Network (Satire September)

Our journey through Satire September is coming to a close here on We Drink & We Watch Things, and we're ending with what might be the most chillingly prophetic film of them all: the 1976 classic, "Network." We both absolutely loved this movie, and what surprised us most was how eerily relevant it feels almost fifty years later. Grab your drink, and prepare for a discussion that feels less like a look back and more like a warning. This week, we're dissecting the genius of Paddy Chayefsky's Oscar-winning script and Sidney Lumet's powerful direction. We'll be talking about how the film's "mad prophet of the airwaves" Howard Beale and the ruthless pursuit of ratings didn't just satirize television, it predicted the media landscape we live in today, from reality TV to the sensationalized, rage-fueled news cycle. We'll chat about the brilliant monologues, the incredible performances from the entire cast, and why a film that was once considered a wild exaggeration now feels like a horrifying documentary. If you're looking for a masterclass in screenwriting, a powerful piece of cinema, or just want to hear us marvel at how something made in the 70s could see so clearly into our future, then this is the episode for you. We're blending our appreciation for this brilliantly written film with our usual casual banter, making this the perfect, thought-provoking conclusion to a month dedicated to satire. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to go scream out our windows that we're "mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore!" This episode VIDEO is live on YouTube AND Spotify! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok to get ep sneak peaks and find out what's coming next. DM us what you want to hear about next or email us at [email protected].