Open Season

With his directorial debut, actor Robert Wuhl (Cobb) has a goldmine of a premise. A mix-up in the Fielding TV ratings puts PBC (a public broadcasting station) in first place, starting a cultural revolution in the country. People begin reading and donating money to the arts, while the networks try in vain to catch up. Wuhl has created a sometimes scathing satire, hilariously spoofing popular television shows and their makers. Unfortunately, Open Season loses its edge by detailing the day-to-day life of Stuart Sain (Wuhl), a former Fielding employee turned PBC executive. The movie becomes bogged down in Sain's moral dilemmas and relationships, rather than staying focused on the industry. Open Season, however, is worth checking out--even if only to see Joe Piscopo playing Hamlet. Recommended. (L. Russo)