Network (1976) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-05

[00:00:11]Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel. My name is TBR Schmidt and this is my wife Samantha.

[00:00:16]>> Hello.

[00:00:16]>> And today we are watching Network. What do you know about this movie Network?

[00:00:23]Uh, so we are watching this as kind of I think it was the runner up in our Robert Duval poll.

[00:00:31]>> It could have been the runnerup. It's also just been recommended a thousand times.

[00:00:35]>> Yeah, especially with the Robert Duval poll. We watched Deep Impact as the winner, which was so great. But I think a lot of people wanted something that he was like a little bit more prevalent in.

[00:00:46]>> Yeah. And I'm not quite sure if he's more prevalent in this or not, >> but at least now that's two Robert Duval movies equals one at least.

[00:00:56]>> All right, that's how we're looking at it.

[00:00:58]>> So, I don't 100% know what this movie is about. I think it's about scamminess of like media.

[00:01:06]>> Yeah, cuz we just watched quiz show and then we were like, oh, we're also watching network soon. So, we saw some comments to be like, oh, that kind of is fitting. So, I don't know if it's like scamminess of the media or lying or if it's like another kind of case or if it's a true story or what. Like, I really don't know what. I just assume it's based in like the television world.

[00:01:30]>> Yes. Yeah. But I'm super excited to watch this.

[00:01:33]>> Yeah. I think there was also some big actors and director and stuff like that attached to this. It's all blanking for me right now. I think this is going to be a great movie.

[00:01:42]>> Yeah. So, if you'd like to see the full length reaction for this as well as everything else that we've reacted to, the link to our Patreon is in the description. If you would like to interact with us on any other types of social media, all those links are in the description as well. And with that, let's get into the movie.

[00:01:55]>> In 1969, however, his fortunes began to decline. The following year, his wife died and he was left a childless widower with an eight rating and a 12 share.

[00:02:04]>> Damn.

[00:02:05]>> And on September 22nd, 1975, he was fired. The two old friends got properly pissed.

[00:02:14]I jump out of bed. Take me to the middle of the George Washington Bridge. He says, "Don't do it, buddy.

[00:02:24]>> You got your whole life ahead of you."

[00:02:27]Did I ever tell you that one before?

[00:02:30]>> They did get pissed.

[00:02:32]>> I'm going to kill myself.

[00:02:34]>> Oh, okay. Don't do it. 50 share easy.

[00:02:38]>> You think so? We can make a series out of it. Suicide of the week.

[00:02:44]>> It's a way to look at it.

[00:02:46]>> Suicides, mad bombers, mafia hit men.

[00:02:50]>> Fear cells.

[00:02:51]>> Great Sunday night show for the whole family. Wiped [ __ ] Disney right off the air.

[00:03:03]>> UBS.

[00:03:05]>> I think it's who he the company. Was it?

[00:03:09]>> The movie started at 100. I couldn't even keep up. Oh, Fay Dunaway.

[00:03:13]>> Let's do the Linen deportation at the end of three. I'm strong enough to bump.

[00:03:17]>> That's name sounds familiar. Also, >> gun control, Patty Hurst affidavit, Gorillas and Chad, OPEC, Indiana.

[00:03:24]>> I'm going to have to look up all of these names cuz they all look familiar.

[00:03:27]And he looks familiar. Just 20 years younger maybe.

[00:03:33]>> Sydney. How do you say that?

[00:03:36]>> Lume.

[00:03:37]Sydney Lumé.

[00:03:42]>> So he's being fired in two weeks, right?

[00:03:44]>> Yeah.

[00:03:46]>> Howard, >> ladies and gentlemen, that I will be retiring from this program in two weeks time.

[00:03:51]>> Retiring >> since this show was the only thing I had going for me in my life, I have decided to kill myself.

[00:03:58]>> Is this really happening?

[00:04:00]>> A week from today.

[00:04:01]>> 10 seconds to commercial.

[00:04:04]That should give the public relations people a week to promote the show. We ought to get a hell of a rating out of that.

[00:04:10]>> 50 share. Easy.

[00:04:12]>> Take.

[00:04:13]>> Did that happen?

[00:04:14]>> Yeah, I'm >> And no one was paying attention.

[00:04:16]>> Howard just said he was going to kill himself next Tuesday.

[00:04:19]>> What do you mean Howard just said he was going to kill himself?

[00:04:21]>> Is nobody listening?

[00:04:23]>> You guys are terrible at your job.

[00:04:25]>> He said next Tuesday I'm going to shoot myself. What the hell's going on?

[00:04:29]>> Fire all of these people.

[00:04:31]>> What the [ __ ] going on, Har? Want to know what the [ __ ] is going on? Howard, >> we're back on in 11 seconds.

[00:04:38]>> 11 seconds.

[00:04:40]>> Howard, what the hell are you doing?

[00:04:41]Have you flipped or what? I >> think we better get him off.

[00:04:43]>> Get him off.

[00:04:46]>> Stupid son of A [ __ ] HE'S GOING OUTSIDE. WE'RE IN [ __ ] TROUBLE DOWN HERE.

[00:04:56]>> OKAY, so is this just a straight comedy?

[00:04:58]>> How am I going to >> Every TV station and wire service in the city. I can barely get in.

[00:05:03]>> Not so far.

[00:05:04]>> Yeah. How many spots?

[00:05:05]>> There's like a very famous meme of this guy getting arrested and they can't get I forgot what he says, but they can't get him into the car. And that's just that scene reminded me of that of like everyone around him and he's like, "How [ __ ] dare you?"

[00:05:18]>> All right, everybody hold it. Let's see how the other networks handle this.

[00:05:22]>> 10:00 news opened with it.

[00:05:24]>> Opened with it.

[00:05:25]>> Howard Beal interrupted his network news program tonight to announce that he was going to kill himself.

[00:05:32]We've got a stockholders meeting tomorrow at which we're going to announce the restructuring of management plan and I don't want this grotesque incident to interfere with that.

[00:05:40]>> I feel like you guys just got amazing ratings.

[00:05:42]>> Keep your hands off my news division, Frank. We're responsible to corporate level, not you.

[00:05:47]>> We'll goddamn well see about that.

[00:05:49]>> All right, take it easy.

[00:05:51]>> Oh, damn.

[00:05:52]>> How hard you're going to spend the night with me at my place? Bound to be press around yours.

[00:05:56]>> That was hilarious.

[00:05:58]>> That was wild. that just nobody was listening.

[00:06:02]>> No wonder ratings are down. No one pays attention to their job.

[00:06:05]>> Have Lester cover the CIA hearings.

[00:06:07]>> Lay for your screening, Max.

[00:06:08]>> Right. Okay.

[00:06:09]>> How come nobody actually cares about this man's well-being?

[00:06:12]>> Yeah, right.

[00:06:13]>> Max your marker. God damn it. When, Louise, Howard Beal left my house about 20 minutes ago. Has he come in yet?

[00:06:20]Well, let me know when he arrives. Huh?

[00:06:21]>> What are you up to, Howard?

[00:06:23]>> And they themselves actually took movies of the ripoff while they were ripping it off.

[00:06:27]>> Patty Hurst.

[00:06:28]>> No, no, no. That's the symbion liberation army.

[00:06:31]>> What the [ __ ] >> They're the ones who kidnapped Maryanne Gford 3 weeks. There's a hell of a lot of liberation armies in the revolutionary underground and a lot of kidnapped errors.

[00:06:39]>> What is this? One battle after another.

[00:06:42]>> You mean they actually shot this film while they were ripping off the bank?

[00:06:45]>> Is this real?

[00:06:47]>> This is terrific stuff. That's what I was wondering.

[00:06:50]>> Come on, make some brief farewell statement. 11 years at this network, Max, I have some standing.

[00:06:56]>> I just don't want to go out like a clown. I want him.

[00:06:59]>> You and Harry can check the copy.

[00:07:01]>> I think it'll take the strain off the show, Max.

