Martin Scorsese, a renowned filmmaker famous for his work in the gangster film genre, first entered television in a way that is often overlooked, through his involvement with Amazing Stories, a television show created by Steven Spielberg in the mid-1980s. The launch of his television career via this series forms a significant chapter in the discussion of Martin Scorsese television career and Amazing Stories debut, as it marked his early steps beyond cinema and into the television landscape.
Scorsese’s Entrance Into TV With Spielberg’s Anthology Series
Before making waves on television, Martin Scorsese had built a powerful presence in cinema. Beginning in the 1960s with his short films and debuting his first full-length feature in 1967, Who’s That Knocking at My Door, Scorsese’s major break came in 1973 with Mean Streets. This film also started his well-known collaboration with Robert De Niro. Over time, Scorsese grew to be known for exploring a range of genres, such as musicals, dark comedies, thrillers, and even romantic comedies, always generating high anticipation for his new projects.
In 1985, the anthology series Amazing Stories began airing on NBC, with Steven Spielberg at the helm as creator. The show, which took inspiration and its name from the influential sci-fi magazine started by Hugo Gernsback, brought audiences eclectic stories often featuring science fiction themes. Scorsese stepped into television by directing an episode titled “Mirror Mirror” in the show’s first season in 1986. That same year, his film The Color of Money was also released, marking it as an especially busy period for the director.
The episode “Mirror Mirror,” from a story by Spielberg and written by Joseph Minion, centers on Jordan Manmouth (portrayed by Sam Waterston), a horror author who considers himself immune to supernatural fear. As he becomes haunted by a mysterious figure, only visible in reflections and played by Tim Robbins, the character is compelled to rethink his skepticism about the supernatural. Although the episode earned generally positive feedback, some viewers expressed letdowns regarding its overall execution. Ultimately, Amazing Stories ran for two years—comprising 45 episodes—before NBC chose not to continue with a third season, which reflected moderate ratings rather than outstanding success.
Notable Directors Alongside Scorsese in Amazing Stories
Despite being spearheaded by Spielberg and boasting a roster of respected filmmakers, Amazing Stories did not maintain substantial public attention. Guest directors of significant repute were involved throughout the anthology’s run. In the first season alone, Scorsese was joined by acclaimed talents such as Burt Reynolds, Black Christmas director Bob Clark, Clint Eastwood, Joe Dante of Gremlins fame, Irvin Kershner, known for The Empire Strikes Back, and Timothy Hutton, the director behind Ordinary People.
This trend of spotlighting highly recognized guest directors continued in the second season, where the likes of Danny Devito, Tom Holland (Child’s Play), Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Nick Castle (who portrayed Michael Myers in Halloween), Brad Bird (The Incredibles), and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) contributed their creative vision. Spielberg himself also directed some episodes, with several directors returning for additional contributions. Despite this array of television and cinematic heavyweights, both critics and viewers found issues ranging from narrative inconsistency to visual quality, which ultimately took a toll on the show’s lasting reputation.
Scorsese’s Continued Influence on the Small Screen
Martin Scorsese’s landmark appearance in Amazing Stories marked only the initial point in his journey across television. It was over two decades later that Scorsese returned to direct and serve as executive producer for the opening episode of Boardwalk Empire, a period crime drama created by Terence Winter. This move not only expanded his footprint in TV but also displayed his capacity to manage and launch high-profile serial projects.
Scorsese’s involvement in television did not stop there. In 2016, he co-created the period drama Vinyl with Mick Jagger, Rich Cohen, and Terence Winter, once again taking on the roles of executive producer and pilot director. More recently, Scorsese directed the documentary series Pretend It’s a City, released by Netflix in 2021, and continued his producing efforts on projects such as Theodore Roosevelt (2022), The Last Movie Stars (2022), and Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints (2024).
Currently, Scorsese is engaged with an upcoming comedy TV special, An Afternoon with SCTV, though it does not yet have a confirmed release date. There are no other confirmed television endeavors for him at this time, but his contributions so far have shaped the quality and ambition of acclaimed shows on platforms including HBO and Netflix.
The story of Martin Scorsese television career and Amazing Stories debut offers insight into the cross-pollination between film and television by major directors. Spielberg’s influence as creator of Amazing Stories was pivotal in bringing Scorsese to the small screen, and alongside guest directors like Robert Zemeckis, Brad Bird, Irvin Kershner, Joe Dante, Danny Devito, and Tobe Hooper, the anthology represented a unique moment for television storytelling. While Amazing Stories itself faded from mainstream memory, it was a notable springboard that let Scorsese diversify his legacy and impact narrative-driven television. Looking ahead, audiences will watch for Scorsese’s next moves, knowing both his film history and television evolution reflect his relentless passion and range.
