It appears to have gone unnoticed, but it was three years ago today when UM aired what would eventually turn out to be its last first-run episode. It's hard to believe it has been that long.

The last original segment was about the 2002 disappearances of Oregon teenagers Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis. The initial airing of the segment ended with an update, which confirmed that both girls were dead. Their remains were discovered near the rented house of a man named Ward Weaver on August 24, shortly before the segment originally aired. (Weaver eventually pled guilty to the murders, and is serving a prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole.)

Ironically, the segment was originally scheduled to air just a few days after the discovery of the girls' remains. However, the airdate was postponed until September 20 (probably in order to give the UM crew some time to gather enough information to produce an update for the segment).

The official UM site erroneously lists the segment's original broadcast date as September 16, 2002, but most sources confirm that the correct date was September 20, 2002. Besides, September 20 was on a Friday in 2002, and I'm certain that the segment aired on a Friday.

Going back to the fact about it being the final episode, it ran as an ordinary episode. In other words, there was nothing to even hint that it would be the last episode of the series. My suspicion is that the UM crew were hoping to have the show renewed for another season. But obviously, when Robert Stack died in on May 14, 2003, any hopes for more new UM episodes were dashed. :(

I don't why people are so hung up on Robert Stack. Sure, he was good but he was not the ONLY guy in the world who had the charisma to host UM. He was just an ACTOR!! He was not a real life crimefighter, detective, or policeman.

People have suggested Leornard Nimoy who did "In Search Of" on PBS. He would be fine or why not just use Keely Shaye Smith?? She was fine too.

The MERITS of a show is what make it great not a who hosts it who you hardly see during the show anyway. It was the segments and TRUE stories that made UM great.

I'm suprised there isn't more of a movement to bring it back or at least bring back a similar show.

That's the thing...many viewers thought that Stack made the show what it was, and I can't say I totally disagree. Just like Bob Stack will ALWAYS be Elliot Ness, he will always be the haunting, authoritative voice of UM. He's just has that type of screen presence. Plus, they (CBS) did try to do the show with Virginia Madsen as the host and it was a total flop.

Have you ever seen the show "City Confidential" on A&E? Paul Winfield narrarates it, and it's a great show. However, they've done a few episodes with a different narrarator and it's...just not the same, not nearly as good. Winfield sets the tone with his unique voice just like Robert Stack did. That's not to say I don't wish they'd bring back UM, it's just that I can see why it died with Stack.

BTW, Kane, the anniversary hasn't gone unnoticed. You noticed!! :)

Robert Stack was the perfect narrator. That deep chilling voice would always get to me! He set the tone for the entire episode with his first word.

Yeah, yeah, you can like Stack all you want but it's the stories that make the show since you could not have a show if it wasn't for the intellectually stimulating true stories, right?

You couldn't have the show with just Stack and no stories.

Yeah, yeah, you can like Stack all you want but it's the stories that make the show since you could not have a show if it wasn't for the intellectually stimulating true stories, right?

You couldn't have the show with just Stack and no stories.


No one is saying you can't have the show without Robert Stack.... it just wouldn't be the same. There are many "mystery" shows out there, but how come most of us don't like them as much? Many factors go into making a show what it is. Would I have liked UM as much if the production and actors weren't so great? Would I have liked UM as much if Carrot Top (and not Robert Stack) hosted it? My answer to both of those questions: Probably Not.
There's a copycat show that I mentioned in another thread called Unexplained Mysteries. The narrator is weak and the production is laughable. I can only imagine how much more intriguing these cases would appear to be if they were in the hands of Stack and NBC (late '80s/early '90s). Even cases that seemed laughable on paper -- "Haunted Bunk Beds" -- they made terrifying. Sometimes it isn't just the case, but how it's presented. You'd be surprised how easily something can come off as a joke in the wrong hands.

I'm suprised there isn't more of a movement to bring it back or at least bring back a similar show.

I'm afraid that bringing back "a similar show" is out of the realm of possibility. Indeed, several UM/AMW clones have been tried, but the audiences were never there for the long haul (Missing/Reward lasted three years, and Crimestoppers 800 lasted two years). Therefore, a second chance for the similar shows is easier said than done. :(

As for a movement to bring back UM, maybe there is one that we don't know of. In any case, Lifetime is ignoring us, as the network appears to be firm about its decision to discontinue production of the show. But I'm guessing that they'll still be airing the reruns for more years to come, since they have the rights to the show. And until those rights expire (whenever that may be), there is no possible to way for the series to be acquired by another network. :(

Have you ever seen the show "City Confidential" on A&E? Paul Winfield narrarates it, and it's a great show. However, they've done a few episodes with a different narrarator and it's...just not the same, not nearly as good. Winfield sets the tone with his unique voice just like Robert Stack did. )[/QUOTE]


Paul Winfield has passed on that is why they have another narrator.

