Hi UM fans and friends,

Much to my surprise, I just got a call from a representative from Cosgrove Muerer Productions. As stated in some earlier posts, Spike TV is, indeed, picking up the UM series - it is a done deal and they are moving forward to revitalize the show. She called me in reference to upating our story (properly) about our daughter, Lisa Marie Kimmell (Lil Miss). She told me that they have 800 cases that they plan to update. I was thrilled to hear that. This has been a frustration to not only me but also to many other people on the board.

I also told her that UM has a very loyal following and was glad that they are moving forward. We all know there will never be another Robert Stack but I thought he would like to keep UM alive.

I asked her if I could share some of the information we dicussed with you on the board and she agreed BUT I am not allowed to give her personal contact information out. So, if you have questions, I will do my best to field them for you.

I do have to sign the tyipcal waivers and releases to do their newest update and they are requesting other information. Aside from that, I was just thrilled that things are moving on. UM was the pioneer in reality based TV and I hope to see them move back up to fore front again.

My Best to all,
Sheila Kimmell

Thanks for letting us know! That is excellent news.

I hope some new info. can be found for your family.

Thanks for letting us know Shek! Hey did she tell you if they've chosen the new host yet?

Rock on! That is awesome! Can't wait to see those updates!!!!!

wow, this is really great news. I am glad they are including updates to segments such as your daughter's, it really shows that UM is in it for the right reasons (unlike most shows nowadays). I have heard so much and read about UM being picked up by Spike, but I will still hesitant about believing it completely. Although, now American Gladiators is back on tv as well. Did she mention any of the other cases they are planning on revisiting(or were there too many to name)?

That's good to hear, Shelia. Have you been given any information as to the names of the people who are under consideration to be the new host? I understand from the recent article at Broadcasting & Cable that there is a "short list of candidates."

I agree that this is good news and an indicator that they are going about producing the show in a consciensious (sp?) way. Thanks for sharing, Mrs. Kimmell!

Wonderful news! The show really needs a revival because of the nature of the show! And it's good to know it will be going forward.

Woo hoo! I'm always happy to see posts from Sheila pop up. I'm also glad that they're updating some of the old cases!

I never thought I'd be into Spike TV, but man, I think I feel a fan brewin' in me.... :)

Spike TV and Cosgrove-Meurer should all hire us as consultants (hey, let's get a producer credit, to boot)! :jig:

All good questions and first, this was my take on what is going to happen. They are focusing on "updating" the existing segments.To quote her last email, "For these updates we are not doing any additional shooting, but trying to gather any video or stills of what happened" For an example, she has reguested a copy of my book, video and pix that we might have for our update and I promised to get that sent out to her today, along with my release forms.

With the 800 segements they plan to update, I am sure that will take serveral months before Spike TV begins airing the progams scheduled to start in September. I will see if she is willing to give me a list of those on the schedule. (And yep!! If I get it - guess who I am sending to? Crystaldawn - you are fore warned!! ;) )

She did mention the name of the host when talking with her on the phone but for the life of me can't remember it. Oh Dah!! So I will ask her again.

Lastly, I will ask her what, if any, plans they have for the program after they wrap up the updates. I don't know if they plan to put the program back into full production with new segments or not.

If you have other questions, let me know and I will pass them on.

My Best,
Sheila

this is so exciting!!! Can't wait!

I will see if she is willing to give me a list of those on the schedule. (And yep!! If I get it - guess who I am sending to? Crystaldawn - you are for warned!! ;) )



Lol, I will be happy to post it to the board. :)

I don't know if they plan to put the program back into full production with new segments or not.

I have no doubt that they eventually will. Broadcasting & Cable acknowledged the possibility of it. However, I believe that new episodes of UM are inevitable. But I speculate that Cosgrove/Meurer and Spike TV want to take the precaution of testing the waters first.

It would be somewhat similar to the broadcasting of the pre-series specials. Obviously, the specials were part of a trial run to determine whether they could garner enough viewership to warrant a regular weekly TV series, which ultimately materialized. Show producer John Cosgrove admitted in an interview that there was uncertainty as to whether viewers would accept the idea of a TV series that told stories with no ending.

I have no doubt that they eventually will. Broadcasting & Cable acknowledged the possibility of it. However, I believe that new episodes of UM are inevitable. But I speculate that Cosgrove/Meurer and Spike TV want to take the precaution of testing the waters first.

It would be somewhat similar to the broadcasting of the pre-series specials. Obviously, the specials were part of a trial run to determine whether they could garner enough viewership to warrant a regular weekly TV series, which ultimately materialized. Show producer John Cosgrove admitted in an interview that there was uncertainty as to whether viewers would accept the idea of a TV series that told stories with no ending.

They better do new shows otherwise what's really point?? They'll just be showing the same shows we've all seen so many times with some very brief updates which we already know about for the most part anyway.

They better do new shows otherwise what's really point?? They'll just be showing the same shows we've all seen so many times with some very brief updates which we already know about for the most part anyway.

I agree. To just relegate the show to merely (or primarily) adding new updates would be like a baseball pitcher being demoted to pinch hitter, or having your boyfriend/girlfriend status downgraded to friend status.

Okie dokie - here's the latest.

I wrote her and asked the following:
1. Who is hosting the program?
A) The new host Dennis Farina. His web site with his picture and information is http://imdb.com/name/nm0001199/
2. Is there any way you can share the list of the proposed segments you plan to update?
A) We are going through all 13 seasons of the show and updating every segment. But ultimately it is up to Spike TV which ones will air. And once they start airing this fall, I believe they will be on five nights a week.
3. After you do the updates - are there any plans to start filming new segments?
A) There are no plans right now to film new segments, but who knows!

She adds: It's nice to hear that people are excited about the show starting up again! I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

Also, Kane, I think you're correct about their taking a "wait and see" how the UM makeovers go with a new host before they start producing new segments.

My Best,
Sheila

WOO! Dennis Farina is a GREAT choice! UM FIVE NIGHTS A FLIPPIN' WEEK?!? My year has been made, and it's January 11th! :)

Thanks so much for the update, Sheila!

Dennis Farina is a decent choice. I'm not sure how his voice sounds, but his face is definitely synonymous with cop and mafia dramas. I can't believe they're doing 5 nights a week! It's disappointing that they're not doing new segments, but do we really think Spike TV is going to set up their own call center at this point? That's a big undertaking.

Dennis Farina sounds like a good choice. In addition to playing numerous cops in the movies and on television, he was a cop in real life.

I don't know if anyone on this board ever openly suggested Mr. Farina as a potential host for UM, but learning that he is being chosen as Robert Stack's successor doesn't surprise me at all.

Considering his background (past and present), I think he will be compatible with the show.

Dennis Farina is a great choice. Great range too.
"Yes, London. You know, fish, chips, cup o' tea. Bad food, worse weather. Mary effin' Poppins"

Yes I think he will do a good job.

Yes, a great choice. Thanks Shek! :)

I sent a copy of a lost loves case to someone who knows one of the family members profiled. I happened to ask her if they had ended up finding the remaining three family members and she said yes and that the new UM was going to update it. So apparently CM has been busy contacting a lot of people in an effort to update these cases which is great news!

I sent a copy of a lost loves case to someone who knows one of the family members profiled. I happened to ask her if they had ended up finding the remaining three family members and she said yes and that the new UM was going to update it. So apparently CM has been busy contacting a lot of people in an effort to update these cases which is great news!


Fantastic!!!! The updates to segments previously showcased on the original series is a brilliant idea. That will reel in the hardcore fans from back in the day, they already have an established fan base. (That's us!) :woohoo:

I 2nd your motion wiseguy! Yes, Dennis Farina is a good host, I guess he needed a job after he left Law and Order. But Wiseguy getting to your point, yes it is good that everything is getting updated, I also agree with what you said on big3'scompany.

He's a good actor, I liked Crime Story in 80's.

I think I will like Dennis Farina as host. the only thing I saw him in was an episode of the Weakest Link, seemed like a nice guy.

Sounds to me that Dennis Farina is already a popular choice for UM. Besides, with his law enforcement credentials (both fiction and non-fiction), he is the man that UM needs as worthy successor to Robert Stack.

He was on Law & Order for only two years, from 2004 to 2006. My understanding is that he left to pursue other projects. His departure from the show has done little to slow his career down. In fact, since leaving L&O, he's done a few movies. So he's been far from unemployed. :)

Prior to L&O, he starred in a short-lived CBS series called Buddy Faro. He played the title character, a detective who disappeared in 1978, only to resurface twenty years later. The series debuted on September 25, 1998, but was canceled a few months later.

Farina was great as Jack Crawford, the detective in Manhunter. That movie was released in 1986, and was the first Hannibal Lecter movie. He co-starred with Brian Cox (who played Hannibal Lecter) and a pre-CSI William Petersen. The film was later remade as Red Dragon, with Harvey Keitel playing Jack Crawford.

Now that Shelia Kimmell has told us that Dennis Farina is going to be the new host, I would imagine that the news will be confirmed any day now. Let's keep our eyes open for that official announcement. :)

While it is too soon to know how Dennis Farina will fare as the new host of Unsolved Mysteries, I am convinced of at least one thing: Farina has great potential for such a job. :)

I'm just happy that UM is going to be back on a channel I get, let alone with a new host and updates.

I wonder if they will show snippets of the old segments narrated by Robert Stack, and then have Dennis Farina voice the updates. Probably not though. It will probably be clips of the old segments with the updates both narrated by Dennis Farina.

I hope Spike will give some thought to running the original episodes once in a while.

I can't help but feel a little sad though. It's going to be weird seeing UM in a whole new light with a new host. I still miss good ol' Robert. :(

I'm just happy that UM is going to be back on a channel I get, let alone with a new host and updates.

I wonder if they will show snippets of the old segments narrated by Robert Stack, and then have Dennis Farina voice the updates. Probably not though. It will probably be clips of the old segments with the updates both narrated by Dennis Farina.

I hope Spike will give some thought to running the original episodes once in a while.

I can't help but feel a little sad though. It's going to be weird seeing UM in a whole new light with a new host. I still miss good ol' Robert. :(
so very true zero. I wish I could watch UM with stack now. It's sad that lifetime pulled the plug......and maybe it was because of the lack of updates or the show not evolving in some way. I still enjoyed watching the show. In fact I switched from digital cable to direct tv last year with the intent of buying NFL sunday ticket, but the icing on the cake was getting the lifetime real women channel. as soon as I switched they stopped showing UM.

Kane made another great point. It wouldn't be useful for the growth of he show in terms of future success to show the old shows EXACTLY as they were(because stack can't make new one's). everything kane said is true. hopefully the UM vets and a new audience will accept the show and we can see some new shows.

I'd also like to see them release all former UM(bob stack) segments on DVD with updates. that would be cool. the complete collection out now currently doesn't have all segments to my knowledge.

Dennis Farina is a great choice. Great range too.
"Yes, London. You know, fish, chips, cup o' tea. Bad food, worse weather. Mary effin' Poppins"
yeah, I wish they would of asked bob stack to star in snatch too. it would of been hilarious. I love that movie.

Yay! I love Dennis Farina, I think he's a great choice!

Have I died and gone to heaven? 5 days a week??????

HALLELUJAH!!!!!

He was good in Law & Order. Good choice.

I wonder what the new theme music will be like and the graphics?

Dennis Farina will be great.......kind of like Malden/Burr/Stack rolled into one in my opinion......at least when my future kids watch reruns of him.....they won't have nightmares like I did with Stack....:lol:

As far as the music and the graphics go......they can do what they want with the graphics (I'm still a fan of the old school neon-on-black motif).....but the music should stick to the original theme at least a little bit.....just so that we can all remember what we're watching :)

As far as the music and the graphics go......they can do what they want with the graphics (I'm still a fan of the old school neon-on-black motif).....but the music should stick to the original theme at least a little bit.....just so that we can all remember what we're watching :)

If the music theme were to be changed, I wouldn't mind a remix. In fact, the show's theme has been remixed several times. But to jettison the familiar UM theme entirely, that would be very hard to take.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Awesome, awesome, awesome. Thank you so much for this information, Mrs. Kimmell!

I think Dennis Farina will do a fine job as the new host. It won't be the same without Robert Stack though, but I'll still watch it. At least the new host isn't Bryant Gumble.

I think Dennis Farina will do a fine job as the new host. It won't be the same without Robert Stack though, but I'll still watch it. At least the new host isn't Bryant Gumble.

Amen to that!

I love UM like no other show, but if "Kermit the Frog" Gumbel would have gotten the new gig, I think I wouldn't have been able to stomach it.

Farina will do well. There will never be another Robert Stack but Farina will do the show well.

I hate to be a wet blanket and I certainly don't want to accuse someone of less-than-honest behavior when I don't really know that person or her situation, but am I the only one who is a little perplexed? Granted, Dennis Farina was a great choice - I thought all along that one of the "Law & Order" alums was the closest thing our generation has to someone like Stack, a veteran at playing a hard-driving crime stopper. Orbach is dead, Waterston is still on the show, my first choice would have been Michael Moriarty (the original ADA on Law & Order - he has a lovely speaking voice), but Farina will do a fine job.

Only one problem: if they're not producing new segments, why is Farina being hired at all? He's undoubtedly the most expensive part of resurrecting the show - they're going to pay him to re-narrate segments from the 80s, many of which have been solved? Or worse, just read the updates? I have a hard time believing that. Additionally, if he's hired and it's a done deal, how come "UM" doesn't appear as an "in production" project under his credits page on imdb.com? How come "UM" itself is not listed as being back in some sort of production? I understand there's some desire for secrecy leading up to a new season for a show, but there's also an equal need to creat buzz - you don't do that by failing to announce anything at all about the project just six months before "new" or even retooled episodes are to air five nights a week. I'm not saying the poster who is passing this information on to us is intentionally lying - perhaps she is being intentionally misled by whoever she is talking to. But a lot of this doesn't add up.

This smells fishy to me. I'll believe it when I see it.

Maybe they're trying to be more secret than the CIA. Who knows. Why would the producers go through the trouble of calling her just to spew out a bunch of lies about something that isn't going to happen. :confused:

I hate to be a wet blanket and I certainly don't want to accuse someone of less-than-honest behavior when I don't really know that person or her situation, but am I the only one who is a little perplexed? Granted, Dennis Farina was a great choice - I thought all along that one of the "Law & Order" alums was the closest thing our generation has to someone like Stack, a veteran at playing a hard-driving crime stopper. Orbach is dead, Waterston is still on the show, my first choice would have been Michael Moriarty (the original ADA on Law & Order - he has a lovely speaking voice), but Farina will do a fine job.

Only one problem: if they're not producing new segments, why is Farina being hired at all? He's undoubtedly the most expensive part of resurrecting the show - they're going to pay him to re-narrate segments from the 80s, many of which have been solved? Or worse, just read the updates? I have a hard time believing that. Additionally, if he's hired and it's a done deal, how come "UM" doesn't appear as an "in production" project under his credits page on imdb.com? How come "UM" itself is not listed as being back in some sort of production? I understand there's some desire for secrecy leading up to a new season for a show, but there's also an equal need to creat buzz - you don't do that by failing to announce anything at all about the project just six months before "new" or even retooled episodes are to air five nights a week. I'm not saying the poster who is passing this information on to us is intentionally lying - perhaps she is being intentionally misled by whoever she is talking to. But a lot of this doesn't add up.

This smells fishy to me. I'll believe it when I see it.


Oh, there always has to be a wet blanket in the crowd...just kidding. :D
You raise some interesting points---why all the secrecy? Has Spike even awknowledged UM in any of their advertisements or on their website?

I think Spike is waiting until the show is closer to actually going on air, they decide what segments to air, and they see what from the new show takes. Just my opinion, though.

I think the reason they have a new host is because they want a "fresh" look and NO OFFENSE to Robert Stack (I love the guy, too) but I doubt they want a dead guy reading their voice-over stuff. It's obvious they want to take the past successes and add a fresh look.

