On an advert for the new "Twilight Zone"--which, let the record show, is one of my favorite old time TV series--I made a comment about how I was avoiding it because the rampant wokeness that was likely to be infesting it with Jordan Peele involved would be intolerable on my end. One dude fired back something about "Did you know that Rod Serling made the OG Twilight Zone a vehicle for his political beliefs?" It's only Instagram, so I didn't bother answering him, as likely it would not have gone over so well.
But for y'all here...there's a difference between intelligent political and social commentary the likes of which Rod Serling excelled at (at his best) and wokeness the likes of which Jordan Peele has become known/notorious for. AKA of the "white people are dumb/evil/wrong," variety. I'm avoiding that reboot for that exact reason, as I am predicting that it will be just that, a series of vignettes portraying white folks in harshly unflattering ways the way standard modern TV does daily. I repeat, there is a difference, and modern TV seems to err on the side of the woke, now, doesn't it? sarcasm
At least Rod Serling--again, at his best--made his commentary from a place of desiring equality and pointing things out in a provocative manner, especially by 1950s standards, that made people think, as opposed to bludgeoning people. I have little if any doubt that the new attempt at "The Twilight Zone" will do just that, beat people over their heads with wokeness in the usual heavy handed manner. Am I wrong, do y'all think?
Jordan Peele has made fun of "woke" idealogy on his show "Keenan and Peele" at least a couple times. The Pirates that don't say bitch, was obviously satire about the subject- and the over the top gay co-worker was obviously in the same vain. I bet he does a good job he's very intelligent in interviews.
In my opinion, remakes are usually of a second rate quality. The Twilight Zone that Rod Serling created was based on science fiction, in essence, the future, if you like. It was a vehicle that took us out of today's immediate world and let us explore and examine social, political, and psychological situations without the threat of censorship. I tried to watch one of the new episodes, but frankly, Rod would be disappointed.
I think the original grew out of a vibrant writing community. I do not think the short story in science fiction still attracts writers of the same quality, let alone the TV program.
Well entertainment has often had a flavor of politics in it.
The difference with today's media is it's not that entertaining.
Previously even highly biased media was entertaining. John Stewart and Alex Jones are both entertaining even if I don't agree with their ideas.