An unemployed visionary becomes the manager of a local television station. The station becomes a success, with all sorts of hilarious sight gags and wacky humor.
Director:
Writers:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| 'Weird Al' Yankovic | ... |
George Newman
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| Victoria Jackson | ... |
Teri
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| Kevin McCarthy | ... |
R.J. Fletcher
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| Michael Richards | ... |
Stanley Spadowski
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| David Bowe | ... |
Bob
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| Stanley Brock | ... |
Uncle Harvey
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| Anthony Geary | ... |
Philo
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| Trinidad Silva | ... |
Raul Hernandez
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| Gedde Watanabe | ... |
Kuni
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| Billy Barty | ... |
Noodles
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| John Paragon | ... |
Richard Fletcher
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| Fran Drescher | ... |
Pamela Finklestein
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| Sue Ane Langdon | ... |
Aunt Esther
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| David Proval | ... |
Head Thug
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| Grant James | ... |
Killer Thug
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| Emo Philips | ... |
Joe Earley
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| Jay Levey | ... |
Gandhi
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Brian Routh | ... |
The Kipper Kids
(as Harry Kipper)
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| Martin von Haselberg | ... |
The Kipper Kids
(as Harry Kipper)
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Ludie C. Washington | ... |
Cameraman
(as Lou B. Washington)
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Vance Colvig Jr. | ... |
Bum
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Travis Knight | ... |
Billy
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Nik Hagler | ... |
FCC Man
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| Robert K. Weiss | ... |
Bartender
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Eldon G. Hallum | ... |
Spatula Husband
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Sherry Engstrom | ... |
Spatula Wife
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Sara Allen | ... |
Spatula Neighbor
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| Bob Hungerford | ... |
Sy Greenblum
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John Cadenhead | ... |
Crazy Ernie
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Francis M. Carlson | ... |
Blind Man
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Ivan Green | ... |
Earl Ramsey
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Adam Maras | ... |
Joel Miller
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Joseph Witt | ... |
Little Weasel
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| Tony Frank | ... |
Teri's Father
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Billie Lee Thrash | ... |
Teri's Mother
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Barry Friedman | ... |
Fletcher Cronie #1
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Kevin Roden | ... |
Fletcher Cronie #2
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Lisa R. Stefanic | ... |
Phyllis Weaver
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Nancy Johnson | ... |
Big Edna
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Debbie Mathieu | ... |
Betty
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Wilma Jeanne Cummins | ... |
Little Old Lady
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Cliff Stephens | ... |
Animal Deliveryman
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Jim West | ... |
Band: Guitar
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Steve Jay | ... |
Band: Bass Guitar
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Jon Schwartz | ... |
Band: Drums
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Kim Bullard | ... |
Band: Keyboard
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| Barry Hansen | ... |
Whipped Cream Eater
(as Dr. Demento)
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Bob Maras | ... |
Thug #3
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| George Fisher | ... |
Thug #4
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Tony Salome | ... |
Guide #1
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Joe Restivo | ... |
Guide #2
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Charles Marsh | ... |
Yodeler
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| Belinda Bauer | ... |
Mud Wrestler
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Lori Wagner | ... |
Mud Wrestler
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| Patrick Thomas O'Brien | ... |
Satan
(as Patrick O'Brian)
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| Roger Callard | ... |
