{368}{493}This story is about Howard Beale,|the "Network News" anchorman on UBS TV. {495}{564}In his time, Howard Beale had been|a mandarin of television... {566}{612}the grand old man of news... {614}{699}with a HUT rating of 16|and a 28 audience share. {701}{790}In 1969, however, his fortunes|began to decline. {792}{839}He fell to a 22 share. {841}{919}The following year, his wife died,|and he was left a childless widower... {921}{983}with an 8 rating|and a 12 share. {984}{1074}He became morose and isolated,|began to drink heavily. {1076}{1160}On September 22, 1975,|he was fired... {1162}{1208}effective in two weeks. {1210}{1270}The news was broken to him|by Max Schumacher... {1272}{1343}who was the president|of the News Division at UBS. {1344}{1411}The two old friends|got properly pissed. {1412}{1531}I was at CBS|with Ed Murrow in 1951. {1532}{1582}Must've been 1950. {1609}{1676}I was at NBC.|Associate producer. {1678}{1782}Morning news.|I was just a kid... 26 years old. {1851}{1972}Anyway, they were building the lower|level of the George Washington Bridge. {1974}{2042}We were doing a remote from there. {2136}{2192}And nobody told me. {2248}{2294}7:00 a.m., I get a call. {2296}{2382}"Where are you? You're supposed to be|on the George Washington Bridge?" {2420}{2514}I jump out of bed,|throw my raincoat over my pajamas. {2516}{2578}I run downstairs|and out into the street... {2580}{2645}hail a cab and say to the cabbie... {2647}{2720}"Take me to the middle|of the George Washington Bridge." {2783}{2845}The cabbie turns around and says... {2879}{2934}He says, "Don't do it, buddy. {2960}{3072}You're a young man. You've got|your whole life ahead of you." {3204}{3251}Didn't I tell you that before? {3396}{3447}I'm gonna kill myself. {3464}{3501}Shit, Howard. {3543}{3606}I'm gonna blow my brains out|right on the air... {3636}{3691}right in the middle|of the seven o'clock news. {3728}{3805}You'll get a hell of a rating,|I'll guarantee that. {3807}{3847}Fifty share easy. {3848}{3920}- You think so?|- Sure. {3922}{4009}We could make a series out of it.|"Suicide of the Week." {4068}{4164}Why limit ourselves?|"Execution of the Week." {4197}{4236}"Terrorist of the Week." {4238}{4285}They'll love it. {4315}{4390}Suicides. Assassinations. {4426}{4474}Mad bombers. {4476}{4534}Mafia hit men. {4536}{4582}Automobile smashups. {4584}{4634}"The Death Hour." {4686}{4779}"A great Sunday night show|for the whole family." {4811}{4894}Lt'd put fucking Disney|right off the air. {5732}{5798}Let's do the Lenin deportation|at the end of three. {5800}{5847}- Strong enough to bump?|- At one, then. {5849}{5931}I'll do a lead on Sarah Jane Moore|to May Berry in San Francisco. {5932}{5978}The film I saw|was of the chief of detectives. {5980}{6099}I think we've got ten seconds|on the shooting itself. {6101}{6165}The whole thing is 1:25. {6167}{6245}- What does that come out?|- About 4:50. {6276}{6348}- Can we use Squeaky Fromme?|- Let's do that at two. {6350}{6456}Squeaky boarded the airport bus. {6457}{6511}You using a map on him|for San Francisco? {6512}{6589}I'd prefer newspapers. {6591}{6650}What've we got left? {6652}{6726}Gun control.|Patty Hearst affidavit. {6728}{6799}Guerillas in Chad.|OPEC in Guiana. {7425}{7473}Hello, Howard.|How are you? {7735}{7786}Don't forget, Howard,|we're not using the 16. {7904}{7989}The first attempt on President Ford's|life was 18 days ago... {7991}{8055}and again yesterday in San Francisco. {8056}{8111}In spite of the two attempts,|Mr. Ford says... {8112}{8177}he will not become a prisoner|of the Oval Office... {8179}{8255}a hostage|of would-be assassins. {8256}{8351}The American people|are good people. {8352}{8440}Democrats, Independents,|Republicans and others. {8442}{8518}- How do you get mixed up that type?|- I don't know. {8554}{8659}If you're so hot, why go to strangers?|What's wrong with me? {8764}{8799}Ready two. {8842}{8885}Two. Cue Howard. {8887}{8944}Ladies and gentlemen,|I would like at this moment... {8946}{9047}to announce that I will be retiring|from this program in two weeks' time... {9048}{9092}because of poor ratings. {9094}{9211}Since this show is the only thing|I had going for me in my life... {9212}{9277}I have decided to kill myself. {9279}{9411}I'm going to blow my brains out|on this program a week from today. {9412}{9455}Ten seconds to commercial. {9456}{9496}Tune in next Tuesday. {9498}{9588}That should give the public relations|people a week to promote the show. {9590}{9636}We oughta get a hell of a rating|out of that. {9660}{9709}Fifty share easy. {9764}{9861}- Listen. Did you hear that?|- What was that about? {9863}{9942}Howard said he was going|to blow his brains out next Tuesday. {9944}{10035}- What are you talking about?|- Didn't you hear him? {10060}{10125}Howard said he was going|to kill himself next Tuesday. {10161}{10244}What do you mean Howard said he|was going to kill himself next Tuesday? {10245}{10294}He was supposed to do a tag. {10296}{10386}He said, "Tune in next Tuesday.|I'm going to shoot myself." {10388}{10422}What's going on? {10424}{10489}He just said he was going|to blow his brains out. {10491}{10538}What the fuck's going on? {10540}{10611}- They wanna know what's going on.|- I can't hear you. {10612}{10684}- Turn the studio mike on.|- We're on in 11 seconds. {10686}{10761}- Ten seconds.|- What are you doing? Have you flipped? {10763}{10827}- We better get him off.|- Get him off. {10828}{10895}- Get your fucking hands off me!|- Turn the sound off! {10896}{10945}He's going on live! {10947}{11001}- Key two.|- We're in trouble down here. {11072}{11127}Go to standby! {11191}{11274}Lou, can't we clear out the lobby?|There must be 100 people there. {11276}{11335}- How am I gonna clear 'em out?|- Every TV station and wire service! {11336}{11393}I could barely get in. {11395}{11486}- Arthur, anything?|- Not so far. {11488}{11561}Frank Hackett just walked in.|We had to abort the show. {11563}{11616}So far over 900|fucking phone calls... {11618}{11682}complaining about the foul language. {11684}{11755}- What page are you putting it on?|- Hackett just walked in. {11756}{11823}- ABC again.|- Tell 'em to go fuck themselves. {11824}{11865}That goes for you, too, Marty. {11867}{11907}You're off the air. {11908}{11988}- He wants to talk to you.|- Who's replacing Beale? {11990}{12059}- We're flying Snowden up.|- Everybody hold it. {12060}{12116}Let's see how the other networks|handle this. {12118}{12212}- The ten o'clock news opened with it.|- Good evening. Howard Beale... {12213}{12262}They'll all make it|their lead story. {12264}{12343}Howard Beale interrupted|his "Network News" program tonight... {12345}{12398}to announce he was going|to kill himself. {12400}{12455}An unusual thing happened|at a sister network... {12456}{12510}UBS, this evening. {12512}{12596}- How are we handling it?|- Halloway will make a statement... {12598}{12703}at the end of the show that Howard's|been under great personal stress. {12743}{12800}We've got a stockholders' meeting|tomorrow... {12802}{12881}at which we will announce|the restructuring of management plan. {12883}{12959}I don't want this grotesque incident|to interfere with that. {12961}{13056}I'll suggest Mr. Ruddy open with a short|statement washing this whole thing off. {13057}{13171}You, Max, better have answers for those|nuts that always come to the meetings. {13172}{13231}Mr. Beale has been under great|professional and personal strain. {13232}{13280}I've got surprises for you, too! {13282}{13338}I've had it up to here|with your division... {13340}{13404}and it's annual|$33 million deficit! {13406}{13469}Keep your hands off|my News Division, Frank. {13471}{13536}We're responsible to corporate level,|not you. {13538}{13592}We'll goddamn well see about that. {13594}{13677}All right, take it easy.|How do we get Beale out of here? {13679}{13777}I understand there are reporters|and camera crews in the lobby. {13779}{13825}We've got a limo at the freight exit. {13827}{13930}Howard, you'll spend the night at my|place. There'll be press around yours. {14147}{14215}I want Snowden here by noon... {14216}{14267}have Lester|cover the CIA hearings... {14269}{14323}and give the White House|to Doris. {14324}{14380}You're late for your screening, Max. {14402}{14437}Right. Okay. {14515}{14588}If John Wheeler calls,|switch him to projection room 7. {14660}{14726}- I'm sorry, Bill. This Beale business.|- It's all right. Sit down. {14728}{14782}Diana asked if she could sit in on this. {14784}{14845}Fine. How's it going? {14847}{14935}You'll like this footage better than|the stuff I showed you last time. {14991}{15025}Max Schumacher. {15062}{15113}Goddamn it! When? {15174}{15223}Did he say anything? {15264}{15311}All right, thank you. {15356}{15455}The Communist Party believes the most|pressing political necessity today... {15457}{15535}is the consolidation|of the revolutionary... {15537}{15587}radical and democratic movements... {15619}{15700}Harry, Howard Beale left my house|20 minutes ago. {15702}{15749}Has he come in yet? {15751}{15797}Let me know when he arrives. {15849}{15904}- That's Laureen Hobbs, isn't it?|- Yeah. {15906}{15961}This is from a David Susskind thing|a while back. {15963}{16026}I think we can use some of this stuff. {16084}{16162}What we're going to see now|is something really sensational. {16164}{16247}The Flagstaff Independent Bank|of Arizona was ripped off last week... {16249}{16326}by a terrorist group called|the Ecumenical Liberation Army. {16328}{16431}They themselves took movies of the|rip-off while they were ripping it off. {16432}{16525}The Ecumenical Liberation Army is not|the one that kidnapped Patty Hearst? {16527}{16586}No, that's the Symbionese|Liberation Army. {16588}{16643}This is the Ecumenical|Liberation Army. {16644}{16722}They're the ones who kidnapped|Mary Ann Gifford three weeks ago. {16724}{16800}There's a lot of liberation armies|in the revolutionary underground... {16802}{16848}and a lot of kidnapped heiresses. {16850}{16896}This is Mary Ann Gifford. {16984}{17041}That's the Great Ahmed Khan.|He's their leader. {17078}{17173}They actually shot this film|while they were ripping off the bank? {17175}{17224}Wait till you see it. {17226}{17295}I don't know whether to edit|or leave it raw like this. {17331}{17416}This is terrific stuff!|Where did you get it? {17418}{17462}I got everything|through Laureen Hobbs. {17464}{17531}She's my contact|for all this stuff. {17657}{17767}- I've got Howard on the other line.|- Put him on. {17768}{17834}I've got Max on four. Pick up. {17874}{17922}I'd like another shot. {17924}{18013}- Come on, Howard.|- I don't mean the whole show. {18015}{18106}I'd like to come on,|make some brief farewell statement... {18108}{18181}and then turn the show over|to Jack Snowden. {18183}{18278}I have 11 years at this network.|I have some standing in the industry. {18280}{18342}I just don't want to go out|like a clown. {18344}{18443}It'll be simple, dignified.|You and Harry can check the copy. {18444}{18502}I think it'll take the strain|off the show. {18552}{18642}- What do you think?|- Well, okay. {18644}{18723}And no booze today, Howard! {18724}{18759}No booze. {18909}{18985}George, can you come into my office|for a minute? {19124}{19230}Barbara, is Tommy around?|I'd like to see the two of you. {19419}{19511}This is Bill Herron from our West Coast|Special Programs Department. {19512}{19586}George Bosch. Barbara Schlesinger.|Tommy Pellegrino. {19588}{19683}I just saw footage of a special Bill's|doing on the revolutionary underground. {19685}{19748}Most of it's tedious stuff of|Laureen Hobbs and two fatigue jackets... {19750}{19807}muttering mutilated Marxism... {19809}{19908}but he's got eight minutes|of a bank robbery... {19910}{19958}that is sensational! {19960}{20059}Authentic stuff shot|while the robbery was going on. {20060}{20116}Remember the Mary Ann Gifford|kidnapping? {20118}{20210}It's that bunch of nuts. She's in|the movie shooting off machine guns. {20212}{20267}This is really terrific footage. {20268}{20353}We can get a movie of the week|out of it, maybe even a series. {20391}{20437}A series?|What are we talking about? {20439}{20547}We've got a bunch of hobgoblin radicals,|the Ecumenical Liberation Army... {20549}{20625}who go around taking home movies|of themselves robbing banks. {20627}{20710}Maybe they'll take movies of themselves|kidnapping heiresses... {20712}{20759}hijacking 747 s... {20760}{20812}bombing bridges,|assassinating ambassadors. {20864}{20935}We'd open each week's segment|with their authentic footage... {20936}{21023}hire writers to write a story behind|that footage, and we've got a series. {21046}{21142}A series about a bunch|of bank-robbing guerrillas? {21172}{21241}What will we call it,|the "Mao Tse-Tung Hour"? {21243}{21280}Why not? {21282}{21336}They've got "Strike Force,"|"Task Force," "SWAT." {21338}{21413}Why not Che Guevara|and his own little "Mod Squad"? {21415}{21524}I sent you all a concept analysis report|yesterday. Did any of you read it? {21547}{21623}Well, in a nutshell it said... {21625}{21674}"The American people|are turning sullen." {21676}{21766}They've been clobbered on all sides|by Vietnam, Watergate, inflation. {21768}{21845}They've turned off, shot up, fucked|themselves limp, and nothing helps. {21847}{21932}So this concept analysis report|concludes... {21934}{22047}the American people want somebody|to articulate their rage for them. {22049}{22179}I've told you since I took this job|six months ago that I want angry shows. {22180}{22232}I don't want conventional programming. {22234}{22298}I want counterculture.