Some people think the Max Headroom interviews were pre-recorded and edited at length, then played back to the interviewee, who only responded with scripted dialogue. However, the Max Headroom team was fully capable of taking Max on the talk-show circuit, with Matt Frewer in full costume and makeup off-camera, spontaneously responding to questions via a closed circuit video display. Frewer really was as quick-witted in person as he was onscreen, and the "computerized" video glitches in his delivery could be added johnny-on-the-spot by his effects technicians. This was proven during the Max Headroom appearance on the David Letterman show in 1988(?). Matt Frewer (appearing via television monitor onstage) extemporaneously fielded Letterman's often snide questions and occasionally knocked them out of the park, much to Letterman's obvious dismay. For instance, Letterman tried insulting Max by asking, "Do you have a plate in your head?" and Matt Frewer instantly answered, "Buddy, I've got a whole set of China!" Which brought down the house, upstaging Letterman.
Whoever posted this clip truncated the very end, where Max asks Sting "Who does your hair?" and Sting - feigning offense - snaps back, "Who does YOURS?" Max answers, "My hair is a mold." XD
I often wonder how much of this was pre-scripted? I mean, did they manage to interact live or is sting just reacting a pre-taped video? Are stings answers pre-scripted? And if it is live, how much of the content does Max actor Matt Frewer ad-lib? Anyway: A memory of better times.
You know...there really was a point in time where Sting and Bono were virtually indistinguishable from each other...the same air of self satisfied pomposity seems to have swallowed even their features into a sort of wannabe stylish but actually somewhat bland whole. I suppose Sting must have been playing along to a degree, but its a shame they don't do this sort of ironic and irreverant style celebrity interview anymore. I can think of a few celebrities who could use it.
