H-H-He's Back! AMC Rebooting Max Headroom

There are a few things that can immediately be associated with the 80s; New Coke, (for the wrong reasons). Sony's Walkman for sure. Some of the clothes, most of the music, a few movie franchises, and Max Headroom - the fictional artificial intelligence character (played by Matt Frewer) advertised as "the first computer-generated TV presenter" and was known for his stuttering delivery and sarcastic wit.

 

Even if you weren't a fan of the two season show (ABC 1987-1988), you couldn't miss seeing Max in commercials for the aforementioned New Coke.  Before that there was his UK origin in the movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future and a music video show called The Max Headroom Show. He was on the cover of Newsweek magazine, starred in a video by The Art of Noise (and has cameoed and served as the inspiration for a number of parodies in TV and movies over the past 30+ years.

Now, AMC is looking to b-b-b-bring Max back.

AMC Networks is developing a Max Headroom reboot, with Matt Frewer set to reprise his role as the world’s first artificial intelligence TV personality. Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell is writing the adaptation and is attached as showrunner for the project, which is produced by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision and All3Media.

A launch date has yet to be confirmed by AMC, but you can be sure that we'll be watching our TVs (and computers) for any forthcoming news or announcements regarding dates and details about Max's return.

8 From the 80s: Forgotten Dramas

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can you rate one thing over another when it comes from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

Forgotten Dramas

“Drama” might not be the most appropriate way to describe most of the shows on this list - fantasy or sci-fi might be a more apt category - but we’re going to keep things simple and just lump all of the non-sitcom shows into this category.  Mostly because it’s the easiest way to do it, but also because this is my column.

Anyway, on with the show!

8. T. and T. (syndicated, 1987-1990)

When The A-Team was canceled, Mr. T needed some work.  So off to Canada he went where he starred in this first run syndicated crime show from 1987-1990.  All but forgotten beyond hardcore Mr. T fans, T. and T. told the story of T.S. Turner, a boxer who was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, but instead of hanging out with George Peppard, T was “rescued” by lawyer Amy Taler and the two of them solved crime together.