As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of television, I find myself deeply moved by these stories that blur the lines between reality and entertainment. Each of these productions manages to capture the darker side of the medium, the relentless pressure, the manipulations, and the often tragic consequences for those involved.
For a medium dubbed the “idiot box,” television has long been the subject of a number of sharp, perceptive films, from Real Life (1979) to Nightcrawler (2014). Capturing the wild spirit of live TV, however, is a trickier matter. As opposed to the carefully controlled nature of film, it doesn’t have the luxury of editing or second takes. The pressure is intense. The timing needs to be precise. The performers have just one shot to get it right.
Many movies centered around live television often serve as reflections of solitude, showing performers and presenters who entertain audiences on stage, only to struggle in their personal lives. Although they are under the spotlight, it raises the question: Who’s there to care for them? These films, with a lighter tone, juxtapose the polished, planned aspects of the broadcast against the disorder behind-the-scenes. They advocate breaking free from the script, promoting spontaneity, and most importantly, enjoying the experience. Remember, these performers have only one chance to shine.
Over this weekend, we’ve got the release of “Saturday Night“, a film that reenacts the final 90 minutes before NBC’s original premiere of “Saturday Night Live“. Here is a list of 13 must-watch films showcasing live television, arranged based on their tension level:
13.
UHF (1989)
The TV experience has never been as liberated, entertaining, and whimsical as it is now, especially when unconventional George Newman (played by “Weird Al” Yankovic) takes over the local station his uncle won. Facing low viewership and financial troubles, this comedy series is brimming with such quirky exuberance that its challenges almost disappear amidst the jokes. Run by a group of misfits who are down on their luck, the channel’s weaknesses transform into strengths: The fact that it’s barely watched enables George to broadcast personalized messages to his girlfriend; the untrained anchor (Fran Drescher) comes across as more relatable.
12.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qN-_cZNDy0w
According to director Adam McKay, in the ’70s, Kodiak bears and female news anchors were the biggest threats to male news anchors. The film Anchorman replaces the competitive storyline common in similar films with a gender conflict, where an immature group of men clashes with a new hire who effortlessly navigates their sexism with the calm confidence of someone who’s been there before. Beneath its crass humor and trivial silliness lies a biting satire about a woman striving to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Mishaps at rival news stations, teleprompter malfunctions, and squabbling co-anchors who need to present a united front on-air are all used as comedic material to mock male reporters who seem uninterested in their jobs but are overly self-important.
11.
My Favorite Year (1982)
In the delightful comedy “My Favorite Year”, we follow a writer who finds himself in an extraordinary situation – working with his idol, the matinee idol Alan Swann, played by the wittily hilarious Peter O’Toole. Unlike the saying that one should never meet their heroes, this experience turns out to be quite the opposite for our protagonist. Alan Swann is not just a charismatic and earthy guide, but also a source of insightful life and love advice. However, his wisdom comes amidst episodes of drunkenness, public misconduct, and near-death experiences.
10.
Late Night With the Devil (2023)
If the idea is that success in showbiz demands giving up your soul, then the movie Late Night With the Devil humorously embodies this deal. Set within a live broadcast of a ’70s fictional late-night show, our charming host, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), delivers more laughter than fear. The suspense lies in determining if the frequent studio blackouts and exaggerated guest performances are indicators of supernatural forces or clever staging. However, behind the scenes, we discover the mounting pressures such as low ratings and sponsorship issues that Jack grapples with. Despite his best efforts to revive his career, it becomes apparent that he might be signing the audience’s death warrant instead. Yet, for a film about a TV host trying to rebuild his career while inadvertently dooming his viewers, Late Night With the Devil is darkly amusing – the switch to a “station difficulties” intertitle after an on-air demonic possession is an understatement if there ever was one.
9.
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
In a chilling and disheartening way, the film “A Face in the Crowd” still feels relevant today due to its portrayal of a TV personality who amasses significant influence over the public, potentially determining the nation’s political fate. This idea should resonate with you. The movie focuses on the unsettling truth about television: a host may make their audience believe they are understood and cared for, but in doing so, they hide their true self from them. As the character “Lonesome” Rhodes (played by Andy Griffith) gains popularity, his remaining decency slips away, leaving behind a persona that is as fake as the products he peddles. Characters in the film comment on our ability to eventually recognize such charlatans. However, the question remains: how much harm will we allow them to inflict before we take notice?
8.
Broadcast News (1987)
In the suspenseful world of broadcast journalism, a single bead of sweat hangs precariously over a news anchor’s career, poised to slide down just as a crucial story is about to air. As an assistant nervously clutches a vital tape moments before the live broadcast, the tension builds with her rapid, anxious breathing that echoes labor pains, symbolizing the importance of the impending delivery. The film “Broadcast News” beautifully portrays the intense pressures and excitement of a newsroom while showcasing the central character’s internal struggle – a talented producer (Holly Hunter) who possesses an acute understanding of what makes each broadcast stand out but fails to apply the same mindfulness to her personal life, torn between a man she admires but is not drawn to and one she finds attractive but lacks respect for.
