During an unspecified “government transition” in the near future, the young scholar Alejandra Cortez (no relation to AOC) returns home from Rhinebeck on an extremely rainy night and stumbles into a West Village café where she was once a regular during the Second Trump Administration. But aside from the rowdy RPG players, what happened to all the colorful eccentrics? Why does nobody remember the history of Café Gluck aside from an overworked barista named Sporschill? Who is the strange new owner ...
Aug 05, 2025•53 min•Season 3Ep. 1
We've just launched a bold new experiment in independent podcasting and micropayments. It's called onlychatter.com. Our creator Edward Champion outlines the details of this new venture and unveils the first episode of a new comedic investigation podcast he's producing called HOW THE WORLD MAKES US. Please go to onlychatter.com and consider becoming a member today! For the price of a pint, you'll have instant access to 40 new episodes of lively podcasts!
Dec 16, 2021•35 min
We've intercepted an alarming transmission from Universe 224B. Something about attending the 302nd Bureaucosmological Conference on October 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Gene Frankel Theatre. We pass this information onto you so that you can make sense of this.
Oct 03, 2021•1 min
Our intrepid heroes visit the New York Public Library to meet up with visiting literary scholar Merrill Malone, an eccentric and the foremost expert on Virginia Gaskell’s life and work, to get, once and for all, all the answers about the portals. What they don’t realize is that shocking personal revelations and the very ground beneath their feet will alter forever within the library’s seemingly pristine walls. (Running time: 55 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Cham...
Aug 31, 2021•56 min
Our showrunner Edward Champion discusses Part 3 of "Pattern Language." Subjects discussed include WandaVision , the careful balance between realism and pastiche, the Faulkner short story as a starting point, Love and Rockets , why the memory of an inspiration is often better than closely examining the source text, designing the 1970s announcer voice, using 1970s television effects to create a sound design, being careful with laugh tracks, why Carol Jacobanis is an extraordinary actor, the advant...
Aug 28, 2021•30 min
Emily McCorkle has landed the media appearance of a lifetime: a guest spot on the most respected talk show in America. But why is the host so concerned with her private details? And why are so many skeletons from her past making guest appearances? And who is the strange man with the hot dogs? (Running time: 38 minutes, 1 second.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Emily McCorkle: Belgys Felix Ophelia Kakanakis: Carol Jacobanis June: Monica Ammerman The Fajita Demon: Pete L...
Aug 17, 2021•38 min
Our showrunner Edward Champions dives into the second chapter of "Pattern Language." Subjects discussed include creative dissatisfaction, basing the story arc on being personally libeled by a journalist, writing as an act of being peace, resisting the temptation to write from revenge, fantasy as a genre where real-life people incapable of empathy express it as new characters, designing the telephone muttering, invasion of privacy, when culture doesn't allow people to change, how Belgyis Felix la...
Aug 10, 2021•26 min
Months after the events of “Paths Not Taken,” Chelsea is working hard to turn a corner and improve her life. But when Emily McCorkle, the smear merchant journalist who severely damaged her reputation, returns to write a followup piece, Chelsea is thrown into a jarring maelstrom that involves demons, people from her past, and the possibility of redemption. (Running time: 32 minutes, 22 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Emily McCorkle:...
Aug 03, 2021•32 min
Our showrunner Edward Champion discusses the first chapter of "Pattern Language." Subjects discussed include his hesitations about creating, the dangers of revealing too much, Chris Ware, being dubious about your own work, why the first part of "Pattern Language" was split into two parts, why Pete Lutz is a marvelous man, how an old UCB trick resulted in the strange mix of Shakespeare and I Love Lucy , designing custom vernacular, the absence of slang in fantasy stories, Total Meats as a metapho...
Jul 20, 2021•19 min
Pat Goras and Lucy Didas are a happy couple living in a fantastical suburban realm preparing for a delightful dragon brisket barbeque with their neighbors. But when a strange portal opens in their backyard, their lives and roles become permanently altered within the very Gray Area itself! (Running time: 20 minutes, 54 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Pat Goras/The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz Lucy Didas/The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman The Neurotic Demon: Melissa M...
Jul 20, 2021•21 min
n this behind-the-scenes commentary, showrunner Edward Champion discusses "Marching Orders." Subjects discussed: foolish optimism, Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time , the vast historical plan for Season 3, the thrill and challenge of writing historical dialogue, how George Dangerfield's The Strange Death of Liberal England served as an influence, Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier , PTSD and World War I, the literary style that might have been if modernism had never happened, a...
