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Talk Radio

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Talk Radio (1988)
A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
99+ Photos
Psychological ThrillerDramaThriller

A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.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
    • Eric Bogosian
    • Tad Savinar
  • Stars
    • Eric Bogosian
    • Ellen Greene
    • Leslie Hope
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Oliver Stone
    • Writers
      • Stephen Singular
      • Eric Bogosian
      • Tad Savinar
    • Stars
      • Eric Bogosian
      • Ellen Greene
      • Leslie Hope
    • 101User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    Trailer

    Photos118

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    + 111
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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Eric Bogosian
    Eric Bogosian
    • Barry
    Ellen Greene
    Ellen Greene
    • Ellen
    Leslie Hope
    Leslie Hope
    • Laura
    John C. McGinley
    John C. McGinley
    • Stu
    Alec Baldwin
    Alec Baldwin
    • Dan
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Dietz
    Michael Wincott
    Michael Wincott
    • Kent…
    Linda Atkinson
    • Sheila Fleming
    Robert Trebor
    Robert Trebor
    • Jeffrey Fisher…
    Zach Grenier
    Zach Grenier
    • Sid Greenberg
    Tony Frank
    Tony Frank
    • Dino
    Harlan Jordan
    • Coach Armstrong
    Bill Johnson
    Bill Johnson
    • Fan #1
    Kevin Howard
    • Fan #2
    Anna Thomson
    Anna Thomson
    • Woman at Basketball Game
    • (as Anna Levine)
    • …
    Bruno Rubeo
    • Tony
    Pirie MacDonald
    • Judge Willard
    Allan Corduner
    Allan Corduner
    • Vince…
    • Director
      • Oliver Stone
    • Writers
      • Stephen Singular
      • Eric Bogosian
      • Tad Savinar
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Eric Bogosian's play "Talk Radio", on which this film is based, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Working Girl/I'm Gonna Git You Sucka/Rain Man/Torch Song Trilogy/Haunted Summer (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Bad to the Bone
      Written by George Thorogood

      Performed by Budd Carr

    User reviews101

    Featured review
    9/10

    WOW a masterpiece of a movie not to be missed

    WOW, a masterpiece of a movie not to be missed.

    I had no idea what this movie was when I started watching it late night. I didn't find out it was a Stone film until after the film when I went on IMDb. Watching it, I was mesmerized. The cast, especially Eric Bogosian is just superb. One of the best scripts and camera work ever...The movie drew me in and kept me entranced until the very end...I did not dare blink for fear of missing something...Amazing how a small-budget film can be so engrossing and well made while huge-budget films that feature tons of action and computer generated special effects can be so incredibly boring. Don't miss this film...
    • xfiler100
    • Jun 12, 2005
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Talk Radio?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 13, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sırdaş radyo
    • Filming locations
      • Thanksgiving Park, Dallas, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cineplex Odeon Films
      • Ten-Four Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,468,572
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $80,547
      • Dec 26, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,468,572
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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