A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Eric Bogosian | ... |
Barry
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| Ellen Greene | ... |
Ellen
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| Leslie Hope | ... |
Laura
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| John C. McGinley | ... |
Stu
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| Alec Baldwin | ... |
Dan
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| John Pankow | ... |
Dietz
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| Michael Wincott | ... |
Kent / Michael / Joe
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Linda Atkinson | ... |
Sheila Fleming
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| Robert Trebor | ... |
Jeffrey Fisher / Francine
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| Zach Grenier | ... |
Sid Greenberg
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| Tony Frank | ... |
Dino
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Harlan Jordan | ... |
Coach Armstrong
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| Bill Johnson | ... |
Fan #1
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Kevin Howard | ... |
Fan #2
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| Anna Thomson | ... |
Woman at Basketball Game / Denise
(as Anna Levine)
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Bruno Rubeo | ... |
Tony
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Pirie MacDonald | ... |
Judge Willard
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| Allan Corduner | ... |
Vince / Morris
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Mimi Cochran | ... |
Girl #1
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| Rockets Redglare | ... |
Killer / Redneck Caller
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Angus G. Wynne III | ... |
Engineer
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Chip Moody | ... |
Announcer
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David Poynter | ... |
Engineer
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| Peter Zapp | ... |
Josh / Vincent (voice)
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| Carl Kissin | ... |
Glen (voice)
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| Park Overall | ... |
Debbie / Agnes / Theresa (voice)
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Michele Mariana | ... |
Rhonda / Elderly Woman / Julia (voice)
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| Earl Hindman | ... |
Chet / Black John / Jerry (voice)
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John Seitz | ... |
Bob (voice)
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Kyle McClaran | ... |
Arnold (voice)
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Dee Pyland | ... |
Nancy (voice)
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Daniel Escobar | ... |
Frank (voice)
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William De Acutis | ... |
John the Rapist / Ralph (voice)
(as Bill DeAcutis)
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Frederica Meister | ... |
Sexy Woman (voice)
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Luis Barajas | ... |
Fred (voice)
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Vernie Bailey | ... |
Jackie (voice)
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| Martin Rayner | ... |
Arnold (voice)
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Alan Clark | ... |
Larry (voice)
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Moby | ... |
Station Announcer / Newscaster (voice)
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| John B. Wells | ... |
V.O. (voice)
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| Leigh French | ... |
Newscaster (voice)
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Walter Lynn | ... |
Newscaster (voice)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Theresa Bell | ... |
Lucy (uncredited)
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| Kim Gelvin | ... |
Audience at Basket Ball Game (uncredited)
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| Wayne Shannon | ... |
Photographer - Basketball Game (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Oliver Stone | ||
Written by
| Stephen Singular | ... | (book "Talked To Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg") |
| Eric Bogosian | ... | (play creator) & |
| Tad Savinar | ... | (play creator) |
| Eric Bogosian | ... | (play) |
| Eric Bogosian | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Oliver Stone | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| A. Kitman Ho | ... | producer |
| Edward R. Pressman | ... | producer |
| Diane Schneier | ... | associate producer |
| Greg Strangis | ... | executive producer |
| Sam Strangis | ... | executive producer |
| Neal Weisman | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Stewart Copeland | ||
Cinematography by
| Robert Richardson | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| David Brenner | ||
| Joe Hutshing | ... | co-editor |
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | additional negative cutter |
| Jana Carroll | ... | apprentice editor |
| Bob Hagans | ... | color timer |
| Michele Perrone | ... | assistant editor (as Michelle Perrone) |
| Melody Platt | ... | apprentice editor |
| Marcelo Sansevieri | ... | assistant editor |
| Pietro Scalia | ... | assistant editor |
| Emmy Scharlatt | ... | assistant editor |
| Amy Urema | ... | post-production assistant |
Casting By
| Risa Bramon Garcia | ||
| Billy Hopkins | ||
Production Design by
| Bruno Rubeo | ||
Art Direction by
| Milo | ||
Set Decoration by
| Derek R. Hill | ||
Costume Design by
| Ellen Mirojnick | ||
Makeup Department
| Martha Marek Beresford | ... | hair stylist |
| Sharon Ilson | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Jane Bartelme | ... | unit manager |
| Michael Flynn | ... | executive in charge of production |
| Clayton Townsend | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Vebe Borge | ... | second assistant director |