|I want antiestablishment. {22372}{22467}I don't want to play butch boss|with you people... {22468}{22518}but when I took over|this department... {22520}{22582}it had the worst programming record|in television history. {22584}{22651}This network hasn't one show|in the top 20. {22652}{22702}This network is an industry joke. {22704}{22783}We better start putting together|one winner for next September. {22784}{22831}I want a show developed... {22832}{22919}based on the activities|of a terrorist group. {22920}{22978}"Joseph Stalin and His Merry Band|of Bolsheviks." {22980}{23060}I want ideas from you.|That is what you're paid for. {23062}{23152}By the way, the next time I send|an audience research report around... {23154}{23212}you'd better read it,|or I'll sack the lot of you. {23214}{23253}Is that clear? {23255}{23391}I'll be on the coast in four weeks. Can|you set up a meeting with Laureen Hobbs? {23392}{23479}The business of management|is management. {23480}{23561}At the time CCA took control,|the UBS TV network was foundering... {23563}{23647}with less than seven percent|of national television revenues... {23649}{23718}most network programs being sold|at station rates. {23720}{23806}I am pleased to announce I am submitting|to the board of directors a plan... {23808}{23873}for the coordination|of the main profit centers... {23875}{23946}and with the specific intention|of making each division... {23948}{24015}more responsive to management. {24016}{24051}Point one. {24084}{24168}"The division producing the lowest rate|of return has been the News Division... {24170}{24303}with its $98 million budget and its|average annual deficit of $32 million." {24332}{24411}I know, historically, news divisions|are expected to lose money. {24413}{24481}To our minds, this philosophy|is a wanton fiscal affront... {24483}{24571}to be resolutely resisted. {24573}{24704}The new plan calls for local news to be|transferred to Owned Stations Divisions. {24706}{24790}News Radio would be transferred to|the UBS Radio Division... {24792}{24890}and the News Division would be reduced|from an independent division... {24892}{25000}to a department accountable|to network. {25118}{25201}- What was that all about, Ed?|- This is not the time. {25203}{25249}Why wasn't I told about this? {25251}{25354}Why was I led up onto that podium and|humiliated in front of the stockholders? {25356}{25414}Goddamn it! I spoke to John Wheeler|this morning... {25416}{25479}and he assured me|that the News Division was safe. {25480}{25534}If you want me to resign,|that's a bad way to do it. {25536}{25605}We'll talk about this tomorrow|at our regular morning meeting. {25896}{25943}Roll VTA. {25944}{25998}Bring it up on one.|Ready now. {26019}{26114}In five, four, three, two... {26116}{26168}- One.|- One TVA. {26203}{26237}And... {26281}{26315}cue announcer. {26317}{26364}The "UBS Evening News"... {26393}{26442}with Howard Beale. {26444}{26489}Ready two. {26491}{26527}Two. Cue power. {26529}{26626}Good evening.|Today is Wednesday, September 24... {26628}{26674}and this is my last broadcast. {26708}{26755}Yesterday I announced|on this program... {26756}{26828}that I was going to commit|public suicide... {26829}{26890}admittedly an act of madness. {26892}{26967}I'll tell you what happened.|I just ran out of bullshit. {26968}{27023}- Cut him off.|- Leave him on. {27058}{27092}Am I still on? {27094}{27168}If this is how he wants to go out,|this is how he goes out. {27170}{27224}I just ran out of bullshit. {27226}{27285}Mr. Schumacher's here.|Do you want to talk to him? {27287}{27333}Bullshit is all the reasons|we give for living. {27335}{27438}If we can't think up reasons of our own,|we always have the God bullshit. {27440}{27484}- We don't know why we go through...|- What is it? {27486}{27545}Pointless pain,|humiliation and decay. {27547}{27641}There better be someone, somewhere|who does know. That's the God bullshit. {27643}{27725}He's saying that life is bullshit.|It is. What are you screaming about? {27727}{27809}Man is a noble creature who can order|his own world. Who needs God? {27838}{27931}If there's anybody who can look around|this demented world we live in... {27932}{28005}and tell me man|is a noble creature... {28007}{28062}believe me,|that man is full of bullshit. {28088}{28175}- What's so goddamn funny?|- I can't help it. It's funny. {28217}{28288}This is going out live|to 67 affiliates. {28290}{28324}Leave him on. {28326}{28434}And I was married for 33 years|of shrill, shrieking fraud. {28436}{28522}- Mr. Hackett's trying to reach you.|- Tell Mr. Hackett to go fuck himself. {28524}{28595}So I don't have any bullshit left. {28623}{28694}I just ran out of it, you see. {28832}{28891}Mr. Ruddy, could we have|one statement, please? {28892}{28943}Sorry, I don't have|all the information yet. {29026}{29120}If we could just have one statement|about Mr. Beale. {29360}{29395}Max? {29606}{29652}I'll want to see Mr. Beale|after this. {29713}{29775}The way I hear it,|you were primarily responsible... {29777}{29833}for this colossally|stupid prank. {29851}{29906}- Is that the fact?|- That's the fact. {29908}{29969}It was unconscionable. {30050}{30132}- There is nothing more to say.|- I have something to say. {30160}{30228}I want to know why that debasement|of the News Division... {30230}{30317}announced at the meeting this afternoon|was kept secret from me? {30347}{30403}You and I go back 20 years. {30404}{30465}I took this job|with your personal assurance... {30467}{30557}that you'd back my autonomy|against any encroachment. {30559}{30672}But ever since CCA acquired control|of UBS Systems ten months ago... {30674}{30730}Hackett's been taking over everything. {30732}{30832}Who is running this network?|You or some conglomerate called CCA? {30834}{30901}You're president|of the Systems Group. {30903}{30988}Hackett's nothing|but a hatchet man for CCA. {30990}{31054}Nelson here,|president of the network... {31056}{31122}and he hasn't a damned thing to say|about anything anymore. {31124}{31186}I told you|at the stockholders' meeting... {31188}{31279}that we would discuss all that|at our regular meeting tomorrow morning. {31281}{31337}If you had been patient,|I would have explained... {31339}{31400}that I, too, thought|Frank Hackett precipitate... {31402}{31471}and that the reorganization of the|News Division would not be executed... {31473}{31534}until everyone,|specifically you, Max... {31536}{31606}had been consulted and satisfied. {31629}{31675}Instead, you sulked off|like a child... {31677}{31750}and engaged this network|in a shocking and disgraceful episode. {31752}{31799}Your position|is no longer tenable... {31801}{31857}regardless of how management|is restructured. {31907}{31960}I will expect your resignation|at 10:00 tomorrow morning. {31962}{32051}We will coordinate our statements|to the least detriment of everyone. {32103}{32186}Bob McDonough will take over the News|Division until we sort all this out. {32236}{32303}I'd like to see Mr. Beale now. {32304}{32371}They're looking for him.|They don't know where he is. {32403}{32491}Well, every day, five days a week|for 15 years... {32493}{32578}I've been sitting behind that desk,|the dispassionate pundit... {32580}{32652}reporting with seemly detachment... {32654}{32740}the daily parade of lunacies|that constitute the news. {32742}{32776}Just once... {32778}{32826}I wanted to say|what I really felt. {32828}{32867}Knock it off. {32868}{32913}It was, after all, my last one. {33322}{33386}- Have the overnight ratings come in?|- They're on your desk. {33388}{33434}Have you got|yesterday's overnights? {33436}{33489}- Shall I bring them in?|- Yeah. {33626}{33700}These are the outlines submitted|by Universal for an hour series. {33702}{33775}You needn't bother to read them.|I'll tell them to you. {33777}{33887}The first one is set in an eastern|law school, presumably Harvard. {33889}{33964}The series is irresistibly entitled|"The New Lawyers." {33966}{34047}The running characters are: A crusty|but benign ex-Supreme Court justice... {34048}{34131}presumably Oliver Wendell Holmes|by way of Dr. Zorba... {34132}{34215}a beautiful girl graduate student,|and the local district attorney... {34216}{34263}who is brilliant|and sometimes cuts corners. {34264}{34310}Next one. {34312}{34359}The second one's called|"The Amazon Squad." {34361}{34398}Lady cops. {34400}{34468}Running characters include a crusty|but benign police lieutenant... {34470}{34525}who's always getting heat|from the commissioner... {34527}{34616}a tough, hard-drinking detective who|thinks women belong in the kitchen... {34618}{34707}and a brilliant, beautiful young cop|who's fighting the feminist battle. {34708}{34758}We're up to our ears in lady cops. {34760}{34834}Next is another one of those|investigative reporter shows. {34836}{34899}A crusty but benign managing editor|who's always getting... {34900}{34951}You know, Barbara... {34952}{35055}the Arabs have decided to jack up|the price of oil another 20 percent. {35079}{35170}The CIA has been caught opening|Senator Humphrey's mail. {35172}{35266}There's a civil war in Angola.|Another one in Beirut. {35297}{35358}New York City's still facing default. {35360}{35428}They finally caught up|with Patricia Hearst. {35430}{35519}And the whole front page|of the Daily News is Howard Beale. {35546}{35641}There's also a two-column story|on page one of the Times. {35708}{35764}Helen?|Call Mr. Hackett's office. {35766}{35824}See if he can give me|a few minutes this morning. {35983}{36087}KTNS Kansas City refuses to carry|our "Network News Show" anymore... {36089}{36136}unless Beale is taken off the air. {36137}{36188}Did you see the overnights|on the "Network News"? {36190}{36255}It has an 8 in New York,|a 9 in L. A... {36257}{36315}and a 27 share in both cities. {36317}{36394}Last night, Howard Beale went on the air|and yelled "bullshit" for two minutes. {36396}{36497}I can tell you tonight's show|will get a 30 share at least. {36499}{36576}- I think we've lucked into something.|- For God sakes, Diana! {36578}{36655}Are you suggesting we put that lunatic|back on the air yelling "bullshit"? {36656}{36740}Yes, I think we should put Beale back|on the air tonight and keep him on. {36742}{36809}Did you see the news this morning?|Did you see the Times? {36811}{36874}We got press coverage on this|you couldn't buy for a million dollars. {36876}{37018}That show jumped 5 points in one night.|Tonight's show will be at least 15. {37020}{37129}We've just increased our audience by|20 or 30 million people in one night! {37131}{37197}You won't get something like this dumped|into your lap the rest of your days. {37199}{37298}You can't piss it away. Howard said|last night what every American feels. {37300}{37421}He's tired of all the bullshit!|He's articulating the popular rage! {37423}{37471}I want that show, Frank. {37473}{37526}I can turn that show|into the biggest smash on TV. {37528}{37599}It's a news show.|It's not your department. {37601}{37667}I see Howard Beale|as a latter-day prophet... {37668}{37767}a messianic figure inveighing|against the hypocrisies of our times! {37768}{37830}A strip Savonarola|Monday through Friday... {37832}{37888}that will just go through the roof! {37890}{37985}And I'm talking about|a six-dollar cost per thousand show. {37987}{38060}I'm talking about|130,000 dollar minutes. {38062}{38152}Figure out the revenues of a strip show|that sells for $100,000 a minute! {38154}{38244}One show like that could pull|this network out of the hole! {38246}{38323}It's being handed to us on a plate.|Let's not blow it. {38356}{38402}Yes. {38404}{38456}Tell him I'll be a few minutes. {38518}{38595}- Let me think it over.|- Let's not go to committee on this. {38596}{38688}It's 10:20. We want Beale in the studio|by 6:30. We don't want to lose momentum. {38690}{38788}For God sakes, we're talking about|putting an irresponsible man... {38790}{38850}on national television. {39084}{39150}I'd like to talk to Legal Affairs,|Herb Thackery... {39152}{39214}and Joe Donnelly|in Standards and Practices. {39254}{39331}You know I'll be eyeball to eyeball|with Mr. Ruddy on this. {39332}{39409}If I'm going to the mat with Ruddy,|I want to be sure of my ground. {39411}{39464}My ass is going on the line. {39546}{39592}I'll get back to you. {39682}{39730}I don't believe the top brass... {39732}{39829}of a national television network|is sitting around their Caesar salads... {39831}{39887}Top brass of a bankrupt|national television network... {39888}{39952}with projected losses|of $150 million. {39954}{39988}I don't care! {40023}{40117}You can't be seriously proposing,|and the rest of us considering... {40119}{40179}putting on a pornographic|network news show. {40181}{40235}- The FCC would kill us.|- Sit down, Nelson. {40236}{40307}The FCC can't do anything|except rap our knuckles. {40309}{40385}I don't even want to think about|the litigious possibilities. {40387}{40466}- We could be up to our ears in lawsuits.|- The affiliates won't carry it. {40468}{40540}The affiliates will kiss your ass|if you can hand them a hit show. {40542}{40596}- But popular reaction...|- We don't know the popular reaction. {40598}{40675}- That's what we have to find out.|- The New York Times... {40676}{40759}The New York Times doesn't advertise|on our network. {40805}{40909}All I know is, this violates|every canon of respectable broadcasting. {40911}{40988}We're not a respectable network.|We're a whorehouse network. {40990}{41042}We have to take whatever we can get. {41076}{41123}I don't want any part of it. {41125}{41184}I don't fancy myself|the president of a whorehouse. {41186}{41253}That's commendable of you, Nelson.|Now sit down. {41280}{41327}Your indignation|has been duly recorded. {41328}{41375}You can always resign tomorrow. {41429}{41523}What in substance are we proposing? {41524}{41619}Merely to add editorial comment|to our network news show. {41621}{41711}Brinkley, Sevareid, Reasoner|all have their comments. {41713}{41763}Now Howard Beale will have his. {41765}{41862}I think we ought to give it a shot,|see what happens tonight. Telephone. {41864}{41947}I don't want to be the messenger|who has to tell Schumacher about this. {41949}{42039}He doesn't work at this network anymore.|Mr. Ruddy fired him last night. {42041}{42112}Bob McDonough is running|the News Division now. {42146}{42194}Bob McDonough in News, please. {42230}{42281}I don't know. {42283}{42342}I may teach or write a book... {42344}{42442}whatever the hell one does when one|approaches the autumn of one's years. {42509}{42555}My God! Is that me? {42574}{42634}Was I ever that young? {42636}{42694}No, Howard brought in a picture|of Ed Murrow... {42696}{42755}and the CBS gang|when we were there. {42757}{42794}You wouldn't believe it! {42796}{42847}Walter Cronkite, Harry Reasoner... {42848}{42897}Hollenbeck, Bob Trout. {42899}{42945}Is that you? {42973}{43063}Yeah. Okay, Dick,|we'll be in touch. {43065}{43171}Remember this kid you sent to interview|Cleveland Amory on vivisection? {43260}{43314}What's so funny? {43376}{43461}I jump out of bed in my pajamas,|I grab my raincoat, I run downstairs. {43463}{43526}I run out to the street|and hail a cab. {43528}{43648}I yell at the driver, "Take me to the|middle of the George Washington Bridge." {43699}{43787}And the driver says,|"Don't do it, buddy. Don't do it! {43789}{43849}You're young. You've got|your whole life ahead of you." {43872}{43928}Wait a minute. {43930}{44038}If you think that's funny,|wait till you hear this. {44040}{44087}I've come from Hackett's office. {44088}{44155}He wants to put Howard|back on the air tonight. {44156}{44230}Apparently the ratings went up|five points last night... {44232}{44311}and he wants Howard to go back on|and do his "angry man" thing. {44312}{44363}What are you talking about? {44364}{44438}They want Howard to go back on|and yell "bullshit." {44500}{44547}They want Howard to go on... {44548}{44596}spontaneously letting out|his anger. {44598}{44669}A latter-day prophet|denouncing the hypocrisies of our times. {44671}{44724}That sounds pretty good! {44746}{44780}Who's "they"? {44782}{44846}Hackett. Chaney was there. {44848}{44923}The Legal Affairs guy.|Oh, and that girl from programming. {44924}{44983}Christensen?|What's she got to do with this? {44984}{45051}- Are you kidding?|- I'm not kidding. {45052}{45142}I said, "We're running|a news department here, not a circus. {45144}{45205}And Howard Beale's|not a bearded lady. {45207}{45270}If you think I'll go along with|this bastardization of the news... {45272}{45354}you can have my resignation|along with Max Schumacher's. {45356}{45495}- I'm speaking for Howard Beale and..."|- That's my job you're turning down. {45497}{45565}I'd go nuts|without some kind of work. {45567}{45663}What's wrong with being an angry prophet|denouncing the hypocrisies of our times? {45665}{45706}What do you think, Max? {45708}{45809}Do you want to be an angry prophet|denouncing the hypocrisies of our times? {45811}{45918}Yeah, I'd like to be an angry prophet|denouncing the hypocrisies of our times. {45949}{45997}Then grab it! {46152}{46199}- Afternoon, Mr. Ruddy.|- Afternoon. {46200}{46247}Good afternoon, Mr. Ruddy. {46322}{46378}- He's waiting for you.|- Thank you. {46529}{46610}Nelson Chaney tells me Beale|may actually go on the air this evening. {46653}{46709}As far as I know,|Howard's going to do it. {46772}{46837}- Are you gonna sit still for this?|- Yes. {46839}{46904}I think Hackett's overstepped himself. {46906}{46967}There's some kind of|corporate maneuvering going on. {46969}{47030}Hackett is clearly forcing|a confrontation. {47032}{47084}That would account for his behavior|at the stockholders' meeting. {47086}{47196}However, I think he's making a serious|mistake with this Beale business. {47198}{47273}I suspect CCA will be upset... {47275}{47322}at Hackett's presumptuousness. {47324}{47375}Certainly Mr. Jensen will. {47377}{47462}So I'm going to let Hackett|have his head for a while. {47464}{47528}He just might lose it|over this Beale business. {47629}{47696}I'd like you to reconsider|your resignation. {47698}{47758}I assume Hackett|wouldn't take such steps... {47760}{47815}without some support|on the CCA board. {47816}{47885}I'll have to go directly to Mr. Jensen. {47887}{47964}When that happens, I'm going to need|every friend I've got... {47966}{48055}and I don't want Hackett's people|in all the divisional positions. {48056}{48109}So I'd like you to stay on. {48218}{48252}Of course. {48293}{48359}Thank you, Max. {48360}{48419}This has been|the "UBS Evening News"... {48421}{48479}with Howard Beale. {48481}{48544}The initial response to the new|"Howard Beale Show"... {48546}{48595}was not auspicatory. {48597}{48646}The press was,|without exception, hostile... {48648}{48700}and industry reaction negative. {48702}{48758}The ratings for the Thursday|and Friday shows... {48760}{48820}were both 14,|but Monday's rating dropped a point... {48822}{48900}clearly suggesting the novelty|was wearing off. {48944}{48996}Did you know there are|a number of psychics... {48998}{49068}working as licensed brokers|on Wall Street? {49070}{49128}Some counsel their clients|by use of tarot cards. {49130}{49219}They're all pretty successful,|even in a bear market and selling short. {49221}{49307}I met one of them last week|and thought of doing a show around her. {49309}{49372}"The Wayward Witch of Wall Street."|Something like that. {49374}{49434}But if her tips were any good,|she could wreck the market. {49436}{49569}I called her this morning and asked her|how she was on predicting the future. {49571}{49635}She said she was|occasionally prescient. {49637}{49748}"For example," she said,|"I just had a vision of you... {49750}{49822}sitting in an office|with a craggy, middle-aged man... {49824}{49906}with whom you are|or will be emotionally involved." {49908}{49946}And here I am. {50005}{50066}She does all this with tarot cards? {50068}{50137}This one operates|on parapsychology. {50139}{50242}She has trance-like episodes|and feels things in her energy field. {50265}{50354}- This lady could be very useful to you.|- In what way? {50355}{50418}You put on a news show. {50420}{50497}And here's somebody who can predict|tomorrow's news for you. {50499}{50555}Her name, aptly enough, is Sibyl. {50556}{50603}Sibyl the Soothsayer. {50604}{50666}You could give her|two minutes of trance... {50668}{50731}at the end of the "Howard Beale Show,"|say once a week, Friday... {50732}{50791}which is suggestively occult,|and she could oraculate. {50820}{50891}Then next week everyone tunes in to see|how good her predictions were. {50918}{50966}Maybe she could do the weather. {51022}{51093}Your "Network News Show" will need help|if it's going to hold. {51095}{51154}Beale doesn't do the "angry man" thing|well at all. {51156}{51205}He's too kvetchy.|He's being irascible. {51207}{51283}We want a prophet, not a curmudgeon.|He should do more apocalyptic doom. {51284}{51376}I think you should have some writers|write some jeremiads for him. {51409}{51463}I see you don't fancy my suggestions. {51516}{51560}You're not serious? {51562}{51603}I'm serious. {51640}{51700}The fact is, I could make|your Beale show... {51702}{51797}the highest-rated news show in TV|if you'd let me have a crack at it. {51820}{51874}What do you mean,|"have a crack at it"? {51876}{51920}I'd like to program it for you. {51922}{51960}Develop it. {51962}{52075}I wouldn't interfere with|the news itself, but TV is show biz... {52076}{52171}and even the news has to have|a little showmanship. {52172}{52227}My God, you are serious. {52228}{52328}I watched your six o'clock news today.|It's straight tabloid. {52330}{52414}You had a minute and a half of that lady|riding naked in Central Park... {52416}{52490}but you had less than a minute|of hard national and international news. {52492}{52557}It was all sex, scandal,|brutal crime, sports... {52559}{52639}children with incurable diseases|and lost puppies. {52640}{52722}So I won't listen to protestations|of high standards of journalism... {52724}{52792}when you're on the streets, soliciting|audiences like the rest of us. {52794}{52890}All I'm saying is, if you're going|to hustle, at least do it right. {52892}{52966}I'm going to bring this up at tomorrow's|meeting, but I don't like hassles. {52968}{53049}I was hoping we could work this out|between us. That's why I'm here. {53086}{53167}And I was hoping you were looking for|an emotional involvement... {53168}{53221}with a craggy, middle-aged man. {53258}{53306}I wouldn't rule that out entirely. {53388}{53444}All right, Diana... {53446}{53535}bring up all your ideas at the meeting,|because if you don't, I will. {53571}{53631}I think Howard's making|a goddamn fool of himself... {53632}{53731}and so does everybody that Howard|and I know in this industry. {53733}{53790}It was a fluke.|Didn't work. {53820}{53894}So tomorrow, Howard goes back|to the old format... {53896}{53989}and all of this gutter depravity|comes to an end. {54269}{54314}I don't get it. {54349}{54421}You hung around until 7:30|and then came down here... {54423}{54493}just to pitch a couple|of loony show-biz ideas... {54495}{54588}when you knew goddamn well|I'd laugh you right out of the office. {54590}{54647}I don't get it. {54649}{54717}What's your scam in this? {54719}{54848}My visit here tonight was a gesture made|out of your stature in the industry... {54880}{54944}and because I personally admired you|since I was a kid... {54946}{55006}majoring in speech|at the University of Missouri. {55037}{55127}Sooner or later, with or without you,|I'm going to take over your news show. {55129}{55190}I figured I might as well start tonight. {55220}{55285}I think I once gave a lecture... {55287}{55365}at the University of Missouri. {55367}{55479}I was in the audience. I had|a schoolgirl crush on you for months. {55518}{55599}If we could get back for a moment|to that gypsy who predicted... {55600}{55702}all that about emotional involvements|and middle-aged men... {55731}{55789}what are you doing|for dinner tonight? {56012}{56077}I can't make it tonight.|Call me tomorrow. {56137}{56213}- Do you have a favorite restaurant?|- I eat anything. {56246}{56299}I get a feeling I'm being made. {56300}{56335}You are. {56363}{56439}I've got to warn you.|I don't do anything on my first date. {56440}{56475}We'll see. {56619}{56673}Schmuck, what are you getting into? {57188}{57285}I was married for four years|and pretended to be happy. {57287}{57350}I had six years of analysis|and pretended to be sane. {57393}{57457}My husband ran off|with his boyfriend... {57459}{57569}and I had an affair with my analyst who|told me I was the worst lay he ever had. {57600}{57669}I can't tell you how many men|have told me what a lousy lay I am. {57690}{57748}I apparently have|a masculine temperament. {57750}{57843}I arouse quickly,|consummate prematurely... {57844}{57918}and I can't wait to get my clothes|back on and get out of that bedroom. {57947}{58042}I seem to be inept at everything|except my work. {58063}{58117}I'm good at my work. {58119}{58180}So I confine myself to that. {58182}{58265}All I want out of life|is a 30 share and a 20 rating. {58303}{58354}You're married, surely? {58392}{58426}Twenty-five years. {58451}{58530}I have a married daughter in Seattle|who's six months pregnant... {58532}{58655}and a younger girl who's starting|at Northwestern in January. {58724}{58770}Well, Max, here we are. {58820}{58886}Middle-aged man reaffirming|his middle-aged manhood... {58888}{58959}and a terrified young woman|with a father complex. {58961}{59021}What sort of script|can we make out of this? {59071}{59176}Corridor gossip says that you're|Frank Hackett's backstage girl. {59201}{59235}I'm not. {59276}{59356}Frank's a corporation man,|body and soul. {59358}{59406}He has no loves, lusts|or allegiances... {59407}{59490}that are not consummately directed|toward becoming a CCA board member. {59492}{59560}Why should he bother with me?