Special Report: The Running Man (1987)

Special Guests: Steven E. de Souza, Kurt Fuller, George Linder, Rob Cohen
Guest Co-Hosts: Andrew Nette, Aaron Peterson

"WHO DO YOU LOVE!?"

Set in the distant year of 2017, The Running Man (1987) is set in a dystopian world where reality television rules the airwaves and the most popular show pits criminals against muscle-bound, spandex-clad "stalkers". Based loosely on a novella by "Richard Bachman" (AKA Stephen King), the film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, a man framed as "The Butcher of Bakersfield" and thrown Running Man game, hosted by Killian (Richard Dawson), and featuring a cadre of killers including Jesse Ventura, Jim Brown, Professor Toru Tanaka, and more.

Andrew Nette and Aaron Peterson join Mike to discuss the film, its odd production history, and the resonance to today's world. We also discuss the work of Robert Sheckley and his influence on "people hunting people" films including The Million Game, The Price of Peril, The Tenth Victim and Freejack.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Special Report: The Running Man (1987)" on Spreaker.

Interviews:
Music: "Planing the Escape" - Harold Faltermeyer
Steven E. de Souza, screenwriter: 54:00

Music: "Running Man" - Casio Social Club
Kurt Fuller, actor: 1:43:00

Music: "Buzz Saw" - The Gee Cee's
George Linder, producer: 2:21:00

Music: "Running Man (Rework)" - Brain Inc
Rob Cohen, executive producer: 2:29:00

Music: "Running Man" - The Greatest Band of All Time
Discussion 2: 3:07:00

Outro Music:
"Running Man / Hunger Games Musical Spectacular" - Jon and Al Kaplan
"ICS Sponsors Credits" - Harold Faltermeyer

Episode on Edgar Wright's Running Man:

Listen to "Special Report: The Running Man (2025)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy The Running Man on DVD
Buy The Running Man by Stephen King / Richard Bachman
Buy The Running Man soundtrack by Harold Faltermeyer
Read more about Rob Cohen's The Hurricane Heist
Listen to the Remake this Movie Right! podcast
Buy books from Andrew Nette
Listen to the interview with Harold Faltermeyer on the Beverly Hills Cop episode
Listen to our episodes on Battle Royale, Death Race 2000, Series 7: The Contenders, Rollerball, Freejack, and Punishment Park

Watch:

Episode 208: Miracle Mile (1988)

Special Guests: Steve De Jarnatt & O-Lan Jones
Guest Co-Host: David J. Moore

In Miracle Mile trombonist Harry Washello (Anthony Edwards) receives a random phone call, tipping him off that nuclear Armageddon is imminent. He works to get across Los Angeles to his new love, Julie (Mare Winningham), and to safety.

We talk about the Cold War, morning in America, and Apocalypse films with David J. Moore, author of World Gone Wild: A Survivor's Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies.

It's the end of the world as we know it.

Links:
Buy Miracle Mile on Blu-Ray
Buy Miracle Mile by Walter Chaw
Buy David J. Moore's World Gone Wild: A Survivor's Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies
Visit O-Lan Jones's Overtone Industries
Hear Steve De Jarnatt on our Strange Brew episode

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 208: Miracle Mile (1988)" on Spreaker.

Music:
"Running out of Time" - Tangerine Dream
"All of a Dither" - Tangerine Dream
"So Afraid of the Russians" - Made for TV
"Gorba the Chief" - Sacher Musak
"Party at Ground Zero" - Fishbone

Watch: