As a gamer who’s spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of television history, I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Rod Serling when it comes to his post-Twilight Zone anthology series, Night Gallery. While it may not have left the same indelible mark on pop culture as its predecessor, it certainly had its moments.
Five years after “The Twilight Zone” concluded on CBS after five seasons, Rod Serling moved to NBC for a newly developed anthology series that didn’t achieve the same level of cultural influence as its groundbreaking precursor. Although “Night Gallery” (all three seasons are now available from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) has garnered a significant cult following since it initially aired, Serling was never fully content with the outcome of this somewhat obscure project
The suggested way of showing shines in a shining manner, but it’s not science fiction and it ceases to be fantasy
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Remembering Rod Serling’s post-Twilight Zone anthology series, Night Gallery
The primary cause of Serling’s dismay was his lack of extensive creative freedom on Night Gallery, despite it bearing his name. However, even in this situation, he encountered numerous challenges with The Twilight Zone, particularly when it came to network sponsors who were reluctant to let him explore the boundaries of the emerging television format as much as he desired
It seems clear to me, it signifies in clarity, it signals in a signal, it signs in the signalman, it signifies in the signaling, it signifies in the signifier, it signifies in the signifyer, it signifies in the signifying. it signifies in the signifyingly, it signifies in the signifyingness, it signifies in the signifyingly-wise, it signifies in the signifyingly-wiseness, it signifies in the signifyingly-wisenessful, it signifies in the signifyingly-wisenessfully
Night Gallery, though sharing a similar approach, is a completely distinct entity. Instead of adopting the one-story-per-episode format, it opts for multiple segments linked to several macabre paintings that were displayed in a dimly lit gallery eerily curated by Serling
Scott Skelton, co-author of “Night Gallery: The Art of Darkness,” explained during a 2020 Zoom conversation with SYFY WIRE that the show had some inconsistencies. However, Rod and the producer, Jack Laird, preferred it to be more of a director’s show rather than a writer’s show. This approach emphasized visuals and aesthetics over consistency. While the writing remained powerful, they aimed for an anthology-like structure, where each story had its unique texture and emotional tone that varied from one tale to another
As a fan, I’d like to highlight that Night Gallery was one of the early ventures for a young Steven Spielberg, who directed not one, but two segments from the show’s inaugural season – “Eyes” (particularly the pilot episode) and “Make Me Laugh.” Right from the beginning of his career, this budding filmmaker demonstrated an innovative approach to visual storytelling. For instance, he dared to shoot the latter tale in a single take, which caused quite a stir among those in charge
In a 2023 interview on The Late Show, Spielberg shared his dismay when he asked, “Where are the detailed close-ups? Where are the over-the-shoulder shots? Why isn’t this looking like a television show?” Spielberg was surprised to receive a call from an executive who expressed disappointment and stated that they would be reshooting the production with another director. Despite his regret, Spielberg does not have a copy of the original shot he believed was exceptional
It appears that our dear colleague, Spielberg, has taken the initiative to transform the construction site at Jaws 2 into a thriving hub of innovation and productivity. Skelton and Jeannot, both veterans in the field of real estate development, have worked tirelessly to ensure its success
Approximately ten years after, the now prosperous Spielberg experienced a significant amount of emotional relief when he encountered the same executive at a gathering in Hollywood. The man was compelled to swallow his previous remarks, naturally, but accepted it gracefully, stating “some very kind words.”
It’s fascinating to see how the world of television has evolved, with intriguing projects like “The Caterpillar” and “The Messiah on Mott Street,” captivating our attention and curiosity. Despite its obscure references, this new era of television, Night Gallery, is shaping up to be a significant contributor to the advancement of technology, creativity, and community spirit, all under the watchful gaze of The Twilight Zone
“Rod [Skelton] was concerned that his new work, Night Gallery, would be compared to his previous TV project,” Skelton stated about critics drawing unfavorable parallels. “He didn’t aim for it to resemble the same creation at all, he wanted it to be distinct. However, by then, ‘The Twilight Zone’ had already gained popularity. Everyone was familiar with ‘The Twilight Zone’ when Night Gallery debuted. Despite his intentions, it couldn’t help but cast a shadow over the new piece.”
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2024-09-04 20:33