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Tycho Brahe & Mrs. Longfellow (1985) — “They’re in love. With each other. And with danger.”Rumble Falls is the kind of sleepy mining town where the neon flickers, the saxophone never sleeps, and somebody is always “accidentally” falling into a shaft. Into this glitter-dusted grit strolls a most 80s power-couple: Tycho Brahe—yes, the 16th-century Danish astronomer with the polished brass nose—reborn by unexplained TV science and forever quoting the heavens, and Mrs. Longfellow—cocktail-wielding socialite, magazine maven, and problem-solver who can spot a murder motive faster than she can finish a bourbon. Think Hart to Hart chemistry, Simon & Simon stakeouts, and Murder, She Wrote coincidence—all poured over crushed ice and served with a cheeky umbrella.   The unaired two-hour pilot drops our lovers into “A Case of Miss Dynamite,” where a pageant queen goes boom, a mayor sweats rosewater, and a foreman insists a lit stick of dynamite is a “romance candle.” Crane shots you can practically hear, freeze-frame laughs you can definitely feel, and a theme song that says “lighthearted crime show” before the first commercial bumper. Tycho charts trajectories and blood spatter like star maps; Mrs. Longfellow reads people like a society page. The clues point left-handed, the alibis go right out the window, and every time Tycho’s about to solve it, she solves him instead. Do they crack the case? Eventually. Do they sizzle? Constantly. (Cue the rim-lit promo still, police tape just out of focus, and a jet that keeps “turning around” for one more kiss.)   In true 80s fashion, the town’s brass can’t stand them, the townsfolk adore them, and the captions were supposed to explain everything… not that anyone read those during the key change. The result is a gloriously anachronistic, neon-noir valentine to prime-time sleuthing: part telescope, part tumbler, all chemistry.  Credits (1985 pilot) Written & Directed by Tom KonkleProduced by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford (Mindstream Audio)Stephanie Dulli … Mrs. LongfellowTom Konkle … Tycho BraheJude Gerard Prest … Mayor GribbonsKurtis Bedford … Lt. HassellhoffJill Maglione … Darla / BarmaidDavid Beeler … Foreman SteveAndy Hartson-Bowyer … Narrator(Never aired. Cult status inevitable.) Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Professional sleeping as high-stakes entertainment - it sounds ridiculous, but this Irish-Vegas fusion spectacle called "Somnambu-dance" is selling out massive venues and turning unconsciousness into a multi-million dollar industry. That's such a fascinating cultural phenomenon - how did Michael Layflat manage to convince thousands of people to pay premium prices to watch him literally sleep on stage? Written by Tom Konkle from an idea by David Beeler and Tom Konkle.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - Faux-cumentary    Podcast episode from Radio that explores the baffling, invisible world of certain radio genres. Through interviews with delusional producers, haunted technicians, and emotionally unstable tap soloists, this satirical audio documentary uncovers the lost legacy of those who danced for the ears… and sometimes against common sense.  The Radio Dance Teams is a tribute to the forgotten, the footlighted, and the deeply confused. Written, Edited, and Directed by Tom Konkle   Cast (in alphabetical order): Kurtis Bedford as Clarence Klomper / Bobby “Big Breath” Mulligan / Big Tony Radio Announcer 3David Beeler as Foxtrot Radio Announcer 2 / Neville SponJude Gerard Prest as Big Tony Two Feet / Radio CriticTom Konkle as Cecil Periwinkle / Various Radio Announcers / Ventriloquist and Dummy / Disenchanted DancerLes Marsden as Trev CoddlingtonJill Manglione as Doris Mabel “Mabby” Smoot-Haversham / Midge / Mabel Dobbins / ChestyPete Lutz as Intro Announcer / EdgarZander Schaus as Skip McDanielStephanie Stearns Dulli as Glenda / Dorothy “Dotty” Sweeney / Myrtle FinkelbaumGino C. Vianelli as Lorne Cagney / Sid GersbackMusic, sound sound effects editing and post sound by Tom Konkle  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy Sketch - A man enters the Economy Bookstore to complain about a book he just purchased. Written by Tom Konkle. Performed by David Beeler as the shopkeeper and Tom Konkle as the customer Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Drama Science Fiction - Prepare to plunge into a reimagined, atmospheric adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, crafted in the brooding style with cinematic flair. This is not just a journey beneath the waves—it’s a descent into the human soul.  Starring Vernon Wells, Paul Eiding, Tom Konkle and David Beeler.  