Who Is The Protagonist In 'Colored Television'?

The protagonist in 'Colored Television' is this guy named Leo Vartan, and let me tell you, he’s one of those characters who sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading. Leo isn’t your typical hero—he’s a washed-up film director clinging to the last shreds of his career, drowning in regret and cheap whiskey. What makes him fascinating is how the story peels back his layers. He’s arrogant but deeply insecure, a creative genius who’s somehow lost his spark, and the way he navigates this surreal world where television broadcasts start warping reality is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Leo’s journey is less about saving the world and more about saving himself. The novel frames his obsession with this mysterious 'colored television' as a metaphor for his crumbling sanity. When people around him start vanishing into their TV screens, he’s forced to confront his own failures—the estranged daughter he abandoned, the films he compromised for money, the artistic integrity he sold out. The brilliance of the character lies in his flaws. He’s not likable, but you root for him because his desperation feels so human. The scenes where he stumbles through distorted versions of his own memories, trying to rewrite past mistakes, are heart-wrenching.

What really elevates Leo is the setting. The 'colored television' isn’t just a plot device; it’s a character in itself, reflecting Leo’s psyche in grotesque, vivid hues. One minute he’s watching a sitcom rerun of his childhood, the next he’s trapped in a noir-style nightmare of his own making. The way he battles these surreal distortions—sometimes with wit, sometimes with sheer stubbornness—makes his arc unpredictable. By the end, you’re left wondering if he’s truly escaped the screen or just become part of its static. It’s that kind of ambiguity that makes 'Colored Television' unforgettable, and Leo’s role as an antihero is a big part of why the novel resonates so deeply.