About Me

I’m a writer and an editor who works in the Baltimore-Washington area. I hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and have studied at Georgetown University. I write on a range of topics: history, public policy, film, books, music … and the work of Rod Serling.

Articles either ghostwritten or edited by me have appeared in a wide variety of newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Washington Post, The New York Times,  The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. But when I’m not doing work that brings a paycheck, I turn to the fun stuff. Hence this blog.

Oh, and my name is Paul. You can reach me at nightgallery@rocketmail.com. Hope to see you in some corner of the fifth dimension soon!

 

  1. sunni brock | 06/27/2011 at 10:52 pm

    Hi Paul,

    I ran across your site while searching for Twilight Zone on Twitter. Have you heard about our documentary on Charles Beaumont? http://www.jasunni.com.
    We may be doing a Serling themed film festival in Seattle next year as well.

    Reply
  2. PDG | 06/27/2011 at 11:54 pm

    Thanks, Sunni. I’m glad you found the site. Are you on Twitter? I have heard of the documentary — thanks for the reminder. It sounds great. I’d love to pick up a copy, if it’s available on DVD. And the film festival sounds interesting, too. Wish I lived closer to Seattle, but I’m on the east coast.

    Reply
  3. Tom | 01/26/2012 at 3:30 pm

    Hello Paul,

    Found this blog on your twitter. Watched Twilight Zone since I was 10 on a 5″ B/W TV. Have had the “Definitive Collection” for a little over a year now. I still haven’t gotten through all the episodes. Seems I like to savor each episode as all the nostalgia seems to come back. I’ve gotten to see a few that I don’t believe have ever been aired too much since first aired. My Favorite episode is a “A Stop at Willoughby”

    Reply
  4. PDG | 01/26/2012 at 10:16 pm

    Hi, Tom! Glad you found your way here. Yes, I’m sure that nostalgia is a big part of the Zone’s continued appeal as we grow older. Of course, the fact that it’s so well-written and acted is a key factor as well! And yes, “A Stop at Willoughby” is great. I did a blog post on that one and “Walking Distance” not long ago; it’s called “Trying to Go Home Again.” I’d love to get your thoughts — it’s about the 4th one down on the homepage. Hope you keep coming back!

    Reply
  5. johnwmorehead | 03/13/2012 at 2:09 pm

    Just found your site. Love TWZ. You should connect with my friend Arlen Schumer, a comic artist and historian, and huge TWZ fan. He written extensively on the subject and might make for a good connection: http://www.arlenschumer.com/twilight-zone.

    Reply
  6. PDG | 03/13/2012 at 2:31 pm

    Thanks, John. Glad you found the site How did you happen to find it, by the way? That site you recommended looks interesting — I think I’ll list it in my blogroll. The idea of a coffee-table book dedicated to TZ artwork sounds terrific.

    Reply
  7. fpdorchak | 09/25/2012 at 6:33 am

    Cool site, Paul, and excellent banner work, Marcia!

    Reply
  8. coyote | 10/05/2012 at 12:27 pm

    Hey — great site! Just found out that Julian Assange is using quote from the Twilight Zone episode “No Time Like the Present” to define Wikileaks: “History is Inviolate”. Would be great if we can get this known. Serling was a genius!

    And he’s watching the show, from the Mail:
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210522/Its-like-living-space-station-Julian-Assange-speaks-living-room-embassy-refuge-mattress-floor-blue-lamp-mimic-daylight.html

    Here’s a video from a recent production with the quote repeated over and over. Can we get some action to correct the record and show that this is a Twilight Zone quote?

    Reply
    • Paul | 08/04/2013 at 3:06 pm

      I’m not sure what to say about Julian Assange, but I can tell you that I’m grateful for the praise. Glad you enjoy the blog!

      Reply
  9. fpdorchak | 02/18/2013 at 5:29 am

    Paul, thanks for being you! I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award: http://fpdorchak.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/spreading-the-love-a-liebster-blog-award/!

    Reply
  10. The Green Eyed Geisha | 05/18/2013 at 9:03 pm

    You have managed to take my favorite show and turn it into an awesome blog …. how did you do that? :)

    Reply
    • Paul | 05/22/2013 at 6:12 pm

      Much appreciated, GEG! It’s simple, really: 1) Think deep thoughts about the most well-written TV series of all time. 2) Dress it up with pics from my Gal Friday, the lovely Wendy Brydge. 3) Sit back and count the money.