|I'm not even a stockholder. {59605}{59707}What about your loves,|lusts and allegiances? {59709}{59761}Is your wife in town? {59763}{59797}Yes. {59828}{59887}Then we better go to my place. {59920}{59991}I can't hear you.|You'll have to talk a little louder. {60152}{60225}Yes, I hear you. {60311}{60345}Yes. {60412}{60447}Yes. {60589}{60624}Why me? {60671}{60724}I said, "Why me?" {61212}{61259}Howard in his office? {61287}{61408}I'm killing this whole screwball|"angry prophet" thing. {61410}{61463}Tonight we go back to straight news. {61628}{61714}Yeah? Max, I'm telling you he's fine. {61715}{61789}He's been sharp all day.|He's been as funny as hell. {61791}{61844}Had everybody cracking up|at the rundown meeting. {61846}{61894}I told him! {61913}{61947}Cue VTA. {61966}{62000}Ready two. {62055}{62134}- Cue announcer.|- The "UBS Evening News"... {62136}{62184}with Howard Beale. {62208}{62300}Last night I was awakened|from a fitful sleep... {62302}{62366}shortly after 2:00 in the morning... {62367}{62441}by a shrill, sibilant,|faceless voice. {62443}{62530}I couldn't make it out at first|in the dark bedroom. {62567}{62630}I said, "I'm sorry.|You'll have to talk a little louder." {62631}{62720}- What do you want me to do?|- Nothing. {62722}{62801}The voice said to me,|"I want you to tell the truth. {62803}{62871}Not easy to do, because the people|don't want to know the truth." {62873}{62939}I said, "You're kidding? {62940}{62987}What should I know about the truth?" {62988}{63098}But the voice said to me,|"Don't worry about the truth." {63099}{63147}I will put the words in your mouth." {63172}{63219}I said,|"Is this the burning bush? {63220}{63255}I'm not Moses." {63256}{63335}The voice said, "I'm not God.|What has that got to do with it?" {63336}{63441}The voice said, "We're not talking|about eternal, absolute truth. {63443}{63508}We're talking about impermanent,|transient, human truth! {63510}{63579}I don't expect people|to be capable of truth... {63581}{63642}but at least you're capable|of self-preservation." {63668}{63758}I said, "Why me?" {63759}{63825}The voice said, "Because you're|on television, dummy." {63827}{63880}Beautiful. {63882}{63957}"Forty million Americans listen to you,|and after the show, maybe 50 million. {63959}{64060}I'm not asking you to walk the land|in sackcloth preaching the Armageddon. {64062}{64096}You're on TV." {64114}{64168}I thought about it for a moment. {64203}{64263}Then I said, "Okay." {64758}{64804}Close the door, Harry. {64887}{64956}Howard, I'm taking you off the air. {64986}{65063}I think you're having a breakdown,|require treatment. {65121}{65199}This is not a psychotic episode. {65200}{65264}This is a cleansing moment of clarity. {65369}{65404}I'm imbued. {65435}{65533}I'm imbued with some special spirit.|It's not a religious feeling at all. {65535}{65622}It's a shocking eruption|of great electrical energy. {65623}{65682}I feel vivid and flashing... {65683}{65807}as if suddenly I'd been plugged|into a great electromagnetic field. {65852}{65917}I feel connected to all living things. {65919}{65994}To flowers, birds... {66021}{66069}all the animals of the world... {66112}{66243}and even to some great,|unseen living force... {66245}{66311}what I think the Hindus|call "prana." {66341}{66394}But it's not a breakdown. {66395}{66461}I've never felt more orderly|in my life. {66463}{66564}It is a shattering|and beautiful sensation. {66585}{66675}It is the exalted flow|of the space-time continuum... {66677}{66755}save that it is spaceless|and timeless... {66789}{66835}and such loveliness. {66871}{67002}I feel on the verge|of some great ultimate truth. {67119}{67247}And you will not take me off the air|for now or any other spaceless time! {67420}{67472}- Is he okay?|- He's just fainted. {67474}{67546}I better get him back to my house|again tonight. {67548}{67598}Help me get him up. {68095}{68142}This is crazy. {68176}{68258}The whole place has gone crazy.|They just seem to hassle me. {70185}{70256}Wake up, Max,|because Howard's gone. {70284}{70358}I'll make you some coffee. {70359}{70410}You don't know where he is?|The son of a bitch is a hit! {70412}{70475}Goddamn it!|Over 2,000 phone calls! {70477}{70583}In the mail room, over 14,000 telegrams!|The response is sensational! {70584}{70638}Tell him.|Herb's phone hasn't stopped ringing. {70639}{70767}Every affiliate from Albuquerque|to Sandusky! Response is sensational! {70768}{70825}Yes. All right. {70827}{70882}For you, Herb.|Go to your office. {70883}{70966}Moldanian called me. Joe Donnelly|called me. We've got a goddamn hit! {70968}{71067}Show him the Times. We even got|an editorial in the New York Times. {71069}{71123}- "A Call to Morality."|- I don't know where he is. {71124}{71197}That crazy Beale has caught on. Don't|tell me you don't know where he is. {71199}{71261}He could be jumping off a roof|for all I know! {71263}{71345}The man is insane!|He's not responsible for himself! {71347}{71394}He needs care and treatment. {71396}{71497}All you grave robbers think about|is that he's a hit. {71499}{71560}It's just possible|that he isn't insane... {71562}{71638}that he is, in fact,|imbued with some special spirit. {71639}{71725}I'm supposed to be the romantic!|You're the hard-bitten realist! {71727}{71800}All right. Howard Beale|obviously fills a void. {71802}{71849}The audience|obviously wants a prophet... {71851}{71919}even a manufactured one...|even if he's as mad as Moses. {71920}{71984}By tomorrow he'll have a 50 share,|maybe a 60. {71986}{72033}Howard Beale|is processed instant God. {72035}{72102}It looks like he may go over bigger|than Mary Tyler Moore. {72103}{72170}I am not putting Howard|back on the air! {72171}{72219}It's not your show anymore.|It's mine. {72292}{72330}I gave her the show. {72331}{72408}I'm putting the "Network News Show"|under programming. {72410}{72485}Mr. Ruddy had a heart attack|and is not taking calls. {72487}{72558}In his absence,|I'm making all network decisions... {72559}{72646}including one I've been wanting to make|a long time: You're fired. {72665}{72711}I want you out of this building|by noon. {72713}{72792}I'll call security and have you|thrown out if you're still here. {72876}{72918}Well, let's say|fuck you, Hackett. {72919}{72969}You want me out of here... {72971}{73064}you'll have to drag me and the whole|News Division out kicking and screaming. {73066}{73130}You think they'll quit their jobs|for you? Not in this recession. {73131}{73178}Ruddy will have your ass. {73179}{73263}I got a hit!|Ruddy doesn't count anymore! {73265}{73334}He was hoping I'd fall on my face|with this Beale show, but I didn't. {73335}{73407}It's a big, fat, big-titted hit... {73409}{73461}and I don't have to waffle around|with Ruddy anymore. {73463}{73518}If he wants to take me before|the CCA board, let him. {73519}{73589}Do you think Ruddy is stupid enough|to go to the CCA board and say... {73591}{73646}"I'm taking our one hit show|off the air." {73647}{73762}Come November 14, I'll be at the annual|CCA Management Review Meeting... {73763}{73823}and I'll announce projected earnings|for this network... {73825}{73877}for the first time in five years! {73879}{73976}Believe me, Mr. Jensen will be|sitting there, rocking back and forth... {73978}{74085}and he'll say, "That's very good, Frank.|Keep it up." {74087}{74170}So don't have illusions about who's|running this network. You're fired. {74172}{74261}I want you out of your office before|noon, or I'll have you thrown out. {74363}{74401}You go along with this? {74434}{74493}I told you I didn't want|a network hassle. {74495}{74581}I told you I'd much rather|work the Beale show out between us. {74627}{74683}Well, let's just say|fuck you, too, honey. {74727}{74783}Howard Beale may be my best friend.|I'll go to court. {74785}{74860}I'll put him in a hospital before I let|you exploit him like a carnival freak. {74862}{74906}You get your psychiatrist.|I'll get mine. {74907}{74990}I'm gonna spread this reeking business|in every newspaper... {74991}{75060}on every network, group and affiliate|in this country! {75062}{75114}I'm gonna make|a lot of noise about this! {75115}{75171}We need all the press we can get! {75240}{75290}Something going on|between you and Schumacher? {75327}{75366}Not anymore. {75809}{75863}- How do you do, Mr. Beale?|- I must make my witness. {75865}{75915}Sure thing, Mr. Beale. {76000}{76065}Oil ministers of the OPEC nations|meeting in Vienna... {76067}{76172}still haven't decided how much|to increase the price of oil. {76174}{76249}Yeah? He came in the building|five minutes ago. {76251}{76317}Tell Snowden when he comes in|to let him go on. {76319}{76365}Did you get that, Paul? {76395}{76496}More on that story|from Edward Fletcher in Vienna. {76498}{76590}This has been the most divisive meeting|the oil states have ever had. {76659}{76720}The 13 nations of OPEC|have still not... {76722}{76797}been able to decide by how much|to increase the price of oil. {76837}{76884}How much time we got? {76915}{76962}We've got five seconds.|Hurry up. {77070}{77115}Take two. Cue Howard. {77117}{77202}I don't have to tell you things are bad.|Everybody knows things are bad. {77203}{77250}It's a depression. {77251}{77355}Everybody's out of work|or scared of losing their job. {77356}{77428}The dollar buys a nickel's worth.|Banks are going bust. {77430}{77528}Shopkeepers keep guns under the counter.|Punks are running wild in the street. {77530}{77597}Nobody anywhere seems to know|what to do, and there's no end to it. {77631}{77744}We know the air is unfit to breathe|and our food is unfit to eat. {77746}{77823}We sit watching our TVs|while some newscaster tells us... {77825}{77911}that today we had 15 homicides|and 63 violent crimes... {77913}{77959}as if that's the way|it's supposed to be! {77961}{78042}We know things are bad.|Worse than bad. They're crazy. {78043}{78123}Everything everywhere is going crazy,|so we don't go out anymore. {78125}{78207}We sit in the house. Slowly the world|we're living in is getting smaller. {78208}{78291}All we say is, "Please. At least|leave us alone in our living rooms. {78292}{78375}Let me have my toaster, my TV|my steel-belted radials. {78377}{78426}I won't say anything|Just leave us alone." {78428}{78512}I'm not gonna leave you alone.|I want you to get mad! {78538}{78598}I don't want you to protest or riot. {78600}{78662}Don't write to your congressman.|I don't know what to tell you to write. {78664}{78725}I don't know what to do|about depression, inflation... {78727}{78774}the Russians,|the crime in the streets. {78776}{78847}All I know is that first|you've got to get mad! {78849}{78922}You've got to say,|"I'm a human being, goddamn it! {78923}{78972}My life has value!" {79035}{79142}So, I want you to get up now. {79144}{79225}I want all of you to get up|out of your chairs. {79227}{79307}I want you to get up now|and go to the window... {79308}{79387}open it,|stick your head out and yell... {79388}{79497}"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm|not gonna take this anymore!" {79499}{79545}I want you to get up right now. {79547}{79610}- Stay with him.|- Sit up! Go to your windows. {79611}{79666}Open them,|stick your head out and yell... {79667}{79742}"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm|not gonna take this anymore!" {79767}{79825}- How many stations does it go out live?|- Sixty-seven. {79880}{79927}"I'm not gonna take this anymore." {79928}{80019}Then we'll figure out what to do|about the depression and the oil crisis. {80020}{80065}First, get out of your chairs... {80067}{80152}open the window,|stick your head out and yell... {80154}{80205}"I'm as mad as hell... {80207}{80263}and I'm not gonna|take this anymore!" {80264}{80317}- Who are you talking to?|- Atlanta. {80319}{80385}Are they yelling in Atlanta? {80387}{80434}But first you've gotta get mad. {80435}{80545}You've gotta say, "I'm as mad as hell,|and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" {80547}{80593}They're yelling in Baton Rouge. {80623}{80657}Get up! {80659}{80746}Son of a bitch!|We've struck the mother lode! {80748}{80843}Stick your head out of the window|and keep yelling. {80845}{80907}Yell, "I'm as mad as hell. {80909}{80951}I'm not gonna take this anymore." {80953}{81014}Just get up from your chairs. {81015}{81069}- Where you going?