Have you ever seen the show "City Confidential" on A&E? Paul Winfield narrarates it, and it's a great show. However, they've done a few episodes with a different narrarator and it's...just not the same, not nearly as good. Winfield sets the tone with his unique voice just like Robert Stack did. )


Paul Winfield has passed on that is why they have another narrator.[/QUOTE]

I thought maybe that's what happened, but I wasn't sure so I didn't want to say he was dead if he wasn't. Thanks for confirming.

No Stack, no Unsolved Mysteries.

Yes, it really is that simple.

Yeah, I have seen that show "Unexplained Mysteries" a couple times. It is syndicated and on some local channel late at night and it probably is not even show in the entire country.

Even if it is, almost all the topics have to do with UFOs and the paranormal and some of the topics were downright ridiculous!! There has never been a missing persons case, murder, etc. as far as I know. Even if you had Stack host that show it would have bombed because the stories are crap!

Hey Kane, I had not heard those names in a while.....Missing/Reward and CrimeStoppers. Didn't William Shatner host one? Or that was called Emergency:911 or something? Which show did Shatner host and who hosted those 2 shows?

Hey Kane, I had not heard those names in a while.....Missing/Reward and CrimeStoppers. Didn't William Shatner host one? Or that was called Emergency:911 or something? Which show did Shatner host and who hosted those 2 shows?

William Shatner hosted Rescue 911. Stacy Keach hosted Missing/Reward (which ran in syndication from 1989 to 1992).

I don't remember who hosted Crimestoppers 800 (which, like Missing/Reward, aired in first-run syndication), but it was someone outside show business. In any case, I will look it up and find out. I recall seeing that show. It ran from 1989 to 1991.

The quality of the show is more vital than a specific host, IMO. I mean, it's not like Walsh is the only one who could make AMW work. I'm not diminishing Robert Stack, who was phenomenal on the show, but if UM renewed with similar quality of segments and feel to the early years then I'm certain we would be saluting and cherishing it, and not bemoaning that Stack was the only one who could make it work.

The quality of the show is more vital than a specific host, IMO. I mean, it's not like Walsh is the only one who could make AMW work.

Well, John Walsh has certainly played a big role in making AMW work. However, before Walsh was hired, there were numerous people who were under consideration as potential AMW hosts.

This included (but was not limited to) the following: Theresa Saldana (who was attacked by a maniac in 1980), Treat Williams, Brian Keith, and Joseph Wambaugh.

Wambaugh, who was once a detective, is a famous crime novelist. If Walsh hadn't gotten the hosting job at AMW, Wambaugh might have been a proper choice.

Well, John Walsh has certainly played a big role in making AMW work. However, before Walsh was hired, there were numerous people who were under consideration as potential AMW hosts.

This included (but was not limited to) the following: Theresa Saldana (who was attacked by a maniac in 1980), Treat Williams, Brian Keith, and Joseph Wambaugh.

Wambaugh, who was once a detective, is a famous crime novelist. If Walsh hadn't gotten the hosting job at AMW, Wambaugh might have been a proper choice.

I think another factor in making AMW work over such a lengthy period, and so many captures, was the astute decision to expand the show to an hour. It was a half hour in the beginning, during the late '80s. In fact, the famous 1989 capture of John List was based on a profiling and bust of List, done by Frank Bender, during a 30 minute show.

In case you're reading this, Big3sCompanyFan, I want to say that I have looked up Crime Stoppers 800 for additional info on the show (thanks to a book entitled The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows).

Crime Stoppers 800 (as I noted in a previous post) ran in first-run syndication from 1989 to 1991. It was a half-hour show. Edwin Hart was the primary host. The co-hosts were Det. Larry Gross (1989-1990) and Officer Marete Edillo (1990-1991).

Like UM and AMW, Crime Stoppers 800 featured dramatizations of actual crimes. One difference is that the show itself offered possible rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the fugitives profiled.

I remember watching Crime Stoppers 800 in 1990, and it grew on me. I think it could have had a good long run. Unfortunately, however, not enough viewers were there for the long haul. :(

It was neat that, for a few years in the late-'80s and early '90s, we had at least four shows of that ilk on the air at the same time: UM, AMW, Missing/Reward, and Crime Stoppers 800.

