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Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Sally Kirkland, Martin Landau ... see more see more... , Ellen DeGeneres , Rob Reiner , Dennis Hopper , Elizabeth Hurley , Adam Goldberg , Viveka Davis , Clint Howard

The turning point in the life of Ed Pekurny (Matthew McConaughey) comes thanks to the misfortunes of the NorthWest Broadcasting Company. After two years on the air, their flagship cable channel, True ... read more read more...TV, has slid into obscurity due to competition from the The Gardening Channel. Program director Cynthia Topping (Ellen DeGeneres) brainstorms a last ditch effort to save the channel: broadcast one ordinary person's life 24 hours a day, unedited (while he sleeps, the day's highlights will be shown). When the network agrees to the idea, Topping must find the subject of her program. After endless auditions, she lucks upon Ed, a goofy but good-looking video store clerk. Ed has little time to get used to his new shadow, a three man video crew, before the show becomes a hit. Suddenly Ed's a cultural icon with fan clubs, stalkers, and imitators, but the media saturation has it's effects on his friends and family, who are now part of the program. Ed alienates his proud brother, Ray (Woody Harrelson), by falling in love with his girlfriend, Shari (Jenna Elfman). His estranged father Hank (Dennis Hopper) reappears after abandoning the family and creates tension between Ed and Ray's mother, Jeanette (Sally Kirkland) and her wheelchair-bound second husband, Al (Martin Landau). When Ed realizes the phenomenon has turned on him, he convinces Topping to stop the ordeal, but not her boss, Whitaker (Rob Reiner). To regain his life, Ed must find a way to cancel EDtv. ~ Ron Wells, Rovi

Flixster Users

31% liked it

59,506 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

44 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.

Directed by: Ron Howard

Release Date: March 26, 1999

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DVD Release Date: August 17, 1999

Stats: 1,305 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,305)

  • stormyweather980
    August 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    When you read the overview of "EdTV," you might think that it's similar to "The Truman Show." But it's not, in my opinion, it's better. The difference is that in "EdTV," Matthew McConaughey volunteers to have his life broadcast on television 24 hours a day for the next month. Aft... read moreer Ed gets with his brother's ex-girlfriend and the cameras get in the way of his life, he must find a way to get out of the camera's view. But that will be a lot easier said than done.
    Unlike you might expect it to be, "EdTV" is hilarious and it will keep you interested during the whole movie. The funniest part of the movie is when you find out how Ed will get his life off the television screen for good.

    If you like good comedy movies that have a great storyline, I recommend getting "EdTV" today. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. This is like a Truman Show ripoff (or was it vice versa?), but I don't care, I like this one better.
  • Redlats
    February 28, 2009
    Redlats
    I guess this movie is OK. I can't imagine anybody suggesting that watching one person's life would make good TV, but of course, the movie presents us with the highpoints of Ed's life - his relationship with his girlfriend and family.
  • Screeny
    September 15, 2008
    Screeny
    [REVEIW COMING SOON]
  • superclerk25
    April 12, 2008
    superclerk25
    It ok. I liked the Truman Show better but this is a good commentary on the boom of reality tv that has flooded the airwaves for the last few years.
  • puffchunk
    October 1, 2007
    puffchunk
    wow, could we want to be truman show any more?
  • thmtsang
    September 2, 2007
    thmtsang
    Reality TV story. Bit like the Truman Show.
  • dreamfaeries
    November 7, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    It was good enough.
  • deano
    October 23, 2006
    deano
    Two thumbs up! Superb comedy about a regular guy become the star of a reality based TV show. Jenna Elfman and Ellen DeGeneres area really hilarous.
  • DrZeek
    July 14, 2006
    DrZeek
    Diet Truman Show
  • nadyajoensen
    November 13, 2011
    nadyajoensen
    Matthew McConaughey stars as Ed, a young ordinary single guy. When a television network decides to make a reality show to follow a man's life, Ed gets chosen for the show. Ed likes the idea but his family and friends disagree with him. As time goes by he slowly realizes how much ... read morethis show effects his life. He has met the girl of his dreams and their relationship gets complicated because of all the cameras and people following him around. This movie was ok and fun to watch, it might have been a very good movie at the time it was released because people were really hyped on the new phenomena called 'reality tv', a term that has grown mainstream to this day.

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Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves
July 30, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

EdTV isn't bad enough to get angry about, but it's a mundane and toothless satire. Full Review

Jason Clark
June 13, 2002
Jason Clark, Matinee Magazine

Diverting but ultimately toothless and innocuous. Full Review

Doris Toumarkine
January 1, 2000
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International

Matthew McConaughey...leverages his immense charm to keep this broad comedy--highly reminiscent of the far superior Truman Show--airborne. Full Review

Widgett Walls
January 1, 2000
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

It's a slightly lackluster comedy that wants to have something to say, but never gets around to saying it. Or worse, says it, and the audience replies, 'And--?' Full Review

David Sterritt
January 1, 2000
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor

Its screenplay veers in highly questionable directions before reaching a mean-spirited climax that outweighs Ron Howard's workmanlike filmmaking and the contributions of a star-powered cast. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

The best part of the film is the bright and accessible script, [and] with Ron Howard as the director, you can be sure that you'll leave with a satisfied smile on your face. Full Review

David N. Butterworth
January 1, 2000
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews

A fresh, insightful, and often times hilarious film about the follies of instant celebrity. Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

An amiable goof of a comedy. Full Review

Dustin Putman
January 1, 2000
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

A respectable, intelligent film, but one, to be sure, that prospers more while in the individual moments, rather than one that remains deeply ingrained in your long-term memory. Full Review

Ross Anthony
January 1, 2000
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card

Though thunder lost to "The Truman Show", this screenplay still has real and punchy dialogue. Full Review

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EdTV Trivia

  • Who starred in Coneheads, Edtv, and Finding Nemo?  Answer »
  • In what movie did Matthew McConaughey say: "You know, most people like to hurry through a toe clipping session."  Answer »
  • What actress was in these movies: Town and Country The Tangerine Bear EdTv Keeping the Faith Doctor Dolittle Can't Hardly Wait   Answer »
  • the idea for the movie, EdTV, came from a small, low-budget movie from which country?  Answer »
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