Talk Radio (1988)

A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers:

Stephen Singular (book), Eric Bogosian (play),

Stars:

Eric Bogosian, Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Bogosian	...	Barry
Ellen Greene	...	Ellen
Leslie Hope	...	Laura
John C. McGinley	...	Stu
Alec Baldwin	...	Dan
John Pankow	...	Dietz
Michael Wincott	...	Kent / Michael / Joe
Linda Atkinson	...	Sheila Fleming
Robert Trebor	...	Jeffrey Fisher / Francine
Zach Grenier	...	Sid Greenberg
Tony Frank	...	Dino
Harlan Jordan	...	Coach Armstrong
Bill Johnson	...	Fan #1
Kevin Howard	...	Fan #2
Anna Levine	...	Woman at Basketball Game / Denise

Storyline

An acerbic radio talk show host based in Dallas starts what could be an important few days when he discovers that his controversial late night show is about to be "picked up" by a nationwide network of radio stations. However, all is not perfect for him, because on top of troubles with his love life and fears that the management of the network will try to alter the content of his show he has to cope with a neo-nazi group who have been angered by his forthright opinions.

---

Plot Keywords:

radio | radio talk show | radio station | neo nazi | shot to death | 

---

Taglines:

Words can kill...

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Vozes da Ira

Filming Locations:

Building One, Studios at Las Colinas - 6301 North O'Connor Road, Irving, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$3,468,572 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineplex-Odeon Films, Ten-Four Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The radio tower seen at the end of the film is the tower for KDFW, Dallas' Fox affiliate (although at the time of the film, KDFW was the affiliate for CBS).

---

Goofs

The radio station gives its identification as "KGAB in Dallas". Dallas shares its media market with Fort Worth, so all radio and television stations give their identification as being from "Dallas-Fort Worth".

---

Quotes

Stu: If you don't like the heights, don't climb mountains!

---

Connections

References I Love Lucy (1951)

---

Soundtracks

"Telephone & Rubber Band"
Written by Simon Jeffes
Performed by Penguin Cafe Orchestra (as The Penguin Cafe Orchestra)
Courtesy of E.G. Records

User Reviews

Interesting Character, But Not A Fun Guy

I found this fascinating when it came out. How I would feel about it now might be different, knowing Oliver Stone's beliefs and how he likes to put them on film. Back then, I didn't care. I just looked at this as a character study of a nasty and very disturbed radio talk show host who had nutty callers and was nuts himself.

I have to warn viewers - and this has nothing to do with politics - after the riveting first 30 minutes, this lead character "Barry Champlain" (Eric Bogosian) wears thin big-time. He is so obnoxious that he makes this movie uncomfortable to watch in a number of areas. This is not fun to witness, folks, but Bogosian does a super job in the lead role.

Personally, this story is so full of anger, hatred and sordidness that I wouldn't watch it again. However, if you know all this in advance and appreciate fine acting and different kind of story, it's worth checking out. Just don't expect to be uplifted!