What if your accountant got abducted by a TV cult and forced to take an 'evolutionary IQ test' on every screen on Earth?
West Coast radio and TV personality Shadoe Stevens created and stars in this surrealistic, sci-fi satire highlighted by animation, hyperspeed editing and special effects. TV stations throughout the world become jammed and the image of mild-mannered accountant Norm Jones suddenly appears on every screen. Shortly thereafter, the bewildered man is thrust into an alternate dimension and falls into the Shadoevision Worldview Auditorium where he finds himself strapped into a chair before a live audience. Held captive, Norm is at the mercy of the enigmatic, charismatic master of ceremonies, Djony Dakota. This bizarre host constantly subjects the assembled throng to an "evolutionary I.Q." test, a dazzling montage of visuals.
Editing
Hyperspeed cuts that feel like channel-surfing during a nervous breakdown.
Practical Effects
Janky 1986 video effects that somehow amplify the surrealism.
Acting
Stevens' unhinged MC energy—cult leader meets used car salesman.
Director
Chuck Cirino
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stevens was a massive radio personality when this aired—imagine Ryan Seacrest making a Lynchian sci-fi short about TV mind control. The 1986 audience was deeply confused.
Jon Lovitz appears in one of his earliest screen roles; you can spot his unmistakable voice before his face even registers. The whole thing was shot in two days on a shoestring budget that makes El Mariachi look like Avatar.
US
