Mandy Levin Movies
- 1997
In Part Two of a three-part story (originally intended as a two-parter), Al (Ed O'Neill) moves into a tiny apartment near O'Hare Field after splitting up with Peg (Katey Sagal). Though Al's life is in the toilet, Peg is enjoying herself immensely, even going to a singles bar where she hits it off with a handsome stranger named Bruce (Alan Thicke). If only Al hadn't shown up to see Peg and Bruce's cozy little tete-a-tete... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the middle of a live talk-show telecast hosted by the supremely arrogant Pia Postman (Marg Helgenberger), audience member Frank McGrath (David Morse) suddenly pulls out a gun and seizes control of the studio. Slapping a piece of tape over Pia's mouth (a moment that is invariably applauded by viewers surfeited with "confrontational" TV talkfests!), Frank threatens to kill her on the air, holding her responsible for the suicide of his daughter -- and just in case the police think of storming the broadcast, Frank has strapped a bomb to himself and will blow up everyone in the studio, including himself, if anyone tries to stop him. Ultimately, Pia is allowed to speak in her own defense before her execution is carried out, and what follows is a grotesque parody of the Jenny Jones-Jerry Springer school of in-your-face tabloid television, with both Pia and Frank trading verbal barbs with the terrified audience and crew members, not to mention the viewers calling in. Meanwhile, SWAT leader Clay Maloney (Peter Horton, who also co-wrote the film) races against time to defuse the situation before blood can be shed in living color in front of an audience of millions. Filmed in "real time" (just as if it were really a talk-show broadcast), Murder Live! borders on the ridiculous on occasion, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. The made-for-TV meller first aired over NBC on March 9, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marg Helgenberger, David Morse, (more)