|- I want to see if anybody's yelling. {81071}{81118}Open it and stick your head out. {81120}{81167}Yell and keep yelling... {81199}{81254}I'm mad as hell! {81255}{81305}I'm not gonna take this anymore! {81424}{81493}I'm mad as hell, and I'm|not gonna take it anymore! {81970}{82083}I'm mad as hell, and I'm not|going to take this anymore! {82921}{83014}By mid-October, the "Howard Beale Show"|had settled in at a 42 share... {83016}{83112}more than equaling all the other|network news shows combined. {83114}{83173}In the Nielsen ratings,|the "Howard Beale Show"... {83175}{83231}was the fourth-highest-rated show|of the month... {83233}{83316}surpassed only by "The Six Million|Dollar Man," "All in the Family"... {83318}{83348}and "Phyllis"... {83350}{83416}a phenomenal state of affairs|for a news show. {83417}{83500}On October 15, Diana Christensen|flew to Los Angeles... {83502}{83559}for what the trade calls|powwows and confabs... {83561}{83618}with her West Coast|programming execs... {83620}{83697}and to get production rolling|on the shows for the coming season. {83699}{83820}Christ! You brought half the William|Morris West Coast Office along with you. {83822}{83937}I'm Diana Christensen, a racist lackey|of the imperialist ruling circles. {83939}{84004}I'm Laureen Hobbs,|a bad-ass commie nigger. {84006}{84069}Sounds like the basis|of a firm friendship. {84071}{84127}- We'll need more chairs.|- Anybody want coffee? {84129}{84184}I'd love some. {84320}{84405}This is my lawyer, Sam Haywood,|and his associate, Merrill Grant. {84461}{84572}Miss Christensen, just what the hell's|this all about? {84574}{84653}Because, when a national|television network... {84655}{84761}in the person of booby here|comes to me and says... {84762}{84838}they want to put the ongoing struggle|of the oppressed masses... {84840}{84887}on prime-time television... {84889}{84935}I have to regard this askance! {84937}{85055}Mr. Haywood was saying|that our client, Miss Hobbs... {85057}{85154}wants it up front that|the political content of the show... {85156}{85210}has to be in her control. {85212}{85297}She can have it. I don't give a damn|about the political content. {85320}{85359}What kind of show? {85361}{85433}I'm interested in doing|a weekly dramatic series... {85435}{85494}based on the|Ecumenical Liberation Army... {85496}{85587}and the first show has to be|a two-hour special on Mary Ann Gifford. {85589}{85720}I want a lot more film like the bank|rip-off the Ecumenical sent in. {85721}{85784}The way I see the series is... {85786}{85903}each week we open with an authentic act|of political terrorism... {85905}{85960}taken on the spot|and in the actual moment. {85961}{86031}Then we go to the drama behind|the opening film footage. {86033}{86084}That's your job, Miss Hobbs. {86086}{86181}You've got to get the Ecumenicals|to bring in that film footage for us. {86183}{86277}The network can't deal with them.|They are wanted criminals. {86301}{86372}The Ecumenical Liberation Army|is an ultra-left sect... {86374}{86411}creating political confusion... {86413}{86489}with wildcat violence|and pseudo-insurrectionary acts... {86491}{86543}which the Communist Party|does not endorse. {86545}{86622}The American masses are not yet ready|for open revolt. {86624}{86693}We would not want to produce|a television show... {86695}{86777}celebrating historically|deviational terrorism. {86778}{86848}I'm offering you an hour|of prime-time television every week... {86849}{86897}into which you can stick|whatever propaganda you want. {86899}{86980}The Ecumenicals are an undisciplined|ultra-left gang... {86981}{87042}whose leader is an eccentric,|to say the least. {87044}{87159}He calls himself the Great Ahmed Khan|and wears a hussar's shako. {87161}{87236}We're talking about|30 to 50 million people a shot. {87237}{87285}It's better than handing out... {87287}{87350}mimeographed pamphlets|on ghetto street corners. {87499}{87572}I'll have to take this matter|to the Central Committee. {87600}{87664}And I'd better check it out|with the Great Ahmed Khan. {87704}{87804}I'll be in L.A. Until Saturday,|and I'd like to get it rolling. {88628}{88713}Well, Ahmed,|you ain't gonna believe this... {88745}{88818}but I'm gonna make|a TV star outta you. {88820}{88900}Just like Archie Bunker. {88901}{88966}You gonna be a household word. {89006}{89065}What the fuck are you talking about? {89067}{89135}- Thirty seconds.|- Ready VTA. {89137}{89189}One, you have the audience to pan. {89191}{89255}Two, you have the window to pull. {89257}{89308}Three, you're on the announcer. {89310}{89345}Twenty. {89396}{89427}Stand by VTA. {89429}{89509}Fifteen, 14, 13, 12... {89510}{89573}- Ready A.|- Roll VTA. {89575}{89637}Nine, 8, 7... {89639}{89712}6, 5, 4... {89713}{89761}3, 2, 1. {89763}{89801}Three, cue announcer! {89803}{89885}Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it!|How do you feel? {89886}{89929}We're mad as hell... {89931}{90001}and we're not gonna take this anymore! {90002}{90049}Ladies and gentlemen,|the "Network News Hour"... {90050}{90095}with Sybil the Soothsayer... {90196}{90282}Jim Webbing and his|It's-The-Emmes-Truth Department... {90370}{90431}Miss Mata Hari|and her skeletons in the closet. {90536}{90593}Plus tonight, another segment|of "Vox Populi." {90693}{90792}And starring the Mad Prophet|of the Airways, Howard Beale! {91155}{91213}Edward George Ruddy died today! {91215}{91277}Edward George Ruddy|was the chairman of the board... {91279}{91343}of the Union Broadcasting Systems... {91345}{91428}and he died at 11:00 this morning|of a heart condition. {91429}{91509}Woe is us!|We're in a lot of trouble! {91592}{91710}So, a rich little man|with white hair died. {91729}{91796}What does that got to do|with the price of rice, right? {91797}{91846}And why is that woe to us? {91893}{91943}Because you people... {91945}{92040}and 62 million other Americans|are listening to me right now. {92042}{92133}Because less than three percent|of you people read books. {92167}{92255}Because less than 15 percent of you|read newspapers. {92257}{92347}Because the only truth you know|is what you get over this tube. {92349}{92433}Right now, there is a whole|and entire generation... {92435}{92512}that never knew anything|that didn't come out of this tube! {92541}{92643}This tube is the Gospel.|The ultimate revelation. {92645}{92697}This tube can make or break... {92699}{92764}presidents, popes, prime ministers. {92766}{92890}This tube is the most awesome goddamn|force in the whole godless world... {92892}{92961}and woe is us if it ever falls|into the hands of the wrong people! {92962}{93041}And that's why woe is us|that Edward George Ruddy died. {93063}{93136}Because this company is now|in the hands of CCA... {93138}{93201}the Communication Corporation|of America. {93203}{93284}There's a new chairman of the board,|a man called Frank Hackett... {93285}{93333}sitting in Mr. Ruddy's office|on the 20th floor. {93335}{93437}And when the 12th largest company|in the world... {93439}{93521}controls the most awesome,|goddamn propaganda force... {93523}{93569}in the whole godless world... {93571}{93668}who knows what shit will be peddled|for truth on this network! {93670}{93742}So you listen to me.|Listen to me! {93744}{93810}Television is not the truth. {93812}{93872}Television's|a goddamned amusement park! {93873}{93975}Television is a circus, a carnival,|a traveling troupe of acrobats... {93977}{94063}storytellers, dancers, singers,|jugglers, sideshow freaks... {94065}{94133}lion tamers and football players. {94134}{94193}We're in the boredom-killing business. {94242}{94338}So if you want the truth,|go to God. {94340}{94397}Go to your gurus. {94399}{94448}Go to yourselves! {94449}{94548}Because that's the only place|you're ever gonna find any real truth. {94581}{94680}But, man, you're never gonna get|any truth from us. {94682}{94752}We'll tell you anything you wanna hear.|We lie like hell. {94753}{94826}We'll tell you that Kojak|always gets the killer... {94828}{94905}and that nobody ever gets cancer|in Archie Bunker's house. {94907}{94963}And no matter how much trouble|the hero is in, don't worry. {94965}{95030}Look at your watch.|At the end of the hour he'll win! {95032}{95115}We'll tell you any shit|you want to hear! {95117}{95207}We deal in illusions.|None of it is true! {95209}{95304}But you people sit there,|day after day, night after night. {95306}{95406}You're all ages, colors, creeds.|We're all you know. {95408}{95478}You're beginning to believe|the illusions we're spinning here. {95480}{95571}You're beginning to think the tube is|reality and your own lives are unreal. {95573}{95623}You do whatever the tube tells you! {95625}{95676}You dress like the tube,|eat like the tube... {95678}{95753}raise your children like the tube,|even think like the tube. {95755}{95840}This is mass madness, you maniacs! {95841}{95907}In God's name, you people|are the real thing! {95909}{95961}We are the illusion! {95963}{96078}So turn off your television sets.|Turn them off right now. {96080}{96128}Turn them off and leave them off. {96129}{96206}Turn them off in the middle|of this sentence. {96208}{96256}Turn them off! {96602}{96671}UBS was running at a cash flow|of break-even point... {96673}{96781}after taking into account $110 million|of negative cash flow from the network. {96783}{96868}It was clear the fat on the network|had to be flitched off. {96870}{96948}Please note an increase in projected|initial programming revenues... {96950}{97000}in the amount of $21 million... {97001}{97089}due to the phenomenal success|of the "Howard Beale Show." {97126}{97239}I expect a positive cash flow|for the entire complex of 45 million... {97241}{97295}achievable in this fiscal year... {97297}{97359}a year, in short,|ahead of schedule. {97378}{97427}Beyond that... {97429}{97497}this network may be|the most significant profit center... {97498}{97556}of the communications complex... {97557}{97656}and based upon the projected rate|of return on invested capital... {97658}{97750}and if merger is accomplished,|the communications complex... {97752}{97856}may well become the towering|and most profitable center... {97857}{97921}in the entire CCA empire. {97969}{98049}I await your questions and comments. {98051}{98087}Mr. Jensen? {98106}{98180}Very good, Frank. Exemplary.|Keep it up. {98796}{98856}Buy you a cup of coffee? {98896}{98933}Hell, yes. {98958}{99016}Do you have to get back|to the office? {99017}{99073}Nothing that can't wait. {99372}{99458}I drop down to the news studios|now and then... {99460}{99510}and ask Howard Beale about you. {99512}{99588}He says you're doing fine.|Are you? {99606}{99656}Are you keeping busy? {99657}{99700}In a fashion. {99702}{99804}This is the third funeral|I've been to in two weeks. {99805}{99921}I have two other friends in the hospital|whom I visit regularly. {99922}{99999}I've been to a couple of christenings. {100001}{100091}All my friends seem to be dying|or having grandchildren. {100116}{100172}You should be a grandfather yourself|about now. {100173}{100240}You have a pregnant daughter|in Seattle, don't you? {100242}{100291}Any day now. {100293}{100353}My wife's out there|for the occasion. {100459}{100544}I've thought many times of calling you. {100588}{100645}I wish you had. {100713}{100814}I bumped into Sybil the Soothsayer|in the elevator last week. {100816}{100887}I said, "You know, Sybil,|about four months ago... {100889}{100993}you predicted I would get involved|with a craggy, middle-aged man. {100994}{101082}So far, all that's happened|has been one many-splendored night. {101084}{101164}I don't call that|getting involved." {101165}{101248}She said,|"Don't worry. You will." {101317}{101403}It was a many-splendored night,|wasn't it, Max? {101452}{101495}Yes, it was. {101559}{101614}Are we going to get involved? {101677}{101774}Yes. I need to become involved|very much. {101804}{101856}How about you? {101889}{101960}I've reached for the phone to call you|a hundred times... {101962}{102035}but I was sure you hated me for my part|in taking your news show away. {102079}{102156}I probably did.|I don't know anymore. {102157}{102278}All I know is,|I can't get you out of my mind. {102381}{102445}Marty, I know what NBC offered them. {102447}{102584}Go to 3.5, and I want an option|for a third run on all of them. {102585}{102666}I'm in a big hurry, and you and Charlie|are supposed to be negotiating this. {102668}{102717}Good-bye, good luck.|I'll see you Monday. {102803}{102886}- Jimmy Caan's agent says absolutely nix.|- You can't win them all. {102888}{102971}- Where can I reach you later today?