The Mike Wallace Interview featuring Rod Serling (1959)

[@jonfleck8687]

Picture if you will. An amazing orator. A writer. A creator. Devoid of recognition of his own thematic representation of excellence. Sitting in a chair, answering questions. He takes a journey that will lead him to a thoroughly adequate response to the questions he knows he must answer. Next stop, The Twilight Zone.

[@patritablackston2064]

Excellent job Jon.!!

[@lesallison9047]

Is that you Rod ? : )

[@waters-above]

Jon Fleck 👏🏻👊🏼👏🏻

[@joeomalley2835]

Nice!

[@joe103159]

LOL!

[@johnprovince5304]

He described his own work as "temporarily adequate". He had no idea how great he really was.

[@voicetube]

Agreed! In my opinion, the TZ ended up to this day being some of the MOST important television ever produced as well as, certainly in certain episodes, ABSOLUTELY having a social commentary that illustrated the best and worst of the human condition and humanity; some of these episodes taught us more about the human condition than we ever learned in school and In many cases, possibly even from our own parents, etc.

[@RocStarr913]

His incredibly high standards are a testament to how great his work really was.

[@maryplacencio9246]

David Shoesmith

[@maryplacencio9246]

David Shoesmith

[@daveloth5795]

John Province he knew, but he had to subdue himself among wolves

[@stevenveganightowl12]

Rod Serling just blew me away, way ahead of his time. Rod was fighting censorship and creating "Twilight Zone", this guy was the real deal.

[@stevefraser1409]

Beautifully expressed.

[@ChristiGriffin]

Did you know that The Twilight Zone was inspired by the murder of Emmett Till?

[@montanacrone8984]

No! I didn’t know that

[@tiffsaver]

Rod Serling should be honored as a National Treasure... period.

[@TryptychUK]

Yet in later years he was treated deplorably.

[@BurtonBoyz715]

Tragic...brilliant VOICE of the carring conscious....look what we have now....how sad he would be if he saw...what broadcast TV HAS BECOME.....a draining VACUUM ...of PERSONAL CORRUPTION of tiny worthless EGOS. He's haunting here....

[@saginawdan]

Amen

[@steevrawjers]

He is in my book

[@marymarysmarket3508]

A true MAN.

[@vintagestrings6]

With Rod Serling, every letter-syllable counts. What an amazing mind.

[@secariusprime4217]

Just to sit in the same room with him would have been an honor.

[@johncook7281]

Jack Klugman,( Oscar in the Odd Couple w\ Tony Randle as Felix) had the highest praise for R.Serling's writing. He was featured in 2-3 I can think of

[@susankeogh1370]

@@johncook7281 In Praise Of Pip was very good and remarkably prescient about Vietnam. Call Me Gabe was rather good and John Anderson ( cast against type) delivers a winning version of the Archangel Gabriel.

[@gssheriff7278]

Great writer, great brain

[@johncook7281]

@@susankeogh1370 "Call me Gabe" is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for the name of the episode.

[@miket727]

Intelligent, articulate, gifted, and creative man. Love his work.

[@kenwilliamsvoice]

I love how fluent their speech patterns were in the 50s. The words just flow. No half thoughts. Starts and stops. Ums, ahs. I could listen to Rod's smooth voice all day.

[@mozfonky]

ya, generations since have progressively gotten more verbally stilted. todays kids often, not always but often sound socially retarded. The main culprit is ,most likely just a lack of one on one, or small group dialogue.

[@cpnolto]

Totally agree. This was back when a HS education actually was an education. They wrote and spoke very well. Now - tack on some emojis or a hashtag or two and think that we've "gotten our point across" ......maybe.

[@desiolle2874]

They weren't lying as much then as they do today...you tend to flow when you speak unguarded...these are litigious and corrupt times where even the slightest misplaced word can be magnified and spread across the world in an hour...the end of your career or life...

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

@@mozfonky today's kids? These aren't kids. Kids aren't in charge of the media or interviews or any of that. How the fuck do you even get off making this about "today's kids"?

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

@@cpnolto but you people supported gutting education to the bare minimum and constantly cutting the budget for education and then blame it on the goddamn students

[@wesinman2312]

My older brother and I couldn't wait to see Twilight Zone every week, I still think it is one of the best TV shows ever. Rod Serling was a genius.

[@lawrencejoseph2915]

Thanks to Rod Serling, his twilight zone series influenced a lot of horror writers producers and horror movies today. Starting with final destination there is a twilight zone episode that begins like that. A woman having a premonition of a plain disaster at an airport the same way someone did in final destination.

[@dlo5640]

I'm 35. Used to watch reruns with my old man when I was about 10 yrs old. Started re watching them this week and have found much appreciation for this show!

[@secariusprime4217]

Even Mike Wallace is like "Damn! I'm in way over my head here interviewing this intellectual giant!"

[@oblivious108]

Wow, this man was battling the same fights that's going on to this day. What a pioneer.

[@namvet1968]

WWII vet, Purple Heart. Hero, genius.

[@Wonderhussy]

I had no idea this guy struggled with and had such eloquent thoughts about censorship... I always just thought of him as the quirky twilight zone host guy. Huge newfound respect! My new hero

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Oddly , its censorship that inspired The Twilight Zone .... it being fantastic in nature was an end round the corporate censorship .

[@BlutoSan]

@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 "Watch Requiem for a Heavyweight", pre Twilight Zone

[@cstlbrvo5615]

Everyone knows him from his writing and the Twilight Zone. He enlisted during WW2 and fought in Manila and the Philippines as a paratrooper. Japan was losing, it was bloody and vicious, he was injured.

