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Plot

Stephen Herek directed this comedy-drama in which soul-less exec Ricky Hayman (Jeff Goldblum), programmer for the failing Good Buy Shopping Network, is dismayed by a request to increase sales in two weeks. Bald do-gooder guru G. (Eddie Murphy) assists when Ricky and marketing director Kate (Kelly Preston) get a freeway flat. When G. passes out, tests indicate a heart murmur and heat prostration, so the robed prophet becomes Ricky's house guest. At a party, G. uses hypnosis and psychology to rid guest Nino Cerruti (portraying himself) of his flying fears. Ricky witnesses this and gets the notion to put G. on the air. Unfortunately, G. ignores both cue cards and on-sale products, prompting station owner McBainbridge (Robert Loggia) to calculate Ricky's severance pay. He's back on the job when both sales and ratings soar. The situation eventually causes Ricky to reexamine how his own values became lost in the labyrinth of corporate consumerism.
MPAA Rating:
PG for some language.
Genre(s):
Comedy,Family
Run Time:
120min.
Theatrical Release Date:
10/09/1998
DVD Release Date:
05/18/1999
Distributor(s):
Buena Vista
Director(s):
Stephen Herek
Starring:
Eddie Murphy , Jeff Goldblum , Kelly Preston , Robert Loggia , Jon Cryer
Themes:
Work Ethics
Tone:
Bright,Humorous,Satirical,Wry
Keywords:
network,shopping,television,television-show,television-star,values
Country of Origin:
USA (10-09-1998)
Language:
English