49.) The Brian Frankish Interview

There are the people in front of the camera, the people who become celebrities for being behind the camera, and there are people like Brian Frankish, who make movies happen, and might not be widely known to the world at large. Regardless, his connection to the work on Max Headroom is legendary, and we get to spend an hour with him, trading war stories on the digital front porch, as we get to know what is most important to Brain Frankish.

Heather is taking lots of notes.

Austin wishes he’d asked more about The Last Starfighter.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, will will either feature another one of our “Maxis,” or a discussion regarding one last piece of Max-related media, before we dive into our “Season 2” Series. Stay tuned for more information!

40.) Executives w/ Steve Roberts

A few thoughts on the Executives you see in Max Headroom.

Heather loves Formby.

Austin has theories.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation with Brian Frankish, the on-the-ground producer for the American version of the TV show. We’ve been sitting on this conversation for a while, and Brian was a delight to talk to. We’re very excited to let you hear what he has to saw about a life in Hollywood.

37.) Writing & Adaptation w/ Steve Roberts

A few thoughts on a movie and book project that Steve is involved in, it’s origins, making Redwall, and some advice about adapting material for other mediums.

Heather is grateful for Steve’s conversation.

Austin is curious about this project…

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation with Brian Frankish, the on-the-ground producer for the American version of the TV show. We’ve been sitting on this conversation for a while, and Brian was a delight to talk to. We’re very excited to let you hear what he has to saw about a life in Hollywood.

30.) Period. (w/ Steve Roberts)

In one of the documentaries about the making of Max Headroom, Steve told a story about how all the “periods” were removed from the story. Heather had some thoughts on this.

Heather always wants to normalize conversation about periods.

Austin has fewer thoughts on the subject than you would think… and yet… somehow more than you’d think, too?

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Blade Runner, which seems to currently be streaming on Netflix, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

28.) It’s A Blank World (w/ Steve Roberts)

We both agree that Blank Reg is one of the best characters in Max Headroom, and we had to ask the writer and creator of the character if he had anything to say about coming up with Blank Reg. Here’s a few tid-bits that we think you’ll enjoy.

Heather like the idea of drinking beer and walking dogs.

Austin was hoping Steve had some stories of seeing some OG UK bands back in the day.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Blade Runner, which seems to currently be streaming on Netflix, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

25.) Steve & Martin (w/ Steve Roberts, regarding Martin Newell)

Martin Newell actually introduced us to Steve Roberts, and sort of set us on our path of interviewing people connected to this show. So when we had Steve on the line, we couldn’t help but ask him a few questions about what it was like to know, “The Greatest Living Englishman.”

Heather reads an excerpt from the book in question.

Austin has some Austin questions.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Escape From New York, which seems to currently be streaming on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

24.) Remembering William Friedkin (w/ Steve Roberts)

William Friedkin passed away on 7 August 2023, at the age of 87, and left behind a body of work – and a reputation – that was unlike anyone else in Hollywood. While not directly connected with Max Headroom in any specific way, we do have a funny anecdote regarding Steve working with William, on a post-Headroom project. William was fairly notorious, both for his talent and his odd behavior, and in some ways, this is probably the perfect tribute to a man who could be so polarizing.

Heather has no idea who we’re talking about.

Austin was looking for one story, and got something else entirely.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Escape From New York, which seems to currently be streaming on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

22.) Advice For Aspiring Writers (w/ Steve Roberts)

Writing is hard. For everyone. Even if you have done it before. Especially if you have, in fact. So here’s a few words to remind you of these truths, from someone who has done a lot of writing in their day.

Heather wants to know if she’s doing it write.

Austin loves to hear a little philosophy now and then.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Escape From New York, which seems to currently be streaming on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

20.) Possible Futures, Past & Present (w/ Steve Roberts)

We have a wealth of conversational nuggets, not just between the many chats that Heather and I have had, but with friends of the show, too. In this Maxi, Steve reacts to the news of the new Max shows that was announced last year, and discusses his own attempts to relaunch the program with Matt Frewer, several years ago.

Heather is surprised the beach idea wasn’t new.