There was also a short-lived daily series called Crimewatch Tonight, which focused on news on crime and anti-crime tips. Each broadcast would end with a profile of a wanted fugitive. It aired in syndication during the 1989-90 season, and was hosted by Ike Pappas (a former CBS News reporter).

I must admit that I miss the days when we had mulitple anti-crime shows on the air. Having only one show of that type is not enough. Besides, they made great public service.

Thanks Kane.

Wow, I did not know that 4 different TRUE STORY unsolved mystery type shows were on at the same time!! Face it, most stories on UM involved either unsolved murders, heists, missing people, or miscellaneous crimes all of which would show up on any of those other 3 shows.

It's amazing that only 1 exists now and 2 or 3 years ago FOX ACTUALLY CANCELLED AMW but then police and law enforcement agencies from across the country lobbied Fox to keep the show on for all the good it has done so they kept and I don't see AMW EVER going off the air.

With all the terrorism crap going on and all the missing people out there you would think there would be at least one more show like UM or AMW out there!!

:mad:

Thanks Kane.

Wow, I did not know that 4 different TRUE STORY unsolved mystery type shows were on at the same time!! Face it, most stories on UM involved either unsolved murders, heists, missing people, or miscellaneous crimes all of which would show up on any of those other 3 shows.

It's amazing that only 1 exists now and 2 or 3 years ago FOX ACTUALLY CANCELLED AMW but then police and law enforcement agencies from across the country lobbied Fox to keep the show on for all the good it has done so they kept and I don't see AMW EVER going off the air.

With all the terrorism crap going on and all the missing people out there you would think there would be at least one more show like UM or AMW out there!!

:mad:

You're welcome, Big3sCompanyFan.

It was actually in 1996 (nine years ago) when FOX canceled America's Most Wanted. The show was off the air for six weeks before it was back on, probably making it the shortest canceled series.

Believe me, I share your anger and frustration over not having more AMW/UM-type shows on the air in such a dangerous time. But I guess the network executives have more important programs to air. :rolleyes:

But you know what? John Walsh has experienced that kind of frustration with the media himself. For example, when AMW was profiling serial killer Angel Maturino Resendez, the so-called Railroad Killer, in 1999, John Walsh found himself at odds with national media outlets, including CNN. On page 83 of his book "Public Enemies", Walsh noted that the case exposed "the terrible, hurtful tendency this country has to glorify killers and trample on the rights and feelings of victims."

Did you get that? What he said in his book shows just how biased and backward the media can be. That kind of behavior is also found among Hollywood celebrities (if you do enough research on the matter, you'll have a better understanding of what I'm talking about). It's as though, for example, a cop killer is better than a cop. Or that a terrorist is better than a soldier. Yes, it's appalling. But there are people who glorify the evil and vilify the good. :mad:

Thankfully, Robert Stack never had that type of behavior (which is why I view him as a stark contrast to the many celebrities of today). It would certainly have damaged his image and credibility as an anti-crime show host. And I think we can all agree on that.

With all the terrorism crap going on and all the missing people out there you would think there would be at least one more show like UM or AMW out there!!

:mad:

I forgot to mention that there is a TV show devoted to finding missing persons: Missing. In fact, I mentioned this show in a post at this forum in 2004.

Missing is a weekly syndicated TV series. It is hosted by Alex Paen. I live near Boston, and my local cable station carries a New Hampshire channel that aired the show on Saturday afternoons in early 2004. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be on the channel's schedule anymore. However, my understanding is that the show is still on.

Check your local listings to see if Missing is on in your area.

Here is the show's web site:

www.usamissing.com

According to the web site, as of September 30, 2005, 228 missing persons profiled on the show have been found. Amazing, considering the fact that the show has been on the air for only two years. :)

It's also amazing since no one has heard of the show and it is nowhere near as widespread as AMW is and UM was!

It's also amazing since no one has heard of the show and it is nowhere near as widespread as AMW is and UM was!

Well, almost no one. :)

Obviously, Missing is not as well advertised as either UM or AMW, and therefore tends to get little recognition. Nevertheless, it seems to have a sufficiently loyal audience. I speculate that the show has been promoted the old fashion way: word of mouth. And sometimes, word of mouth is your last best hope in calling widespread attention to a show (or any other product for that matter) when other promotional efforts have failed.