|- You can't. I'll be gone all weekend. {103091}{103209}NBC's offering 3.25 mil|per package of five James Bond movies... {103211}{103284}and I think I'm gonna steal them|for 3.5... {103285}{103336}with a third run. {103540}{103592}I'm gonna stick the "Mao Tse-tung Hour"|in at 8:00... {103593}{103704}because we're having a lot of trouble|selling the "Mao Tse-tung Hour." {103914}{104031}That "Mao Tse-tung Hour's" turning|into one big pain in the ass. {104057}{104150}We're having heavy legal problems|with the federal government right now. {104184}{104302}Two FBI guys turned up in Hackett's|office and served us with a subpoena. {104349}{104451}They heard about our Flagstaff|bank rip-off film, and they want it. {104482}{104546}Hackett told the FBI to fuck off. {104672}{104718}We're getting around the FBI... {104720}{104801}by doing the show in collaboration|with the news division. {104803}{104858}We're standing on the First Amendment:|Freedom of the press... {104860}{104919}and the right to protect our sources. {104921}{105009}Walter thinks we can knock out|the misprision of felony charge. {105196}{105276}But he says absolutely nix|on going to series. {105277}{105404}They'll hit us with "conspiracy|with an inducement to commit a crime." {105405}{105456}Christ, it's cold in here. {105458}{105568}We're paying these Ecumencial|Liberation Army nuts $10,000 a week... {105570}{105654}in order to turn in authentic film|of their revolutionary activities. {105656}{105753}That inconstitutes|"inducement to commit a crime"... {105755}{105837}and Walter says we'll all wind up|in federal prison. {105861}{105982}I said, "Walter,|let the federal government sue us. {105984}{106039}We'll take them to the Supreme Court. {106041}{106088}We'll be front page." {106127}{106195}The New York Times|and the Washington Post... {106197}{106243}will write editorials. {106245}{106351}We'll be front page for months.|We'll have more press than Watergate. {106353}{106469}All I need is six weeks|federal litigation... {106470}{106557}and the "Mao Tse-tung Hour" can start|carrying its own time slot. {106951}{107044}What's really bugging me now|is my daytime programming. {107069}{107133}NBC's got a lock on daytime... {107135}{107200}with their lousy game shows... {107202}{107264}and I'd like to bust them. {107266}{107373}I'm thinking of doing|a homosexual soap opera. "The Dykes." {107409}{107474}The heartrending saga about a woman... {107476}{107555}hopelessly in love|with her husband's mistress. {107557}{107608}What do you think? {107874}{107925}How long has it been going on? {107985}{108023}A month. {108069}{108147}I thought it was a transient thing,|blow over in a week. {108180}{108300}I still pray to God|it's just a menopausal infatuation. {108337}{108418}But it is an infatuation, Louise. {108457}{108528}There's no sense in my saying|I won't see her again, because I will. {108649}{108737}You want me to leave,|check into a hotel? {108809}{108857}Do you love her? {108939}{108992}I don't know how I feel. {109039}{109128}I'm grateful I can feel anything. {109193}{109241}I know I'm obsessed with her. {109301}{109342}Then say it! {109366}{109450}Don't keep telling me that|you're obsessed, you're infatuated! {109452}{109511}Say that you're in love with her. {109574}{109649}I'm in love with her. {109651}{109757}Then get out! Go anywhere you want.|Go live with her, but don't come back! {109758}{109868}Because after 25 years of building|a home and raising a family... {109870}{109958}and all the senseless pain|that we have inflicted on each other... {109960}{110041}I'm damned if I'll stand and have you|say you're in love with somebody else! {110081}{110197}This isn't the convention weekend|with your secretary, is it? {110198}{110302}Or some broad that you picked up|after three belts of booze. {110304}{110371}This is your great winter romance,|isn't it? {110373}{110472}Your last roar of passion before|you settle into your emeritus years. {110474}{110548}Is that what's left for me?|Is that my share? {110550}{110618}She gets the winter passion,|and I get the dotage? {110620}{110706}Am I supposed to sit home|knitting and purling... {110708}{110795}while you slink back|like some penitent drunk? {110797}{110847}I'm your wife, damn it... {110849}{110900}and if you can't work up|a winter passion for me... {110901}{110978}the least I require|is respect and allegiance! {111276}{111359}I hurt!|Don't you understand that? {111409}{111482}I hurt badly! {111673}{111729}Oh, say something for God's sake. {111963}{112020}I've got nothing to say. {112274}{112332}I won't give you up easily. {112486}{112554}I think perhaps it is better|if you move out. {112692}{112747}Does she love you? {112841}{112932}I'm not sure she's capable|of any real feelings. {112933}{113031}She's television generation.|She learned life from Bugs Bunny. {113033}{113123}The only reality she knows|comes to her from over the TV set. {113167}{113262}She's very carefully devised a number|of scenarios for all of us to play... {113264}{113332}like a movie of the week. {113391}{113461}My God, look at us. {113463}{113542}Here we are going through|the obligatory middle-of-act-two... {113544}{113639}"scorned wife throws|peccant husband out" scene. {113641}{113723}But don't worry,|I'll come back to you in the end. {113725}{113803}All of her plot outlines have me|leaving her and coming back to you... {113805}{113916}because the audience won't buy a|rejection of the happy American family. {113985}{114069}She does have one script|in which I kill myself. {114071}{114172}An adapted-for-television version|of "Anna Karenina"... {114211}{114275}where she's Count Vronsky|and I'm Anna. {114399}{114452}You're in for some dreadful grief. {114523}{114557}I know. {114559}{114641}The "Mao Tse-tung Hour"|went on the air March 14. {114642}{114698}It received a 47 share. {114700}{114776}The network promptly committed|to 15 shows with an option for 10 more. {114778}{114860}There were the usual|contractual difficulties. {114861}{114948}"Equal to 20 percent except that such|a percentage shall be 30 percent... {114949}{115014}for 90 minutes|or longer television programs." {115016}{115083}Have we settled|that sub-licensing thing? {115085}{115158}We want a clear definition here. {115160}{115258}"Gross proceeds should consist of|all funds the sub-licensee receives... {115260}{115312}not merely the net amount remitted... {115314}{115393}after payment to the sub-licensee|or distributor." {115395}{115484}We're not sitting still for overhead|charges as a cost prior to distribution. {115486}{115572}Don't fuck with my distribution costs! {115574}{115621}I'm making a lousy 215 per segment. {115622}{115682}I'm already deficiting 25 grand a week|with Metro! {115684}{115730}I'm paying William Morris 10 percent|off the top! {115732}{115790}I'm giving this turkey ten thousand|per segment and five to this fruitcake. {115792}{115861}And, Helen, don't start|no shit with me about a piece again. {115863}{115930}I'm paying Metro 20 percent for all|foreign and Canadian distribution... {115932}{115982}and that's after recoupment! {115984}{116079}The Communist Party won't see a nickel|outta this show until syndication. {116081}{116140}The Party's in for 7,500 a week|production expenses! {116142}{116232}I'm not giving|this pseudo-insurrectionary a piece. {116234}{116331}I won't give him script approval or|cut him in on my distribution charges. {116333}{116380}You fucking fascist! {116382}{116450}Did you see the film we made|of the San Marino jail breakout... {116452}{116526}demonstrating the rising up of a|seminal prisoner class infrastructure? {116528}{116619}You can blow the seminal prisoner class|infrastructure out your ass! {116621}{116684}I'm not knocking down|my goddamn distribution charges! {116721}{116812}Man, give her|the fucking overhead clause. {116839}{116887}Who's gonna believe this? {116945}{117031}Let's get back to page 22.|Five, small "a." {117033}{117095}"Subsidiary rights." {117097}{117182}- Where are we now?|- Middle of page 22, "Subsidiary rights." {117184}{117274}"As used herein, 'subsidiary rights'|means without limitation any and all..." {117531}{117652}Over the past two days, you've had|opportunity to meet Diana Christensen... {117654}{117731}our vice president|in charge of programming. {117733}{117845}This afternoon, you all saw some of the|stuff she's set up for the new season. {118069}{118168}You all know that she is the woman|behind the "Howard Beale Show." {118327}{118409}We all know she's beautiful. {118433}{118501}We all know she's brainy. {118502}{118621}I was thinking, before we start digging|into our chateaubriands... {118669}{118731}let's show her how we feel about her. {119101}{119172}We've got the number one show|in television! {119252}{119357}At next year's affiliates' meeting, I'll|be telling you we've got the top five! {119509}{119574}Last year, we were|the number four network. {119576}{119634}Next year, we're number one! {119654}{119689}We're number one! {119707}{119753}We're number one! {120014}{120097}It is exactly 7:00|here in Los Angeles... {120098}{120193}and right now over a million homes|using television in this city... {120194}{120246}are turning their dials|to channel three... {120248}{120310}and that's our channel! {120475}{120528}Howard Beale! {120598}{120657}Stop it! Stop it! {120659}{120715}Listen to me,|and listen carefully... {120717}{120825}because this is your goddamn life|I'm talking about today. {120851}{120923}In this country, when one company wants|to take over another company... {120925}{120980}they simply buy up a controlling share|of the stock... {120981}{121041}but first they have to file notice|with the government. {121042}{121117}That's how CCA took over the company|that owns this network. {121119}{121201}But now somebody's buying up CCA. {121202}{121292}Somebody called|the Western World Funding Corporation. {121294}{121349}They filed the notice this morning. {121351}{121447}Who in the hell is|the Western World Funding Corporation? {121449}{121533}It is a consortium of banks|and insurance companies... {121535}{121623}who are not buying CCA for themselves|but as agents for somebody else. {121625}{121681}And who is this somebody else?|They won't tell you. {121682}{121736}They won't tell you.|They won't tell the Senate. {121737}{121835}They won't tell the SEC, the FCC,|the Justice Department. {121837}{121929}This is Mr. Hackett.|Do you have a New York call for me? {121931}{121989}Do you want to|turn that down, please? {121991}{122064}I will tell you who|they're buying CCA for. {122066}{122166}They're buying it for the|Saudi Arabian Investment Corporation. {122168}{122215}They're buying it for the Arabs! {122217}{122289}Clarence? Frank Hackett here.|How's everything back in New York? {122291}{122339}How's the good lady? {122418}{122509}Take it easy.|I don't know what you're talking about. {122511}{122576}When? Tonight's show? {122600}{122654}Clarence, take it easy. {122683}{122787}The "Howard Beale Show" is just going on|out here. You get it 3 hours earlier. {122789}{122889}Take it easy! How the hell could|I see it? It's just going on now! {123017}{123085}When did Mr. Jensen call? {123087}{123152}We all know that the Arabs control... {123154}{123243}$16 billion in this country. {123245}{123343}They own a chunk of Fifth Avenue,|20 downtown pieces of Boston... {123345}{123457}a part of the port of New Orleans,|an industrial park in Salt Lake City. {123459}{123513}They own big hunks|of the Atlanta Hilton... {123515}{123575}the Arizona Land and Cattle Company... {123577}{123632}the Security National Bank|in California... {123634}{123684}the Bank of the Commonwealth|in Detroit. {123686}{123793}They control Aramco, so that puts them|into Exxon, Texaco and Mobil Oil. {123794}{123900}They're all over! New Jersey,|Louisville, St. Louis, Missouri. {123901}{124013}And that's only what we know about.|There's more we don't know about. {124015}{124096}Because all of those Arab|petrol dollars are washed... {124097}{124177}through Switzerland and Canada|and the biggest banks in this country. {124179}{124278}For example, what we don't know about|is this CCA deal... {124280}{124364}and all the other CCA deals. {124366}{124454}Right now the Arabs have screwed us out|of enough American dollars... {124456}{124505}to come right back|and with our own money... {124507}{124608}buy General Motors,|IBM, ITT, AT&T... {124610}{124705}Du Pont, U.S. Steel|and 20 other American companies. {124707}{124776}Hell, they already own|half of England! {124801}{124837}Listen to me. {124838}{124890}Listen to me, goddamn it! {124892}{124942}The Arabs are simply buying us. {124944}{125030}There's only one thing|that can stop them! You! {125056}{125096}You! {125098}{125176}So I want you to get up now. {125178}{125239}I want you to get up|out of your chairs. {125241}{125309}I want you to get up right now|and go to the phone. {125310}{125376}I want you to get up from your chairs,|go to the phone... {125378}{125471}get in your cars, drive into|the Western Union offices in town. {125473}{125554}I want you to send a telegram|to the White House. {125556}{125615}- Oh, my God.|- By midnight tonight... {125617}{125684}I want a million telegrams|in the White House! {125686}{125785}I want them wading knee-deep|in telegrams at the White House. {125787}{125893}I want you to get up right now and|write a telegram to President Ford... {125894}{126009}saying "I'm as mad as hell,|and I'm not gonna take this anymore! {126011}{126087}I don't want the banks|selling my country to the Arabs! {126089}{126170}I want the CCA deal stopped now!" {126172}{126235}I want the CCA deal stopped now! {126237}{126331}Come on. I want the CCA deal|stopped now! {126884}{126951}- Could we have the room?|- Sure. {127152}{127250}I'd like to see a typed script|and run through a couple more times. {127252}{127321}But as for this whole CCA deal... {127322}{127403}with the Saudis, you know a lot more|about that, Frank, than I would. {127405}{127452}Is it true? {127545}{127640}The CCA has two billion in loans|with the Saudis... {127642}{127712}and they hold|every pledge we've got. {127741}{127810}We need that Saudi money bad. {127862}{127922}The show is a disaster. {127958}{128041}Unmitigated disaster!