Austin loves to talk about the Max Headroom’s that could have been.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Network, which seems to currently be streaming on HBO Max, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

19.) The Max Headroom Initiative

In our continuing efforts to get back on track with our every-other-week release schedule, we are rolling out some Max Headroom Mini’s – in other words, some Maxis – that offer some of the bite-sized bits that have come our way, and don’t precisely have a home in a full episode. This week, we discuss Austin’s appearance on The Incomparable Episode #667, and why our listeners might want to tune in. (If they aren’t already.)

Heather has some questions for her co-host that was suddenly on a different podcast talking about THEIR topic.

Austin offers sausage making tips and a new song about the experience.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation about the film Network, which seems to currently be streaming on HBO Max, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

18.) The Steve Roberts Interview: “Hollywood Is A Weird Place”

In this jam-packed, special episode of 20 Minutes Into The Future, we get the story of the various kinds of work Steve Roberts has done, going back to the early 70’s, and covering some of the work he’s done since Max Headroom. There are so many stories and incredible moments from his past that we couldn’t possibly fit it all into one episode, but instead, consider this a 90 minute introduction to a fascinating man, who just so happened to have written Max Headroom, too. This episode pairs very well with our interview featuring the life of Michael Cassutt, and as mentioned in the body of this show, a lot more detail appears in our panel discussion, featuring three of the key players in the US Show Creative team: Brian Frankish, Michael Cassutt & Steve Roberts. All three of them paint a much more complete picture of the US Show and how it came to be, and I think you can read between the lines just enough to get a sense of the story behind the story, too.

Heather is very excited to meet Steve’s dog.

Austin has far too many questions for Mr. Roberts that he’s been wanting to ask for years.

In our next episode, we are not entirely sure what we will be talking about yet. We are still sorting out our upcoming schedule, but one of our next episodes will feature a conversation about the film Network, which seems to currently be streaming on HBO Max, though who can say how long that will be? There are a number of other places to find it, too, so check it out, and we’ll get out next episode out, ASAP.

We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.

The Michael Cassutt Interview: “Follow Your Interests”

Join us for a conversation with Michael Cassutt, a television producer and writer who has pursued a very unique career path, largely so he can keep writing science fiction and fantasy stories of one variety or another. In this show, we get the full dirt on breaking into writing, how he got on at The Twilight Zone, how that led to working on Max Headroom, and where his career led him after that.

Still active, still writing, and most recently working as a novelist and non-fiction writer, Michael is a wonderful person to chat with, and we had a delight getting to know him.

Heather is curious about Michael’s radio career.

Austin demands to know what it was like to work with Joe Dante.

(We encourage you to enjoy the video version, which has us speaking with Michael in a fairly casual setting. The video is a more “raw” representation of the conversation, and does not contain all the audio editing and production that you will find in the podcast. There are elements in this presentation that are NOT a part of the podcast – and vice versa – so they are both worth checking out.)

In our next episode, we will be discussing S1E5 of the US TV Program, “Max Headroom,” originally aired 28 April 1987. Titled “War,” it is currently available on DVD through Shout Factory, and comes with a number of excellent bonus features. If you think you are willing to move toward the enemy lines for this exclusive, you might need this link to survive these combat conditions.

04.) Writing & Producing The Future: “THAT’S What They Want To Do?” (A Conversation With Brian Frankish, Steve Roberts & Michael Cassutt)

In this episode we are given some rare insight into the making of our favorite program, when Brian Frankish, Steve Roberts & Michael Cassutt offer to convert their own visages into Headroom-style presentations, and share an hour of stories, memories, and other bits and bobs about what it was like to make this show. As we discovered: this was a bit of a reunion for these three, and it was a pleasure to have made it happen, while also getting a little Hollywood gossip on what happened behind the scenes. (We’ll give you a hint: it was a lot of drinking.)

Heather needs to know about the car in Theora’s bedroom.

Austin probably gushes a little too much toward our guests.

(We encourage you to enjoy the video version, as there are charming details that don’t translate quite as well to an audio podcast, namely Brian producing props at various times. The video is a more “raw” representation of the conversation, and does not contain all the audio editing and production that you will find in the podcast. This is the “meat & potatoes” version, as they as; just as good as the audio version, but a little rougher around the edges, and without all the filigree.)

In our next episode, we will be discussing S1E2 of the US TV Program, “Max Headroom,” originally aired 7 April 1987. Titled “Rakers,” it is currently available on DVD through Shout Factory, and comes with a number of excellent bonus features. This link could help you skate through to the next show.