Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of The Twilight Zone. The first episode of Rod Serling's classic horror/suspense television show aired on October 2, 1959. William Kates wrote for the AP about the origin of the series:
My favorite episode is "The Shelter." What is yours?
Link via Alphecca | Image: CBS
UPDATE 10/2/09: Via GeekDad, free episodes online from CBS.
2nd UPDATE 10/2/09: io9 presents 6 Important Life Lessons from The Twilight Zone
In a time on television when suburbia was idealized in popular shows such as "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Make Room for Daddy," Serling offered a mixture of fantasy, science fiction, suspense, horror — and the show's trademark macabre or unexpected twist.
Serling had already earned acclaim for his television writing ("Requiem for a Heavyweight," "Patterns,") but found himself fighting CBS to get "The Twilight Zone" on the air. Serling would have repeated conflicts with network censors throughout his career.
My favorite episode is "The Shelter." What is yours?
Link via Alphecca | Image: CBS
UPDATE 10/2/09: Via GeekDad, free episodes online from CBS.
2nd UPDATE 10/2/09: io9 presents 6 Important Life Lessons from The Twilight Zone
"The Odyssey Of Flight 33"(A plane goes back in time)
"Little girl Lost" (Girl is lost in another dimention.)
"The grave"(man chases Pinto Sykes, faces dare)
"Back there" (Man goes back in time to assasination)
"A stop at willougby" (Another back in time)
"The Hitch-Hiker" (woman chased by man)
And many more...
And don't forget--One step Beyond although not Rod Serling
"Kick the Can"...if you haven't seen it, you will love it. It still makes me cry!