EDtv

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EDtv

PG-13

Released Mar 26, 1999

2h 2m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

30%

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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

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.

Mar 3, 2018

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 19, 2002

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

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

Rated: C

Jul 13, 2023

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Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 3/5

Feb 3, 2015

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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

Rated: 2/4

Nov 6, 2014

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liam k

There can't be be any question as to where the inspiration for this film came from. Okay, reality TV has become quite popular recently, but the wonderful Jim Carrey film "The Truman Show" was released just one year before to the debut of this film. When they learned that the movie was a hit, it was obvious that they wanted a piece of the action. Even though I enjoy both films, I have to say that The Truman Show will always be my top pick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/04/22

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r b

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.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Very fun to watch. A bit similar to the Truman show

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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john f

Despite a weak second act, Howard gets it right by yanking Woody off-screen and focusing on his film's best ingredient: the chemistry between McConaughey and Elfman. Meanwhile, Ellen is absolutely wonderful here, showing us why so many people love her (or used to).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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barry m

Puzzled by the low audience score for this movie which predicts how stardom will happen in the 2000s--often not due to any particular skill or talent, but simply for having your face plastered everywhere. Some lucky/unlucky people will get famous for being famous. But fame has consequences, not all of them positive. A very enjoyable and funny film, with heart and a serious point.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I should love this movie just because I adore every actor in it. But I don‘t. It‘s pure shit. I forced myself to give it a chance for more than an hour. It has nothing. Maybe it‘s just because I don‘t think much of reality tv as a whole. If so one bad review won‘t hurt it that much.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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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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