I have no idea what voice-over talent gets paid but I can't imagine it is too much. Farina is a star but he is by no means Hollywood A-list. I think it will be great to hear him. Shek confirmed that with C-M productions.

Finally, I thought they said early on that they either hope to, or leave the door open for, new segments. If that's the case, they have to have a new voice talent. I just wonder if Farina (or whoever) ends up doing just voice work or on-camera pieces like the Stackmaster.

We shall see...

I have no idea what voice-over talent gets paid but I can't imagine it is too much. Farina is a star but he is by no means Hollywood A-list. I think it will be great to hear him. Shek confirmed that with C-M productions.

Yeah, it's too bad they didn't go with someone like Tom Cruise! :lol:

But seriously, I wasn't counting on an "A-list" celebrity to become the new host. Obviously, they weren't looking for such a person to host UM, since the A-list" crowd tends to be pricey.

I just wonder if Farina (or whoever) ends up doing just voice work or on-camera pieces like the Stackmaster.

UM is the type of show that works best when the narrator is both seen and heard. They did that with Raymond Burr and Virginia Madsen (and I'm sure they did the same with Karl Malden), just as they did with Robert Stack. The physical presence of the host (as well as the vocal presence) was one of many factors that contributed to the greatness of UM. So I believe it would be a big mistake to discontinue that.

I was thinking if he lost the presidential nomination maybe Mitt Romney. He kind of looks like a young Robert Stack if he wore a trench coat.:lol:

I was thinking if he lost the presidential nomination maybe Mitt Romney. He kind of looks like a young Robert Stack if he wore a trench coat.:lol:

puke:


Forgive them, Mr. Stack... they know not what they say! :lol:

Yeah, it's too bad they didn't go with someone like Tom Cruise! :lol

LOL Cruise, didn't I hear Brooke Shields say a few years ago that Cruise believes in (due to his religion) UFOs among other things. He would be great for some of the "Unexplained" segments can give them a whole new twist...

My prediction of the first four stories on the "new UM":

1. Resurrection Mary
2. Aphrodesiacs
3. Fertility Statue
4. Resurrection Mary


:lol:

My prediction of the first four stories on the "new UM":

1. Resurrection Mary
2. Aphrodesiacs
3. Fertility Statue
4. Resurrection Mary


:lol:

oops, you forgot Cokeville, WY school bombing. nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. :stooges: I used to cringe everytime Lifetime would show the upcoming segments for an episode and it started with that middle aged couple wheeling the bomb down the hall. We need a cringe smiley. :)

Hi UM'ers,
Most of you have more questions than I have answers for you at the moment thus - do we have another "mystery" before us? After Motzart's post, I emailed the gal from CM and asked if they had any press releases or such detailing their goals and visions of how the UM remakes will look or be presented for it's new release with Spike TV. She responded that they will not be doing any PR releases until after they actually go into production later this spring. That makes sense because, for now, they have a monumental task of just trying to gather the information to update 800 episodes. Then maybe think of it this way. Your daughter tells you she is getting married and one of the first things you do is tell close family and friends but it is too soon to send out the formal wedding annoucnements and invitations until you have arranged most of the details. I think that's essentially where CM is at - setting up the arrangements before they make their public announcements. Maybe, I shouldn't have said anything because my intention wasn't to create a stir but to tell my UM friends the good news and some of the details in advance. (BTW I would never intentionally or unintentionally "mislead" any of you.)

'Nough of that but based on my conversations with them and what they asked for to update our case, I have a completely different impression of how the make overs will look. But that would only be speculation on my part so I won't go into that. So another mystery? I guess we'll all have to wait and see, including me. I will pass on additional information when it becomes available.

My Best,
Sheila Kimmell

PS to Old School - I was told that the segments and in what order they will presented, etc. etc. will be up to Spike TV and they will have no control over that.

