The Twilight Zone is the most iconic sci-fi series in television history. Thanks to screenwriter and narrator Rod Serling, we got five seasons and multiple reboots. The show was revived in 1985, 2002 and once again, Jordan Peele will be taking on another reboot, but we’ll get to that later. With Peele’s reboot in the works, let’s revisit the timeless show and some of its eerie performances. Here are some of the lesser known facts behind the mysterious episodes.
Orson Welles Was First Choice For Narrator
Now, it’s hard to imagine The Twilight Zone being narrated by anyone other than Rod Serling. However, creator/head writer Serling was not the first choice as narrator. CBS hoped for a bigger star. Actually, they had their sights on Orson Welles, legendary actor and filmmaker. Serling found Welles’ style too distracting and pompous, plus CBS couldn’t afford him. Then oddly enough, Serling tried out for the job and become one of the TV’s most recognizable hosts.
Orson Welles Was First Choice For Narrator
They Saved Money By Using ‘Forbidden Planet’ Props
Back when The Twilight Zone aired, they didn’t have a sizable budget to afford much, and the show had quite modest ratings then. (Hey, not everyone had budgets like HBO’s Westworld does today!) In order to cut costs, The Twilight Zone production team borrowed props from other science fiction movies. Turns out, they got costumes and the flyer saucer from Forbidden Planet. You remember that saucer from both “Death Ship” and “To Serve Man.” For “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” they refitted costumes. Oh and Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet appeared in two The Twilight Zone episodes.
They Saved Money By Using Forbidden Planet Props