[00:07:03]>> Yeah, but I kind of want him to just >> Well, it depends what he's doing.

[00:07:07]>> I want him to say it again.

[00:07:11]>> No booze.

[00:07:14]>> I wasn't lying. I got to do it.

[00:07:17]>> I just saw some rough footage of a special Bill's doing on the revolution under pig jackets muttering mutilated Marxism.

[00:07:23]>> What was that sentence?

[00:07:25]I think we can get a hell of a movie of the week out of it. Maybe even a series.

[00:07:29]>> A series out of what? What are we talking about?

[00:07:31]>> Got a bunch of hobgoblin radicals.

[00:07:34]>> Maybe they'll take movies of themselves kidnapping aes um hijacking 747s, bombing bridges.

[00:07:40]>> Oh wow.

[00:07:42]>> With that authentic footage, hire a couple of writers to write some story behind that footage and we've got ourselves a series.

[00:07:47]>> Turn it into a show.

[00:07:49]>> Bank robbing gorillas.

[00:07:50]>> That's what we were talking about earlier.

[00:07:52]>> Hour.

[00:07:53]>> Oh [ __ ] Why not? I She looks so familiar, but I think she's from Two and a Half Men.

[00:07:57]>> I was going to say that >> the second she started talking.

[00:08:00]>> Look, I sent you all a concept analysis report yesterday. Did any of you read it?

[00:08:05]>> God damn. Does anyone do their jobs here?

[00:08:07]>> Well, since I took this job 6 months ago that I want angry shows. I don't want conventional programming on this network. I want counterculture. I want anti-establishment.

[00:08:16]>> Okay, I we have the perfect man for this. The next time I send an audience research report around, you'd all better read it or I'll sack the [ __ ] lot of you. Is that clear?

[00:08:25]>> Yeah. Hell yeah.

[00:08:27]>> In uh four weeks, can you set up a meeting with Lraine Hobbs for me?

[00:08:30]>> Sure.

[00:08:31]>> But the business of management, >> there's so much going on.

[00:08:35]>> The division producing the lowest rate of return has been the news division with its $98 million budget.

[00:08:41]>> Whoa.

[00:08:42]>> The new plan calls for local news to be transferred to owned stations divisions.

[00:08:49]Yeah.

[00:08:51]>> News division would be reduced from an independent division to a department accountable to network.

[00:08:56]>> Uhoh. Network.

[00:08:59]>> What was that all about, Ed? Why wasn't I told about this?

[00:09:02]>> You just blindsided him.

[00:09:04]>> If you're trying to get me to resign, that's one hell of a way to do it. Talk about this tomorrow at our regular morning meeting.

[00:09:09]>> Yeah. What the [ __ ] Go on air. Say you're going to shoot yourself.

[00:09:14]>> 11.

[00:09:15]>> Roll VTA. Ready? Now, >> are they actually paying attention now?

[00:09:19]>> Maybe.

[00:09:21]>> Do something insane.

[00:09:22]>> Yesterday, I announced on this program that I was going to commit public suicide. Admittedly, an act of madness.

[00:09:28]Well, I'll tell you what happened. I just ran out of [ __ ] >> Oh, yeah. Who cares now?

[00:09:34]>> Yeah. Look, Mr. Schumach is right here.

[00:09:36]You want to talk?

[00:09:37]>> And if we can't think of any reasons of our own, we always have the God [ __ ] >> Holy Mary, mother of >> That's the God [ __ ] He's saying that life is [ __ ] And it is. So what are you screaming about?

[00:09:50]>> Believe me, that man is full OF [ __ ] >> WHAT'S SO GODDAMN FUNNY?

[00:09:55]>> I CAN'T HELP THAT, HARRY. It's funny.

[00:09:57]>> He's great. He's un.

[00:09:59]>> And I was married for 33 years of shrill shrieking fraud.

[00:10:04]>> Oh, the hacker to go [ __ ] himself.

[00:10:07]>> So I don't have any [ __ ] left. I just ran out of it, you see.

[00:10:18]Mr. >> Yeah, let's talk about this in our uh morning meeting since you wanted to wait so bad.

[00:10:26]>> The timing of all of that was so poor.

[00:10:31]>> Nelson here, president of a network, and he hasn't a damn thing to say about anything anymore.

[00:10:36]>> Damn.

[00:10:37]>> That we would discuss all that at our regular meeting tomorrow morning.

[00:10:41]>> Well, a little late. The reorganization of the news division would not be executed until everyone, specifically you, Max. Instead, you sulked off like a child and engaged.

[00:10:50]>> H no, [ __ ] you still.

[00:10:51]>> Yeah, I don't I don't know.

[00:10:53]>> I will expect your resignation at 10:00 tomorrow morning and we will to the least detriment of everyone.

[00:10:58]>> Oh, we should do a statement on live seems to be you now.

[00:11:04]>> Well, yes, more statements.

[00:11:08]reporting with seemly detachment and just once I wanted to say what I really felt.

[00:11:13]>> Knock it off, Arthur.

[00:11:15]>> Is she at the same UBS or whatever? Is she I thought she's in the same company as Howard and >> Yeah, that's what I thought, too.

[00:11:22]>> But she's new, so I don't know how much power she has.

[00:11:26]>> There is a beautiful girl graduate student.

[00:11:28]>> Times cuts corner next to >> Yeah. Boo.

[00:11:31]>> A hard-nosed, hard-rinking detective thinks women belong in the kitchen. and a brilliant and beautiful young girl cop who's fighting the feminist battle on the >> Seems like each one has a brilliant and beautiful young girl.

[00:11:42]>> The Arabs have decided to jack up the price of oil, another 20%. Uh, the CIA has been caught opening Senator Humphrey's mail.

[00:11:52]>> The whole front page of the Daily News is Howard Beal.

[00:11:56]>> Damn.

[00:11:58]>> Last night, Howard Beal went on the air and yelled [ __ ] right now that tonight's show will get a 30 share at least. Damn, what a jump.

[00:12:05]>> We put that lunatic back on the air yelling [ __ ] >> Yes, we've got press coverage on this you couldn't buy for a million dollars.

[00:12:11]>> Yeah, >> we just increased our audience by 20 or 30 million people in one night.

[00:12:17]>> Damn.

[00:12:18]>> I can turn that show into the biggest smash on television.

[00:12:21]>> Want that short? It's a news short.

[00:12:24]>> I'm talking about a $6 cost per thousand show.

[00:12:27]>> Sells for 100,000 BUCKS A MINUTE. ONE SHOW LIKE THAT COULD PULL THIS WHOLE NETWORK RIGHT OUT OF THE HOME. OUT, FRANK.

[00:12:32]>> WOO! She's passionate.

[00:12:34]>> Wait, let's not blow it.

[00:12:36]>> I'm like, she's insane, but so cool.

[00:12:39]Like, I love this.

[00:12:40]>> Yeah, he's eating it up also. And you know, you're going to do it.

[00:12:44]>> We're talking about putting a manifestly irresponsible man on national television.

[00:12:51]>> I'm going to the mat with Ruddy. I want to make sure some of my ground. I'm the one whose ass is going on the line. I'll get back to you, Diana.

[00:12:57]>> Wasn't a no.

[00:12:58]>> Yeah, right. bankrupt national television network with projected losses of close to $150 million.

[00:13:03]>> Oh jeez louise.

[00:13:05]>> Seriously proposing the rest of us seriously considering putting on a pornographic network news show. The SEC killers >> porn be up to our ears in lawsuits.

[00:13:15]>> The affiliates won't carry it.

[00:13:16]>> Affiliates will kiss your ass if you can hand them a hit show.

[00:13:19]>> Yeah, they just want ratings.

[00:13:21]>> All I know is this violates every cannon of respectable broadcasting.

[00:13:25]>> We're not a respectable network. We're a whorehouse now.

