Well, this week I received in a terrific radio adaptation of the famous Rod Serling TZ script "Eye of the Beholder" by Barry Richert. Barry has written a few TZ scripts this year and I'm looking forward to producing them as he is a brilliant writer. "Eye of the Beholder" is an especially difficult show to do on radio as it is very visual but Barry nailed it as I knew he would. I'm a firm believer that "anything" can be done on radio. This was taught to me by my close friend Stan Freberg before I had ever met him -- let me explain: When I was a DJ on my college radio station, RRG-Triton College 88.9 FM, I heard a PSA (Public Service Announcement) written, produced and starring Stan Freberg (little did I know that he and I would become close friends years later and he would host my "When Radio Was" radio show and star in several episodes of TZ). In this PSA Stan uses sound effects of heavy industrial equipment to build a gigantic ice-cream sundae, including a crane to put the cherry on top. At the end of the PSA Stan says in his one-of-a-kind "Stan Freberg" voice: "Try doing that on television." His point was, sure, you could build a gigantic sundae on TV but it would cost a fortune and be a monumental task. But on radio, with a few perfectly placed sound effects, the right music for tension, and a narrator, you could do it quickly, easily and cost efficiently. So, in a nutshell -- ANYTHING can be done on radio! And the truth be told, he is right. You can do anything on radio and I can't tell you how many email I get from listeners to our TZ radio show that ask: Are you going to do "The Invaders" and "Eve of the Beholder?" And my answer is always a resounding YES, yes, we are going to do them. I have faith in my writers that they will figure out how to turn extremely visual scripts like these into brilliant radio
adaptations.

On another subject, I am "this" close to announcing who will be the host of MYSTERY THEATER so hang in there with me, I am hopeful that I will be able to announce it on my next blog.

And a correction from my last blog: The Chris Canniff script that he delivered is not called "Back For the Holidays" it is called "Back for the Fourth" and I plan to produce it in time to broadcast it prior to Fourth of July 2009. It's going to be a
riveting show.

Well, that's all for now my friends, join me next time for
more NEWS FROM THE ZONE!

Well, last week I got around to reading some TZ scripts that have been coming in from some of our excellent writers, including one from first time TZ writer Christine Trowbridge called “Child’s Play.” It has to do with cloning of animals .. and humans. Quite riveting and scary and I’m looking forward to producing it.

Matthew Elliott sent in “An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge” which, as TZ fans know, was a short film presented as a TZ episode in the last year of the series. Matthew is a brilliant writer and he did a marvelous job with it. Matthew’s next assignment is adapting for radio the classic TZ story “Nothing in the Dark” which originally starred Robert Redford as “Death.” This was one of my favorites and I can’t wait to see what Matthew does with it.

Barry Richter who has written two terrific original TZ stories for us informs me that he’s putting the final touches on “Eye of the Beholder” which was my all-time favorite show from the TV series. Like “The Invaders” and “The Masks” it has unique challenges to adapt for radio as it is very visual. But Dennis Etchison, who adapted “The Masks” for us dug deep down and delivered a brilliant rendition and I’m certain Barry will do the same.

I’m happy to say that a script that I wrote in collaboration with Matthew Elliott called “A Heated Premonition” is finally complete. It is based on the classic story “August Heat” by W. F. Harvey. It’s the story of a pencil sketch artist who draws a man on trial for murder and then meets up with the man in a bizarre way on the hottest
day of the year. I am very happy with the final script and I can’t wait to cast it and produce it sometime next year.

Speaking of new scripts, first time TZ writer Christopher Canniff delivered an excellent adaptation of the John Collier story “Back for Christmas” that he calls “Back for the Holidays.” I plan on producing it in time to broadcast it at Christmas time next year.

In other news, I’m honored to announce that the great Max von Sydow is joining our cast of The Old Testament in the iconic role of “Noah.” I have been a Max von Sydow fan all my life and I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with him. He is one of the greatest actors of all time and I’m so thrilled that he will be such a huge part of The Word of Promise audio Bible.

Well, that’s all for now, join me next time for more NEWS FROM THE ZONE!