| Howard Beale | |
|---|---|
 Peter Finch as Howard Beale | |
| First appearance | Network (1976) |
| Created by | Paddy Chayefsky |
| Portrayed by | Peter Finch (film) Bryan Cranston (stage play) |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | News anchorman |
| Spouse | Mrs Beale (1937-70; her death) |
| Nationality | American |
Howard Beale is a fictional character from the film Network (1976) and one of the central characters therein. [1] He is played by Peter Finch, who won a posthumous Oscar for the role. [2]
In Network, Beale, the anchorman for the UBS Evening News, struggles to accept the ramifications of the social ailments and depravity existing in the world. His producers exploit him for high ratings and avoid giving him the psychiatric assistance that some, especially news division president and his best friend, Max Schumacher (William Holden), think he needs.
Beale, a long-standing and respected anchorman who began his career at UBS in 1950, saw his ratings begin a slow but steady decline in 1969. In 1970, his wife died and he became lonely, causing him to drink heavily. In September 1975, the UBS network decided to fire him, leading him to engage in binge drinking as he feels there is nothing left for him in the world. Beale's career as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" is sparked by his half-joking offer, after receiving his two weeks' notice, to kill himself on nationwide TV. He subsequently apologizes to his viewers, telling them he "ran out of bullshit." Viewers respond positively and the network producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) wants him to serve as an "angry man" news anchorman. Schumacher feels that Christensen is exploiting his troubled friend, but Beale happily embraces the role of the "angry man". His foul-mouthed tirades feature a dark vision of America as a nation in decline as he speaks about the "depression" (i.e the recession caused by the Arab oil shock of 1973-74), OPEC, rising crime, the collapse of traditional values and other contemporary issues. Beale believes his ranting is guided by a voice in his head, talking of having some mystical connection to some sort of higher supernatural power, but Schumacher believes he is losing his mind. However, encouraged by Christensen, the executives at UBS decide that his unhinged ranting about the state of the world, especially when he repeatedly shouts "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!", will revive ratings at the struggling network. He is given his own show where he can say whatever he likes, and the carnivalesque show becomes the number one show in the United States. Beale shouts about whatever issue of the moment is agitating him until he passes out. At one point, he rants about how television is an "illusion" that peddles fantasies that can never be realized.
Unfortunately for the network, he exposes the ties between CCA, the corporation that owns the network, and business interests in Saudi Arabia. At a time when Saudi Arabia was unpopular in the United States owing to the Arab oil boycott of 1973-74, Beale charges that the House of Saud is buying up the United States and demands his audience send telegrams to the White House to save the United States from being bought up by the Saudis. Arthur Jensen, CCA chairman and chief stockholder (played by Ned Beatty), thunderously explains to Beale his belief that money is the only true god, whereupon Beale completely turns his message around -- before, he told people their lives had value and meaning, but after his meeting with Jensen, he says the opposite. Beale tells his viewers that Americans are degenerating into "humanoids" devoid of intellect and feelings, saying that as the wealthiest nation, the United States is the nation most advanced in undergoing this process of degeneration which he predicts will ultimately be the fate of all humanity. His ratings drop, but Jensen orders him kept on; network executives order him to be assassinated. The film concludes with his murder on national television; a voiceover proclaims him "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."
In the 2017 stage adaptation, the role of Beale is played by Bryan Cranston in the National Theatre, London production. Later, the play moved to Broadway in New York. The show was critically well received. Cranston's performance in particular received universal acclaim and won him several awards, including the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. [3]
The image of Beale in a khaki raincoat with his wet hair plastered to his head, standing up during the middle of his newscast saying, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" is often listed as one of the most iconic in film history, and the aforementioned line ranked #19 on the American Film Institute's 2005 list of the 100 greatest American movie quotes. [4]
His character has been described as "consistent with a standard definition of a biblical prophet". [5]
Network is a 1976 American satirical black comedy drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky. It is about a fictional television network and its struggle with poor ratings. The film stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight.
A news presenter – also known as a newsreader, newscaster, anchorman or anchorwoman, news anchor or simply an anchor – is a person who presents news during a news program on TV, radio or the Internet. They may also be a working journalist, assisting in the collection of news material and may, in addition, provide commentary during the program. News presenters most often work from a television studio or radio studio, but may also present the news from remote locations in the field related to a particular major news event.
Sidney Aaron "Paddy" Chayefsky was an American playwright, screenwriter and novelist. He is the only person to have won three solo Academy Awards for writing both adapted and original screenplays.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a 2004 American satirical comedy film directed by Adam McKay in his directorial debut, produced by Judd Apatow, starring Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate and written by McKay and Ferrell. The first installment in the Anchorman series, the film is a tongue-in-cheek take on the culture of the 1970s, particularly the new Action News format. It portrays a San Diego television station where Ferrell's title character clashes with his new female counterpart.
