It seems like most of the segments are pretty dated looking now, especially the ones from the late eighties and early nineties (the glory years) when big hairdos and glasses with HUGE lenses were all the rage. It's hard to select any one segment, but what are some that are so dated it's almost humorous?

That segment about the fake cell phone shop/drug operation fits the bill. The phones and beepers they had were pretty massive.

While not really funny per say, I think some of the bank robbery segments seem pretty dated where they talk about some banks not having cameras, so there not being any pictures of the robbers. Or "the so and so robber has been photographed for the first time thanks to quick thinking bank tellers who activated the camera". Are there any banks left in America today where the actions of every person is not video recorded?

Any others?

UM the dark dante segment with his huge computer is certainly out of date.

Off Topic: anyone ever notice in the 80s there were tons of films that had to do with the future? - I mean I remember for awhile it seemed we were fed a daily diet of robots, computer related films etc....and then all of the sudden it just sort of stopped. I remember a few months ago having a conversation with a friend of mine and just asking out loud why these types of films/tv shows etc just seemed to vanish overnight...

his response: "Well someone figured out that the future was pretty much going to suck so they stopped making films about it."

What about the one where the girl is a stripper and it is the epitome of 80s cheese? (I forget which segment this was)

Off Topic: anyone ever notice in the 80s there were tons of films that had to do with the future? - I mean I remember for awhile it seemed we were fed a daily diet of robots, computer related films etc....and then all of the sudden it just sort of stopped. I remember a few months ago having a conversation with a friend of mine and just asking out loud why these types of films/tv shows etc just seemed to vanish overnight...

his response: "Well someone figured out that the future was pretty much going to suck so they stopped making films about it."

Interesting point, DD. Somewhat along those lines, but I always thought it was funny how a lot of movies made back then portray the future generation as having hover cars. I don't see that coming true any time soon. Hell, we can't even get off gasoline.

What about the one where the girl is a stripper and it is the epitome of 80s cheese? (I forget which segment this was)

Mmm... that could be any of the following segments: Jamie Santos, Crystal Spencer, Tara Breckenridge or Susan Walsh.

I'd vote for the Susan Walsh segment, that vampire scene was very cheesy. I think some extra had a mouthful of chicklets gum for fake teeth ... or at least that what it looked like!:lol:

maybe edith moore

Mmm... that could be any of the following segments: Jamie Santos, Crystal Spencer, Tara Breckenridge or Susan Walsh.

I'd vote for the Susan Walsh segment, that vampire scene was very cheesy. I think some extra had a mouthful of chicklets gum for fake teeth ... or at least that what it looked like!:lol:
I'm not sure which case it was, but apparently the lady was living a double life and was a stripper by night and they showed the stripper scene and it was pretty silly 'cause of the way she was dancing and spinning the clothes as she was taking them off.

I also thought the scenes in the Gus Hoffman case where his mother is going slumming in biker bars to find out about her son were pretty cheesy looking and dated too.

I like how the earlier UM episodes had that "aged" feel. just added a creepy feeling.

I guess the boys on the track episode didn't age well.

As a huge 80's fan, I actually enjoy watching the older segments for the then-current fashions, trends, etc.

My votes for this topic would be cases that have as 'bout as much re-watch value as "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" hosted by Geraldo Rivera. How that didn't end his career in 1986 is beyond me.

-Y2K.

-UM's segment on the Green River Killer is pretty embarassing to watch now, since it only went down one road and it was the wrong road.

The Rae Ann Mosser case immediately came to mind. The mother's eyeliner is very outdated. Especially when the new UM reran the case and made no mention of the date of Rae Ann's death.

My votes for this topic would be cases that have as 'bout as much re-watch value as "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" hosted by Geraldo Rivera. How that didn't end his career in 1986 is beyond me.

I was about 18 when Geraldo did the live Al Capone's vault thing on TV. I was naive and actually believed they knew there was something in there or else they wouldn't have made such a big TV production out of it.

Blah, what a let down that was.

And now, he's tweeted a nearly nekkid bathroom mirror selfie.... at 70 years old! OMG! :eek:

Yeah, Geraldo has a long list of "accomplishments". Like going on tv and giving away war strategies.

As a huge 80's fan, I actually enjoy watching the older segments for the then-current fashions, trends, etc.

My votes for this topic would be cases that have as 'bout as much re-watch value as "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" hosted by Geraldo Rivera. How that didn't end his career in 1986 is beyond me.

-Y2K.

-UM's segment on the Green River Killer is pretty embarassing to watch now, since it only went down one road and it was the wrong road.

I would add the GD Anastasia/Anna Anderson segment... it was always likely she was faking, but now that's been conclusively proven.

I also liked the "aged" feel segments....adds an element of super spookiness, and forces me to run off to google to see if anything ever happened???

I'd say any segment where someone is wearing glasses has aged LOL. Think Cheryl Holland, Leon Camp, Dub Wackerhagen, Dave Bocks (and there are many others, mostly women interviewed but I can't think of them off the top of my head). Seriously, Sally Jessie Raphael called and she wants her glasses back!! Also, some of the hair, like Tim McClure and Tom Keuter really helps (not in a good way!) date their segments.

There's one laughable segment where UM not only missed the boat with what they were saying, but missed the entire friggin' harbour! Remember that segment they aired shortly after the San Francisco earthquake, where this so-called expert, Dr. Iben Browning, predicted that a catastrophic earthquake was going to devastate the Midwest within the next three weeks? They even had Robert Stack provide safety tips about how to prepare for it! Apparently, Dr. Browning was known for accurately predicting earthquakes, but needless to say, he was WAY off on this one.

One of UM's more obscure segments and with good reason.

There's one laughable segment where UM not only missed the boat with what they were saying, but missed the entire friggin' harbour! Remember that segment they aired shortly after the San Francisco earthquake, where this so-called expert, Dr. Iben Browning, predicted that a catastrophic earthquake was going to devastate the Midwest within the next three weeks? They even had Robert Stack provide safety tips about how to prepare for it! Apparently, Dr. Browning was known for accurately predicting earthquakes, but needless to say, he was WAY off on this one.

One of UM's more obscure segments and with good reason.

This is the exact segment I came here to post. The prediction being framed in light of the '89 SF quake dated the segment considerably.

It's totally silly to look at now. It smacks a touch of fear-mongering too, in my opinion. Dr. Browning had been correct in the past, but this particular prediction was called into serious question by at least one other scientist that I know of, and I'm certain there were countless others. I can only imagine the hyperventilating that went on over that one.

I was about 18 when Geraldo did the live Al Capone's vault thing on TV. I was naive and actually believed they knew there was something in there or else they wouldn't have made such a big TV production out of it.

Blah, what a let down that was.

And now, he's tweeted a nearly nekkid bathroom mirror selfie.... at 70 years old! OMG! :eek:

yes yuck,and he thinks he looks 50.I'd dare him to put his age 50 photo beside that one. :O Looks like an old fogey to me.a pretty hairless one at that.

This is the exact segment I came here to post. The prediction being framed in light of the '89 SF quake dated the segment considerably.

It's totally silly to look at now. It smacks a touch of fear-mongering too, in my opinion. Dr. Browning had been correct in the past, but this particular prediction was called into serious question by at least one other scientist that I know of, and I'm certain there were countless others. I can only imagine the hyperventilating that went on over that one.

Wasn't there another "doom and gloom" prediction segment which predicted another World War 3? Still waiting for that to happen...

I would add the GD Anastasia/Anna Anderson segment... it was always likely she was faking, but now that's been conclusively proven.

Can't believe I forgot about that one. What really makes it horrible is that it's apparent she was desperate for her 15 minutes of fame.

Wasn't there another "doom and gloom" prediction segment which predicted another World War 3? Still waiting for that to happen...

I recall a segment (and I'm virtually positive it was UM) that came out around the time of the lead-up Gulf War I which tried to use the predictions of "Nostredamus" to prove Saddam Hussein was the leader that would start WWIII or something of the ilk.

Along those same lines (but OT), I remember reading a book (I believe it was the Book of Lists II or something similar) that came out in the late 70s which had a bunch of predictions by self-proclaimed "psychics" until the year 2000 or so - I remember going through them in High school and even with a very liberal interpretation of the same, virtual all (like 99 out of 100) were totally wrong, usually so off-base as to laughable. Especially when you think of all the truly important things that happened in the world between 1980-2000, it just showed how utterly worthless these professional charlatans are.

Can't believe I forgot about that one. What really makes it horrible is that it's apparent she was desperate for her 15 minutes of fame.

Let's be honest, though - if you were a mentally disturbed polish peasant girl and all of a sudden nobility started to think you were one of them and basically fed, clothed and supported you in luxury (whilst expecting nothing in return), can you really blame her?

I think it's a fascinating example of the DESIRE to believe (in this case, from friends and relatives of Anastasia Nikolaevna) in the face of evidence to the contrary that is applicable and evident in many, many other UM cases (like virtually ever case where a parent claims a suicide was actually murder and so forth)

I don't look at these cases in a negative light, but it's interesting to look back at how technology would have changed/solved a lot of the fates for unsolved cases.

Pretty much all the UFO cases would be looked at differently today had there been cell phone cameras (assuming the stories weren't full of BS).

All the pay-phone related crimes (Angela Hammond, for one, would of had a cell) would have never happened.

Certain crimes would have probably been solved because with DNA advancements and having better capabilities to preserve/recover evidence from initial crime scenes.

I'm sure there's more.

I recall a segment (and I'm virtually positive it was UM) that came out around the time of the lead-up Gulf War I which tried to use the predictions of "Nostredamus" to prove Saddam Hussein was the leader that would start WWIII or something of the ilk.


Funny thing is with Nostradamus, that NONE of these TV shows that like to "quote" him actually use things that he wrote. They just say he said these things without showing you where he said them. Much like the recent Decmeber 21, 2012 Mayan calendar crap. TONS of websites claimed that Nostradamus predicted doom and gloom on that day, but zero actually provided a relevant verse stating it.

It's not every day you see someone walking around carrying a telephone!

Ha! I remember that segment with The Countess lady.^

Let's be honest, though - if you were a mentally disturbed polish peasant girl and all of a sudden nobility started to think you were one of them and basically fed, clothed and supported you in luxury (whilst expecting nothing in return), can you really blame her?

I think it's a fascinating example of the DESIRE to believe (in this case, from friends and relatives of Anastasia Nikolaevna) in the face of evidence to the contrary that is applicable and evident in many, many other UM cases (like virtually ever case where a parent claims a suicide was actually murder and so forth)

Exactly. I don't blame her for what she did. Plus the childhood friend was convinced it was Anastasia. I actually thought she was the real deal after viewing the segment for the first time. Have to admit, I was disappointed when the update said she wasn't the real deal.

And I do remember the Nostradamus-esque episode with someone saying Hussein would be the cause/start of WWIII. WRONG!

It's not every day you see someone walking around carrying a telephone!

:lol: Classic!

Just thought of another: Melody Woods and Michael Short.

"Duh, I know what a beeper is."

"If it's important, I'll punch ya 9-1-1..."

I just kept wondering if TLC's "Waterfalls" ended up on their get-away drive mix tape.

The Rae Ann Mosser case immediately came to mind. The mother's eyeliner is very outdated. Especially when the new UM reran the case and made no mention of the date of Rae Ann's death.

It was fashionable for a while for women with blue eyes to use navy eyeliner and mascara. I remember coming of age and beginning to wear makeup, and piling on navy mascara, not knowing "the rules" about eye makeup and eye color (my eyes are brown). The effect was..interesting.

I seem to remember Rae Ann's hairstyle in her senior class photo being pretty indicative of the era as well.

Just thought of another: Melody Woods and Michael Short.

"Duh, I know what a beeper is."

"If it's important, I'll punch ya 9-1-1..."

I just kept wondering if TLC's "Waterfalls" ended up on their get-away drive mix tape.
"But Melody wouldn't leave without her HAIR DRYER!" :lol: That segment is hilarious for the acting and comments like that.

Another thing that dates it: He harassed Melody's house with phone calls and apparently the family didn't have caller ID. Now it would be all about him calling her a jillion times on her cell phone.

It was fashionable for a while for women with blue eyes to use navy eyeliner and mascara. I remember coming of age and beginning to wear makeup, and piling on navy mascara, not knowing "the rules" about eye makeup and eye color (my eyes are brown). The effect was..interesting.

I seem to remember Rae Ann's hairstyle in her senior class photo being pretty indicative of the era as well.

There was a black woman that used to frequent a store I used to work at that used the navy colores mascara. Everyone got a good laugh everytime she came in because she dressed weird, too.

What was the segment (it was a newer one) where a man and a woman disappeared in a jeep and they thought they found the guy's hat. The show went on and on about all kinds of thories about what might have happened to them. "They ran off together" "They were kiddnapped by drug dealers", etc. Then they had an update and it turned out they had just driven into a pond and weren't discovered until later. That one was pretty silly. I wonder if that was even that guy's hat.

What was the segment (it was a newer one) where a man and a woman disappeared in a jeep and they thought they found the guy's hat. The show went on and on about all kinds of thories about what might have happened to them. "They ran off together" "They were kiddnapped by drug dealers", etc. Then they had an update and it turned out they had just driven into a pond and weren't discovered until later. That one was pretty silly. I wonder if that was even that guy's hat.


That was the story of Bill Rundle and Traci Kenley: http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Traci_Kenley_and_Bill_Rundle

Did they drown or did they die from the impact of going into the pond?

Funny thing is with Nostradamus, that NONE of these TV shows that like to "quote" him actually use things that he wrote. They just say he said these things without showing you where he said them. Much like the recent Decmeber 21, 2012 Mayan calendar crap. TONS of websites claimed that Nostradamus predicted doom and gloom on that day, but zero actually provided a relevant verse stating it.

Unless the so-called experts can actually read middle French, they (or the viewers) don't really know what he saying, regardless.

And the Mayan doomsayers irked me as a former archaeologist - one cycle of the Mayan long count (the 13th b'ak'tun) did end on 12-21-12, however, that just means it cycles over to the next, that is the 14th b'ak'tun. The Maya never predicted anything bad would happen and given the fact we've found Mayan dates counting billions of years into the future, they certainly didn't think the world was going to end.

Egswanso, your picture is freaking me out just a little bit! ;)

I've noticed with some of the episodes that many of the people just looked OLD! I guess it was the styles at the time, or maybe once these people became parents they thought they'd better look like "parents", but my GOD, some of the people interviewed are 30 and look 50! I can think of tons of segments where I am watching the people and thinking "OMG, at the time, that person was younger than ME??? They look old enough to be my father/mother!".

Egswanso, your picture is freaking me out just a little bit! ;)

I've noticed with some of the episodes that many of the people just looked OLD! I guess it was the styles at the time, or maybe once these people became parents they thought they'd better look like "parents", but my GOD, some of the people interviewed are 30 and look 50! I can think of tons of segments where I am watching the people and thinking "OMG, at the time, that person was younger than ME??? They look old enough to be my father/mother!".

LOL! I have often thought myself that people did look older 20 or 30 years ago.

Ain't it grand? "Sam" from the Beverly McGowan segment

Ain't it grand? "Sam" from the Beverly McGowan segment

Yeah, it's grand....if I have the lights on! Major spooky-ass sketch!
The first time I saw the McGowan segment the composite of Sam scared me super bad.....and it's still pretty freaky to this day!

There's one laughable segment where UM not only missed the boat with what they were saying, but missed the entire friggin' harbour!

One of UM's more obscure segments and with good reason.

:lol: !

It was fashionable for a while for women with blue eyes to use navy eyeliner and mascara. I remember coming of age and beginning to wear makeup, and piling on navy mascara, not knowing "the rules" about eye makeup and eye color (my eyes are brown). The effect was..interesting.

I seem to remember Rae Ann's hairstyle in her senior class photo being pretty indicative of the era as well.

Funny you mention that style, I loved it when girls had that look :) those were the days .....

The cell phone shop police front sting feels the most dated to me (what case was this? Cant remember who).

The cell phone shop police front sting feels the most dated to me (what case was this? Cant remember who).


Was it Pedro Nyego, Pablo Rodriguez, Blas Canedo, Julio Cruz and Jesus Penalver, the drug smugglers from Colombia?

http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Julio_Marco_Cruz

Any segment where there's a reunion in an airport and people are gathering as soon as they step off the plane into the terminal. Definitely not allowed anymore.

The one with that horrific attack on that guy and his girlfiriend who were selling a high end computer for $10K or something like that. The idea of a desktop computer costing thousands and thousands of dollars these days is seriously dated.