PPS to Motzart - I also love, Beethoven and Bach, but my employees won't let me play my long hair CD's in my Liquor store anymore. lol

After Motzart's post, I emailed the gal from CM and asked if they had any press releases or such detailing their goals and visions of how the UM remakes will look or be presented for it's new release with Spike TV. She responded that they will not be doing any PR releases until after they actually go into production later this spring. That makes sense because, for now, they have a monumental task of just trying to gather the information to update 800 episodes. Then maybe think of it this way. Your daughter tells you she is getting married and one of the first things you do is tell close family and friends but it is too soon to send out the formal wedding annoucnements and invitations until you have arranged most of the details. I think that's essentially where CM is at - setting up the arrangements before they make their public announcements.

In other words, they want to finalize some things before they officially announce their selection of the new host. I suspected that to be the case.

Shelia, I like how you compared it to making wedding arrangements before making any formal wedding announcements. To do it the other way around is inadvisable.

Thanks, Sheila!

Don't worry... we know you aren't playing us! ;)

You never know. Maybe they had an idea but after trying it didn't like the end result so far. I thought I remembered them saying their original plan was 5 stories per hour instead of the old 4, and mostly old with the possibility of new. That leads to more edits, less detail, and quick updates.

Heck, speed dating is in so why not speed UM??? :crazy:

Dennis Farina will be great.......kind of like Malden/Burr/Stack rolled into one in my opinion......at least when my future kids watch reruns of him.....they won't have nightmares like I did with Stack....:lol:


Oh, I don't know...I find Dennis Farina really s c a r y. He was Angelo Buono in the tv movie The Case of the Hillside Stranglers, after all.

He's a PERFECT choice.

Thanks, Shelia, for the news!

Oh, I don't know...I find Dennis Farina really s c a r y. He was Angelo Buono in the tv movie The Case of the Hillside Stranglers, after all.

He's a PERFECT choice.

Hopefully, law enforcement agencies will agree. It's getting to the point where I'm becoming convinced that they couldn't have picked a better candidate than Dennis Farina.

How could I have missed this thread?? WOW!!! This is really exciting!!! :D I can't wait!!!! :D

My prediction of the first four stories on the "new UM":

1. Resurrection Mary
2. Aphrodesiacs
3. Fertility Statue
4. Resurrection Mary


:lol:

Good God, let's hope not!!!

Hi UM'ers,
Most of you have more questions than I have answers for you at the moment thus - do we have another "mystery" before us? After Motzart's post, I emailed the gal from CM and asked if they had any press releases or such detailing their goals and visions of how the UM remakes will look or be presented for it's new release with Spike TV. She responded that they will not be doing any PR releases until after they actually go into production later this spring. That makes sense because, for now, they have a monumental task of just trying to gather the information to update 800 episodes. Then maybe think of it this way. Your daughter tells you she is getting married and one of the first things you do is tell close family and friends but it is too soon to send out the formal wedding annoucnements and invitations until you have arranged most of the details. I think that's essentially where CM is at - setting up the arrangements before they make their public announcements. Maybe, I shouldn't have said anything because my intention wasn't to create a stir but to tell my UM friends the good news and some of the details in advance. (BTW I would never intentionally or unintentionally "mislead" any of you.)

'Nough of that but based on my conversations with them and what they asked for to update our case, I have a completely different impression of how the make overs will look. But that would only be speculation on my part so I won't go into that. So another mystery? I guess we'll all have to wait and see, including me. I will pass on additional information when it becomes available.

My Best,
Sheila Kimmell

PS to Old School - I was told that the segments and in what order they will presented, etc. etc. will be up to Spike TV and they will have no control over that.

PPS to Motzart - I also love, Beethoven and Bach, but my employees won't let me play my long hair CD's in my Liquor store anymore. lol

Sounds good shek. And thank you for not taking offense at my skepticism, it's just that I've learned not to get my hopes up about things until, well, they're sure things.

I'm still a little concerned, frankly, about the format changes to the show. I don't think the jump from 4 to 5 segments per hour is a good idea, nor do I think I'm probably going to like the way things get "jazzed up," but that's me.

PS to shek - I hate saying this as a union organizer, but, if they won't "let" you play Bach and Beethoven, remind them who's the boss! ;)