TV isn’t about quality, it’s about selling ads. TZ’s ratings were always in that “OK but not what we were hoping for” zone. It’s funny to think now because it’s probably the most influential show in American culture (more so now that the anthology series has become almost necessary to be a “serious” network). But at the time it was a middling success getting OK reviews. It’s the great episodes, plus of course that theme song and the strong imagery, that built the legend.
Very true, all of it.
Same with Star Trek :)
Though it didn’t last NEAR 6 seasons.
Star Trek didn’t exactly kill it in the ratings, neither when it ran originally.