Rod Serling was a talented writer with a keen mind for writing science fiction. But as gifted as Serling was, there were times when even he was at the mercy of network television.

One such moment was during one of Serling's later television projects, Night Gallery. After some time working on the series, Serling felt that the network was exercising too much control over his creative vision. No longer was Serling at the wheel of the ship; he had been demoted to the brig.

"It is simply this: I have lost the creative control of a series that I have created," said Serling during an interview with The Herald. "What the show is going to be now is Mannix in a cemetery. I'll still be fronting it, giving my little spiel, but the title is strictly a misnomer. It won't be Rod Serling's anything anymore. Contractually, I have no control at all over what goes on the screen. It was always that way, but I never knew it."

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Serling had no choice but to submit to NBC's demands. He was contractually obligated to remain married to the series, for better or for worse. Still, the writer allowed himself small maneuvers of rebellion whenever he could manage it.

"I suppose I could just say I'm leaving, and then they'd wave that contract at me," said Serling. "But I won't publicize the show. If anybody is kind enough to write fan letters to me about a show, I'll forward them to NBC and Universal. So I'm not actually washing my hands of the show. I'm just toweling them off."