A little off topic but it was a show very similar to UM and featured many of the same cases has been cancelled by Fox. Its a shame considering all the fugitives that may stay on the run if its pulled.

http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Americas-Most-Wanted-canceled-by-Fox-after-23-years/8133794

I still remember the backlash FOX got from the public and LE the first time they tried to cancel the show in 1996, eventually forcing them to put it back on the air. I know the world is now a much different place and there are so many more resources for finding wanted fugitives these days, but it'll be interesting to see if history repeats itself.

What a great run, great show and I think of all it good it has done. I would not be suprised to see it show up on cable (fox news??). And I hope the fans save it.

But it has gotten a little stale. Too many cases, too many similiar cases, too much of angry john pointing at the camera trying to get someone to act.

If it comes back it could do with a change of format,host and style. John maybe in spots, more indepth cases and crime prevention, and no more live from the Walsh Bunker shots.

damn

Ah what a shame :/ Couldn't another network pick it up? Like one of the smaller ones... Say like The CW?

N:( OOOOOOOO

Boo hiss to FOX. Couldn't they cancel one of their bazillion singing contest shows instead??? :rolleyes:

What? - Why does Fox need to cancel AMW? Need room for another one of their prance-dance shows?

This is just pathetic. I think AMW sucks but it serves a greater purpose than most shows do. It brings the public's attention to unsolved crime and missing people cases.

If it cancelled for good, the only other unsolved true crime show would be 'Disappeared.' If anything, there needs to be more unsolved true crime shows on TV.

With this whole "crime" phase I am really surprised that shows like AMW and UM haven't had a boom in popularity. They are far more relevant than the other non real crap on TV at the moment.

Ah what a shame :/ Couldn't another network pick it up? Like one of the smaller ones... Say like The CW?

John Walsh is having discussions with Fox's studio arm Twentieth Television about other outlets that might carry AMW, but I highly doubt that CW is one of them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the show returned via first-run syndication. In fact, that is one of the possible outlets being considered for the show.

Wonder if ID would pick it up...

But it has gotten a little stale. Too many cases, too many similiar cases, too much of angry john pointing at the camera trying to get someone to act.

If it comes back it could do with a change of format,host and style. John maybe in spots, more indepth cases and crime prevention, and no more live from the Walsh Bunker shots.

I agree with everything stated here, and also with Zlatko's comments about the ultimately altruistic focus of the show (there really aren't that many out there at all). Losing AMW would be a definite shame, but it needs some major revamping if it comes back.

I agree with everything stated here, and also with Zlatko's comments about the ultimately altruistic focus of the show (there really aren't that many out there at all). Losing AMW would be a definite shame, but it needs some major revamping if it comes back.

I absolutely agree. I used to watch the show every Saturday night (or DVR it). But then the reenactments got SO bad and the format became really, really cheesy, worsening over time. I mean, UM had some bad reenactments, but they were still poignant when they needed to be and comedic in the right places. AMW got really bad at that over time; sometimes they would try to be "hip" with technology in their segments and go really overboard. I remember one particular case where they wanted to say what the victims liked to do for hobbies and they had two very poor actresses typing out their interests on myspace and really prolonged acting out of family issues; that case alone made me really wish they would change the formatting. Both it and the new UM are pretty unwatchable to me.

However, AMW and the new UM are both very important in the cause of catching fugitives (and finding missing persons, loved ones, etc.) So I hope that they would both stay on the air, though definitive change is needed. I really hope John Walsh can get AMW to come back and improve. They caught a good deal of fugitives and it would be great if they could catch a good deal more.

It seems like network TV likes the fake crime shows like CSI instead of the real ones like Unsolved Mysteries and America's Most Wanted. Damn shame...

Apparently they are going to produce four 2-hour specials next season but no word on if the specials will continue after that.

I absolutely agree. I used to watch the show every Saturday night (or DVR it). But then the reenactments got SO bad and the format became really, really cheesy, worsening over time. I mean, UM had some bad reenactments, but they were still poignant when they needed to be and comedic in the right places. AMW got really bad at that over time; sometimes they would try to be "hip" with technology in their segments and go really overboard. I remember one particular case where they wanted to say what the victims liked to do for hobbies and they had two very poor actresses typing out their interests on myspace and really prolonged acting out of family issues; that case alone made me really wish they would change the formatting. Both it and the new UM are pretty unwatchable to me.