Any crime in a mall or 7-11 where they don't have camera footage of the perp. Never happen these days.

The one with that horrific attack on that guy and his girlfiriend who were selling a high end computer for $10K or something like that. The idea of a desktop computer costing thousands and thousands of dollars these days is seriously dated.

A few years ago after watching the 'Tom Johnson' segment again, I searched around and found that a used Mac Quadra 950 usually went for well under 50 USD. Of course a machine is never worth a human life regardless of price, but it certainly made Heather Uffelman's murder seem all the more outrageously senseless.

A few years ago after watching the 'Tom Johnson' segment again, I searched around and found that a used Mac Quadra 950 usually went for well under 50 USD. Of course a machine is never worth a human life regardless of price, but it certainly made Heather Uffelman's murder seem all the more outrageously senseless.

I believe I read an article about the murder that said a 3rd party (school or company, can't remember which) set up the meeting between "Tom Johnson" and the couple, and that they did not run any sort of background check on the guy. If I'm remembering correctly, they would need to be held somewhat responsible too.

Egswanso, your picture is freaking me out just a little bit!

I've noticed with some of the episodes that many of the people just looked OLD! I guess it was the styles at the time, or maybe once these people became parents they thought they'd better look like "parents", but my GOD, some of the people interviewed are 30 and look 50! I can think of tons of segments where I am watching the people and thinking "OMG, at the time, that person was younger than ME??? They look old enough to be my father/mother!".

LOL! I have often thought myself that people did look older 20 or 30 years ago.

I think the last 20-25 years we've seen a fairly large societal shift toward superficiality (definately so in the media). Things like Botox, Cosmetic Surgery, Fitness Gyms, and Health Food Stores were much more uncommon back then.

I think the last 20-25 years we've seen a fairly large societal shift toward superficiality (definately so in the media). Things like Botox, Cosmetic Surgery, Fitness Gyms, and Health Food Stores were much more uncommon back then.

Wholeheartedly agree. I think if I see one more diabetes or Debbie Boone's Lifestyle Lift commercial, I will puke. puke:

Segments of UM that I don't feel aged well:

-Gayle Delano, mostly because of the Howard Johnson's used in the
story. There are only two Howard Johnson's restaurants left in the nation, whereas when Gayle Delano disappeared,
that restaurant was still fairly prevalent. (The HJ she disappeared from is not one of the HJs to survive).

-The Weinstock Medicaid fraud and coin scam stories. These are great
stories, but seeing NYC from the late 1980s and early 1990s looks so
out-of-date since the city has gone from crime and decay 25 years ago
to a tourist hotspot of relative peace today.

-Stanley Grezyck (SIC) story from Rome, NY. All the cars look old, and
when you see the Mobil station in the background (when the lady is
being chased by the bad guys) showing gas at $1 and change, it really
looks dated.

^Howard Johnson hotels are still going strong though. There's over 1,000 still around. One of them right near me as a matter of fact.

Segments of UM that I don't feel aged well:


-Stanley Grezyck (SIC) story from Rome, NY. All the cars look old, and
when you see the Mobil station in the background (when the lady is
being chased by the bad guys) showing gas at $1 and change, it really
looks dated.

If only gas was still at that price today

UM the dark dante segment with his huge computer is certainly out of date.

Off Topic: anyone ever notice in the 80s there were tons of films that had to do with the future? - I mean I remember for awhile it seemed we were fed a daily diet of robots, computer related films etc....and then all of the sudden it just sort of stopped. I remember a few months ago having a conversation with a friend of mine and just asking out loud why these types of films/tv shows etc just seemed to vanish overnight...

his response: "Well someone figured out that the future was pretty much going to suck so they stopped making films about it."


Yes. We are less than 18 months away from 2015. I only have one question: Where's my Hoverboard? :lol:

A few years ago after watching the 'Tom Johnson' segment again, I searched around and found that a used Mac Quadra 950 usually went for well under 50 USD. Of course a machine is never worth a human life regardless of price, but it certainly made Heather Uffelman's murder seem all the more outrageously senseless.


But the Quadra 950 is over 20 years old now, so of course it will not have any real value.


Obviously, nothing is worth a human life. Tom Johnson's despicable crime is among the most heinous ever featured on UM.

Exactly. I don't blame her for what she did. Plus the childhood friend was convinced it was Anastasia. I actually thought she was the real deal after viewing the segment for the first time. Have to admit, I was disappointed when the update said she wasn't the real deal.

And I do remember the Nostradamus-esque episode with someone saying Hussein would be the cause/start of WWIII. WRONG!


Cars, I can't believe I'm saying this (we seldom agree on UM cases), but I agree 100% on the Anna Anderson thing :) I, too, watched that segment and thought she was the real deal. BTW, have you seen the "In Search of" episode on Anna Anderson. It used to be posted on the forbidden site, I haven't searched for it on YT for a while, but it used to be there. Though outdated, the In Search of episodes (hosted by Leonard Nimoy) are awesome. I especially enjoy the Jimmy Hoffa one and the Hindenburg one.

Though outdated, the In Search of episodes (hosted by Leonard Nimoy) are awesome. I especially enjoy the Jimmy Hoffa one and the Hindenburg one.

The Coral Castle segment has to be my favorite. That creepy ISO music coupled with Nimoy's narration...

^Howard Johnson hotels are still going strong though. There's over 1,000 still around. One of them right near me as a matter of fact.

There's one in my mom's hometown, which is a few miles from where I grew up myself. Been there forever. I clearly remember the restaurant there when it was in operation too--a friend of our family used to frequently get coffee at "the HoJo" before he went off for work.