| Joseph P. Reidy | ... | first assistant director (as Joseph Reidy) |
Art Department
| Don 'Tex' Clark | ... | set dresser (as Don Clark) |
| Chris Henry | ... | construction foreman |
| Mike Parsons | ... | property master |
| Barry Phillips | ... | assistant art director |
| Craig Pittman | ... | set dresser |
| Joe Sharber | ... | stand-by props |
| Phil Shirey | ... | set dresser |
| J. Grey Smith | ... | lead man (as Grey Smith) |
| Floyd Gentry | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Terry Lynn Allen | ... | dialogue editor (as Terry Allen) |
| Lorna Anderson | ... | dialogue editor |
| Lon Bender | ... | supervising sound editor (as Lon E. Bender) |
| Neal Burger | ... | dialogue editor |
| Harry Cohen | ... | digital sound effects designer |
| Tom Dionne | ... | sound effects editor |
| Scott Martin Gershin | ... | sound designer |
| Avram D. Gold | ... | dialogue editor (as Avram Gold) |
| Lewis Goldstein | ... | dialogue editor (as Lew Goldstein) |
| Douglas Greenfield | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby |
| Patrick M. Griffith | ... | post-production sound supervisor |
| Victor Grodecki | ... | dialogue editor |
| Penny Lee Hallin | ... | assistant dialogue editor |
| Kevin Hearst | ... | dialogue editor |
| Sherry Klein | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Gerry Lentz | ... | foley editor / foley recordist |
| Kim Maitland | ... | sound recordist |
| Tod A. Maitland | ... | sound mixer |
| Joseph A. Mayer | ... | adr supervisor (as Joseph Mayer) |
| Michael Minkler | ... | re-recording mixer |
| T.J. O'Mara | ... | boom operator |
| Kelly Oxford | ... | assistant dialogue editor |
| Dan M. Rich | ... | dialogue editor (as Dan Rich) |
| David M. Roberts | ... | utility sound (as David Roberts) |
| Joan Rowe | ... | foley artist |
| Ann Scibelli | ... | sound effects editor |
| R. Russell Smith | ... | sound effects editor (as Rusty Smith) |
| Cathie Speakman | ... | sound editor |
| Wylie Stateman | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Ken Teaney | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Stephen Toback | ... | sound effects editor |
| Jerry Trent | ... | foley artist |
| Jeff Vaughn | ... | foley editor / foley recordist |
| Jeff Timbs | ... | daily sound transferer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| William Purcell | ... | special effects technician |
Stunts
| Ray Forrest Barrow | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Sharon Alley | ... | second assistant camera |
| Jerry G. Callaway | ... | aerial photographer |
| Mark Shane Davis | ... | key grip (as Mark Davis) |
| Jonathan D. Guerra | ... | electrician (as Jon Guerra) |
| Johnny Gutierrez | ... | rigging electrician |
| Dennis Haden | ... | grip |
| John Johns | ... | video playback operator |
| Steve Lang | ... | grip |
| Fred L. McLane | ... | first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Fred McLane) |
| Reinhart 'Rayteam' Peschke | ... | gaffer |
| Philip C. Pfeiffer | ... | director of photography: second unit (as Phil Pfeiffer) |
| Toby Phillips | ... | steadicam operator |
| Bill Pierson | ... | dolly grip |
| David Rudd | ... | first assistant camera |
| Joyce Rudolph | ... | still photographer |
| Frank Scheidbach | ... | best boy |
| John Shoemaker | ... | electrician |
| John Patrick Smith | ... | camera trainee (as Patrick Smith) |
| Peter J. Verrando | ... | 24 frame video operator (as Pete Verrando) |
| Sean Cohen | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Mark A. Hatley | ... | grip (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Matthew W. Davis | ... | casting assistant |
| Ed Johnston | ... | casting: Texas |
| Carl Scaglione | ... | casting assistant: Texas |
| Katherine Venti | ... | casting associate |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Barbara B. Baker | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Barbara Baker) |
| Sawnie Baldridge | ... | costume supervisor (as Sawnie Baldridge Smith) |
| Stephen M. Chudej | ... | costumer (as Stephen Chudej) |
| Mayes C. Rubeo | ... | assistant to costume designer (as Mayes Castillero de Rubeo) |
Music Department
| Budd Carr | ... | music supervisor |
| Nicola Freegard | ... | music coordinator (as Niki Freegard) |
| Carlton Kaller | ... | music editor (as Carl Kaller) |
| Jeff Seitz | ... | music co-producer / music engineer |
Script and Continuity Department
| Susan Malerstein-Watkins | ... | script supervisor (as Susan Malerstein) |
Transportation Department
| Alvin Milliken | ... | driver (as Alvin Milliken Jr.) |
| Billy Milliken | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Bill Abbott | ... | key technical advisor |
| Judith Lee Berg | ... | consultant |
| David Bradstreet | ... | production assistant: Los Angeles |
| David A. Brink | ... | production assistant (as David Brink) |
| Billy Crawford | ... | film courier |
| Elon Dershowitz | ... | assistant: Edward R. Pressman |
| Catherine M. Griffin | ... | production assistant: Los Angeles |
| Robert Grindrod | ... | assistant auditor |
| Sandy Hollis | ... | craft service |
| Andrea Jaffe | ... | publicist |
| Myra Lebo | ... | office staff executive assistant: Pressman Films, Los Angeles |
| Deborah Lupard | ... | key production assistant |
| Lisa Mashburn | ... | bookkeeper: Los Angeles |
| Cindy Nelson | ... | studio manager (as Cindy Fairfield) |
| Dan Perri | ... | title designer: main titles |
| Sandra Maltz Saccio | ... | production secretary: Pressman films, Los Angeles (as Sandra Maltz) |
| Elisabeth Seldes Annacone | ... | assistant: Oliver Stone (as Elisabeth Seldes) |
| Christina Stauffer | ... | production assistant |
| Barbara-Ann Stein | ... | auditor |
| Elizabeth Stone | ... | spiritual advisor: Naijo No Ko |
| Leeann Stonebreaker | ... | production coordinator |
| Layne Teaff | ... | production assistant |
| Art Tizon | ... | office coordinator: Los Angeles |
| Peter J. Verrando | ... | technician: broadcast electronics (as Pete Verrando) |