Conan the Librarian
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Robert Frank | ... |
Timid Man
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Jeff Maynard | ... |
Boy with Books
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M.G. Kelly | ... |
Promo Announcer (voice)
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Jay Gardner | ... |
Promo Announcer (voice)
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John Harlan | ... |
Promo Announcer (voice)
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Jim Rose | ... |
Promo Announcer (voice)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Adam Clarke | ... |
Kid in Audience (uncredited)
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| Tamara Clatterbuck | ... |
Talk Show Guest - Dominatrix (uncredited)
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Kenwick Cook | ... |
Party Guest (uncredited)
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Herbert Glucksman | ... |
Gorbachev (uncredited)
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Rhias Hall | ... |
Kimberly Hall (uncredited)
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Michael W. Hogan | ... |
Son in the Cemetery (uncredited)
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Marlo Holly | ... |
Donor at Telethon (uncredited)
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| Jeff E Howard | ... |
Donor at Telethon (uncredited)
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David Dillinger Jefferis | ... |
Spatula City Shopper (uncredited)
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Allan Lay | ... |
Surfer (uncredited)
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Kathy O'Bryan-Huber | ... |
Secretary (uncredited)
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| Gigi Orsillo | ... |
Spatula's Daughter (uncredited)
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| Gary Sievers | ... |
Disco Dancer (uncredited)
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| Christy Tate | ... |
Playhouse Audience (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Jay Levey | ||
Written by
| 'Weird Al' Yankovic | ... | (written by) (as Al Yankovic) & |
| Jay Levey | ... | (written by) |
| Charles Holloway | ... | (based on the sketch "Conan the Librarian" by) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Joe M. Aguilar | ... | associate producer (as Joe Aguilar) |
| Kevin Breslin | ... | co-producer |
| Becki Cross Trujillo | ... | associate producer (as Becki Cross) |
| Gray Frederickson | ... | executive producer |
| Deren Getz | ... | co-producer |
| John W. Hyde | ... | producer (produced by) (as John Hyde) |
| Gene Kirkwood | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Susan Zwerman | ... | co-producer: fantasy/music sequences |
Music by
| John Du Prez | ||
Cinematography by
| David Lewis | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Dennis M. O'Connor | ||
Editorial Department
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| Mike Milliken | ... | color timer |
| Steve Polivka | ... | additional editor (as Steven Polivka) |
| Ted Pryor | ... | apprentice editor |
| Lewis Schoenbrun | ... | assistant editor |
| Dale E. Grahn | ... | color timer (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Michael Cutler | ||
| Barbara Hanley | ||
| Cathy Henderson | ||
Production Design by
| Ward Preston | ||
Set Decoration by
| Robert L. Zilliox | ... | (as Robert Zilliox) |
Costume Design by
| Tom McKinley | ||
Makeup Department
| Lynne K. Eagan | ... | key hair stylist / key makeup artist |
| Roseanne McIlvane | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Douglas J. White | ... | special makeup effects artist (as Doug White) |
| Allan A. Apone | ... | makeup effects supervisor (uncredited) |
| Suzy Graham | ... | assistant makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Bill Carroll | ... | production supervisor |
| Gray Frederickson | ... | production manager |
| Kate Morris | ... | executive in charge of production |
| Susan Zwerman | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Benita Allen | ... | first assistant director: fantasy/music sequences / second assistant director |
| Scott Clark | ... | second assistant director |
| Lorene M. Duran | ... | second second assistant director |
| Kris Krengel | ... | second assistant director: fantasy/music sequences |
| Nicolas Spikings | ... | second second assistant director: fantasy/music sequences (as Nicolas J.D. Spikings) |
| Pam Whorton | ... | third assistant director |
| John R. Woodward | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Joe Adams | ... | swing gang |
| Layne Adams | ... | construction (as David Layne Adams) |
| Keith Anderson | ... | concert stage: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Tighe Barry | ... | assistant property master / property master: fantasy/music sequences |
| Allen Kent Borchert | ... | construction |
| Brian Cornford | ... | construction coordinator |
| Rick DeFalco | ... | construction |
| Eric Eastland | ... | concert stage: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Randy Faddis | ... | construction |
