Hi everyone,

I hope you enjoyed the TZ radio production of "Execution" starring Don Johnson as a tough cowboy from the old West that is brought to modern times by a scientist. I think it came out great and Don was marvelous as the mean cowboy killer.

Next up is "Bewitchin' Pool" by Earl Hamner and adapted for radio by the amazing Dennis Etchison. As Dennis explains it: Of all the Hamner episodes, this one may have the most heart. This one was cut and somewhat short-changed on TV. But Dennis's adaptation is based on Hamner's full script. The TV version aired June 19th, 1964. It was program 156 in the series and was the last TZ television episode ever broadcast, which was cancelled abruptly. It contrasts a bitter, edgy present with a return to an idyllic rural fantasy past. Two kids are miserable because of their parents' bitter, unhappy marriage. They dive into the family swimming pool to escape and surface in another time and place, straight out of Tom Sawyer. A wonderful older woman named Aunt T runs her rural house as a kind of orphans' home. The kids eventually return to the present, only to learn that their parents are divorcing. So they swim back to Aunt T's to live happily ever after.

There is a dark, unspoken undercurrent to this story, almost as if the kids commit suicide to escape their unhappiness. Realistically, from the parents' point of view, that is probably what happens. Whether the children's bodies are actually found we never know. But we don't dwell on that possibility. Hamner's story is about salvation by escaping to a better place, and that is what most of the audience will hear: a happy ending. But the darker, sadder story is there for those who care to think about it.

In the TV version Georgia Simmons played Aunt T. In our radio version the incredible Karen Black owns the role. I directed Karen and she's just the sweetest person ever! Jeff Lupetin, an amazing voice over artist and director handled the supporting directing chores on this one and the soon-to-be-released "The Hunt" starring Shelley Berman and Karen Black. I can't wait to hear the first draft of "Bewitchin' Pool' which will be early next week.

This Saturday on HOLLYWOOD 360 I have the great Stan Freberg as my guest along with the producers and director of CHICAGO OVERCOAT an independent film shot here in Chicago starring Frank Vincent, Armand Assante, Stacy Keach and Mike Starr. Next Saturday I have the always hilarious Tim Kazurinsky and on the 13th, the brilliant Stephnie Weir of Mad TV fame. HOLLYWOOD 360 airs on Chicago station WIND AM 560 from 7 pm to Midnight every Saturday night followed by THE TWILIGHT ZONE radio dramas at Midnight. If you are out of the area, tune in via the internet at: http://560wind.townhall.com/

That's all for now, check back for more NEWS FROM THE ZONE!

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone enjoyed "Two" starring Don Johnson and Oksana Fedenuschen. I've gotten some very nice emails about it and it's always great to get your feedback. Next up is another show starring Don Johnson, it's called "Execution." The original story was written by Rod Serling and based on a short story by my good friend George Clayton Johnson. Dennis Etchsion adapted it for our radio play. A tough cowboy in the Old West is sentenced to death for shooting another man in the back. But just as he is hanged, he disappears from the noose. He wakes up in a lab in present-day-New York - the first successful time traveler. The scientist learns that the cowboy was about to be executed for murder and decides to send him back to face his punishment. The cowboy kills the scientist and flees. Unfortunately, the big city doesn't agree with him; it's too noisy and busy. He shoots up a bar, wreaks havoc and barely makes it back to the lab -- where he gets the surprise of his life -- or death. In the original TV episode, Albert Salmi played the unsavory cowboy and Russell Johnson (The Professor from Gilligan's Island) played the scientist. In its radio counterpart, Don Johnson plays the cowboy and JoBe Cerny portrays the scientist. This one, and "Two" were not mixed at Cerny, and the sound designer has told me this one is really rich with effects. I'm excited to hear a first draft of it this week, so I'll keep you posted. After "Execution" it's "Bewitchin' Pool" starring Karen Black.

I have a very special announcement: THE TWILIGHT ZONE RADIO DRAMAS will no longer be heard on WGN AM 720. So for those of you in the Chicagoland area that regularly tune in to TZ on WGN please tune your dial to WIND AM 560 at the same time, Saturday nights at Midnight (technically Sunday mornings). Please spread the word. And if you want to hear me as host of HOLLYWOOD 360, tune in to WIND AM 560 five hours earlier starting at 7 pm and going all the way till Midnight when TZ will be heard. As I said in my last blog, HOLLYWOOD 360 spans everything Hollywood, from today's most current showbiz headlines to radio, TV and Film Nostalgia. I present, movie, DVD and theatre reviews, celebrity and industry expert interviews, trivia contests, take calls and a whole lot more. For fans of old-time radio, I play four old-time radio shows each week, thanks to Radio Spirits so please support them at www.radiospirits.com I play one Comedy, one Detective, one Sci-Fi or Western and one Mystery/Horror show. Last Saturday I interviewed the great Michael York and Hugh O'Brian (Wyatt Earp of classic TV). This coming week May 9th I'll interview Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle from Reno 911). Tom is co-starring in two films right now "17-Again" and "I Love You Man." I will also be interviewing another celebrity (haven't confirmed him/her as yet) and playing four old-time radio shows, THE LIFE OF RILEY, BOX 13, HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL and THE WHISTLER.

We continue to improve the MYSTERY THEATER site and show at www.mysterytheater.com so I hope you're enjoying it! Well, that's all for now. Thanks for all your support and I'll see you next time for MORE NEWS FROM THE ZONE!