psc@lzwi.UUCP (Paul S. R. Chisholm) (10/05/85)
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"Shatterday": premier episode of the new TWILIGHT ZONE series, based
on a short story by Harlan Ellison; first aired Friday, the 27th of
September, 1985.
At the cost of two days, Ellison's story completely filled a half-
hour teleplay. There were only occasional, dramatic seconds of someone
considering what's going on, as compared to minutes of "Ooh, lookit
that!" And I ain't gonna tell you a *damn* thing about the story.
This is a reasonably faithful adaptation of the short story. One
day where nothing happens is omitted, and the events of the last day
(which made for a slightly stronger ending) aren't shown. I think if
Ellison had done the script, he *might* have been able to wedge those
in; it would only take another sixty seconds of air time. The problem
is that there isn't sixty seconds to spare! Oh, that more television
had such problems.
A quick comparison to two following screenplays: "Just a Little
Peace and Quiet", the other half-hour teleplay of THE TWILIGHT ZONE,
might have had sixty seconds it could have given up. It's an idea
story, a think piece; it didn't have the characterization of
"Shatterday", but it did a good job of treating its subject. AMAZING
STORIES' "Ghost Train" was E.T. with a different premise, done as a
half-hour teleplay; it had about ten minutes of air time it could have
spared. The amazing thing is that we'll be seeing this for two years.
Of "Ghost Train", my nine year old said, "Is that it?"
--
-Paul S. R. Chisholm The above opinions are my own,
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"Were you ever famous?" "No." "Then how can you be a has been?"