# What version of the twilight zone do you like best and why **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [November 22, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625 "2024-11-22T21:14:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/1 "2024-11-22T21:14:58Z")
So, IMO there are 5 different versions of the twilight zone TV series 1. The original 60s version 2. The 1980s remake 3. The 2002 remake 4. The Jordan Peele 2020 remake 5. The TV show night gallery. This one isn’t technically twilight zone, but Rod Serling hosted and wrote many episodes. For me, I think the 80s version is the best. I know most people will probably prefer the original, but the 80s have some really interesting storylines. Maybe its just nostalgia from childhood, but the 80s version is my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/2 "2024-11-22T22:07:37Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > So, IMO there are 5 different versions of the twilight zone TV series > > 1. The original 60s version Solid choice here. Many great epis- some written by great authors. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/3 "2024-11-22T22:15:13Z")
80s remake, which concentrated on adapting excellent sf stories. It also avoided being gratuitously nasty and was happy to be dramatic and fun. “Nightcrawlers” was the best TZ Horror story, and you had gems like “I of Newton,” “To See the Invisible Man,” and “Wordplay written by Rockne O’Bannon.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/4 "2024-11-22T22:16:25Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > “I of Newton" Get lost. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/5 "2024-11-22T22:37:07Z")
Rod Serling himself defined a good show as managing to get about 1/3 great episodes, 1/3 fair, and 1/3 poor. That about sums up the oiriginal. The 1980s remake had IMO about 1/2 great, 1/4 fair, and 1/4 poor. 1980s for me! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/6 "2024-11-22T23:16:57Z")
The original series came in two versions: half hour and hour long episodes. I preferred the half hour ones so seasons 1-3 and 5. "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices … to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill … and suspicion can destroy … and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own—for the children and the children yet unborn. " ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/7 "2024-11-22T23:23:37Z")
60s version for me. Although, I’m likewise not a fan of the hour-long episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/8 "2024-11-22T23:41:48Z")
I"m surprised so many people like the 80s version. Some of my favorite episodes from the 80s version are: Monsters The Hellgramite Method To See the Invisible Man The Star Examination Day Shelter Skelter ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/9 "2024-11-22T23:43:11Z")
I’m surprised **Night Gallery** is on the list, but I’m glad because that’s my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/10 "2024-11-23T00:23:54Z")
One nice thing about the 80s version is that the episodes of the first two seasons could be exactly the length they needed to be. No padding, no rushed endings. “I of Newton” only ran about ten minutes, which was just perfect for the story. Also, in the original “Nightcrawlers,” the entire episode was shown without a commercial break, keeping the tension going throughout (the syndicated version breaks for ads). “Charlie’s in the Light! Charlie’s in the Light!” They also used some top-notch directors – William Friedkin, Peter (_The Ruling Class_) Medek, Wes Craven, Robert Downey (Sr.), Theodore J. Flicker (_The President’s Analyst, Barney Miller_), and Martha Coolidge, all of whom had already made features. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/11 "2024-11-23T00:34:40Z")
Its off topic, but if you’re into anthology horror shows with high quality directors you should watch masters of horror > **[Masters of Horror](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_of_Horror#)** > > Masters of Horror is a horror anthology television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network. > In 2002, director Mick Garris invited some director friends to an informal dinner at a restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California. The original ten "masters" attending were John Carpenter, Larry Cohen, Don Coscarelli, Joe Dante, Guillermo del Toro, Stuart Gordon, Tobe Hooper, John Landis, William Malone, and Garris himself. Subsequently, Garris organized regular dinners with the ... ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/12 "2024-11-23T00:54:54Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > For me, I think the 80s version is the best. I know most people will probably prefer the original, but the 80s have some really interesting storylines. Maybe its just nostalgia from childhood, but the 80s version is my favorite. For similar reasons, the 60s version is my favorite. But this thread has gotten me curious about the 80s version. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/13 "2024-11-23T01:29:46Z")
My favourite is the pinball machine: a '90s classic by Pat Lawlor. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/14 "2024-11-23T02:22:36Z")
I’ve only watched the original ones. (I have them all on DVDs.) And I love them. One thing that strikes me is how good the cinematography is, especially when you consider when they were made (late 1950s / early 1960s). ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/15 "2024-11-23T02:40:20Z")
Later versions had their moments, but for me it will always be the original. The writing, by the likes of Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, Rod Serling and others, was top flight more often than not. And it had Serling himself, our guide to the world of imagination. The best episodes weren’t just good, they were outstanding, especially for television of that era. I was just an impressionable kid then, only 7 years old when the series began, and boy, did that show make an impression on me! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/16 "2024-11-23T02:47:26Z")
I’m with the dawg; Night Gallery rules. Of the TZs, I’m a diehard fan of the original and I thought Jordan Peele’s were great too. ---
**Author:** ![wanderer2575](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@wanderer2575](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wanderer2575)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/17 "2024-11-23T05:34:34Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > One nice thing about the 80s version is that the episodes of the first two seasons could be exactly the length they needed to be. No padding, no rushed endings. “I of Newton” only ran about ten minutes, which was just perfect for the story. It didn’t always work that way because they couldn’t let a finished segment sit around indefinitely waiting for an episode with an exact-length open slot for it. “Teachers Aide” and “Time and Teresa Golowitz,” and I’m sure others, got chopped up because there wasn’t room for them in episodes that had to be finished. (I don’t recall about “Teacher’s Aide,” but the scenes cut from “Time and Teresa Golowitz” were included as bonus extras on the DVD.) And of course we’re talking about the original hour-length episodes. When it was cut into 30-minute episodes for syndication, the longer segments really got sliced up like a steer. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/18 "2024-11-23T05:47:14Z")
I have recently been re-watching episodes of the original series. I have been reading along with [Everything I Need to Know I Learned in the Twilight Zone: A Fifth-Dimension Guide to Life](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250082374/). I had assumed that the original series was the only one that mattered but I may try some of the others having read this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/19 "2024-11-23T05:48:51Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I"m surprised so many people like the 80s version. > > Some of my favorite episodes from the 80s version are: Button, Button I of Newton The Once And Future King Shelter Skelter And my favorite of all, Her Pilgrim Soul. But I’m just an old softie. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625/20 "2024-11-23T06:16:19Z")
I wonder where The Outer Limits and The New Outer Limits would fit in the list. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-version-of-the-twilight-zone-do-you-like-best-and-why/1010625.md?page=2)