The Story Archive

Network

Sidney Lumet · 1976 CE · Film · Modern / American · Contemporary

A network news anchor told he has two weeks left announces on air that he will kill himself during a broadcast, and the ratings jump far enough that a programming executive builds a prime-time show around his ravings. Soothsayers and a terrorist cell are added to the schedule as news is folded into entertainment. Chayefsky's script was taken for burlesque and has been read as description ever since.

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Attributes

Genre
SatirePoliticalTragedy
Theme
Power & CorruptionFame & GloryMadnessIndividual vs Society
Archetype (Jung / Campbell)
Tragic HeroWise FoolVillain / Tyrant
Plot structure
Rise and FallIronic Reversal
Symbol / motif
The ScreenThe StageThe City
Conflict
vs Societyvs Self
Mode / tone
SatiricalIronic
Culture / tradition
Modern / American

Closest analogues