Starting Simple
Before I got into anything too crazy, I thought I’d start with something a bit more basic. A list of my top five favorite programs from The Incomparable Radio Theater of the Air! Let’s go!
5. Marjorie Carter: Freelance Adventuress: A zany serial about a special collections librarian turned treasure hunter (very much an Indiana Jones type deal) and her bumbling but well meaning sidekick Milo. Lots of short little pastiches involving fairly accurate localized history and lore. Featuring such quotes as:
“Where is his gag- I thought there was a gag.”
“Nah, I’m pretty sure this is just exposition.”
AND
“Semantics.”
“No, Americans!”
4. The Fog: A drama about millionaire playboy Simeon St. Clair who has a secret identity as vigilante superhero of New York, The Fog. No one knows quite what his powers are, except for modulating his voice and making pseudo-intellectual remarks about living a life of crime, although he does seem to wave his hands in people’s faces a lot. Featuring such quotes as:
“The weed of crime is a bitter pill to swallow.”
“What does that even mean?”
“... I really don’t know.”
AND
“Welcome to The City of Lights (in New York).”
“Silly man, that is Paris.”
“This is a city. It’s full of lights. You do the math.”
3. Two-Fisted Tales of Tesla: A delightful Doctor Who parody starring inventor extraordinaire Nikola Tesla and his companion Dot. Join them in their wacky adventures across time and space! And stuff! I’m also in this one, so you should give it a listen. Featuring such quotes as:
“Ooooooh, a paradox! ... I don’t get it.”
AND
“IT’S NOT A BOX, IT’S A CABINET.”
2. Timmy Preston: Galaxy Scout: A bunch of lovable space scouts and their dad of a scoutmaster. Space adventures! Silly hijinks! Jumpin’ Jupiter! It starts off really cute but the Christmas Special made me hardcore cry! Featuring such quotes as:
“It’s chivalry or certain death, McKeith.”
AND
“I think my ears just pooped!”
“...Popped?”
“Yeah yeah, that!”
1. The Lives of Paul Citron: Ah yes, my personal favorite. Excellent storytelling, good mysteries, and a main character with a roulette wheel for a moral compass. The ultimate blend of wry wit and suave spy action. How I love thee, Paul Citron. The story, that is, not the character himself. Featuring such quotes as:
“Now, all of this is just procedure, which is about as interesting as watching paint dry. Granted, it may be paint with a rakish sense of humor, but I digress. And paint, like humor, is best when dry, so let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”
AND
“As another poet once said, ‘Carpe nightcap.’ Or, in other words ... ‘seize the dame.’”
I hope this has inspired you guys to listen to some of these shows! There are several one-shots I might have thrown in as honorable mentions (The Go-On Show, The Spooky Twist, The Full Fathom Five and Commander Jetpack, to name a few), but I might compile those in a separate post.
Happy podcasting!
-Sparrow