This is one show that scared the bejeezus out of me growing up. What show am I referring to? None other than the TV anthology series “The Twilight Zone” created by Rod Serling. The show consisted of miscellaneous unrelated stories containing pshchological thriller, drama, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and or horror, regularly ending with an unexpected plot twist. The program followed in the footsteps of earlier shows like Tales of Tomorrow, Science Fiction Theatre, The Weird Circle, Dimension X, X Minus One and the radio work of Norman Corwin one of Serlings' inspirations. The series success led to a feature film, a radio series, a comic book, a magazine and various other spin-offs spanning five decades, including two reboot series. The first aired on CBS in the 1980’s and the second ran on UPN from 2002 to 2003. It was ranked number 4 in TV Guides 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time in 2013.
Cayuga Productions, Inc. a production company owned by Serling originally produced the series. Twilight Zone 's writers frequently used science fiction as a vehicle for social comment, as networks and sponsors who censored controversial material from live dramas were less concerned with seemingly innocuous fantasy and sci-fi stories. Despite the fact he was well respected in the writing community, Serling found the series difficult to sell. Not many critics felt that science fiction could transcend empty escapism and enter the realm of adult drama. In September 22, 1959, Serling did an interview and was asked a question by anchor Mike Wallace: "...You’re going to be, obviously, working so hard on The Twilight Zone that, in essence, for the time being and for the foreseeable future, you've given up on writing anything important for television, right?" While Serling's appearances on the show became one of its most distinctive features, with his clipped delivery still widely imitated today, he was reportedly nervous about it and had to be persuaded to appear on camera. Serling often steps into the middle of the action while the characters remain oblivious to him, but on one notable occasion they are aware of his presence: In the episode "A World of His Own", writer Keenan Wynn had the power to alter his reality to Serling's narration, and promptly erases Serling from the show.
Sadly Serling sold his shares of the series back to CBS, which eventually led t the series being revived. Although CBS stood to make a lot of money from the series the were reluctant to revive the show turning down offers from the original production team, Buck Houghton, and the great American film maker Francis Ford Coppola. CBS finally gave into releasing a new Twilight Zone in 1984 under the guidance of Drama Department Vice President Carla Singer. The show was not as popular as the original series, but some episodes received critical acclaim. The series ended in 1989. The series was revived a second time by the UPN network in 2002 and was narrated by Forest Whitaker. The show was aired in a one-hour format with two half hour segments even two of Serlings teleplays were reused. The series only lasted for one season and was canceled. It has been talks of a new reboot happening in December of 2012, it was reported that Brian Singer was developing and executive producing a new revamped series. A writer has yet to be chosen for the series and the series has not yet been pitched to the network. In February of 2013 Singer told TG Daily he was hoping to direct the pilot soon, but that the series was still in development.
There has been tons of Twilight Zone merchandise released over the years. Even a theme park ride has been created by Disney located at it’s Hollywood Studios attraction in Disneyland (which I will be riding for the first time next week I’m stoked). It the largest structure at the Disneyland location and has been one of the most popular attractions at the park since it has been opened to the public in 1994. According to the Horror News Network Bif Bang Pow Toys is releasing a set of new characters in their line of limited edition Action Figures based on some of the Twilight Zone characters. Some characters have already been released such as Bob Wilson, Talky Tina, Don Carter, Gremlin and Jason Foster. Six new characters are set to be released in May, the 3 eyed Venusian, Meek Santa Claus, Anthony Fremont, the Nurse, the Bandaged Patient and Dr. Bernardi. You can pre-order these ghoulishly creepy yet cool toys at Big Bad Toy Store or Entertainment Earth. EE has a special Toy Fair sale going on right now buy one get one 40% off on select in-stock items. This would be a great time to get your hands on the figures that have been released if you don’t already own them.
Warner Bros. is releasing a new Twilight Zone movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Aron Eli Coleite. The project has been in development since 2009 as a potential tentpole according to Variety. A video game has also been released based on the hit TV series. It has a puzzle search and find theme and is produced by Legacy Games. You can download it now for PC and iPad at the Legacy Games website.
I am interested in seeing what Brian Singer will do with the new series, he is a very good director and I think he can take the series into a more edgy and modern direction. I sure hope the pilot is shot soon. The Twilight Zone may have scared the crap out of me as a kid, but this show made me get into the horror and sci-fi thriller genre as a teenager and now adult. I use to tell myself I must conquer my fear of scary movies so I would force myself to watch them to make myself not scared. Now as an adult I am desensitized to ‘scary’ movies, etc. I smile and laugh at the bloody and gory killings while cheering the killers on -- a bit morbid I know -- but a little fictional bloody murder never hurt anyone… right? Until next time Go Hard! Go Fast! Go Figure!
SOURCES: Deadline; Horror News Network; Entertainment Earth; TG Daily; Wikipedia; Variety; Twilight Zone Game; game link & Roush, Matt (February 25, 2013). "Showstoppers: The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time" TV Guide pg 16-17