Anthology - The Twilight Zone, Science Fiction Theatre, and Sci-Fi Podcast · Obsessive Viewer Podcasts

099 - I Sing the Body Electric (The Twilight Zone S03E35) + The Long Sleep (Science Fiction Theatre S02E02)

·1 hr 33 min·5 clips

Ray Bradbury's only Twilight Zone episode was cut against his wishes, sparking a feud with Rod Serling.

This episode of Anthology reviews "I Sing the Body Electric," the 35th episode of *The Twilight Zone*'s third season and the show's 100th overall episode. Host Matt Hurt, a first-time viewer of the classic series, provides a detailed review and contextual analysis. The episode is notable as the only *Twilight Zone* episode written by renowned science fiction author Ray Bradbury. The plot follows widower George Rogers, who seeks a solution after his sister-in-law criticizes his ability to care for his three children—Tom, Karen, and Anne—following their mother's death. He discovers an advertisement for Facsimile Limited, a company whose slogan is "I Sing the Body Electric," which offers custom-built robotic grandmothers. The children help design the robot's appearance, selecting her hair color, eyes, and other features. Young Anne remains hostile and refuses to accept the robotic grandmother, named Grandma, as part of the family. Weeks pass, and Anne continues to reject Grandma, accusing the family of playing make-believe. A crisis occurs when Anne runs into the street and is nearly hit by a truck, but Grandma pushes her to safety. Anne witnesses Grandma rise unharmed from the accident, highlighting her robotic nature. This act leads to a pivotal moment where Grandma promises Anne she will never leave her, unlike her mother. The story jumps ahead years later, showing the now-grown children moving out and saying goodbye to Grandma, who is ready to assist a new family. Matt Hurt shares extensive background trivia, noting the cast includes Veronica Cartwright (later of *Alien*) as Anne and actors with multiple *Twilight Zone* and Alfred Hitchcock film connections. He reveals that Bradbury had a negative experience with the production because several minutes of his script, including key thematic dialogue, were cut for time. Rod Serling and Bradbury subsequently exchanged critical comments in the press about the adaptation. The episode required extensive reshoots, leading to two directors—James Sheldon and William Claxton—being credited. An interesting production note is that the episode reused the same exterior house shot from the immediately preceding episode, "Young Man's Fancy," both stories beginning one year after a mother's death. Matt Hurt also uses the review to announce a new $4 Patreon tier curated specifically for *Anthology* listeners, offering science-fiction-related bonus content like commentary tracks for films such as *Sunshine* and *Dune* and episode reviews for shows like *Dark* and *Severance*. He briefly discusses seeing M. Night Shyamalan's *Knock at the Cabin*, noting its thematic similarities to *Twilight Zone* stories. The host expresses frustration that Paramount+ recently removed Jordan Peele's 2019 *Twilight Zone* reboot from its service, arguing it limits discovery and disrespects the creators. The episode concludes with a non-spoiler review of *Science Fiction Theatre* Season 2, Episode 2, "The Long Sleep." The tone is conversational and educational, blending episode summary, production history, and the host's personal media consumption. Matt Hurt's style is enthusiastic and detail-oriented, clearly aimed at fellow science fiction enthusiasts. This episode would appeal to fans of *The Twilight Zone* seeking deep dives into specific episodes, listeners interested in classic television production stories, and those who enjoy learning about science fiction history and connections. It might be less engaging for listeners seeking a concise, critical review or those uninterested in behind-the-scenes trivia and host announcements.

As heard by us

A patient take on a milestone Twilight Zone episode that leans into family loss and care.

Matt Hurt treats "I Sing the Body Electric" as what it is: the 35th episode of season 3 and the show's 100th episode, and he lets that milestone sit with the listener for a moment.

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Why you'd press play

You want a thoughtful look at a Twilight Zone milestone that also follows grief, caretaking, and a familiar old-house echo.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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