Podcast

The Zero Hour

From Entertainment Radio Drama, Fiction, Society & Culture

"The Zero Hour" (also known as "Hollywood Radio Theater") was an American radio drama anthology series that aired from 1973 to 1974. It is notable for being hosted by the legendary Rod Serling, best known for "The Twilight Zone."Here are some key details about the series:

• Host: Rod Serling
• Genre: Mystery, adventure, and suspense anthology.
• Broadcast Period: September 3, 1973, to July 26, 1974 (two seasons). It debuted in syndication and was later picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System.
• Format:Initially, stories were presented as five-part dramas, with a new chapter broadcast Monday through Friday, concluding the story on Friday. Each part was approximately 30 minutes long, including commercials.
• In April 1974, the format changed to single, self-contained 30-minute installments, though the same actor would often star in all five programs during a given week.
• Production: Don Hills produced the series for StudioHouse. The opening theme music was by Ferrante & Teicher.
• Content: The series adapted best-selling mystery novels and featured a cast of well-known actors from both radio's Golden Age and popular television personalities, including John Astin, Patty Duke Astin, Howard Duff, George Kennedy, Richard Crenna, and William Shatner. Some of the scripts were also written by Rod Serling himself.
• Episodes: There were a total of 130 episodes, counting each five-part show as five episodes.
• Legacy: Despite its relatively short run, "The Zero Hour" is credited with helping to spark a mini-resurgence of radio drama in the 1970s, paving the way for shows like the "CBS Radio Mystery Theater." It faced challenges with its initial serial format and a lack of promotion, which contributed to its cancellation.

Episodes
132
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
26 min
On air since
2020
Latest episode
4 hours ago

Episodes

132 episodes, newest first

  1. Zero Hour ,,,, Desperate Witness Chapter 4

    28 min
  2. Zero Hour ,,,, Desperate Witness Chapter 3

    28 min
  3. Zero Hour ,,,, Desperate Witness Chapter 2

    30 min
  4. Zero Hour ,,, Desperate Witness Chapter 1

    28 min
  5. Zero Hour 73-12-21 The Wife of the Red Haired Man - Chapter 5

    29 min
  6. The Wife of the Red Haired Man - Chapter 4

    28 min
  7. The Wife of the Red Haired Man - Chapter 3

    29 min
  8. The Wife of the Red Haired Man - Chapter 2

    20 min
  9. The Wife of the Red Haired Man - Chapter xxx

    32 min
  10. Zero Hour 74-07-26 (130) The Holdout

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    26 min
  11. Zero Hour 74-07-25 (129) Smoke Screen

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    25 min
  12. Zero Hour 74-07-24 (128) Chicago John And The Glitter People

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    26 min
  13. Zero Hour 74-07-23 (127) Carnival Of Menace

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    24 min
  14. Zero Hour 74-07-22 (126) The Corpse Takes A Stand

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    26 min
  15. Zero Hour 74-07-19 (125) Once upon a Truck

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    26 min
  16. Zero Hour 74-07-18 (124) Lost in Time

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    26 min
  17. Zero Hour 74-07-17 (123) Remember Me

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    24 min
  18. Zero Hour 74-07-16 (122) Death of a Genius

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    25 min
  19. Zero Hour 74-07-15 (121) Welcome Home Denny Shakleford

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    27 min
  20. Zero Hour 74-07-12 (120) The Grand Prize

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    26 min