I S A A C A S I M O V ' S F O U N D A T I O N T R I L O G Y
--------- --------------- ------------------- -------------

1973

First Show: 06 May, 1973 Last Show: 24 Jun, 1973
Number Shows: 8 Audition Show: none


Series Description:

The BBC brought Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction trilogy to the
air as an eight part radio drama, airing on BBC Radio 3 in 1973. It
was produced by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and was one of the first
BBC radio drama series to be produced in stereo. Each episode was 60
minutes long. The first book of the trilogy, "Foundation", is done in
three episodes. The remaining two books, "Foundation and Empire" and
"Second Foundation", are done in two episodes each.

The printed version of Trilogy consists of a series of stories that
relate the history of the Galactic Empire from it's peak, through its
fall and to the founding of the second Empire. Although the three
books are not covered completely by the radio version, the stories
flow together nicely.

The BBC broadcast the series three times, in 1973 on Radio 3, in 1978
and in July 2003 on Radio 7. Dates for the 1973 version are used in
this log. All broadcasts were done as eight one-hour episodes. The
series crossed the Atlantic and was heard on in the US on National
Public Radio stations. For this broadcast, the series was converted
to 16 30-minute episodes. Broadcast dates for the US airing are not
known.


Chronological Log:

Date Num Title
------------ --- ---------------------------------------------
06 May, 1973 1 "Foundation: Psychohistory and Encyclopedia"
13 May, 1973 2 "Foundation: The Mayors"
20 May, 1973 3 "Foundation: The Merchant Princes"
27 May, 1973 4 "Foundation: The General"
03 Jun, 1973 5 "Foundation and Empire: The Mule"
10 Jun, 1973 6 "Foundation and Empire: Flight From The Mule"
17 Jun, 1973 7 "Second Foundation: The Mule Finds"
24 Jun, 1973 8 "Second Foundation: Stars End"


Additional:

Besides the Trilogy, here's a list other works of Dr. Asimov that
have been adapted to the radio stage.

* The BBC production of "The Caves of Steel", 24 Jun, 1989, 90
minutes, broadcast on the BBC's "Saturday Night Theatre".
* From DIMENSION X: "Pebble in the Sky", 17 Jun, 1951
"Nightfall", 29 Sep, 1951
* From EXPLORING TOMORROW: "Liar", show #12, 1957.
* From X MINUS ONE: "Nightfall", 07 Dec. 1955
"C-Chute", 08 Feb, 1956
"Hostess", 12 Dec, 1956

For information on the DIMENSION X, EXPLORING TOMORROW and X MINUS
ONE shows, see my logs for those series.


References:

* "Science Fiction on Radio: A Revised Look At 1950-1975" by James
F. Widner and Meade Frierson III. (Available from A.F.A.B, PO
Box 130969, Birmingham, AL 35213-0969).

* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, 27436 Desert Rose Ct.,
Leesburg, FL 34748


Other Logs or Books:

* FOUNDATION & EMPIRE log, Jerry Haendiges Productions, 13808 Sunset
Dr., Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com)


Reader Feedback:

* Paul C. Palmer correctly pointed out that episode 1 and 2 were
reversed and the date of episode 2 was wrong. He was the first
person in North America to have the series and was responsible for
getting it into circulation.
* Ian Beard corrected the error that the BBC produced two versions
of the series (the 1973 and 1978 broadcasts are the same) and
provided the broadcast date for "Caves of Steel".


Last Update: Jul 25, 2007


This log is informational only and does not imply that I have these
shows for trade or sale. The shows are still protected under
copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers.

The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).