[00:13:30]>> Well, I don't want any part of it. I don't fancy myself the president of a [ __ ] house.

[00:13:34]>> That's very commendable of you, Nelson.

[00:13:36]Now, sit down. Indignation has been duly recorded. You can always resign tomorrow.

[00:13:41]>> Yeah, you haven't done [ __ ] all movie.

[00:13:43]>> Bob Mcdana in news, please.

[00:13:45]>> Oh, I don't know. I may teach. I may write a book.

[00:13:48]>> I don't want this guy to go, though.

[00:13:50]>> Walder Kite, Harry Reer, Hollandbeck, Bob Trout, is that you? Damn.

[00:13:58]Okay, Dick. We'll be in touch. Right.

[00:13:59]>> He's the kid I think he once sent out to interview Cleveland Amir on that suit.

[00:14:04]>> Maybe Howard can leverage him.

[00:14:06]>> Yeah, right.

[00:14:07]>> Take me to the middle of the George Washington Bridge.

[00:14:12]>> Same story.

[00:14:14]>> And he wants Howard to go back on and do his angry man to go back on and yell [ __ ] >> It's not a joke, everyone.

[00:14:22]>> Denouncing the hypocrisies of our time.

[00:14:23]>> Hey, that sounds pretty good.

[00:14:27]And Howard Beal's not a bearded lady.

[00:14:29]You can have my resignation along with Max Schumachers right now. And I think I'm speaking for Howard Beal and everybody else down there.

[00:14:36]>> So what?

[00:14:38]>> And what's wrong with being an angry prophet denouncing the hypocrisies of our time?

[00:14:42]>> Do you want to be an angry prophet denouncing the hypocrisies of our time?

[00:14:46]>> Yes.

[00:14:49]>> Then grab it. Grab it.

[00:14:55]I think he's making a serious mistake with this be business. Upset at Hackett's presumptuousness.

[00:15:01]>> Really?

[00:15:03]>> So, I'm going to let Hackett have his head for a while. I'd like you to reconsider your resignation, Max.

[00:15:07]>> Oh, okay. We're not going.

[00:15:09]>> I'll have to go directly to Mr. Jensen.

[00:15:11]That happens, I'm going to need every friend I've got, and I certainly don't want Heckets's people in all the divisional positions. So, I'd like you to stay on, M.

[00:15:18]>> It's just a soldier.

[00:15:19]>> This is so messy.

[00:15:21]>> Yeah. The ratings for the Thursday and Friday shows were both 14, clearly suggesting the novelty was wearing off.

[00:15:27]>> Oh no.

[00:15:29]>> Thought of doing a show around her the way. But of course, if her tips were any good, she could wreck the market.

[00:15:35]>> You could give her 2 minutes of trance at the end of a Howard Beal show, say you once a week, Friday. Then next week, everyone tunes in to see how good her predictions were.

[00:15:43]>> Maybe she could do the weather.

[00:15:47]>> The fact is I could make your be show.

[00:15:49]Let me have a crack at it. I thought she had power over it.

[00:15:53]>> A minute and a half. That lady writing about naked sex, scandal, brutal crime, sports, children with incurable diseases, and lost puppies.

[00:16:00]>> Damn.

[00:16:01]>> Soliciting audiences like the rest of us. Look, all I'm saying is if you're going to hustle, at least do it right.

[00:16:08]And >> I was hoping that you were looking for an emotional involvement with a craggy.

[00:16:15]So, tomorrow Howard goes back to the old format and all of this gutter depravity comes to an end.

[00:16:21]>> No, >> my little visit here tonight was a gesture made out of your stature in the industry. But sooner or later, with or without you, I'm going to take over your network.

[00:16:31]>> Oh, University of Missouri.

[00:16:34]>> I was in the audience. I had a terrible schoolgirl crush on you for a couple of months.

[00:16:39]>> Oh, wow. Predicted all that about uh emotional involvements in middle-aged men. What are you doing for dinner tonight?

[00:16:49]>> I can't make it tonight. Love, call me tomorrow.

[00:16:51]>> You have a favorite restaurant?

[00:16:52]>> I eat anything.

[00:16:53]>> [ __ ] I get a feeling I'm being made.

[00:16:55]>> You are.

[00:16:59]>> I don't do anything on my first date.

[00:17:01]>> We'll see.

[00:17:03]>> Damn.

[00:17:07]What are you getting into?

[00:17:12]My husband ran off with his boyfriend.

[00:17:15]>> Oh.

[00:17:16]>> He told me I was the worst lady he'd ever had. I can't tell you how many men have told me what a lousy lay I am.

[00:17:22]>> What?

[00:17:24]>> I arouse quickly, consummate prematurely, and can't wait to get my clothes back on and get out of that bedroom.

[00:17:32]>> You're married, Julie.

[00:17:33]>> I have a married daughter in Seattle who's 6 months pregnant.

[00:17:37]>> Oh, wow.

[00:17:38]Middle-aged man reaffirming his father complex. What sort of script do you think we can make out of this? It's >> a dangerous combination.

[00:17:46]>> What about your lusts?

[00:17:48]>> Is your wife in town?

[00:17:51]>> Yes.

[00:17:52]>> Well, then we better go to my place.

[00:17:54]>> My god.

[00:17:59]>> Yes, I hear you.

[00:18:01]>> You asleep?

[00:18:03]>> Why me? I said why me?

[00:18:05]>> Okay. He just had a conversation with God, I think, >> last night. And I said, "I'm sorry.

[00:18:12]You'll have to talk a little louder."

[00:18:13]>> What do you want me to do?

[00:18:15]>> Nothing.

[00:18:18]>> And I said, "Why me?" And the boy said, "Because you're on television, dummy."

[00:18:26]>> You're on TV, man. So, I thought about it for a moment and then I said, "Okay, >> he is great on TV and so unpredictable."

[00:18:36]I was like, it's a different personality every day.

[00:18:40]>> Close the door, Harry.

[00:18:43]>> Howard, I'm taking you off the air.

[00:18:45]>> What?

[00:18:47]>> I'm imbued with some special spirit.

[00:18:49]It's not a religious feeling at all.

[00:18:51]It's a electromagnetic field.

[00:18:54]>> He might need some help.

[00:18:56]>> It's not a breakdown.

[00:18:57]>> And you will not take me off the air for now OR FOR ANY OTHER SPACELESS TIME.

[00:19:05]UHOH, >> he's just fainted. I better get him back to my house again tonight. Help me get him up.

[00:19:11]>> That was shocking.

[00:19:13]>> Yeah, >> I can't for the life of me think of where we've seen Max from. William Holden, I believe.

[00:19:19]>> There's so many people I need to look up once this movie's over.

[00:19:30]>> Yeah. What are we doing? Going out in the storm.

[00:19:40]Uh, >> your friend's gone.

[00:19:42]>> Wake up, Max. Because Howard's gone.

[00:19:47]>> Get out of the mail room. AS OF THIS MINUTE, OVER 14,000 TELEGRAMS. THE RESPONSE IS SENSATIONAL. HERB, TELL HIM.

[00:19:56]>> I don't know where he is. THAT >> CRAZY SON OF A [ __ ] >> HE COULD BE JUMPING OFF A ROOF FOR ALL I KNOW.

[00:20:02]It's just possible that he isn't insane.

[00:20:04]That he is in fact imbued with some special spirit.

[00:20:08]>> Sure.

[00:20:09]>> The audience out there obviously wants a profit, even a manufactured one. Even if he's as mad as Mo. Tomorrow he'll have a 50 share, maybe even a 60.

[00:20:16]>> Damn.

[00:20:17]>> I am not putting Howard back on the air.

[00:20:19]>> It's not your show anymore, Max. It's mine.

[00:20:22]>> Oh, she told you it was coming.

[00:20:24]>> Mr. Ruddy has had a mild heart attack and is not taking calls. I'm making all network decisions. You're fired. WHOA.

