Talk Radio 1988

Barry Champlain [Eric Bogosian], a sharp-tongued Jewish radio host in Dallas, is known for his provocative political views and a condescending attitude toward his callers. As his show edges toward national syndication—a move that could make him rich and famous—he grapples with inner turmoil: self-doubt, swagger, and a deep-seated sense of self-loathing. The film uses flashbacks to trace his journey from a modest beginnings as a menswear salesman to a breakout on-air personality, revealing how easily charisma can translate into power.

The backstory shows Barry impressing a customer and catching the ear of local radio host Jeff Fisher [Alec Baldwin], whose invitation to appear on his program becomes a turning point. Barry quickly eclipses Fisher, landing his own show and shooting to the top of the ratings as a confrontational “shock jock.” As professional success mounts, he becomes a target for far-right militants and is flooded with threatening fan mail, yet his personal life suffers as his marriage unravels.

In the present, Barry invites his ex-wife Ellen [Ellen Greene], whom he still loves, to the studio to seek guidance on the looming syndication deal. To coax him toward his comfort zone, Ellen calls in live and speaks honestly about her love and concern. Barry, while acknowledging his feelings, masks vulnerability by tearing into Ellen on-air, a moment witnessed by the production staff who watch in stunned silence.

The climax unfolds in a blistering monologue where Barry confronts his own cynicism and admits he exploits the very audience that sustains him—and that he is terrified by what they represent. Rather than driving them away, his meltdown becomes the show’s highest-rated moment, and the syndication deal is approved. After the broadcast, Barry heads to his car, and a fan who has come for an autograph pulls a gun, fatally shooting him. The film ends with a soundscape of voices from Barry’s life—now callers to his show—filling the screen as the Dallas skyline glows in the distance.