7.
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the chilling echoes of McCarthyism permeating through the monochrome frames of ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’. The cinematography mirrors the TV screens of the era, yet it serves a deeper purpose – thematically reflecting CBS anchor Edward R. Murrow’s (David Strathairn) belief that not every tale warrants a gray spectrum. When Murrow courageously confronts Senator Joseph McCarthy’s questionable methods of unearthing Communists, the tension escalates with each subsequent broadcast.
6.
Network (1976)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=_RujOFCHsxo
In the movie ‘Network’, every aspect – careers, relationships, individuals – are governed by the strict rules of live television. This profession can be callous, as seen when an anchor is repeatedly hired and fired throughout the film, while simultaneously demanding absolute control over its employees’ minds. A programming chief, for instance, cannot break away from work even during a romantic vacation, interrupting kisses, strolls on the beach, meals, and intimate moments.
5.
The Truman Show (1998)
In the movie “The Truman Show,” the main character, Truman Burbank, portrayed by Jim Carrey, finds himself living in a world where reality is nothing more than a carefully crafted television production. His life is so staged that his birth was globally televised, and his death would make for a fitting finale. The townspeople he interacts with daily are all actors, following scripts and choreographed actions to maintain the illusion of normalcy. This setup requires meticulous planning and rehearsals, as even minor events must be plotted out in advance to keep Truman from discovering the truth. Despite being surrounded by friends who feign interest and strangers genuinely invested in his life, Truman is trapped. The film portrays his struggle against this manipulation, and it’s satisfying when he finally escapes from his controlled existence.
4.
Ghostwatch (1992)
A 1992 mockumentary titled “Ghostwatch,” which was presented as a live broadcast, aimed to gather proof of a poltergeist residing in a Northolt, England home. This program has retained its chilling impact over the years. In the beginning, it uses casual banter among reporters to create a relaxed atmosphere, even allowing them to play pranks on each other. However, its true strength lies in its gradual build-up of suspense, particularly when sisters Suzanne (Michelle Wesson) and Kim (Cherise Wesson) recount their ghostly experiences with an unsettling childlike innocence.
3.
The Hunger Games (2012)
The inspiration for author Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series, where 24 children battle to survive on live television, stemmed from her frequent shifts between reality shows and Iraq War footage, creating a harsh juxtaposition that the movie transforms into the intense show of youngsters fighting for their survival. In the arena, surviving becomes a form of entertainment and storytelling is the means to avoid starvation. Director Gary Ross skillfully portrays levels of tension beyond what slick live broadcasts and cheery commentary could ever convey – rapid cuts and shaky camerawork reflect the disorienting nature of the experience, while the loud ringing after an explosion adds a nerve-wracking edge. As Liam Hemsworth’s character Gale notes, “If no one watches, there is no game,” but the unsettling reality of The Hunger Games is that they simply can’t look away.
2.
Christine (2016)
In the movie titled “Christine,” there’s an ominous tone set right from the start, making viewers uneasy if they are familiar with the real-life story. The character portrayed by Rebecca Hall is a reporter who is acutely aware of her every move and expression, fearing she might seem too empathetic or forced. The job demands even more from her, as she battles to boost ratings, with the harsh motto “if it bleeds, it leads” reflecting this struggle. Hall delivers an intense performance that mirrors a pressure cooker about to explode. She’s constantly stressed, with a constant stomachache and slumped posture at her desk. The scenes leading up to her on-air suicide are surprisingly calm yet unbearably tense and heartbreaking. Watching “Christine” is like experiencing anxiety but also feeling sadness for a woman who dedicated her career to highlighting others’ lives, only to feel invisible in her own.
1.
The Contestant (2023)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=wSJWxOn2pi0
The highs of reality TV come from watching strangers hit rock bottom, and in 1998, 30 million people tuned in to watch an oblivious man at his lowest on the Japanese show Susunu! Denpa Shōnen. The line between reality-show contestant and human experiment becomes frighteningly porous as Tomoaki Hamatsu is stripped naked, confined to an apartment, and left to survive on only the food he wins through sweepstakes. The canned laugh track and cutesy graphics are horrific packaging for a show about a man who might just succumb to death or depression. The cruelties he’s subjected to for entertainment’s sake render any promises the producers make him suspicious, a frequent source of tension the documentary about the show taps into. Hamatsu’s experience is a searing indictment of the manipulations of reality TV — he is simultaneously in millions of homes and yet utterly alone.
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2024-10-10 21:54