[@gotocustudiofilmsthecheapb3802]

​@@cstlbrvo5615 amazing. how do u know this stuff. from a biography? documentary? i need to learn more about his life. twilight zone is still one of the greatest shows ever.

[@cstlbrvo5615]

@@gotocustudiofilmsthecheapb3802 During a parachute drop-resupply of his unit in the Phillipines at the time of the battle of Manila he was there when his friend was crush to death by cargo that was meant to help them. IJN + IJA were doing fanatical suicide attacks. Battle of Manila is comparable to Stalingrad in that it was house to house. Japanese soldiers knew no one was going to save them. They attacked the civilians. Threw babies in the air and caught them on bayonets. Some info is at Wikipedia. There's a pic of him on the internet after he got his jump wings with his Father. I found a lot of this info by crawling around on my hands and knees in dimly lit used bookstores.

[@brianyoung7854]

Rod was a genius , well spoken , socially aware and so ahead of his time .

[@robbiereilly]

Rod is eloquent, well-mannered, brilliant and concise, as always. Quite the gentleman and not a word wasted. Every single sentence speaks volumes. The man was a pillar of dignity and integrity. He exuded candid honesty and depth. We lost him way too early. Thank goodness he left us with so much to enjoy and to think about. Mike Wallace is so condescending in this. Rod takes it in stride, but you can see he's getting a bit impatient. Also, when introducing him, Mike slightly mispronounces his name as 'Ron Serling'. I'm not certain it's intentional, of course, but this is well-known technique to throw a guest off balance in ambush type interviews. Also, the harping on money, ("How much can a guy make?") instead of content and story. He adds, 'You've given up writing anything important for television...for the foreseeable future' but is challenged by Serling. Again, Rod doesn't let him get away with the negative spin he's putting on his new show 'The Twilight Zone'. Mike is clearly honing his craft for his well known talent of ambushing his interviewees that he would later perfect on '60 Minutes'. Wallace became a dignified and elder statesman of TV journalism, but early in his career, as in this series, he's more akin to conducting a tabloid style expose. Two men, both very good at what they do. A creator and a critic-an optimist and a cynic. Nowadays, I wish we had more of one and less of the other.

[@wildbillfirehands]

Robbie R. Esq.,Correct. I rewind to hear Ron 2X. Rod just brought on his brilliance and held his own. Ros is a legend to me. I write, and when I see TZ, I see he wrote it, and get my butt kicked again. I'm learning.

[@choosenickey7562]

Yes!

[@regancopple4085]

He died way, way, way too young, only 50, & the culprit, as usual, was the 3-4 packs of cigarettes he smoked daily.

[@rodburnett5935]

All extremely well said. I enjoyed reading this.

[@itsyaboyangel]

Robbie R. Esq. agreed-well said.

[@hummingpylon]

any interview with rod serling is pure gold.

[@marymarysmarket3508]

Wonderful to watch a real MAN.

[@screaminmimi330]

Rod Serling - what an unequaled genius! How I wish he'd lived so much longer. ❤

[@dariamorgendorffer1573]

I love that Rod Serling was clever enough to hide his social commentary behind the guise of a fun and entertaining science fiction show and that he was able to get away with it. Great interview.

[@AnthonyVassallo]

His comments at around minute 10 made me laugh - he was very crafty in his use of words.

[@larrymagee8758]

Roddenberry did the same thing, but if it wasn't for RS, he couldn't have done it.

[@scott6261]

I am 8

[@joeski734]

This stood out to me as well. He explicitly states that he is pulling back from social commentary with The Twilight Zone. Ha. It was one of the most politically and socially aware programs of all time.

[@marhawkman303]

@@joeski734 yeah the trick with good social commentary is to NOT make it hyper specific. Trying to nail a bullseye, means you'll miss the audience. Why? It's a mix of them not getting it, and them disagreeing. Kirk and Uhura kissing? first interracial kiss on TV. Would have been terrible if the people writing it had tried to play up the kiss as important. It was important, but because ti was written as ordinary and normal.

[@1newbert]

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Serling in 1972 at Texas A&M. I was on the committee that invited him to speak. After the program he sat with us, chain smoking cigarettes and talking about his days as a paratrooper.

[@kathydestefano7318]

It's so cool that you were able to meet him! I would have loved that opportunity.

[@kevinsmith5288]

I also saw him in 1972! It was at a restaurant in West Springfield, Ma. His presence sure caused a stir!

[@allenjones3130]

One of the great TV writers of all time. Rest in peace, Rod.

[@stephen5804]

I gravitate towards great minds. Learning about how truth is handled gives my backbone strength.

[@francissemazzi1530]

@@stephen5804 "shadow act" still keeps me amazed to this day.

[@johnschaefer2238]

Yes an exceptional writer for TV but let’s not forget film. Requiem For A Heavyweight, Seven Days In May and Planet Of The Apes all benefited from his writing.

[@Puddycat00]

If he trusted in Jesus for his salvation, he is at peace, if not…..well everything he’s accomplished here on earth will mean nothing. You can’t take anything with u, even your soul belongs to God. And you WILL be judged

[@prokesuk]

He didn't realize, or didn't want to admit it, but he was on the verge of one of the most honest and critical TV shows ever produced.

[@dhog41]

What a sharp mind he had. Why can't more people in the U.S entertainment biz today speak as frankly and honestly as he did? Upsetting.

[@johnjiii4133]

So true!

[@hansenmv]

+dhog41 It is getting better - because of cable - Vince Gilligan and Noah Hawley aren't concerned about nutcase southern letter-writers.

