That’s The Signpost Up Ahead – Your Next Stop

Just before 5:30 this morning, Shawn Michaels popped his head into the newsroom to ask if I was going anywhere for New Year's Eve. I answered this with the same exact place I go to every December 31st; to another dimension.

Yes, The Twilight Zone Marathon on the SyFy Channel. Every July 4th and New Year's Eve, I am glued to the TV for most of it - only getting up for quick meals, nature breaks and to see family. The family visit must have a TV set tuned to Rod Serling's amazing creation. Although I have every episode at home in their original uncut forms, I still like watching the syndicated cut versions that air each year. Why you ask? Well, first - if I had to pick my favorite show of all time, The Twilight Zone would be up there on the list. Also, there's something I enjoy about collective viewing.

It's a concept my parents never understood. They'll say "Why are you watching this, you have it on DVD" or "didn't you see this a thousand times?!" My reply is yes but I always like watching shows and movies with an audience. No, not in my house. Everyone else. Perfect strangers. All of the other people in the world watching the program or film at the same time. It's some psychological thing that sometimes enhances the enjoyment. I don't know if I'm just crazy.

My wife agrees with me. That was one of the reasons Charlie Brown's Christmas Special this year upset me so much because of all the edits. See past blog for that story. Even though we own it in two different formats, we couldn’t stay away. Thankfully, the wife also enjoys the Zone so we should be good this weekend.

The anthology series premiered on CBS in 1959 and ran for 156 episodes. I love each episode in the series and even though they were produced almost 53 years ago, it still holds up today. There's always a mix of drama, fantasy, sci-fi, black comedy and horror. If you've never seen it, check it out. This weekend will be your chance. The marathon starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday night.

I usually take a quick break at 11:59 p.m. to watch the ball drop. And then I turn the channel back to the marathon by 12:01 a.m.

I will be back on the air Monday morning with all the news you need.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year. Talk to you all in 2012!