An American Master

Jeez - I've GOT to get more serious about these posts - maybe find out about these events, airings, etc BEFORE they happen! Anyway, last week or so PBS aired a very interesting show about Rod Serling, on of The Nocturnes' faves. "Rod Serling: Submitted For Your Approval" concentrated a lot on his early days writing and basically shaking things up in U.S. Broadcasting during the 1950s (think Cold War, McCarthyism, etc.). Always struggling with conservative, fearful network execs, he finally resorted to fantasy/science fiction to get across his messages about serious issues. Mini "Morality Plays," if you will. Enter the Twilight Zone (featured DVD below - October 11, 2006 blog).

Favorite sound bite by Serling - from the episode's promo: "I found that it was all right to have Martians saying things Democrats and Republicans could never say."

Definitely catch it, when it airs again - done by Thirteen/WNET (New York) - the show is part of the American Masters Series - fascinating stuff - I recommend the one done about Alfred Stieglitz. BTW, Annie Leibovitz is to be featured on January 3, 2007 at 9 pm (check local listings, as they say).

(from The Nocturnes NightNews feed)