[@Bikewithlove]

Sean Young does. It's a difficult thing, because there's a fine line between standing up and standing out. Rod was wise for finding a way around it, while Sean Young bites the hand that feeds. It takes a toll on you and it's a constant fight. If you're lucky you get some success, but at the same time it gets to being the thing that sinks you.

[@RocStarr913]

Because the entertainment business is simply more competitive now with video and digital and the Internet than it was then and television was still a relatively new thing and in its golden age. But don't forget, even then, Serling had some real uphill battles with CBS over The Twilight Zone. It often struggled in the viewership ratings and was nearly cancelled several times during its original network broadcast run. It's only because it managed to air enough episodes and thus attain rerun syndication that it still manages to endure to this day.

[@ericwood2466]

dhog41 💯 %

[@luke125]

What an excellent command of the language Serling had. Almost no “uhm’s” in site. You don’t hear people speak like this anymore.

[@luke125]

@@dianeknudson-suhr361 It was one of my favorites growing up too.

[@thomvogan3397]

They were a product of an education system that produced well informed and articulate graduates, sadly long since gone. As well, in the time before the internet and social media attention spans were considerably longer

[@tugbabywi]

Formality in speech writing and dress were lost in the sixties. We lost our sense of civility in some cases as a result.

[@billt8504]

He said uh / um a couple of times when he couldn't remember the exact word "testimonial", but other than that, flawless.

[@ryanwalker1982]

I don't disagree with you but it is funyn I heard him say "urm" seconds after reading this lol

[@jamesthompkins7404]

Rod Serling is my all time favorite, he was about 60 years ahead of his time.

[@pennise]

Rod Serling was a Man for any time. He was a true professional and perfectionist. One of the greatest and most prolific writers of our time.

[@viagotanega9898]

True. Very true. But what I find to be so interesting about him is that we wouldn’t have 70% of the storytelling we’d have today without him.

[@flossygallaway6565]

James Thompkins yup same with Frank Zappa.

[@djpetenice]

Rod was next level. His stories still intrigue me to this day. I was a child in the early 80's when I discovered The Twilight Zone when I would stay home sick with my grandmother. I started faking sick just so I could watch the show at 12pm during the week from school. My parents started to catch on when they took me to the Doctor and asked what was going on. I confessed I was addicted to the show.

[@peppersander2457]

Pete Rice: LOL

[@waltersmith281]

I can remember seeing them when they first aired.

[@53philp]

Rod Serling was a genius. Although his shows were science fiction, he made them seem true with the way he introduced them. I was about 7 yrs old when Twilight Zone started, my folk's didn't want me watching them because sometimes I would have nightmare's. I couldn't get enough. When he came out with Night Gallery I jumped for joy.

[@thetuguar]

"I've never written beneath myself, I've never written anything that I didn't want my name attached to. I've probed deeper in some scripts and I've been more successful in some than others. But all of them, that have been on, I'll take my lick, they're mine, and that's the way I wanted them." That's the most healthy way of looking at things for those who create art, any art. Wonderfully put.

[@QuantumEffectResidue]

I totally agree. Did you know that before the quantum (Mandela) effect his name was Rod Sterling. The T is now gone.

[@tomeverett2212]

That is the responsible way to run your life.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I think that should apply to any job, not just art. It might just be things rolling off an assembly line, but one should feel proud if he's not half-assing the job.

[@gotocustudiofilmsthecheapb3802]

that's integrity. he did it in art, in his whole life.

[@hopelessent.1700]

Quantum Effect Residue thats funny that’s what I’ve been saying all my life.

[@alecfoster4413]

A courageous, brilliant, free-thinking, independent mind. I miss him.

[@lzalab2286]

I like how Rod Serling convey his communication skills, comprehensible and with substance , with a clear message that the listeners will understand it right a way .

[@lucasskywalker]

Rod Serling...a real man.

[@suspicioususer]

@Viking Paratrooper not a Ranger

[@CJM-rg5rt]

It's funny this was five years ago but I really wish everyone was as pist. To have that discipline and morals is kinda a curse but he feels love and that makes life worthy. If you criticized humanity then they think you are a sociopath when in reality you are just disappointed. We have so much potential but it's wasted.

[@flossygallaway6565]

Lucas Skywalker not many left by design.

[@chadsknnr]

THANK YOU!!

[@skirmisherfront1498]

Your not kidding,World War 2 paratrooper.

[@Me-wk3ix]

Love him. I feel like I'm actually watching an adult speak, you don't see that too much these days.

[@flossygallaway6565]

Me you are not many left by design

[@mdarrenu]

he was only 35 there too.

[@angru5oklok]

@@mdarrenu lol wow! I'm 58 and he seems older!

[@mdarrenu]

@@angru5oklok I knew he died young - but I looked it up and he died at age 50. He smoked 3 to 4 packs a day. Multiple heart attacks due to smoking. A lot of people used to die young due to smoking.

[@angru5oklok]

@@mdarrenu yeah that's too bad! He waa such and intelligent guy. The smoking definitely aged him early.

[@blatherskite3009]

Fascinating interview, the quality of which you really don't see anymore - and it's scary how pretty much everything Rod Serling talks about being a problem in those early days of television is (a) still a problem, (b) worse now, 60 years down the line. Obviously, with our 20/20 hindsight, we know that little project he was about to launch was to become one of the most iconic television shows of all time, so this is a fascinating glimpse of a time in Serling's career when he didn't know how it would pan out. He did eventually make his mark on cinema, too, co-penning the script for a little film called "Planet of the Apes" that some folks out there might have heard of. That iconic ending? Rod wrote that :)

[@TaraColquitt]

This comment is exactly what I wanted to express, but better. Thanks!