      Okay, I made up No. 3 (alas), but the rest is spot-on. Thanks again!

      Reply
  11. Philip Day | 05/27/2013 at 5:59 pm

    I just found your blog from Twitter. I look forward to reading it and plan to start my own Rod Serling blog next month. Thanks for doing it and I can’t wait to read it from blog to blog.

    Reply
  12. Wendy Brydge | 08/04/2013 at 2:11 pm

    *looks at your pic, scratches chin, squints eyes* No. No, I disagree. Rod’s hair’s not better. Believe me. I’m your best friend and your Gal Friday. I’m always right. ;D

    Reply
  13. Dale haskell | 09/18/2013 at 12:56 am

    One of Rod Serling’s most overlooked works (and one that preoccupies me) is his 1967 book THE SEASON TO BE WARY. Might we see an article devoted to this? As the TZ books were, I believe ghosted, this is Serling’s only published work of original prose.

    Reply
    • Paul | 09/20/2013 at 12:51 pm

      Very true, Dale, and yes, “The Season To Be Wary” certainly is post-worthy. Not only is it unique, it ties in nicely to “Night Gallery,” with two of the three stories subsequently being dramatized for the 1969 NG movie.

      Thanks for the suggestion. May I suggest you subscribe to the blog? Then you won’t miss it when it appears.

      Reply
  14. Dale haskell | 09/20/2013 at 6:17 pm

    Thanks. I will be following your activities.

    Reply
  15. Bart Stewart | 10/03/2013 at 9:58 pm

    What a great site! It’s about time somebody paid tribute to the TZ like this. (Maybe there are other sites but I don’t know of any.) An ep that is not among the most famous, but is high on my list of favorites, is “Number 12 Looks Just Like You.” It opens with Serling saying something like, “Let’s say it’s the year 2000…” The closing remarks are the really heavy ones, though.

    Reply
    • Paul | 10/04/2013 at 9:35 am

      Thanks, Bart! You’re right, that’s a great episode. Pairs well with “Eye of the Beholder”. Both of them are potent examinations of the pressure to conform to society’s idea of beauty. Powerful warnings, to be sure.

      Reply
  16. Rich | 12/09/2013 at 8:01 pm

    Greetings to you and all Zone devotees. This is a great way to reach out to our beloved community of the most sublime art that ever appeared on American television.

    Please check out my Twilight Zone movie, the first of several: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flist%3DPL09F0FC81B94680D3&ei=6GamUsqJJoGMygHdo4GoCA&usg=AFQjCNFz3YD06kjnC6BYPIOJG2hpLx4cdQ&sig2=duF8Om4JEvtsqMuKU_ZElA&bvm=bv.57799294,d.aWc

    Rich R.

    Reply
  17. Johnny Monster | 01/01/2014 at 8:11 pm

    hello Paul. Glad I stumbled across this site. As a fellow DC-based public relations professional who also happens to have a more-than-passing fondness for Twilight Zone and other Rod Serling-esque entertainment, it is refreshing to find intellectual conversation about these classic works. Thanks for keeping the interest alive.

    Reply
  18. larrysmusing | 08/26/2014 at 10:18 pm

    I avoid being served, as much as possible!

    Reply
  19. Angel Leigh McCoy | 10/18/2014 at 1:12 pm

    Hi, Paul, :) So excited to have discovered your blog when I was searching for Rod Serling. I’m starting a fiction magazine that’s going to host stories in the classic style of Night Gallery and Twilight Zone. I’d love to talk with you about reprinting some of your blog articles from it. If this interests you at all, please contact me. I think I’ll email you also, just to be sure you see it.

