Science Fiction

One of the most successful science-fiction programs on radio in the 1930s was the serial Buck Rogers (1932-1947). In 1938 the realism of a broadcast production of H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds by American actor and director Orson Welles aroused panic among some listeners, who believed the program's premise that Martians had invaded New Jersey. Later, such programs as Dimension X (1950-1951) and X Minus One (1955-1958) dramatized short stories.

Two American television programs from the 1950s are the science-fiction serials Captain Video (1949-1955) and Tom Corbett, Space Cadet (1950-1955). Programs popular with adults included The Twilight Zone (1959-1964; revived 1985-1987), The Outer Limits (1963-1965), Lost in Space (1965-1968), Land of the Giants (1968-1970), The Immortal (1970-1971), and Star Trek (1966-1969). The last enjoyed such success in syndication after three years on the air that it created a large fan movement, with thousands of followers attending major conventions. Its success inspired the sequel Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994), which in turn inspired two spin-off series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999) and Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001). Science-fiction television shows of the 1970s and 1980s include Battlestar Galactica (1978-1980) and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-1981), both set in outer space. A popular science-fiction television show of the 1990s was The X-Files (1993-2002), about paranormal activity.