This one is all about Magic Mushrooms.
Back in 1961, you were allowed to ingest possibly-drug-laced plants.
In 2020, I get Truth Ads every 5 minutes.
In 2020, I get Truth Ads every 5 minutes.
Our Host John Newland shows up as himself and tells us that he's going to Mexico to try said Mushrooms, since they allegedly grant you ESP.
It's like Grey Gardens Goes to Mexico.
He's brought the Author of a real Book about how this all supposedly works.
At least one thing is real here.
After returning from Mexico, Newland sits down with the Author and takes said Magic Mushrooms.
Rod Sterling stuck to cigarettes.
Will the Mushrooms give him ESP?
No.
This is an interesting Episode for many reasons. Every other Episode of the Show- as far as I know- is a narrative. Newland appears to intro the Story, sometimes shows up in the middle and then wraps up at the end. Here he is now himself and he's just kind of in the whole thing. The only made-up story here is the one people choose to believe about the mushrooms. For the record, they are delicious and good for you, but that's it. I just pretend to be responding to what you are going to say- it is not a special power. Given that this was made in 1961 and a good transfer isn't available- for some reasons-, it isn't the easiest watch. It still is neat to see Newland and company just being themselves for once. As always, Newland is great. Can you imagine other Hosts from this Period being willing to ingest Magic Mushrooms AND to let you Film them doing it? Hell, can you imagine Hosts NOW being willing to do it? Props to you, Newland. The Episode is a fun outlier and gives me less intentional laughs than other Episodes that hinge so much on ESP and the like to drive them. I have The Very Best of One Step Beyond, which contains 50 out of the Show's 96 Episodes. This one is not on it. Sad. At least this bit of historical record still survives...
A very different, very interesting Episode. Given quality available, just be content to get lots of audio fuzz and buzzing.
I saw this episode on TV as a kid, reruns that no one had thought to 'sanitize' for our safety (I saw lots of weird things on TV in Los Angeles back then).
ReplyDeleteI've mentioned it to people, but seemed to be the only one who'd seen it.