Any other Max Headroom fans? by zikzak

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Any other Max Headroom fans?

POSTED BY: ZIKZAK
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 7, 2004 07:11
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VIEWED: 8358
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Monday, September 22, 2003 8:07 AM

So are there any other Max Headroom fans out there? There seemed to be on the Fox board...

There are a lot of Firefly parallels:
* both are smart, well-written sci-fi shows
* both have legions of devoted fans
* the episodes were linear but shown out of order
* the network hated the show and wanted it off as soon as it was on
* both lasted just over a dozen episodes
* and both feature a scene-stealing guest star named Sheppard - Morgan Sheppard played Blank Reg is Max Headroom, and his son Mark played Badger!

So let's talk. I am currently grabbing all 14 Max episodes off my TiVo to VCD/DVD for personal use and am really enjoying seeing the series again.

Ped Xing
Zik Zak

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Monday, September 22, 2003 8:31 AM

STILLSHINY

Oh, I would be very curious to get my hands on those little beauties. I have a friend who in High School though Max was all the rage.

Edison Carter from Network 23. Funny in OK Fox is 23, that explains everything!

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

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Monday, September 22, 2003 11:09 AM

KLI

Yeah, but FIREFLY didn't have a George R.R. Martin script ("Xmas") in pre-production when the series got axed, or a British-made proto-pilot. And back then, Les Mooves still believed in making shows like Max Headroom, rather than cranking out endless carbon-copies of CSI and Survivor. :)

To me, the most interesting thing about rewatching Max Headroom is how un-dated it appears. There's very little television from that time period that doesn't instantly impress you as coming from the big-hair period of the '80s.

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Monday, September 22, 2003 11:45 AM

TALLGRRL

Quote:
Originally posted by zikzak:
So are there any other Max Headroom fans out there? There seemed to be on the Fox board...

There are a lot of Firefly parallels:
* both are smart, well-written sci-fi shows
* both have legions of devoted fans
* the episodes were linear but shown out of order
* the network hated the show and wanted it off as soon as it was on
* both lasted just over a dozen episodes
* and both feature a scene-stealing guest star named Sheppard - Morgan Sheppard played Blank Reg is Max Headroom, and his son Mark played Badger!

So let's talk. I am currently grabbing all 14 Max episodes off my TiVo to VCD/DVD for personal use and am really enjoying seeing the series again.

Ped Xing
Zik Zak

I absolutely loved Max Headroom and was so disappointed when it was canceled.
I have one episode on a VHS tape, and it happened to be the one with Blank Reg.
You got Max on your TIVO? Where was it running?
I'm surprised that the series hasn't yet showed up in a (limited edition) DVD set.
I saw the word "blipvert" in someone's post here at Firefly and it brought a smile.
Was that you?

"Take me, sir. Take me hard."
---TllGrrl

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Monday, September 22, 2003 11:52 AM

STILLSHINY

t-t-t-t-t-t tune in to network 23. the network that's a real mind blower!!!

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

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Monday, September 22, 2003 12:49 PM

SERENITYVALLEY

Ha. I DO like that show, yes. Matt Frewer all the way.

http://www.simple-assault.com/Firefly.htm

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Monday, September 22, 2003 2:34 PM

GLUEHWURM

In a stupid knee-jerk resistance to all the pre-season hype, I didn't discover Max Headroom until the last few episodes were airing--and I was devastated when it got cancelled.

That's one big difference between Firefly and Max: the advertising.

Gluehwurm

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Monday, September 22, 2003 3:15 PM

CAPTBAGGYTROUSERS

I love the original British pilot with a passion. I still think it's one of the best things ever done for TV and years ahead of its time. I was astounded when Max became a pitchman for Coke and then an ABC TV show. The American Max never did it for me, though.

"Silly boy. Who's a silly boy, eh? Hands are very expensive and delicate items- far more valuable than cameras."

"I only build the bomb. I don't drop it."

Good stuff.

History repeats the old conceits

http://topshelftvshow.com
Updated! Improved! Shiny!

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Monday, September 22, 2003 6:36 PM

ZIKZAK

Quote:
Originally posted by Tallgrrl:
You got Max on your TIVO? Where was it running?
I'm surprised that the series hasn't yet showed up in a (limited edition) DVD set.

TechTV ran Max a year ago and I grabbed it in TiVO Best off Digital cable - really nice quality. However TechTV edited the episodes a bit (cut a bit here and there) and put screen spam in the last few minutes of each episode, plus a logo ghost all the way through. So it's not pristine. But it sure beats my '87-vintage VHS copies, recorded on SLP and watched 1000 times!

