You know it is truly a shame when shows like UM and AMW are forced off the air.
I guess it is that people just do not watch them enough or the networks are more concerned with making money
If people were more involved with these type shows, it would do a lot of good potentially.
Not everyone has cable/satellite, so one of the BIG networks ought to produce such a show.
Catching criminals is not supposed to be about making money, which is what the majority of programming is geared for, but it is an awesome public service.
It would not hurt either if the music was similar to UM or if they got a person like Jonathan Frakes to host it!

I think shows like UM suffer because of the era they were made in. Television has changed so much since the late 1990's/early 2000's to where everything is so fast paced & aimed people with no attention spans, Mainstream networks will not touch them with a bargepole.

I think shows like UM suffer because of the era they were made in. Television has changed so much since the late 1990's/early 2000's to where everything is so fast paced & aimed people with no attention spans, Mainstream networks will not touch them with a bargepole.

Sadly, now more than ever, television audiences include mental midgets who can't or won't think for themselves. Such viewers will watch whatever is being foisted upon them.

I agree with you on the "mainstream networks" remark. Too many networks are now being run by elitists, so the "mainstream" label is perfectly legitimate. It's also a reminder why I refuse to owe my allegiance to any particular television network, cable or non-cable.

Sadly, now more than ever, television audiences include mental midgets who can't or won't think for themselves. Such viewers will watch whatever is being foisted upon them.

I agree with you on the "mainstream networks" remark. Too many networks are now being run by elitists, so the "mainstream" label is perfectly legitimate. It's also a reminder why I refuse to owe my allegiance to any particular television network, cable or non-cable.

Yep & also they know these crap shows do great ratings in the age group the advertisers market at. Things like UM will likely be looked at like Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder etc as the audience being too old to be interested in their products or not have the disposable cash.

I agree with you, the man in black.

Trashy reality shows have unfortunately taken over television. Reality shows that are staged and scripted I might add.

Second, too many silly people out there don't want to watch tv that makes you think.

It's that simple.

I hate it. As a child you had intelligent documentaries that just old you a no frills story, now it has to have all manner of awful looking CGI stuff & a techno soundtrack with an over the top narrator to get on air.

Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World could never be made today-now you get celebrities running round supposed haunted houses screaming while the production crew rattle things in the dark to mimic a poltergeist.

UM was in most aspects a real reality show and didn't force the questionable segments down your throat as "real". It's sad that only 10 years ago the original show was alive and running on lifetime.

People don't want real anymore they want scripted garbage that no one truly cares about. I don't understand how any of these shows last more than a season. Hell if it wernt for cbs we may not have any more sitcoms.

i hate reality tv

I miss Court TV. Now it's Trutv with nothing but crap shows (except Impractical Jokers). How many different shows about towing can we possibly need? Those sh*t shows are all staged and just ridiculously dumb. I also miss how TLC would show forensic type shows, now I don't even know what they show on that network...or if it even still exists.

I'll take "boring" court/crime/forensic shows over the crap they show now.

What bothers me the most is these networks that own the rights to shows like Unsolved Mysteries won't let the episodes go on the internet, even if that means solving the crimes and bringing justice to the victims.

I would LOVE to have Unsolved Mysteries back on the air with new segments, I wish a network would take the risk. They are great shows that have a purpose!

It's kind of like telling the family and friends of victims "welp, the case hasn't been solved in _____ years, what makes you think it'll get solved now?"

I'd get if they didn't show cases already solved, but it's just not fair to those involved in the unsolved cases.

Not everything can and will get solved within a certain time limit. I mean look at John List, he was captured 18 years after the murders.

It's just not right. :mad:

I understand why they don't want people uploading their videos online but they could squash that by making their segments available online or through sales. Oh well weve been down this road one too many times.

I forgot to mention on regular tv now they have the justice channel...have yall heard of this? It's a digital channel but is not cable/satellite. John Walsh profiles wanted criminals and they show court TV type shows. Too bad they can't get UM too. I've noticed UM on lifetime pretty much has the early morning weekday slot on lock. Not on holidays though. Man Lifetime has had that show in just about every time slot known to man. Amazinglynthey don't want to let go. Maybe if they did could we see new production?

It's a niche fan base. Alot of people aren't as intrigued with the eerie, and mysterious series of events that transpire on a show like UM. Most people find it repetitive and boring, unfortunately.