    You can see our initial call for submissions here: http://www.anotherdimensionmag.com

    Reply
  20. julia | 07/05/2015 at 1:04 am

    Like many, I found my way here while researching Serling, as I’m wont to do on marathon days. I can find nothing of Serling’s original prose(not scripts) in print, i.e., short stories before TZ. any leads? Thanks

    Reply
  21. Kaci Waters | 08/05/2015 at 2:14 am

    I found your blog while trying to find an episode of The Twilight Zone. Are you familiar with past episodes? Ages ago I saw part of an episode, but never saw the end. It has bugged me ever since. It is about a young married couple who have to stop in a small town because the wife is having a baby. The next day the husband cannot find his wife and everyone in the town only says a couple of words. He talks to the bartender who seems to have more answers than others. Is this actually a Twilight Zone episode?

    Reply
  22. richardmabeyjr | 01/28/2016 at 3:14 pm

    Hello Paul, This is a GREAT blog site. Wonderful. I, also, am a great Rod Serling fan. I have the entire series of the original TZ show on DVD. I also have the entire series of the 1980’s TZ series on DVD. You have here a great tribute to Rod Serling!

    Reply
    • Paul | 01/28/2016 at 3:57 pm

      Hi, Richard! Glad to hear you’re such a Serling fan and that you like the blog so much. It’s a pleasure fanning over RS’s amazing work!

      Reply
  23. 8trackmind | 07/08/2016 at 2:31 pm

    Heya, great blog. I’ve just recently episode 7 of my Nerdstalking podcast, and in this one we talk about Twilight Zone, Rod Serling, and a lot of other stuff. You can check it out here on Podomatic if you like:

    http://nerdstalking.podomatic.com/entry/2016-07-08T07_56_30-07_00

    Later.

    Reply
  24. Ofsightandsound;) | 09/02/2016 at 12:28 pm

    Hello, everyone! I LOVE this website, I go on it everyday to see if there is something new. I am a die-hard Twilight Zone fan, I’m working on watching all the episodes on Netflix, and I find this website nice, because it’s hard to get a hold of such true and good information about TTZ or Rod. You know how you say “daily dose of Serling” well, I have to get 2 doses — one from one of my TTZ books and this website, so thank you, Paul, for making this, and have a wonderful life.

    Reply
    • Paul | 09/02/2016 at 12:45 pm

      Well, thanks! I’m glad you enjoy the site so much. I wish I was able to post more often — I imagine those daily checks must get frustrating when it’s been a couple weeks, but I appreciate your persistence! You have a wonderful life as well.

      Reply
  25. CineSinLata | 10/20/2016 at 6:13 am

    Hi Paul, I’ve been following your twitter account for a few months now, but it wasn’t until now that I checked up your blog. Nice work! I’m a Twilight Zone fan since I was a kid, it’s simply a show that changes you forever, and although its almost 60 years old, it just keeps on surprising me everytime I rewatch any episode. Just wanted to leave my appreciation and respect for your effort. Big ups!

    Reply
    • Paul | 10/20/2016 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks, CSL! (Sorry, I don’t know your name.) I’m glad you’re enjoying the tweets and that you’ve checked out the blog. I hope you come back regularly. And I appreciate the comment!

      Reply
  26. Rusty Shackleford | 10/25/2016 at 10:04 pm

    I follow your page on twitter.. Any chance you could start including the episodes you get the quotes from?

    Big fan of the page,

    Rusty

    Reply
    • Paul | 10/25/2016 at 12:22 pm

      Thanks, Rusty! Glad you’re following the page. The only problem is that of room. I have only 140 characters, as you know, and that fills up quickly. I do, however, often include the season and episode number (e.g., #S1E23) so people who are interested can look them up. And as I sometimes remind people, you can always ask me.

      Reply
  27. Greg Zymet | 02/16/2017 at 7:44 pm

    Hey Paul, just found your site. Love it. I was going through a list of Twilight Zones on Netflix and saw “A Disturbance at Owl Creek Bridge” which my 6th grade English teacher showed us years ago on a projector in class. The movie stuck with me and inspired me to make the films I make today. I was shocked to see it as part of the Twilight Zone collection. I don’t think it was made by Serling (but perhaps acquired for the show?) Was curious if you knew. Anyway — great site. Great knowledge. Now, I need to watch more the Night Galleries.

    Reply
    • Paul | 02/17/2017 at 12:26 pm

      Glad to have you here, Greg!