Like I said, I'm archiving them for myself and some local friends, but would love to share the joy with anyone else who wants them. I'd like to put together a list of folks who want copies. I'm not trying to make money (I have a real job), so this will not be a big-ticket item. I just need anyone who wants them to give a bit of cash to cover the costs.

Mail me if you're interested.

zikzak at NOsalingerSPAM dot org
(remove the capital letters...)

Ped Xing
Zik Zak

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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 10:23 AM

ZIKZAK

While we're on the topic, does anyone have any old Max Headroom video tapes? I'd love to digitize them and include them on my VCDs. Commercials, etc...

Actually, it would really be killer if someone had the UK TV movie. I've never seen it, but heard it's great!

Also, email if you want copies of the Max Headroom compilation:
zikzak at salinger dot org

Ped Xing
ZikZak

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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 12:20 PM

STRINGSLINGER

I'd have to agree with the general sentiment (recently expressed by CaptBaggytrousers) that the original British Max was cooler than the U.S. version. Among other things it was much, much darker. It also had bad guys named Breughel & Mahler which was a nice touch. Also, in that version Bryce Lynch was not just a misguided geek, he was evil. I recommend tracking it down if you can (I do not have a copy, sorry). I believe it was released in the U.S. on tape at some point, so you might find it used somewhere.

As to the series, I still think of "Whacketts" every time I see an ad for a reality tv show, and I wonder.

Annabel Morton and Rocky Jankel (or is it the other way around? I forget and am too lazy to imdb it right now) went on to direct a pretty good remake of D.O.A., starring Denis Quaid and Meg Ryan. Of course, they also made Super Mario Bros., so their post-Max record is not without blemishes.

Keep Flying (20 minutes into the future)

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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 3:00 PM

ZIKZAK

Quote:
Originally posted by StringSlinger:
It also had bad guys named Breughel & Mahler which was a nice touch.

The US version had Brueghel and Mahler, too. Different actors, but they were there. Also the UK version had Nicholas Grace as Grossman/Grossberg, which is awesome for a Robin of Sherwood fan like me!

There were MANY clever/amazing bits in the show. My favorite episode, Security Systems, is about identity theft, WAY before that was on the meme radar. Lots of characters with meaningful names (the owner of the Body Bank in the pilot is Florence Nightingale, etc...) and funny stuff in the background.

Ped Xing

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Thursday, September 25, 2003 8:02 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by zikzak:
So are there any other Max Headroom fans out there? There seemed to be on the Fox board...

ma-ma-ma-max...Max Headroom. GREAT show.

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Sunday, November 30, 2003 1:30 PM

DJANGO

I have 10 of tbe orginal episodes of Max Headroom on VHS taped from the orginal days they aired I would like to get a copy on DVD of the TIvo you taped? Do you want to swap?

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Friday, December 5, 2003 5:39 PM

WINTERMUTE

Quote:
StringSlinger:
As to the series, I still think of "Whacketts" every time I see an ad for a reality tv show, and I wonder.

Not too long after Max Headroom was cancelled, a local television station started using Videographers on their six o'clock evening news show.

The station pitched Videographers as new, hip, and totally original. Essentially, they gave staff members a truck, a video camera, and some time in an editing booth when they returned from the field. These people were direct, which is the half of Edison Carter's "live and direct".

The station was CityTV in Toronto, and I still get low-grade Max Headroom flashbacks whenever I pass their advertisements for Videographers on bus station walls and construction hoardings.

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Friday, December 5, 2003 5:50 PM

WINTERMUTE

Quote:
StringSlinger:
I'd have to agree with the general sentiment that the original British Max was cooler than the U.S. version.

Oh no, the U.S. series was much better than the U.K. pilot.

Every single actor in the U.S. series had a glowing, palpable presence on the small screen.

And since ABC broadcast a dozen episodes, we got to explore each of these characters, including minor ones like Ben Cheviot.

The U.K. pilot may have shown what was possible, but the U.S. series truly shone.

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Saturday, January 3, 2004 7:34 PM

MAL'SGAL

Oh what a great show! And you're right, that was the last show I fell in love with as hard as Firefly, only to have it cancelled right out from under me. I wish someone would release that on DVD.

Really enjoyed seeing Matt Frewer on Taken.

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Saturday, January 3, 2004 8:22 PM

DYAIRVATREE

Hells yes! That show was great it completely bummed me out when that got cancelled but it seems to me everthing cool in the 1980's got cancelled kind of like now. If it had only come out in the 1990's I think it would of had a shot. For some reason no one seemed to like anything "weird" in the 80's got cancelled and by weird they ment original, oh well.

