Ring in 2025 with SYFY’s Annual Twilight Zone Marathon: Everything to Know

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As someone who has spent countless nights huddled under a blanket with a flashlight and a stack of VHS tapes (back when that was still a thing), I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic excitement about SYFY’s annual New Year’s marathon of The Twilight Zone. This is not just a trip down memory lane, but a journey through the mind-bending, thought-provoking tales that have stood the test of time.

The weather outside is frightful, but The Twilight Zone is… well, also pretty frightful on occasion. But we can’t think of a better way to ring in 2025 than with SYFY‘s annual New Year’s marathon featuring three uninterrupted days of back-to-back episodes from Rod Serling’s classic and groundbreaking anthology series between December 31 and January 2.

What’s captivating is that The Twilight Zone has always been available, never leaving our screens. It’s timeless, it hasn’t faded away,” Rod’s daughter Jodi Serling shared with SYFY WIRE. “This enduring impact is a testament to the relevance of his messages today. His predictions about society are becoming reality. It’s a privilege to see his influence persist indefinitely. He was a modest man, perhaps unaware of the profound impact he would have on our culture.

In a different discussion, Marc Scott Zicree, author of “The Twilight Zone Companion,” shared his thoughts. He recalled how when “Star Trek” first aired when he was 10, he would record it on reel-to-reel tape in case it didn’t air again. Back then, viewers couldn’t watch shows whenever they wanted. If shows weren’t in syndication, they were often cut up. However, we are fortunate nowadays as we can watch anything we desire at any time. Zicree appreciates the marathons because many people have told him that they leave the TV on and occasionally catch a glimpse, recognizing familiar episodes like ‘Talky Tina’ or ‘The Howling Man.’ He also appreciates that “Twilight Zone” is a family-friendly show, as parents can watch it with their children, even though it may scare them. They know what they are getting into. Zicree is thrilled about the existence of “Twilight Zone” marathons and thinks it’s wonderful.

For More on The Twilight Zone

The Iconic Phrase from The Twilight Zone Was Seldom Uttered: A Look Back at One of TV’s Greatest Ghost Stories, and a Comparison Between the First Episode of The Twilight Zone and Back to the Future.

How can you watch SYFY’s Twilight Zone marathon for New Year’s 2024/25?

Starts on Tuesday, December 31st, at 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the marathon of SYFY’s revamped “The Twilight Zone” begins, starting off with the first season’s episode titled “The Chaser.

This episode, derived from John Collier’s short story and directed by Douglas Heyes, who is known for his work on The Twilight Zone, revolves around Roger Shackleforth (played by George Grizzard), a man smitten beyond reason with the uninterested Leila (portrayed by Patricia Barry). In his quest to win her heart, Roger resorts to a powerful love potion, which he purchases from the enigmatic Professor A. Daemon (John McIntire). Notably, this episode, titled “The Chaser,” was the second one in the first season following “Escape Clause,” and it features a deal of supernatural magnitude that borders on the realm of Hell.

The marathon concludes at 3:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 2, 2025, as “Uncle Simon” airs. This Season 5 episode, scripted by Serling and directed by Don Siegel, narrates the story of Barbara Polk (played by Constance Ford), who must satisfy the demands of a robot (similar to Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet) constructed by her deceased uncle due to her greedy nature.

What is The Twilight Zone?

Developed by Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone was a collection of episodes that aired on CBS from 1959 to 1964, spanning five seasons and a total of 156 episodes. Each installment delved into profound human issues such as fear, prejudice, greed, misuse of power, the threat of nuclear destruction, societal norms, etc., through the perspectives of science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Praised by many as a groundbreaking work before its time, the series earned a reputation for tackling heavy subjects fearlessly and surprising viewers with unexpected twist endings.

Television adaptations of The Twilight Zone have occurred three times, with the latest version being overseen by Jordan Peele as the executive producer.

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2024-12-27 21:31