Every year almost to the day, I come back and check in to see if there is any ground work or talks for a re-launch of UM.

Anybody?

I would doubt it. John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer have their heads so far up their own asses I doubt we'll see UM ever on TV again.

I think the series has done enough to garner cult status among TV viewers. That being said, in my opinion, the show could live on again maybe on a syndicated cable channel in their original format. It was done with In Search Of which aired in the 70's and was hosted by Leonard Nimoy.

I'm not a huge fan of the updated ones on Lifetime.

I doubt it. CM hates us and has had almost all the segments scrubbed from the internet. For whatever reason, it sure seems like they want this series buried.

Fans are willing to pay to see the Stack versions on Netflix, Hulu, paid YT, or some other paid streaming service but that's going nowhere too.

I would doubt it. John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer have their heads so far up their own asses I doubt we'll see UM ever on TV again.


I just spit my coffee over my work computer. I needed that :D

I wish they would but I doubt it will ever happen. I hate the updated versions myself too.

I doubt it. CM hates us and has had almost all the segments scrubbed from the internet. For whatever reason, it sure seems like they want this series buried.

Fans are willing to pay to see the Stack versions on Netflix, Hulu, paid YT, or some other paid streaming service but that's going nowhere too.

During the writers strike a lot of stuff got pulled from internet sites. The last strike was about the percentage writers got on their residuals for digital distribution. All of the networks had a conniption fit and pulled close to 75% of user uploaded content off the net. It's the same thing with SAG. Actors now have to get an adjusted percentage on digital distribution.

As for Hulu or Netflix the odds of UM getting on there are slim to none now. Because the supreme court shot down net neutrality laws, services like Hulu and Netflix and other VOD services are forced to pay internet providers extra compensation for priority over internet pipes. I've even heard rumors that they might start charging more to offset the extra cost of getting priority over pipe space.

Any have any idea of why they'd want such a popular series buried?

Any have any idea of why they'd want such a popular series buried?

If CM wanted the series buried so badly and hated the fans of the show why did they renegotiate a contract with Lifetime after Spike started showing little interest in airing episodes? If the answer is money that's another answer that doesn't make sense. If they wanted to make money off of it, there are 2 many ways to do this. Another batch of DVD sets, Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, Zune, YouTube+, etc., etc., etc.

CM, I'm pretty positive know the potential the series has. In the end I think it has more to do with adjusted residual percentages writers and actors get under the new arbitration agreements. The offset costs of making formatting episodes and the final checks the production company could very well be below the threshold to sustain the franchise as a whole. I honestly don't think this has to do with the actual deal makers just saying to the fans, "lolno we don't like you, but please keep watching the show so we can make monies."

I think the only way everyone can get what they want is if CM, sold the rights to a major corporate network and said network repackaged it or revived the franchise altogether.

I just spit my coffee over my work computer. I needed that :D

Haha sorry mate :lol:

I wouldn't hold your breath. And as much as I love UM, there's so many other true crime shows on TV now that I'm afraid it might not do so well at this point.

Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I think the main factors at work here are:

1) The contract with Lifetime for the "new" Farina episodes.
2) The requirements on pay to the actors in the Stack episodes.

We might see the Stack and Farina episodes on Netflix/Hulu/etc. one day.

Once the contract with Lifetime is over, I think C-M will pursue a reboot of the series. They'll likely take into account the feedback they've gotten over the Farina version and make changes. I just hope the don't try to satisfy the old viewers while adding additional things to bring in new viewers. This is a recipe for disaster and leaves both groups unsatisfied and the series in a continuing state of rumored cancellation.

Unsolved Mysteries needs 3 things to be successful:

1) The original theme music (or a very close version)
2) A serious, scary, and sincere host (he doesn't have to be Stack)
3) Intriguing stories from off-the-grid (some national stories have appeal, but the best UM segments were stories about things that people in other parts of the country/world would have never been exposed to if not for the show)

I don't mind the Google Earth inclusion, but it would be nice if it was portrayed in a more high-tech way instead of the quick zoom to the city. Unsolved.com needs to be updated and social media features need to be integrated into the show. This board is great, but at the moment it's really the only place for UM fans to interact.

It would be nice if C-M acknowledged the history of the show by putting quick shots of Stack and Farina (and maybe the other 2 hosts) in the opening. That would at least bridge the gap between the old and the new.

Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I think the main factors at work here are:

1) The contract with Lifetime for the "new" Farina episodes.
2) The requirements on pay to the actors in the Stack episodes.

We might see the Stack and Farina episodes on Netflix/Hulu/etc. one day.

Once the contract with Lifetime is over, I think C-M will pursue a reboot of the series. They'll likely take into account the feedback they've gotten over the Farina version and make changes. I just hope the don't try to satisfy the old viewers while adding additional things to bring in new viewers. This is a recipe for disaster and leaves both groups unsatisfied and the series in a continuing state of rumored cancellation.

Unsolved Mysteries needs 3 things to be successful:

1) The original theme music (or a very close version)
2) A serious, scary, and sincere host (he doesn't have to be Stack)
3) Intriguing stories from off-the-grid (some national stories have appeal, but the best UM segments were stories about things that people in other parts of the country/world would have never been exposed to if not for the show)

I don't mind the Google Earth inclusion, but it would be nice if it was portrayed in a more high-tech way instead of the quick zoom to the city. Unsolved.com needs to be updated and social media features need to be integrated into the show. This board is great, but at the moment it's really the only place for UM fans to interact.

It would be nice if C-M acknowledged the history of the show by putting quick shots of Stack and Farina (and maybe the other 2 hosts) in the opening. That would at least bridge the gap between the old and the new.

1) My gut tells me this is less about actors getting paid. Actors get very little in terms of residuals. Extras probably get far less. But that's not the point. UM did reenactments of at least 90% of featured cases. After so many seasons the accumulation of those percentages would have have to be astronomical right now. The writers of the show now have to get adjusted residuals based on how many times the show airs.

2) Without a major corporate network backing monetary and offset production costs. A reboot is completely out of the question. In today's age of television. With paying actors, writers, production teams, etc. An hour long episode of UM could cost well over a million dollars per episode.

3) The show could very well keep the traditional theme that is associated with the first seasons of the show. I believe the original theme is just as much part of the franchise then the 2 actors that have hosted it.

4) I've heard Bill Curtis's name floating around as maybe the new host. Personally I'd like to either see Richard Belzer or Jeff Goldblum get the gig as the host if new episodes were made.

5) There are a lot of stories floating around. A lot have been featured on various other cable shows about the paranormal or unexplained and there are a lot of cases unsolved murders and missing persons cases. But you're right getting a few cases off the grid doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Once the contract with Lifetime is over, I think C-M will pursue a reboot of the series. They'll likely take into account the feedback they've gotten over the Farina version and make changes. I just hope the don't try to satisfy the old viewers while adding additional things to bring in new viewers. This is a recipe for disaster and leaves both groups unsatisfied and the series in a continuing state of rumored cancellation.

In other words, no matter how well-intentioned, expanding a show's viewership can sometimes do more harm than good. Your comments remind me of something Dave Mustaine said in his autobiography: "By trying to expand your audience, you risk alienating your core base."

Who the hell is CM?

Who the hell is CM?
Crosgrove-Muerer. Owners to the rights of the show I believe.

Crosgrove-Muerer. Owners to the rights of the show I believe.


Thanks

who would be the host now? Stack and Farina have died.

who would be the host now? Stack and Farina have died.I'll throw in a vote for Keith David.

I'll throw in a vote for Keith David.

I like him too. He does both serious roles and comedy well. I could see him hosting the serious cases with the dignity required and still being able to pull of the funny stuff like "a few snails were sacrificed". lol

How about Peter Thomas? (Forensic Files) I'd go with him or Bill Curtis as hosts if they ever reboot the series they are the closet ones to RS at least to me.

4) I've heard Bill Curtis's name floating around as maybe the new host. Personally I'd like to either see Richard Belzer or Jeff Goldblum get the gig as the host if new episodes were made.

I like Bill Curtis and he is a formidable host in his own right. I wouldn't mind him as a host.

My first 2 picks would either be Belzer or Goldblum. Belzer has done a lot of high profile cases. Belzer also has a lot a of contacts with other high profile cases. I think the only drawback with Belzer is that he's established himself off screen as a conspiracy theorist, much like his on screen character from Homocide: Life on the Street and L&O: SVU.

Goldblum is a second just because he has demeanor about him, on camera, that I think would fit the show. Again all 3 would be good hosting the show.

I wouldn't hold your breath. And as much as I love UM, there's so many other true crime shows on TV now that I'm afraid it might not do so well at this point.

