Episode 168 : The Simpsons Writer Bill Odenkirk Talks New Alien Invasion Comedy!

*We Interrupt This Program* - Stage Comedy & Multimedia Event, Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL - October 16 & 17, 2026 Guests: \- Bill Odenkirk - Show Writer + Executive Producer, Emmy Award-winning writer (The Simpsons/Futurama) \- Sarah Edwards, Tell Host + Executive Producer, Mid-America Emmy-winning Illinois Public Media TV Host (Prairie Fire) An alien landing in an Illinois cornfield is funny until you realize how quickly it turns into the biggest question humans can ask. We sit down with Emmy Award-winning writer Bill Odenkirk and Illinois Public Media host Sarah Edwards to talk about We Interrupt This Program, a live, two-part theatrical event coming to the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, on October 16th and 17th. First, we get the story behind the play: a small-town radio station tries to report on a world-changing arrival, channeling the spirit of War of the Worlds while pushing it into modern comedy. Bill shares how the project grew from a simple stage reading into a full production with a powerhouse cast that includes Bob Odenkirk and Jill Talley, plus a technical approach that expands what live theater can do. The rear projection setup brings film-like visuals into a real-time performance, creating an experience that feels part play and part immersive event. Then we shift into the second half of the night: a moderated conversation about UAPs, government-released footage, and what “proof” would even look like. Sarah explains how the panel balances skepticism and wonder, featuring Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and artist and Afro-futurist Ahmed Best to explore both the science and the cultural fallout of discovery. We also dig into the Great Filter theory and why the lack of clear answers might be the point, at least for now. If you love travel, arts and culture, live theater, or the UFO vs UAP debate, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who argues about aliens at dinner, and leave a review to help more listeners find Round Trip with Colleen Kelly. For more information: weinterruptthisprogram.com | thevirginia.org @show.tell.productions Follow us & Subscribe! FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ► IG: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► FB: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► Tik Tok: @roundtripcolleenkelly GET IN TOUCH! ► Website: roundtripcolleenkelly.com ► Email: roundtripcolleenkelly@gmail.com #roundtrip #roundtripcolleenkelly #travelpodcast #illinois #illinoistravel #champaignil #aliens #midwesttravel #alieninvasion #rurallife #odenkirk #comedy #theater #stageplays #waroftheworlds #radioshow #localtheatre #otherworldly #weinterruptthisprogram