[00:20:32]>> I'll call the security guards and have you thrown out if you're still here.

[00:20:36]>> Whoa. I was not expecting that.

[00:20:38]>> He was hoping I fought on my face with his be show, BUT I DIDN'T. IT'S A BIG FAT BIG PITTED HIT.

[00:20:46]>> MR. Jensen is going to be sitting there rocking back and forth in his little chair, and he's going to say, "That's very good, Frank. Keep it up.

[00:20:54]>> I want you out of your office before noon or I'll have you thrown out."

[00:20:58]>> Yeah. Nothing matters other than ratings and profit.

[00:21:01]>> I didn't want a network hassle on this.

[00:21:03]I told you I'd much rather work the be show out just between the two of us.

[00:21:06]>> She did.

[00:21:07]>> Well, let's just say [ __ ] you too, honey.

[00:21:12]>> I'm going to spread this whole wreaking business in every newspaper. I'm going to make a lot of noise about this.

[00:21:16]Great.

[00:21:17]>> We need all the press we can get.

[00:21:19]>> Yeah, that's good for them.

[00:21:22]>> Something going on between you and Shoemaker?

[00:21:24]>> Not anymore.

[00:21:30]Sir, we need you on the air.

[00:21:36]>> Just go straight to live television just like this.

[00:21:40]>> What do you do, Mr. Beal?

[00:21:41]>> I must make my witness.

[00:21:43]>> Sure thing, Mr. Beal.

[00:21:46]>> Just shake your head.

[00:21:49]>> Okay, he came in the building.

[00:21:53]>> Oh, they are just going to let him go right on.

[00:21:57]one.

[00:21:58]>> This has been the most divisive meeting the oil.

[00:22:00]>> There he is.

[00:22:02]>> The 13 nations of OPEC have still not been able to decide by how much to increase the price of oil.

[00:22:08]>> Oh my gosh.

[00:22:11]>> This is Ed Flesher in >> Hey, Qard.

[00:22:13]>> I don't have to tell you things are bad.

[00:22:17]>> Please at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my Just leave us alone. Well, I'm not going to leave you alone.

[00:22:25]I want you to get up now and stick your head out and yell AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE. I WANT YOU TO GET UP RIGHT NOW.

[00:22:34]>> CAMERAS, follow them.

[00:22:35]>> Go to your windows, open them, and stick your head out.

[00:22:40]>> I'M AS BAD AS HELL.

[00:22:42]>> CG ATLANTA.

[00:22:43]>> ARE they yelling in Atlanta?

[00:22:44]>> Are they yelling in Atlanta, Ted?

[00:22:48]>> AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE.

[00:22:50]THEY'RE YELLING IN BATON ROUGE.

[00:22:51]>> They're yelling all over the world.

[00:22:53]>> WE STRUCK THE MOTHER LOAD.

[00:22:55]>> I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE. Just get up from your chairs.

[00:22:59]>> Uh-oh.

[00:23:01]I'm bad as hell. How am I going to take this anymore?

[00:23:07]>> I'm not GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

[00:23:12]>> I mean, they definitely >> have a hit, >> but he also definitely needs help.

[00:23:18]>> Yeah. I'm like, "This feels so icky."

[00:23:22]Like, >> at first it felt so fun when he was just kind of like, "Fuck you." And now it's like, "Oh, he does need help."

[00:23:34]>> Like the way that they're just using him, >> like it's still fun, but it's going to end so bad.

[00:23:44]>> You brought half the William Mars West Coast office along with you. a racist lackey of the imperialist ruling circles.

[00:23:49]>> Oh, okay.

[00:23:51]>> Badass comm sounds like the basis of a firm friendship.

[00:23:54]>> Wow.

[00:23:56]>> Each week we open with an authentic act.

[00:24:00]Then we go to the drama behind the opening film footage. That's you got to get the ecumenicals to bring in that film footage for us. The network can't deal with them directly. They are after all wanted criminals.

[00:24:11]>> You deal with criminals.

[00:24:13]>> The American masses are not yet ready for open revolt. leader isn't eccentric to say the least.

[00:24:18]>> Okay, >> I'll have to take this matter to the central committee.

[00:24:22]>> I'll be in LA until Saturday and I'd like to get it rolling.

[00:24:26]>> Just more shows, more chaos, crazy shows.

[00:24:30]>> 15 14 13 12 >> We already starting this >> the new show. I think so. Oh, that's a big audience.

[00:24:38]>> Gentlemen, the network news.

[00:24:42]>> No way. HOWARD, >> what a change in show.

[00:24:53]>> George died today. Edward George RD was the chairman of the board of a heart condition. And woe is us.

[00:25:00]>> What is this?

[00:25:02]>> Company is now in the hands of CCA.

[00:25:04]There's a new chairman of the board, a man called Frank Hackett sitting in Mr. Runny's office on the 20th floor.

[00:25:10]>> Okay.

[00:25:12]Television is a circus, a carnival.

[00:25:14]Sideshow freaks, lion tamers. We're in the boredom killing business.

[00:25:18]>> Oh, >> turn off your television sets. Turn them off now. Turn them off. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE. TURN THEM OFF.

[00:25:28]>> Oh no.

[00:25:35]He may be dead.

[00:25:37]>> Somebody do something.

[00:25:41]What a speech.

[00:25:43]>> Please note an increase in projected initial programming revenues in the amount of $21 million due to the phenomenal success the Howard Beal show.

[00:25:51]>> $21 million.

[00:25:53]>> The entire complex of 45 million achievable in this fiscal year. A year in short ahead of schedule.

[00:25:59]>> Oh my god. The >> communications complex may well become the towering and most profitable center entire CCA empire. I await your questions and comments.

[00:26:08]>> Wow. It's exactly what he predicted.

[00:26:12]>> Very good, Frank. Exemplary. Keep it up.

[00:26:16]>> Wow.

[00:26:17]>> Down to those comments.

[00:26:19]>> And RD's gone. Sorry, Ruddy. Max is out.

[00:26:22]And is Howard alive?

[00:26:25]>> I'm assuming he fainted again.

[00:26:28]>> Yeah. I mean, the last few movies we've seen, real negative taste in my mouth for television.

[00:26:36]>> Oh, in a Passion. Third funeral I've been to. in two weeks.

[00:26:40]>> Jeez.

[00:26:41]>> You know, I bumped into Cybil, the soothsayer in the elevator last week. I said, you know, Syibble, about 4 months ago, you predicted I would get involved with a craggy middle-aged.

[00:26:51]>> I don't call that getting involved. And she said, don't worry, you will.

[00:26:58]>> I've reached for the phone to call you a hundred times, but >> all I know is I can't get you out of my mind.

[00:27:04]>> Okay, this movie is doing so many things. Jimmy Khan's agent just called and says, "Absolutely, Nick."

[00:27:09]>> You can. I'll be gone all weekend.

[00:27:11]>> Okay.

[00:27:12]Oh, >> the third run.

[00:27:19]>> I like their dirty talk.

[00:27:22]>> That Mount Si Tunghau is turning into one big pain in the ass. We're having heavy legal problems with the federal government right now. Two FBI guys turned up in a hack office last week and served us with a subpoena. Jeez.

[00:27:38]We're paying these nuts from the Yaki Medical Liberation Army tent in order to turn in authentic film footage of them.

[00:27:43]And she doesn't stop. No, >> I said all your let this government sue us. Supreme Court will be fraud.

[00:27:52]>> He's like, "Stop. Please stop talking."

[00:27:55]>> Yeah, he hasn't said a word.

[00:27:58]>> And the M say can start killing HIS OWN TIME SLOT.

[00:28:02]>> WHAT'S REALLY bugging me now is my daytime program. I'm thinking of doing a homosexual soap. The d >> what?

[00:28:12]hopelessly in love with your husbands.

[00:28:13]It was just >> Does the wife know?

[00:28:17]>> Yeah. I'm like, >> how long has it been going on?

