Stunning the science fiction world—not to mention philosophers, religious leaders, and physicists worldwide—science fiction Grand Masters Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke are scheduled to make a joint appearance on Good Morning, America later today. In a pre-appearance communiqué to this office, the duo confirmed that, contrary to their well-known humanist beliefs, apparently Robert A. Heinlein’s “World As Myth” theory of existence is the truth.
“I’d known all along that death is the end. I hoped to go out face-down on my keyboard, and that my works would live on after me,” Asimov said. “Instead, it turns out that Heinlein was right. It’s kind of galling to think that his late-in-life wish fulfillment was the truth, while my reasoned philosophy of life turns out to be nothing more than self-delusion.”
“I’m not sure I like this,” Clarke added, “although it does lend an element of possibility to the mysterious end of 2001.”
Known as “the big three” of science fiction, due to their influence on the field in the 1940s and 1950s, Heinlein has no plans to join the other two.
Noting the disappointment of numerous fans, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels has announced an offer of $3,000 if they’ll reunite on this weekend’s program, but their agents (who were busily unearthing old contracts) had no comment.

P.S. – The editor wishes to remind readers of the date. He hopes his memory of Asimov’s sense of humor is accurate, and that Clarke and Heinlein, too, would be good-natured about this article.