Directed by Tom Konkle. Join Professor Aronnax, his loyal servant Conseil, and the brash harpooner Ned Land as they are swept aboard the enigmatic Nautilus, a submarine unlike any other, captained by the brilliant yet tormented Captain Nemo. Trapped within its iron confines, they are drawn into Nemo’s obsessive quest for freedom from a corrupt world above—a quest that spirals into vengeance, tragedy, and a confrontation with the unfathomable power of the sea. From breathtaking wonders of the deep to the haunting isolation of the abyss, this adaptation explores themes of freedom, captivity, and the price of defiance. With relentless action, vivid characters, and a chilling climax in the heart of a raging maelstrom, this is a journey that will leave you questioning: can we ever escape the weight of our own choices?" Ladies and gentlemen, this is Tom Konkle, bidding you goodnight from the shadowy corridors of the mind, where stories are told and dreams are shaped into the sounds you’ve just heard. Tonight’s production has been a humble offering  An Audio Podcast of Questionable Distinction —our attempt to bring you the extraordinary, the macabre, the moving, and the marvelous. I wanted to do an adaption of this Jules Verne classic but honor it by having a new take on it as a moody, introspective fever dream. Audio fiction leads itself to such things and so I began this tale. But of course, no such endeavor is truly the work of one man. For tonight’s voyage into the theater of the mind, I owe my deepest thanks to my dear and talented friends: Vernon Wells as Nemo, Tom Konkle as Professor Aronnax, David Beeler as Ned, Paul Eiding as Conseil, with Pete Lutz, Larry Groebe, Kurtis Bedford Jack Ward, and my son, Sean Konkle. Their voices have lent life to the characters that moved and breathed within this little world we built together. As always, the writing adaption, the music, the editing, and the direction—such as it is—are mine. A pleasure, as ever, to weave the tale. But the magic is yours, dear listeners. You make these stories live, simply by hearing them. And so, until next time, we leave you here—between the ticking seconds, the fading echoes, and the whisper of dreams yet untold.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Dear Listeners of An Audio Podcast of Questionable Distinction, Thank you — truly — for lending us your ears, your time, and your tolerance for exploding puddings, rogue Festivus celebrations, and the occasional Flash Gordon-related temporal anomaly. This odd little show would be nothing without your support, your curiosity, and your willingness to follow us down whatever rabbit hole we stumble into each episode. If you’ve enjoyed the chaos, we’d be absolutely chuffed if you’d do two very distinguished things: Share a link to your favorite episode with a fellow oddball, eccentric relative, or time traveler.Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform — even a few words helps more listeners discover the questionable glory of what we do.As always, we remain proudly low-budget, semi-coherent, and joyfully ridiculous — and it means the world that you’re along for the ride. Wishing you joy, nonsense, and pudding (of the non-explosive variety), Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

"The Reasonably Amazing Adventures of Flash Gordon" is a 10-episode comedy science fiction series produced by the Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford. This series on An Audio Podcast of Questionable Distinction offers a humorous take on the classic "Flash Gordon" radio serials, blending absurd comedy with science fiction elements. The narrative follows Flash Gordon, portrayed by Tom Konkle, as he navigates encounters with Hawkmen, Bluemen, and a peculiar queen, all while satirizing the original 1930s radio adventures.  The series is available on multiple podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: Radio Reborn Spotify: Radio Reborn Amazon Music: Radio Reborn iHeartRadio: Radio Reborn TuneIn: The Reasonably Amazing Adventures of Flash Gordon Podcast Addict: The Reasonably Amazing Adventures of Flash Podchaser: The Reasonably Amazing Adventures of Flash Buzzsprout: Radio Reborn Player FM: Mindstream Radio Reborn Audible: Reasonably Amazing Adventures of Flash Gordon Listeners can enjoy this series on their preferred podcast platform and on YouTube. Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy -  Final episode! Dr. Zarkov—previously turned into a human popsicle—finally thaws out, only mildly annoyed by the persistent pins and needles in his extremities. He and Dale promptly decide that making a quiet, dignified exit from Azura’s palace is absolutely out of the question. After all, where’s the fun in that? Armed once more with their trusty meat-roasting electrodes (surely the greatest upgrade to any action-packed arsenal), they storm Azura’s throne room and demand she vacate the premises—or at least hand over the fancy crown. In the midst of thunderous zaps and a flurry of singed drapery, they manage to corner Flash and gently suggest that he might be under the influence of a mind-scrambling substance. In a neat bit of role reversal, the insidious, memory-altering wine is duly administered to Azura herself, leaving her as befuddled as Flash had been. Our heroes, presumably quite pleased with themselves, gather their wits (what few remain) and prepare to ride off into the cosmic sunset. Will there be celebratory toasts, awkward small talk about iced beverages, and a collective sigh of relief that Flash has finally regained his faculties? Possibly—after all, it’s not every day you dethrone an intergalactic queen with a meat thermometer and some well-aimed static electricity. And thus concludes another thoroughly Reasonably Amazing adventure!   Directed and edited by Tom Konkle.  Written and Produced by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford.  Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon and Hawkman, Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden, Kurtis Bedford as Announcer 1  and Ming, Gino C. Vianelli as Thune and David Beeler as Dr. Zarkov.    Music various in the public domain 1934. Support the work it takes to make the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TomKonkle If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or any place you're listening, and subscribe now for future episodes. Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - Picture Dr. Zarkov and Dale, typically found bickering over cosmic equations or snappy comebacks, suddenly teaming up with an unexpected set of meat-roasting electrodes—an implement that’s half rotisserie, half lethal lightning rod—to stage a palace coup against Queen Azura. Meanwhile, Saul (evidently thinking, “Why should Lord Magician General Saul have all the fun?”) takes a stab at ending Flash once and for all. Once again, our well-meaning hero responds with saintly forgiveness, presumably because he misplaced his vengeful streak along with his memory. Not to be outdone in the department of socially unacceptable behavior, Flash promptly hurls an icicle bomb at Dr. Zarkov, probably under the logic that everyone enjoys a good frostbite now and then. Will they all kiss and make up over the sizzling remains of Azura’s palace décor, or is this particular meltdown too chilly for even the greatest of interstellar friendships to survive? Stay tuned for more misguided magnificence! Directed and edited by Tom Konkle.  Written and Produced by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford.  Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon and Hawkman, Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden, Pete Lutz as Saul, Hawkman Envoy and Guard 2,  Kurtis Bedford as Announcer 1  and Ming, Gino C. Vianelli as Thune and David Beeler as Dr. Zarkov.    Music various in the public domain 1934. Support the work it takes to make the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TomKonkle Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy -  A Cool Way To Win!   Lord General Magician General Saul, who makes a gallant attempt at assassinating Flash—only to be met with a cheery “No worries, old chap!” from our misguided hero, who graciously forgives him. With that inconvenience swiftly brushed aside, Flash demonstrates that his sense of friendly fire is alive and well by lobbing an “ice torpedo” at poor Dr. Zarkov, presumably under the impression that a friend covered in frosty weaponry is better than one free of bullet holes. Unsurprisingly, Flash continues to lead the thoroughly disorganized charge against the Hawkmen, and once again Zarkov spares them from a very chilly demise with his signature ice barrier (the man does love a good cold snap). Rubbing his hands in glee—or possibly just to stay warm—Saul then suggests Queen Azura demote Flash and promote himself, because being a double General plus a Magician obviously makes you the best candidate to boss everybody about. Whether Flash can maintain his precarious hold on authority while also apologizing for flinging random projectiles at his allies remains to be seen. But in this cosmic circus, stranger things have certainly happened. Written and Produced by Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle. Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon and Hawkman, Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden, Kurtis Bedford as Announcer and Old Man, Gino C. Vianelli as Thune and David Beeler as Marr and Dr Zarkov Music by Bryan Arata. Directed and edited by Tom Konkle.