Ed TV (DVD)

Reality TV seems to have reached epic proportions now, and if we so choose we can watch anything from a bunch of strangers sitting around in a house (Big Brother) to stars in the making (Pop Idol, Popstars, Fame Academy...take your pick), but in 1999 it was still on a very small scale, and in March 1999, when EDtv was released, a lot of people thought it was pure pie in the sky, and it was probably something that would prove popular on the first outing, but why would people just want to watch people? Why would they indeed? Directed by legendary (although I think it is a case of the hype exceeding the talent) ex Happy Days actor Ron Howard, EDtv takes a look at the ...  Read the complete review

I remember going to see this film years ago with my mum and brother in the cinema. I had seen the ads for it and thought that it had looked really good so was excited about going to see it. If you have never heard of Ed Tv, it is a comedy film that came to our screens in 1999. It has a good cast including the gorgeous Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Elizabeth Hurley and Dennis Hopper. Its total running time is 122 minutes and it was directed by Ron Howard. The story centres around character Ed. The film is similar to The Truman Show but the difference is that Ed knows that his life is a reality television show. He is picked ...  Read the complete review

When “Edtv” was released, a lot of people thought it was just riding on the back of “The Truman Show”. While there are some similarities, there are a huge number of differences which makes both films unique, although I wonder if the producers of the latest Big Brother took their lead from “Edtv”, because reality TV seems to reach new levels with each programme that hits our screens. Ron Howard has created a witty satire on the cult status these reality TV stars achieve, albeit with a complete loss of a private life. He takes a look into why people want to be famous, and what are they willing to sacrifice in order to achieve ...  Read the complete review

...It's the entire Nation! Edtv has a very simple concept behind. Pick an ordinary bloke of the street, film him 24 hours a day, 7 days and week, and broadcast the signal live across the United States. Heard the idea before? Big Brother perhaps, or maybe The Truman Show? Well, sort of, yes, but Edtv puts a new twist on the 'Big Brother is watching you' idea. Set in San Francisco, Ed (Matthew McConoughy) is just an ordinary twenty-something year old, who works in a video store. His brother (Woody Harleson) hears about this show that 'True TV' is planning to produce, where one lucky person gets to be filmed 24-7, and be given a ...  Read the complete review

Because EDTV was realised a few months after the Truman Show everyone assumed that it was just a second rate copy of the truman show, however after watching this film I can safely say this is not the case. The bosses at a tv network are tired of their boring shows so decide to create something different. The decide to choose a person and follow them round, broadcasting their life to the nation. To pick the person they send camera round the nation to videotape hopefuls. One day they come to Ed's local bar and his older brother,Ray who is loud and showy auditions and while he is gets his brother Ed to talk to with him during the audition. However Ed is chosen ...  Read the complete review