Even though science fiction as a genre has certain tropes associated with it, such as aliens and spaceships, it is also versatile enough to allow for all sorts of stories, from space opera to political commentary to satire. X Minus One welcomed all sorts of science fiction stories to its radio stage in its run, including the work of some of the best satirists in the genre.
Although remembered by very few today, Robert Sheckley was an accomplished author of multiple genres. The skill he exhibited, however, by weaving satire into his science fiction, makes him stand out as one of the strongest authors of his time.
“The Seventh Victim”, based on a story by Sheckley, takes an almost darkly humorous look at a future where violence is only present in humans hunting other humans. This is not only a pastime, but it has developed into an event where both the hunter and hunted can become celebrities and obtain corporate sponsorship and popularity. The adaptation of Sheckley’s story for X Minus One retains both the casual irony of such a concept being a reality as well as the biting social commentary of what direction society might be heading in.
“Something for Nothing”, another episode based on Sheckley’s work, uses humor to illustrate the pleasure and possible terror of an age-old desire. Known for his ability to balance satire with outright comedy, Sheckley’s take on a man getting the chance, this time due to some randomly appearing machine, to have his every want and need fulfilled is well preserved in the adaptation for radio. Moving very quickly, the story takes listeners on a madcap ride through something everyone at one point or another has dealt with-what would happen if you could have everything you wanted?
Listen to twelve episodes of the program considered by many to be the finest science fiction radio program ever created in X Minus One, Volume 8, restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
#85 Open Warfare
Wednesday, January 23, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#86 Caretaker
Wednesday, January 30, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#87 Venus Is a Man's World
Wednesday, February 6, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#88 The Trap
Wednesday, February 13, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#89 Field Study
Wednesday, February 20, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#90 Real Gone
Wednesday, February 27, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#91 The Seventh Victim
Wednesday, March 6, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#92 The Lights on Precipice Peak
Wednesday, March 13, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#93 Protection
Wednesday, March 20, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#94 At the Post
Wednesday, March 27, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#95 Martian Sam
Wednesday, April 3, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
#96 Something for Nothing
Wednesday, April 10, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC
