Watch The Dick Knost Show

The Dick Knost Show is a dark comedy film released in 2013 directed and written by Bruce Sweeney. The film primarily examines the life of Dick Knost (Tom Scholte), the host of a failing sports talk show in Vancouver. His show is built around his personal opinions and controversial statements, which divides his audience into either loving or hating him.

The film starts with Dick trying to pull an outrageous stunt, which involves him jumping over a tank of live sharks on his motorbike. However, the stunt fails miserably as he crashes into the tank and falls into the water. Dick's producer, Tony (Kurt Max Runte), is furious as the stunt costs them a lot of money, and he suggests that they start trying to get some legitimate guests on the show who can boost their ratings.

As they struggle to get big-name guests, the film takes a closer look at Dick's personal life. He has a strained relationship with his ex-wife, who is now a prominent politician, and their daughter, who is rebelling against her mother by spending more time with Dick. Dick has a girlfriend, Sharon (Jillian Fargey), who is pregnant with his child, but he is not enthusiastic about their relationship. Instead, he is interested in a new employee, Jules (Gabrielle Rose), who works for their network's news division.

The film shines as it explores the complicated nature of Dick's character. He is unapologetically rude to his colleagues and guests, but he also has a soft spot for his daughter and a growing sense of concern about the direction his show is headed. The film balances the comedic elements with more serious moments, such as when Dick visits his ex-wife's office and has a heated argument with her.

The movie also touches on issues within the sports media industry, including sexism and homophobia. Dick often makes misogynistic comments and has a history of bullying his gay colleagues. But the film's commentary doesn't stop there; it also explores the commercialization of professional sports and how it has negatively impacted the people who genuinely love the game.

One of the film's strengths is its cast. Tom Scholte brings an excellent portrayal of Dick's character. He captures the complexities and contradictions of being an outrageous and outspoken radio show host perfectly. Gabrielle Rose delivers a great performance as Jules, who is the complete opposite of Dick but finds him fascinating. Jillian Fargey stands out as Dick's pregnant girlfriend who is dealing with her own insecurities.

The film's pacing is deliberate, highlighting the mundane nature of Dick's life and the monotony of his job. However, it works in the film's favor, as it emphasizes the stakes at play when Dick finally decides to make a significant change in his life.

The Dick Knost Show is a smart, funny, and insightful film that explores dark themes with a comedic touch. It showcases the inner workings of the sports talk radio industry while telling a personal story of a character who is searching for a meaningful life. The film's excellent cast and well-executed writing make it a must-watch for audiences who appreciate thought-provoking comedies.

The Dick Knost Show is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.