like Longmire and Justified, which were based on their respective books but told different stories. Game of Thrones and Outlander are two current US shows that are well done transfers of the story from the book, maybe they'll start a trend.

(Of course, WAY back in the day, US TV networks would do miniseries that were book-to-screen, like Roots and Shogun)

ElspethB · 02-06-2019, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

Not sure excited describes my reaction. Cautiously optimistic is probably better, the shorts look promising.

Another cautious optimist here.

I read the book about 15 years ago and remember enjoying it immensely. In preparation for the BBC2/Amazon adaptation, I've been listening to the audiobook. As I mentioned on the "What are we listening to" thread, I still enjoy the material, but I've been sadly disappointed in Martin Jarvis, the narrator.

Anyway, the miniseries looks like it could be fun. We'll see...

Barty · 02-06-2019, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I remember enjoying the book when I read it many years ago, so I'm interested to see what the TV adaptation's like, but "interest" is as far as it goes

.

There have been some excellent BBC adaptations of books in the last few years (John Le Carre's "The Night Manager" and China Miéville's "The City and the City" are two that spring to mind) so I am optimistic.

Did you see The Little Drummer Girl adaptation? I think that was a BBC co production. I have no idea how it compares to the book but it was superb and stylish.

JSWolf · 02-06-2019, 04:03 PM

The recently run BBC adaption of Les Misérables is excellent. It's a full 6 episodes and it is not a musical. It really tells the story very well.

Not all US book adaptions are poor. Sharp Objects was another excellent book adaptation.

The Handmaid's Tale is still very good even though it goes beyond the book.

Under the Dome was OK, but it ran too long.

11/22/63 is an excellent adaption.

Roots was excellent.

The problem as I see it is if the program goes too long and loses it's way. There have been a number of mini-series based on books in the US that have been good.

What I don't get is why UK TV seasons are so short. 6-10 episodes and that's it.

As for Good Omens, I am really looking forward to seeing it. The trailer looks quite good. Plus it's a really good book.

gmw · 02-06-2019, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

[...] Related to the original topic, however, I finally got the audio for Good Omens, so will have a chance to hear it. I read that it is standalone from the Diskworld at the stage I'm at, so doesn't matter that I'm only up to book 25.

Good Omens nothing whatsoever to do with Discworld (or anything else) - so it will not interfere with your progress.

02-05-2019, 07:34 PM	#1
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,132 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	Good Omens Anyone else excited about the release of BBC 2 and Amazon's Good Omens? Once I know the release date I plan to reread it, again, right before it is broadcast. https://youtu.be/2ZSXlNRRoGU Apache

02-06-2019, 06:40 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I remember enjoying the book when I read it many years ago, so I'm interested to see what the TV adaptation's like, but "interest" is as far as it goes . There have been some excellent BBC adaptations of books in the last few years (John Le Carre's "The Night Manager" and China Miéville's "The City and the City" are two that spring to mind) so I am optimistic. Last edited by HarryT; 02-06-2019 at 06:43 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
good screen, good/custom fonts, just works?	grimborg	Which one should I buy?	9	01-07-2012 04:36 PM
The omens are upon us....	Riocaz	Sony Reader	10	03-20-2009 07:52 PM
Good Omens: Has Anyone Seen It?	Mindy	Reading Recommendations	13	08-20-2008 01:40 PM

02-05-2019, 11:04 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,045 Karma: 224450762 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Can't say I'm awfully excited (I'm not a huge fan of Pratchett), but I did add it to my watchlist and certainly intend to watch it. As to the book, I'm pretty sure I've read it years ago, but regrettably remember almost nothing.

02-06-2019, 06:29 AM	#3
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	Not sure excited describes my reaction. Cautiously optimistic is probably better, the shorts look promising.

02-06-2019, 07:30 AM	#5
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	I won't be buying a television for this but I did get the book for my Kindle. It will be the next book I read.

02-06-2019, 11:09 AM	#6
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,132 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	One reason I am looking forward to this is because I think the British do a better job bringing a book to life on the screen. Apache

02-06-2019, 12:06 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think that one of the reasons for that is that here, when a book is adapted for TV, it's a self-contained adaptation in 6 episodes (or whatever). My impression is that US TV wants to milk the property for all it's worth and plans 10 seasons of 26 episodes each (and then cancels it after the first season ).

02-06-2019, 04:03 PM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,858 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The recently run BBC adaption of Les Misérables is excellent. It's a full 6 episodes and it is not a musical. It really tells the story very well. Not all US book adaptions are poor. Sharp Objects was another excellent book adaptation. The Handmaid's Tale is still very good even though it goes beyond the book. Under the Dome was OK, but it ran too long. 11/22/63 is an excellent adaption. Roots was excellent. The problem as I see it is if the program goes too long and loses it's way. There have been a number of mini-series based on books in the US that have been good. What I don't get is why UK TV seasons are so short. 6-10 episodes and that's it. As for Good Omens, I am really looking forward to seeing it. The trailer looks quite good. Plus it's a really good book.

Advert

Advert