[@thewkovacs316]

requiem for a heavyweight was made into a movie long before he adapted planet of the apes

[@swizzbeats1212]

The Twilight Zone is the BEST show that has ever existed, yes I said it. To those idiots fighting in the comments, you do realize a lot of movies and shows got their ideas from The Twilight Zone...

[@brentos78]

I agree, The Twilight Zone is the greatest television program in the history of the medium. Every episode is 10/10

[@michaelhein5455]

I have always preached to anyone who would listen that The Twilight Zone is the best program television has ever produced.

[@snakeylanes4804]

I agree they were groundbreaking and are classics as well as having some great nostalgia at this point but the stories have evolved and boundries have been pushed.

[@Bfixico]

Without a doubt

[@stegarden]

Watching the Twilight Zone will snap you out of complacent reality.

[@MrImiller07]

A number of people may only associate Rod Serling with his hosting duties on the series The Twilight Zone, which ran from the late 50s to the mid 60s on CBS. In reality, Serling was a gifted television and screenwriter who was responsible for writing landmark dramas during the Golden Age Of Television, including Patterns, which was adapted into a movie, and Requiem For A Heavyweight, also filmed with Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason. He scripted the first Planet Of The Apes film with Charlton Heston, and Seven days In May, the political drama starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Frederic March, directed by John Frankenheimer. Serling was continually frustrated in his efforts to deal with serious issues in scripted dramas, like racism and control of nuclear weapons. He died prematurely during heart surgery at age 50.

[@garylobo348]

+MrImiller07 At the 8:42 mark of this interview, Wallace asks about the new series, to be entitled, The Twilight Zone, and how Serling forsees his ability to control the content, vs. the perpetual sponsor interference that has caused consternation for all writers since the birth of the medium, television, I dare to say...and radio before that. Prior to this point he refers to how some nasty mail from the South actually got the sponsors of Lassie to prohibit ever again the reference to having puppies on television...as some people managed to deem that "sexual". Boy, the more things change, the more they stay the same... But how fascinating to hear TTZ referred to in the FUTURE tense in this brilliant interview, and what the genius Sterling had in mind for his upcoming "baby"... To us today, it is a classic that is over 50 years old...

[@sunnavailable]

His opening lines for the twilight zone were as good as the show. His intellect is timeless.

[@chokkan7]

This was a very erudite, perceptive, intelligent man...it's no wonder he was tortured, tormented, and ultimately marginalized as he was by the entertainment industry...I feel extremely fortunate that TZ, The Loner, and a few of his other works managed to filter through the system for our edification...

[@danielueblacker9118]

He is in my book, class and heart.

[@Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush]

Good God this man was a genius and he was brilliant. I admire him so much

[@uncletony6210]

Serling would have been a good James Bond just by playing himself.

[@steevrawjers]

Or the best ever Bond villain

[@em23]

@@steevrawjers I would see him as a grey villain. Not necessarily a mustache twirler, but a tragic villain.

[@steevrawjers]

@@em23 yes

[@desiolle2874]

Watching this man speak makes you want to be a better person....to dream bigger, to speak from the heart and to try to make a difference...he's a cultural giant...Imagine if he were alive today..

[@plasticweapon]

yes.

[@kalsolarUK]

What a fine, intelligent, principled man Serling was. Love how he handled this interview.

[@withgoddess8029]

I remember from this biography wasn't particularly principled in his private life

[@kalsolarUK]

@@withgoddess8029 We all fall short one way or another at various times.

[@Nate_is_Great]

88 dislikes? Who the hell could ever dislike this? Idiots who do not realize pure genius, pure visionary!!

[@3EBstudio]

The Sponsors

[@iriewaregl]

​@@3EBstudioAnd, don't forget about those Jim Crow deep South evangelicals and rednecks who hated him with a passion both then and now for his activism supporting Civil Rights and progressive causes. Regardless, based on his front line combat experiences in the South Pacific and Philippines during WWII he more than earned the right to say whatever he wished!

[@jimtrimblett8333]

I love that guy. In my opionion the twilight zone is the best tv show ever.

[@steevrawjers]

True but also the six million dollar man is pretty cool

[@jdjking]

I concur! He was way ahead of his time. Genius!!!

[@debbieanne7962]

My favorite series also. Ever

[@stevefraser1409]

I absolutely agree.

[@jimtrimblett8333]

@@steevrawjers I never watched the six million dollar man. If I see reruns maybe I'll give it a chance, but I can't imagine it being as good as Twilight zone.

[@In-N-Out333]

He was so articulate.

[@josephmacdonald8813]

They dont make em like that anymore

[@melbea03]

And he talks good too

[@3John-Bishop]

But stupid enough to chain smoke and kill himself

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@3John-Bishop , the power of peer pressure on adults.

[@modelprisoner]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 lighten up, you wanna smoke, smoke!

[@Tom52NJ]

Like the Beatles, you only get one in a life time. Brilliant mind but humble soul. One of my favorites, Night of the meek with Art Carney. Very touching. It should be an extra every Christmas along with Its a wonderful life.

[@hanks72]

I've always found Mr. Serling an attractive figure. I started watching The Twilight Zone when I was a little boy. I never graduated high school and was always ridiculed for my poor grammar. He absolutely inspired me to improve my diction and the command of the English language. When I speak with people they always ask me which university or college did I go to. I laugh inside and tell them I never completed high school. The expression on there face is priceless.