Jul 06, 2021•20 min
In 1911, a young British gentleman dukes it out against the austere whims of his Edwardian-minded father. But two travelers reveal that his role in the universe is much bigger than he could have ever imagined. (Running time: 15 minutes, 16 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Thomas: Philip O’Gorman Ramirez: Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate Malone: Robert Garson The Guard: Graham Rowat and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Sound design, editing, engineering,...
Jul 06, 2021•15 min
n the middle of a snowstorm, our showrunner Edward Champion discusses making "West with the Light" (a sequel to Season 1's "Waiting Room"). Topics include why Chris Smith is the cat's pajamas, how Octavia Butler and Champion's grandmother served as the inspiration for Virginia Gaskell, the overarcing storytelling strategy, why you can't put characters in limbo too long, keeping your actors interested in roles, breaking the show's monologue rule, honoring the smarts and the dignity of older chara...
Jun 22, 2021•27 min
Genius writer Virginia Gaskell fends off boredom (and the Receptionist’s peppy interventions) while trapped in the waiting room, but a number of unexpected new visitors provide vital new clues to her purpose and journey. (Running time: 21 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion. CAST: Miss Gaskell: Chris Smith Audrey: Amanda Rios Romero: David Ault The Fajita Demon: Pete Lutz The Cunning Demon: Leanne Troutman The Traveler: Jared Raman and Zack Glassman as The Re...
Jun 22, 2021•22 min
Two important items: (1) New episodes of The Gray Area will be airing biweekly starting on June 22, 2021. (2) We have learned that Podbean is asking for additional money (in the form of "beans") from our premium subscribers -- a move that we stand adamantly against and that we never authorized. As such, we will be releasing the Inside the Gray Area episodes on the free feed. If you are a subscriber, please email us at ed@edrants.com and we will send you advance copies of the new episodes, per ou...
Jun 15, 2021•2 min
We will be releasing the final six episodes of Season 2 in early 2021. Here's a trailer to whet your appetite. These episodes will be available a month early to Season 2 Pass subscribers. So consider supporting our show at grayareapod.podbean.com.
Nov 16, 2020•1 min
During the Season 2 sessions, we recorded this bold adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s famous short story with many of our Gray Area regulars. This radio play honors the text, but is set in the present day, addressing #metoo and the oppressive demands upon women.. (Running time: 32 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion Adapted from the Charlotte Perkins Gilman short story CAST: The Woman: Katrina Clairvoyant and Nicole Papadopoulos John: Zack Glassman Jenie: Devony Di...
Nov 03, 2020•32 min
In the final part of the “Paths” saga, Chelsea and Maya struggle in their forties to keep their relationship alive as they initiate a fateful but necessary Thanksgiving meeting with Maya’s grandfather — a stubborn and “old-fashioned” World War I historian. Meanwhile, the disastrous political trajectory of the parallel universe encroaches upon deeply personal and deeply fatal territory. (Running time: 85 minutes.) CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Maya: Tanja Milojevic Grandpa: J.K. McCauley Gra...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 25 min
Back in the original universe, Scarlett and Alicia contend with another version of Chelsea and conjure up a plan to get the two Chelseas back in their respective universes as they face the danger of a seemingly innocent benefactor gone rogue. (Running time: 24 minutes.) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Scarlett: Jessica Cuesta Jan Swillson: Ingeborg Reidmeier The Receptionist: Zack Glassman Sound design, editing, engine...
Oct 06, 2020•24 min
In this “screwball cyberpunk” episode, it’s 2023. Labor camps, a sinister government, and significant civil unrest rollick the world outside. But within the secret chambers of the multibillion tech company Apotheosis, an optimistic entrepreneur named Jill Swanson, who names her engineers after 1930s comedy film directors, sits on a secret that may just save the world. (Running time: 72 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Jan Swillson: Ingeborg Reidmeier Lane Veldt: ...
Sep 22, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Confronted with surprise revelations and the need to reconcile two parallel universes, Chelsea faces the hard truths about what sustaining a relationship really means while cleaning up a cosmic disturbance that no human being could have ever predicted. Meanwhile, a Melissa Etheridge T-shirt proves to be an invaluable remedy as our heroes contend with a giant heart that beats to the rhythm of time. (Running time: 31 minutes) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrin...
