Mike Wallace Interview with Rod Serling 1959

Serling talks about his start in radio and TV in the early 50's; censorship in Cincinnati; moving to CT and NY; the launch of the Twilight Zone

[@MsNevermore19]

We're in The Twilight Zone but don't have this kind, intelligent man to lead us. Please be at peace, Mr. Serling.

[@elvecinodeltio5960]

this comment is so spot on.

[@SagesseNoir]

I was a child during the early 1960s when the Twilight Zone played. I think it is fortunate that intelligent programs were on TV when I was a child. I dread what children are subjected to now. But I think I recall reading that Rod Serling was a student of Literature (maybe English Lit) when he was in college. Nice background for writer for TV. Probably explains in part why Rod Serling was so creative.

[@roslyndecanio81]

So true, what an immense talent and wise man. RIP.

[@sergiomoncrief14]

I'll lead us

[@MsNevermore19]

@@sergiomoncrief14 Good luck with that.

[@ramonmcgee2240]

The man was light years ahead of his time. Still is.

[@TheBerny32]

I agree. Every one of the "Twilight Zone" episodes teaches a moral or pokes fun at the stupid things people were doing!

[@roslyndecanio81]

THE OBSOLETE MAN could have been written today.

[@terilatta4234]

I strongly agree!

[@toddmason8013]

Very much of his time, I'd suggest. And he did move into film...but cancer sticks got him, alas, not long after. (Lightyears are measures of distance, he pedantically adds.)

[@guaporeturns9472]

Love him

[@madboxtv3442]

I can hear this man talk for days

[@antant-p1e]

Eternity. Articulate, creative, loving to his absolute core.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Rod was a rare man, intelligent, acutely aware, imaginative and deeply human. We owe this man a lot

[@soniablades7031]

I’ve said it for years, if there’s one person I could go back in time to talk to it would be this man Rod Serling.

[@nateyingling3951]

Such an intelligent person. The twilight zone will forever be my favorite show.

[@droid2645]

I watch the marathons each year..when t.v. was good 👍

[@ericpolivka3651]

The best professor I ever had. Rod 🗡️🌹🤓👍

[@ryanhodges7101]

Rod Serling was without a doubt a genius. It is truly tragic that he only lived to be 50. He accomplished more in 50 years than some men could do in 100.

[@mjp96]

Too many cigarettes.

[@voiceofreason7856]

We need men like Rod Serling, TODAY, in every walk of life..

[@noelbgood8845]

True, but instead we have post malone 😞. Sad generation we live in. All worm brains

[@laurenblainebamartistmgt]

Funny that Serling was saying that he wouldn't be delving into any societal commentary in his new, 30 minute show. As we all know now, there was PLENTY of social commentary within those 28 minutes of screen time per week.Brilliant.

[@WeaponsEducation]

Rod, the genius. I still binge on The Twilight Zone. What a brilliant man he was.

[@debbieanne7962]

"You have a new show coming out, the Twilight Zone ". And what a show it was!! Even now at the end of 2020, it's my all time favorite anthology series. I wasn't born when it was conceived but it's timeless IMAO

[@TheBerny32]

I agree! I never tire of watching "The Twilight Zone"!!

[@TheHAM1980]

Legendary show

[@elvecinodeltio5960]

Been binge watching since pandemic started

[@courtney7027]

I'm obsessed.

[@standardofexcellence]

Yep and it's gonna get raped by the 02's to 18 but you should check out mostly anthologies for the 80's

[@robzilla730]

I love how Serling talks in monologues

[@SodyPopInSpace]

What other way is there to talk

[@robzilla730]

@@SodyPopInSpace I don't talk in monologues

[@SodyPopInSpace]

@@robzilla730 a single character expressing their thoughts...”i dont talk in monologues” is a short monologue

[@robzilla730]

@@SodyPopInSpace clever. Another TV personality who talks in monologues is J Michael Straczynski. He wrote for the 80s Twilight Zone revival. In fact, he based his B5 character, Morden on Rod Serling.

[@SodyPopInSpace]

@@robzilla730 ah, i see you are a man of culture as well

[@tomc8888]

Serling was a treasure, and Wallace was easily one of the top 3 interviewers in the history of American television. Thanks for posting this.