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Saturday, January 3, 2004 9:40 PM

DESERTDRAGON

ZIKZAK - I will definitly be emailing you about buying or swapping. I have a single crappy copy of the US pilot, and an actual copy of the UK version from the video store. The show has also been run completely on Sci-Fi, but i haven't seen it recently.

Have to say I prefer the US version of the show better, but both are great. I've always loved the chemistry between Matt Frewer and Amanda Pays.

I agree that both ABC and FOX screwed the shows in similar ways (except for adverts) ... Think of how it would be resurrected these days; there are many pros and cons. Bad- being the networks. Good - being brought back by someone who really cared about it...

Although I personally loved Matt having to get into full make-up (and doing that instead of graphics certainly made Max more lovable/personable), technology has brought us Golem and I, Robot, and Matt would never have to get into heavy make up again!

Just a dream ...

~Misty
(who still has her Max t-shirts)

... see you Space Cowboy.
(-Cowboy Bebop)

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 11:01 AM

ZIKZAK

Here's an update for y'all:

I now have all 14 of the original episodes captured, edited, and encoded in DVD format. I also have the UK tape to capture. We've got a new baby so my work on this project was delayed a bit...

But it's about done. I will now be just doing DVDs (no VCDs) with 2 eps per disc. The discs will have interactive menus and such, with DVD video and Dolby Digital audio. I'll make up color disc labels, but will NOT include the long black DVD box, to save on shipping. The first one is playing in my Pioneer 414 right now!

Since I'm using DVD, and I don't want to lose my shirt on the project, I will be chaqrging some cash to make up the costs. I'm not trying to make a profit... SO it looks like it'll be a set of 8 discs at about $3 per disc, or about $24 before shipping. Let me know if this sounds OK.

I'll be emailing everyone who sent me mail in the last few months but if you want to be sure you're included, you can email again anyway. Send it to pedxing at my fosketts domain which ends with net. I think you can figure that address out unless you're a robot!

Thanks,
Stephen

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 11:27 AM

KELSO

Just incase I didn't get that email right... I would love a copy!

enthelix@yahoo.com

Believe it or not, I've NEVER seen Max Headroom!

-------
Well, here I am.

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Monday, January 5, 2004 11:03 AM

ERASERHEAD

Hi. I sent you an e-mail, but I'm not sure I got your e-mail address right either. Yeah, I know I can be an idiot! Anyway, I'd be extremely interested in buying a set of Max Headroom DVDs from you. In case you didn't get my e-mail, you can e-mail me at:
penaface@hotmail.com

Thanks.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2004 10:36 PM

TOM01

There is a Max Headroom Group at Yahoo Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NetworkTwenty-ThreeControl/

There were a lot more posts, images and files in the group but it was recenly deleted and had to start up again.

The original group name was Network XXIII and Yahoo automatically deleted it in a purge of adult sites! (unbelievable but true). So there is not much there now, but the members are as keen as ever.

You might want to consider joining?

Best Regards ~tom

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Thursday, January 8, 2004 6:25 AM

SEGURANT

I loved the show. Amanda Pays was so hot!

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Friday, February 6, 2004 8:44 AM

ZIKZAK

Another update: The DVD sets are DONE and I mailed the first batch yesterday! If any of you fellow browncoats want a set, now is the time! I'm not "selling" these things, just making sets for folks I know here and at the Max mailing list, so the cost is pretty low. I made up a web page all about this at www.fosketts.net/max including specifics on how to ask for a set. It could be in your hands next week!

I'm loving seeing the series again in so much detail. I've seen every episode a dozen times in the last month checking the quality of the DVDs and it's just amazing.

The UK pilot is a treat, but it's better and worse than the US Blipverts episode. I love the cinematography and music of the UK show, but the acting of the supporting characters is not as good, for the most part. Theora especially is BORING in the UK film, and just luscious in the US version! The darker mood is nice, but would probably have been tiring or never even happened over here. On the other hand, I LOVE the UK Breugal and Mahler, and just kind of like their US counterparts...

I also slapped a copy of the Art of Noise video for "Paranoimia" which stars Max on the sets. It's super sweet...

Cheers!
Stephen

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Wednesday, April 7, 2004 7:11 AM

BLADE1138

Hey,

I would like a copy of thos Max Headroom episodes, I use to have a tape with all the TV episodes but somehow lost it. Also would anyone know how to get a copy of the original UK pilot?

Thanks,
Tom
bladerunner_25 at hotmail.com

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