X-Files Creator Chris Carter and Conspiracy Theories

Tens of millions of viewers were captivated by Fox’s The X-Files in the late 1990’s. Inspired by shows like The Twilight Zone, The X-Files resonated with skeptics, conspiracy theorists and those who see reason to mistrust the government. This hour on Focus, host Craig Cohen talks with the show’s creator, Chris Carter, about what inspired the show, what made it a hit and why he slept on a couch in Fox studios' lobby after pulling an all-nighter to finish the pilot. We’ll also ask Carter about his character Bambi Berenbaum, a knock-out entomologist who appears in season 3 and was named after University of Illinois Professor May Berenbaum.

Carter joins Focus in preview of his visit to this year’s Insect Fear Film Festival. 

In the second half of the hour, we’ll talk with John Grant, the author of Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions and the War Against Reality about conspiracy theories in popular culture and why they persist.

Were you an X-Files fan? Do you have questions for creator Chris Carter? What’s your favorite conspiracy theory? Maybe you’re a believer…tell us why. Join our conversation. Find us on Facebook and Twitter, send email to will-talk@illinois.edu or post in the comments section below.