"They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar" Review
April 06, 2010
If you’ve been following my previous posts, I’ve written about Rod Serling’s Night Gallery before. Night Gallery was a short-lived show from the early ’70s and Rod Serling’s follow-up to The Twilight Zone. I’ve mentioned that it was a pretty awful show ninety percent of the time since Serling wasn’t given more creative control.
However, if you click on the link at the top of this article, you’ll be brought to not only the best episode of the series, but arguably the best script ever written by Serling. “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar” is a haunting, beautiful story about a man looking back on his life with both nostalgia and pain. Things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to for Mr. Lane - his life is falling apart and he’s being haunted by cheerful memories of his past. This all happens because the bar he used to go to (Tim Riley’s bar, to be specific) is being demolished and Mr. Lane just can’t let the memories go.
I cannot recommend this episode more highly. William Windom does a fantastic job and the writing is stellar. Rod Serling was nominated for an Emmy (Outstanding Single Program) for “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar.” As far as I’m concerned, he deserved it.
By the way, don’t bother watching the short clip after (“The Last Laurel”). It’s not very good… But give “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar” a chance - I think you’ll like it.
-MP
However, if you click on the link at the top of this article, you’ll be brought to not only the best episode of the series, but arguably the best script ever written by Serling. “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar” is a haunting, beautiful story about a man looking back on his life with both nostalgia and pain. Things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to for Mr. Lane - his life is falling apart and he’s being haunted by cheerful memories of his past. This all happens because the bar he used to go to (Tim Riley’s bar, to be specific) is being demolished and Mr. Lane just can’t let the memories go.
I cannot recommend this episode more highly. William Windom does a fantastic job and the writing is stellar. Rod Serling was nominated for an Emmy (Outstanding Single Program) for “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar.” As far as I’m concerned, he deserved it.
By the way, don’t bother watching the short clip after (“The Last Laurel”). It’s not very good… But give “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar” a chance - I think you’ll like it.
-MP
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