Plans to intersperse the new BBC adaptation of War of the Worlds with spoof news reports of alien invasion have been abandoned for fear of an actual alien invasion occurring and everyone getting a bit confused.
It had been intended to interrupt the new prestige BBC drama with news reports of an actual alien invasion in a brilliantly meta reference to the famed Orson Welles broadcast.
However, it was felt that if a genuine alien invasion occurred at the same time as the broadcast then people might misinterpret the actual alien invasion for the fake one.
“Yes, it was a lovely idea,” said Peter Harness, who adapted the text.
“But we have to put the safety of the public first.
“If there is a genuine alien attack then it’s important that the public is alerted immediately, so they are able to take to the streets in hysterical panic without delay.
“If we’re doing an adaptation of War of the Worlds, with fake news reports of alien invasion and then they have to start announcing a genuine alien invasion then people might not take appropriate action and end up work in the slave mines of Beljur 7.
“And no one wants that.”
The BBC adaptation of War of the Worlds will be broadcast later this year and it is important to understand that if there are any interruptions to the programme to announce an alien invasion, they WILL be genuine.
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