EDtv1999

The results are comical and unexpected -- and just a bit eerie.

A decent conceptual drama with a sour twist of social commentary tossed in. Fresh into his career as a leading man, Matthew McConaughey plays into his typecast as a drawling, charming bachelor, this time spiced with the angle of a 24/7 reality show that broadcasts his every waking moment. Naturally, this eventually plays havoc on his personal life, especially when he picks up with his brother's publicity-shy ex (Jenna Elfman). Not quite as interesting or original as 1998's thematic clone The Truman Show, it's still a fair (if light) take on the cult of celebrity with some good, unexpected curves peppering the plot. McConaughey is unbearable in a few scenes, but he's at least believable as the naïve, overnight celebrity everyman adopted by the broadest strains of pop culture. Warm and charming at times, thin and predictable at others, it's a good effort with a curiously accurate prediction about the uncomfortable surge of reality programming that was on the horizon.

EDtv is precisely the kind of brisk, straightforward, amiable and accessible material that shows Howard’s skills to advantage.