Producing Dystopia
Brian Frankish recalls the trials and rewards of creating a world set 20 minutes into the future.
More from Specials
Episode 1
Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future
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.
Episode 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.
Episode 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!
Episode 4
The Big-Time Blanks
Cast members Morgan Sheppard and Concetta Tomei reflect on Max Headroom and their lasting friendship over 20 years later.
Episode 5
The Science Behind the Fiction
Cocreator George Stone discusses real technology's place in the history of Max Headroom.
Episode 6
The Writers Remember
Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt explain the process of writing for Max Headroom.