I think shows like UM suffer because of the era they were made in. Television has changed so much since the late 1990's/early 2000's to where everything is so fast paced & aimed people with no attention spans, Mainstream networks will not touch them with a bargepole.It doesn't help that many networks and companies of the past are now owned by much larger conglomerates (Viacom, Disney, etc.) . Creativity takes a backseat to conformity.

We're just given the illusion of choice when it comes to networks these days - they're all probably owned by three or four companies.

I don't understand why everyone is so surprised that networks are out to make money. They are a business, and that is their goal. Even true-crime, "help catch the criminal" shows have to turn a profit to exist.

I AM surprised/bothered by their refusal to make the episodes available online. Seems that it would be fairly inexpensive, and they could make money by putting advertising up during them. I mean, just sitting on them as they are now, they aren't making anything at all.

I don't think that anybody is surprised-just saddened. It is like supposed learning channels barely showing any science based shows & instead showing stuff about tow truckers & duck hunters etc.

I don't understand why everyone is so surprised that networks are out to make money. They are a business, and that is their goal. Even true-crime, "help catch the criminal" shows have to turn a profit to exist.

I AM surprised/bothered by their refusal to make the episodes available online. Seems that it would be fairly inexpensive, and they could make money by putting advertising up during them. I mean, just sitting on them as they are now, they aren't making anything at all.
I agree profit is the goal I don't think that's the argument. I think people making decisions soley to turn profit eventually bites them. I guess it's a fine line that they must walk. if I recall UM was a unique show at the time that it debuted. It seems like the best shows out there are the original ones that have their own identity then people that are in to make a quick buck copy them. Yea it's all about profit but making it big requires being original and involves taking risks and going places you've never been before. Even these dumb reality shows succeed because sometimes it's just random crap that people have never seen before then within 6 months there are other copy cat shows that suck even worse.

If anything the stigma with UM is that it is dated. But as we've mentioned the cases are always there and new segments if done right would still garner an audience. Would it be on prime time major network slot probably not.

I agree profit is the goal I don't think that's the argument. I think people making decisions soley to turn profit eventually bites them. I guess it's a fine line that they must walk. if I recall UM was a unique show at the time that it debuted. It seems like the best shows out there are the original ones that have their own identity then people that are in to make a quick buck copy them. Yea it's all about profit but making it big requires being original and involves taking risks and going places you've never been before. Even these dumb reality shows succeed because sometimes it's just random crap that people have never seen before then within 6 months there are other copy cat shows that suck even worse.

If anything the stigma with UM is that it is dated. But as we've mentioned the cases are always there and new segments if done right would still garner an audience. Would it be on prime time major network slot probably not.

Considering how many cases UM help solve, you would think a somewhat of a prime time slot would not be out of the question. So weird how more people are not hot about this show like they were 25-years ago. This is real life stuff, people should be very interested in this. But they'd rather watch 'reality' TV...

Crazy...

Investigation Discovery could always take it over. As long as they make it more like The Murder Book, A Crime To Remember, or Disappeared and not Scorned: Love Kills. It would probably do well there, and they do need a show again where they feature unsolved cases.

Investigation Discovery could always take it over. As long as they make it more like The Murder Book, A Crime To Remember, or Disappeared and not Scorned: Love Kills.

What do you mean by that? Would you please elaborate?

As long as the show is presented seriously and not along the lines of the rather cheeky "Love Kills" it should do well I think.
Unsolved Mysteries in its original form is TRUE reality TV, minus the UFO stories and such.

Man Lifetime has had that show in just about every time slot known to man. Amazinglynthey don't want to let go. Maybe if they did could we see new production?

This already happened. Lifetime contract ended in 2008. HBO teamed with Cosgrove-Muerer to make the Farina episodes ("new production") and sold them to Spike. After the run of new episodes finished, Lifetime started showing them as reruns.

I AM surprised/bothered by their refusal to make the episodes available online. Seems that it would be fairly inexpensive, and they could make money by putting advertising up during them. I mean, just sitting on them as they are now, they aren't making anything at all.

For one thing I think the Farina episodes were intended to replace the Stack ones (they use the same cases) and they should be making a lot of money off of those since it comes on twice every morning.