[@thomasjones7115]

Yea me too ya see Mr Serling gave me the confidence to be strong ya' see I was born and raised down in Alabama On a farm way back up in the woods I was so ragged that folks used to call me Patches Papa used to tease me about it 'Cause deep down inside he was hurt 'Cause he'd done all he could My papa was a great old man I can see him with a shovel in his hands, see Education he never had He did wonders when the times got bad The little money from the crops he raised Barely paid the bills we made For, life had kick him down to the ground When he tried to get up Life would kick him back down One day Papa called me to his dyin' bed Put his hands on my shoulders And in his tears he said He said, Patches I'm dependin' on you, son To pull the family through My son, it's all left up to you Two days later Papa passed away, and I became a man that day So I told Mama I was gonna quit school, but She said that was Daddy's strictest rule So every mornin' 'fore I went to school I fed the chickens and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt that I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, just run away from home But I would remember what my daddy said With tears in his eyes on his dyin' bed He said, Patches I'm dependin' on you, son I tried to do my best It's up to you to do the rest Then one day a strong rain came And washed all the crops away And at the age of 13 I thought I was carryin' the weight of the Whole world on my shoulders And you know, Mama knew What I was goin' through, 'cause Every day I had to work the fields 'Cause that's the only way we got our meals You see, I was the oldest of the family And everybody else depended on me Every night I heard my Mama pray Lord, give him the strength to make another day So years have passed and all the kids are grown The angels took Mama to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I shedded tears But my daddy's voice kept me through the years Sing, Patches, I'm dependin' on you, son To pull the family through My son, it's all left up to you Oh, I can still hear Papa's voice sayin' Patches, I'm dependin' on you, son I've tried to do my best It's up to you to do the rest I can still hear Papa, what he said Patches, I'm dependin' on you, son To pull the family through My son, it's all left up to you

[@sophcass2974]

Good for you

[@jackiemichaels1162]

@Thomas Jones Thank you for sharing. Great storytelling & message of perserverance, dedication & love of both you & papa. Well done!

[@modickens1272]

@@jackiemichaels1162 🙈 that was a song from the 60s originally performed by Clarence Carter. The commenter was being sarcastic , it was funny.

[@spacedude61]

How relevant this is today just blows me away! Rod was and is a classy dude.

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

Serling is truly a mesmerizing figure when being interviewed. He is so intelligent with his answers, tragic to lose him at so young an age, his early 50's I believe.

[@rogerdewey7556]

50

[@andybelt603]

Rod has the best voice. Talks like he's introducing an episode, I love it.

[@pvtrichter88]

Andy Belt submitted for your approval Are these the ramblings of a madman or a visionary ? tonight on the Twilight zone du du danna du du danna 🎶📺 you can just hear the theme playing great to hear him speak always loved the TZ series stay tuned and be safe Cheers mate!

[@gotocustudiofilmsthecheapb3802]

@@pvtrichter88 Definitely Visionary :) And amazing human being. He and his work was a gift to the world. And we're all the better for it.

[@aybee63]

from 11:55 What an amazing clarity of mind!!! His was probably one of the sharpest minds in media! 13:09 Mike can't keep up with Rod's intellect and razor sharp thinking!

[@genequist3859]

He was ahead of his time for sure and often spoke of the conflict between his desire to call attention to social issues and the strict demands he was under as a writer. Also spoke independently of his disdain for social inequality on many occasions. In this interview you can see the things he WISHES he could talk about, but he knew that his career depended on his discretion. He was smart enough to work around it while still remaining true enough to his principles.

[@weyrunner2838]

Rod was one of the biggest men of the entertainment industry! despite the fact he was not very tall, he worked his way through a degree, was a disabled war veteran, and even tested parachutes and ejection seats for the military !

[@8mysteryjo]

Rod fought in WWII and was a paratrooper.

[@markjaycox8811]

I shut down NORAD March 24, 1967 from the bridge of the craft that returns OCT73, de-cloaking 500 miles across over Canada and USA border, the only UFO SIGHTING in the history of the world to make our Military arm nukes on B-52's, and I am on duty @ GRIFFISS AFB ROME NEW YORK inches from those armed nukes before becoming the only USAF transported unconscious to a secured facility inside Wright Patterson AFB Dayton Ohio directly following the UFO EVENT causing the movie INDEPENDENCE DAY. I was a 20 year old 92250 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST INSTRUCTOR with 2 stripes with Generals sitting in my PE Briefings.

[@BorisW150]

Rod Serling was a genius. Too bad he died at age 50, just 16 short years after this clip was filmed, of a heart attack. No doubt too many cigarettes and too many hours. The price of success.

[@warrenpierce5542]

While it is true Mr. Serling was a smoker. His actual cause of death was botched sergery after a heart attack. He was also a wounded combat veteran of ww2.

[@iVenge]

The man supposedly smoked one after the other after the other. I have never understood how women put up with that, but they have by the millions.

[@dodgeplow]

@Warren Pierce - I'm not sure if his surgery was botched. he had already had 2 heart attacks and the 3rd happened on the table. Modern bypass surgery was only a few years old at the time.

[@kennethlucas7473]

The same way women put up with getting the hell beat out of them every week

[@MrNZ19]

iVenge don’t understand how his smoking habit has anything to do with women or his wife but alrighty then

[@toddlevine9377]

A maverick and genius literally decades ahead of his time. His modesty and sincerity are both unmistakable. Fascinating interview, many thanks.

[@kamuelalee]

The legend speaks. What a great interview. Loved Twilight Zone growing up. Now, I get to see the genius behind this groundbreaking show. And Serling was right, Twilight Zone did not hurt him professionally -- he became a legend!

