Very interesting episode.

Wonder if Stephen King heard this before writing "the Running Man"? Also - is that etheral music in Act One the same used in Kubrick's "2001, A Space Odyssey"?

A pretty good story whose ending (the last line) makes you question what really happened near the end of the story.

Excellent, very imaginative episode. "Show business" as punishment makes for a great listen (not to mention something I wish was put into practice with the Hollywood types today).

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. This Sci-Fi Fantasy, written by Sam Damm, reminds me of 2 stories: THE RUNNING MAN by Richard Bachman (Stephen King's pen name) because it takes place in the future where convicts have to survive on a deadly game show and THE TIME MACHINE by H.G. Wells because it starts at the end where the time traveler explains how he survived the harsh experience. Good concept, but not enough explanation to learn how the Human Race created a dystopian world in the year 2076. This should’ve split into 2 episodes and expand the description of what goes on in that particular time period, plus the main character could talk to others more about his life from the 20th Century and how to prevent any of this to happen. The ending was OK, but not surprising. Another way to title story would be "Sentenced To Show Biz" or "The 1976 Man." The variety of music was suitable, especially the track at the 07:18 mark from the 1968 film 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. The sound effects of the time machine whirring, explosions, gun fire, howling wind, birds chirping, doors, classical music in the background, car engine running, and dialing the rotary phone were also suitable. In our Host's Prologue, E.G. Marshall begins on the discussion of Geographers & Philosophers. In ACT-1, we meet our main character who will eventually get sentenced into show business and learn that Gladiators in the ancient Roman arenas were also in show business. In ACT-2, understand realism, but also understand that a writer is a God, but what happens if a writer is allowed to play God in the real world? In ACT-3, learn about show business in ancient Rome again. Later on, the aftermath of our main character. But in his Epilogue, I think it was tedious when E.G. Marshall asked the CBSRMT listeners what happens to characters when they die while the actors, who portrayed the characters, come back. Fans of CBSRMT already know the answer to that. But more importantly, the cast: Howard Da Silva (as Roger Starrett/Fish), Joan Loring (as Baby), Robert Dryden (as Glasses and Brain), and Bryna Raeburn (as Dr. Simon and The Censor). Both Bryna Raeburn and Robert Dryden were terrific in their multiple roles. Joan Loring's voice was seductive and exquisite. And Howard Da Silva's performance in this was splendid as his performance in #0396-BURN, WITCH, BURN and #0125-THE ONLY BLOOD. If you like Sci-Fi mysteries, including the ones that take place in a dystopian world, check this story out. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0)

Placed in the year 2076 by a time machine, a 1976 man finds himself sentenced to 15 years in entertainment (prison) where all the actors (prisoners) are ultimately given roles in which they could get killed — for real. Ancient Rome had its gladiators who fought to the death and lions in the arena who feasted on humans. Show-biz in 2076 has returned to this type of entertainment, and the 1976 man, finding himself in prison in this new, old society, realizes he will have to get on the good side of the writer — an emotionless, tough woman — if he is going to stay alive.

A good listen. Great cast and suspenseful.

Didn’t enjoy this episode…..Can’t b’lieve it’s by Sam Dann. It did ring true of what we learned of the gladiators in the Coliseum being “entertaininment” for the elite tho. W/so many reality shows on tv now….it seems as tho people are enjoying more so the suffering of their fellow human beings.