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Ricochet Silent Radio Returns to the Air: Monday 5:30 pm ET
Don’t touch that dial! Next week, from Monday through Thursday, Ricochet’s theater of the imagination presents Judge Mental in 1954’s strangest and boldest futuristic radio script fantasy about the beginning of the 21st century, “Lord Protector of the United States.”
It’s been a troubling question for republics since the times of the Caesars; what happens in those few, crucial times when saving the country from chaos seems to demand utterly undemocratic means? How can a total outsider to politics, a moody, gifted loner, a former astronaut and computer wizard with a vigilante streak, rise to power over a great continental nation? How dare he try to resolve its roiling race to bloodshed? There aren’t really topical questions here, just timeless ones. In next week’s story, nineteen fifty-four looks ahead almost a half century to a changed world, made richer by technology like atomic helicopters and automated kitchens. But human nature doesn’t change.
Remember, the premise is that this is a 1954 broadcast. Prophecy has limitations. Although every home in end-of-the-century America has three dimensional television, the country still has 48 states. The Dodgers never left Brooklyn. Airlines are still only gradually taking over from passenger railroads. Ed Sullivan is still on the air. Rock and roll? The women’s movement? Not even an imagined part of the world of 2000, though there’s awareness of civil rights, and a belief among all races that the country would have long since worked out those problems by then.
This is more than just a retooling, it’s a total reboot of the Judge Mental stories. No previous knowledge of the characters is needed. Even if you’ve read part of it before, it’s a different story. And if you haven’t read Ricochet Silent Radio, give us a try!
Disclaimer: Ricochet Silent Radio is a mark of satire, not an official part of Ricochet. Regarding the use of Ricochet members as fictional characters: Dialog, attitudes, and actions attributed to them are not their own. Our stock in trade is delivering thrilling sounds and words you can’t hear, describing images you can’t see!
So tune in to “Lord Protector of the United States,” Monday to Thursday nights next week, only on the Ricochet Silent Radio Network!
Published in General
I’m on pins and needles
Appointment “listening.” Or something.
At last!…Huzzah! I’ll be tuned in to my local Lion Network affiliate…5:00PM Eastern? Can’t wait to hear Angel-Doll again. :-)
The Announcer’s Wife says: Bring it on!!
I’m in. Good for you, sir. I haven’t seen/heard Rico silent radio in so long, I kind of forgot about it. All part of your nefarious plot, I’m sure.
Still working on the t-shirt… When it’s ready, I’ll model it, @randyweidova. :-)
RB, for once it’s actually written with a later possibility of recording (shorter scenes, more music and sound cues, a relatively small cast who each gets to speak a lot), even if it’s just over Skype. When I read the words to myself, I have Ray’s voice saying them in my head.
Always thrilled to have the attendance of RSR’s most adorable fan, Nanda!
My plot is less sexy than your recent fictional work, Boss, but I try to make up for it with grim, misanthropic humor about certain doom. From each according to his abilities…
Somehow, pins and needles and the fashion industry and you go together so well!
I don’t know if you ever saw the 2015 backstory of how listening became “listening“.
Yippee!
I don’t know how you decided to make @raykujawa the announcer for “Who Killed Invisible Television” but that was a case of finding exactly the right man for the part.
That was pure luck. People have told Ray that he has an announcer’s voice, and in a Rico comment, he mentioned his willingness to give it a try. Boy, did that work out great!