Cold Reading (The Twilight Zone)
"Cold Reading" is the third and final segment of the eighteenth episode from the first season (1985–86) of the television series The Twilight Zone.
| "Cold Reading" | |
|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone (1985 series) episode | |
 Scene from Cold Reading | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 18c |
| Directed by | Gus Trikonis |
| Written by | Martin Pasko Rebecca Parr |
| Original air date | February 14, 1986 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
Dick Shawn: Nelson Westbrook | |
Opening narration
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, where radio was king and the special effects were as big as your imagination. All recorded live in the studios of...the Twilight Zone.
Plot
1930s aspiring radio drama actor Milo Trent is invited as a last-minute replacement to a famous weekly show Dick Noble, African Explorer. The show is a creation of famous writer Nelson Westbrook, who is known for rewriting the script shortly before the broadcast and authentic props and music. But, when Westbrook accidentally wishes for realistic special effects while holding an ancient voodoo artifact, he gets what he wants—and more.
As the actors read their lines, their words come to life. First a vulture appears in the studio, then there is a terrible storm and finally African tribesmen appear, followed by monkeys, parrots, rifles in the distance, etc. Realizing that their safety is in peril, Westbrook feverishly rewrites the show so nothing drastic happens. He removes a plane crash and an earthquake among other things.
With all hazards averted, the cast brings the show to an end and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. The relief is short lived as the show's host announces next week's episode: "Invaders from Mars." Westbrook was too late to stop it as a flying saucer crashes into the sound stage.