As a writer named Mike struggles to shepherd his semi-autobiographical sitcom into development, his vision is slowly eroded by a domineering network executive named Lenny who favors trashy reality programming. The irony, of course, is that every crass suggestion Lenny makes improves the show's response from test audiences and brings the show a step closer to getting on the air.
Acting
Sigourney Weaver's Lenny is terrifyingly plausible—sweet, vicious, vacant.
Writing
Jake Kasdan's insider script stings with lived experience.
Editing
Brutal cuts between Mike's vision and Lenny's 'improvements.'
Director
Jake Kasdan
David Duchovny
Mike Klein
Sigourney Weaver
Lenny
Ioan Gruffudd
Richard McCallister
Judy Greer
Alice
Fran Kranz
Zach Harper
Lindsay Sloane
Laurel Simon
Justine Bateman
Natalie Klein
Lucy Davis
Chloe McCallister
Willie Garson
Brian
M.C. Gainey
Hutch
Philip Baker Hall
Vernon Maxwell
Wendle Josepher
A.D.
Phil Rosenthal
Exec. #1 (Cooper)
David Doty
Exec. #2 (Rose)
Matt Price
Exec. #3 (Berg)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jake Kasdan directed episodes of Freaks and Geeks before making this—his actual trauma is visible.
The fake sitcom within the film, 'The Wexler Chronicles,' was shot as a real pilot with a live audience.
US
