EDtv

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EDtv

PG-13

1999

2h 2m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

30%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, a cable channel decides to document the life of someone on a daily basis and air the footage as a show. That lucky someone turns out to be Ed Pekurny (Matthew McConaughey), a laid-back video-store clerk. While the TV series makes Ed an overnight celebrity, it also begins to wreak havoc on his personal life, complicating his relationship with his new girlfriend, Shari (Jenna Elfman), and causing tension with his brother, Ray (Woody Harrelson).

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Critics Consensus

If it's not as ambitious as The Truman Show in satirizing the voyeuristic nature of television, EdTV is an amiable, witty comedy with fine performances from Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

03/03/2018

You'll have a good time watching "EDtv"-- Howard is always at his best in comic mode, and he gives the film a cleverly cluttered look that suggests the experience of watching reality on multiple monitors.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

2.5/4

After it's over, we've laughed some, smiled a little and cared not really very much.

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

07/13/2023

C

As entertainment, EDtv is about as fulfilling as an episode of The Jerry Springer Show.

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Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

02/03/2015

3/5

Comic satire of reality TV; lots of dysfunction, sexuality.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/06/2014

2/4

...a fine premise that's utilized to progressively underwhelming effect...

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

08/07/2008

2/5

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Jolynn D

@JLDell Mar 1

This is the most outrageously underrated movie ever. Ron Howard directing and the cast is genius - Matthew M and Woody H back at the beginning - Ellen, Jenna Elfman, Martin Landau and of course RIP Rob Reiner. Maybe it was "before its time" as one reviewer commented, but it is a superbly insightful take on the beginning of reality tv, the meaning and value of privacy, the way being watched changes our reality, and exploitation for entertainment. Privacy is not just about protecting information - it is about dignity and personhood. We cannot be who we want to be without backstage/offstage non-performative spaces that allow us to be ourselves. Shari could tell you all about it. Don’t pay attention to the numbers - watch the movie.

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Aaron B.

@berrycinemaman Dec 27

Decent film solid laughs

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Dec 18

فيلم حلو وقصة جميله ومختلفه اخراج رائع و طاقم العمل ادائهم ممتاز

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Helene S

@helene___ Dec 13

It was nice. Makes you think. These men are walking red flags haha, it was different back then I guess. But ultimately Matthew McConaughey plays a very easy-going, likeable guy.

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Jim P

@RT08384096 Oct 27

This is a slow starter, but gets more entertaining. In the end it shows how teleland can fool us all. Anyway, The Truman Show is a much better movie.

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Carlos I

@carlosFibarra Aug 18

Before the world of social media influencers and live-streamed lives, Ron Howard's 1999 comedy EDtv was a fun satire of the then-rising reality TV fad. The film follows a regular guy whose life becomes a 24/7 broadcast, and while it's a bit dated now, its commentary on privacy and public spectacle remains relevant. Matthew McConaughey gives it his all in the lead role, but really, when doesn't he?

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Ron Howard

Director

Matthew McConaughey

Ed 'Eddie' Pekurny

Jenna Elfman

Shari

Ellen DeGeneres

Cynthia Topping

Woody Harrelson

Ray Pekurny

Martin Landau

Al

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Synopsis

In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, a cable channel decides to document the life of someone on a daily basis and air the footage as a show. That lucky someone turns out to be Ed Pekurny (Matthew McConaughey), a laid-back video-store clerk. While the TV series makes Ed an overnight celebrity, it also begins to wreak havoc on his personal life, complicating his relationship with his new girlfriend, Shari (Jenna Elfman), and causing tension with his brother, Ray (Woody Harrelson).

Director: Ron Howard
Producer: Jeffrey Barabe, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Screenwriter: Émile Gaudreault, Sylvie Bouchard, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 26, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.4M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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