| Jim French | ... | carpenter |
| Raymond Johnson | ... | construction |
| Richard Kelley | ... | swing gang (as Richard Joseph Kelley) |
| Michelle Lennert | ... | swing gang |
| Norman Terry Loague | ... | construction |
| John A. Montgomery Jr. | ... | swing gang |
| James Patrick Morand | ... | construction |
| Michael Morand | ... | construction foreman |
| Bill Powell | ... | property master |
| Scircie Redmon Jr. | ... | construction |
| Eric Smith | ... | swing gang |
| Scott Staggs | ... | construction |
| Mike Staton | ... | construction |
| Richard Wilson | ... | construction |
| Douglas Womack | ... | construction coordinator: fantasy/music sequences (as Doug Womack) |
| Jennifer Wyatt-Beasley | ... | swing gang (as Jennifer Wyatt) |
| Timothy M. Zilliox | ... | lead person (as Tim Zilliox) |
| Clark Acton | ... | model maker: prop golden rope (uncredited) |
| Michelle Baron | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Ara Ashjian | ... | sound recordist |
| Christopher Assells | ... | sound editor (as Chris Assells) |
| Charles R. Beith Jr. | ... | sound editor (as Charles R. Beith) |
| Karla Caldwell | ... | adr supervising editor |
| Gregory Cheever | ... | sound recordist (as Greg Cheever) |
| Clayton Collins | ... | sound editor (as Clay Collins) |
| Andy D'Addario | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Dino Dimuro | ... | sound editor (as Dino Di Muro) |
| G. Michael Graham | ... | sound editor |
| Jeffrey J. Haboush | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Bo Harwood | ... | sound mixer |
| Dan Hegeman | ... | sound editor (as Daniel Hegeman) |
| Hilda Hodges | ... | foley artist |
| Warren Kleiman | ... | adr mixer / foley mixer |
| Gary Macheel | ... | multi-track engineer |
| A. David Marshall | ... | sound editor |
| Diane Marshall | ... | sound editor |
| Dave McMoyler | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Dan Ortiz | ... | transfers |
| Nancy Parker | ... | foley artist (as Nancy M. Parker) |
| Joel Racheff | ... | boom operator |
| Art Schiro | ... | sound recordist |
| Jackson Schwartz | ... | adr mixer / foley mixer |
| Rick Steele | ... | multi-track engineer |
| Scott A. Tinsley | ... | sound editor (as Scott Tinsley) |
Special Effects by
| Mike Menzel | ... | special effects coordinator: fantasy/music sequences |
Visual Effects by
| Dave Amann | ... | gaffer: Introvision |
| Joneva Barry | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| John Coats | ... | producer: Introvision |
| Gene Dobrzyn | ... | production coordinator: Introvision |
| Tim Donahue | ... | art director: Introvision |
| Ans Ellis | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| Becky Falen | ... | production assistant: Introvision |
| Magda Flaire | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| John Hora | ... | additional photography: Introvision |
| Richard Kilroy | ... | associate art director: Introvision |
| Linda Landry-Nelson | ... | production manager: Introvision |
| William Mesa | ... | visual effects director: Introvision (as Bill Mesa) |
| Shayna Naulin | ... | production assistant: Introvision |
| Rick Rische | ... | visual effects artist |
| Michael Sarley | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| Gary Schnell | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| Issy Shabtay | ... | facility manager: Introvision |
| Michael Snyder | ... | grip: Introvision |
| Marcus Tate | ... | visual effects cameraman: Introvision |
| Elpedio Vasquez | ... | model shop: Introvision |
| Ron Yates | ... | visual effects set designer: Introvision |
| Susan Zwerman | ... | visual effects producer: fantasy sequence and music videos (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Richard Drown | ... | stunts (as Richard R. Drown) |
| George Fisher | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Michael Steven Howl | ... | stunts |
| T. Allan Kelly | ... | stunts |
| Dennis Madalone | ... | stunts: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Bob Maras | ... | stunts |
| J. Granville Moulder | ... | stunts |
| Brent Stice | ... | stunts |
| Daniel K. Moore | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Rudy Beilicke | ... | generator operator |
| L. Brian Blagowsky | ... | electrician (as Brian Blagowsky) |
| Bradley J. Boaz | ... | dolly grip |
| Craig A. Brink | ... | electrician |
| Dante Cardone | ... | gaffer: visual effects unit |
| Danny Carey | ... | grip |
| John Connell | ... | first assistant camera: fantasy/music sequences |
| Jim Cozad | ... | concert lighting: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Clinton Dougherty | ... | b camera operator: fantasy/music sequences (as Clinton S. Dougherty) |
| Jason Fife | ... | best boy grip |
| Dave 'Foots' Footman | ... | grip (as Dave Footman) |
| Clive Forrester | ... | concert lighting: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Ed Giovanni | ... | first assistant camera |
| Steve Givens | ... | electrician |
| Tom Keefer | ... | key grip: fantasy/music sequences |
| Azusa Ohno | ... | gaffer |
| Cindi Pusheck | ... | second assistant camera |