[00:28:19]>> Uhoh.

[00:28:21]>> Menopausal infatuation. It is an infatuational sense in my saying I won't see her again because I will.

[00:28:27]>> Whoa.

[00:28:28]>> You want me to leave? Check into a hotel. I don't know how I feel. I'm grateful I can feel anything.

[00:28:35]>> What a conversation.

[00:28:36]>> Say that you're in love with her.

[00:28:38]>> I'm in love with her.

[00:28:40]>> GET OUT. I'M YOUR WIFE, DAMN IT. AND IF YOU CAN'T WORK UP A WINTER OF PASSION FOR ME, THE LEAST I REQUIRE IS RESPECT AND ALLEGIANCE.

[00:28:49]>> I hurt. Don't you understand that? I HURT BADLY. OH, say something for God's sake.

[00:28:57]>> Yeah, I've got nothing to say.

[00:29:00]>> I won't give you up yet, Max. I think perhaps it is better if you move out.

[00:29:03]>> Does she love you, Max?

[00:29:05]>> Probably not.

[00:29:07]>> I'm not sure she's capable of any real feel. Yeah, she just loves her work.

[00:29:12]>> Yeah, all of her plot outlines have me leaving her and coming back to you.

[00:29:16]Happy American family.

[00:29:17]>> Uh, >> an adapted for television version of Anna Karen. She's Kransky and I'm Anna.

[00:29:24]>> You're in for some dreadful grief, Max.

[00:29:26]>> I know this movie just became like so meta.

[00:29:30]>> DID YOU SEE THE FILM WE MADE IN THE SANO JAILBREAK OUT? I'M NOT KNOCKING DOWN MY GODDAMN DISTRIBUTION CHARGES.

[00:29:37]>> God damn.

[00:29:39]Let's get back to page 22. Five. Small A.

[00:29:42]>> Where are we now?

[00:29:43]>> Page 22, middle of the page.

[00:29:44]>> What is this meeting?

[00:29:46]>> Subsidiary rights means without limitation any and all rights.

[00:29:51]>> Wasn't expecting all the little like side things that are coming from this.

[00:29:54]>> I know. I thought it would just be >> I thought it would mostly just be focusing on Howard. This movie is jumping around to a million things.

[00:30:02]>> The number one SHOW IN TELEVISION. LAST YEAR WE WERE THE NUMBER FOUR NETWORK.

[00:30:08]NEXT YEAR WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

[00:30:10]>> WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

[00:30:11]>> They've really turned this company around.

[00:30:17]>> Stop it.

[00:30:19]>> Great.

[00:30:22]>> Goddamn life I'm talking about today.

[00:30:25]CCA took over the company that owns this network. But now somebody is buying up CCA.

[00:30:31]>> Oh, do you want to turn that down, please? I will tell you who they're buying CCA for. THE SAUDI ARABIAN INVESTMENT.

[00:30:40]>> OH, Saudi Arabia.

[00:30:42]>> What did Mr. Jensen call?

[00:30:44]>> The Arabs control $16 billion dollar in this country. The Arizona Land and Cattle Company, the Bank of the Commonwealth in Detroit.

[00:30:52]>> Do we not like what Howard's saying today?

[00:30:55]>> Yeah. Now he's finally crossed a line that the big wigs aren't happy with.

[00:31:00]>> Yeah.

[00:31:00]>> THERE'S ONLY ONE thing that can stop them. You. You >> surprised they didn't do anything between the 3 hours.

[00:31:09]>> Yeah. It's not like it's time travel like it happens at the same time. Like why were you not notified way earlier?

[00:31:17]>> Yeah.

[00:31:18]>> STOP NOW. I WANT THE CCA DEAL. I WANT THE CCA.

[00:31:23]>> YEAH, that might impact CCA.

[00:31:25]>> CCA.

[00:31:27]>> Oh, another faint.

[00:31:32]One of these times he's just going to be dead.

[00:31:35]>> Well, I'd like to see a typ script and run through a couple more times. You know a lot more about that, Frank, than I would.

[00:31:41]>> How did Howard figure find this out?

[00:31:43]>> We need that Saudi money bad disaster.

[00:31:46]The show is a disaster. Unmitigated disaster. Death. Now, >> the show got you here.

[00:31:52]>> Maybe we're overstating Be's claw with the public.

[00:31:56]>> And our people in the White House report they were already kneede in telegrams.

[00:32:00]Oh.

[00:32:02]Four hours ago, I was a sun god at CCA.

[00:32:05]Now I'm a man without a corporation.

[00:32:11]>> You're not seriously going to pull be off the air.

[00:32:13]>> He's your number one show.

[00:32:15]>> $2 billion isn't peak. THAT'S THE WRATH OF GOD. AND THE WRATH OF GOD WANTS HOWARD BE FIRED.

[00:32:20]>> I GOT A CONTRACT.

[00:32:21]>> Let's not discount federal action by the department if >> what strangle him with a network.

[00:32:30]I don't think Jensen's going to fire anybody.

[00:32:33]>> Uh, here's the phone call.

[00:32:35]>> Yes, Clarence. I've already booked my flight. Well, can you give me a little more time than that? Be back in New York till 6:00 tomorrow morning. That'll be just fine. I'll see you then.

[00:32:44]>> It's his firing meeting.

[00:32:46]>> Mr. Jensen wants to meet Howard Beal personally.

[00:32:48]>> Oh. Oh, >> he wants Mr. Beal in his office at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

[00:32:53]>> Not you, Howard. How the [ __ ] is this going to go?

[00:32:56]>> I don't know. I HAVE SEEN THE SHATTERING FIBERATIONS OF ULTIMATE CLARITY. THE LIGHT IS IMPENDING. I BEAR WITNESS TO THE LIGHT.

[00:33:06]>> Just walk, dude.

[00:33:07]>> Good morning, Mr. Beal.

[00:33:08]>> They tell me you're a mad man. How are you now?

[00:33:10]>> I'm as mad as a hatter.

[00:33:13]>> I started as a salesman, Mr. Beal. I sold sewing machines, automobile parts, electronic equipment. They say I can sell anything. I'd like to try to sell something to you.

[00:33:23]>> Your silence?

[00:33:24]>> Yeah. Saudi Arabia.

[00:33:26]Please sit down.

[00:33:28]>> They need that many lights.

[00:33:30]>> Do they need to be in opposite ends of the table?

[00:33:38]>> What a performance already.

[00:33:40]>> You have meddled with the PRIMAL FORCES OF NATURE, MR. BALE, AND I WON'T HAVE IT. YOU THINK YOU MERELY STOPPED A BUSINESS DEAL? THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THE ARABS HAVE TAKEN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY AND NOW THEY MUST PUT IT BACK. THERE IS ONLY one holistic system of system.

[00:34:00]>> Are we out man?

[00:34:02]>> Multinational dominion of dollars.

[00:34:06]Petrol dollars, Reich marks, rings, RUBLES, POUNDS AND SHEKELS. It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life. THAT IS THE ATOMIC AND SUBATOMIC and galactic structure of things today.

[00:34:27]>> Oh wow.

[00:34:28]And you have meddled WITH THE PRIMAL FORCES OF NATURE.

[00:34:35]And you will atone.

[00:34:40]Am >> I getting through? You must be.

[00:34:45]>> You get up on your little 21 in screen and howl about America and democracy.

[00:34:52]There is no democracy. There is only IBM and ITT and AT&T >> corporations, >> Union Carbide and Exxon. Those are the nations of all today.

[00:35:03]>> Wow.

[00:35:04]>> What do you think the Russians talk about in their councils of state? They get out their linear programming charts.

[00:35:09]We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies, Mr. Beal. And our children will live, Mr. to be to see that perfect world in which there's no war or famine, oppression or brutality.

[00:35:24]All necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized.

[00:35:29]>> Jeez Louise.

[00:35:30]>> Yeah, this is the most wild performance.