The reenactments for the most part were painful to watch as the series progressed, especially when it involved gang members or drug dealers. It was like a community playhouse version of Boyz in the Hood and I had to mute it because they focused on the dramatics and not the main points of the case. If it does come back on another network, it definitely needs a new format, perhaps reenactments where there's very little dialogue or just showing it like a mute flashback, like ID does with many of their shows.

Umfaninmd- nail on the head.. if there are reenactments, little dialogue more profesional voice offer exactly like Disappeared. It seems like the last 3 years every time I watched the suspect was a gang member who played dominos or cards in a smokey haze....while Ice Cube/Kid Frost wannabe did his best to act.

Love John and the nation will forever be indebted for all he as done, but really I think its time the show brought in another talent and maybe bring John in for a legislation or special case update once in awhile the impact would be more meaningful.

ITA with all those who say, Hey, it's not my style, but it's a shame it won't be on the air anymore. I have a lot of respect for John Walsh and all the work he has done.

I always thought of AMW as the more...ahem...pedestrian of the two when comparing it with UM. Oh, we find plenty of cheesy UM stuff to make fun of here, but when it boils down to it, UM's production value was way way slicker than AMW's.

I always thought of AMW as the more...ahem...pedestrian of the two when comparing it with UM. Oh, we find plenty of cheesy UM stuff to make fun of here, but when it boils down to it, UM's production value was way way slicker than AMW's.

Comparisons between the two shows are admittedly inevitable. Although the news of AMW's axing is generally off-topic, it seems less so, when you consider two undeniable facts: 1) AMW is a competitor of UM, and 2) both shows featured a lot of the same cases.

I easily compare the whole "UM vs. AMW" thing to other rivalries, such as Coke vs. Pepsi, Marvel Comics vs. DC Comics, McDonald's vs. Burger King, and Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees.

Yeah i heard about this and was shocked. To me AMW and UM are the grandfathers of the missing people movement. Without those 2 shows a lot of us would have never got interested in true crime and missing people. What are they gonna put on Saturday nights in that time slot. i heard they canned it cause it wasnt making the network any money, but come on Saturday night doesnt pull a lot of viewers anyway.

What are they gonna put on Saturday nights in that time slot.

Reruns of various Fox shows, in addition to quarterly 2-hour AMW specials. (In other words, Fox is demoting AMW!)

i heard they canned it cause it wasnt making the network any money, but come on Saturday night doesnt pull a lot of viewers anyway.

That's what Fox said. If you believe them, phasing out AMW is a financial decision.

I easily compare the whole "UM vs. AMW" thing to other rivalries, such as Coke vs. Pepsi, Marvel Comics vs. DC Comics, McDonald's vs. Burger King, and Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees.
Tee-hee!:lol:

That's what Fox said. If you believe them, phasing out AMW is a financial decision.

I can't imagine AMW is a show that would cost that much to produce, but what do I know?

I'm very upset about AMW being canceled. I love watching the show, either when I'm home on a Saturday night or on DVR. I never thought Fox would cancel them again after they tried in 1994 but the fact that AMW isn't on this entire month, I had a feeling this might be happening.

In 1994, it was a ratings decision. That's apparently not the case here as the show wins its time slot on Saturday Night and pulls in over five million viewers. Fox says it's a financial decision. I can imagine a weekly, year-long series is expensive but there has to be ways of dealing with that. It's not like Fox is hurting for money with all the revenue they pull in from the NFL and American Idol alone.

I think it's an awful decision by Fox. AMW has done so much good that it would be a shame to take it off the air. Here's hoping they change their mind...AMW does have a lot of powerful friends. If not, then I'm sure someone will pick it up.

Thanks to Fox for having it on all these years.

I can't believe this! All the crimes that have been solved by AMW and UM and they get rid of them. I'm so irritated right now!

Without shows like AMW and UM many cases will get almost zero media publicity making it harder for cases to be solved. This is a long shot but maybe since there are virtually no Unsolved crime shows on TV anymore maybe Lifetime/Spike will wake up and make some new episodes.