[@DougShanahanMusic]

I love the slight reaction Serling has at the beginning when Wallace introduces him as Ron Serling.

[@MrPfennig]

Little doubt that Wallace did that intentionally; he didn’t repeat it...

[@bettyvillaronga9752]

I still remember being scared shitless as a little kid watching his great show. What a genius! It's inspiring to see what a strong , brave man can do.

[@Dian-kb2hg]

some of it also turns you into the bahavioral issues... wether male or female

[@rymskindeep]

holy moly listen to how well this dude speaks

[@charleybarley939]

My aunt was his English teacher at West Jr. High School. His use of proper grammar does not surprise me!

[@arkangelnorthman]

@@charleybarley939 west jr.? Where?

[@jimbo43ohara51]

Strange to see people sniffing cigarette smoke.

[@Nate_is_Great]

@@charleybarley939 how old is your aunt

[@Dr170]

He speak goodly

[@grahamcombs4752]

In fact, The Twilight Zone did some very heavy hitting, emotionally and morally. It is interesting that in essentially every season there was always an episode involving the Evil One. There was humor, but also a moral dimension about good and evil.

[@tommyvette969]

Serling is one of those guys comes along once every hundred years simply put way way ahead of his time .

[@Thejellybaby]

Serling discussing original content and censorship. Deeply relevant.

[@gaiusthered7444]

It's amazing that he manages to speak as he narrates.

[@starcarrier1874]

Back in the 70’s as a teen, I remembering watching a film called “Patterns”. I think it was black and white. I concluded then that Serling was brilliant. After listening to this interview, I’m certain of it.

[@Mindsmog]

Rod was one of a kind, a real genius in his own right, r.i.p and ty for the twilight zone, some if the best stories and screenplay of a generation.

[@cutl00senc]

Rod would spin in his grave if he watched an hour of TV in the present day.

[@kevinrockford9826]

Any episodes relate to 2020? I sure feel like I am in the Twilight Zone.

[@sharonkellogg4148]

I don't know. I think he would be impressed by X- Files, Breaking Bad, Handmaids Tale, Succession, etc. There is quite a lot of solid television if you know where to look.

[@tomasschuman6576]

@@kevinrockford9826 yes, "the monsters are due on maple street"

[@L1ghtweaver]

Not at all. I think he'd largely be unimpressed, but not surprised. But, on the other, I think he'd be amazed with the ideas and impressions we can get away with on television now.

[@TicklerDude]

Rod Serling died from Coronavirus according to CNN and MSNBC!!!

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

Great interview. We lost rod way too soon.

[@MarkRoberts-bj2me]

Geez, one guy in this interview has a lot of class.

[@danieljakubik3428]

Yes indeed! At that would be Rod Serling.

[@cjnav7832]

The Camera Man j/k

[@withgoddess8029]

@Willie Gordon you're not serious are you..

[@irenicum]

Rod Serling was a true 20th century prophet that still deserves a hearing, especially now.

[@ylangylang268]

Rod Serling is a legend, visionary, way ahead of his time, and that voice! I grew up watching The Twilight Zone, so many of his episodes inspired me, helped shape my critical thinking in my formative years. He challenged me to see what is and what is not there in plain view. He helped me to believe and understand that there are things which we may never understand or explain, whether that be within ourselves, our humanity, in our universe, on our planet, and within our own lives. i wish he were still with us.

[@athenafingers]

Thank you for posting this video. It shows that there was a time when people had integrity in the entertainment industry. God bless Rod Serling and his idealistic values.

[@tima9790]

Interestingly, it also shows how people without integrity and intelligence became the preferred leaders in the entertainment industry when he explains the Lassie story, and the impact an organised group of people had on that show by comparing Lassie having puppies to porn.

[@gregmiller9710]

Rod was able to use his creation of science fiction and fantasy in the Twilight Zone "to make social commentary" w/o interference from w/o. a Genius move at a time of censorship! I truly believe that he didn't care about the money but more about the way humans are and as said on netflix he was able to add "social commentary" thank you for posting this interview. As far as I'm concerned Rod belongs to those great thinkers such as Socrates.

[@GS-gq5is]

Had no idea Serling was such a thoughtful and charismatic person. Totally real and completely humble.

[@ronniet71]

Mad Love Rod Serling. You helped to open my consciousness as a kid to subjects most are to afraid to contemplate.

[@simonmcgrath4112]

Things haven't changed in 60yrs even here in England his words resonate as they did here in 1959. What a man too, I love his honesty and knows his boundaries and what he wants and little did this great humble man know how The Twilight Zone would change television and the world!!

[@immortalis1001]

God-damn...a man alone on a show surrounded by sharks looking for blood. Every word can and will be used against him in the Twilight Zone. Seriously...what an inspiration...what an amazing level of integrity and true purpose of creation. 60 years in the future...Rod I salute you.

[@leonardbumbaca9687]

People interviewed today do not speak with the same exactness and developed vocabulary. Anti-intellectualism has gotten to the point that spoken vocabulary must be dialed down to the "general audience" and there is an urgency to rush to the main point (without pause, nuance or context). Rod Serling's answers on today's TV would be considered "snooty" and inaccessible.

[@timcollins1131]

There was a time when Americans could speak English clearly. But don't worry, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch are examples of English speaking TV folk who still do.

[@ilitardo160]

Leonard Bumbaca I’m sorry but nobody spoke like his back then, only some people in show biz, if u actually look at some newspapers from back in this time, ironically you will find articles complaining about the same thing you you’re complaining about

[@ilitardo160]

Tim Collins this is actually not true, people have been complaining about out deteriorating for a long time, if you read newspapers or this time you will find articles complaining about the youth losing their vocabulary

[@timramich]

@@timcollins1131 Those people are British...

