Double Switch (1987)
A teen pop star and his ordinary look-alike trade places for a week, discovering that neither life is quite what it seemed.
Double Switch - Movie Information
Double Switch - Plot
Teeny bopper rock star Bart Holton is pushed around by his manager for maximum profit and longs for a normal life. Through a look-alike contest he meets Matt, a student who looks exactly like him and can imitate his dancing style perfectly. Bart proposes to switch roles for a week. At first Matt enjoys being chased by hysterical groupies and Bart enjoys hitting on the highschool girls, but of course both learn quickly that the other's life is quite different from what they'd expected.
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Double Switch - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Greenwalt
Main Cast
- George Newbern
- Elisabeth Shue
- Michael Des Barres
- Tom Bresnahan
- Mark Bringelson
- Tsutomu Carton
- Martin Casella
- Alyson Croft
- Claude Knobler
- Christopher Peters
Double Switch - FAQs
What is Double Switch (1987) about?
Double Switch follows Bart, a teen pop star tired of being controlled by his manager, who meets his exact look-alike Matt through a contest. The two agree to swap lives for a week, only to discover that the grass isn't always greener — fame and ordinary high school life each come with their own unexpected challenges.
Does the identity swap go according to plan?
Not quite! Matt quickly finds that screaming groupies are more overwhelming than glamorous, while Bart discovers that blending into high school life is harder than it looks. Both guys get a reality check fast, and the comedy really kicks in once their carefully laid plans start unraveling in ways neither expected.
Who are the main actors in Double Switch?
George Newbern leads the cast in the dual role of Bart and Matt, with Elisabeth Shue playing Kathy. Michael Des Barres rounds out the key players as Simon, the overbearing manager. It's a fun ensemble, and seeing a young Elisabeth Shue — fresh off The Karate Kid — is a real treat for fans.
Who directed Double Switch?
David Greenwalt directed the film. He later became well known as a writer and producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel, so Double Switch offers an interesting early look at his work before he became a genre television staple.
Is Double Switch a TV movie or theatrical release?
Double Switch is a TV movie, originally broadcast in January 1987. It has the breezy, feel-good energy typical of made-for-television comedies of that era — light on edge, heavy on charm — making it a perfect nostalgic watch for fans of late-1980s pop culture.
What genre is Double Switch?
It's a comedy and TV movie, leaning into the classic body-swap and mistaken-identity comedy tradition. The film blends teen humor with a mild fish-out-of-water premise, keeping things light and fun throughout. Think of it as a breezy 80s romp rather than a sharp satirical comedy.
When was Double Switch released?
Double Switch premiered on January 25, 1987. It landed right in the heart of the late-80s teen entertainment boom, alongside a wave of similar lighthearted comedies aimed at younger audiences who were hungry for pop music, fun storylines, and relatable characters navigating the chaos of adolescence.
What movies are similar to Double Switch?
If you enjoyed Double Switch, you might also like Clear History (2013) or Psych: The Movie (2017) for more comedic fun. The film shares DNA with classic identity-swap comedies of the 1980s, so fans of that era's lighthearted, feel-good storytelling style will likely find plenty to enjoy in those picks too.
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