[00:35:35]>> And I have chosen you to preach this evangel.

[00:35:39]>> Why me?

[00:35:39]>> Because you're on television, dummy.

[00:35:41]>> Oh my. 60 million people watch you every night of the week, Monday through Friday.

[00:35:47]>> I have seen the face of God.

[00:35:49]>> Just might be right, Mr. Beal.

[00:35:51]>> That evening, >> that gave me goosebumps.

[00:35:53]>> It was a perfectly admissible argument that Howard Beal advanced in the days that followed. It was, however, also a very depressing one. Nobody particularly cared to hear his life was utterly valless. By the end of the first week in June, the Howard Beal show had dropped one point in the ratings and its trend of shares dipped under 48 for the first time since last November.

[00:36:13]>> Oh, >> godamn agent Lou, I am counting on you to TALK SOME SENSIT. NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT DYING DEMOCRACY AND DEHUMANIZATION.

[00:36:20]>> I'm sorry I'm late.

[00:36:21]>> Look, >> this is a breach of contract. Lou, >> this is the Howard deal we sign. You better get him off that corporate universe KICK OR SO HELP ME. I'LL PULL HIM OFF THE AIR. I TOLD HIM, LOU, I HAVE BEEN TELLING HIM EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK I AM SICK OF TELLING HIM. NOW YOU TELL HIM.

[00:36:38]>> What a reversal. You got to go profit on him.

[00:36:41]>> I'm tired of being an accessory in your life. And I'm tired of pretending to write this dumb book about my maverick days in the great early years OF TELEVISION. AND NOBODY WANTS A DUMB DAMN GODAMN BOOK ABOUT THE EARLY DAYS OF TELEVISION.

[00:36:54]>> TERRIFIC, MAX. TERRIFIC. MAYBE YOU CAN START A WHOLE NEW CAREER AS AN ACTOR.

[00:36:58]>> IT'S THE TRUTH. Maybe >> there's some real actual life going on here. I went to visit my wife today because she's in a state of depression.

[00:37:07]So depressed that my daughter flew all the way from Seattle to be with her. And I feel lousy about that. I feel lousy about the pain that I've caused my wife and my kids.

[00:37:20]I'm the man that you presumably love.

[00:37:22]I'm part of your life. I live here. I'm real. You can't switch to another station.

[00:37:29]>> Oh, >> what exactly is it you want me to do?

[00:37:33]>> I just want you to love me. Primal doubts and all.

[00:37:36]>> Know how to do that?

[00:37:39]>> Oh, back to the phone.

[00:37:41]>> I'll I'll be with you in a minute, Matt.

[00:37:44]>> So, which script is it going to be? You going back to your wife or you?

[00:37:48]>> Last week in July, the Howard Beal show was down 11 points.

[00:37:51]>> Whoa.

[00:37:54]>> DO SOMETHING. DO ANYTHING. TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR HIM. I'M GOING DOWN TO AUDITION FOOTAGE RIGHT NOW.

[00:38:00]>> AND >> holy cow, >> it was heavy, baby. I saw the EARTHQUAKE AND I SAW THE MOON be him. Like I feel like they should pivot.

[00:38:13]>> Yeah, >> CUT HIM OFF.

[00:38:14]>> I'M TALKING ABOUT >> I've got three more, but you've already seen the best one. I've got a guru from Spokane and two more hellfires who see visions of the Virgin Mary.

[00:38:23]>> We're not going to find a replacement for how it feels. So, let's stop kidding ourselves.

[00:38:27]>> Yeah, right.

[00:38:28]>> I think we should fire Howard.

[00:38:31]>> The Jensen has taken a strong personal interest. What be show?

[00:38:35]>> I'm having dinner with him tonight.

[00:38:40]>> Diana, give me copies of all your audience research reports. I may need them for Jensen. Is 10:00 convenient for everyone?

[00:38:50]>> This movie is like whiplash. Are you dead? You keep thinking everyone's dead.

[00:38:55]>> They're old. He keeps talking about it.

[00:38:57]All his friends are dying.

[00:38:59]>> Time has come to re-evaluate our relationship, Max. I don't like the way this script of ours is turning out.

[00:39:07]>> Sorry for all those things I said to you last night. You're not the worst [ __ ] I've ever had.

[00:39:13]>> You don't cough or snorkel and make deathlike rattles. Matter of fact, you're rather serene in the sack.

[00:39:20]that a woman always thinks that the most savage thing she can say to a man is to impugn his coxmanship.

[00:39:26]>> Coxmanship.

[00:39:28]>> I gave up comparing genitals back in the schoolyard.

[00:39:33]>> You're being dil.

[00:39:36]>> Oh, hell Diana. I know it was over with us weeks ago.

[00:39:39]>> Will you go back to your wife?

[00:39:42]>> I'll give it a try, but I don't think she'll jump at it.

[00:39:44]>> Yeah. Would she take her back?

[00:39:47]>> I'm more concerned about you. You're not the boozer type. So, I figure a year, maybe two, before you crack up, jump out of your 14th floor office window.

[00:39:56]>> Whoa.

[00:39:57]>> I don't want your pain. I DON'T WANT YOUR MENOPAUSE UNDER KAY AND DEATH. I DON'T NEED YOU, MAX.

[00:40:03]>> YOU NEED ME. YOU need me badly because I'm your last contact WITH HUMAN REALITY. I LOVE YOU.

[00:40:10]>> Then don't leave me.

[00:40:11]>> Girl, what?

[00:40:12]>> Yeah. There's nothing left in you that I can live with. You're one of Howard's humanoids. And if I stay with you, I'll be destroyed. Like Howard Beal was destroyed. Like Lorraine Hobbs was destroyed. Like everything that you and the institution of television touch is destroyed.

[00:40:28]>> My God, >> your television incarnate, Diana.

[00:40:33]Indifferent to suffering, insensitive to joy. All of life is reduced to the common rubble of benality.

[00:40:39]>> Dude, this is harsh. Just leave.

[00:40:43]You even shatter the sensations of time and space into split seconds and instant replays. Your madness, Diana. Virant madness.

[00:40:54]>> That's got to be one of the harshest things.

[00:40:55]>> Dutch dies with you.

[00:40:57]>> Whoa.

[00:40:58]Damn.

[00:41:00]>> Heartless young woman left alone in her arctic desolation. Music up with a swell vinyl commercial. Here are a few scenes from next week's show.

[00:41:10]>> Holy sham.

[00:41:15]It would have been nicer if he just like punched her in the face and then left.

[00:41:20]>> Mr. Jensen was unhappy at the idea of taking Howard Beal off the air. Mr. Jensen thinks Howard Beal is bringing a very important message to the American people.

[00:41:30]>> Proc corporate.

[00:41:31]>> I argued that television was a volatile industry in which success and failure were determined week by week. Volatility in business usually reflected bad management. Oh, >> didn't really care if Howard Beal was the number one show on television or the 50th. He didn't really care if the Beal show lost money. He wants Howard Beal on the air and he wants him kept on.

[00:41:50]>> Damn. Really?

[00:41:53]>> Where does that put us, Diana?

[00:41:54]>> That puts us in the [ __ ] house. That's where that puts us.

[00:41:57]>> Yeah, I almost literally just said that.

[00:42:01]>> Most of this loss occurred in the child and teen and 1834 categories, which were our key core markets. we get rid of Bill, we should be able to maintain a very respectable share in the high 20s, possibly 30.

[00:42:15]And >> I'll tell you, the agencies are coming back to me with $4 CPMs. That's an indication we're talking 40 $45 million lawsuit annual.

[00:42:22]>> You guys want to hear all the flack I'm getting from the affiliates?

[00:42:24]>> We know all about it. Herb, >> you would describe Mr. Jensen's position on Beiel as inflexible, >> intractable, and adamant time.

[00:42:32]>> May like shorten his time.

[00:42:35]>> Yeah. Do we need to kill him? I >> suppose we'll have to kill him.

