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A new documentary is being produced that chronicles the origins of Splinter Cell, primarily focusing on its debut back in the thirties when it aired as a weekly radio drama. Splinter Cell, during the Golden Age of Radio, was an innovative radio program that captivated millions of listeners throughout North America every Sunday evening at nine. Moms, dads, grandfathers, grandmothers, and kids alike sat spellbound in front of their radios to hear the suspenseful exploits of super spy Sam Fisher. Not only was the show exciting, but it had something unique that paved the way for the future of video gaming. Splinter Cell, was the world’s first interactive radio drama. Hosted by Ed Herlihy, known as the Voice of America, with the voice of Sam Fisher provided by Warner Bros. voice actor legend, Mel Blanc, more commonly associated as the voice of Bugs Bunny, the show would be performed live in front of a studio audience. As the show progressed, various subplots would be introduced to not only further captivate listeners into the web of intrigue, but also to keep them tuned in for the next weekly broadcast to see what would happen next. And this is where the show changed history. The following Monday, listeners would write in to the show to offer their suggestions as to what choices the characters should make regarding each of the previous week’s situations. When the show resumed the following Sunday, letters would be randomly drawn, one for each subplot. The story would then change as a result of those choices. There were often up to 10 subplots in each hour-long show with plot junctions every five minutes. That means that 10 listeners from around North America would contribute to the development of the show. Not only would listeners’ names be announced to the general public, but they would be considered heroes in their own communities for months afterwards – or ostracized as an incredible idiot for making a really bad choice. “We had to think fast in those days,” says radio actor Thess Pian, “We didn’t have writers back then, we made everything up as we went along. That’s why these old shows ran for years. We just kept going in each and every direction with no regard for continuity or cohesion. We could never wrap anything up. It was like trying to coral a herd of steer through a miniature golf course. So when we would read these interactive changes that the audience sent us, we would just go with the first thing that came of the top of our heads. And let me tell you, some of these ideas were absolutely insane. We had some hillbilly tell us that Sam should make love to all his relatives, and some guy from Canada suggested that all the spies should speak French. Of course none of us knew how to speak French, so we just made up some gibberish and said “oui” a lot. Who the hell would know we weren’t speaking French if everyone that listened to the show spoke English,” asked Pian? Although Splinter Cell was the most popular radio show of the day, even more popular than Superman and Uncle Jim’s Hobo Shadow Puppets, those golden days would soon be tarnished. After a run of some ten years, the cast was very comfortable and confident; some may say a little too comfortable. During one fateful episode, an actor playing a minor character started hogging the show, prompting a verbal assault launched by one of the main characters. The tirade was heard live by millions that infamous Sunday evening, as the most explicit words and phrases were strung together, some being heard for the very first time. It was said that America lost its innocence that night. The show was immediately cancelled and the very next day America was plunged into World War II. “One day I’m idolized by millions of fans, the next week I’m being shot at my millions of crazed Nazis,” laments Pian. “And all because of a few words that now make guys like Howard Stern and Dave Chappelle billionaires. Oh well, that’s showbiz…” *This article is presented as an exclusive Cheat Code Central feature titled “Are you dumb enough to believe this?” Please check back each Friday for the newest edition. |