The Truman Show (1998) vs. EdTV (1999): The concept: A man's life is the subject of a television series and the scrutiny of a nation. The casts: Matthew Mcconaughey, Jenna Elfman, Ellen Degeneres and Dennis Hopper are fine in Edtv, but Truman has the upper hand here, with the excellent Laura Linney (The Savages) joining Jim Carrey in his Golden Globe-winning role. The conceit: Ed's McConaughey knows he lives life under a microscope, rendering him far less sympathetic than the likable, oblivious Truman. The climax: On the off-chance anyone will be upset by a ten year-old spoiler, we won't give it away; just know that Truman's choice - and his journey - is the more redeeming of the two. The cash: In the film, Americans watched Ed on tv, but in reality, The Truman Show made almost six times the take of Edtv!

Bottom Line: Not even Ed's abs can stop us from tuning in to Truman.