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 ...

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 ...

...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 ...