[@marcsalzman8082]

Rod Serling was a genius. He got the point across in a unique & generally brilliant way ; he challenged us to look at ourselves & further our own independent & critical thinking skills. Like so many say he was always ahead of his time, a man for all seasons.

[@dischronic]

Nothing has changed as a matter of fact it has gotten worse. What an enlightened man. Died way too young.

[@standardofexcellence]

Damn cigarettes

[@noelbgood8845]

@@standardofexcellencewas a heavy smoker. Its the same way sinatra and the old greats all passed

[@ericwood2466]

Smoking 🚬 coffin ⚰️ nails man - shit isn’t good💔😪💔

[@kazilziya830]

I've admired Mr Serling since I was a youngster some 60yrs ago. He was immensely brilliant and not afraid to address social issues.

[@Seasonstobecheerful]

Visionary , Genius , A true gentleman and an inspirational advocate for freedom of creativity in the Arts.

[@thedpsemporiumofdrumtracks5648]

Seriously. He has principles and though he could be contrarian and not operate at all in that sphere, he instead grabs science-fiction storytelling by the horns and makes his case for whatever it is his genius thought best to 'explore' for that episode. I'm 34 and watched TTZ growing up because of my parents (they're boomers). I wonder how insightful the series came across when it aired it's first year. I'm assuming there was little sci-fi content even being done on the small screen.

[@roosevelt1933]

An extremely intelligent man! Also the master storyteller! One of the all time greats!

[@ronburgandy5006]

1959. This interview could have taken place yesterday and still be fresh & relevant. Very little has changed in some ways.

[@Zexa21]

when he answers a question its like he's giving an opening to an episode. awesome. dude was authentic

[@braydenmunro2385]

While I'm not the biggest fan on the interviewer, Rods responses are so well composed it's amazing to listen to

[@goregrindisthebestgenre]

Never met this man but I miss him so much. A man of integrity, character, compassion, and intelligence.

[@harrysmith8338]

Had men like Rod been in charge of television programming, then his words, on how television:"...it can only improve.." would have held fast.

[@melodyhighman4390]

A rare man of true character. I feel fortunate to have grown up with TTZ.

[@robertmartin8907]

"Way back in 1951 when television was just a baby" This was said before Gilligan's Island, Bonanza, the Andy Griffith Show, or I dream of Genie ever even existed and while the Twilight Zone was just getting started. He had no idea what was coming.

[@louisgatto8357]

A soft spoken beautifully creative man, grew up with (some might say in) the Twilight Zone and enjoyed every minute. Thank you Mr. Serling!

[@matthiasnagorski8411]

I should have, but I never realized how progressively minded Rod Serling was.

[@Rounder2205]

This whole interview is amazing in light of what actually happened with Rod and The Twilight Zone

[@helifanodobezanozi7689]

Yeah, Rod playing the game and lying his azz off! He was a great artist and a great man!

[@jaminova_1969]

First let me say, "Wow, thank you for sharing!" And Thank You to whomever had the foresight to record this interview in 1959, either on Kinescope or very early Videotape. I'm less concerned with the quality and thrilled that this interview was saved!

[@TheConstructiveCritic888]

The thing about Serling is that he knew he could provide a story that audiences could either take at face value or analyze for a deep and profound message that mirrors society. It’s a sharper and sneakier way to get a point across to people that otherwise might not be willing to listen to someone preaching or screaming at them.

[@englishpsycho8425]

I love this. I just saw it on my feed. I'm 43, and I grew up with the Twilight Zone. Rod is amazing. He inspired me to write plays.

[@jasonbailey1951]

This man knows what matters to him. What makes him tick. What he enjoys, what makes him truly happy. Along with what he perceives to be right and wrong.

[@agapelovebomb7208]

This is a fine interview by Wallace of a dramatic genius and future icon.

[@terilatta4234]

Simply amazing! He was a man ahead of his time and probably not appreciated as such. His entire thought process and understanding of the world was an anomaly at that time but I commend him!! Thank you sir

[@cynthiachronister4082]

My dad loved the twilight zone I used to be afraid of some of the themes I wonder how many of his stories were not necessarily fantasy but inspired people to think of possibilities beyond our reality exactly what the world is being presented now keep your minds open with childlike curiosity!!

[@hippydippy]

Man oh Man... There has never been another like Rod. Every night before I got to bed I watch an old episode of The Twilight Zone.

[@debrazgalaxy]

That voice.

