Annabel Jankel
Director
Max Headroom (1987)
Specials
Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?
Released March 31, 1987
Episode 52 min
10+
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
Keywords: imdb.character-name-as-series-title, imdb.max-headroom-character, imdb.two-word-series-title, imdb.g4tv, imdb.one-liner, imdb.deadpan-comedy, imdb.news-satire + 29 more, imdb.pun, imdb.cult-tv, imdb.television-camera, imdb.television-reporter, imdb.based-on-commercial, imdb.female-hacker, imdb.computer-cracker, imdb.totalitarianism, imdb.media-landscape, imdb.pirate-broadcasting, imdb.future, imdb.reporter, imdb.television, imdb.karate, imdb.alternate-reality, imdb.television-producer, imdb.television-network, imdb.television-studio, imdb.rating, imdb.computer-animation, imdb.satire, imdb.cyberpunk, imdb.artificial-intelligence, imdb.satire-comedy, awards.emmy-award-winner, awards.emmy-award-nominated, imdb.artificial-intelligence-sci-fi, imdb.cyberpunk-sci-fi, imdb.dark-comedy
Watch Providers: Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Plex, Plex Channel
Network: ABC
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S0E1 - Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future
In the post-apocalyptic future where television sets are more important than food, TV ratings are the all important currency of the nation. A new technique of preventing viewers from channel surfing proves somewhat detrimental to particularly sedentary couch potatoes. The top studio becomes concerned: dead viewers make for low ratings. Edison Carter, top news reporter, is sent to find out more. After a motorcycle accident, his mind is preserved by wizz-kid Bryce and becomes his wise cracking, computer generated alter-ego: Max Headroom, who manages to boost ratings above those of any live hosts to date.
This made for TV movie was later remade (sanitized version) as the first episode of the series.
April 4, 1985, midnight
S0E2 - Live on Network 23: The Story of Max Headroom
The biography of Max Headroom, including interviews with creators George Stone, Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton, executive producer Peter Wagg, producer Brian Frankish and writers Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt.
S0E3 - Looking Back at the Future: A Cast Round Table
An intimate roundtable discussion including cast members Amanda Pays, Jeffrey Tambor, Concetta Tomei and Chris Young focusing on Max Headroom - the character, the series and beyond!
S0E4 - The Big-Time Blanks
Cast members Morgan Sheppard and Concetta Tomei reflect on Max Headroom and their lasting friendship over 20 years later.
S0E5 - The Science Behind the Fiction
Cocreator George Stone discusses real technology's place in the history of Max Headroom.
S0E6 - The Writers Remember
Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt explain the process of writing for Max Headroom.
S0E7 - Producing Dystopia
Brian Frankish recalls the trials and rewards of creating a world set 20 minutes into the future.
S0E8 - Karl-Lorimar Max Headroom Sweepstakes
When originally broadcast on British television, the one-hour Max Headroom TV movie was preceded by Max narrating an introduction teaser for a contest. After the movie, Max returned with the contest rules. These snippets were included on the original Lorimar videotape of the British movie.
S0E9 - Paranoimia Music Video by the Art of Noise
The Paranoimia music video from English synth-pop group The Art of Noise was a remix of an original song featured on the band's second album, "In Visible Silence." It was released in 1986 and featured Max Headroom.
S0E10 - Coke Commercial
As the global spokesperson for New Coke, Max Headroom made a series of commercials featuring the tagline, "Catch the Wave!"
S0E11 - Car Parts Commercial
S0E12 - Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future - Extended Cinemax Version
In the post-apocalyptic future where television sets are more important than food, TV ratings are the all important currency of the nation. A new technique of preventing viewers from channel surfing proves somewhat detrimental to particularly sedentary couch potatoes. The top studio becomes concerned: dead viewers make for low ratings. Edison Carter, top news reporter, is sent to find out more. After a motorcycle accident, his mind is preserved by wizz-kid Bryce and becomes his wise cracking, computer generated alter-ego: Max Headroom, who manages to boost ratings above those of any live hosts to date.
April 4, 1985, midnight
Network: ABC
Episode Runtime: 52 min.
Season Runtime: 731 min.
Released: March 31, 1987
Last Air Date: May 12, 1988, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-PG / 10+
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