Rod Serling talks about Writing for Television (Part 4)

[tall32guy]

The bearded guy is cute. :)

[tall32guy]

This must have been not long before his death in 75.

[nijisaison]

I would've given anything to be sitting there with him that day. He was a brilliant guy.

[futurestoryteller]

That guy Dave had and awesome one. The guy learns he doesn't need the money, but his wife dies while he's locked in the cage, proving it to be simultaneously useful to his character whilst exposing the bet as an unfortunate waste of meaningful time.

[IAmSoTight1]

This is basically a free workshop from a great writer.

[humbleradio]

@IAmSoTight1 You bet it is!

[SURFUR]

By passing rather early, Rod guaranteed he'd go out at his peak. He got better over time in many ways, as writers and other likewise artists tend to. Unlike the likes of other uber-talents who've managed to make it to old age, these men who've at their best were the finest wine, but over time vinegared, gone flat and collected dust and mites.

But Rod is remembered at his best. He was only seen at his best. Sometimes it's just better to leave the party early.

--For Rod in Heaven, Dane Youssef

[pickinstone]

The way that Rod Sterling phrases his diction and intonation sounds like Miles Davis letting those low notes on his trumpet really breathe. I wonder if he always talked liked that or learned how to tune his voice to those radio dramas and detective stories of the 1940s. There will always be one Sterlingg, but I wish that he would have collaborated with John Cheever. 'The Enormous Radio' would've been such a cool episode of the Twilight's Zone

[ilsy74]

@pickinstone I have no idea what you are on!

[pickinstone]

@ilsy74 It's all good. Thank you for putting these interviews up. I watch the Twilight's Zone every New Years, it's a ritual for my father and I.

[johnproyal]

Whats that thing connected to his neck?

[MonsterZerouk]

@johnproyal It's a microphone :)

[IntuitSpirit]

Had Serling used his brilliance in OTHER ways, he would have been a MASTER hustler! :)

A backhanded compliment, I know, but a compliment, nonetheless!

[cutis1000]

Smoking killed Rod. Sad.

[Raul61233]

It surely contributed but might not have been the total cause. I knew him and was asked to write his Eulogy...and was there when he died during a double by-pass surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY

[21stCenturyRock]

@cutis1000 I believe he died of three heart attacks because he had a genetic heart problem. Of course smoking did not help.

But that's only what I read on Wiki, so don't take my word for it.

[powergirl901]

I love GI generation times and people. I think our own generation (boomers) is a terrible one.

[loblut]

@powergirl901 Amen and amen

[RemyFasolla]

You went Chekhov one better

[castingtherunes]

Back then, tough guys smoked.

[mnbvcxz73]

Great....

[TonyLearner]

great discussions!