Ed is a pretty boring guy until the cameras invade his life. It's only then that he becomes aware of the Faustian pact he's made with the devil. He can't back out of his contract. His life and soul belong to the TV station. EDtv is an uproarious satire about the whole notion of reality programming that has peaked with shows like Amazing Home Videos, Jerry Springer and MTV's The Real World.
People are so willing to be famous that they'll even debase themselves.
The role is tailor-made for McConaughey, who hasn't been this charming since Dazed and Confused. He's a big, lovable doofus who wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone but is always tromping on people's toes. Elfman is sweetly pathetic as the wallflower who wilts under the glare of the spotlights and Hurley is a siren in whose arms poor Ed is putty. The entire supporting cast is outstanding. From Harrelson's pent-up rage to Landau's wise musings, the reactions seem so natural.