Stay Tuned
Salesman Roy Knable spends all his free time watching television, to the exasperation of his wife, Helen. One day, TV salesman Spike convinces Roy to buy a satellite dish offering 666 channels. The new addition to Roy's home entertainment system sucks him and Helen into Hellvision, a realm run by Spike, who is an emissary of Satan. For 24 hours, the couple must survive devilish parodies of TV programs if they want to return to reality alive.
The film box office disappointment against its respectable budget of $25.0M, earning $10.7M globally (-57% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Stay Tuned (1992) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Peter Hyams's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Roy Knable sits glued to the TV, ignoring his family. His wife Helen and kids are frustrated by his addiction to television, establishing him as a disconnected couch potato whose obsession is destroying his relationships.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Mysterious salesman Spike offers Roy an irresistible satellite dish deal with "666 channels of quality entertainment." Roy, unable to resist despite Helen's objections, signs the contract without reading it—literally selling his soul for television.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Roy and Helen are physically sucked into the television system itself. They're trapped in Hell's warped version of TV programming where they must survive 24 hours or lose their souls forever. No escape—they must play the game., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Roy and Helen are trapped in a horror scenario and seemingly killed—"whiff of death." They appear to have failed with time running out. Spike gloats that he's won their souls. All seems lost as they face total defeat and eternal damnation., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Roy and Helen execute their plan to defeat Spike and escape Hell-vision. They work as a true team, using wit over passivity. Their children help from outside. Final confrontation with Spike where Roy must prove he's changed and reject the TV world completely., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Stay Tuned's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Stay Tuned against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Hyams utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Stay Tuned within the comedy genre.
Peter Hyams's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Peter Hyams films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Stay Tuned represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Hyams filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Hyams analyses, see The Presidio, Timecop and Running Scared.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Roy Knable sits glued to the TV, ignoring his family. His wife Helen and kids are frustrated by his addiction to television, establishing him as a disconnected couch potato whose obsession is destroying his relationships.
Theme
Helen confronts Roy about his priorities: "You care more about that TV than you do about us." The theme emerges—what truly matters in life, family connection versus escapism and distraction.
Worldbuilding
We see Roy's complete life: his struggling career as a plumbing supplies salesman, his deteriorating marriage to Helen, his distant relationship with his children Darryl and Diane. His TV addiction has made him miss important family moments. Helen threatens to leave if things don't change.
Disruption
Mysterious salesman Spike offers Roy an irresistible satellite dish deal with "666 channels of quality entertainment." Roy, unable to resist despite Helen's objections, signs the contract without reading it—literally selling his soul for television.
Resistance
The dish is installed. Strange things begin happening. Roy becomes even more entranced by the new programming. Helen argues with him, trying to make him see reason. The TV shows seem oddly personalized and sinister. Tension builds as supernatural elements emerge.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Roy and Helen are physically sucked into the television system itself. They're trapped in Hell's warped version of TV programming where they must survive 24 hours or lose their souls forever. No escape—they must play the game.
Mirror World
Helen, initially the victim of Roy's addiction, becomes his partner and equal in survival. Their relationship dynamic shifts—they must work together. She represents what Roy needs to learn: engagement, courage, and putting family first.
Premise
The "fun and games" of deadly TV parodies: Roy and Helen navigate twisted versions of game shows, westerns, cartoons, and action shows. Each scenario is life-threatening. They learn they have limited time and must survive until their 24 hours expire. Comedy mixes with genuine danger.
Opposition
Spike increases the difficulty and danger. The shows become more lethal and personalized to their fears. Roy and Helen are separated in some scenarios, tested individually. Time is running out. Their children try to rescue them from the real world but face obstacles.
Collapse
Roy and Helen are trapped in a horror scenario and seemingly killed—"whiff of death." They appear to have failed with time running out. Spike gloats that he's won their souls. All seems lost as they face total defeat and eternal damnation.
Crisis
Roy faces his darkest moment of despair. He realizes his TV addiction caused this nightmare and endangered Helen. He must confront what he's become—a man who chose television over his family. Helen reminds him of what they're fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Roy and Helen execute their plan to defeat Spike and escape Hell-vision. They work as a true team, using wit over passivity. Their children help from outside. Final confrontation with Spike where Roy must prove he's changed and reject the TV world completely.