In the first half of our live Christmas night show, writer, director, and producer Marc Zicree discussed Rod Serling's legendary career and his work with The Twilight Zone. This would have been Serling's 100th birthday, as he was born on Christmas Day. Zicree highlighted the impact of Serling's work, noting that he wrote Twilight Zone from 1959 to 1964, and the episodes are "every bit as relevant now, if not more." Zicree talked about his personal journey and how his admiration for Serling inspired him to write "The Twilight Zone Companion." He started the book when he was just out of college, two years after Serling's death. "I interviewed over 100 people who worked on the show-- actors, writers, producers, and my goal was to learn how to make great television," he said, and "now, all these years later, at my own studio, I've got three sound stages filled with spaceships, robots, and aliens."
Serling's work had a lasting influence on television and he had a remarkable ability to showcase actors' talents, he commented. Zicree revealed that Serling had sought to adapt a Philip K. Dick story for the series but faced obstacles in acquiring the rights. Zicree also reminisced about the timeless relevance of episodes like "The Shelter" (1961), a poignant narrative about nuclear fear and human nature. He praised Serling's commitment to freedom of thought and expression, stating, "Rod loved the individual," and he was very strongly against conformity and censorship.
Zicree also shared insights about his current projects, including "Space Command," which aims to counter the prevalent negativity in modern sci-fi. He noted the importance of community involvement in his work, revealing that many of his investors contributed to the project for as little as $7,500, eager to be part of a positive initiative.
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The latter half featured our special holiday edition of Open Lines. Among the callers was Michael from Denver, Colorado, who expressed gratitude for the program and its host, George Noory, for being a source of support throughout the year, not just during the holidays. He shared how listening to the show since childhood helped him develop confidence and cope during the challenging times of COVID-19. Cornelius from Louisiana also thanked the show and its listeners for their support during his difficult times, including the loss of his father. Joe from Long Island discussed the themes of societal behavior depicted in "The Twilight Zone," particularly how characters respond to crises. Bernadine from Minnesota recalled her fond memories of attending a Pat Boone concert at an early age with her cousin.
Ruthie emphasized the positive impact of the Coast to Coast hosts, likening them to therapists and teachers, and wished everyone a happy holiday season. Aaron, from Tempe, Arizona, spoke about the significance of family and community, and his experiences with his local hockey group and family gatherings. Jeremy from North Dakota shared his excitement about potentially winning a lottery jackpot and his plan to establish a trust to help those in need if he wins. First-time caller Wyatt had concerns over drone sightings in New Jersey, speculating about potential government mishaps involving lost assets. And Natalia, a disabled Vietnam veteran, offered her thanks for the show, which she feels provides a sense of family and connection.
George concluded the program by playing a recording of Lee Allan reading "Letter from Michael," the story of a Marine's encounter with an angel who saves his life in the Korean War.