The television series "Amazing Stories," an American anthology show, has a history spanning several decades, marked by its original run in the mid-1980s and a more recent revival. Created by Steven Spielberg, the series draws its name from the pioneering science fiction magazine launched in 1926, which has maintained various formats over many years. This connection highlights a legacy rooted in imaginative storytelling, a characteristic that both
iterations of the television series aimed to uphold.
The original "Amazing Stories" aired for two seasons from 1985 to 1987, establishing itself as a platform for diverse, self-contained narratives. Decades later, the concept was revisited, leading to a new production for Apple TV+ in 2020. This revival demonstrates the enduring appeal of the anthology format and the creative vision associated with Spielberg's involvement, bridging generations of viewers with fresh interpretations of fantastical tales.
The Original Series: A Spielbergian Vision of the 1980s
The 1985 iteration of "Amazing Stories" was a significant television event, primarily due to the involvement of Steven Spielberg, who was at the height of his fame following major successes like "Jaws," "E.T.," and "Indiana Jones." His name was often associated with the official title, sometimes appearing as "Steven Spielberg Presents Amazing Stories" in certain countries, including the United States. This emphasized his creative influence and the high expectations surrounding the show.
The series adopted an anthology format, similar to classic shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," featuring standalone episodes with no recurring characters. Spielberg himself directed a couple of episodes, including the pilot, and other notable Hollywood filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood also helmed episodes. Despite the involvement of illustrious directors and many famous actors, the series concluded after only two seasons and 45 episodes.
Critical Reception and Home Media Releases
During its two seasons, the original "Amazing Stories" received considerable recognition, earning 12 Emmy Award nominations. Many of these nominations were for technical categories such as cinematography, makeup, and sound. The series ultimately won five Emmy Awards, with four of these victories occurring in 1986. Additionally, the sixth episode, "The Amazing Falsworth," directed by Peter Hyams, earned screenwriter Mick Garris an Edgar Award for Best Episode of the Year. In 2007, the series was nominated for a Saturn Award in the Best Retro Television Series Release on DVD category, highlighting its lasting impact and collector interest.
Over the years, various home media formats have made the original series accessible to audiences. In 1993, a selection of episodes was released on VHS in the U.S., titled "Book One" through "Book Five." In Japan and Europe, episodes were compiled into movie-like presentations and released across eight volumes during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A three-tape PAL VHS set was also released in the UK in 2001. Between 2006 and 2009, the complete first season became available on DVD in several countries, including the U.S., UK, France, Holland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, and Australia. In 2009, both seasons were released on DVD in Germany and Japan, with Germany offering both seasons as 12 separate DVDs or a complete box set, which was reissued in 2011. All international DVDs included the original English soundtrack, while some countries also provided dubbed versions. Notably, the second season was never released on video in America, despite demand from collectors. More recently, in January 2018, both seasons were released on Apple iTunes in standard definition.
The 2020 Revival: A New Chapter for Apple TV+
The concept of reviving "Amazing Stories" began to take shape in 2015 when NBC announced its development of a reboot. Bryan Fuller was initially slated to write the pilot and executive produce alongside Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank, with Universal Television involved in production. At this early stage, Steven Spielberg was not expected to be directly involved.
However, by October 2017, Apple Inc. had ordered a ten-episode series, with Amblin Television joining as an additional production company. The production saw some changes, with Bryan Fuller stepping down as showrunner in February 2018 due to creative differences, followed by executive producer Hart Hanson's departure. Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, creators of "Once Upon a Time," then joined as executive producers and showrunners in May 2018. The 2020 series, which premiered between March 6 and April 3, 2020, consisted of five episodes and featured Spielberg, Kitsis, Horowitz, Frank, and Justin Falvey as executive producers, bringing the anthology series back to a new generation of viewers.