| Steve Reinhardt | ... | best boy electric (as Steven Reinhardt) |
| Brett Reynolds | ... | second assistant camera |
| Arly H. Thomsen | ... | key grip |
| Peter J. Verrando | ... | 24 frame video operator |
| Tiffany Winston | ... | second assistant camera |
| Patric J. Abaravich | ... | assistant gaffer: fantasy/music sequences (uncredited) |
| Gary Molyneux | ... | dolly grip: b camera (uncredited) |
| Rick Taylor | ... | second assistant camera (uncredited) |
Animation Department
| Rick Morris | ... | computer animation: fantasy/music sequences |
Casting Department
| Sandi Black | ... | casting assistant: L.A. |
| Barbara Brinkley | ... | casting: Tulsa |
| Michael Cutler | ... | casting assistant |
| Laurey Lummis | ... | casting: Tulsa |
| Gregory Raich | ... | casting assistant: L.A. |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Ainslee Colt de Wolf | ... | costume supervisor |
| Phil O'Nan | ... | wardrobe assistant |
Location Management
| Jim Clark | ... | location manager |
| Beth O'Bryan | ... | location manager: fantasy/music sequences |
Music Department
| Guy Fletcher | ... | keyboards |
| Jeff Frickman | ... | scoring engineer |
| Mark Knopfler | ... | lead guitar |
| Katherine Quittner | ... | music editor / music supervisor |
| 'Weird Al' Yankovic | ... | additional lyrics by (as Al Yankovic) |
| Rick Derringer | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
| Guy Fletcher | ... | musician: synthesizer (uncredited) (song: "Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*") |
| Steve Jay | ... | musician: bass guitar (uncredited) |
| Mark Knopfler | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) (song: "Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*") |
| Katherine Quittner | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) / music editor: temp score (uncredited) |
| Jon Schwartz | ... | musician: drums (uncredited) |
| Jim West | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
| 'Weird Al' Yankovic | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Carol Stewart | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Bob Davis | ... | driver |
| James Deeth | ... | pilot |
| Rick Fiser | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Geno Hart | ... | driver / transportation coordinator: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Harry Hauss | ... | pilot |
| John Schneider | ... | driver (as John F. Schneider) |
| Robert M. Walters | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| Robert Adair | ... | production assistant (as Robert Sheamus Adair) |
| Joe Aguilar | ... | production accountant |
| Kimberly Beebe | ... | assistant to the producers |
| Amy Bosley | ... | assistant to the producers |
| Stephen Bowen | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Eden Brandy | ... | production assistant |
| Howard Brandy | ... | publicity |
| Chris Breslin | ... | production assistant |
| M. Ginanne Carpenter | ... | production coordinator: fantasy/music video sequences |
| Kelly Clark | ... | production secretary |
| Matt Harget | ... | production assistant |
| Michael Harris | ... | production assistant |
| Paul Henning | ... | courtesy of The Beverly Hillbillies character |
| Denis Hoffman | ... | titles and opticals |
| Timothy Lee Johnson | ... | production assistant |
| Bonnie Macker | ... | production coordinator |
| Janelle Moody | ... | assistant: Jay Levey (as Jan Moody) |
| Catherine Nelson | ... | assistant: Weird Al Yankovic |
| Haven O'Brien | ... | production assistant |
| R. Stacy Ratliff | ... | craft services |
| Melanie Secrist | ... | production assistant |
| Linda Van Voorhis | ... | nurse |
| J. David Williams | ... | financier |
| Ronald C. Briggs Jr. | ... | dailies coordinator (uncredited) |
| Michael Lembeck | ... | acting coach: Weird Al Yankovic (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Max Baer Jr. | ... | thanks |
| Bill Bickley | ... | thanks (as Bill Brickle & His Poodles) |
| Ed Bicknell | ... | thanks: Damage Management |
| Mary Nell Clark | ... | thanks: The Oklahoma Film Commission |
| Paul Cummins | ... | thanks: Damage Management |
| Donna Douglas | ... | thanks |
| Buddy Ebsen | ... | thanks |
| Mark Knopfler | ... | thanks |
| Trinidad Silva | ... | in memory of |
Production Companies
- Cinecorp SAC
- Imaginary Entertainment (in association with)
Distributors
- Orion Pictures (1989) (United States) (theatrical)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Video (1989) (Japan) (video)
- Rank Film Distributors (1989) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1989) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Nordic Film Group (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
- Orion Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1996) (Finland) (tv)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Village Roadshow Corporation (1989) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Capelight Pictures (2016) (Germany) (DVD)
- Capelight Pictures (2016) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Comedy Central (1992) (United States) (tv) (Broadcast Premiere)
