The Awful Truth (1999–2000)

Activist film director Micheal Moore hosts a show where he continues his crusade to expose wrongdoing by the high and mighty.

Stars:

Michael Moore, Jay Martel, Gideon Evans

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael Moore	...	Himself (24 episodes, 1999-2000)

Storyline

In this cable show, muckraking director Micheal Moore continues his war against all the wrongs commited by greedy businesses, the callous wealthy and opportunistic politicians that exploit the little person in society. To that end, we have his standard protest pranks, investigative reports and satiric games with the audience.

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Plot Keywords:

protest | political satire | investigative reporting | gay rights | human rights | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Michael Moore

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Awful Truth with Michael Moore

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Broadcasting Inc., Channel 4 Television Corporation, Bravo Cable

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (24 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the first season DVD when Michael is responding to the question about HMOs, his hands are in the air and in the next shots they are at his sides.

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Connections

Edited into Bowling for Columbine (2002)

User Reviews

How many shows can claim to be life-saving and mean it?

Michael Moore's short lived "TV Nation" gets a long awaited resurrection and make-over with "The Awful Truth" which demonstrates the true power and potential of television. Michael Moore is the documentarian behind "Roger And Me" and "The Big One" and author of "Downsize This".

The show aired in Canada for the first time on Sunday, May 16, 1999 at 8:30 pm EST and has already proved it's worth in less than thirty minutes. It's also hilarious, and funnier than anything that could ever be scripted.

Two segments were featured in this program, one dealing with mock Witch Hunts in Washington, but the more moving piece, focused on 34 year old Diabetic Chris Donahue, father of a 4 year old girl, whose health insurance company (or HMO if you prefer), Humana, rejected his claim for an operation for a pancreas transplant. Without the operation, he would surely die, and so Michael Moore came to his aid.

First Chris went to Florida's Palm Beach Post to place his own obituary. Then Michael invited Humana to come help the ailing man choose a coffin for Chris. Then he invited them to Chris' funeral party, with Chris displaying his bright red custom made T-shirt that read "I signed with Humana and all I got was this lousy t-shirt, but no pancreas". Then they had a rehearsal funeral outside Humana's offices. Finally, in less than a week, the company cracked, accepted the claim, thereby saving the man's life, and revised their policies on all claims for pancreas transplants.

With an incredibly moving moment to end the show on, the grateful Chris showed his appreciation from the studio audience with his family to a rousing standing ovation.

Do yourself a favour, catch this show, have a laugh, and watch an important crusader do what he does best, make slimy corporations very nervous, and improving the world a bit at a time.