About this episode
Bryce Zabel , creator and producer of NBC's science fiction series Dark Skies , joins Art to discuss the show's unexpected cancellation after just one season. The conversation reveals how network preemptions, poor time slot placement, and Saturday night scheduling contributed to the series' demise despite strong international ratings and passionate fan support. Zabel explains Dark Skies' ambitious five-year plan to chronicle alien infiltration from the 1960s through to the millennium, weaving real historical events into a fictional narrative of government conspiracy and extraterrestrial occupation. The producer outlines ongoing efforts to save the show through fan letter-writing campaigns and potential pickup by other networks or cable channels. He emphasizes the series' success in overseas markets, particularly Great Britain where it achieved a 21 share, demonstrating the show's viability despite NBC's lack of support. With Sony's backing and international revenue streams, Zabel remains optimistic about Dark Skies finding a new home and continuing its exploration of America's hidden alien history.