Welcome to Stuff I Learned Yesterday. My name is Darrell Darnell, “A World of His Own” is my favorite episode of The Twilight Zone, and I believe that if you aren’t learning, you aren’t living. In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday we’re back with another installment of the Friday Forum.

Today’s Fun Fact: You may already know that The Twilight Zone is my favorite show of all time. If you’re a big fan of the show, then you may already be aware that this Sunday is not only Christmas day, but it would have been Rod Serling’s 92nd birthday. Unfortunately, Rod passed away on June 28, 1975 at the age of 50. So to honor the man who created my favorite TV show of all time, here are some fun facts about Rod. (Source: MeTV.com)

  • When Serling submitted a script to CBS as the pilot pitch for The Twilight Zone, the network gave it to Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. The 1958 episode, “The Time Element,” featuring a man plagued by vivid nightmares and a quintessentially Twilight Zone twist ending, was such a hit that CBS green-lit the writer’s proposed science-fiction series.
  • Of the many Twilight Zone episodes that he penned, Serling’s favorite was “Time Enough at Last.” Adapted from a short story, the episode tells the tragic tale of a myopic bank teller with a love for literature who falls victim to a classic twist ending. Serling’s favorite episode written by someone other than himself was “The Invaders,” penned by Richard Matheson.
  • Despite its many awards, critical acclaim and loyal fan base, The Twilight Zone drew only modest ratings and was cancelled and revived twice during its five years and 156 episodes. A weary Serling did not oppose the third an final cancellation of the series in 1964.
  • After the cancelation of The Twilight Zone, Serling wrote the western television series The Loner, which aired from fall of 1965 to spring of 1966. When he refused CBS’ request for more action and less focus on characters, the show was doomed. Years later in 1970, Rod Serling’s Wonderful World of… debuted on KNXT in Los Angeles. The show served as Serling’s soapbox to deliver stylized essays on any number of social ills. The series lasted 13 weeks.
  • Always busy with writing or producing his work, Serling somehow found time to teach. From the early ’60s until the time of his death, he taught college courses on subjects including film criticism, writing and drama.

Friday Forum
Today is the Friday Forum!! In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I share a contribution from Jason. You can participate in the Friday Forum by visiting our Feedback Page or calling our voice feedback line at 304-837-2278.

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I’m Darrell Darnell and this has been stuff I learned yesterday.

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