I agree with your sentiment , remaking the show today wouldnt earn it anywere near the status it gained more than 2 decades back. The classic UM is great and will always be great partly because it captured and epitomised an era that is now gone and watching is it like looking at a snapshot in time........if they were to redo a modern version of the show they would need to capture and epitomise this era we live in otherwise ithe show wouldnt look right and would probably sink without a trace or disappear into the couldron of dozens of true crime shows in who knows how many channels :lol: . Its kinda the same as say for example considering redoing Dallas , great idea on paper but it wouldnt quite work because a great show not only needs great stars and actors but it also needs to come at the right moment in time and capture the era and its audience or it will sink......

I agree with your sentiment , remaking the show today wouldnt earn it anywere near the status it gained more than 2 decades back. The classic UM is great and will always be great partly because it captured and epitomised an era that is now gone and watching is it like looking at a snapshot in time........if they were to redo a modern version of the show they would need to capture and epitomise this era we live in otherwise ithe show wouldnt look right and would probably sink without a trace or disappear into the couldron of dozens of true crime shows in who knows how many channels :lol: . Its kinda the same as say for example considering redoing Dallas , great idea on paper but it wouldnt quite work because a great show not only needs great stars and actors but it also needs to come at the right moment in time and capture the era and its audience or it will sink......

I disagree to a point. The show was great because reenactments in documentaries was a new thing. Don't believe me? Watch the movie The Thin Blue Line. The stylized cinematography, interview segments, and reenactments of what happened look like you're watching a long episode of UM but without Stack narrating. Really the only thing that's change in the past 20 something years after UM is that the technology to produce crime shows has changed. I'm 100% sure CM, with proper funding, could make new episodes and go over older cases featured.

There are a lot of stories out there and some old ones that have never been touched by any kind of paranormal or crime show. There are plenty of talented producers in the business who could capture or come close to capturing the formatted presentation of old UM episodes. That's part of the reason why I didn't like the Farina episodes. I mean it can't be that hard for UM to find an old creepy building and let someone report on strange anomalies in crimes, disappearances, and a bunch of other weird stuff. Sure the show was in a different era but honestly for me, aside from technology being different, the world still pretty much looks the same.

I'd just be happy for Stack syndication :/ Probably a dumb question, are the boxed sets through CM?

I'd just be happy for Stack syndication :/ Probably a dumb question, are the boxed sets through CM?

They were issued by First Look Studios.

Has anybody ever tried to contact CM via the internet? I just did a search, and they do have LinkedIns (or, at least John does--couldn't find much on Terry-Dunn Meurer). I wonder if they are even still working together, and if not, that may be why there is this a seeming lack of enthusiasm from them about UM.

I also found this information, but I have no idea if it is accurate in terms of the contact info. http://start.cortera.com/company/research/k3m7nzs2s/cosgrovemeurer-productions-i/

Has anybody ever tried to contact CM via the internet? I just did a search, and they do have LinkedIns (or, at least John does--couldn't find much on Terry-Dunn Meurer). I wonder if they are even still working together, and if not, that may be why there is this a seeming lack of enthusiasm from them about UM.

I also found this information, but I have no idea if it is accurate in terms of the contact info. http://start.cortera.com/company/research/k3m7nzs2s/cosgrovemeurer-productions-i/

I have seen that address listed elsewhere, so it has to be legitimate. I suggest writing to that address, as it may be your best bet in having any contact with them.

I'd just be happy for Stack syndication

Since I don't have TV and wouldn't even be able to see new episodes if they ever decided to relaunch UM, I'd definitely be happy with a (complete as possible) DVD collection of the Stack version.

One of the things about all this that is weird to me is how the show isn't available in any kind of proper format on DVD. Not released by season, not all episodes available, etc.

UM was a very popular, unique, and classic TV show and still has a big cult following. I expect it to be available like other shows that are considered to be classics of their era like I Love Lucy or Seinfeld. Imagine if the DVD sets of those programs were missing episodes or were released in strange groupings rather than by season, "Seinfeld: All Elaine's Dates". Doesn't make sense for those shows and doesn't make sense for UM.

My triumphant return after a very long absence!

Just thought I would chime in here. I managed to contact John Cosgrove a few months ago (in an unrelated matter). But I did mention the idea of a Kickstarter campaign to bring UM back. While he was very nice and even prompt in getting back to me (I contacted him through personal email), he thanked me or the kind words on the series and went immediately into conversing about the other matter I had written him about. It was an obvious sidestep of the question which gave me the impression that he didnt want to talk about it for whatever reason, or that possibly something was in the works already. Nothing was implied, those were just the impressions I was left with.

