"Max Headroom" (1987) TV series 1987-1988

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Directors:

Janet Greek
Victor Lobl

Writers:

Howard Brookner (writer)
David G.B. Brown (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

31 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

In the near future, an intrepid investigative TV reporter does his job with the help of his colleagues and a computerized version of himself.

Plot Keywords:

Television | Totalitarianism | Television Flop | Cyberpunk | Artificial Intelligence

Awards:

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Matt Frewer	...	Edison Carter / ... (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Amanda Pays	...	Theora Jones (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Chris Young	...	Bryce Lynch (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Murray (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
George Coe	...	Ben Cheviot (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Lee Wilkof	...	Edwards (14 episodes, 1987-1988)
William Morgan Sheppard	...	Blank Reg (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Concetta Tomei	...	Blank Dominique (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Virginia Kiser	...	Mrs. Formby (6 episodes, 1987)

Also Known As:

Max Headroom: 20 Minutes Into the Future (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

60 min (14 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L (season 1)

Company:

Chrysalis/Lakeside

Trivia:

Exactly when the story is meant to be set is an open question. However in the original (Channel 4) "pilot" we are told that Bryce is 18 years old, and his records indicate that he was born in 1987, meaning the story is taking place in 2004.

Quotes:

Edison Carter: What happened to the old religions?
Murray: I don't know. Television killed it. We have better miracles.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#26.26)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Jesus and the Airlock

The "future" of media that has now become real

I happened on the "Max Headroom: 20 minutes into the future" film on the cable channel Cinemax by accident in 1986 or so. The story, the setting, and the characters drew me in and I was blown away. Then I found out ABC would be doing a version with 3 of the main characters from the UK film - Matt Frewer, Amanda Pays, and William Morgan Sheppard as "Blank Reg".

While the ABC version was a good copy, like any copy, it just wasn't the same. The UK film, talk show, and ABC version spawned Max as a celebrity. He was everywhere including being a pitchman for Coke.

If you want the best "Max Headroom" experience, see the 1985 UK film. But if they ever broadcast the ABC series, see it.

What is ironic is that the motivation for the evil deeds of the corporate owners of Network 23 is what did in this series. It was put up against ratings giants "Dallas" and "Miami Vice" and canceled midway through their only season.