A quite unusual song by Mr. Peter Gabriel but an important one where he tackles on the themes about the state of television with its lousy programation filled with violence, controversy and sensationalism. It's all about the ratings and people's lives does not matter at all when it comes to exposure, destroyal of reputation and more.

Our leading star is a fictional TV host Barry Williams, played by the amazing Christopher McDonald (I'll reveal later why he was the perfect choice for the role), a fictional presenter that bears countless similarities to the likes of Morton Downey Jr's and Jerry Springer's with an insane level of popularity with their trash TV shows, all invested because of the ratings. Not necessarily their fault if they explore people and certain issues, it all goes back to the public who are hungry for fights, controversy and wanting to set the world on fire if possible. Barry is well-liked by everyone, he takes pictures with fans, signs autographs and lives the dream while presenting his macabre horror show...up until it all starts to go downhill where he becomes the victim of his own game.

It's showtime! Gabriel gives us a nice song, far from the greatness he brought to us in his earlier works but with an insightful and true to life song, that also carries a nice rhythm and balance, very groovy. A very commendable job. He wrote this some twenty-years ago, looking back at the past and then present status of television and it even today, it still rings true. Nothing's changed and we were a little away from the boom of internet and social medias which made television pale in comparison with his shock and horror in order to get more likes.

Now, back with McDonald. This guy was born to play charismatic TV show hosts. First, it was the real portrayal of Jack Barry in the acclaimed "Quiz Show" and then cut to years later when he played the omnipresent Tappy Tibbons from "Requiem for a Dream" (his looks with Barry are quite similar), a guy so present in everywhere that he appears on the bad trip of poor addicted viewer Sara Goldfard (you must remember Ellen Burstyn crying for help when he pops in her drug visions). He delivers a great performance here, one of the greatest ever given to a music video format. All the awards for him, if they ever had a category for it. 9/10.

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

In this Peter Gabriel video the sensationalism of television with their talk-shows and controversies are explored in The Barry Williams Show. A successful and famous master of the TV universe, Williams shows creates shock and sensation with his themes and with those, lots of blood and guts to get high-ratings.

Peter Gabriel: The Barry Williams Show (2002)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Christopher McDonald in Peter Gabriel: The Barry Williams Show (2002)

Peter Gabriel in Peter Gabriel: The Barry Williams Show (2002)

Christopher McDonald and Peter Gabriel in Peter Gabriel: The Barry Williams Show (2002)

Peter Gabriel: The Barry Williams Show

Photos5

Top Cast3

User reviews1

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed