As a film, "FM" is a failure. The stakes never seem high, the characters rarely seem humorous, and the entire thing has the harshest lighting I've ever seen in a comedy. Even though 70% of Michael Brandon's head and face is covered in hair, it still ... (read more) As a film, "FM" is a failure. The stakes never seem high, the characters rarely seem humorous, and the entire thing has the harshest lighting I've ever seen in a comedy. Even though 70% of Michael Brandon's head and face is covered in hair, it still reflects off his dome like a freaking geosphere.

But as a time capsule, "FM" is priceless. The pop culture attitudes and argot feel beamed in from another universe. Apparently in 1978 there was no better way to fight the Man than to play the Eagles all day long. A Steely Dan title track? A Jimmy Buffet cameo? A montage set to "Lido Shuffle"? Twenty minutes devoted to a foxy Linda Rondstadt covering "Tumbling Dice"? It's all here, and it's all spectacular.

Just saw this for the first time. Great. Absolutely the inspiration for WKRP, the best sitcom ever. Great music, too.