      I can certainly understand your confusion about “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”. It was a French short film (one that won an Oscar, in fact) that was acquired by TZ’s producer as a way to cut costs during the show’s fifth and final season. Took only a few trims to get it to fit, and it worked quite well as a TZ, as Serling notes in his intro to the episode.

      And yes, you should definitely watch some NG! Sure, it’s no TZ, but it’s still quite entertaining. Here are some “tours” that I’ve posted, if you’d like to check them out: https://thenightgallery.wordpress.com/night-gallery-tours/

      Reply
  28. maddylovesherclassicfilms | 04/01/2017 at 9:02 am

    Hi Paul. I’ve just come across your blog and really love it. Keep up the fantastic work. The Twilight Zone is one of my all time favourite series. I love how the episodes can scare, move and grip all at once, and how even though you know what’s coming if you’ve seen an episode before, the twists are still effective each time.

    Reply
    • Paul | 04/01/2017 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks, Maddy. I appreciate the kind words. You’re so right — even I’m surprised by the depth of these wonderful episodes. They certainly bear rewatching. Glad to have you here!

      Reply
  29. Lady G. | 10/12/2017 at 7:50 pm

    I just found your Twitter page this week and followed, and you have a great blog. Rod Serling was a master writer, and truly understood the human condition to aptly weave sci-fi/fantasy and reality like he did. It’s so hard to pick a favorite episode. But one that touches me is “Number 12 looks just like you.” I thought Collin Wilcox Paxton as Marylin gave a performance worthy of an Emmy. And I’ve always loved “The Masks.” All the episodes pertaining to vanity were off the charts good, especially “Eye of the Beholder.” See, I can go on and on, because I’m ready to talk about the robot ones. I can’t wait to dive into the archives and read your thoughts and facts on the episodes.

    Reply
    • Paul | 10/12/2017 at 9:56 pm

      Glad you found the Twitter page and the blog! Serling has proven to be a great writer to delve into — his themes and his writings are so rich. I’m a big fan of “Number 12” and “The Masks” (though I haven’t covered them here yet, alas — stay tuned!), but “Eye of the Beholder” is my all-time favorite. Anyway, happy reading!

      Reply
  30. maddylovesherclassicfilms | 07/26/2018 at 5:44 am

    Hi Paul. Not sure if you’ve ever done this in the past or not, but I was just wondering if you had ever considered hosting a Twilight Zone themed blogathon?

    This would be great fun and could give all the followers a chance to write about the series as a whole, or to review individual episodes. It would be wonderful to read all the different views and interpretation of Serling’s work.

    Reply
  31. Alan Toner | 02/17/2019 at 10:41 am

    Hi there. Great site. I am a big fan of Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone. I actually write horror/fantasy myself, and would have loved to have had one of my stories accepted for the series. By the way, are you open to reciprocal linking and guest blogging? Keep up the good work. Regards, Alan Toner, http://www.alantoner.com

    Reply
  32. Hugh's Views and News | 05/30/2019 at 12:08 pm

    Hi Paul, I just found your blog via Twitter. I have loved The Twilight Zone ever since I can remember and am currently reading The Twilight Zone Encyclopedia by Steven Jay Rubin. I’m looking forward to reading your blog, especially as Rod Serling is my writing hero. I only wish I had met him before he departed us so early in his life. He’s the master of twists and, without-a-doubt, one of the best writers to have walked our planet.
    Good luck with all your writing.

    Reply
    • Paul | 05/30/2019 at 2:27 pm

      Many thanks, Hugh! Glad to have you aboard. Wish I could have met the master as well, but at least we can continue to enjoy his works for years to come.

      Reply
  33. vinnieh | 11/26/2019 at 5:12 pm

    I’m very happy to have come across your blog.

    Reply
  34. ☢️ JΞLLУ🏴‍☠️Я◎GΞЯ ☢️ (@_JellyRoger_) | 05/01/2020 at 8:07 pm

    Ciao Paul,
    Just a salute and best wishes for your work and this AMAZING Twilight-Blog! :D
    With the promise to read your posts here around and ppl replies and pow from some of those epic Rod Serling stories and adaptations, i pay you my respect and wish to you and all your readers best of luck in those difficult times.

    Keep up the good work, man !