For another, I think it has been hinted at on this forum that due to contract renegotiations with an actors union a few years ago, the actors would be have to be paid if they were available online which may make it cost prohibitive. Don't know if this is true or not but could be a possibility.

I would love to see a show like the original UM in prime time again like all of you, but I think it is an artifact of a different time.

It is amazing to me that they were able to solve so many crimes - and I think a lot of that was due to the fact that back then most people would watch the major networks during prime time (even if they had cable). You don't have that kind of massive viewership for one channel at one time anymore, so the "interactivity" of the show couldn't be a big factor anymore.

Another thing that I'm not sure could work is the reenactments, which are obviously a huge part of what makes the show great. As far as I can recall, all the modern crime shows that are worth watching don't have extended reenactment scenes with dialogue between the actors. They just show little scenes with narration. I don't know if a 2015 reenactment would be as convincing, or as gripping, as they were then. For one thing production values are different so they wouldn't look/feel the same.

I hope this isn't too "off topic," but I think a syndicated radio program about missing persons would serve a real purpose. I used to work in radio and I know how hard it is for stations (especially those in small markets) to meet their weekly FCC public affairs requirements. A weekly 60 minute show profiling cases from around the country would be a good addition to their programming and could be aired at any time during their broadcast day. Of course you would need to establish a website that would include pictures and additional info, plus a toll free number for listeners to call in with tips. Each segment could include interviews with the missing person's family and friends, local law enforcement and reporters who originally covered the story. Much like what UM does. If done well it could be compelling and hopefully could solve some cases. I have talked to several people about the idea (radio friends, the local state police and state broadcasters association). Most of them think the idea has merit, but no one has any advice on funding. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts. I can post my personal email if that's permitted.

I would love to see a show like the original UM in prime time again like all of you, but I think it is an artifact of a different time.

I'm sure that's an excuse that network executives would give for not bringing UM back. Basically, they would dismiss such a program as "outdated" and "uncool". The attitude would be no different than the mentality of all the snobs who, in the early '90s, tried to convince us that heavy metal was dead. But I speculate that bringing UM back to prime time would probably require an admission of error by a network executive. In other words, if NBC were to bring back UM, they would probably have to concede that it was a mistake to cancel it in the first place. In any event, UM returning to a network that ditched it would be like remarrying your ex. Or to put it another way, it would be like (quoting Dave Mustaine) putting a rotten tooth back in your mouth.

I might be in the minority, but if UM were to return to television as a first-run series, I would prefer first-run syndication as an alternative outlet.

Investigation Discovery could always take it over. As long as they make it more like The Murder Book, A Crime To Remember, or Disappeared and not Scorned: Love Kills. It would probably do well there, and they do need a show again where they feature unsolved cases.

Yes.

I miss ID, I got rid of cable because this was the ONLY channel I watched. 1 channel isn't worth $100 a month.

This already happened. Lifetime contract ended in 2008. HBO teamed with Cosgrove-Muerer to make the Farina episodes ("new production") and sold them to Spike. After the run of new episodes finished, Lifetime started showing them as reruns.
Yeah technically that was new production but that is not what I meant.

I'm sure that's an excuse that network executives would give for not bringing UM back. Basically, they would dismiss such a program as "outdated" and "uncool". The attitude would be no different than the mentality of all the snobs who, in the early '90s, tried to convince us that heavy metal was dead. But I speculate that bringing UM back to prime time would probably require an admission of error by a network executive. In other words, if NBC were to bring back UM, they would probably have to concede that it was a mistake to cancel it in the first place. In any event, UM returning to a network that ditched it would be like remarrying your ex. Or to put it another way, it would be like (quoting Dave Mustaine) putting a rotten tooth back in your mouth.

I might be in the minority, but if UM were to return to television as a first-run series, I would prefer first-run syndication as an alternative outlet.i agree with this. I think it could work on any network. The mistake that they made with the farina episodes is they tried to sell us a pair of old boots with some new shine and the wax melted off right away. You have to do brand new segments that are up to date with today's technology. Then we will know once and for all if the idea behind such a show has truly run its course.

I'm not as sentimental about 90s TV as some of you guys are. It wasn't some kind of Golden Age, it was mostly just a steaming hot pile of stinky sitcoms that were about as dumb as the reality shows of today.