Hopefully my guess is right and maybe something is in the works.

I've sent an email to mylifetime.com about any Unsolved Mysteries episodes available for purchase from their library (featuring Robert Stack).

Wonder if I'll get a response.

They will probably only answer if ou mention something about rape or all men being evil :-)

Here is the "Conversations with Cosgrove Meurer Productions" thread:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=315662

CM are probably pleased with the current state of UM - it's been coming on cable every weekday for a few years (in its current iteration), it can't really be more successful than that.

I got a response quite quickly:

Dear Sean ,

Greetings Sean,

Thank you for contacting us. Any episodes that are available to sale will be in the Lifetime Shop.

Lifetime offers the Lifetime Shop for DVDs, fan gear, and more. We also offer most of our popular movies and series on Apple's iTunes store (iTunes required). We're adding movies and shows all the time, so check back often.

Thank you for your interest in Lifetime.

Regards,

Viewer Relations
Lifetime Television
www.mylifetime.com

Ticket Information:
Ticket #: 15099-279390
Date Created: 7/02/2014 09:39 AM EDT


As I expected I got a stock reply. Couldn't find anything related to UM on their website apart from some info about the show.

Nice cut and paste reply. I think us fans ought to get together and make new episodes. I have some film equipment that I use for local film fests. Anyone want to research, write and act?

I am only half joking btw...

When I have more time and aren't as busy I'd consider being a part of something like that.

this is random: Bill Kurtis's sister is running for Secretary of State in Kansas.

How about Peter Thomas? (Forensic Files) I'd go with him or Bill Curtis as hosts if they ever reboot the series they are the closet ones to RS at least to me.

Peter Thomas is 90 years old. That is the problem with alot of these suggestions - too old hosts who may not last another 10-15 years. Other than Thomas, Curtis is in his early 70s, how much longer is he going to be working? He has just about vanished from A&E.

All 4 of the UM hosts have had one thing in common - they were trying to invoke a 'hard boiled detective' look. Malden, Stack, Farrina, and to a lesser extent Burr all played those kinds of characters throughout their careers. A new, younger host (under 60 years) would also have to invoke that 'look' for him to fit.

My own personal opinion is that unless a future UM makes a complete break with the old series (segment wise), it will be doomed to be another re-edit series. If a true reboot doesn't happen within another 10 years, that's it. I think it will be the end of UM for good.

By complete break, I mean dropping of the old format of small segments and America's Most Wanted style 'alerts'/updates. The way the old episodes are packages made things like DVD releases tough - they were presented almost as news segments, and that is probably what DVD making companies see them as. Who wants to watch old news? (rhetorically speaking, since I obviously like UM).

A new UM might work best as an Investigative Discovery type of program - fewer segments (2 in a one hour show?), but this format would allow them to be sold on DVD in season box sets instead of in a best of piecemeal chunk fashion.

What about George Clooney as a host? He has a good voice and if he played it hard boiled I could see it working.

Peter Thomas is 90 years old. That is the problem with alot of these suggestions - too old hosts who may not last another 10-15 years. Other than Thomas, Curtis is in his early 70s, how much longer is he going to be working? He has just about vanished from A&E.

All 4 of the UM hosts have had one thing in common - they were trying to invoke a 'hard boiled detective' look. Malden, Stack, Farrina, and to a lesser extent Burr all played those kinds of characters throughout their careers. A new, younger host (under 60 years) would also have to invoke that 'look' for him to fit.

My own personal opinion is that unless a future UM makes a complete break with the old series (segment wise), it will be doomed to be another re-edit series. If a true reboot doesn't happen within another 10 years, that's it. I think it will be the end of UM for good.

By complete break, I mean dropping of the old format of small segments and America's Most Wanted style 'alerts'/updates. The way the old episodes are packages made things like DVD releases tough - they were presented almost as news segments, and that is probably what DVD making companies see them as. Who wants to watch old news? (rhetorically speaking, since I obviously like UM).

A new UM might work best as an Investigative Discovery type of program - fewer segments (2 in a one hour show?), but this format would allow them to be sold on DVD in season box sets instead of in a best of piecemeal chunk fashion.

