History Funny / Network

'''Doorman''': Sure thing, Mr. Beale.[[note]]In his book ''Making Movies'', Creator/SidneyLumet wrote he originally directed the actor playing the doorman to take in Beale's appearance, then humor him, until Creator/PaddyChayefksy pointed out, "This is TV. He (the doorman) shouldn't even notice him (Beale)." Lumet admitted Chayefsky was right.[[/note]]

-->'''[[[NoNameGiven Doorman]]''': Good afternoon, Mr. Beale.\\

* The penultimate scene, the UBS executive confab discussing Beale's declining ratings, is a masterpiece of BlackComedy. Realizing that Jensen has painted them into a corner because he won't let them fire Beale, Frank casually [[spoiler: says "I suppose we'll have to kill him," then Diana takes the ball and runs with it, conceiving a whole scenario where Beale gets killed on the air as a publicity stunt. With no one in the room willing to acknowledge the MoralEventHorizon they've just crossed — Chaney sheepishly mentions that they're plotting a capital crime, but frames it in terms of covering it up to protect the network — they start talking about the contractual obligations they'd be responsible for after Beale dies. Then Frank, possibly having a HeelRealization, tries to calm things down by suggesting that he's open to other options besides murder, as though this shows how pragmatic and level-headed he is. But Diana has already concluded there's no turning back, and says "Let's kill the son of a bitch."]] What takes it UpToEleven is that everyone maintains a casual, business-like demeanor during all this, like they're just discussing ordering new drapes for the offices or something.

* Mr.Jensen's reply when Beale asks him why he has been chosen to deliver Jensen's message:

* During Howard's "life is bullshit" speech, Max is speaking on the phone and provides this great line:

--> '''Great Ahmed Kahn''': [fires off his gun through the ceiling] Man, give her the FUCKING overhead clause. Let's get back to page twenty-two, number 5, small 'a'. Subsidiary rights.

* At the end of Beale's passionate speech about the power of the media, he collapses. No one checks on him...the camera closes in on him while the StudioAudience applauds and the music kicks in.

* The penultimate scene, the UBS executive confab discussing Beale's declining ratings, is a masterpiece of BlackComedy. Realizing that Jensen has painted them into a corner because he won't let them fire Beale, Frank casually [[spoiler: says "I suppose we'll have to kill him," then Diana takes the ball and runs with it, conceiving a whole scenario where Beale gets killed on the air as a publicity stunt. With no one in the room willing to acknowledge the MoralEventHorizon they've just crossed--Chaney sheepishly mentions that they're plotting a capital crime, but frames it in terms of covering it up to protect the network--they start talking about the contractual obligations they'd be responsible for after Beale dies. Then Frank, possibly having a HeelRealization, tries to calm things down by suggesting that he's open to other options besides murder, as though this shows how pragmatic and level-headed he is. But Diana has already concluded there's no turning back, and says "Let's kill the son of a bitch."]] What takes it UpToEleven is that everyone maintains a casual, business-like demeanor during all this, like they're just discussing ordering new drapes for the offices or something.
* The perfect punch line to the whole movie: When Beale [[spoiler: gets whacked]], cut to a four-way split-screen showing all the networks reacting to it...cutting to commercials at different times. The commercials are all happy-go-lucky. And then TheComicallySerious narrator sums it all up for you:
--> "This was the story of Howard Beale. The first known instance of a man [[spoiler: who was killed]] because he had lousy ratings."

* Laureen Hobbs, a representative of the Communist Party, going on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqvlMxfGA4 a rant]] that undoubtedly had KarlMarx turning over in his grave.

* Mr. Jensen interrupting his bombastic speech to ask, "Am I getting through to you, Mr. Beale?"

* This gets even better when the group's Patty Hearst {{expy}} calls her out for being a capitalist sellout and the leader of the ultra-leftist terrorists fires off a shot into the ceiling to get everyone to shut up...[[AffablyEvil and then asks the assembled suits to draw their attention back to Page 22]].

* Laureen Hobbs, a representative of the Communist Party, going on [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqvlMxfGA4 this rant]] that undoubtedly had Karl Marx turning over in his grave.
-->"Don't fuck with my distribution costs! I'm making a lousy two-fifteen per segment and I'm already deficiting twenty-five grand a week with Metro! I'm paying William Morris 10% off the top, and I'm giving this turkey ten thou per segment, and another five to this fruitcake! And Helen, don't start no shit about a piece again! I'm paying Metro twenty-thousand for all foreign and Canadian distribution, and that's after recoupment! ''The Communist Party's not gonna see a nickel of this goddamn show until we go into syndication!''"

* Laureen Hobbs, a representative of the Communist Party, going on the following rant, which undoubtedly had Karl Marx turning over in his grave...
-->'''Laureen:''' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqvlMxfGA4 Don't fuck with my distribution costs! I'm making a lousy two-fifteen per segment and I'm already deficiting twenty-five grand a week with Metro! I'm paying William Morris ten percent off the top, and I'm giving this turkey ten thou per segment, and another five to this fruitcake! And Helen, don't start no shit about a piece again! I'm paying Metro twenty-thousand for all foreign and Canadian distribution, and that's after recoupment! ''The Communist Party's not gonna see a nickel of this goddamn show until we go into syndication!'']]
* This gets even better when the group's Patty Hearst {{expy}} calls her out for being a capitalist sellout and the leader of the ultra-leftist terrorists fires off a shot into the ceiling to get everyone to shut up... [[AffablyEvil and then asks the assembled suits to draw their attention back to page 22]].