The Twilight Zone coming to CBSAA

[captainkirk]

In my opinion The Twilight Zone needs to be in black and white. I know it was originally done just because that was the technology of the time, but it gave the show a large part of its atmosphere. And if it's being made for CBSAA then you don't have to worry about what broadcasters think, just what works best for the show.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

My favorite iteration of TZ was the 80's version. I dare this one to top it. I double-dog-dare it.

 

[Krandor]

There's one way out of it, though...

Spoiler: spoiler

Characters wearing lifelike masks to conceal their identities are a central part of the first M:I movie's plot, aren't they? So perhaps it wasn't really Jim at all - just somebody who took his place. That's the easy way out. And it's in my head canon.

I can buy your head canon in this case because if you look at the whole MI series Phelps had plenty of chances to betray the team if he wanted to but never did. So it makes no sense he would suddenly decide to do so except it made Tom Cruise look good.

Realistically though, if you did do another MI TV series while I liked the second series that worked as a continuation and sequel (like TNG), I think at this point you'd be best just create a new team with a new leader and have no in-universe ties to the old series other then the normal it is an MI team and this flash drive will self descrupt in x seconds kinda things but don't tie any characters to any earlier characters and just start fresh..

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Right. It would be cleaner to just start with a IMF team with their own quirks. Doesn't need to be a reboot since the IMF is a large enough organization to have agents on the go.

Heck, you could easily just pull a LIMITLESS with Tom Cruise appearing in the first episode assigning the new point man for a team and from then on we focus on that new cast.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I can buy your head canon in this case because if you look at the whole MI series Phelps had plenty of chances to betray the team if he wanted to but never did. So it makes no sense he would suddenly decide to do so except it made Tom Cruise look good.

Would have been a lot simpler if Cruise had simply played Phelps!

 

[Krandor]

Right. It would be cleaner to just start with a IMF team with their own quirks. Doesn't need to be a reboot since the IMF is a large enough organization to have agents on the go.
.

Exactly. Similar to a new Star Trek with a new crew. Later on if they wanted to bring in a relative of Collier or something like that they could.

 

[DarthPipes]

My favorite iteration of TZ was the 80's version. I dare this one to top it. I double-dog-dare it.

The original Twilight Zone is still my favorite show but I was surprised with just how much I enjoyed the 80s TZ (I bought the collected series this year). All-Access might be the right place for it and that would be enough for me to finally subscribe to it when/if it comes out.

 

[Krandor]

The original Twilight Zone is still my favorite show but I was surprised with just how much I enjoyed the 80s TZ (I bought the collected series this year). All-Access might be the right place for it and that would be enough for me to finally subscribe to it when/if it comes out.

While I love serialized storytelling there is something to be said about a pure anthology series like TZ or Outer Limits. One thing really cool about them is that you really have no idea what is going to happen. You cannot assume that a main character is going to survive or not. I remember at least one outer limits episode that ended with the world being destroyed. A pure anthology is the perfect example of nobody and nothing is safe and anything can happen.

 

[DarthPipes]

While I love serialized storytelling there is something to be said about a pure anthology series like TZ or Outer Limits. One thing really cool about them is that you really have no idea what is going to happen. You cannot assume that a main character is going to survive or not. I remember at least one outer limits episode that ended with the world being destroyed. A pure anthology is the perfect example of nobody and nothing is safe and anything can happen.

Very true. While anthologies can have episodes that miss, there's always a new opportunity to be creative and take changes.

I only hope the new showrunner remember that while the TZ was many times a dark show, it was also a show about people getting a second chance.

 

[DrCorby]

TZ (especially the 80s version) was also a great opportunity to adapt some terrific SF short stories by leading authors. "Paladin of the Lost Hour" comes to mind...

 

[mos6507]

In my opinion The Twilight Zone needs to be in black and white. I know it was originally done just because that was the technology of the time, but it gave the show a large part of its atmosphere. And if it's being made for CBSAA then you don't have to worry about what broadcasters think, just what works best for the show.

THIS.

