EDtv Movie Review 1999

Ed (McConaughey) is a scruffy redneck video clerk who agrees to have his life broadcast 24/7 for a reality show produced by DeGeneres. Of course the show becomes a hit, and an entire nation watches breathlessly as Ed steals his brother's girlfriend Shari (Elfman), restocks shelves, and goes to the bathroom with the door open. His family life immediately turns melodramatic, with Ed learning "shocking secrets" about his mom (Kirkland), dad (Landau), and brother (Harrelson). Compared to the "The Truman Show," thanks to their back-to-back release in theatres, but director (and TV child star survivor) Ron Howard's version lacks the biting satire.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 122 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Satire & Parody, Look Ma! I'm on TV!, Brothers & Sisters, Showbiz Comedies, Rags to Riches, Price of Fame, At the Video Store

Screenplay

Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel

Cast

Ellen DeGeneres, Sally Kirkland, Martin Landau, Elizabeth Hurley, Rob Reiner, Dennis Hopper, Adam Goldberg, Viveka Davis, Clint Howard, Larry "Flash" Jenkins, Donny Most, Rick Overton, RuPaul Charles, Gedde Watanabe, Harry Shearer, Jennifer Elise Cox, Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson

Cinematography

John Schwartzman

Director

Ron Howard

Music

Randy Edelman

Producer

Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Todd Hallowell, Michel Roy, Richard Sadler, Imagine Entertainment, Universal Studios