Cars, I can't believe I'm saying this (we seldom agree on UM cases), but I agree 100% on the Anna Anderson thing :) I, too, watched that segment and thought she was the real deal. BTW, have you seen the "In Search of" episode on Anna Anderson. It used to be posted on the forbidden site, I haven't searched for it on YT for a while, but it used to be there. Though outdated, the In Search of episodes (hosted by Leonard Nimoy) are awesome. I especially enjoy the Jimmy Hoffa one and the Hindenburg one.

I don't remember disagreeing a lot with you on cases, but I haven't seen the "In Search Of..." episode, but I'll search the forbidden site and try to see if it's still up there. That show was almost as creepy as UM.

I don't remember disagreeing a lot with you on cases, but I haven't seen the "In Search Of..." episode, but I'll search the forbidden site and try to see if it's still up there. That show was almost as creepy as UM.


Yoo-2b is great. There are also episodes of Masterminds. The one on Steve Hadley (The Disappearing Man) and Crazy Eddie's are great (I also like the one on counterfeit autographs but I forget the title of it). Hadley's case is obviously presented in more detail on Masterminds (because of the time allotment) than it was on UM. The reenactment is good, too. It gives good detail about how Hadley was able to position himself in a management position for a short time so he could pull off the heist. It also gives more detail on the police search for him.

I was about 18 when Geraldo did the live Al Capone's vault thing on TV. I was naive and actually believed they knew there was something in there or else they wouldn't have made such a big TV production out of it.

Blah, what a let down that was.

And now, he's tweeted a nearly nekkid bathroom mirror selfie.... at 70 years old! OMG! :eek:

Read This: 30 years ago, Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone’s sadly empty vault (http://www.avclub.com/article/read-30-years-ago-geraldo-rivera-opened-al-capones-235652)

-Stanley Grezyck (SIC) story from Rome, NY. All the cars look old, and
when you see the Mobil station in the background (when the lady is
being chased by the bad guys) showing gas at $1 and change, it really
looks dated.

It was supposed to look a little dated even back then. Stanley was murdered in 1976 and the UM segment was recorded and aired in 1990. All those cars were brought in to make it look like it was the 70's and I think it worked out rather well.

The gas sign in the background as Amy Scott is being chased by the suspected killers was probably a 1990 gas price, if I had to guess. UM usually went into impressively accurate detail when shooting reenactments but I don't think they would change a gas sign that you see for no more than 2 seconds.

Were they ever caught or are they still wanted?

I was about 18 when Geraldo did the live Al Capone's vault thing on TV. I was naive and actually believed they knew there was something in there or else they wouldn't have made such a big TV production out of it.

Blah, what a let down that was.

And now, he's tweeted a nearly nekkid bathroom mirror selfie.... at 70 years old! OMG! :eek:

When Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone’s vault, he turned nothing into ratings (http://www.avclub.com/article/when-geraldo-rivera-opened-al-capones-vault-he-tur-244518)

I hate to say it but the Jeff Fisher big brother segment. Only because the climate we live in now is just......yeah you get what I'm saying.

The Cyberstalkers segment. With the green backlight, single monitor, and 60 tiered keyboards.

The Lancaster extortion letters and Circleville writer. Now if someone wants to threaten others, they can do it by text, email, or social media sites. Usually these cyber bullies are always found out thanks to a combo of technology and armchair online sleuths. Those segments still hold up when it comes to being creepy though.

Totally disagree re: Circleville, but that’s just me...

As much as I love the DarkDante segment, it’s be on my list as a segment that doesn’t hold up well.

As much as I love the DarkDante segment, it’s be on my list as a segment that doesn’t hold up well.

"the information super high (pause) way"

The Lancaster extortion letters and Circleville writer. Now if someone wants to threaten others, they can do it by text, email, or social media sites. Usually these cyber bullies are always found out thanks to a combo of technology and armchair online sleuths. Those segments still hold up when it comes to being creepy though.

I'm with you that it'd likely be solved if it happened today. (Though can you imagine in 2019 how much more frightening an actual paper letter would be? :lol: )

I think the segment still holds up from a production standpoint though IMO.

Cheryl Holland's glasses :lol: :wave:

Cheryl Holland's glasses :lol: :wave:

So many mullets :D

As a self professed smartphone junkie,it now bothers me how Angela Hammond had to live in the time of phone booths to use the phone. Which lead to abduction,today she be able to call from the safety of being locked in her car.

Anyone else remember an original airdate episode where at the end Stalk says something about the recent California earthquake in 1994 and warning viewers about scammer contractors conning people with false offers of home rebuilding/repairs? Don't know what Season/episode/original airdate?

As a self professed smartphone junkie,it now bothers me how Angela Hammond had to live in the time of phone booths to use the phone. Which lead to abduction,today she be able to call from the safety of being locked in her car.

Anyone else remember an original airdate episode where at the end Stalk says something about the recent California earthquake in 1994 and warning viewers about scammer contractors conning people with false offers of home rebuilding/repairs? Don't know what Season/episode/original airdate?

Could you be thinking of the Dan Marino case? Him and his "crew" would trick elderly people into thinking they needed home repairs...they'd take all kinds of money and do nothing except take over the person's life. This segment aired in 1993. It may not be the one you are thinking of, though.

Cheryl Holland's glasses :lol: :wave:

Sigh

I stupidly continued wearing huge glasses like that throughout the 90s. In my high school senior picture, they take up half my face ala Steve Urkell. Ugh.

This is the exact segment I came here to post. The prediction being framed in light of the '89 SF quake dated the segment considerably.

