Dana Gould on Rod Serling, Apes, and the Art of Dark Comedy

In this 2018 Word Balloon conversation, comedian, writer, and producer Dana Gould joins John Siuntres for a deep dive into his creative journey adapting Rod Serling’s original Planet of the Apes screenplay into a graphic novel for BOOM! Studios. Gould discusses how Serling’s early drafts differed from the final 1968 film — delving into the satire, social commentary, and Cold War paranoia that Serling originally intended.

The interview also explores Gould’s other creative outlets, including his acclaimed “Dana Gould Hour” podcast, where his sharp wit and fascination with old Hollywood, horror, and pop culture shine through. Rounding out the discussion, Gould talks about his work on IFC’s Stan Against Evil — the offbeat supernatural comedy he created and starred in — and how it channels his lifelong love of classic horror and monster movies. It’s a lively, funny, and insightful chat with one of the sharpest minds blending comedy, commentary, and the weird corners of genre storytelling.