National Twilight Zone Day

May 11th is National Twilight Zone Day, an unofficial holiday that honors and celebrates the Twilight Zone, an iconic and thrilling television show.

We always celebrate all science fiction, horror, supernatural drama, and unexpected twists than shake a fifth-dimensional stick at. Being considered as one of the greatest television shows of all time, The Twilight Zone has led to a number of spin-offs and derivatives, including graphic novels, movies, radio series, board games, and more. On May 11th we can dive into the show’s 60-year history and what it has meant to viewers and fans across the globe.

History of National Twilight Zone Day

Today we celebrate the TV anthology series The Twilight Zone. It is unclear why the performance was held on May 11, as there is no clear connection between the date and the show. During the five seasons of its release, the series was loved by fans and became critically acclaimed.

October 2nd, 1959, on CBS was the first time of Twilight Zone. It was created by Rod Serling, who not only came up with the idea and wrote or co-wrote 92 of its 156 episodes, but also hosted and narrated it. It is one of the first sci-fi series and also features elements of suspense, horror, psychological fiction, drama, and fantasy. Serling combined his love of pulp fantasy novels with topics not often covered on television at the time: social issues such as war (including nuclear), subject matter McCarthyism and racism. In the opening sequence of each episode, the characters are transported to another dimension — the fifth dimension — known as the "Twilight Zone." There, they deal with many unusual events, and the show often has an unexpected ending with a moral lesson.

TV Guide ranked the series at number 5 on their list of the 60 best shows of 2013 and number 4 on their list of the best dramas of 2013. In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 7 on its list of the best TV shows of all time. After its first run from 1959 to 1964, there were various iterations of it. The series' first revival took place between 1985 and 1989, when 110 episodes were produced. The second reboot took place from 2002 to 2003, when 44 episodes were made. The third season of the series began in 2019. A radio series produced between 2002 and 2012, in which episodes of the original series were adapted. Twilight Zone: It was started by Dan Aykroyd and Albert Brooks and directed by John Landis - was released in 1983. A television series, Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics, was released in 1994.

Some truths about Twilight Zone

• Inspiring a new generation of shows

The popular British science fiction show "Black Mirror" was inspired by "The Twilight Zone".

• The best shows of all time

In 2013, TV Guide ranked the original TV series “Twilight Zone” as the best TV series ever.

• The Simpsons love it

For years, "The Simpsons" referenced or faked "The Twilight Zone" for 18 episodes.

• Attractive amusement park

Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando offers a Tower of Terror ride "The Twilight Zone" for visitors.

• Emmy Award Winner

The original show won three Emmys for its writing and cinematography.

Some reasons for National Twilight Zone Day being loved

• Social commentary

What made "The Twilight Zone" unique for its time was its ability to use science fiction to provide commentary on today's issues. Episodes often deal with topics such as nuclear war, philosophical dilemmas, and current events. Television networks seemed to favor science fiction more than other traditional dramas of the day.

• Get in touch with your imagination

The enduring thing about "The Twilight Zone" is that the audience's imagination can run wild. Whether it's against a legendary pool player who has passed away, an alien coming to Earth, or a device that tells the future, each episode lets your mind wander.

• Nearly every story is stand-alone

While most TV shows boast long storylines and character development over episodes and seasons that never happened in "The Twilight Zone". Nearly every episode is self-contained and all things are focused on a lot and plot of that timeline, never to be revisited in a future episode.

How to celebrate National Twilight Zone Day

• Play board games!

Released in 1964, the official board game "Twilight Zone" was an extension of the television show. Be the first player to move their marker along the path to reality while traversing the Twilight Zone.

• Organize a televised marathon

With over 60 years of TV shows and reboots to choose from, May 11 is the perfect day to sit down and watch some of your favorite episodes. From time travel to alien food, there's a Twilight Zone episode for almost every sci-fi theme you can imagine.

• Take a course

Some colleges and universities offer classes in science fiction. It's a great way to advance your education and learn more about the world of science fiction. While “The Twilight Zone” may be the most popular interpretation of the genre, there are countless other shows, movies, and novels to explore.