|The death knell. {128069}{128152}I'm ruined. I'm dead.|I'm finished. {128183}{128269}Maybe we're overstating Beale's clout|with the public. {128303}{128362}An hour ago, Clarence McElheny|called me from New York. {128364}{128410}It was 10:00 in the East... {128412}{128520}and our people in the White House report|they were knee-deep in telegrams. {128521}{128636}By tomorrow morning,|they'll be suffocating in telegrams! {128638}{128685}Can the government stop the deal? {128687}{128796}They can hold it up. The SEC could hold|it up for 20 years if they wanted to. {128798}{128833}I'm finished. {128835}{128900}Any second that phone's gonna ring,|and Clarence McElheny... {128902}{128992}is gonna tell me Mr. Jensen wants me|in his office tomorrow morning... {128994}{129068}so he can personally chop my head off! {129094}{129151}Four hours ago,|I was the sun god at CCA... {129153}{129230}Mr. Jensen's handpicked golden boy,|the heir apparent. {129255}{129354}Now, I'm a man|without a corporation. {129390}{129462}Let's get back to Howard Beale. {129464}{129544}You're not seriously gonna pull|Beale off the air. {129653}{129751}Mr. Jensen's unhappy with Howard Beale|and wants him discontinued. {129753}{129807}He may be unhappy,|but he isn't stupid enough... {129809}{129877}to withdraw the number one show|on television out of pique. {129878}{129964}Two billion dollars isn't pique!|That's the wrath of God! {129965}{130013}And the wrath of God wants|Howard Beale fired! {130015}{130139}What for? Every other network will grab|him. He'll be on the air for ABC. {130141}{130209}I'm gonna impale the son of a bitch|with a sharp stick through the heart. {130211}{130259}We'll lose $40 million in revenues. {130261}{130355}I'll take a contract out on him.|I'll hire professional killers. {130357}{130407}No, I'll do it myself. {130409}{130540}I'll strangle him with a sash cord.|Jesus! {130542}{130595}I don't think Jensen's|gonna fire anybody. {130808}{130883}Yes, Clarence.|I've already booked my flight. {130940}{131008}Can you give me a little more time|than that? I've got the red-eye flight. {131009}{131094}I won't be back in New York|till 6:00 tomorrow morning. {131159}{131211}That'll be just fine. {131213}{131262}I'll see you then. {131454}{131549}Mr. Jensen wants to meet|with Howard Beale personally. {131551}{131639}He wants Mr. Beale in his office|at 10:00 tomorrow morning. {131793}{131864}The final revelation is at hand! {131865}{131965}I have seen the shattering|vulgarizations of ultimate clarity. {131967}{132075}The light is impending.|I bear witness to the light! {132582}{132655}Good morning, Mr. Beale.|They tell me you're a madman. {132657}{132694}Only desultorily. {132696}{132750}- How are you now?|- I'm as mad as a hatter. {132752}{132786}Who isn't? {132812}{132858}I'm taking you into|our conference room. {132860}{132940}Seems more seemly a setting|for what I have to say to you. {132974}{133040}I started as a salesman. {133041}{133112}I sold sewing machines,|automobile parts... {133113}{133181}hair brushes|and electronic equipment. {133183}{133259}They say I can sell anything. {133261}{133334}I'd like to try|to sell something to you. {133421}{133468}Valhalla, Mr. Beale. {133470}{133517}Please sit down. {134216}{134336}You have meddled with the primal forces|of nature, Mr. Beale... {134338}{134387}and I won't have it! {134405}{134440}Is that clear? {134442}{134506}You think you merely stopped|a business deal. {134508}{134555}That is not the case. {134557}{134616}The Arabs have taken billions of dollars|out of this country... {134618}{134674}and now they must put it back! {134676}{134798}It is ebb and flow, tidal gravity.|It is ecological balance! {134834}{134881}You are an old man... {134882}{134974}who thinks in terms|of nations and peoples. {134976}{135036}There are no nations.|There are no peoples. {135038}{135090}There are no Russians.|There are no Arabs. {135092}{135156}There are no Third Worlds.|There is no West. {135157}{135281}There is only one holistic system|of systems! {135283}{135385}One vast and immane,|interwoven, interacting... {135387}{135490}multi-variant, multinational|dominion of dollars! {135492}{135568}Petrol dollars, electro dollars,|multi-dollars. {135569}{135690}Reichsmarks, rins, rubles, pounds|and shekels! {135741}{135810}It is the international system|of currency... {135812}{135932}which determines the totality|of life on this planet. {135953}{136062}That is the natural order|of things today. {136086}{136183}That is the atomic... {136185}{136236}and subatomic... {136237}{136342}and galactic structure|of things today. {136384}{136440}And you have meddled... {136442}{136528}with the primal forces of nature! {136557}{136667}And you will atone! {136693}{136741}Am I getting through to you? {136841}{136936}You get up on|your little 21-inch screen... {136973}{137072}and howl about America|and democracy. {137101}{137147}There is no America. {137149}{137206}There is no democracy. {137208}{137301}There is only IBM and ITT... {137302}{137342}and AT&T... {137344}{137439}and Du Pont, Dow, Union Carbide... {137441}{137478}and Exxon. {137480}{137567}Those are the nations|of the world today. {137569}{137636}What do you think the Russians|talk about in their councils of state? {137638}{137676}Karl Marx? {137677}{137739}They get out their|linear programming charts... {137741}{137812}statistical decision theories,|minimax solutions and compute... {137814}{137914}price-cost probabilities of their|transactions and investments like we do. {137916}{138034}We no longer live in a world|of nations and ideologies, Mr. Beale. {138036}{138088}The world... {138090}{138160}is a college of corporations... {138161}{138231}inexorably determined... {138233}{138312}by the immutable bylaws|of business. {138375}{138447}The world is a business. {138491}{138594}It has been since man|crawled out of the slime. {138655}{138761}And our children will live,|Mr. Beale... {138805}{138852}to see that... {138901}{138950}perfect world... {138988}{139068}in which there's no war or famine... {139070}{139130}oppression or brutality. {139176}{139272}One vast and ecumenical|holding company... {139273}{139378}for whom all men will work to serve|a common profit... {139380}{139509}in which all men will hold|a share of stock... {139511}{139569}all necessities provided... {139598}{139682}all anxieties tranquilized... {139720}{139800}all boredom amused. {139953}{140068}And I have chosen you, Mr. Beale... {140070}{140136}to preach this evangel. {140138}{140180}Why me? {140209}{140272}Because you're on television, dummy! {140303}{140353}Sixty million people watch you... {140355}{140423}every night of the week,|Monday through Friday. {140452}{140507}I have seen the face of God. {140569}{140623}You just might be right, Mr. Beale. {140671}{140720}That evening Howard Beale|went on the air... {140721}{140800}to preach the corporate cosmology|of Arthur Jensen. {140801}{140912}Last night I got up here and asked you|to fight for your heritage... {140914}{140972}and you did,|and it was beautiful. {140973}{141046}Six million telegrams were received|at the White House. {141048}{141128}The Arab takeover of CCA|has been stopped. {141129}{141181}The people spoke, the people won. {141183}{141250}It was a radiant eruption|of democracy. {141276}{141371}But I think that was it, fellas. {141373}{141436}That sort of thing is not likely|to happen again... {141438}{141511}because at the bottom|of all our terrified souls... {141513}{141581}we know that democracy|is a dying giant... {141583}{141660}a sick, sick, dying,|decaying political concept... {141662}{141709}writhing in its final pain. {141710}{141800}I don't mean that the United States|is finished as a world power. {141802}{141878}The U. S is the richest,|most advanced country in the world... {141880}{141929}light-years ahead|of any other country... {141931}{142025}and the Communists won't take over the|world because they're deader than we. {142026}{142075}What is finished... {142113}{142168}is the idea that this great country... {142169}{142300}is dedicated to the freedom and|flourishing of every individual in it. {142326}{142402}It's the individual that's finished. {142404}{142496}It's the single, solitary human being|that's finished. {142521}{142630}It's every single one of you|out there that's finished. {142632}{142753}Because this is no longer a nation|of independent individuals. {142781}{142912}It's a nation of some 200 million|transistorized, deodorized... {142914}{142980}whiter-than-white,|steel-belted bodies... {142981}{143053}totally unnecessary|as human beings... {143054}{143130}and as replaceable as piston rods. {143389}{143470}Well, the time has come to say... {143472}{143554}is "dehumanization"|such a bad word? {143556}{143632}Whether it's good or bad,|that's what is so. {143633}{143691}The whole world|is becoming humanoid... {143693}{143768}creatures that look human|but aren't. {143769}{143816}The whole world, not just us. {143817}{143898}We're just the most advanced,|so we're getting there first. {143923}{144024}The whole world's people|are becoming mass-produced... {144026}{144097}programmed, numbered and... {144098}{144148}It was an admissible argument|that Howard Beale... {144150}{144209}advanced in the days that followed. {144210}{144288}It was, however,|also a very depressing one. {144290}{144369}Nobody particularly cared to hear|his life was utterly valueless. {144371}{144418}By the end of the first week|in June... {144420}{144466}the show dropped|one ratings point... {144468}{144551}and its trend of shares|dipped under 48 for the first time... {144553}{144595}since last November. {144597}{144644}You're his goddamn agent, Lou! {144646}{144698}I'm counting on you to talk sense|into the lunatic! {144700}{144770}Nobody wants to hear about|dying democracy and dehumanization! {144805}{144862}I'm sorry I'm late. {144864}{144950}We're getting rumbles from the agencies.|The sponsors will bail out soon! {144952}{145004}This is a breach of contract! {145006}{145091}This isn't the Howard Beale we signed.|Get him off the corporate universe kick. {145093}{145145}I'll pull him off the air! {145147}{145220}I told him! I've been telling him|every day for a week! {145222}{145303}I am sick of telling him!|Now you tell him! {145481}{145526}Jesus Christ! {145615}{145725}You could help me with Howard. He|listens to you. You're his best friend. {145727}{145785}I'm tired of all this hysteria|about Howard Beale! {145787}{145849}Every time you come back from seeing|somebody in your family... {145851}{145906}you're in a morbid,|middle-aged mood! {145908}{145988}And I'm tired of finding you on the|goddamn phone every time I turn around! {145989}{146070}I'm tired of being an accessory|in your life! {146072}{146129}I'm tired of pretending|to write this dumb book... {146131}{146216}about my maverick days|in the early years of television. {146218}{146308}Every goddamned executive fired|from a network in the last 20 years... {146309}{146409}has written this dumb book about|the great early years of television! {146411}{146492}And nobody wants a dumb, damn,|goddamn book... {146494}{146546}about the early days of television! {146548}{146619}Terrific. Maybe you can start|a whole new career as an actor! {146688}{146798}After living with you for six months,|I'm turning into one of your scripts! {146822}{146887}This is not a script. {146889}{146968}There's some real, actual life|going on here. {146994}{147078}I went to visit my wife today|because she's in a state of depression... {147080}{147168}so depressed that my daughter|flew from Seattle to be with her... {147169}{147225}and I feel lousy about that. {147227}{147325}I feel lousy about the pain|that I've caused my wife and kids. {147327}{147439}I feel guilty and conscious-stricken and|those things you think sentimental... {147441}{147541}but which my generation called|simple human decency. {147639}{147704}And I miss my home... {147705}{147774}because I'm beginning|to get scared shitless. {147776}{147854}Because all of a sudden it's closer to|the end than it is to the beginning... {147856}{147934}and death is suddenly|a perceptible thing to me... {147936}{147997}with definable features. {148091}{148207}You're dealing with a man|that has primal doubts... {148209}{148277}and you've got to cope with it. {148279}{148396}I'm not some guy discussing male|menopause on the "Barbara Walters Show." {148397}{148475}I'm the man that you presumably love. {148501}{148574}I'm part of your life. {148576}{148620}I live here. {148621}{148658}I'm real! {148683}{148761}You can't switch|to another station. {148868}{148902}Well... {148939}{149006}what exactly is it|you want me to do? {149102}{149171}I just want you to love me. {149208}{149288}I just want you to love me,|primal doubts and all. {149347}{149408}You understand that, don't you? {149524}{149577}I don't know how to do that. {149857}{149922}I'll be with you in a minute, Max. {150048}{150134}By the first week in July, the|"Howard Beale Show" was down 11 points. {150136}{150183}Hysteria swept through the network. {150185}{150258}He's a plague! He's smallpox!