[@timramich]

These days, if you talk like that, and you're not British, you're a dandy.

[@hansenmv]

I'm not going to delve into social commentary - I'll be too busy with TZ. This guy was a certified genius.

[@hansenmv]

Frkn ROD SERLING - BEFORE TZ ---

[@flouncymagoo9766]

The way he explains things is so eloquent. I don’t feel confused, he just tells it how he sees it and it’s awfully on point

[@doktor_ghul]

Everything Rod Serling related should be preserved and cherished. There's a Serling biographical special called " Submitted for your Approval" that has been yanked off of YT, and I miss it.

[@BigSmith5572]

Damn I could listen to this man talk all day. Very intelligent, clean and sharp with his words. Why can we not have a voice of reasoning sounding like this in today's era.

[@j.j.2678]

even more so in Capitol Hill

[@robjones2408]

A sharp, articulate man whose brilliant horror stories were also morality tales. Rod Serling was a class act. "The Twilight Zone" has passed into legend, it has now become part of the English language. Often imitated, never equalled. Serling's influence still resonates in the 21st Century. The best legacy of all.

[@ronniem3592]

Rod Serling was a genius-The"Twilight Zone"is one of those shows you never get tired of watching.Rod Serling was never afraid to speak his mind.He hated racism and bigotry.He always had something constructive to say.

[@bertskoi]

Of course he was a genius... he was JEWISH ! Not that it matters but so was Mike Wallace. Jews ALWAYS change the world, mostly for the better!

[@johntate5722]

+bertskoi Like it bertskoi! Good for you - I loved much of Serling's work, Twilight Zone of course but also Night Gallery and the TV plays of the 50's. And I'm impressed by Mike Wallace who comes across as intelligent, sharp and virile. Muzeltof, if that's how you spell it!!John Tate Liverpool UK

[@aldriangrose8756]

Facts

[@JH-qy8no]

His show lasting only 4 years is actually a badge of honor. The liberal clique shunned him. It was right around that time, 1962, when it all started. TV became leftist propaganda.

[@weezyfbaby3510]

@@JH-qy8no liberals werent the anti black jim crow crowd.....stop making shit up lol

[@lisar3777]

America gave up class acts like this for the Kardashians

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

Many Americans still watch The Twilight Zone and pay no attention to the Kardashians.

[@mindslaw4961]

thomas samson yeah mate, conspiracy theories and whataboutery. More people voted for "that family" than voted for the fat orange cunt in the White House, the one who first came to public attention because the FBI declared him racist and who has been credibly accused of sexual assault by several women.

[@dfsdfsdf34]

@Kris Kristie Explain to me exactly what he stated that was inaccurate? As in, these are actually legitimate accusations that have been levied at the Clintons for many years now. Hell, Hillary Clinton getting a brutal child rapist off the hook in court and then laughing about is a undeniable proven fact that can be verified with a 5 second google search. So remind me, what part about any of that makes thomas samsom a traitor?? Ill wait for your well formulated and researched rebuttal.

[@jcavazos4145]

Lisa R. A fascinating human being.

[@dfsdfsdf34]

@@justamangoddamn read more

[@vivaldesque]

Wow! I just fell in love with this guy! This interview is a real treasure. The timing is perfect - just before The Twilight Zone came out. Rod Serling was eloquent, and seemed so touchingly authentic and intelligent. We also get an interesting glimpse at the state of television at the time.

[@ronaldrice1600]

Nobody speaks honestly like this any more. There are no longer real interviews within the entrainment business. It's all Entertainment Tonight.

[@jdgustofwinddance.7748]

I speak honestly. Been banned and deleted several times because of it.

[@cstlbrvo5615]

@@jdgustofwinddance.7748 That happened to me yesterday on a YT channel whose creator continually claims to be a voice for facts and truth.

[@jdgustofwinddance.7748]

@@cstlbrvo5615 ah. Well, My profile was nuked and I had to create this as the backup. Lost all my playlists and etc. starting back up from scratch and memory.

[@j.j.2678]

All trash, except PBS and "60 minutes"

[@cstlbrvo5615]

@@j.j.2678 PBS: "Womens genital mutilation in Africa" ..WTF? 60 Minutes: slanted, biased, feminist, male-bashing BS etc....

[@batman32386]

Notice how rarely Serling stutters or uses fillers like "um" or "uh," two of the most overused fragments in public speaking. Ok, this isn't technically public. It's a taped interview, but you get a sense of Serling's mastery of language, something that his several television shows prove beyond any doubt.

[@jayv7006]

He did use uh here and there.

[@firstnamelastname-zo5gd]

the dude wrote 12-14 hours a day for years. better be well-spoken ha.

[@tennisdude52278]

Nick A. Rose People of that generation spoke much more eloquently and grammatically correct than people today do. I wish people today would care more.

[@nickpetersen5934]

Although he is a sharp guy, he says “uh” 4 times on the first question alone, in the same sentence.

[@TheRealGnolti]

You are correct. Serling was what used to be called "well-spoken." The term is seldom used today, probably because there is little occasion to use it.

[@NycBeauty]

Rod’s voice and mind is unique. I use stay up late to watch this show when I was a kid. I luv the introduction and his voice.

[@matthewlee9879]

Rod serling was a man beyond his time and much more,his stories are truly timeless

[@danielbenn1413]

This is a great look into the mind of a pioneer of television writing. I had no idea Rod was such champion of free thinking and a dedicated father and husband. Great interview.