It is a shame, but they haven't been good for some time. Still, we need some kind of national program to inform people about the bad guys.

I think it's an awful decision by Fox. AMW has done so much good that it would be a shame to take it off the air. Here's hoping they change their mind...AMW does have a lot of powerful friends. If not, then I'm sure someone will pick it up.

This is like 1996 all over again, the year AMW was first canceled. During that time, I recall a particular segment on Entertainment Tonight that focused on a North Carolina woman named Crystal Porter who went to the Fox studio lot in California to protest the cancellation. AMW was supposed to do a segment on the unsolved 1993 murder of her brother, and I recall (albeit vaguely) seeing footage where John Walsh told her the bad news about being unable to air the segment because of Fox's surprise announcement. The segment, however, was only delayed, so it was ultimately put on the air.

It goes without saying that the 1996 cancellation came as a total surprise to John Walsh. Fox said at the time that they were canceling the show because of declining ratings and because other networks were "aggressively programming against it." But a few days before getting the bad news, John Walsh had been told a few days before that the show was going to be renewed.

In his book Tears of Rage, he explains where he was when Fox called him to inform him of the cancellation. He was in Washington, DC, preparing to tape a special episode of AMW in which he would meet the children who had been safely recovered thanks to the show. Just moments he was supposed to go before the cameras, he got a call from one of the Fox executives, who then told him about the sudden decision to scrap the show. Part of Walsh's reaction was "What are you talking about?" According to the book, he then went on to say that he had been in Hollywood a few days earlier and he was told that the show had been renewed. After the phone conversation was over, he went before the camera to do the special episode of AMW. And he managed to keep up appearances during the taping.

Of course, despite Fox's recent decision cancel AMW (again), there is still hope for the show. John Walsh is considering other possible outlets for AMW, including first-run syndication. I'm actually not surpised that syndication is being considered as a possible alternative outlet for the show. In fact, I read somewhere that when AMW was first canceled in 1996, some distributors (including King World) were interested in doing a syndicated version of the show.

There is a history of primetime TV shows making the transition to first-run syndication. Examples include: Charles In Charge, Baywatch, Hee Haw, The Lawrence Welk Show, It's a Living, and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. Although such as a transition is not as common now as it was in the 1970s or 1980s (most likely due to the increasing number of cable networks), first-run syndication is still a good alternative for TV shows that are not wanted (or no longer wanted) by networks.

Of course, whether or not it will happen with AMW remains to be seen. But if it does happen, I wouldn't be surprised.

http://i55.tinypic.com/2m3l53q.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/5032hc.jpg

John Walsh is having discussions with Fox's studio arm Twentieth Television about other outlets that might carry AMW, but I highly doubt that CW is one of them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the show returned via first-run syndication. In fact, that is one of the possible outlets being considered for the show.

That would be great. I agree with all guys that this is a disgrace. HOW can they a zillion stupid FAKE crime shows like CSI and Law and Order and SVU and stupid crap like that but not even ONE true crime show??

They've GOT to get this into syndication on a different network.

I'd even sign a petition if you guys got one but I'm not on that site run by that MEGA nerd so I can't sign anything there.

That would be great. I agree with all guys that this is a disgrace. HOW can they a zillion stupid FAKE crime shows like CSI and Law and Order and SVU and stupid crap like that but not even ONE true crime show??

I won't knock any of those shows (in part because I like to watch the CSI spinoffs, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY), but I see what you mean. Admittedly, some stations that carry reruns of those shows overdo it by airing more than two episodes of the same show in one day. It's one thing for a channel to show two daily reruns of the same TV show, but it's another to air reruns of the same show for three or more hours every day.

They've GOT to get this into syndication on a different network.

I personally think first-run syndication would be a great alternative outlet for AMW. In fact, I recall a couple of similar that shows aired in first-run syndication during the late '80s and early '90s: Crime Stoppers 800 and Missing/Reward. Since John Walsh is having discussions with 20th Television (Fox's distribution wing) about other possible outlets for AMW, I wrote and mailed a letter to the company, expressing not only my support for the show but also for the idea of it going into first-run syndication if it comes to that.