It's totally silly to look at now. It smacks a touch of fear-mongering too, in my opinion. Dr. Browning had been correct in the past, but this particular prediction was called into serious question by at least one other scientist that I know of, and I'm certain there were countless others. I can only imagine the hyperventilating that went on over that one.

I just saw this segment for the first time and was sad to see it not discussed more.

Honestly I don't see it as a silly or fear mongering segment. Yes his prediction obviously did not come true, and it may well be that his theory of earthquake prediction is either meritless or perhaps not applicable to all faults.

However, he put forth a reasonable hypothesis worth testing to see if gravitational pull influences earthquakes. People forget how new plate tectonics is as a theory, especially at the time of the segment, its hardly an absurd idea that gravitational pull could influence the timing of faults slipping (in a sort of butterfly landing on the anvil type way).

But even putting that aside, the New Madrid fault is a ticking time bomb that far too few people know about. I had never heard of it until I took a geology course in college dedicated to earth hazards. But given how strong the 1812 quake was, a repeat of that, in a region that considers building codes a nuisance to be avoided, would be catastrophic in the extreme.

Yeah, it's grand....if I have the lights on! Major spooky-ass sketch!
The first time I saw the McGowan segment the composite of Sam scared me super bad.....and it's still pretty freaky to this day!

Calling "Sam" the guy in drag is an insult to people who do drag. That definitely didn't age well.

All of the segments where there was a teenage girl and an older boyfriend. Jerry Strickland and Missy Munday, Randall Utterback and Denise, Jenny Pratt and her boyfriend. Grooming that was glossed over.

All of the segments where there was a teenage girl and an older boyfriend. Jerry Strickland and Missy Munday, Randall Utterback and Denise, Jenny Pratt and her boyfriend. Grooming that was glossed over.

Denise was an adult so I would not put that case in with the others.

I've mentioned this elsewhere, but I think the level of detail in most of the parental/family abduction segments was gratuitous. They should have been aired as special alerts without re-enactments, and the reunions—which typically involved traumatized minors—shouldn't have been filmed.

I've mentioned this elsewhere, but I think the level of detail in most of the parental/family abduction segments was gratuitous. They should have been aired as special alerts without re-enactments, and the reunions—which typically involved traumatized minors—shouldn't have been filmed.

The reenactments are necessary to tell the story and get people interested. Especially in something like a custody dispute, where I suspect many people are less apt to take notice or action.

I don't see any harm in showing the reunions either, its a happy moment, not a sad one. I seriously doubt the kids even realized a TV crew was there (and let's be honest, most kids would be stoked about being on TV).

Denise was an adult so I would not put that case in with the others.

My bad, sorry.

Denise was an adult so I would not put that case in with the others.

Barely an adult. She was 17 when they met at a party after her senior prom. Why a 31 year old is hanging out at party of 17 and 18 year olds is anyone’s guess. But it’s not good.

Barely an adult. She was 17 when they met at a party after her senior prom. Why a 31 year old is hanging out at party of 17 and 18 year olds is anyone’s guess. But it’s not good.

None of the sources I have seen explicitly said she was 17. They did say that it was a party one week prior to graduation, and did not say it was exclusively for people who had attended prom.

At least in my graduating class there would have been only a handful of people that were 17 by that point in the year.

As to why he was there I would guess drugs were a factor, although I could be wrong.

None of the sources I have seen explicitly said she was 17. They did say that it was a party one week prior to graduation, and did not say it was exclusively for people who had attended prom.

At least in my graduating class there would have been only a handful of people that were 17 by that point in the year.

As to why he was there I would guess drugs were a factor, although I could be wrong.

Robert Stack: "The young woman under attack is Denise Williams. She is 19. The man with a gun is her ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old Randall Utterback. They had met a year and half earlier, at a party after Denise's senior prom. To the naive 17-year-old schoolgirl, Randall seemed exotic and dashing...just dangerous enough to be exciting."

The pictures shown of Randall don't look anything like that description. He looks more like a hippie who hasn't showered in two months.

Robert Stack: "The young woman under attack is Denise Williams. She is 19. The man with a gun is her ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old Randall Utterback. They had met a year and half earlier, at a party after Denise's senior prom. To the naive 17-year-old schoolgirl, Randall seemed exotic and dashing...just dangerous enough to be exciting."

The pictures shown of Randall don't look anything like that description. He looks more like a hippie who hasn't showered in two months.

good catch. and I agree with the premise that 18 doesn't change much from 17 other than the letter of the law. but I doubt Randall cared, so not sure that he's worth defending at all.

Robert Stack: "The young woman under attack is Denise Williams. She is 19. The man with a gun is her ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old Randall Utterback. They had met a year and half earlier, at a party after Denise's senior prom. To the naive 17-year-old schoolgirl, Randall seemed exotic and dashing...just dangerous enough to be exciting."

The pictures shown of Randall don't look anything like that description. He looks more like a hippie who hasn't showered in two months.

Interesting that that description never made it into any of the print sources. UM was definitely wording it to make a point, "schoolgirl" for someone who was a week from graduation is an interesting way to put it.

A year and a half can be interpreted multiple ways, given the timing of the party and when the incident with the car happened I got the impression they may have started dating around the time of her birthday.

The hippie description is accurate, and would seem to fit with my impression of how he might have found himself at the party in the first place.

Interesting that that description never made it into any of the print sources. UM was definitely wording it to make a point, "schoolgirl" for someone who was a week from graduation is an interesting way to put it.

A year and a half can be interpreted multiple ways, given the timing of the party and when the incident with the car happened I got the impression they may have started dating around the time of her birthday.

The hippie description is accurate, and would seem to fit with my impression of how he might have found himself at the party in the first place.