    Reply
  35. Larry Newstead | 10/02/2020 at 9:03 am

    While cruising the web, I came across your site.
    You should honestly read
    Sands of Time a collection of thought provoking stories.
    By Beatrice C Snip.
    It is even claimed to be a modern telling of tales.
    Similar to the way Twilight Zone was told.
    I have read it and at least a couple of the stories could be compared in a modern way.
    I hope this might be of use to you.
    L

    Reply
  36. Larry | 10/31/2020 at 12:55 am

    You should really read the reviews of Sands of Time a collection of thought provoking stories on Amazon.
    It looks like not many have been sold but the reviews are synonymous with TZ

    Reply
  37. Henry Chamberlain | 11/20/2020 at 2:55 pm

    Hi Paul, I have been a fan of your beloved blog for many years! I just wanted to place on your radar my book on George Clayton Johnson and his numerous interconnections with The Twilight Zone. You can find GEORGE’S RUN, the graphic novel, over at comiXology. You are more than welcome to review it and feature it on your blog and you can definitely contact me and interview me too, if you like. I can send you a review copy or you can find the book here: https://bit.ly/2HXMT2z

    Reply
  38. Bruce | 12/30/2020 at 5:17 pm

    Hello Paul. Thanks for posting the 2020/2021 TZ marathon. My pal and I are HUGE TZ fans. We even started a Podcast based on the TZ called JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE (Bruce & Brian Episode 1). The TZ social commentary is often about things that are just beneath the surface, as in THE SHELTER. We hope to shoot our next episode soon and make it more TZ centric. I know there are numerous TZ Podcasts out there but we hope to be different; relating TZ episodes to today’s world. Maybe we can have you on as “Guest Star”!! Thanks for honoring the great Rod Serling and The Twilight
    Zone. . Bruce

    Reply
  39. Stuart Nichols | 01/02/2021 at 8:36 am

    Great site and Twitter feed!

    Reply
  40. Zane | 06/30/2021 at 12:53 am

    Paul,

    I hope you are doing well. Came across your site looking up information on the un-used Night Gallery script for “Does The Name Grimsby Do Anything to You?” Was very impressed about the amount of info you have on here. Any suggested readings? Was also wondering about your thoughts on the 1980s reboot. I personally love it! Have a great day.

    Reply
  41. Michael Harrington | 10/17/2021 at 2:38 pm

    Hi Paul,
    I have only just discovered your site and I look foward to exploring it. However, I wonder if I could exploit your hospitality with a question.?
    Somewhere in the 1980s Zone there is a short episode about a girl who appears to be a smart but lazy college student..Anyway, her apartment is visited by time travellers from the future, and from them she learns that it is her destiny to become the first president of a united world federation.
    I have tried in vain to find the title of this episode, even though i have searched all the episode guides.
    Could you advise me?
    Regards,
    Michael

    Reply
  42. Summer | 12/31/2021 at 9:41 pm

    Hi Paul,
    It’s New Years Eve 2021, watching Twilight Zones, Decades and Syfi, while searching online, found your blog.
    Exciting to learn after all these years, the back stories to the episodes.
    Thanks 🙋‍♀️

    Reply
  43. W. Scott | 02/19/2022 at 1:08 pm

    Hi Paul,
    What do you think is the best book on the series? When I was young I had the first edition of “The Twilight Zone Companion” and just got my Third Edition copy a couple weeks ago. What would be a good “companion” to the Companion? Zicree actually recommends one in his Third Edition notes (the name escapes me as I type this). Just wanted to get your thoughts, and this incredible resource you’ve created here. I’m very late to the game but have to say I love this page. Thank you. Scott

    Reply
  44. Steven Mosqueda | 12/29/2023 at 12:45 am

    Hello,

    Big TZ fan. I was watching “The Fever”. At the beginning, the manager of the casino says they have “unlimited credit”. So why does Franklin spend his own money when he gets the fever?

    Thanks.

    Steve Mosqueda

    Reply

  1. Pingback: The Twilight Zone Recap: “One for the Angels” | DarkMedia.com

  2. Pingback: Interview with “Mr. Twilight Zone” and His Girl Friday | Reality Check

  3. Pingback: Boldt Castle – Upstate New York Vacation 2014 – Part 3 of…. | Runnin Off at the Mouth....

Leave a comment