My letter to 20th Television is the third letter I have recently written and mailed in support of AMW. The first was to the Fox network, and the second was to WFXT Fox 25, the Fox affiliate in my area. All three letters were handwritten.

Good job Kane! You should've added all of us here on the UM board! I really doubt anywhere here WANTS AMW to be cancelled!

Isn't tonight the 2nd to last episode of AMW? I remember Walsh said they owe us 2 more shows!

What a tragedy for crime victims and justice! I'll be watching for sure or recording it and watchin it later and I'm sure Walsh will get AMW into syndication soon!

Good job Kane! You should've added all of us here on the UM board! I really doubt anywhere here WANTS AMW to be cancelled!

You mean, I should have mentioned the forum members here in my letter? If so, it sounds like a good idea, but it would be sensible for everyone on this board who really wants AMW saved to each make an effort themselves by writing to Fox. It would be much more legitimate than writing on someone else's behalf.

I will list some letter writing tips on the thread soon.

Isn't tonight the 2nd to last episode of AMW? I remember Walsh said they owe us 2 more shows!

From what I have read, the last weekly broadcast for AMW is June 18, two weeks from now. The show is scheduled to be shown next Saturday (June 11), in addition to tonight and June 18.

What a tragedy for crime victims and justice! I'll be watching for sure or recording it and watchin it later and I'm sure Walsh will get AMW into syndication soon!

I hope so. The last I checked, there were no updates on Walsh's discussions with 20th Television on the matter. But I wouldn't be alarmed, since it can sometimes take months to reach a deal.

I'm willing to sign a petition anywhere if anyone has one.

But I'm not on that MEGA nerd site Facebook so can't go there.

In my previous post on this thread, I mentioned that I would be listing some tips on helping to save America's Most Wanted. Well, I have compiled a list of them. This includes some of the most common tips on the matter, in addition to some other that I came across in a few past "save our show" campaigns. Below the list is the mailing address to Fox.

Here are the tips:

1) Physical letters carry more weight than emails or phone calls.

2) Neatly handwritten letters are preferrable; but if you must type a letter, please write your signature at the end, so that it has legitimacy. In any case, the letter MUST be in your own words. That way, it doesn't look like a copy of someone else's letter.

3) Keep it brief and to the point. One page is enough.

4) Be polite and respectful. Verbal abuse and tirades are counterproductive.

5) Don't include the words "America's Most Wanted" anywhere on the envelope. Doing so may cause the envelope to be treated as "fan mail", and it could either be sent directly to AMW or discarded altogether. Either way, there would be little or no chance of it being read by the Fox network, to whom you are making the appeal. You want to keep the contents of the envelope anonymous until the network opens it and reads the letter.

6) Don't acknowledge any connection to AMW, even if you happen to know an AMW staff member personally. Rightly or wrongly, the network may suspect that you had been persuaded to write, instead of this being genuine support for the show.

7) Since networks value demographics, include some of that information about you (age, occupation, marital status, etc.).

8) Don't mention any AMW fan groups (or fan sites) or anything that might indicate that you are associated with one. This could hurt your credibility with the network, since fan groups are often viewed as "fringe" groups. You want to come across as an individual viewer in your letter, not as a member of a "cult."

9) If you have any friends, relatives, or neighbors who watch AMW and want to help save the show, urge them write their own individual letters. It is more genuine than a list of multiple signatures, which can be easily counted as one letter.

10) Proofread your letter before sending it. You want to make sure it has no spelling mistakes or poor grammar.

11) Write to Fox every four to six weeks, if possible. That way, it gives Fox the message that you haven't given up and that you still care about AMW.


Here is the address:

Peter Rice,
Chairman of Fox Broadcasting
Fox Broadcasting Company
10201 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Good work Kane.

I'm confident some network will pick up AMW eventually.

The first quarterly special has been scheduled for Saturday, October 29.

Good work Kane.

Thank you, Big3sCompanyFan.

I know full well that when it comes to an effort to save a canceled or endangered TV series, there are do's and don't's to be aware of. Some of the rules in typing a cover letter also apply in letter writing campaign, such as keeping the letter short and to the point. You want to limit the letter to only one page, so that 1) you stick to to the relevant topic(s), and 2) it doesn't bore the reader to the point where he or she prematurely stops reading it and never reads the rest of it.