[@charliechan578]

one of the people other people are interested in. sums rod up perfectly. i learned a lot here, thx for posting CWC!

[@donraczak817]

Fantastic interview!

[@marksteinberg8699]

Watch the episode "The Obsolete Man". It is a brilliant premonition of what we have today. I wish it was just a TZ episode but "The State" we're in is now reality.

[@oskibraxa]

I love his defiance of minimization at Mike Wallace’s cheap comments. Rod was so eloquent & able to get his point across in a much sharper way than his interviewer. He created a fantastic, progressive show & I’m thrilled to hear him sticking up for his beliefs here. A hero I’m glad I ‘got to know’.

[@jperickson7737]

Remarkable. This man is the very definition of articulate

[@wileywatts7706]

I love the twilight zone. Rod Serling is a very intelligent man we could all learn a lot from his life.

[@cheatsheet3325]

JM Straczynski said that secret of finding your voice as a writer is simply to write the way you talk. Serling was one of his role models and I think he’s one of the writers who led him to that realization.

[@paul353]

wow, this is all still relevant today. we are standing still

[@BREAKOUT444]

If anyone can direct me to more Rod Serling audio, I would be forever grateful 🙏

[@danacoleman4007]

Rod Sterling was brilliant!!!!

[@mjp96]

Serling.

[@danacoleman4007]

@@mjp96 thank you. I do know his name, I think I'm going to blame autocorrect for that one! 😂

[@michaeltillery1784]

What amazing man. No words. I swear to god he is a time traveler. If only a few more years.

[@hamiltonburger4574]

Effective verbal communication is indeed a lost art today.

[@medusabrown2125]

I mourned when he passed away.

[@garyz777]

What a terrific interview...thank you! I wonder, not so tongue in cheek, if Rod harkened back to the framing of this interview, by Mr Wallace at the end, when he came up with the name Night Gallery for his second big TV series. Probably not, but I'd have liked to have asked him.

[@glentodd6064]

Genius writer ,magnetic speaker ...........the man

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

Rod should have done the introduction to the year 2020

[@Mr.Robert1]

That would be pretty hard to do Mike when he had three heart attacks and died when he was 50 years old

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

@@Mr.Robert1 Rod would have foreseen the future: “Submitted for your approval: the distant future. The year: 2020. After over 300,000 years of human evolution, the fate of the worldwide human race, has taken a sudden turn toward armageddon. The cause? Not total nuclear war, not invaders from Mars, not a giant asteroid on a collision course with earth, not even the earth’s orbit moving closer toward the sun. No, this path to ultimate doom, was born simply from the insidious, filthy food market hygiene of a rapidly rising world power, supposedly cognizant of modern, proven safe food handling standards, but flagrantly disregarding those worldwide standards for reasons that shall remain unknown. Join us now as we observe the end of human existence, as this rising world power takes us on an unstoppable journey into: The Twilight Zone - Final Episode”

[@COUPEntertainment]

A week ago someone still thinks COVID-19 came from a wet market?

[@roslyndecanio81]

@@Mr.Robert1 Unfortunately he was a chain smoker.

[@johnnymidnight4402]

Great Great writer and humanitarian ...

[@combatgirl38]

Friends, the reason why Rod is making those confused/disappointed/disapproving eyebrow gestures and incredulous faces at the very beginning introduction is because Mike called him *RON* Serling!!! Did no one notice??? Really??!! Go back and take a listen................... The curious thing is that Rod would usually call it out immediately, first responding with a feigned casual answer to the opening question; then cleverly- with an ingenious way of mocking the [inexcusable] mistake with a good natured l level of comradery , he'd seamlessly continue the conclusion of his initial thought. Though, during this phase the Twilight Zone was still in its first year, so he hasn't yet gained the legs he'd end up sprouting to support his decision to GTF Out of there with once his creative licence was removed and in the place of his true value [his brain- his genuine, unique, critical thinking mind] was a dictator they erroneously attempted to force him to answer to and take commands from. *That Failed* .

[@wjohnsonism]

I caught it. I think that’s why at :50 seconds in he was glancing around at the set almost as if he was saying “ it’s ROD not Ron”.