- Fabulous Films (2015) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (video)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1991) (Germany) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1990) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Video (1990) (Japan) (VHS)
- Roadshow Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Shout! Factory (2014) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (DVD)
- Varus Video (Russia) (VHS)
- Virgin Vision (1990) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Makeup Effects Laboratories
- KNB EFX Group (Weird Al's muscle makeup)
- Introvision International
Other Companies
- Echo Film Services (sound editing)
- Clear Lake Audio (original music recording)
- B&B Sound (post-production sound services)
- Catering Connection (catering)
- California Communications (CCI) (computer animation)
- Star Casting Service (extras casting)
- Cine Exec Helicopters (helicopters)
- Chiodo Brothers Productions (clay animation by)
- Showstaging (concert stage)
- Showlites (concert lighting)
- Valencia Studios (stages)
- Scotti Bros. Records (available on: original motion picture soundtrack)
- CBS Records (distributed by: original motion picture soundtrack)
- Animal Actors of Hollywood (seal supplied by)
- Green Country Model Railroaders Association (railroad models by)
- Ron Smith Celebrity Lookalikes (character Gorbachev provided by)
- Viacom Enterprises (courtesy of: Beverly Hillbillies film clip)
- CBS (courtesy of The Beverly Hillbillies film clip)
- Orion Pictures (courtesy of: "Mars Needs Woman" clip)
- Azalea Pictures (courtesy of: "Mars Needs Woman" clip)
- Orion TV Productions (provided by: "Mr. Ed" clip)
- Continental Airlines (thanks)
- Irene Ryan Foundation (thanks)
- f-Stop (titles and opticals)
- Norman's Rare Guitars (thanks)
- Kensington Galleria (thanks)
- M.R. Productions (thanks)
- Keylite Production Services (production services and equipment)
- Alpha Cine Laboratory (dailies by)
- JDC Films (camera equipment provided by)
- Oklahoma Film Commission (acknowledgement)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
George Newman is a daydreamer whose hyperactive imagination keeps him from holding a steady job. His uncle decides George would be the perfect man to manage Channel 62, a television station which is losing money and viewers fast. When George replaces the station's reruns with bizarre programs such as "Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse", "Wheel of Fish" and "Raul's Wild Kingdom", ratings begin to soar again. Mean-spirited and cynical mogul R.J. Fletcher becomes furious that the UHF station is getting better ratings than his network's programming. Because of gambling debts, the uncle is forced to consider selling the station to Fletcher, who would only too happily shut it down (he cannot legally own two stations in the same town). George and his friends organize a 48-hour telethon to raise the money by selling investment stock from Channel 62 to save the town's new favorite station. Written by MGM/UA Home Video |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It's crazy. It's outrageous. It's the television station run by a lunatic! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | For the shot of the Spatula City billboard, the production bought a billboard on a remote stretch of highway. For months afterward, drivers taking the exit would ask nearby businesses about Spatula City. The ad was finally removed after the businesses complained. See more » |
| Goofs | Since George's uncle valued the station at $75,000, George essentially sells off 100% of the station in the form of stock. If R.J. got intermediaries to quietly buy a controlling interest, he could shut the station down and save some money. As a cutthroat businessman, he should've realized that immediately. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Videos (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | UHF See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The film is dedicated to the memory of Trinidad Silva who died in an auto accident during filming. See also note under Alternate Versions. See more » |
| Quotes |
Stanley Spadowski:
[grinning as he spoofs "Network"]
This is my new mop. George, my friend, he gave me this mop. This is a pretty good mop. It's not as good as my first mop. I miss my first mop, but this is still a good mop. Sometimes, you just hafta take what life gives ya, 'cause life is like a mop and sometimes life gets full of dirt and crud and bugs and hairballs and stuff... you, you, you gotta clean it out. You, you, you gotta put it in here and rinse it off and start all over again and, and sometimes, sometimes life sticks to the floor so bad you know a mop, a mop, it's not good enough, it's not good enough. You, you gotta get down there, like, with a toothbrush, you know, and you gotta, you gotta really scrub 'cause you gotta get it off. You gotta really try to get it off. But if that doesn't work, that doesn't work, you can't give up. You gotta, you gotta stand right up. You, you gotta run to a window and say, "Hey! These floors are dirty as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" See more » |