The TV Set (2006)

The story of a TV pilot as it goes through the Network TV process of casting, production and finally airing.

Director:

Jake Kasdan

Writer:

Jake Kasdan

Stars:

David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, Ioan Gruffudd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Duchovny	...	Mike Klein
Sigourney Weaver	...	Lenny
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Richard McCallister
Judy Greer	...	Alice
Fran Kranz	...	Zach Harper
Lindsay Sloane	...	Laurel Simon
Justine Bateman	...	Natalie Klein
Lucy Davis	...	Chloe McCallister
Willie Garson	...	Brian
M.C. Gainey	...	Hutch
Wendle Josepher	...	A.D.
Philip Rosenthal	...	Exec. #1 / Cooper (as Phil Rosenthal)
David Doty	...	Exec. #2 / Rose
Matt Price	...	Exec. #3 / Berg
Simon Helberg	...	TJ Goldman

Storyline

A television network is making a pilot of Mike's quirky comedy based on the aftermath of his brother's suicide. As the network suits ask for change after change, and as Mike struggles with compromise, there are strains on families, execs who show rushes to their children, leads who feel each other out, and assistants who put a smile on everything. Can an honest show get made in the world of reality TV chasing an audience of teen-aged boys?

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Plot Keywords:

assistant | husband wife relationship | producer | beard | funeral | 

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Taglines:

A place where dreams are canceled

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Call Me Crazy

Filming Locations:

Beverly Center - 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$34,531 (USA) (6 April 2007)

Gross:

$265,550 (USA) (13 July 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TV Set Holding Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this movie, Sigourney Weaver plays a television network president. Weaver's father, Sylvester ("Pat") Weaver, was for many years president of NBC; the writer and director of TV Set, The (2006), Jake Kasdan, was a producer and writer on "Freaks and Geeks" (1999), which aired on NBC (albeit many years after Pat Weaver's retirement).

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Quotes

Mike: If I don't worry about the content in my show, then I'm part of the problem. I'm making the world more mediocre!
Alice: I think that you're overstating the situation just a little bit.
Mike: But you've never seen "Taxi Driver"!
Alice: I am going to rent "The Taxi Driver", okay?

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits an elimination round from the fictional reality show "Slut Wars" plays, featuring Seth Green as the host.

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Connections

References JAG (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Shake It"
Written by Richard L. Garcia and Rosel Anton Minter
Performed by PMG
Courtesy of D2 Music

User Reviews

A smart, funny film about the process of getting a TV Pilot from the paper to the screen

David's character Mike Kline was so far removed from Fox Mulder that this should finally shut the critics up that say David can only play one role. David was almost unrecognizable as this down trodden man who had his dream script completely turned inside out by the powers that be. He, in MHO was terrific as was the whole ensemble cast. Justine Bateman was very good as his wife and Sigourney was terrific as the network boss. The expressions on David's face were just amazing. He truly made you feel sorry for the man while you also had to laugh at his pain. I LOVED the film. And I can say for the first time that David was really skuzzy looking. Duchovny's expressions were priceless. This film has a truly wonderful ensemble cast. There is not a bad performance in the bunch. Bottom line . I think that this film is very smart, funny and kind of sad. You feel Mike's pain

I'd give this film 4 stars any day of the week