[@philippastore2228]

Imagine, if you will, this priceless pre-CBS 60minutes edition of Fools' Gold Mike Wallace battling wits with British Pound Sterling equivalent Rod Serling staged instead, as an invaluably Cold War era Chess match meltdown?; preceding FischerSpassky, with indefatigably Iron Mike's Perseverance futiley trying to unlock the secreted essence of HotRod's Ingenuity, to no avail; running rings 'round Wallace like laps at Indy in the rear view mirror, burning rubber at the Brickyard, driving Ron, err Rod to his last nerve's wits' End; with Mike SpellBlinded like a Doe in the Headlights shined by a future Star, light-years ahead in thought from the Twilight Zone.

[@BmakinFilm]

Good catch! Yes, I wonder if he was glancing around to see if they were going to stop and restart... He sailed past the gaff like a pro.

[@eseterik78]

What a legend.

[@walterscott2286]

The sound of Rod's voice was so fully sexy, sensual, and engrossing...enveloping the ear in wonder and intrigue. It really reflected his uniquely genius imagination.

[@BmakinFilm]

His early training was in radio

[@stolenjunk]

Great voice, when I was a kid I didn't think he was real.

[@d1i2a3n4n5e6]

A most eloquent and brilliant man he was.

[@tperk]

One great thing Serling did was giving up a job that he was dissatisfied with in Cincinnati, not to pursue a dream job but to go down a path toward a talent he believed in and thought he was good at.

[@toddmason8013]

I'll add that this was from the third season of the MIKE WALLACE INTERVIEW series...after two seasons of constant hassle with ABC, the last season of the series was on the NTA Film Network, a smaller network that popped up as the DuMont and Paramount Television Networks were shutting down. One wonders how much static ABC would've given him for interviewing a writer/producer of a new CBS series.

[@slidejones6033]

8:49 - 9:22 Excellent point

[@debrazgalaxy]

I would love to hear his pov on how far tv was allowed to go as time progressed.

[@terilatta4234]

YEEEESSSSSSSS! I'm sure he would have a very eloquent mouthful for us all!

[@bigredfred33]

Did Wallace introduce him as Ron Serling? I listened over and over, even Rod Serling had a surprised look on his face...

[@Sebadoh1994]

Yes I heard that! Didn’t even correct him.

[@droid2645]

Geez he should see whats going on today 2021. 😳

[@ThomasMurphy-pe5tv]

First, I watched this in high school ❤.

[@KHW1957]

Twilight Zone - Wonderful trojan horse for decency & compassion, more influential than most explicitly topical shows. Bravo Mr. Serling. Also thinking of Mike Wallace's son humiliating trump in front of the whole world.

[@STEVENSCHIRO-x2u]

Passing away,too Young 👽

[@chasegaddis418]

I feel like he was so misunderstood. He was so before his time. And ignorance still dominates our churches and televisions. I havent completed this thought but I believe it

[@lucianakueker5001]

Low key handsome.

[@jaycrew6967]

Why not high key handsome?

[@cerveza2297]

Smoking hot.

[@ghostnote-6]

MW: Is pre-censorship involved? Are you simply writing easy? RS: In this particular area, no, because we're dealing with a half hour show, which cannot probe like a 90, which doesn't use scripts as vehicles of social criticism. These are strictly for entertainment. MW: These are potboilers. RS: Oh no, I wouldn't call them potboilers at all. These are very adult, I think high quality, half hour, extremely polished films. But because they deal in the area of fantasy and imagination, and science fiction, all of those things, there's no opportunity to cop a plea or chop an axe or anything. ---- I see what you did there Mr. Serling. Don't want to scare them away before they've had a chance to view the program, and hopefully, absorb the message..

[@oscaru5342]

This man was genius....

[@marianatheschizoid5912]

Funny how he insists that he isn’t going to delve into “current social problems” with The Twilight Zone when that is exactly what he does in so many episodes! They had no right to censor you Rod, for people will listen to what you have to say for decades.

[@marianatheschizoid5912]

@William W. Campbell-Shepherd IX *TZ theme song intensifies*

[@junkshopaudio5284]

Serling’s social criticisms were thoughtfully buried within each of his stories. He knew The Twilight Zone was going to be a vehicle for presenting these criticisms, but he could not say it explicitly. Otherwise, the studios and sponsors would have been wise to this game and he would have had less success playing off their suspicions.

[@marianatheschizoid5912]

@@junkshopaudio5284 True

[@cradlecap123]

Serling was born in 1924 meaning he's 35 here. He comes across as someone much older.

