Imagine if you will…5 of the best Twilight Zone Episodes
Today is National Twilight Zone Day. According to filmschoolrejects.com, The Twilight Zone ran for five seasons with 159 episodes from 1959 to 1964. Rod Serling, both the creator and the host, wanted to bring stories that commented on socially relevant subjects. Yet the stories were captivating with unique stories that bypassed censors by taking a science fiction approach to social issues. Rod Serling wrote 93 of the 159 episodes and wanted the show to be a catalyst to improve the world’s view of their fellow man.
While The Twilight Zone is iconic and many genres owe their ideas to the show, it did not do well in the ratings. After five seasons CBS decided to cancel the show. Even with various star power actors like Burgess Meredith, Jack Klugman, Agnes Moorehead, and William Shatner.
Imagine if you will…a REBOOT!
The Twilight Zone has had its share of reboots, but all with limited if no success (reminds me of how the Muppets shows do also). The Twilight Zone seems to live in an almost ironic state of awareness without fame. Almost like the show is in its own Twilight Zone.
Many of today’s shows owe their ideas to stories created for the Twilight Zone. My personal favorite references are any of the Simpsons Tree House of Horror episodes that pay homage to the show. The gremlin on the school bus entitled “Terror at 5 and a Half Feet” pokes fun at William Shatner’s famous episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet”.
“There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call … The Twilight Zone.”
Here are some of the most memorable/popular episodes:
