Interview with Rod Serling (1970)

A rare interview with Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery) at the University of Kansas, conducted by science fiction Grand Master and Hall of Fame inductee James Gunn in 1970.

[@23king92]

He didn’t die , he’s forever resting in peace in a gray shaded area we like to call THE TWILIGHT ZONE

[@sterlingcooper3978]

Interlaken is where he lies

[@peyton1902]

“I think god’s telling me not to smoke” ouch, my heart

[@kendallbarlow6555]

I know- that part got to me as well. 😢

[@MM-jg1vj]

No, his heart. His heart ;,-(

[@ldive]

Its dumb how people smoke 💨 he should’ve done a twilight zone episode based on lung cancer

[@bradferguson3133]

Irony to the extreme. R.I.P.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Yeah. Sadly he smoked 4 packs a day for god know how many years and it caught up with him. We lost him at only 50. That time travel show on DesiLu Playhouse was superb!

[@himoverthere6716]

Little did Rod know his creation would still be airing in the year of 2021. Really incredible to think about. Twilight Zone is timeless.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

The creation is timeless because the themes are timeless.

[@BillBird2111]

Little did Rod know that all attempts to revive the series would fail because it was missing one key ingredient: Rod Serling himself.

[@jackbotman]

I see what you did there :)

[@organicmilk5]

It is the middle ground between light and shadow

[@echoman1975]

And also in 2023!

[@vladimir0700]

There will never be another Rod Serling. Totally unique guy from a magical era in the genre.

[@TheBackPages]

So true.

[@alondathomas293]

@@TheBackPages: He had a good voice---sounds like he could have narrated radio shows on NPR, lol.

[@crosbonit]

@@alondathomas293 NPR!! Are you kidding? All males on NPR sound gay. No way a man with a voice like this would EVER show up on NPR.

[@alondathomas293]

@@crosbonit: Your statement is so damn ignorant. Obviously you never listen to NPR, because what you said is too damn stupid and homophobic for words. Serling's voice would have fit perfectly on there for a nighttime news show. I know because I listened to NPR for well over a decade, so I know more than you about it.

[@alondathomas293]

for words.

[@marklambert4793]

That was a chillingly prophetic statement. “I think God is trying to tell me not to smoke” What a loss to us all.

[@billscanlan5639]

He knew. He just didn’t concern himself with it. Admirable

[@ciadella1971]

I wish I had half of Rod's vocabulary.

[@TheBackPages]

Lol same

[@invaderzim4052]

I bet he memorized the entire dictionary. Lol

[@danielgorosito6329]

he was by all means a wilde open book encyclopedia of some sort

[@romanumeralz]

You mean, diction.

[@beastmasterbg]

Just read

[@ghostx1594]

His voice is badass

[@auntroachkiller6086]

His cigarette smoke wafting across the TV screen was bad

[@jasonparsons7653]

@@auntroachkiller6086 not healthy that's for sure but everyone makes their choices in life.

[@revrotunda3206]

@@auntroachkiller6086 Smoking was allowed on TV then & practically all smokers smoked on TV in those days. Don’t know how old you are but people also smoked in Doctor’s office waiting rooms & even patients did in their hospital beds. That’s just how it was in those days. Even Mike Wallace was smoking while interviewing Serling in an old video.

[@peter_88]

@vParacetamol why is weed normalized then? If inhaling smoke is bad, why is it pushed to be legalized?

[@bubhub64]

@@revrotunda3206 Right, I remember my father back in the 70's having a heart attack, and while he was recovering in a hospital room several days later, he was smoking cigarettes while in his hospital bed, with an ashtray on his little table. It certainly was different times.

[@karinsmith447]

He would be happy to know his works are still admired and loved here in 2017, going into 2018. I'm sure that alone would have blew his mind.

[@danielgorosito6329]

im sure he died happy knowing what legacy he left would remain forever and ever. he was a genius

[@WaterBottleBlues101]

And still in 2021.

[@libertylovin2359]

@@WaterBottleBlues101 2021 is the Year of the Twilight Zone.

[@billiamtrillion]

He’ll be remembered as one of the best to ever write Sci-fi

[@garywilson7992]

Karen Smith, it might make you happy to know, although you probably won’t believe it, because it takes faith for most people to believe in something that they can’t see or in something that’s not common knowledge and proven to be a fact. But I know that he is very much aware of how the twilight zone is still remembered fondly and loved by many people, even people who weren’t even born yet when the twilight zone first aired. How does he feel about knowing that?, well, I’m pretty sure that he must be pleased. But what i’d be interested in knowing is, how surprised was he when he first discovered, that in a way, there really is a twilight zone, and much more?

[@brainsareus]

What a great speaking voice he had

[@bassinblue]

Thanks to his 4 pack of cigarettes a day habit.

[@frankdenardo8684]

He also narrated documentaries

[@SupernaturalUnit]

Rod Serling is the James Bond of writers.

[@robertcronin6603]

Well said!

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

I wonder if there's any alcohol in that drink Serling keeps chasing his cigarette tokes with. He was 45 here, and looks worn and tired, albeit still as sharp as a tack. He had five more years. Such a beautiful, humble, pleasant, gracious, brilliant, creative, soft-spoken and articulate man. His brother once talked about he chained smoked, because he was always under pressure and high-wired all the time. I don't even want to think what he would think, if he could come back today and see the absolute dreck that passes for television now, made by rude and crude, pretentious talentless hacks. RIP Rod Serling

[@LORDNAG1]

Go dig up his grave and bring him back

[@isabella-a-a-a]

Agreed on all accounts... but what of Black Mirror? I believe it’s a worthy Twilight Zone spiritual successor that we’ve had. Exquisite irony, clever scripts, societal commentary and moral quandaries all through the lens of Science Fiction. I think he would’ve enjoyed it.

[@flossygallaway6565]

MisterMasterShafter1 yup always

[@MrGittz]

Quite the contrary. I think he would be proud. He inspired the greatest writers of our day. There would be no David Chase and thus no Sopranos, no Matthew Weiner and thus no Mad Men, no David Milch, no David Simon. Rod would be just amazed at the artfulness and beauty in some of today's best shows. Writers are no longer censored or subjected to ridiculous sponsor notes. Not on cable anyways. He'd love it. If you suggest otherwise, you don't know Rod.

[@robertthompson8790]

@@LORDNAG1 build that wall, mr trump.... pleeeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@marsazorean8455]

"God is telling me not to smoke." And,of course, chain smoking killed him. I was an 8 yr old immigrant kid,just learning english, when I happened upon The Night Gallery on our black and white tv. I was instantly transfixed by this man. Thus began my love for real and truthful writing in all mediums.

[@ShempBob]

Although he was a man of many words-brilliant ones to boot-it only takes one to define him. Genius.

[@TheBackPages]

Well said

[@jadedavis822]

Agreed!

[@RubenHernandez-vt8lh]

Before Stephen King there was Rod Serling!

[@goodwilj]

and Rod Serling was better.

[@Apple_Teck]

Not even close, Rod is better by leaps and bounds.

[@jeanmichaels8686]

King can only dream of Serling's talent.

[@cakeorpurse]

Yeah..Rod Serling is a little better😂

[@davidbuckle-onlizinenet.pi1522]

think Rod is best? we do

[@pennise]

"It came to me in a dream after eating rancid mayonnaise." LOL

[@99WingedTigers]

😂💀

[@erigerontriteleia]

Rod Serling is amazing. Despite being so gifted and yet there’s no trace of hubris in him. Rod Serling is Sterling indeed.

[@ra15899550]

Rod Serling was a very intelligent man.

[@iheartjimothy]

i just love this man. rod always looked so pensive, so thoughtful. a brilliant mind and an _extreme_ talent. unbelievably articulate.

[@tonytafoya6217]

yes.yes.

[@TheBackPages]

Couldn't agree more.

[@Xurts]

Even in unscripted interview, Serling’s linguistics and verbiage flow with a fluidity you’ll rarely hear or even read today.

[@jimmymac9843]

Hyperarticulate.

[@jkronen1000]

That man was a genius

[@TheBackPages]

Agreed

[@invaderzim4052]

Yes, definitely.

[@danielgorosito6329]

finally one comment got this right lol. yes he was!!!!

[@billmoyer3254]

with no common sense.....

[@thepayne7862]

Love how honest he is about his own show, talking about how sometimes he thought it wasn't consistent.

[@bobbylinning2348]

This was a brilliant man who left us way too early.A sincere,humble,and passionate human being.My favorite show of all-time.

[@RonaldVaughan]

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER TWILIGHT ZONE (and another ROD SERLING.)

[@johnschuh8616]

Amen.

[@Valkonnen]

If you know someone like him, tell them not to smoke cigarettes. He died at 50.

[@motorheadbanger90]

This man..is my god damn hero

[@joseph7988]

I love how he smacked down the identity politics that we see so much of nowadays.

[@thenumbdave]

when did he do that?

[@johnschuh8616]

Amen.

[@bohdilama]

2021 Your work will live on forever.

[@RNicolasRuvalcaba]

Every time I see a Rod Serling interview I'm blown away by his vocabulary and his naturally poetic and descriptive way of talking. Later in the interview he's talking about a show called Tales of Tomorrow and he says this "I think what it did do, was to supply by virtue of its own moderate success was to provide a kind of an entree to the darkness that surrounds us" 17:25

[@osalas818]

What an incredible talent. It’s almost unfair how much talent one person can have. I envy anyone who was present at one of his lectures

[@greatunz67]

Smoking a cigarette on film, that's science fiction now.

[@speedracer1945]

Rod Serling was a true pioneer of radio and TV . Too bad His life was cut short with a heart attack . After Twilight Zone , he did Night Gallery which edited or ejected his stories and screwed him over . He would be on my list of people in history that I would had loved to chat with .

[@TheBackPages]

We would too!

[@daleray3895]

It’s scary how red he was..... blood pressure had to have been skyhigh

[@sagebulls818]

He spent alot of time out in the sun But he could've had high blood pressure too...

[@boneeatingsilicate580]

Yes, Serling loved sitting at his pool in Pacific Palisades, with cigarettes and martinis, dictaphoning his stories

[@megabojan1993]

I wish he never smoked. If he didn't he might've been still with us :(

[@stevevirginia308]

That seemed to be his only vice. He would have a drink or a beer. But I don't recall any stories of Rod Serling being drunk or smashed. And back then it was the swinging 60s and 70s. Everyone was either drunk or high.

[@megabojan1993]

True, many people die from air pollution.

[@stevevirginia308]

Or second hand smoke.

[@SniffyPoo]

on the other hand, his voice was entirely a smoker's voice. Inflamed vocal cords are what gave him that deep authoritative tone.

[@SleepingPepper]

Serling didn't die of lung cancer. his arterial system deteriorated. Heart disease from smoking

[@perryjohnehses3911]

He was brilliant, hearing now all the challenges they had with the making of The Twilight Zone back then, he alone made it work and was worth the price of admission.

[@johnschuh8616]

Will Shakespeare was probably a man like this. In all candor he would dismiss some great stuff as less than because done in a rush. Amazing what talent can do by accident. I think of the film “Casablanca”. None of the participants knew what they had in the can until time had passed. The Burgess Meredith episode, he does pick out as the jewell it is.

[@flossygallaway6565]

Alot of the great stars we have got their start on the twilight zone .

[@felixmadison5736]

Rod Serling was the very best! I first saw Twilight Zone in 1959 when I was only 10 years-old, and I was hooked forever.

[@xcesar4impx666]

They don't make TV legends/ gentlemen, like they used to

[@deanprescott1868]

Thank you Rod for all you gave us. What a huge gift.

[@tonytafoya6217]

EVERYBODY LOVES ROD.

[@TheBackPages]

TRUE

[@sage4nowty129]

A really brillant and modest man!! He was very well-spoken, something that is sorely missed in today's society.

[@billiamtrillion]

He somehow managed to smoke 3-4 packs a day for that long while doing all the amazing work he did. He’ll always be one of the best

[@pulsarstargrave256]

TAKE THAT, RAY BRADBURY! Bradbury was always angry (jealous?) over the fact that Serling was seen as a "master" of Bradbury's genre, science fiction! But here Serling admits in public that he wasn't a SF expert and was humble when he compared himself to those who were!

[@stevevirginia308]

I'm not sure if he was seen as a master within the Science Fiction community. Ray Bradbury was a contributor to the Twilight Zone. He was a better writer in terms of Science Fiction. But Rod had the celebrity as a television writer and producer. And Bradbury certainly benefited from the notoriety of being associated with the Twilight Zone.

[@pulsarstargrave256]

I never said he was seen as a master by the Science Fiction community, but T.V. critics and fans saw him as such. In fact, Bradbury and other SF writers probably picked up a few fans who were into Twilight Zone! I know I got into Film Noir and Pulp Fiction because of my love of EC Comics!

[@DAngelo136]

He was also a contributor to "Seven Days In May" and "Planet Of The Apes". If you ever get a chance, watch the movie "Patterns", one of his first movie screenplays.

[@watchmanschannelofdespair]

Ray Bradbury did not contribute a whole lot to The Twilight Zone, as far as written material goes, to imply as such would be quite an exaggeration indeed. While Bradbury submitted several teleplays/scripts, only "I Sing the Body Electric", episode one-hundred of the venerated series, was produced. Where he did have a great effect, was in suggesting. or sharing with Serling, names of (relatively young), good, science fiction writers such as Richard Matheson, and the rest was history.

[@Scorchy666]

I never could stand Ray Bradbury. Miserable turd of a man.

[@dougg1075]

Man I would give anything to sit across from that man. Genius with a devilish tight lipped grin.

[@RonaldVaughan]

Too bad his life got cut short. Only 50 years.

[@6153calme]

Rod Serling was a great writer of mystery and mostly science fiction. I would put in the categories with Jules Verne and HG Wells, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov. I think he directed the movie The Planet of the Apes, and the movie titled The Man stars James Earl Jones as the first African American President of the US of America. Submitted for your approval Serling did Night Gallery the movie with three titles starring Joan Crawford and Tom Bosley and another with Richard Kiley, a third one with Roddy McDowell and Ossie Davis and Night Gallery the TV series in the 1970s and the Sixth Sense. Rod Sterling also narrated the Jacques Cousteau TV series and voice over for commercials. The TV Playhouse he did in the 1950s he wrote and his best work by far was The Twilight Zone which was a tough sell. With a little persistence he finally made the cut. And The Twilight Zone became a household name. Submitted for your approval Rod Serling 1925 - 1977 RIP.

[@emmarose4234]

1924-1975, that is. :(

[@samnangpoe]

one of my hero, right there! And he's very humble also.

[@TNTN1977]

I like listening to writers speak

[@65wiseman]

A giant of television. Very talented and by most accounts, a genuinely good person.

[@haileyrae3426]

Just that Shakespeare line alone and the way he speaks he’s so intelligent

[@Harcorwrestler]

hailey rae to me, that doesn’t define him as intelligent. Yes, his vocabulary is developed. I don’t look at that alone as intelligent. There are many factors like applied knowledge and body IQ, emotional IQ, spiritual IQ. There are a lot of people out there who speak well but are also not applying it and are a burden on society. There are many variables to consider to come to the conclusion that a person is intelligent.

[@thomasewing2656]

I like the comment about flag-pole sitters at the end. If Mr. Serling could've had an immense budget from the beginning, what treasures the world would enjoy today.

[@cayman9873]

What a brilliant man.. articulate. He looks very worn down and stressed. Died 5 years after this interview at age 50. How sad he did not contribute more years of his thoughts.

[@Hendog410]

There is no other show that is touching the twilight zone. A monument for it’s time and then on. ❤❤

[@m.gregory5880]

I loved watching his programs while growing up in the 50's ,60's he was so engaging w you while WATCHING HIS SHOWS an amazing human being.