Alice in Wonderland is a 1999 made-for-television film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871). It was first broadcast on NBC and then shown on British television on Channel 4.
Bill Timoney is an American actor, director, script writer and producer.
Don Hollenbeck was a CBS newscaster, commentator, and associate of Edward R. Murrow and Fred W. Friendly. He was the writer and producer of CBS Views the Press, a Peabody Award-winning radio show that critiqued powerful print journalists. Hollenbeck was also a frequent critic of McCarthyism and was subject to a smear campaign for his supposed Communist leanings. He died by suicide in 1954 after a tumultuous personal and professional life.
"Governor Dunston" is the second episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 127th overall episode of the series. It was written and directed by Robert Carlock. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 11, 2012.
The Glenn Beck Radio Program is an American conservative talk radio show, hosted by commentator Glenn Beck on over 400 radio stations across America, his company's own TheBlaze Radio Network, with a live television simulcast weekdays on TheBlaze TV. Since its inception as a nationally syndicated show in 2002, the program has become one of the highest rated radio programs. Furthermore, it led to television shows on CNN and the Fox News Channel, six New York Times bestselling books, a magazine, and a stage tour. In 2009, many editorials, such as those on The Huffington Post, singled out Glenn Beck's radio and television programs for raising issues which led to the resignation of Obama advisor Van Jones.
INXS: Never Tear Us Apart is a two-part Australian miniseries about the rock band INXS and was originally telecast on 9 February 2014, and concluded on 16 February 2014, produced by Shine Australia and airing on the Seven Network.
"Mad Grey Dawn" is the fifteenth episode of the second season, and 37th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by Robert Hull and directed by Nick Copus. It was first broadcast on March 21, 2016. In the episode, Gordon and Bullock investigate a pair of clues in a museum, unaware that Edward Nygma is the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Bruce continues living in the streets with Selina and Cobblepot meets a man who knew about his mother.
Mad as Hell is a 2014 documentary film about the web series The Young Turks and its host, Cenk Uygur. The film's title refers to a famous line uttered by the character Howard Beale in the 1976 film Network, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
"All in the Family" is the twenty-first episode of the paranormal drama television series Supernatural's season 11, and the 239th overall. The episode was written by co-executive producers Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner and directed by Thomas J. Wright. It was first broadcast on May 11, 2016 on The CW. In the episode, Sam and Dean set to find Lucifer/Castiel as he continues being tortured by Amara while God has a new strategy as Metatron finds a new Prophet. The title is a reference to the hit TV show All in the Family.
"Look into My Eyes" is the third episode of the third season, and 47th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on October 3, 2016. In the episode, hypnotist Jervis Tetch arrives at Gotham City to find his missing sister Alicia and hires Gordon for help. Meanwhile, Cobblepot decides to run for mayor after winning the public's trust. Bruce's doppelganger, "5" begins to imitate him to the point of personification. The episode marks the debut of Benedict Samuel to the show and is credited as a main cast member.
"Follow the White Rabbit" is the sixth episode of the third season, and 50th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by co-executive producers Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt and directed by Nathan Hope. It was first broadcast on October 24, 2016. In the episode, Jervis Tetch begins to formulate a plan to lure out Gordon to him by the use of many people involved. Gordon is beginning to be aided by a white-suited man, the White Rabbit, in order to find Tetch, who's waiting for him to arrive and exact his revenge for Alice's death. Meanwhile, Cobblepot is ready to confess his love for Nygma, when Nygma finds someone close to him.
"Blood Rush" is the eighth episode of the third season, and 52nd episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by Tze Chun and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on November 7, 2016. In the episode, Barnes loses control of the effects of Alice Tetch's blood and begins to use his powers to target a killer, no matter the cost of those who stand in his way. Gordon is reinstated as detective and investigates along with Bullock the killer, who uses plastic surgery to fake identities. Meanwhile, Cobblepot tries to stop Isabella from continuing to see Nygma.
"Mors Praematura" is the 6th episode of the third season of the American television drama series Person of Interest. It is the 51st overall episode of the series and is written by Dan Dietz and directed by Helen Shaver. It aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on October 29, 2013.
"Last Call" is the 15th episode of the third season of the American television drama series Person of Interest. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and is written by Dan Dietz and directed by Jeff T. Thomas. It aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on February 25, 2014.
"Panopticon" is the 1st episode and season premiere of the fourth season of the American television drama series Person of Interest. It is the 69th overall episode of the series and is written by producer Erik Mountain and executive producer Greg Plageman and directed by Richard J. Lewis. It aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on September 23, 2014.
"Truth Be Told" is the 3rd episode of the fifth season of the American television drama series Person of Interest. It is the 93rd overall episode of the series and is written by supervising producer Erik Mountain and directed by Stephen Surjik. It aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on May 10, 2016.