I think the point was that, even though age gap romances are popular in fiction, a romance between a 31-year-old and a girl a week away from high school graduation is majorly creepy in real life.

I think the point was that, even though age gap romances are popular in fiction, a romance between a 31-year-old and a girl a week away from high school graduation is majorly creepy in real life.

I agree, I know the law changes at 18, but a 31 year old dating an 18 year old is creepy. as a father of an 18 year old I would probably give out a stone cold stunner if that happened.

changing the subject. one segment that didn't age well is Devil's Backbone. I'm not going to lie I kind of enjoyed it early on and I do think there's a pretty cool history element and an alleged vision quest, I think. but it's beyond a stretch and I believe the guy featured in the segment was outed as a fake. I live near that area now and it's pretty cool. at night I often wait for the Spanish monk to appear on my back deck, but it never happens.

I agree, I know the law changes at 18, but a 31 year old dating an 18 year old is creepy. as a father of an 18 year old I would probably give out a stone cold stunner if that happened.

changing the subject. one segment that didn't age well is Devil's Backbone. I'm not going to lie I kind of enjoyed it early on and I do think there's a pretty cool history element and an alleged vision quest, I think. but it's beyond a stretch and I believe the guy featured in the segment was outed as a fake. I live near that area now and it's pretty cool. at night I often wait for the Spanish monk to appear on my back deck, but it never happens.

This discussion and the name Denise Williams rang a bell. When I looked it up an entirely different Denise Williams murder case whose husband was 31 when killed popped up. I had seen it on another crime show. So I started over with Randall Utterback, found it in UM archives. Also found Filmrise episode and watched. Was stunned at a "personal connection".

I was having lunch with my ex-brother-in-law in a burnt district town in Missouri in the late 1990s. We were approached a nice guy who said something to him. It was a case of mistaken identity. I distinctly remember him pronouncing the name of his missing friend as ew(oo) der bok not Utter back like Robert Stack. My brother-in-law was similar age, build and had a resemblance with thin face & curly auburn hair. This guy was firmly convinced his friend had been murdered by his girlfriends relatives or LE but kept a hopeful eye out anyway. He felt the younger girl was manipulative. There were some comments in the archives section that were similar to this point of view.

A number of murdered and missing young men in Missouri and Eastern Kansas were loosely connected with a former police officer from Missouri but there is insufficient evidence for charges. Could be totally coincidental.

I totally agree about the age difference being inappropriate. There were times and places in the past where differences were minimal enough for relations to succeed. I know when I was thirty I couldn't understand my older friends teenage kids language much less the subject they were talking about. It used to be called the generation gap. Grooming can be a problem but it isn't always the case. There are dissatisfied high school girls who will do anything for attention, affection or to escape home. And there is always some older guy who should know better that gets involved.

Mexico Missouri is a good sized city but the reenactment gives the impression of a rural town of about 1000 max.

I remember when the devil's backbone aired. I had worked in the area and never heard the stories. I don't know everything but usually if you are an area you pick up on the local lore. Ghost stories are always a favorite topic. I think they are a "modern invention".

I recently watched a segment where RS said something like, "Wife-beating consists of 35% of all calls made to 911".

I recently watched a segment where RS said something like, "Wife-beating consists of 35% of all calls made to 911".

:mad:

That statistic was on the Jim Burnside/Annette S one in which he killed his estranged wife.

Anyway, the worst segment of all time that hasn't aged well is the Faces on Mars. This was proven 100% false and stupid many years ago with better pictures.

.

Anyway, the worst segment of all time that hasn't aged well is the Faces on Mars. This was proven 100% false and stupid many years ago with better pictures.

I have a soft spot for this segment due to the music and some of the amusing commentary. It's hilarious what the "face" actually looks like in high resolution :lol:

Moss Beach Distillery. I used to love it, but after watching it again and remembering that Sylvia Browne was involved, it has lost all credibility. That is the one where Robert Stack famously smirked while saying, "I've been here all day and have not seen a single ghost." Also, "Ghost Hunters" busted the restaurant for exaggerating the hauntings.

During one Lost Loves segment, RS says something like, "Many Native Americans in Canada were taken from their homes as children...".

Native Americans are American, RS. Canadians don't call our First Nations people Native Americans, and they certainly don't refer to themselves this way. Never have.

During one Lost Loves segment, RS says something like, "Many Native Americans in Canada were taken from their homes as children...".

Native Americans are American, RS. Canadians don't call our First Nations people Native Americans, and they certainly don't refer to themselves this way. Never have.

I am from Canada, and yes, indigenous people were until recently, referred to as "Native Americans" even in Canada. I'm the last 20 years, most call them either "Natives", First Nations", or Aboriginal. However in the late 20th century, most non-native people did indeed refer to them as such.

It was far better than calling them "Indians " as that was common before the 90s. Many Native gangs in Western Canada use the word "Indian" (Indian Posse, Crazy Indians, etc), probably to turn the word Indian into something respectful.

This probably came about, as many indigenous young ppl in the 90s copied the LA street gangs, and gangsta rap, where "*****s" is often used.

I am from Canada, and yes, indigenous people were until recently, referred to as "Native Americans" even in Canada. I'm the last 20 years, most call them either "Natives", First Nations", or Aboriginal. However in the late 20th century, most non-native people did indeed refer to them as such.

It was far better than calling them "Indians " as that was common before the 90s. Many Native gangs in Western Canada use the word "Indian" (Indian Posse, Crazy Indians, etc), probably to turn the word Indian into something respectful.

This probably came about, as many indigenous young ppl in the 90s copied the LA street gangs, and gangsta rap, where "*****s" is often used.