[@TheBackPages]

The best

[@gregatkinson7276]

A man of integrity, creativity and imagination just for starters. I admire him and so much appreciate his productions that have endured to this day dating back many decades.

[@DangerousDickShow]

“I think God is telling me to not smoke”. Yeah. I think he is.

[@CarolYost]

That's what I said, too. I think Mr. Serling was questioning himself. He should have followed that thought with action. So sorry. It's hard to watch an interview with him smoking.

[@rebeccaquartieri5509]

Was

[@rebeccaquartieri5509]

@@CarolYost it was what it was

[@insomthegreat]

@@CarolYost He had a good run.

[@Thecuriousincident1]

Wow he knew what he was talking about he definitely thought about the future and really had it pegged. Wish he had lived longer.

[@lastofthefinest]

Pure genius!

[@TheBackPages]

Agreed

[@4redniwediS]

Rod Serling had a great voice!!!! You can’t help but to listen what he had to say!

[@Jmacx9]

End of 2019.You are appreciated Rod Sterling.

[@patrioticamerican8355]

Rod Serling is way too humble and I don't know if he's being truthful or not but come on Twilight Zone is as famous if not more famous than Star Wars so much credits to Rod Serling he was a pioneer of pioneers he was the tip of the spear he was amazing when I was a child growing up watching Twilight Zone it was the reason I became an engineer and a scientist and stuck with science and technology throughout my entire life and what got me interested in tools and mechanisms in engines and electricity and the unknown and searching for life in the universe it's all attributable to Rod Serling he's an incredible man there will never be another man like Rod Serling ever again on this planet

[@bubhub64]

Fun fact: The writer and creator of "The Waltons" Earl Hamner, wrote eight episodes of " The Twilight Zone."

[@misterwhitman4368]

YES Rod. . .he was trying to tell you "don't smoke"

[@beekbeeker2907]

Smoked his guts out..... Brilliant man in his field..

[@maiden-eq4uv]

😂

[@vargo0515]

He WAS AN AWESOME PERSON! GOD BLESS HIM I LOVED HIS SHOWS!😉☺💓

[@Emmanuel-ms8pr]

Same hes a professional no other storytellers can beat him(rod serling)

[@vanessa9000]

He was an amazing man and producer!! I still love the Twilight Zone!

[@spockboy]

Rods comments on bad opticals of the time are ironic. Now that we can do virtually anything visually, the stories and ideas are mostly lame, unoriginal, and creatively bankrupt.

[@justanotherdrunk]

mostly yes have you seen 13 reasons why?

[@profshad3429]

Spockboy I think right now we are starting to see the Backlash. I wont go and see a movie opening weekend. Some people think its a leftist conspiracy, but I agree it is more about originality, poor casting and no risks.

[@noumenonjohn6136]

You mean Mr. Serling wouldn't like the superhero movies. Lol!

[@TheBackPages]

Very ironic

[@kendallbarlow6555]

You are so right!

[@elizabethshaw734]

The Invaders was brilliant without even a script no speaking. And one of my favorite episodes is the one with Burgess Meredith who breaks his glasses. He finally has the rest of his life to read and he breaks his glasses. That posted Agnes Moorehead lived in during the Invaders was brilliant.

[@danacoleman4007]

my favorite episode

[@roccofrattasio2274]

thanks for posting

[@ed4253]

Serling was 45 in this, damn, looks like today's nonsmoking 60

[@joer3501]

Thank you SO MUCH for uploading this

[@haysamabood]

Amazing Interview thank you...

[@Mdriver1981]

There wasn't a cigarette Serling didn't want to smoke.

[@DougWIngate]

"I never met a cigarette I didn't smoke"

[@pulsarstargrave256]

I just wish I could reach in and rip it out of his hand because it's going to contribute to his death. Same with Bogie!!

[@glennpritchard274]

Haha, good one

[@a.b.s_productions]

Pulsar Stargrave Same here, to die at a age of 50 and even here you would think he's about mid 50's or so. Perhaps if it wasn't for cigarettes he could lived longer and done more phenomenal shows.