Sep 08, 2020•31 min
While on the run from a wild interdimensional beast named Chester, Chelsea learns of electromatter, the surprising ubiquity of Tony Danza, and the multiverse. But the alarming differences she discovers about the universe she’s become part of threaten to topple her efforts to reconnect with Maya and Alicia. (Running time: 26 minutes, 25 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Chelsea: Katrina Clairvoyant Alicia: Elizabeth Rimar Maya: Tanja Milojevic Jill Swanson: Ingebor...
Aug 25, 2020•26 min
It’s January 11, 2011. The world is similar, but it is also quite different. Chelsea reconnects with her best friend Alicia and takes the opportunity to correct her past mistakes, including rebuilding her relationship with Maya. But the shadow of her abusive mother and the presence of an eccentric man who is quite keen on hot dogs and the benefits of being obsequious may uproot this hard-won battle to claim a better life. (Running time: 52 minutes, 6 seconds) Written, produced, and directed by E...
Aug 11, 2020•52 min
Chelsea Needham was once among the foremost leaders in tech. But something happened involving a fire and a death. And it got in the papers. Rumor reared its ugly head and Chelsea lost everything she had, with only a few friends left. While recovering from alcoholism, self-destruction, and losing the love of her life, Chelsea meets an enigmatic gentleman from England and a strange fortune teller who may have the answers to how she can reclaim her identity. (Running time: 53 minutes, 42 seconds) W...
Jul 30, 2020•54 min
In this sequel to “Compassion Fatigue,” Emma has returned to practicing psychiatry again. But a highly unusual (and strangely familiar) patient arrives in her office with an odd proposition. (Running time: 17 minutes, 43 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Emma: Colette Thomas Police: Mike Lynch and Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Associate Producers: Morgan Corcoran and John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man in Brooklyn with an alleged...
Jun 01, 2020•18 min
It's the future. The cities are flooded. Certain words are forbidden. The doomed Earth has become united under a global totalitarian regime. But two eccentric outliers who refuse to follow the rules may be the Tellestian Empire's only chance for a hopeful future. (Running time: 37 minutes, 21 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Ramirez: Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate The Instructor: Rachel Matusewicz The Voice: Carol Jacobanis The Guard: Graham Rowat Classmate #1: Da...
May 19, 2020•37 min
Months after the events of "Brand Awareness," Greg reckons with the hurt he caused Joanna. But his role in the universe and the true nature of his past is much larger than he could have possibly imagined. (Running time: 17 minutes, 26 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Greg: Charlie Harrington Ramirez: Charly Saccocio Harris: Michael Saldate And Zack Glassman as The Receptionist Associate Producer: John Osborne Sound design, editing, engineering, and mastering by a bald man ...
May 05, 2020•17 min
While investigating the Virginia Gaskell matter, journalist Ed Champion meets an enigmatic woman on a spiritual journey who may contain the answers for his own shaky relationship to love, dreams, and New York City. The two dodge belligerent subway preachers and unanticipated demons while ruminating upon daily wonders that are taken for granted. (Running time: 40 minutes, 51 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Ed Champion: Edward Champion Lucinda: Emily Carding Maya: Tanja Mil...
Apr 21, 2020•41 min
The Inside the Gray Area podcast is part of our premium channel, which you can find at http://grayareapod.podbean.com . You can purchase a Season 2 pass and get instant access to all available episodes, all of the scripts, and all installments of Inside the Gray Area. We're releasing one free episode of Inside the Gray Area to give you a taste of what you can get behind the paywall. In our inaugural behind-the-scenes episode, our showrunner Edward Champion discusses the origins of “Living Creatu...
Apr 11, 2020•34 min
In a Wyoming chicken diner, two mysterious strangers make trouble with the locals over a philosophical matter. But their professed tolerance is put to the test by a remarkable failure in judgment that involves animal rights, bicoastal elitism, and a great deal of swagger. (Running time: 22 minutes, 2 seconds.) Written and directed by Edward Champion CAST: Romero: David Ault Donna: Nicole Papadopoulos Audrey: Amanda Rios Dennis: Edward Rosini Hipster Diners: Sam Mercer Mother: Lauren LeCocq Daugh...
Apr 11, 2020•22 min