I'm Canadian as well. Nobody in my area ever used "Native Americans". We went from "Indians" to "Natives" to "First Nations"/"Aboriginal" to "Indigenous". I just use "Natives" and "First Nations", as I prefer the sound of them, and all Natives I know or who I've met are fine with either being used.

During one Lost Loves segment, RS says something like, "Many Native Americans in Canada were taken from their homes as children...".

Native Americans are American, RS. Canadians don't call our First Nations people Native Americans, and they certainly don't refer to themselves this way. Never have.

You're nitpicking. In the United States, we called them Native Americans for decades. Robert Stack was an American. Therefore, him using the term "Native American" is not a case of not aging well. Since that airing, most Americans I know just say Indians, as many Indians have publicly stated they don't like being called Native Americans, as any person born in America is, by law, a native American.

You're nitpicking. In the United States, we called them Native Americans for decades. Robert Stack was an American. Therefore, him using the term "Native American" is not a case of not aging well. Since that airing, most Americans I know just say Indians, as many Indians have publicly stated they don't like being called Native Americans, as any person born in America is, by law, a native American.


this is what I have heard, at least with tribes located in the USA. Indigenous is probably the best word to use, but most people that I have listened to prefer to be called by their tribal name. I've also heard some use the term Indian because that's what they used when they learned English and passed it down. For example I've heard some say "my Indian name is" or "I speak Indian"

It could be different based on where you go. we are talking about vast territories with a lot of people who are different than the other.

Since this was an American production about a story based in Canada, UM should have been aiming to use the actual language used in the region that the story was about. I'm not sure what that would have been, but I don't see this as something that does not age well. a lot of people, like then, still use the term Native American or First Nation.

I'm Canadian as well. Nobody in my area ever used "Native Americans". We went from "Indians" to "Natives" to "First Nations"/"Aboriginal" to "Indigenous". I just use "Natives" and "First Nations", as I prefer the sound of them, and all Natives I know or who I've met are fine with either being used.

On employment forms in the past, they asked are you a visible minority? and it had a box for "Native Americans." Until they last 15 years, where "First Nations" people is used, media and news would routinely use "Native American" to describe Indigenous people.

If one were to look at the definition of "Native American", it would be used to describe Indigenous people of North America (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Native-American). It's not a big deal, but to say throughout history the word "Native American," is used to only describe Native peoples in the USA, is factually incorrect.

this is what I have heard, at least with tribes located in the USA. Indigenous is probably the best word to use, but most people that I have listened to prefer to be called by their tribal name. I've also heard some use the term Indian because that's what they used when they learned English and passed it down. For example I've heard some say "my Indian name is" or "I speak Indian"


Not many people know this outside the city I am from, but "Winnipeg" comes from the Cree word used to describe "Muddy Waters." Our two main rivers, the Red and Assiniboine, have large deposits of clay at the bottom of the river, making the rivers look muddy. Hence, the name.

In the 20th Century, Indigenous people were referred to as "Indians." There was also the "Indian Act" of Canada, which was implemented in 1876, which Governs matters and issues related to the First Nations people, including Land claims, status, reservations, etc.

This can be very confusing, especially in recent times, since there has been a huge influx of immigrants from India in the last 20 years.

Not many people know this outside the city I am from, but "Winnipeg" comes from the Cree word used to describe "Muddy Waters." Our two main rivers, the Red and Assiniboine, have large deposits of clay at the bottom of the river, making the rivers look muddy. Hence, the name.

In the 20th Century, Indigenous people were referred to as "Indians." There was also the "Indian Act" of Canada, which was implemented in 1876, which Governs matters and issues related to the First Nations people, including Land claims, status, reservations, etc.

This can be very confusing, especially in recent times, since there has been a huge influx of immigrants from India in the last 20 years.

It is confusing and I think I will always yield to whatever someone says they want to be called. I think if able, I will always use the tribal name if I can. I do think there are a lot of people who are ignorant and don't care enough to take the time to get it right. That said, there are a lot of people who don't want to offend others so they stick with terms that are the most comfortable, like Native American. Generally speaking, Native American will not be offensive (I don't think), but I have seen many people correct that term in the sense to make the point that the average American citizen is a Native American. and I guess that is a fair point. In the past few years I have tried to educate myself on learning oral history of the various tribal nations on our continent as opposed to leaning on what was taught in school, which was very little to say the least.

I did not know that about Winnipeg. There are a lot of geographical names in the Americas that are named after indigenous peoples or were named by indigenous and either translated or directly spoken close to the original format another conquering language, like English, Spanish, or French. It just further validates the heritage that was here long before Europeans settled and conquered our lands. Mexico and Canada are great examples that very much embrace its primitive heritage, even in the Spanish, English, and French languages.

I thought you were a Winnipeg Jets fan based on your namesake. That's pretty cool. I'm a stars fan, I know we are not on the same side there, but I love the sport and have a lot of respect for the Jets.

I thought you were a Winnipeg Jets fan based on your namesake. That's pretty cool. I'm a stars fan, I know we are not on the same side there, but I love the sport and have a lot of respect for the Jets.

Yes the Stars seem to have our number, as of late..

In the Johnny Lee Wilson case Robert Stack brings up him being mildly ********. In today’s day and age they would probably want him saying special needs. The Kevin Paulson capture hasn’t aged well considering stores would never want employees confronting anyone.

Yes the Stars seem to have our number, as of late..

Stanley, Schenn, and Pearson escaped the Jets this year for a playoff run in Buffalo. I kind of figured you were a Winnipeg Jets fan. Since the Sabres historical draught ended, NY Jets fans are all hiding now that they are alone by far at 15 years and going. :lol: