the mehallo blog. beta.

‘You’re looking at the future  . . .  people translated as data’

The visionary Max Headroom series premiered on American television March, 1987.

It was just weird enough to not last too long on network TV. It did make some predictions about the future  . . .

These included

[1] Huge media entities and credit card companies running the world

[2] It would be illegal to ever turn your television off

[3] Embedded reporters doing live telecasts from crime scenes or war zones – as entertainment

[4] Condensed television commercials (they’re working on that now)

[5] Steampunk environments (yeah!)

[6] Max is an Avatar. Just like our profile pics.

[7] Body Part Banks. For transplants, donations, trafficking.

[8] Videophones where media equipment have two way reception

[9] Bison burgers

[10] People who vanish off the grid because everyone is kept track of (in the show, they’re called ‘blanks’)

[11] Anyone can have their own TV network – like Blank Reg – and my subtle favorite:

[12] Hundreds of networks who have their logos constantly burned into the corner of the tee vee screen; which wasn’t the practice back then

How much different is it from Caprica?

Charles Rocket’s portrayal of Ned Grossberg, for me, was spot on. Years later I’d work for someone just like him. Without the facial twitch and murderous tendencies, of course. (I think)

The US premiere episode (‘Blipverts,’ below) is a reworking of the British movie – with mostly different actors and a more upbeat setting. The great Jeffrey Tambor. Comedian Rick Ducommun and pre-sitcom phenom Jere Burns – both with cool cyberpunk looks. The show lasted only 14 episodes and has never been officially released on DVD  . . . .

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Plus,
There’s much more stuff to wade thru at the Max Headroom Chronicles website.

And,
Watch the second episode of the series here.

tags: cool finds, design history, thoughts // 6 comments  . . .