[@peggymorin8944]

Adam B. Smith He was a slave to cigarettes. His skin is screaming: "Help! I can't breathe!"

[@thejamnasium6447]

I think Rod is a forgotten genius. His stories were so simple yet so beautifully elegant, and obviously timeless.

[@oriain81]

He was very humble and I think he didn't realise how good he actually was. It's was a very original concept, with original stories, sadly lacking into today's film and story telling.

[@JuanPabloSelvaje]

He's like Peter Falk doing a Charlton Heston impression.

[@Maazzzo]

😂 Wow, you're totally right!

[@Scorchy666]

Heston had zero personality and dumb as a doorknob. Shame on you.

[@tonallimaya4084]

Phil Savage You're like an idiot posing as a person who has something to opine.

[@22222JD]

Great analogy

[@robynm7221]

My husband literally just said the same thing verbatim!! Like minds! Lol!

[@sabrinagrant8003]

If only he had lived to see the wide appeal and the smartness of the show where others have stolen from the brilliant writing.

[@GabrielTheMagolorMain]

Sabrina Grant I totally agree, I wish he knew. I don’t often think of people stealing his work, but there are so many shows that are inspired by his work. I love how much the TZ is embedded into so much still. I love when I see something and it reminds me of an episode. I also really wish he was around to discuss politics today, I think he would have a ton to say!

[@mainstreetsaint36]

Oh my God! This man has to have the mother of all sunburns!

[@maiden-eq4uv]

😂

[@karenmilcarek8299]

Watching a Twilight Zone Marathon on Decades this July 4th weekend and loving every minute of it. Thank you, Mr. Serling for sharing your genius with us.

[@23king92]

Rod sirling. Age 45 , this Cheyenne Native American tribe member is giving an interview for the first time in national television . Little did he know he was about to be broadcasted on a very special platform unheard or unspoken of at the time called KZbin , that is because Mr. Serling had now entered another dimension a dimension where all the fears and wonders of the human mind can come true a dimension called The Twillight Zone ..

[@yarizsanchez6961]

Yep

[@thedevilbunny]

Great stuff. I'm pleased that this video of the great man has survived. Very informative. I really enjoyed this.

[@mrbrianmccarthy]

One of my idols for sure. what a brilliant man. Thank you Mr Serling for so many hours of great thoughtful entertainment!

[@OakhillSailor]

He was brilliant man with enough sense to inject his personality in his show that instantly gave him credibility. We all know him because he did that.

[@TheBackPages]

Such an incredible inspiration!

[@paigewashington6018]

Damn. He said God is telling him to stop smoking which was my thought Immediately before I lit mine right before he said it. God uses who he wants

[@paigewashington6018]

Now all the comments about his smoking. I know I'm bout to quit

[@99WingedTigers]

@@paigewashington6018 me too I messed up and started back.

[@RonaldVaughan]

Unfortunately ROD SERLING didn't know any better. Even PETULA CLARK'S doctor,back then,RECOMMENDED smoking......Not any more!!

[@brokensmile43]

you better not still be smoking

[@jonesy2111]

Rod Serling = genius

[@randomuser5237]

For anyone who has just started watching The Twilight Zone, there are spoilers from 13:00-14:30 for the episodes Time Enough At Last and The Invaders from seasons 1 and 2. Those are my favorite episodes too, so I do not want to spoil them for anybody.

[@TheBackPages]

Good call. Thanks for noting this.

[@KevinHernandez-qz8sb]

Absolute genius. Masterpiece of a show that doesn't age! Lots of lessons to be learned.

[@ishmael802]

This guy is the man. A true Icon.

[@evanescapades2513]

What a lovely humble man!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@bigfecalpile5110]

Rod Serling's (or "Red" Serling, as he's awfully red in this video) comments on the distortion of minorities and the phony "diversity" on television are as relevant as ever.

[@tonytafoya6217]

big stinky fecal pile.

