Plots and Proposals BBC Alan Rickman – a P&P Parody?

The supposed Pride and Prejudice parody, Plots and Proposals, is a funny sketch I stumbled on a while ago. It was originally broadcast in the UK on Christmas Day 2000 as a christmas special of ‘Victoria Wood with all the trimmings’ and has been broadcast for the last three christmases in the UK. With all the gorgeous set design and extras, it’s as good as it comes with the BBC hallmark quality but with a Blackadder-esque sense of humour attached. Written by Victoria Wood, and directed by John Birkin, the wordy screenplay is no doubt enjoyable for any Janeite.

Omid Djalili’s Pride and Racial Prejudice

If you want a giggle, you’ve come to the right place. From the Omid Djalili show a few years ago comes a sketch entitled “Pride and Racial Prejudice” a hilarious take on courtship, ethnicity and felafel.  It’s a light hearted chuckle at Jane Austen, manners and British sensibilities such as the stiff upper lip as well- so don’t take it too seriously.

Pride and Promiscuity, The Lost Sex Scenes of Jane Austen by Arielle Eckstut

‘Let us talk… about the weather… I am rather partial to all things wet, Miss Bennet.  It makes going inside all the more pleasant.’- Mr. Darcy

Eckstut’s 2001 novella is a well-written parody.  However, my compliments stop here.  What is an amusing tribute to Jane Austen’s work in a fresh, quirky way, quickly becomes a one-part-pornography-one-part-erotic-fiction disaster that leaves you feeling a little nauseous.  Indeed, I put the challenge to anyone to read it without blushing. 

Pride And Prejudice And Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen

Quite frankly I was disappointed with this book.  Granted, it isn’t meant to be serious, but it was not so much a parody as it was the original with “accomplished” changed to “Kung-fu master” and a few random passages about the undead shoved in.  He does give Austen credit by putting her name next to his, but I have a feeling she would turn in her grave if she read it.  It is rather funny at stages though, and I did like the part where Lizzy shows off to Lady Catherine.  I also loved the illustrations provided, as they gave it a bit more comic-value and made the cover charge a little bit more worth it- although it’s already a measly 13 bucks so I can’t complain.  I can also see the benefit in introducing someone who isn’t the biggest 18th/19th century fan, or reader of the regency classics, to this book first before full-on P&P.  

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

Mr Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

This “What if?” sequel is a great addition to your bookshelf… just don’t take it too seriously.  It is written neither with the flair, ability or wit of Austen, and the storyline itself is not only implausible, illogical for the era in which it was written and at odds with what is already known about the characters, but it pulls at straws often to keep the story going.  However, with that being said, it’s a really new and interesting take on the P&P storyline and if you can read it without critiquing you may even enjoy it as a pithy beach read.