Watch Max Headroom
- 1987
- 2 Seasons
-
7.4 (3,100)
Max Headroom is a science-fiction television series that aired on ABC for two seasons from 1987 to 1988. It starred Matt Frewer as the eponymous character, who is a computer-generated talking head. The show is set in a dystopian future where corporations have replaced governments, and the media has become the dominant force in society.
The series was created by George Stone, Annabel Jankel, and Rocky Morton, and was based on a British TV movie of the same name. The show broke new ground in terms of its use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create the character of Max Headroom, who was a pioneer in the field of digital animation.
The show's premise revolves around Edison Carter, a hard-hitting investigative journalist played by Frewer, and his struggles against the might of the massive media conglomerate Network 23. Carter's reporting leads him to uncover a wide-ranging conspiracy that involves the Network's shady practices, including corporate espionage and assassination.
In an effort to silence him, Network 23 engineers a car crash that nearly kills Carter. However, his consciousness is uploaded into a computer system, where it merges with an experimental artificial intelligence program, creating the entity known as Max Headroom.
Max Headroom has the appearance of a computer-generated talking head, with a stuttering, glitchy manner of speech that makes him instantly recognizable. He possesses a quick wit and sharp tongue, and is constantly jumping between humorous quips and biting political commentary.
Throughout the show, Max serves as a sidekick to Carter, popping up on computer monitors and television screens to offer guidance and advice. He also interacts with the other characters, including Theora Jones, Carter's producer, and Bryce Lynch, a rival journalist.
The show's themes revolve primarily around the dangers of corporate media and the struggle for individual freedom in a society that is increasingly dominated by technology. Max Headroom represents a digital voice of dissent, unencumbered by the limitations of the human body and able to operate beyond the reach of the Network's control.
Despite its relatively short run, Max Headroom remains a cult classic and a landmark in the history of science-fiction television. It was highly praised for its commitment to groundbreaking CGI and was lauded for its political commentary, which continues to resonate with audiences today.
Max Headroom was also known for its innovative storytelling, which was ahead of its time. Each episode was structured as a stand-alone story, but there were also recurring subplots and a larger overarching arc that ran through the entirety of the series. This unconventional approach allowed the show to tackle a wide range of issues and themes, from the dangers of corporate greed to the ethics of AI and the nature of consciousness.
In conclusion, Max Headroom was a groundbreaking television show that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with digital animation and storytelling. It remains a cult classic today, and its themes and commentary continue to resonate with audiences.
Max Headroom is a series that ran for 2 seasons (14 episodes) between March 31, 1987 and on ABC