The Twilight Zone (1959–62, 1963–64) is one of the most distinctive series in all of television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) history. Part science fiction, part fantasy, and part surreal drama, the show was—quality-wise—far removed from most ordinary TV programming. The Twilight Zone, which aired on CBS, was an anthology series; each week, it presented stories that were unrelated to one another, and that featured completely different casts. A typical episode would challenge the viewer, toying with his or her mind and sense of logic and reality. It would portray characters who were struggling for survival in a frightening, confusing, irrational world, and who were victimized by unpredictable plot twists. Many Twilight Zone characters were average human beings facing extraordinary dilemmas and situations.

The Twilight Zone was the brainchild of Rod Serling (1924–1975), a former World War II (1939–45) paratrooper and Golden...