Firewatch

Seeing Ear Theater’s production of a Connie Willis story which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for science fiction.

A research historian is sent back in time to London during the blitz. He is on a team that goes out nightly to help preserve St. Paul’s Cathedral. But, as in so many things having to do with time travel, they don’t go as they were expected to.

The Island of Death
Here’s what can happen if you do an online show and take viewership as more important than content.

From the Tales From The Crypt series produced by Seeing Ear Theater. Featuring Gina Gershon and Luke Perry as the principal characters.

You Bet Your Husband
Yup, it’s another online game show, that puts viewers in the middle of somebody else’s family disfunction. Just what we all need, eh?
From Big Fun Radio Funtime.

Be There In No Time
An elderly man is concerned about his memory. Not only is he having trouble remembering the names of those he served with on a bomber in the RAF in WWII, but he does remember his return from the war as something that he cannot prove actually happened.

Written by John Glasscock and performed by the Essex Audio Theatre in the UK. Produced by Dennis Rookard for Hosiprog, hospital programming for the United Kingdom.

The Last Game Show, Episodes 1-2

It’s 2045 and the remains of human society are ruled by corporate government. Citizens are mostly passive, and they can only find solace in escapist online game shows on a centralized computer system. And then the radio pirates break into the broadcast urging the populace to resist their addiction.

Written and produced by Norman Jayo, and featuring several recognizable Hollywood actors though they aren’t in the primary roles. Conclusion next week.

The Last Game Show, Episodes 3-4

Conclusion from last week.

Some roles in the series are played by Brock Peters, George Takei, Danny Valdez, Abbey Lincoln and others. The original master tapes are archived in the Pacifica Radio Network Archives. Both the websites where I used to find info about this series have disappeared.

Two If By Sea
It’s a typical 1930s screwball romantic comedy, from a source usually known for sci-fi and magical horror tales. That is, from 19 Nocturne Boulevard, and written and produced by Julie Hoverson.

Host In The Machine
Morgan McNeil grew up idolizing newscaster Connie Ambrose, a local news giant and a legend around these parts. But when she finally meets her childhood idol, Morgan may just find that being a local legend takes an awful lot more than she bargained for, especially on the airwaves of Uncanny County.
Written by Todd Faulkner.

December 17
When one day doesn't follow the next, Mike realizes he's not traveling through time anymore—time is traveling through him.

Written by Jeff Ward and produced by Union Signal.

Lifeline
Thoughts of a first time skydiver after he leaves the plane, and talks to his mother on the way down.
Written by Anne Welsbacher, produced by the Twin Cities’ own SoundStories, and directed by Charles Brin.

Ruby 14: Spooks of the Ancient Nullians - Chapter 1
Ruby and her team are still in Siddhi Infini, the oasis city in the Summa Nulla desert. They are hired to try to get to The Center, which seems to really be in the center of the city. Everybody wants to know what’s in there, and whether it’s worth anything to them.
Written by Meatball Fulton at ZBS. Conclusion next week.

Ruby 14: Spooks of the Ancient Nullians - Conclusion

Ruby is hired to enter “The Center.” It is sacred to some and forbidden to others. Some say, those who go in may never come out.

Meanwhile, the Digital Circus is back with three-rings. Nightmare Ellie is hired to play The Evil Clown. She scares the hell out of the local Infinis because she knows – when Evil is good, it’s really BAD.
Bootsy the android becomes an Aerialist. She dances at the top of the Big Top. But she wants to be a detective, she wants to be like a Ruby – kick-ass tough.

Wriitten by Meatball Fulton for ZBS.
See last week for Chapter 1.

Just A Little Fiddle

A small story of trying to make a train station in Britain look just a little less shabby.
From Hosiprog, hospital programming for patients in the UK. Sent to us by the late Dennis Rookard.


Harry Nile - The McLaughlin Matter

The quintessential hard-boiled radio detective, from Jim French Productions, as heard on Imagination Theatre.

George Tirebiter’s Radio Follies

Former celebrity George Tirebiter hosts a live radio variety show that sounds like 1945 Hollywood, but is actually 1990s Whidbey Island, WA. Includes a radio soap opera, a murder mystery episode, plus music and dance. Featuring David Ossman as George Tirebiter, with Phil Proctor and Melinda Peterson.

The George Tirebiter Complete Collection is available through BandCamp.

Basket Case

Twin Cities author Terry Faust wrote this unique take on the sasquatch legend, loaded with Minneapolis references and locations. Production is from the Radio Theatre Project of The Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, FL. They do live performances of their plays, and I was pleased to see old friend Matt Cowley doing the sound effects and occasional scripting work. Available at SoundCloud.

Forward Into The Past

A rare single release from the Firesign Theatre, not found on any of their many 1960s albums, but it is included on their Best of the Firesign anthology, Shoes For Industry, and on YouTube.

KFAI Spring Membership Drive

So, I offer up a wide variety of silly and succulent audio shorts from all over the place, and you respond by becoming a member with a financial contribution to the station. It’s just that easy. You can do so at KFAI.org or by calling 612-375-9030 any daytime this week. Please be sure to tell them that Sound Affects is your favorite show.