"Americathon" (1979) is the sleeper of sleepers, filled to the brim with gravy. It gets better every time I watch it. This is Harvey Korman's best role of his career and no one mentions it. John Ritter is understated and hilarious throughout. If you think the plot is silly then you haven't been paying attention to what has happened to the American Empire. It's gone and we are undergoing a rapid transition to the Euro-style austerity bicycle dole economy. If you don't recognize the script then it probably won't appeal to you. Once you recognize the gravy, this movie is revealed to be the towering work of comedic genius that it is. It is the most honest, in-your-face, undisguised portrayal of the end of the 500-year British-American Empire ever made.
As "predicted" by "Americathon" (1979): China became the global superpower and the the Anglo-American Empire became a joke. Cliques of Native Americans became wealthy and began to repossess America. Nike became a huge multinational conglomerate. Vietnam became a tourist attraction. The USSR was broken up. The devalued dollar and US debt. Emergency rule through managed catastrophe. Jewish-Arab terror actors anticipated the Al-Quaeda and ISIS campaigns. The governor of California becomes president. Jogging suits became fashionable as "casual wear". Reality television extreme absurdity. Network television exploiting taboo subjects. Gay states and gay fathers in women's clothing. Smoking being banned. Rampant homelessness and people living in cars. The "fossil fuel" joke was featured, and because it "ran out" Americans are forced to return to bicycles.
As "predicted" by "Americathon" (1979): China became the global superpower and the the Anglo-American Empire became a joke. Cliques of Native Americans became wealthy and began to repossess America. Nike became a huge multinational conglomerate. Vietnam became a tourist attraction. The USSR was broken up. The devalued dollar and US debt. Emergency rule through managed catastrophe. Jewish-Arab terror actors anticipated the Al-Quaeda and ISIS campaigns. The governor of California becomes president. Jogging suits became fashionable as "casual wear". Reality television extreme absurdity. Network television exploiting taboo subjects. Gay states and gay fathers in women's clothing. Smoking being banned. Rampant homelessness and people living in cars. The "fossil fuel" joke was featured, and because it "ran out" Americans are forced to return to bicycles.