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EDtv

Play trailer Poster for EDtv PG-13 1999 2h 2m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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EDtv

EDtv

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald 07/13/2023
C
As entertainment, EDtv is about as fulfilling as an episode of The Jerry Springer Show. Go to Full Review
Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media 02/03/2015
3/5
Comic satire of reality TV; lots of dysfunction, sexuality. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 11/06/2014
2/4
...a fine premise that's utilized to progressively underwhelming effect... Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Jim P 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. See more Carlos I 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? See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 20 Funny in 2 hours and 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $22,400,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Ellen DeGeneres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Mar 1 Filme bacana, o roteiro é bacaninha, a história do filme ficou bacana, de mostrar como é a vida do Ed dos seus romances e seu trabalho, as cenas foram bacaninhas, mas o filme se baseou nos romances dele, mas também poderia ter uma cena mais forte ou relevante para deixar o filme melhor. See more r b 03/31/2022 This film played off of the rise of "reality TV" in the 90's. Who knew "TruTV" would be a real television network 9 years later? EDtv had a weak plot and lame jokes. See more 12/31/2021 Very fun to watch. A bit similar to the Truman show See more Read all reviews
EDtv

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Movie Info

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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