[00:42:40]>> Oh, [ __ ] Well, >> he's obviously joking.

[00:42:44]>> You have any ideas on that, Diana?

[00:42:46]>> Right.

[00:42:47]>> I don't know if he's joking.

[00:42:49]>> I think I can get the Mounty Tomb people to kill Bill for us. It's one of their shows.

[00:42:54]>> Wait, what?

[00:42:55]>> We're facing heavy opposition on the other networks for Wednesday nights and the Mounty to Hour could use a sensational opener.

[00:43:02]>> No. Is this real? It could be done right on camera in the studio.

[00:43:05]>> Yeah. I'm like, they're doing it live.

[00:43:07]>> We ought to get a fantastic look in audience with the assassination of Howard Beal as our opening show.

[00:43:12]>> Oh, pretty audience.

[00:43:14]>> I know. Our contract with be contains a buyout clause triggered by his death or incapacity.

[00:43:18]>> There must be a formula for the computation of the purchase prop.

[00:43:21]>> This is going >> Yeah. Why are we >> I say it in a joking way, but this is very real.

[00:43:26]>> I don't think the show has any substantial syndication value. Would you say, Diana?

[00:43:30]>> Syndication profits are minimal. We're talking about a capital crime here. The network can't be implicated.

[00:43:37]>> We're going to shoot this man on TV.

[00:43:40]>> I hope you don't have any hidden tape machines in this office. Frank, >> well, the issue is, shall we kill Howard Beal or not? I'd like to hear some more opinions on it.

[00:43:49]>> I don't see we have any option, Frank.

[00:43:50]Let's kill the son of a [ __ ] >> Ladies and gentlemen, LET'S HEAR IT.

[00:43:53]>> YEAH.

[00:43:54]>> HOW DO YOU FEEL?

[00:43:58]>> Ladies and gentlemen, the network. Yeah, cuz like the whole revolutionary communist whatever show, they wanted him off the air also.

[00:44:05]>> Yeah. No, that's why they're able to use them, right?

[00:44:09]>> Yeah.

[00:44:14]>> Oh.

[00:44:18]>> Whoa. That was right away.

[00:44:21]>> Was shot to death tonight with a fuselot of automatic rifle fire just as he began this evening's broadcast. So why should you Canada draw answers >> and then just adds >> ecumenical liberation army two of apprehended >> like the slow-mo >> escapes.

[00:44:40]>> This was the story of Howard Beal. The first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings.

[00:44:50]>> What the hell? All right, that was network. What did you think?

[00:44:56]>> That was incredible. I loved it, but I'm still in shock by the last like 2 minutes of the film.

[00:45:06]>> I mean, the whole movie, like I don't know what the [ __ ] that was. I I don't know what that movie was.

[00:45:11]>> Did you not like it?

[00:45:12]>> No, I liked it, but I'm just like I mean, the reaction our reaction to it is probably terrible. It's probably a mess honestly >> because like there's like 10 15 minute long stretches where we don't really react to anything cuz it's just like some crazy epic conversation.

[00:45:29]>> Yeah.

[00:45:30]>> But I don't know what the [ __ ] that movie was. like it says comedy drama, but like I thought it was going to be a comedy kind of based off of like uh Howard Beal and then >> I did not think it was going to be a comedy and then it just like started becoming more clear to me that this was like not as serious as I was taking it in the very beginning. Right.

[00:45:51]>> But yeah, that was super dark. I mean, for me, the biggest highlight of this entire movie are a lot of the monologues, right? We were just kind of pulling up the cast list here and I was like, who was Arthur Jensen? Because that speech at the conference room table might be one of my favorites that I've ever seen in a movie.

[00:46:13]>> Oh, yeah. And it felt like >> it felt like theater.

[00:46:16]>> Well, yeah. Cuz I was going to say it it's almost like the movie was predictable, but then it would shock you.

[00:46:22]>> Yeah. because like the way that he was staging it up, Arthur Jensen, Ned Bey, it felt like uh he was about to do a performance because he like everything was dark and he stepped into like a spotlight and I even in the moment I was like what a performance and then he gave an incredible performance. I was just talking about the fact that he like staged it so that he could be like in the light and stuff, >> right? And cuz he talks about being a saleserson and like how how is he going to sell this to Howard?

[00:46:51]>> Yeah. And he literally just becomes like another prophet or like the voice speaking to the prophet and Howard is just like, "Oh my god, this is the voice I heard." I mean, he literally says the exact >> things which I'm sure he obviously planned.

[00:47:04]>> Yeah. He used that against Howard.

[00:47:07]>> Yeah. And I'm like, that was spectacular.

[00:47:10]>> Yeah. And then we have the speech at the end from Max.

[00:47:14]>> Yes. To Max to uh Diana.

[00:47:16]>> Yeah. To Diana. absolutely heartless, ruthless, whatever you want to call it.

[00:47:22]I mean, obviously, we had some like foreshadowing in this with the conversation that he had with his wife when he told her about the affair.

[00:47:31]They're breaking up. So, I was not expecting so much of like a dramatic kind of romantic element to this. So, we're getting this with Diana and it's like so clear that the only thing that she cares about is her work. We see that also in um his conversation with his wife when he's talking about like the roles and the the way that she's predicting this with like the movies or whatever the script. And then you also have during their like intimate moments, she's all she's doing is just talking about work.

[00:48:06]>> Hilarious.

[00:48:06]>> Even for his wife to kind of have that conversation with him where it's like does she love you?

[00:48:12]>> Like and he knows that she doesn't. And so it's like he just blew up his entire life for this person who he knew wasn't going to love him back. Um, and obviously you have this like age gap and she is like mesmerizing to watch. Like I mean Fay Dunaway anyways, but Diana's character like how I said I think early on like one of her first speeches like this woman is insane but so incredible to listen to >> um because of her passion for her work.

[00:48:44]But yeah, to see that kind of element of just blowing up his own life and his family and >> everything crashed >> the computer >> the computer everything crashed mids sentence by you. Uh, so then we had to take a break to hopefully make sure that all of the footage and everything was okay. It looks like it is. So, apologies if our outro is now >> a little disjointed, >> right? You were just leaving off with letting her have it.

[00:49:09]>> Yes. Yeah. So, um, Max, Diana, that entire scene was absolutely wild and I feel like heartbreaking, but not like heartbreaking in that it was like I feel like a realization for Diana, but also, you know, she's not going to change given the last couple of minutes of the film. Uh, for Max, I mean, he blew everything up and I mean, >> nothing to show for other than that.

[00:49:33]>> I mean, doubtful his wife's going to take him back. You know, I'm sure his daughter hates him. So yeah, a rough on that side. An incredible kind of monologue situation by him and was like I said was not expecting this like romantic kind of drama aspect in this film too.

[00:49:52]>> No, I mean I was not expecting so many monologues. I was not expecting like the affair situation. I was not expecting this whole like terrorist organization.

[00:50:02]>> Yes.

[00:50:03]>> Subplot that comes very important in the final minute of the movie. I was not expecting so many like profit speech scenarios. I mean Howard had like half a dozen moments where I was just like this man is on fire. I mean he's crazy but like he is absolutely pure cinema but it was just all over the place. And I mean it would work for them and they would love it and then the same person Howard would ruin them so then they would hate it. And it was just like back and forth in every character. I mean, I said in the movie that it felt like whiplash because it was just so much chaos. And I mean, it's summed up pretty well in the end where it's just like, >> well, our corporate guy loves it because he's talking proc corporate and he doesn't care if he's making money or losing money, which I'm like, how is that proc corporate? But whatever. But it's just like, oh well, he's speaking my truth now, so let my puppet be out there. and the uh success being evaluated every week. Whether you're good or bad, it doesn't matter. So, it's like that's exactly what we just live through with this movie where it's just like where are we? I don't know what's going on. Everything is upside down. I just I was not expecting that. I thought from the very beginning it felt like we were going to have this like kind of funny adventure building this new crazy show, >> but by the end I'm like, what the [ __ ] was that? because it was also so depressing in just real world situations and like it's actually very true to everything that follows like the power of television >> and how much that plays into everyone's decisions and we just also watched quiz show which was that was all about media lying to you and it's just like my head is spinning from the amount of like negativity towards television and like what to believe and stuff.

