So the producers weren’t simply extrapolating what the future would look like based on then-present trends they were presenting us with various levels of technology linked together.
#AMANDA PAYS MAX HEADROOM MANUAL#
When you consider that the series aired in 1987- by which time personal computers had come along and every office probably used either those or electric typewriters- it’s interesting to see both a stand-alone manual typewriter and one used as a computer keyboard. There’s also a stand-alone manual typewriter on the desk behind Theora’s work station. The “keyboards” of at least three character’s computers are manual typewriters. On the other hand, despite the series being set “20 minutes into the future”, the set design looked backwards as well as forward. On the one had, the show has dated, given the 3.5 inch floppy disks used as storage media no hint of the Internet as we know it and television being depicted as the home entertainment medium. Max Headroom is something of a dichotomy.
#AMANDA PAYS MAX HEADROOM TV#
Not only are TV networks in charge (and not only are off switches illegal), but throughout the series, people’s lives are shown as revolving around their televisions. Much of it centers around the television industry.
There is a lot of satire in Max Headroom, which is probably why it didn’t last very long. Another ally (mostly) is wunderkind computer hacker Bryce Lynch (Chris Young), who actually caused Carter’s accident while engaged in a hacking battle with Theora.
He’s aided by Theora Jones (Amanda Pays) a controller at Network 23. With some help, Carter gets out of the jam he’s in and continues to do his job (with some degree of interference from his own bosses) throughout the run of the series. In one episode, he continually asks why no one’s doing something about the “bloodthirsty” main character in an action show. Max also develops something of a satirical bent and believes TV is real. The computer generated version, whose first words- and subsequently his name- are “Max Headroom”, does not look quite like Carter. The idea is that a computer-generated avatar will continue to give his reports and no one will know the difference. The last thing he sees, as a gate to a parking garage comes down, are the words on the gate: “Max Headroom.”Ĭarter is too dangerous to let go free, but too high-profile to simply “disappear” so Network 23’s CEO agrees to have his memory downloaded to a computer. Matt Frewer is Edison Carter in this 1987 promotional still.Edison Carter (Matt Frewer), hard-hitting reporter for Network 23, is injured in a motorcycle crash while investigating a story that could prove embarrassing to his bosses. Matt Frewer, Matt Frewer, and Amanda Pays.
Image courtesy of Steve Roberts.Ĭharles Rocket as Network 23 executive Grossberg in a 1987 promotional still. Steve Roberts in his 'Max Headroom' office. Matt Frewer, Amanda Pays, and Jeffrey Tambor. Image courtesy of Steve Roberts.Ĭhris Young as Max's creator, Bryce Lynch, in a 1987 promotional still. Steve Roberts outside the 'Max Headroom' soundstage. Matt Frewer as investigative journalist Edison Carter. From left to right: Matt Frewer ("Edison Carter"/"Max Headroom"), Amanda Pays ("Theora Jones"), Chris Young ("Bryce Lynch"), Jeffrey Tambor ("Murray"), George Coe ("Ben Cheviot").
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