We've already had two Twilight Zone revivals that merely adopted modern stylistic conventions. We have not seen an attempt to go retro.

I also feel that without Rod Serling that maybe the only way for a show like this to be seen as genuinely Twilight Zone and not just any other anthology show (like Tales from the Darkside, etc...) with a Twilight Zone label on it is to replicate the expressionistic/noir look and feel.

Of course, if CBS were interested in retro then Discovery would not look the way it does, so not expecting it.

 

[captainkirk]

Of course, if CBS were interested in retro then Discovery would not look the way it does, so not expecting it.

Discovery's different. It's supposed to be a modern, premium series, and Netflix was basically the main source of funds. I'm guessing that TTZ is going to cost a whole lot less.

Should they go with a host to introduce and close out each episode? Obviously most writers aren't as charismatic as Rod Serling, but as you said, that's part of what made the show unique.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I remember at least one outer limits episode that ended with the world being destroyed.

And guess who did it?

Spoiler: The Light Brigade

Wil Wheaton

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Would have been a lot simpler if Cruise had simply played Phelps!

Which would have made it a reboot, which I don't think was the intention at the time. Graves was actualky offered to reprises his role but was disgusted with what they did to his character. Hence recasting with Voight instead of a younger star like Cruise.

I think there's an idea to Phelps becoming rogue, with his line in the film about feeling like the world changed and IMF became run by beurocrats. However, he's not only turned into a muderer but he's played by John Voight, who's very presence just OOZES evil even when he tries to pretend he's good. I mean the guy kills his wife without even thinking of it.

I still love a lot of that film, but it works even better pretending the guy isn't actually Phelps but some totally different character.

 

[JD]

Right. It would be cleaner to just start with a IMF team with their own quirks. Doesn't need to be a reboot since the IMF is a large enough organization to have agents on the go.

Heck, you could easily just pull a LIMITLESS with Tom Cruise appearing in the first episode assigning the new point man for a team and from then on we focus on that new cast.

This is what I would do, there's really no reason they couldn't set it in the same universe as the movies, but focus on a totally new team. They could maybe get a few appearances from some of the movie characters, and pull an AoS and occasionally tie it into the events of new movies as they come out.

As for TS, I've never watched any of Peele's stuff myself, but I've heard a lot of good things, so this could have potential. I think doing it on CBSAA is a really good idea since it will give them freedom to explore issues that the network might have a problem with.

Should they go with a host to introduce and close out each episode? Obviously most writers aren't as charismatic as Rod Serling, but as you said, that's part of what made the show unique.

They could always have Jordan Peele do it himself.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Which would have made it a reboot, which I don't think was the intention at the time.

Surely the M:I movies are reboots anyway? I don't see any way they could possibly be in continuity with the TV series.

The series took place in the 60's (concurrent to when it was broadcast) and Phelps was in his late 40's/early 50's then, IIRC. So if it was the same Phelps, he'd be pushing 90 during the time of the films, and that's obviously not the case.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Surely the M:I movies are reboots anyway? I don't see any way they could possibly be in continuity with the TV series.

The series took place in the 60's (concurrent to when it was broadcast) and Phelps was in his late 40's/early 50's then, IIRC. So if it was the same Phelps, he'd be pushing 90 during the time of the films, and that's obviously not the case.

Like I mentioned, Peter Graves was offered to reprise the role, which suggested a continuation rather than a reboot. Also, I think you got the math wrong. When the film came out Graves wasn't in his 90s, he was only just pushing 70 (born in 1926), and this was 6 years after the second series was cancelled.

If he lived today he would actually turned 90 last year.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I still don't see anything that specifically places the movies in the same continuity. Let's just say there's more evidence against it (Phelps' character) than for it.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Which is why Graves turned it down. I think the intention was to pass the baton from Phelps to Hunt but in a big twist that would have been shocking. The problem is that it was a betrayal of the Phelps character.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The problem is that it was a betrayal of the Phelps character.

Exactly. And that alone is reason enough to declare these films as reboots.