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - Flash now leads a valiant—if misguided—charge against the Hawkmen. Fortunately, Dr. Zarkov has whipped up a snazzy ice barrier to keep the bewinged ones reasonably safe from interplanetary faceplants. Naturally, because no plan is too ill-conceived for our heroes, Zarkov and the Hawkmen end up clashing mightily with Flash and Queen Azura, most likely in a flurry of confusion, swirling capes, and the occasional flamboyant war cry. Meanwhile, Zarkov, Dale, and the ever-patient Thune decide that perhaps a little subterfuge would help reduce the alarming frequency of catastrophic battles. Enter Captain Mar, who is dispatched to spy on Azura’s operations. Will he blend in seamlessly among the swirling magical glows and over-the-top regalia, or does “Captain Mar” scream “Espionage In Progress” in every known cosmic language? Strap in for another deliriously misguided standoff, where everyone tries to keep Flash from demolishing the galaxy—and where an ice barrier may or may not be the oddest line of defense you’ve ever seen. Produced by Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon / HawkMan,  Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden / Azura,  Kurtis Bedford as Old Soldier,  Announcer,  David Beeler as Marr and Dr. Zarkov,  Pete Lutz as Saul / Dim Guard and  Gino C. Vianelli as Thune. Written by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford. Original music by Bryan Arata. Directed and edited by Tom Konkle  Keep us alive long enough to make another one here support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TomKonkle)  Love to hear from you if you've listened  https://mobile.twitter.com/MindstreamAudio  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - Having decided that rescuing Flash from Queen Azura’s mind-bending clutches sounds slightly more appealing than returning overdue library books, Dr. Zarkov rounds up the ever-chirpy Hawkmen for a daring infiltration of Azura’s lair.  Saul, Queen Azura's in house magician plots against them all. Meanwhile, thanks to Azura’s mild obsession with enthralled Earthlings, Flash—still woozy from that pesky drugging—finds himself leading the defense against the Hawkmen. It’s all a bit awkward, what with him not quite remembering who’s friend, who’s foe, or how to tie his own bootlaces in zero gravity. Will Zarkov and the Hawkmen persuade Flash that he’s supposed to be rescuing them, not incinerating them? Or will everyone end up needing an emergency cloud-based towel? The fate of polite interstellar relations hangs in the billowy balance. Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle,  starring Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune,  Bob Clendenin as Dr. Zarkov,  Stephanie Stearns Dulli as the Witch Queen Azora, Pete Lutz as Saul.  (Pete Lutz  heads the Narada Radio Company) Kurtis Bedford as Vultan and starring David Beeler as the announcer and the Lieutenant .  The original  radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. We broke it completely. Edit and  Sound effects by Tom Konkle. Directed by Tom Konkle.       Music by Bryan Arata and Tom Konkle.   The show comedy version script by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford.  Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle started the Mindstream Players. Support the show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TomKonkle  A silly take on the original radio series Flash Gordon which is now in public domain. #FlashGordon #vintageradio comic the strip was adapted into The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, a 26-episode weekly radio serial. The series followed the strip very closely, amounting to a week-by-week adaptation of the Sunday strip for most of its run.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - In a heroic blur of questionable management skills, Flash Gordon somehow ends up crowned King of the Caves—an honor apparently bestowed by the local Platypus Men, who are not nearly as adorable as their name suggests. Naturally, they celebrate by launching a surprise attack, presumably under the impression that a regal coup is a lovely ice-breaker. Once he’s done dusting off a few webbed footprints, Flash jaunts off and, in a wild turn of events, becomes King of Kira as well—only to face the equally inhospitable Lizard Men, who seem more interested in dethroning him than exchanging gecko care tips. Before anyone has a moment to question Flash’s rapidly ballooning monarchy portfolio, Queen Azura and her Magic Men swoop in, capturing Flash and Dale with all the flair of dramatic stage magicians. Azura doses Flash with the drug of forgetfulness, which promptly erases his memory and convinces him he’s destined to be Azura’s consort—a revelation Dale finds rather off-putting. Will Flash ever remember he’s supposed to be saving planets, rather than wooing slightly suspicious monarchs? Or is he doomed to remain the helpless leading man of Azura’s ironically named Magic Men? Only time—and a strong dose of anti-Whatever She Gave Him—will tell. Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, later famous for nothing in particular. The cast also includes Rhiannon McAfee as Dale Arden, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune,  Stephanie Stearns Dulli as the Witch Queen Azora, Pete Lutz as Sal.  Pete Lutz  heads the Narada Radio Company.  Also starring  Kurtis Bedford as Zug and starring Pete Handelman as the announcer and Hawkman with a hose.  The original  radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. We broke it completely after we did a faithful version of episode one.  Edit and  Sound effects by Tom Konkle  Directed by Tom Konkle.  .   Music by Bryan Arata.   The show comedy version script by Tom Konkle.  Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle started the Mindstream Players. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TomKonkle)  A silly take on the original radio series Flash Gordon. #FlashGordon #vintageradio  Starting April 22, 1935, and again in May 2022  the strip was adapted into The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, a 26-episode weekly radio serial. The series followed the strip very closely, amounting to a week-by-week adaptation of the Sunday strip for most of its run.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Comedy - Proving that he can, on occasion, recall where he’s stashed his most ingenious inventions, Dr. Zarkov cobbles together some last-minute scientific marvel that prevents Sky City from plummeting dramatically into the lower atmosphere. The Hawkmen, who had previously thought of Earthlings as barely bipedal amateurs, are suddenly singing Zarkov’s praises in slightly off-key harmonic squawks. Meanwhile, amid the chirpy gratitude and relative lack of impending doom, Prince Baron experiences a significant epiphany upon gazing at Princess Aura—namely that she’s rather lovely and he’d fancy a future not entirely dominated by Ming the Merciless. In what passes for true romance in the cosmos, he attempts to woo her with tales of heroic escapades and the occasional well-timed smoulder. But will everyone manage to ignore the looming threat of Ming long enough for Baron and Aura to exchange meaningful, starry-eyed glances? Almost certainly, yes—because with a city no longer at risk of falling on unsuspecting passersby, there’s clearly time for a spot of interplanetary courtship. Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, later famous for nothing in particular. The cast also included Bob Clendenin as Dr. Zarkov and Kurtis Bedford as Ming the Merciless,  Jude Gerard Prest as Prince Baron, Tanya Johnson as Dale Arden and Theresa Ireland as Princess Aura .  And Zander Schaus as many! The radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. The announcer is Tom Konkle.  Sound effects by Vince Colavitti.   Music by Bryan Arata.   The show script was adapted by Tom Konkle. The comic strip was adapted into The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, a 26-episode weekly radio serial. The series followed the strip very closely, amounting to a week-by-week adaptation of the Sunday strip for most of its run.  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.

Drama - Modern first person take on Mrs. Agnes Stevenson an anxious invalid confined to her bed, becomes increasingly unnerved when a cellphone call  mistakenly connects through her wifi revealing two men discussing what appears to be a murder plan scheduled for later that evening. Alarmed by the conversation she overhears, Mrs. Stevenson desperately attempts to alert the authorities and anyone else who might listen—her help desk, the police, even hospital staff—in a frantic bid to prevent the crime. Starring Stephanie Stearns Dulli.  Directed by Tom Konkle.  Music by Joe Kraemer.  A Tom Konkle update adaption of the story “Sorry, Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher. It tells the story of Mrs. Agnes Stevenson, an ill woman confined to her bed who becomes increasingly frantic as the story progresses. If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or any place you're listening, and subscribe now for future episodes.  Happy #Halloween #classicthriller  Write us we would like to hear from you Support the show Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.