The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Twilight Zone Companion
Book Review: Not perfect but close
Summary: 3 Stars
Okay, here's the deal. This is most detailed Twilight Zone episode guide in print. It does a fine job describing the episodes and includes Rod Sterling's opening and closing lines. It talks about the behind the scenes history of the show and has vingettes on the most important of the show's writers. There's only two things wrong with it. The author gives a totally uncalled for critique of each episode. His understanding of the Twilight Zone seems to be only academic because he doesn't seem to "get" anything nor does he seem to like any of the episodes that are considered to be fan favorites.
Secondly, he drops the ball on the Charles Beaumont section. He tells us that Beaumont suffered horribly from a strange disease and died at 38 (but looked and acted like a 90 year old) but after devoting pages to his story fails to tell the reader what Mr. Beaumont died of.
Until someone else writes a companion guide this book is it. I'll read the episode guides and ignore the snotty commentary.
Book Review: Totally mixed about this book
Summary: 3 Stars
Where this book is great is in the background work behind the scenes of getting the Twilight Zone off the ground, the history of the man himself, Serling, and the "facts" that range from the obscure, to the truly bizarre. Where this book suffers is in the authors extreme lack of vision when trying to discuss the episodes. Truly, an interpretation is a matter of opinion, however, when ideas are kicked around about classic material, I for one, have to draw the line. Example: The Old Man in the Cave. The author brings up the awkward idea of how the "old man" (the computer) is powered through all the years since the aftermath. Even going so far as sounding negative that the old man could run at all. Uh, that's the kind of stuff an eight year old would roll around their mind. Totally uncalled for, not to mention unnecessary. I wish their were a book written by people who seem to understand the Zone, or even like it. Marc, thanks for the book, it is an interesting read as far as fact, but leave the fiction to the master.*EDIT*
Also, there is far too much time devoted in explaining what each episode is about. I for one watch an episode, then refer to the "book" and find out the tidbits. Frustrating, when there is 4 paragraphs of "what the episode" is about (what I already knew) and barely 1 paragraph of tidbit. Looking at the book, it is bulky and one would assume it is chock full of useful stuff, not really, it's chock full of stuff you already knew. I don't know anyone who would buy a book like this and never watch the show.
Book Review: Excellent reference book but...
Summary: 4 Stars
Don't get me wrong this book is a superb resource of information about the Twilight Zone. I agree with most of the other reviews posted here. The only problem I have is with the authors own personal opinion of the episodes. I disagree with around 95% of them! A personal opinion is a difficult thing to object against but his are very opinionated! I don't think he appreciates the atmosphere or charm of certain episodes at all. Use this book for the reference material and judge the merits of the individual episodes for yourself!Book Review: Good source of info and stories
Summary: 4 Stars
Twilight Zone fans will thoroughly enjoy this book. There is a good amount of background information about Rod Serling and his rise as a sucessful and popular writer for television and his move to make the Twilight Zone a reality. There are also snippets of his early childhood and what sort of individual he was.
The rest of the book goes into details about the production aspects of TZ and gives a behind-the-scenes look of each Twilight Zone episode. The anecdotes and tales about what went on in making the episodes is very interesting. There are also assorted background stories on the staff that worked on the TZ such as the producers, actors and writers. TZC also gives an inside look at the politics involved in shooting TZ and the troubles that Serling had with the CBS network in producing the show as he wanted it to be.
One should be warned, however, that each episode review has a beginning "spoiler"... the first few paragraphs summarize the plot *and* the twist ending of the show. If you have not seen all the episodes, the surprise endings will be ruined for you by this intro paragraph. This is what kept the book from getting the full five stars from me. But all in all, a pretty interesting book on one of the best television shows to ever cross the airwaves of America.
Book Review: 5 Stars
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book in virtually one setting, I would recommend to anyone who is a big Rod Serling fan!