[@22222JD]

Omg, what a usename

[@Derek_The_Magnificent_Bastard]

Actually, I would tend to disagree. Blacks are no longer relegated to playing 3rd fiddle or playing house servants nor are Asians relegated to playing laundry workers. We've come a long way I believe.

[@alondathomas293]

Pile: Uh, seriously? Diversity barely existed on TV then---hell, the word didn't even exist then. Back then TV was mostly run by white dudes like him. He simply mentioned how TV started switching from stereotyping minorities to making them rockets scientists. I disagree with him about that though. The difference between then and now, is that there is real diversity today because there are more black producers/directors/writers and more people of color behind the scenes in TV telling their own stories. Nothing "phony" at all about that. And what's so phony about diversity anyway? Everybody dosen't live in lily-white gated neighborhoods, or even in places where everybody only look like them.

[@-covid-20]

What a kool kool kool human....well spoken..well versed...well thought out ...intelligent is a massive understatement....was a massive loss for us fans of rod......my late brother told me about him and got me hooked on the twighlight zone series and the night gallery........God bless Mr. Rod Sterling ...r.i.p.......

[@mattylee8259]

Great guy, always had an awesome sense of humor and had a talent that will live on for many generations(RIP to the one and only rod serling )

[@mike196212]

I recall THE NIGHT GALLERY when I was quite young in the early 70s(I'm 58) and it used to creep me out---when I watched it. I only came to appreciate it in syndication several decades later. I don't know THE TWILIGHT ZONE very well and haven't seen many of the reruns(it was cancelled the year I was born,1962). Sterling is still right about the lack of much quality on tv. There have been,and always will be,exceptions,but you often have to really search for them.

[@belzorahollow3888]

So intelligent and humble.

[@TheSamurai66]

This is a real treasure! An amazing and engaging interview with Rod Serling and James Gunn is an excellent interviewer. An Interesting point is that both gentlemen are about the same age but Rod looks much older and passed away within 5 years after this interview in 1975. James Gunn lived another 50 years, authoring 28 books, published 100+ stories, winning awards and passed away in 2020 at the age of 97 after living a full life and leaving a great legacy. I wish Rod was blessed with more time so that he could've shared more of his wisdom, stories and creations to the world.

[@PeiPeisMom]

This makes me miss my MIL so much. Every time there was a Twilight Zone marathon on tv, she'd message me to let me know so I could watch at the same time, and she kept it up for awhile during the pandemic until she deteriorated so fast and then died in hospice. She just loved anything Serling did, and so do I

[@nicholasgalloway125]

thank you

[@thegreatshift9160]

He was outspoken and a maverick. We're so lucky that he slipped through the cracks of banality. Lord knows he influenced such amazing shows as Black Mirror.

[@6153calme]

I got to admit Rod Serling did a very splendid and candid interview. About science fiction and writing, also television. There won't be no other like Rod Serling.

[@ingloriousbasterd3067]

Notice that the first thing he does in the interview is reach for a pack of smokes.He died of cancer of course but also he was constantly tanned almost black...he was an airborne combat veteran of WW2 and so probably suffered from P.T.S.D., hence the serious addiction he had to tobacco and to a lesser extent alcohol...but he chain smoked one after the other insanely.Btw, that cigarette he has is the size of a fucking hotdog!!!

[@0livia2oo2]

Rest in peace to Carol. She is now together with Rod.

[@GnosisMan50]

So sad he died rather young from smoking so much.....he was a great writer. I watched all this Twilight Zone episodes when I was a kid.

[@ihatecorporatedatacollecti6609]

About 6:15, absolutely spot on. He used the language of the time (oriental), but I think what he says is still relevant today. Today you’d be too afraid to ruin your career by offending anyone to say any of that. It’s also interesting that he talks about being more interested in what happens 30 years from now, rather than centuries on because it would still be relevant and recognizable.

[@ihatecorporatedatacollecti6609]

Actually 6:00

[@Emmanuel-ms8pr]

One of the best narrators I have ever seen in my life from the twilight zone and night gallery I think he should be perfect to be a teacher for horror tales.