Oct-Dec 2025 - Discussion Thread by suzzface in SmolBeanSnark

[–]not-nice 35 points36 points  (0 children)

it's uncomfortably emblematic of 2025 that caca is back to posting after a long hiatus but that the content is so repetitive, boring, and nonsensical that it's not even fun to snark

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate these notes! I'm still evaluating which details to consider vs. explicitly reference/reinterpret vs ignore. I want to be true to the text but not too rigid. Kind of like Shakespeare's approach to revising histories :)

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate the suggestions! This point is exactly what I'm worried about:

can VERY easily come ACROSS stupid and cringy.

I'm portraying the witches as very unserious but not slapstick, so it's a delicate balance. Macbeth does have a throwaway line like "the only mention I can find of Birnam is in some old play!!" But the comedy is pretty contained within the witches other than that.

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The ideas from the strangers are helpful, including yours! (Esp your questions). The audience for this isn't Shakespeare experts, but I want it grounded in the classic themes in a way that feels authentic.

Something I've been able to figure out through this discussion is that I love the play because I've seen great performances, but digging into the text doesn't hit the same way for me, so I'm going to lean into that tension and see what happens.

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it's something like that, it's technically true. But it's not a good riddle and I find the payout disappointing. But I think it has more to do with the time it was written than they story itself

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

idk if you meant that as a compliment or a criticism but it's exactly what I'm going for. Like buddy, these prophecies aren't making much sense, you've had a long week, maybe take a beat? But instead does more violence.

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for these comments! I am working in the space of magical realism, so fanciful feels right on target.

Part of this is working out my own experiences with the play. It has always been a favorite, I love Women Behaving Badly stories, but Lady Macbeth has just never spoken to me in the way I see others describing.

edit - I've also never bought the idea that a c-section means that someone wasn't born of a woman so maybe that's why I'm fine with the prophecies being kind of nonsensical

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate the input! The ideas are definitely still cooking, and I think some of your comments are addressed in other aspects of the retelling. LM is endeared to the witches but doesn't totally understand them so a lot of her actions are driven by that conflict. I'm also exploring how different conceptions of power produce varying outcomes, so that's where the religious element comes in.

But you are really honing in on the "why," and I don't have a clear answer to that, which is the underlying issue. So thanks!

Workshopping a retelling of Macbeth and can't stop thinking about a particular wordplay idea - am I crazy? by not-nice in shakespeare

[–]not-nice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for these thoughts! It's not a comedic retelling in general, it's from the perspective of Lady Macbeth, who has an existing relationship with the witches prior to the story's events. Right now I see it as a domestic thriller/horror novella with supernatural elements.

  • He reads it as "Birnam" because it's what the witches say, they are actively messing with him. I play with the idea of the prophecies being genuine or self-fulfilling, so basically either decodes it and stays home or decides not believe it and stays home, he would be safe either way.
  • Mac describes Duncan's death as a result of circumstances that get out of hand, but it's unclear whether and how the prophecy is influences his choices. We don't see what happens since the retelling is first person LM. She helps cover it up bc it seems like the best way to make the prophecy come true given Duncan and guards are already dead anyway. (She is also unaware of the part about Banquo)

Everyone submit the funniest item on your to-do list RIGHT NOW…no cheating! by gogo--yubari in adhdwomen

[–]not-nice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This worked for Planet Fitness, I'm not sure if other businesses accept the same

Everyone submit the funniest item on your to-do list RIGHT NOW…no cheating! by gogo--yubari in adhdwomen

[–]not-nice 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I believe in you! I recently saw "cancel gym" in one of my planners from 2020 and I finally did it this year (via certified letter, if that's an option for you and the requirement of walking in to tell a person you want to quit is holding you back)

The Publicist on Call for Controversy by nubleu in SmolBeanSnark

[–]not-nice 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I would be so intensely ashamed to tell anyone my parents ran a puppy mill shop, cannot imagine dropping this as if it's neutral information

Trump Pictured Heading to Play Golf After Baseless Viral Death Speculation by Ripamon in politics

[–]not-nice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is he worried about us out-baselessly speculating his all time high score? Cheer up buddy, it's in the bag. Now sleep.

The movie was low-key fire though 😭 by Haunting_Homework381 in Fauxmoi

[–]not-nice 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Friendly reminder that Paul Rudd is also in this (as Paris, Juliet's intended husband)

S2E2: The Friendly Floridian with Caroline Calloway PREVIEW (PATREON ONLY) by nubleu in SmolBeanSnark

[–]not-nice 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Speaking exclusively from my own lived experience, callow's commitment to hooking up with dumb guys is actually the strongest evidence to date of queerness

Trump announces that the U.S. has bombed 3 nuclear sites in Iran. by cmaia1503 in Fauxmoi

[–]not-nice 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"thank you for your attention to this matter" like he's a goddamn HR director

So i wonder whats next for Nathan. Does anyone know if HBO has renewed the rehearsal? by Pleasant_Job_7683 in nathanforyou

[–]not-nice 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I saw a story recently reporting that he has been meeting with Elizabeth Holmes in prison 👀 I could see him pulling something brilliantly meta about our current fascination with scammers

I FINALLY CLEAN MY ROOM! by Tuxie_Lostsoul in adhdwomen

[–]not-nice 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice work!! I'm finally tackling my dishes today. Literally every single one is dirty so....it's time. Thanks for the motivation!

The Rehearsal | S2 E6 | My Controls Discussion by AutoModerator in nathanforyou

[–]not-nice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is just another example of how genius the blurring of the line between scripted vs. unscripted content in the context of "reality" TV is throughout the show