[@robynm7221]

Rod Serling was way ahead of his time. He had amazing insight & and made his own choices & followed his dream. What a sad day it was when I learned he passed. 😔 I still remember staying up almst all night watching a marathon of his series The Twilight Zone. RIP You will never be forgotten & a few of your episodes reflect what's happening in our world today. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jackyflowers3493]

Thank you for bringing this interview with Rod. Too bad there are not more like him. Maybe someday. ..Soon.

[@kolgy1]

Rod Serling was was a true genius and very articulate speaker.

[@delilahfleharty8393]

A true legend. Love the way he spoke here. His intonation and persona was one of a kind.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Love this guy! A master, an innovator, with rare honesty and the recognition of genius- - humility. Mr. Sterling created in one half- hour an amazing, thoughtful and often penetrating, disturbing experience no one has been able to match. It is called genius.

[@MrAnthonyVance]

If ever there was a most distinctive and memorable voice from the innumerable voices of television then surely Rod Serling is at the very top. I just love listening to him speak. He weaves words together so wonderfully well. That being said -- his penchant for writing was as relentless as it was legendary. I adored the Twilight Zone. Still do. I vividly remember this brilliant and fascinating man as though it were an hour ago when I first heard him speak on the television tube as I took my first journey into The Twilight Zone. I was only 11 at the time. I am now 71. The passing of so many years have not weakened his grip on me. I always thought Rod Serling was a humble man. I never heard him brag. Not a single time. I mean this guy was the ultimate role model in how to handle fame and money and applause. And he had an integrity and a heart and a compassion for the human condition that transcends mere description. Before I myself pass into the great beyond, I want to go on record as saying that one of my few pleasures and unique experiences in this life is to have lived during the time when Rod Serling lived. His plays taught me so much about life. I don't believe in a here-after but man-oh-man it would be great to shake Rod's hand in the after-life. And to tell him how much I taught of him as a human being and as a writer. What an inspiration he was! And what an inspiration he continues to be, still, after all this time.

[@luxlisbon7979]

im 17, its 2020, and rod serling will always be the love of my life lol

[@kateyare4708]

His thoughts on censorship, and how he worked around it, are very relevant today.

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

♥️ thus immortal, alive, present.

[@livewithmeterandnomeasureb1679]

I dont blame ya. Hes awesome. Ive been sick my whole life and when i was a baby and couldnt sleep my dad would try to get me back to sleep and watch the twilight zone at the same time.

[@DeeEllEff]

A righteous choice! He was sure wrong about one thing: He didn’t think after winning 3 Emmies his new show, The Twilight Zone, would help his career very much. It’s literally 60 years later, and I re-watch all the classic episodes on the SyFy channel, still marveling at what a legacy he was able to leave us

[@JohnSmith-vb6jx]

He watches you when you sleep, then turns, takes a puff of his cigarette and speaks into a camera lense about your longing... "Submitted for your consideration, a young lady in the beginning of her journey down the pathway of life. Enveloped in the distant timeline of a romance left unrequited, with a man no longer living, or at least, so she thinks...until having a chance encounter in...The Twilight Zone."

[@91Kingscrib84]

Two fascinating men participating in a fascinating interview! Admired them both for their life's work.

[@lesallison9047]

Rod Sterling the King of TV. 6o odd years later and I still love his work . Thanks Rod.

[@joyceconroy9870]

Very powerful interview. Rod was a class act and may I add very courageous. He never traded his passion for glory. The glory came from being true to his art.

[@VolatileDisposition]

Rod had a keen insight into the human animal. He understood mans fears and desires. He knew how far someone could/would go when you removed all of their comfort- and placed them in a desperate situation. how people become animals the instant they feel unsafe. doing things no one would ever believe about these 'upstanding citizens' normally. he wanted to REVEAL how most folks just wear masks in their day to day.. And how quickly those masks come off when the chips are down. The episodes were chilling simply because of their truth. for instance, he was able to show that a pretty, quiet street in the suburbs.. can be scary as hell. if you looked at it in a different light.

[@gregmiller9710]

i.e. The Shelter

[@VolatileDisposition]

yes. indeed.

[@beauzer36]

Good post.

[@pagefire2]

+VolatileDisposition Excellent summation. When the thin veneer of civilization is removed, you find out who people really are. That's why the disaster films of the 70's..Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, were so fascinating to me. And now The Walking Dead's taken it to another level. Difference in degree and style, but kind.

[@jeremybear573]

VolatileDisposition You know he fought in Ww2 in the New Guinea campaign which was one of the longest and grueling, gruesome, and bloodiest of the war. What he most of experienced and learned into the primal nature of man certainly prepared his themes for his writings to come.

[@dutchsinse]

wow, a great interview, one of the best I've seen in a long time.

[@wildbillfirehands]

I agree. You said this 4 yrs ago. Is this the now famous Earth seismic activity specialist Dutchsinse??? Awesome.

[@214Wildbill]

We need more Rod Serlings

[@tarstarkusz]

A proto-sjw. Eff him.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@tarstarkusz , let me guess commie, you hate the Bible too.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 Because commies are always calling people SJWs.

[@cruelshoes30]

What a class act, Wallace and Serling. Straight to the point, engaging, informative and mostly, at least for me, entertaining. I take my leave inspired. Serling's commitment to his work, family and racial/social injustices is top notch. To hear him speak for the first time in something other than the Twilight intro, I was shocked. I've never met anyone who's thoughts translated to speech so eloquently clear, brutal and brash. Truly a writer's writer who followed, and lived, the dream.

[@AndreVandal]

This was a very smart man... thanks you for sharing this