| Daniel Wheatcroft | ... | studio executive |
| Anath White | ... | technical advisor |
| Mike Childress | ... | stage manager (uncredited) |
| Dianne E. Collins | ... | publicist: M/S Billings Publicity Ltd. (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Cineplex Odeon Films (presents)
- Ten-Four Productions
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1988) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cineplex Odeon Films International (1988) (Non-US) (sales)
- Cineplex Odeon Films (1988) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Capital Cinéma (1989) (France) (theatrical)
- Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1989) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Motion Picture Group (MPG) (1989) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1989) (Japan) (theatrical)
- CBS / Fox Video (1989) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Cineplex-Odeon Home Video (1989) (Canada) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1989) (Canada) (video)
- MCA Home Video (1989) (United States) (VHS)
- Roadshow Home Video (1989) (Australia) (VHS)
- Finnkino (1990) (Finland) (theatrical)
- CNR Video (1990) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Oy Europa Vision AB (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
- Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
- Amtares (1992) (France) (VHS)
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) (1991) (Germany) (tv)
- Atlantic Film (2006) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Belgische Radio en Televisie (BRTN) (1992) (Belgium) (tv) (BRTN1)
- Entertainment One (2023) (Canada) (video) (streaming)
- Future Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Indies Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- TGG Direct (2014) (United States) (DVD)
- Topanga Canyon Films (2018) (Spain)
- Twilight Time (2019) (World-wide) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Universum Film (UFA) (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- VTI Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1998) (Finland) (tv)
- marketing-film (West Germany) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- EFX Systems (digital sound)
- J.G. Films (negative cutting)
- Otto Nemenz International (camera and lenses)
- R/Greenberg Associates (additional optical effects)
- Soundelux (dialogue editing)
- The Optical House (opticals)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by Mark Thompson |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Words can kill... See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Box Office
| Budget | $4,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Eric Bogosian's play "Talk Radio", on which this film is based, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. See more » |
| Goofs | When Barry Champlain says that he's going to punish his listeners by playing the Bee Gees' song - Saturday Night Fever, ten times in a row. While they had a monster hit with "Night Fever" there is no such song as "Saturday Night Fever." The record they actually play is Disco Inferno by The Tramps. This may be intentional due to copyright issues; however, the track is on the OST for Saturday Night Fever. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Working Girl/I'm Gonna Git You Sucka/Rain Man/Torch Song Trilogy/Haunted Summer (1988). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Bad to the Bone See more » |
| Quotes |
Barry:
I should hang; I'm a hypocrite. I ask for sincerity and I lie. I denounce the system as I embrace it. I want money and power and prestige: I want ratings and success. And I don't give a damn about you, or the world. That's the truth: for that I could say I'm sorry, but I won't. Why should I? I mean who the hell are you anyways you... audience! You're on me every night like a pack of wolves because you can't stand facing what you are and what you've made! Yes, the world is a terrible place. Yes, cancer and garbage disposals will get you. Yes, a war is coming. Yes, the world is shot to hell and you're all goners. Everything's screwed up and you like it that way don't you? You're fascinated by the gory details. You're mesmerized by your own fear. You revel in floods and car accidents, unstoppable diseases. You're happiest when others are in pain. That's where I come in, isn't it? I'm here to lead you by the hands through the dark forest of your own hatred and anger and humiliation. I'm providing a public service. You're so scared. You're like a little child under the covers. You're afraid of the boogeyman but you can't live without him. Your fear; your own lives have become your entertainment. Next month, millions of people are going to be listening to this show and you'll have nothing to talk about! Marvelous technology is at our disposal, and instead of reaching up to new heights, we're gonna see how far down we can go! How deep into the muck we can immerse ourselves! What do you wanna talk about, hm? Baseball scores? Your pet? Orgasms? You're pathetic. I despise each and every one of you. You've got nothing, absolutely nothing. No brains, no power, no future, no hope, no God. The only thing you believe in is me. What are you if you don't have me. I'm not afraid see. I come in here every night, I make my case, I make my point, I say what I believe in. I tell you what you are, I have to, I have no choice! You frighten me! I come in here every night, I tear into you, I abuse you, I insult you, you just keep coming back for more. Whats wrong with you, why do you keep calling? I don't wanna hear anymore, stop talking! Go away! Bunch of yellow-bellied, spineless, bigoted, quivering, drunken, insomnia-tic, paranoid, disgusting, perverted, voyeuristic, little obscene phone callers, that's what you are. Well to Hell with you. I don't need your ferior stupidity, you don't get it. It's wasted on you. Pearls before swine. If one person out there had any idea what I'm talking about... I... [answers caller] Barry: friend you're on night talk. See more » |