|He's typhoid! {150260}{150327}I don't want to follow his goddamn show!|I want out of the 8:00 spot. {150329}{150389}I've got enough troubles|without Howard Beale as a lead-in. {150391}{150444}You guys scheduled me up against|"Tony Orlando and Dawn"! {150446}{150532}NBC's got "Little House on the Prairie."|ABC's got "The Bionic Woman." {150533}{150602}You gotta do something|about Howard Beale! {150604}{150656}Get him off the air!|Get him off! {150658}{150708}Do something! Do anything! {150710}{150803}We're trying to find a replacement! I'm|going to look at audition footage now! {150805}{150892}And how when the sick heal! {150894}{150966}Man, I tell you I saw it! {150968}{151053}It was heavy, baby. {151055}{151109}I saw the earth quake... {151111}{151205}and I saw the moon became like blood. {151207}{151308}And every mountain and island|was moved from its place. {151310}{151406}No, no, damn it! If we wanted hell-fire,|we'd get Billy Graham! {151408}{151494}We don't want faith healers, evangelists|or Oberammergau passion players! {151496}{151600}What about that terrific new messiah|ABC was to sign for our competition? {151626}{151660}That's him. {151709}{151772}That's him? {151805}{151851}Jesus. Turn him off! {151879}{151966}I've got three more,|but you've already seen the best ones. {151968}{152015}I've got a guru from Spokane... {152017}{152084}and two more hell-fires|who see visions of the Virgin Mary. {152086}{152181}We're not gonna find a replacement|for Beale. Let's stop kidding ourselves. {152182}{152256}Fully-fledged messiahs|don't come in bunches. {152258}{152335}We either go with Howard Beale|or we go without him. {152337}{152407}My reports say we'll do better|without him. {152409}{152479}It would be disaster to let|this situation go on another week. {152481}{152546}By then he'll be down 16 points... {152548}{152615}and the trend irreversible,|if it isn't already. {152661}{152734}I think we should fire Howard. {152798}{152881}Arthur Jensen has taken|a strong personal interest... {152882}{152930}in the "Howard Beale Show." {152984}{153031}I'm having dinner with him tonight. {153033}{153127}Let me have another crack at Jensen.|Meet in my office at 10:00 tonight. {153129}{153196}Diana, give me copies of all|your audience research reports. {153197}{153249}I may need them for Jensen. {153251}{153305}Is 10:00 convenient for everyone? {154058}{154165}I think the time has come|to reevaluate our relationship, Max. {154191}{154234}So I see. {154275}{154333}I don't like the way this script of ours|is turning out. {154360}{154423}It's turning into a seedy little drama. {154425}{154531}Middle-aged man leaves wife and family|for young, heartless woman, goes to pot. {154533}{154603}"The Blue Angel" with Marlene Dietrich|and Emil Jannings. {154605}{154670}- I don't like it.|- So you're gonna cancel the show. {154672}{154726}- Right.|- Let me do that. {154765}{154833}The simple fact is, Max... {154835}{154891}that you're a family man. {154893}{154977}It's beautiful you like a home and kids,|but I am incapable of such commitment. {154979}{155040}All you'll get from me is another|couple of months of intermittent sex... {155042}{155135}and recriminate and ugly little scenes|like the one we had last night. {155137}{155232}I'm sorry for all those things|I said to you last night. {155234}{155292}You're not the worst fuck|I've ever had. {155293}{155351}Believe me, I've had worse. {155394}{155482}You don't puff or snorkel|and make death-like rattles. {155484}{155543}As a matter of fact,|you're rather serene in the sack. {155580}{155650}Why is it that a woman always thinks|that the most savage thing... {155652}{155744}she can say to a man|is to impugn his cocksmanship? {155770}{155862}I'm sorry I impugned your cocksmanship. {155864}{155973}I gave up comparing genitals|back in the schoolyard. {156200}{156266}You're being docile as hell|about this. {156291}{156365}Hell, Diana, I knew it was over|with us weeks ago. {156390}{156456}Will you go back to your wife? {156496}{156563}I'll give it a try,|but I don't think she'll jump at it. {156565}{156612}Don't worry about me. {156613}{156677}I'll manage. I always have,|I always will. {156679}{156728}I'm more concerned about you. {156730}{156790}You're not the boozer type. {156792}{156887}So I figure a year, maybe two,|before you crack up... {156889}{156951}or jump out of|your 14th floor office window. {156953}{157028}Stop selling, Max.|I don't need you. {157308}{157396}I don't want your pain! I don't want|your menopausal decay and death! {157397}{157453}- I don't need you, Max! Get out!|- You need me! {157476}{157594}You need me badly! Because I'm|your last contact with human reality. {157596}{157646}I love you! {157648}{157741}And that painful, decaying love|is the only thing between you... {157743}{157810}and the shrieking nothingness|you live the rest of the day. {157812}{157858}Then don't leave me. {157931}{157977}It's too late. {158007}{158063}There's nothing left in you|that I can live with. {158143}{158253}You're one of Howard's humanoids.|If I stay with you, I'll be destroyed. {158295}{158365}Like Howard Beale was destroyed. {158366}{158444}Like Laureen Hobbs was destroyed. {158446}{158570}Like everything you and the institution|of television touch is destroyed. {158725}{158775}You're television incarnate. {158813}{158867}Indifferent to suffering... {158886}{158937}insensitive to joy. {158973}{159065}All of life is reduced|to the common rubble of banality. {159153}{159212}War, murder, death... {159242}{159311}are all the same to you|as bottles of beer. {159336}{159431}And the daily business of life|is a corrupt comedy. {159473}{159553}You even shatter the sensations|of time and space... {159555}{159663}into split seconds|and instant replays. {159754}{159801}You're madness, Diana. {159845}{159891}Virulent madness. {159951}{160024}And everything you touch|dies with you. {160133}{160201}But not me. {160203}{160263}Not as long as I can feel pleasure... {160295}{160333}and pain... {160431}{160467}and love. {160739}{160792}And it's a happy ending. {160825}{160914}Wayward husband|comes to his senses... {160916}{160968}returns to his wife... {160969}{161041}with whom he's established|a long and sustaining love. {161073}{161166}Heartless young woman left alone|in her arctic desolation. {161242}{161290}Music up with a swell. {161363}{161404}Final commercial. {161472}{161555}And here are a few scenes|from next week's show. {161846}{161892}How'd it go? {162288}{162400}Mr. Jensen was unhappy at the idea|of taking Howard Beale off the air. {162432}{162484}Mr. Jensen thinks Howard Beale|is bringing... {162486}{162577}a very important message|to the American people. {162632}{162713}So he wants Howard Beale on the air,|and he wants him kept on. {162765}{162844}Mr. Jensen feels we're too catastrophic|in our thinking. {162845}{162905}I argued that television|was a volatile industry... {162907}{162999}in which success and failure|were determined week by week. {163024}{163093}Mr. Jensen said he did not like|volatile industries... {163095}{163184}and suggested with a certain|sinister silkiness... {163220}{163306}that volatility in business|usually reflected bad management. {163337}{163408}He didn't really care if Howard Beale|was the number one show or the 50th. {163410}{163470}He didn't really care|if the Beale show lost money. {163497}{163559}He wants Howard Beale on the air... {163561}{163615}and he wants him kept on. {163616}{163715}I would describe his position on this|as inflexible. {163761}{163808}Where does that put us, Diana? {163835}{163920}That puts us in the shithouse.|That's where that puts us. {163987}{164056}Do you want me to go through this? {164083}{164174}The Beale show Q score|is down to 33. {164200}{164285}Most of this loss occurred in the child|and teen and 18-34 categories... {164287}{164355}which were our key core markets. {164383}{164447}It's the AR department's carefully|considered judgment, and mine... {164448}{164559}that if we get rid of Beale, we should|maintain a respectable share... {164561}{164614}with a comparable Q level. {164616}{164699}The other show segments, Sybil the|Soothsayer, Jim Webbing, Vox Populi... {164701}{164775}have all developed|their own audiences. {164776}{164886}Our AR reports show that it is Beale|that is the destructive force here. {164915}{164972}Minimally, we're talking about... {164973}{165045}a ten-point differential in shares. {165047}{165094}I think Joe oughta spell it out|for us. {165142}{165216}A 28 share|is 80,000 dollar minutes. {165218}{165283}I think we can sell complete positions|on the whole. {165284}{165349}As a matter of fact, we're just getting|into the pre-Christmas gift-sellers... {165351}{165437}and the agencies are coming back to me|with four-dollar CPMs. {165439}{165559}If that's any indication, we're talking|$40-$45 million loss in annual revenues. {165561}{165639}- Want the flak from the affiliates?|- We know all about it, Herb. {165640}{165730}You would describe Mr. Jensen's position|on Beale as inflexible? {165732}{165801}Intractable and adamantine. {165846}{165923}What do we do about this Beale|son of a bitch? {165975}{166029}I suppose we'll have to kill him. {166098}{166169}I don't suppose you have any ideas|on that, Diana? {166252}{166287}Well... {166332}{166396}what would you fellas say|to an assassination? {166442}{166503}I think I can get|the Mao Tse-tung people... {166505}{166567}to kill Beale for us|as one of their shows. {166594}{166706}In fact, it'll make a hell of|a kick-off show for the season. {166708}{166778}We're facing heavy opposition on the|other networks for Wednesday nights... {166780}{166863}and the "Mao Tse-tung Hour"|could use a sensational opener. {166916}{167003}It could be done right on camera|in the studio. {167043}{167096}We oughta get a fantastic|look-in audience... {167098}{167173}for the assassination of Howard Beale|as our opening show. {167199}{167264}If Beale dies... {167265}{167363}what would our continuing obligation|to the Beale Corporation be? {167365}{167439}I know our contract with Beale|contains a buy-out clause... {167440}{167493}triggered by his death|or incapacity. {167495}{167577}There must be a formula for|the computation of the purchase price. {167579}{167675}Offhand, I think it was based on|a multiple of 1975 earnings... {167676}{167768}with a base period in 1975,|which I think was 50 percent... {167769}{167837}of salary, plus 25 percent|of the first year's profit... {167839}{167914}multiplied by the unexpired portion|of the contract. {167916}{167961}I don't think the show... {167963}{168024}has any substantial syndication value,|would you say, Diana? {168026}{168073}Syndication profits are minimal. {168101}{168168}We're talking about a capital crime. {168193}{168260}The network can't be implicated. {168508}{168609}I hope you don't have any hidden|tape machines in this office, Frank. {168660}{168731}The issue is,|shall we kill Howard Beale or not? {168733}{168795}I'd like to hear|some more opinions on that. {168797}{168880}I don't see we have any option.|Let's kill the son of a bitch. {168882}{168922}Ladies and gentlemen,|let's hear it! {168924}{168965}How do you feel? {168967}{169007}We're mad as hell... {169008}{169074}and we're not gonna|take this anymore! {169076}{169166}Ladies and gentlemen, the "Network|News Hour" with Sybil the Soothsayer... {169252}{169356}Jim Webbing and his|It's-the-Emmes-Truth Department. {169412}{169510}Miss Mata Hari|and her skeletons in the closet. {169568}{169623}Tonight another segment|of "Vox Populi." {169738}{169843}And starring the Mad Prophet|of the Airways, Howard Beale! {170312}{170418}...network news anchorman|on the UBS "Network News Show"... {170420}{170515}known to millions|as the Mad Profit of the Airwaves... {170516}{170607}was shot to death tonight in|a fusillade of automatic rifle fire... {170608}{170662}just as he began|this evening's broadcast. {170664}{170747}We never compromise,|so why should you? {170748}{170830}Canada Dry Mixers.|Why compromise? {170832}{170919}Have you seen the other side|of where you live? {170920}{171012}- What's this stuff?|- Some cereal. It's good for you. {171014}{171084}- Did you try it?|- I'm not gonna try it. You try it. {171085}{171144}I'm not gonna try it. {171146}{171194}- Let's get Mikey to try it!|- Yeah! {171196}{171243}He won't eat it.|He hates everything. {171244}{171339}The extraordinary incident occurred in|full view of his millions of viewers. {171341}{171448}The assassins were members of|the Ecumenical Liberation Army... {171449}{171500}two of whom were apprehended. {171502}{171595}The leader of the group known|as the Great Ahmed Khan escaped. {171596}{171656}This was the story of Howard Beale... {171657}{171760}the first known instance of a man who|was killed because he had lousy ratings.