Getting a screenplay into production is notoriously tough. Writer Jack Barth came closer than most - scripting an episode of The Simpsons, and attracting the attention of Lord Puttnam at Columbia Pictures. He achieved his dream after 40 years in the business, when his script ‘Cover Version’ was optioned by Working Title.

But, as Jack explains in this interview with Olly, the journey from page to screen was not as he’d hoped. His script was adapted into Yesterday, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle. The movie made over $150m, but Jack never received another penny, and watched from the sidelines as Curtis’ publicity interviews for the film implied he’d never read Jack’s script. At a screening, Jack’s ‘Story By’ credit was “buried” in the closing titles.

• Jack’s script: https://bit.ly/3suH3Zt

• Richard Curtis on ‘In The Studio’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csz1ym

• Thanks to ‘The 237: Film School Podcast’: https://podfollow.com/1559372849/links

We have approached Richard Curtis for a response.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is investigating the world of non-fungible tokens by minting - and offering up for auction - the very first Modern Mann NFTs.

As is his wont, he’s taken to virtual reality to do it. Can he persaude a hardcore Mann-Fan to snap up his digital wares? What is the environmental cost of trading with Ethereum? And are NFTs a fad - or here to stay?

• Visit the virtual space Ollie set up at Spatial: https://bit.ly/3HIhTNw

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox investigates dating after divorce. At 40+, is it possible (or desirable) to leave the ‘baggage’ from your previous relationships at the door? Plus, she dishes out some advice for a listener considering experimenting with polyamory.

The Foxhole is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

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Our record of the month is ‘Holiday From Reality’, a soulful number from jazz powerhouse Poppy Ajudha.

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This episode is sponsored by:

• Pact, the speciality subscription coffee company. New customers get a free V60 filter kit (worth £11) when they sign up to a Pact plan at pactcoffee.com and enter MANN at checkout.

• Betterhelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform. Get 10% off your first month of affordable, private therapy at betterhelp.com/modernmann

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Get in touch with the show and buy us a beer via our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK And we’ll be back on March 10th.

Presenter: Olly Mann. Producer: Matt Hill: Contributors: Jack Barth, Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Poppy Ajudha. Thanks: Martin Law. Theme Music: Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. © Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.

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