Additionally, the wrong approach or attitude could nullify your letter and the campaign. That's why it is very important, for example, to be polite and respectful in your letter - no matter how upset you are. You want to refrain from saying things like, "you idiot," "why is that lame show still on and AMW isn't," or "I will never watch Fox again." Letters containing such remarks are easily thrown away. And such comments could hurt your credibility with the reader.

I'm confident some network will pick up AMW eventually.

That just might happen. John Walsh acknowledged that he has been in contact with other networks, including the Fox News Channel. A decision on the matter should be announced in a week or so.

That just might happen. John Walsh acknowledged that he has been in contact with other networks, including the Fox News Channel. A decision on the matter should be announced in a week or so.

Kane, what's the latest on this??

I thought we would've heard something by now or at least that they're negotiating.

You what's REALLY shocking!! I can't believe they've already disconnected 1800CRIMETV!! I just tried calling it a few days ago and no one even answered! There wasn't even a recorded message and I know there used to be one there!

That's awful that they did that in case someone wants to report at tips they CAN'T! I know about the website but some people prefer to call!

Even Unsolved Mysteries kept their 18008765353 number on for YEARS after the show was cancelled!

Kane, what's the latest on this??

I thought we would've heard something by now or at least that they're negotiating.

You what's REALLY shocking!! I can't believe they've already disconnected 1800CRIMETV!! I just tried calling it a few days ago and no one even answered! There wasn't even a recorded message and I know there used to be one there!

That's awful that they did that in case someone wants to report at tips they CAN'T! I know about the website but some people prefer to call!

Even Unsolved Mysteries kept their 18008765353 number on for YEARS after the show was cancelled!

Sadly, the AMW staff was let go. It was mentioned in an article that they were going to leave by July 1, so they weren't going to be retained for the upcoming AMW specials.

On the week of AMW's final regular Fox telecast (June 18), John Walsh thought he would have a new deal secured within a couple of weeks. However, it might be taking longer than he expected, which isn't unusual, since negotiations can sometimes take several months to be finalized. Besides, when NBC officially canceled UM in May 1997, it wasn't until mid-summer - late July or early August of that year - when CBS officially announced its decision to pick up the show.

For now, we can only wait, hope, and pray.

Hopefully we'll hear something soon.

At least the website is still up. I think they've had a lot of captures off of the website alone.

Kane, what's the latest on this??

I thought we would've heard something by now or at least that they're negotiating.

You what's REALLY shocking!! I can't believe they've already disconnected 1800CRIMETV!! I just tried calling it a few days ago and no one even answered! There wasn't even a recorded message and I know there used to be one there!

That's awful that they did that in case someone wants to report at tips they CAN'T! I know about the website but some people prefer to call!

Even Unsolved Mysteries kept their 18008765353 number on for YEARS after the show was cancelled!

The UM line is a roofing company now.

Sadly, the AMW staff was let go. It was mentioned in an article that they were going to leave by July 1, so they weren't going to be retained for the upcoming AMW specials.

On the week of AMW's final regular Fox telecast (June 18), John Walsh thought he would have a new deal secured within a couple of weeks. However, it might be taking longer than he expected, which isn't unusual, since negotiations can sometimes take several months to be finalized. Besides, when NBC officially canceled UM in May 1997, it wasn't until mid-summer - late July or early August of that year - when CBS officially announced its decision to pick up the show.

For now, we can only wait, hope, and pray.

You got a link to that article please? I'm confident Walsh will work something out but Kane a smart guy like you knows prayer does NOT work and that's been proven many times.

If prayer worked you wouldn't need doctors, hospitals, or police or AMW!

I know there are rare cases that amazing things happen but no one can show that has anything to do with the hundreds of gods man has claimed that exist. Plus there are MANY more cases (like thousands) were prayer does NOTHING.

We don't need prayer. John Walsh has a lot going for him to get something done. Even if it's only once a month.

The UM line is a roofing company now.

Yes it is BUT they kept that number for YEARS!

I remember I called them 4 or 5 years after the show ended but they still had a recording for Unsolved Mysteries and I think you could leave a message!

AMW, on the other hand, closes up in 10 days...LOL. But I'm sure they'll be back.