I don't agree with most of that. For starters, the only reason Bill Kurtis is gone from A & E is because it went into the crapper. Had nothing to do with his talent, or ratings or anything like that. He could always turn up on another network, just like John Walsh, who is returning to hosting this Sunday, and it will probably be a lot like AMW, with several cases profiled. It's on CNN. Walsh is a few years younger than Kurtis.

The fact that UM had several segments per episode had nothing to do with why they weren't sold in season sets. There have been several threads about the "never aired on Lifetime" segments, and it was for similar reasons that UM never released season sets, some people just flat out didn't want cases they were profiled in to air again.

Not sure where you're getting the news segment angle from.

I think one thing UM always had going for it was the dramatic flair that Robert Stack brought to it. Same with Karl and Raymond in the specials.

While Bill Curtis has an awesome voice and is great at hosting, I think he lacks the edge that Robert Stack brought to UM.

Farina may not have been bad as a host except rather than hard boiled, he went for the laid back, easy going, high school English teacher that everyone likes attitude for the role. Unfortunately, that was just terrible for UM.

I say an actor with the right persona is the best choice for a host.

For a younger host, I say George Clooney or Gary Sinise. For an older host, William Shatner or possibly Leonard Nimoy (star trek aside, both ave been hosts of similar series in the past). Or Powers Booth.

Peter Thomas is 90 years old. That is the problem with alot of these suggestions - too old hosts who may not last another 10-15 years. Other than Thomas, Curtis is in his early 70s, how much longer is he going to be working? He has just about vanished from A&E.

Hopefully, none of that will be miscontrued as ageism, but you have a point. The way I see it, as a television personality (in particular) gets older, they apparently become less willing or likely to make a long-term commitment to any given TV show.

Their health situation would be a likely factor. In fact, early this year, the aforementioned Leonard Nimoy publicly announced that he has been diagnosed with a lung disease called chronic constructive pulmonary disease. By his own admission, the ailment has been slowing him down lately. For that reason, his current health condition will likely prevent him from committing to long-term projects, although he may still do short-term projects if or when he is able to.


A new UM might work best as an Investigative Discovery type of program - fewer segments (2 in a one hour show?), but this format would allow them to be sold on DVD in season box sets instead of in a best of piecemeal chunk fashion.

Sorry, but you are probably in the minority on that one. Why remake UM as an ID-style show when viewers can tune in to the ID channel and get plenty of the real deal? UM worked well enough the way it did during its original primetime run: Typically presenting four stories per one-hour episode (three, when there is a double-length segment). With all due respect, reducing the show to two stories per one-hour episode would be counterproductive, mainly because it would lead producers to accept fewer stories for broadcast - and create more frustration for people trying to get their stories on the air.

Anyone ever thought about a female host?

Anyone ever thought about a female host?

Could work. Would have to be right for it though. Good voice and able to come off as both sympathetic and hard boiled, often at the same time.

Not to keep bringing up Star Trek alumni (so many of them just have great voices though) but what about Kate Mulgrew?

I just spontaneously combusted when i read this thread! I've been absent for quite some time now....is there talks or merely fan speculation that UM is getting rebooted? ????!!!!!

I just spontaneously combusted when i read this thread! I've been absent for quite some time now....is there talks or merely fan speculation that UM is getting rebooted? ????!!!!!

Don't get excited. Just daydreaming. Discussing what each of us thinks could work, what we'd like to see, possible hosts, etc.

I figured. Oh poo

Its kinda the same as say for example considering redoing Dallas , great idea on paper but it wouldnt quite work because a great show not only needs great stars and actors but it also needs to come at the right moment in time and capture the era and its audience or it will sink......

Considering the new Dallas is in Season 3, I'd say that the idea works just fine. ;)

That said, Dallas is a totally different show from UM. I think UM can be successfully redone. It's just a matter of CM doing it properly, and with care. The Farina era was a failure because they just slapped on some new graphics, cut up existing segments to make it go faster, and had Dennis read Stack's scripts. It's a shame because under better circumstances, Dennis Farina would've been a decent host.

What we need are new cases, a spooky-voiced host, and a return to the original style. It would also need updated modern graphics to entice new viewer. They should look similar to the original though..dark colors, maybe some dog effects. Finally, they need to develop a new theme tune that sort of echos the original. Not quite the same, but close enough that you KNOW you're watching UM.

Yeah I would like to see new cases and maybe updates or repeats of old cases still unsolved that are relevant or have had recent breaks. Either way it would be nice to see UM return to their roots of The dark eerie feel.