We found out the real reason ‘The Twilight Zone’ was canceled after just 5 seasons

From Good Housekeeping

The one thing that is always consistent on New Years Eve and New Years Eve is Syfy The twilight zone marathon. It debuted this year on December 31 at 6 a.m., and fans of the show can watch every episode of the show until the start of the new year. But when logging on, many people wonder why a cult classic show like the fuzzy area would disappear from the airwaves after just five seasons.

Before I get into the real reason the show ended, it’s important to note that the original fuzzy area the anthology had 156 episodes. It aired once a week from September to June from 1959 to 1964, and the show was nominated for numerous awards. Creator and host Rod Serling won three Emmy and a Golden Globe during that time. Due to the niche nature of the show, its five-season streak was an incredible feat.

Why was the fuzzy area canceled?

Believe it or not, the fuzzy area has been canceled more than once – well, sort of. Until the fourth season aired in 1962, the show couldn’t find a sponsor. While Serling and other producers struggled to get one, the fuzzy area was abruptly pulled from CBS’s fall lineup by executive James T. Aubrey, who apparently wasn’t a fan of the sci-fi show. the fuzzy area was later replaced by a comedy series called Fair trade. However, in January 1963, Serling was asked to return to his original time slot as Fair trade was considered a flop, and the network needed a show to take its place.

Meanwhile, Serling, who wrote 92 episodes for the entire series, was experiencing severe burnout. “I’ve never felt so drained of ideas as I have now … I’ve written so much, I’m dizzy,” Serling said towards the end of Season 2, according to the book. A critical history of The Twilight Zone television.

What didn’t help was that the show’s format changed from half an hour to an hour when it was renewed for its fourth season, only exacerbating Serling’s exhaustion. . “I was writing so much that I felt I had started to lose my perspective on what was good and what was bad,” Serling reportedly said.

The story continues

Although the half-hour format returned in the fifth season, it was met with lukewarm odds. This, with Serling spending less and less time on artistic direction for the series, Aubrey ultimately decided to cancel the series for good. Numerous blogs and stories indicate that Serling was too frustrated and tired to fight for a revival. “You argue, you fight, you try to protect what has been written, but you fight against networks, advertising companies, sponsors and pressure groups. I was forced to make concessions in every television play I wrote, “Serling said in 1961, according to the book. In the area: The Twilight World of Rod Serling.

After the end of fuzzy area, Serling sold his rights to CBS, but continued to create and produce other shows and films. If his experience with the show may have had its ups and downs, his dimension of imagination has become legendary.

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