Re-Imagined Radio Presents “Lights Out” June 15 (Photo) - 06/01/26
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Re-Imagined Radio explores one of old-time radio’s most influential horror programs with its latest episode, “Lights Out,” premiering at 1 p.m. June 15.
The episode examines the groundbreaking series created by writer and director Wyllis Cooper and later expanded by his successor, Arch Obler. Often regarded as the ultimate radio horror program, “Lights Out” became known for its unsettling stories, experimental storytelling techniques and immersive sound design that invited listeners to imagine the terror as they listened.
Originally broadcast on NBC affiliate WENR in Chicago beginning in 1934, “Lights Out” aired late Wednesday nights and focused on supernatural thrillers, psychological horror, crime and fantasy. Cooper wrote 128 original episodes during the program’s first two years before handing the series to Obler, who further popularized the show with acclaimed episodes such as “Chicken Heart.” Actors featured throughout the series included horror icon Boris Karloff.
“‘Lights Out’ transformed radio storytelling by asking audiences to actively participate with their imaginations,” said John F. Barber, producer of Re-Imagined Radio and faculty member in the Digital Technology and Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver. “Listeners were encouraged to turn off distractions, sit in the dark and fully concentrate on the stories unfolding in their minds. That immersive approach helped establish techniques still used in audio storytelling today.”
The episode highlights how Cooper and Obler experimented with stream-of-consciousness writing, first-person narration and psychological tension to create engrossing, edge-of-your-seat listening experiences. In introducing his 1962 spoken-word album “Drop Dead! An Exercise in Horror,” Obler described the goal as “recreating the madness and the mystery on the wide screen of your own mind.”
“Lights Out” concludes Re-Imagined Radio’s three-part tribute to Cooper’s contributions to radio drama. Although none of Cooper’s original “Lights Out” broadcasts survive, many of his scripts lived on through Obler’s adaptations and revisions, offering insight into Cooper’s pioneering storytelling methods and lasting influence on radio drama.
Listeners are invited to tune in June 15 to experience how imagination, suspense and sound combined to make “Lights Out” one of radio’s most memorable horror series.
About Re-Imagined Radio
Created in 2013 by Barber, Re-Imagined Radio explores sound-based storytelling across genres including drama, comedy, documentary and sound art. Through performances, broadcasts, streaming, podcasts and social media, the program reimagines radio storytelling for contemporary audiences.
New episodes premiere on the third Monday of each month. Re-Imagined Radio episodes air on KXRW-FM (99.9) in Vancouver, Washington; KXRY-FM (91.1 and 107.1) in Portland, Oregon; KNOM-AM (780) in Nome, Alaska; KAAD-FM in Sonora, California; and Galloway's Star 24 in Galloway, New Jersey, providing coast-to-coast coverage across the United States. In addition, each station streams its programming globally, helping Re-Imagined Radio reach listeners in more than 60 countries. Listening links and an archive of past episodes are available at reimaginedradio.fm, which also features Re-Imagined Radio EXTRA, offering additional sound-based storytelling between monthly episodes.
About WSU Vancouver
WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.
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