Harlan Ellison, after being away from Hollywood movie and television scriptwriting for about 15 years, came back as "creative consultant" and sometimes writer of several episodes of the 1985 new Twilightt Zone, television series, for its first season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Zone_(1985_TV_series)
An Ellison story was adapted for the first episode of the new series, "Shatterday" (the title story from Ellison's 1980 short story collection), that was the first appearance of Bruce Willis on television, and as I recall, Ellison personally scripted two other episodes in the first season. Ellison for some reason I can' recall had a parting of the ways with the series after the first season, and the second season was not nearly as good. But there were many intelligent and sophisticated, and at times funny, episodes in that first season. Including a number of great writers. The theme song over the opening and closing credits was by the Grateful Dead !
One shorter 8-minute episode I particularly recall was "I of Newton", starring Sherman Hemsley (from The Jeffersons) as a scientist struggling to work out a math equation, who in frustration says, "Ohhh, I'd sell my soul to get this thing right." And in a flash, poof, a demon appears (portrayed by Ron Glass, of Barney Miller) to take possession of his soul. Based on a story by acclaimed SF writer Joe Haldeman, and scripted by sometimes comics writer and letterhack Alan Brennert.
It was the 2nd segment in a 1-hour program, the first story being "Her Pilgrim Soul" (including a 10-year-old Danica McKellar) the first 38 minutes, followed by "I of Newton" running after for the remaining 8 minutes. Both stories writen by Ajan Brennert.
And here's the full 1985 first episode with "Shatterday" (the first 23 minutes, Ellison's story adapted by Alan Brennert), followed by "a Little Peace and Quiet" for the remaining 25 minutes (written by James Crocker).