[00:51:54]>> Yeah. I mean, it feels timely for sure watching everything together. And Yeah.

[00:52:00]I mean, you also just feel terrible for Howard. You know, he's obviously having this like psychotic break and they're just profiting off of him and then manipulating him and using him throughout and then they just discard him at the end when they're done. And it was just absolutely insane. Obviously to the point of like killing this man.

[00:52:21]>> Yeah.

[00:52:21]>> And Yeah. I mean cuz you kind of have this revolutionaries and kind of whatever is going on with this. It obviously it ties in with Diana's storyline and also kind of with the just like show business kind of aspect of how she perceives the news. But for that to kind of come full circle and be so important in Howard's story at the end.

[00:52:44]And for me I feel like the more disgusting part of it early on was I was like nobody's checking on this man. like they just seem like they're just see him as like this puppet like you said, but also at the very end it like made my stomach turn when he is shot and you just see the camera >> zoom in >> zoom in pull into him as he's just laying there dying on the floor and like you said too just like show like showing these recaps of this slow motion like moment of the gunman and him getting shot like he's literally getting shot in the head.

[00:53:20]>> Yeah. It was just like how far removed are we that >> this movie makes you feel so dirty because exactly like what you're pointing out. I mean the ending of the camera like going in and then you know every other network is like oh we got a great story for tonight's like show.

[00:53:37]We're going to get great ratings. We're going to sell so many ads. How many times did he pass out and it would cut to the crowd cheering and everything?

[00:53:46]like revolutionary political people and stuff and it's all like the man or whatever the hell they were >> but then the contract meeting >> Yeah. the contract meeting where they're like talking about revenue shares and points and percentages. I'm like, "Okay, so all you're talking about is [ __ ] cuz you just you're focusing on the money as well." And it's just like it literally took every situ situation and just made it dirty, but then had it in this like cover of like a comedy where you kind of felt fun about it, but then the movie's over and you're like, "Oh, the whole movie was disgusting."

[00:54:20]>> Yeah. And it's interesting cuz we had actually had a conversation not that long ago. I feel like probably a couple of weeks ago. And I don't know if it was a video that I saw or it was something and it was talking about just like the way that you like take in the news stories even 10 years ago versus now.

[00:54:40]And it's like every day you're just getting slapped upside the head with just some horrific story. But it's like the way that it used to kind of affect you more. Whereas now it like it feels like you're like numb to it because it's just like every day, every hour, every minute. It's all of these things are happening and because of the way that social media works and the way that the news is and all of these channels, like it's just shoving down your throat all of these terrible, horrible things.

[00:55:09]>> Yeah. And it's like the the speed of it like it's just like, "Oh man, that's crazy. Okay, what's next? Oh man, that's crazy." Yeah.

[00:55:17]>> 15 20 years ago it would have been like that's what you talked about for like a week or something like that and it's like you know sitting with you and whatever. Yeah. Exactly. Versus just like you see it and then it's gone.

[00:55:33]You're on to the next. So this was absolutely such a phenomenal movie but nothing at all what I was expecting. And yeah I'm like I need a palette cleanser.

[00:55:43]>> Yeah. I need a palette cleanser. And I also I feel like there was another movie that we watched a few weeks ago that I was like, I have no idea how I would explain this movie to someone. I forgot what movie it was. This is another one where I'm like, I don't know what to tell you about this movie. Just watch it.

[00:56:00]>> Even if it's just for the performances alone because absolutely everyone blew me away. We've seen a lot of these people before in older films. Even if my memory is terrible and I can't remember where I've seen these people from. I know we've seen a lot of these people, the director and everything. This is an incredible movie. I don't know how to explain it to anyone. I don't know how to label it.

[00:56:21]>> Is it going to make you feel good or bad? I don't know. That's going to be up to you, maybe. But yeah, it was insane.

[00:56:28]And to touch on again how I kind of said like Arthur Jensen's performance almost felt like predictable. It kind of felt predictable at the end >> to be like, "Oh, well, let's just kill him." But again, I'm saying it in like just Yeah. But it's like it's almost so predictable that it's not predictable.

[00:56:44]So that when it happens, it's like, "Oh, what the fuck?" Like that was really happening.

[00:56:49]>> Well, and then they're going to show this news story over and over again.

[00:56:53]They have the the four screens again just like we did in the beginning.

[00:56:56]That's the night's news.

[00:56:58]>> Yeah.

[00:56:58]>> The next day, who's Howard?

[00:57:00]>> Yeah. Who's Howard? And who's the who's the new host of the Howard Beal show?

[00:57:05]It's going to be a different show. And all it's going to be is like the ratings and stuff >> and you just move on from it. Like it's so insane. And I feel like I'm like having like a what? I don't know.

[00:57:16]>> Nervous breakdown.

[00:57:17]>> No, not a nervous breakdown. What is the I don't know what I'm trying to say.

[00:57:21]It's like where you're like >> an epiphany. Uh I don't know. Tell me some feelings that you're having.

[00:57:27]>> I know. I don't know how to explain it.

[00:57:28]There's like a specific word that I'm looking for. Feel like the comments always figure it out.

[00:57:33]>> The comments figure it out every single time.

[00:57:35]>> But it's like Uh, are you uneasy? Are you >> Yeah, but it's it's like where not an epiphany. That's not what I'm going for, but maybe >> revelation. Uh, >> yeah, but it's like something where it's like, holy [ __ ] Like this is opening up a whole other can of worms, which sounds epiphany like. So maybe that is, but I feel like that's not the word.

[00:57:55]>> Someone might find the the correct word.

[00:57:57]>> Anyways, this was incredible.

[00:57:59]>> Yeah, that what an experience. Uh, >> I want to check out more. Okay, I had to I looked up. It's Lummet. Oh yeah, Sydney. But we've seen a couple of his films. I'm going to have to make a playlist as well. All bangers, obviously. So, let us know if there's additional Sydney films that we should check out because I'm like, holy [ __ ] Like, this is a this is a director that I want to dive >> deep into. And it's funny, we watched this for Robert Duval. Pretty small role.

[00:58:28]>> Yeah. But >> impactful role. I mean, >> he's very impactful. Very important.

[00:58:31]He's on the cover.

[00:58:32]>> He's on the cover. Actually, I think he was on the cover of >> the other of uh Deep Impact, >> maybe.

[00:58:37]>> Uh yeah, I mean, he kills essentially the the main character, if you want to consider it.

[00:58:42]>> Yeah. What an experience. What a movie.

[00:58:43]I see why this is so highly recommended.

[00:58:46]Amazing performances. Uh totally shocking. Yeah, this has to be a very influential movie and also just super dark and depressing, which sometimes is great. Uh but yeah, we're definitely going to need something fun after this.

[00:58:57]>> I mean, we're next is Airplane. Yeah, we're hopefully about to watch Airplane like right now. So, that should be a nice little palette cleanser. Uh, so this was excellent.

[00:59:07]>> Yeah. So, thank you to everyone that recommended this. Uh, also voted for it on the poll. Give us some other recommendations for Sydney Fay Dunaway.

[00:59:14]Anybody in this film cuz that was incredible. Uh, Arthur Jensen, Ned Bey, would love to see more of him because that was fantastic. But yeah, >> so if you'd like to see the full length reaction for this as well as everything else that we've reacted to, the link to our Patreon is in the description. If you'd like to interact with us on any other types of >> social media, uh the links are in the description as well. And with that, peace. I'm hungry. Bye everyone.

[00:59:39]>> Bye.