Max Headroom

Synopsis

Television networks battle one another in an unrelenting ratings war. Whoever controls the airwaves controls the dystopic world in which they broadcast. So when Network 23's star reporter, Edison Carter, uncovers a deadly secret that could shake up the station's dominion over its viewers, the only option is to eliminate Carter before he can make his story public. After Carter's "accident," his mind is uploaded to create the world's first self-aware, computer-generated TV host — Max Headroom! But will Max bow to his creators? Or will he be the key to his human alter ago bringing down a network superpower?

First Air Date: 1987-03-31

Last Air Date: 1988-05-12

Number of Seasons: 2

Number of Episodes: 14

Created By: Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton

Networks: ABC

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Matt Frewer as Edison Carter / Max Headroom
Chris Young as Bryce Lynch
Jeffrey Tambor as Murray
William Morgan Sheppard as Blank Reg
Concetta Tomei as Blank Dominique
Amanda Pays as Theora Jones
George Coe as Ben Cheviot
Lee Wilkof as Edwards
Andreas Katsulas as Mr. Bartlett
Rosalind Chao as Angie Barry

Seasons

Specials (1985) - (12 Episodes)

Season 1 (1987) - (6 Episodes)

Season 2 (1987) - (8 Episodes)

Specials (1985)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future (1985-04-04)

In the post-apocalyptic future where television sets are more important than food, TV ratings are the all important currency of the nation. A new technique of preventing viewers from channel surfing proves somewhat detrimental to particularly sedentary couch potatoes. The top studio becomes concerned: dead viewers make for low ratings. Edison Carter, top news reporter, is sent to find out more. After a motorcycle accident, his mind is preserved by wizz-kid Bryce and becomes his wise cracking, computer generated alter-ego: Max Headroom, who manages to boost ratings above those of any live hosts to date. This made for TV movie was later remade (sanitized version) as the first episode of the series.
Ep. 2: Live on Network 23: The Story of Max Headroom

The biography of Max Headroom, including interviews with creators George Stone, Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton, executive producer Peter Wagg, producer Brian Frankish and writers Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt.
Ep. 3: Looking Back at the Future: A Cast Round Table

An intimate roundtable discussion including cast members Amanda Pays, Jeffrey Tambor, Concetta Tomei and Chris Young focusing on Max Headroom - the character, the series and beyond!
Ep. 4: The Big-Time Blanks

Cast members Morgan Sheppard and Concetta Tomei reflect on Max Headroom and their lasting friendship over 20 years later.
Ep. 5: The Science Behind the Fiction

Cocreator George Stone discusses real technology's place in the history of Max Headroom.
Ep. 6: The Writers Remember

Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt explain the process of writing for Max Headroom.
Ep. 7: Producing Dystopia

Brian Frankish recalls the trials and rewards of creating a world set 20 minutes into the future.
Ep. 8: Karl-Lorimar Max Headroom Sweepstakes

When originally broadcast on British television, the one-hour Max Headroom TV movie was preceded by Max narrating an introduction teaser for a contest. After the movie, Max returned with the contest rules. These snippets were included on the original Lorimar videotape of the British movie.
Ep. 9: Paranoimia Music Video by the Art of Noise

The Paranoimia music video from English synth-pop group The Art of Noise was a remix of an original song featured on the band's second album, "In Visible Silence." It was released in 1986 and featured Max Headroom.
Ep. 10: Coke Commercial

As the global spokesperson for New Coke, Max Headroom made a series of commercials featuring the tagline, "Catch the Wave!"
Ep. 11: Car Parts Commercial

No overview for this episode.
Ep. 12: Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future - Extended Cinemax Version (1985-04-04)

In the post-apocalyptic future where television sets are more important than food, TV ratings are the all important currency of the nation. A new technique of preventing viewers from channel surfing proves somewhat detrimental to particularly sedentary couch potatoes. The top studio becomes concerned: dead viewers make for low ratings. Edison Carter, top news reporter, is sent to find out more. After a motorcycle accident, his mind is preserved by wizz-kid Bryce and becomes his wise cracking, computer generated alter-ego: Max Headroom, who manages to boost ratings above those of any live hosts to date.