Ep 1. War of the Worlds

In the first episode of season 25 of American Experience, titled "War of the Worlds," the show explores the infamous radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" by Orson Welles and the resulting panic it caused across America in 1938.

The episode begins by setting the stage for the broadcast, describing the tense international political climate at the time and the rise of radio as a dominant form of media. The show then delves into the details of the broadcast itself, which was presented as a series of news bulletins reporting an alien invasion in real-time. The radio play was so realistic and convincing that many people believed it to be an actual news report, causing widespread panic and hysteria.

Through interviews with experts on the broadcast and its aftermath, as well as archival footage and audio recordings, the show explores the factors that contributed to the panic, including the power of radio as a medium and the context of the times in which it was produced. The program also investigates the reactions of government officials and media executives, who were caught off-guard by the reaction and struggled to control the panic as it swept across the country.

Overall, "War of the Worlds" offers a fascinating look at one of the most notorious moments in American media history, exploring the power of the media to shape public perception and the ways in which fear and hysteria can be easily stoked in uncertain times. The episode offers a thought-provoking examination of an event that continues to resonate in the popular imagination, and provides a valuable window into the broader cultural and historical context in which it occurred.