[@brucewettin]

@Count_Skapula46 and the crystal meth in synthetic form which was all over hollywood at the time he stayed up for days writing episodes

[@mariocisneros911]

He fought in WW2 , saw horrible things like a friend dying horribly was highly intelligent , jewish , faced , saw injustices, hypocrisy, inequality.

[@mariocisneros911]

@Count_Skapula46 many people did that than. They got hooked while in the military/WW2 and had repressed memories of their time there

[@Billkwando]

Wow, I assumed he was a badass, but now I know.

[@guerro327]

Ron Serling ? Thanks, Mike.

[@brainsareus]

ha ha

[@tomas-qr2el]

and now some TV shows have proven themselves to be better than most movies!

[@chrisgoose3788]

8:50 what a needed question now in everything

[@profilesincourage61]

the GOAT period

[@bionikball75]

11:06 ...oh yes you were. 👏

[@cameronkrause4712]

It sure sound like Wallace calls Serling Ron instead of Rod.

[@NanookFieryArcticSkyy]

We practice at the very beginning of the video look like Rod Serling was holding a cigar in his right hand and then as the video progressed all the sudden magically and turn it to a cigarette on his in his left hand then he went back to the right or the cigarette.

[@debrazgalaxy]

They take breaks during the interview- and come back.

[@Lexo390]

It was well known that Rod would smoke 2 cigarettes and a cigar... at the same time.

[@Mr.Robert1]

He smoked three packs of cigarettes a day

[@combatgirl38]

@@Lexo390 Hahahaha! I seriously laughed at that! [Even though the punchline was predictable, I still giggled.]

[@readalittle764]

Calling Rod...Calling the spirit of Rod, please.

[@JobReadyEnglishLLC]

At 5:56 Serling perfectly describes the cancel culture of his era, and what are the overly sensitive keyboard warriors of today.

[@BrianSalazar-kn5ng]

4 pack a day and other factors but I wonder if he ruffled feathers and was feared as a loose gun in Hollywood and how much more did he have to say? Total legend!

[@digitalphoenix72]

Did he say cyanide was what was used in the gas chambers? Im in my mid-30's and every book ive read, (my schools books were already outdated when i was at school) said the germans used Zyklon-B. Maybe I misheard from the older recording. Either way, i have been a huge fan since i was single digits in age, im really glad we have these old interviews. His convictions were so admirable and he seemed go address everything with a critical mind.

[@fredkilner2299]

So when are machine learning neural networks going to process these videos to sharp smooth 4K video?

[@elgato205]

It's coming off of Netflix June 30th I'm sad

[@standardofexcellence]

Hulu bro

[@pgo301]

Very very interesting how censorship is sculptured so politically.

[@glenm5034]

Rod the most creative Unitarian

[@CincyworldcinemaOrg]

Rod Serling at UCLA, 11-11-1966. Speaking on Justice, Morality, White Backlash. (Jump to 8:50 for the main presentation.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqthqqQZdBggLM

[@mjp96]

How can have this interview been taken in 1959? Requiem for a Heavyweight was 1962.

[@MrCrystalm8]

holy shit this whole time i've been misreading his name as Rod Sterling lol

[@quoth128]

i kinda dug how "not up to modern standards" this interview was. kind of makes rod serling feel like an old timey story teller figure. like hans christian anderson or brothers grimm.

[@scienceforall8778]

Take home message: Don’t smoke.

[@DemetriusFuller]

Ron Serling?

[@BmakinFilm]

Rod Serling exists as one of the finest writers and creators of television ever. The Twilight Zone was deeply inspirational as a child growing up in the 70s watching reruns - TZ encapsulates all that is great about storytelling: he is one of the motivating sources behind my drive to continue making quality documentary films: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3PGaGBrnKaGn5I

[@CincyworldcinemaOrg]

The Rod Serling interview with Dick Cavett is in rotation on Decades TV - an under-appreciated over-the-air channel also carried by a few FIOS providers - www.decades.com/wheretowatch/. Also see: www.decades.com/shows/the-dick-cavett-show www.decades.com/articles/dick-cavett-opens-up-about-his-time-on-the-dick-cavett-show

[@Paul-vf2wl]

They should have called it Mike Wallace's smokebox

[@macm3081]

Censorship is a big problem in 2023 with the "woke" "cancel culture" stuff going on. We have been de evolving since the 1980s.