The Storyteller (1977)

About this episode

Mike and Chris explore the moral complexities of the 1977 NBC movie The Storyteller, which critiques television's role in society.

Mike and Chris dig into the uneasy moral terrain of The Storyteller, a 1977 NBC movie that turns television itself into the accused. Starring Martin Balsam as a celebrated writer blamed when a child’s death echoes the plot of his work, the film wrestles with guilt, responsibility, and the limits of artistic intent. Written by Richard Levinson and William Link, this forgotten TV drama fits squarely in The Shabby Detective’s wheelhouse: smart, talky, ethically thorny, and very much of its era—when network television wasn’t afraid to put itself on trial. Watch the movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go0Yesa9m0Q Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-shabby-detective-yet-another-columbo-podcast--5084441/support .

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike, Chris

Topics covered

• moral dilemmas
• television criticism
• artistic responsibility
• 1970s film
• guilt and blame

Keywords

• The Storyteller
• Martin Balsam
• NBC movie
• moral terrain
• artistic intent
• Richard Levinson
• William Link

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NBC

Books & works: The Storyteller

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