Good afternoon, House of Madness readers:
Isn't it nice when you discover a new or different form of something you love? Imagine waking up one day to find out that you've been overlooking something that's been lurking right under your nose for your entire life, yet you've never been aware of its existence. One day you're just perusing the grocery store aisles, and you see they now sell your favourite beer, and it's even pre-chilled; nothing wrong with getting blasted while you're doing a little shopping. In fact, your loved ones will most likely benefit from this as well while you fill your cart haphazardly with the care of a starving banshee. What about the first time you were flipping through the avenues on your new cable package containing 3493 channels you'll never watch, only to discover waaaay up in the high numbers lies the naked channel, and it's Saturday night. And you're all alone. And you're not wearing pants......er, uh, I mean just because they're naked, doesn't mean it's not quality television, right? RIGHT!?
Speaking of quality television, I don't think there was ever a show greater than "The Twilight Zone", and any time I hear or think of the name Rod Serling, I of course associate him with this brilliantly crafted show. "TTZ" has been rebooted more than once, and although I do enjoy the post efforts of Mr. Serling very much, nothing will ever capture the essence or amplitude of the originals, which is so often the case when it comes to the attempt of re-creating someone else's brilliance. All these years I was so enthralled with the television series, that I never questioned whether or not there was a source material which led to the visions and ideologies put forth on screen; until recently that is. One night as I was scrolling through the store on my Kindle of Madness, I stumbled across something so exquisitely delightful that I almost woke my wife from her blissful slumber, and even I'm not ready for the horrors that lie within if that were to ever happen. No one is.
What I found was a trilogy of short stories by Rod Serling himself, which are the basis and footing of all those television shows I so dearly adore. "Stories From The Twilight Zone", "More Stories From The Twilight Zone", and "New Stories From The Twilight Zone" are available individually, or can be purchased as a set for maximum mental carnage. I had no idea Rod Serling was an author, as I just assumed he adapted his wonderfully thought out ideas straight to the silver screen much like Steven Spielberg or Ti West. Instead of wallowing in embarrassment for my literary ineptness, I am sharing my discovery with you, so perhaps I can enlighten someone else's Kindle, Kobo, or whatever your reading weapon of choice is, and help spread the stories of Mr. Serling even further so they're never forgotten; hence you get trapped inside.......The Twilight Zone.
Madness Meter: 10/10
NB