Stuff like UM, The X-Files, Seinfeld... those were the exceptions that still stand out today.

At least there is a greater variety of shows to watch now than there were then.

I'm not as sentimental about 90s TV as some of you guys are. It wasn't some kind of Golden Age, it was mostly just a steaming hot pile of stinky sitcoms that were about as dumb as the reality shows of today.

Stuff like UM, The X-Files, Seinfeld... those were the exceptions that still stand out today.

At least there is a greater variety of shows to watch now than there were then. In the 90s TV changed a lot and formed a bridge to what it is today. for whatever reason generation x and y love reality TV that got very popular on mtv and other networks that all claim to have started the craze. I used to like reality shows like cops UM rescue 911 that seemed somewhat real. I miss the days when you could turn on mtv and see music at any hour. IMO we have more choices now but TV has progressively gotten worse as I've gotten older. And it's a shame because I'm too young to sound that old already.

What do you mean by that? Would you please elaborate?
I thought it was self-explanatory. UM could air on ID if they got the rights to it and followed the format of some of their other less over the top, sensational shows, more like a docudrama with interviews with family and police.

I thought it was self-explanatory. UM could air on ID if they got the rights to it and followed the format of some of their other less over the top, sensational shows, more like a docudrama with interviews with family and police.

It seemed self-explanatory, but I was under the impression that you were suggesting that UM emulate other true crime shows. You're not suggesting such a thing, are you? In any case, it can be a recipe for disaster. It would be like changing the flavor of a soft drink.

It's a major disappointment to me that both of these shows are off of television. The cancelation of AMW was inexcusable to me and the complaint that Fox was losing money on it was laughable. I'm not going to cry that the network that has the NFL and gets the Super Bowl every three years was losing money on one of their shows. That's why AMW was canceled.

It also annoyed me that when Fox did it's 25th anniversary show, they didn't mention AMW at all despite how important and groundbreaking it was to the network. Sorry, Fox, but AMW is still the most important show you ever aired.

I think shows like UM suffer because of the era they were made in.I agree....... Unsolved Mysteries basically blows now..... THE ORIGINAL WITH BOB STACK WAS AWESOME!!!!!!

I listen to the Generation Why podcast, which delves into subject very similar to UM. Only difference is it's not on TV with a big production team and video and all of that.

I'd like to see the old Robert Stack episodes put online in some capacity: either free on one of the streaming sites, or as part of a subscription service.

If they're going to remake the series (yet again) and put it on TV, I'd want the whole thing redone. Scrap every case that was solved, focus only on the ones that weren't solved and brand new ones. For the ones that weren't solved that were on the original show, re-shoot the segment; new script, new actors, update the facts of the case, everything. The worst part of the Farina episodes is that they were literally just the same episodes with Stack, just replacing the host and the host's background. Cheap way of trying to "update" the series.

It's a major disappointment to me that both of these shows are off of television. The cancelation of AMW was inexcusable to me and the complaint that Fox was losing money on it was laughable. I'm not going to cry that the network that has the NFL and gets the Super Bowl every three years was losing money on one of their shows. That's why AMW was canceled.

It also annoyed me that when Fox did it's 25th anniversary show, they didn't mention AMW at all despite how important and groundbreaking it was to the network. Sorry, Fox, but AMW is still the most important show you ever aired.

Not to mention that it's harder to milk a true crime show to death than a scripted series (sitcom, drama, cartoon, etc.). Also, of all the people who believe that UM and/or AMW have "run their course," I bet many of them are actually the same people who throw a tantrum when their favorite scripted series is canceled after umpteen years on the air.

If the show were done right, with new stories, it might work. I do think that it would even possibly have a chance even if it were done mostly via YouTube. Maybe it would catch on.
It is sad that people today do not seem interested in solving crime. Give me UM or AMW anyday over so-called "reality TV".

If the show were done right, with new stories, it might work. I do think that it would even possibly have a chance even if it were done mostly via YouTube. Maybe it would catch on.
It is sad that people today do not seem interested in solving crime. Give me UM or AMW anyday over so-called "reality TV".

Is anyone else here aware that UM in fact does have short new 'episodes' on Youtube only? I tried to talk about these cases a couple months ago but no one seemed to be aware of them.

Yes I had seen the new ones on YouTube. These are good.

If they're going to remake the series (yet again) and put it on TV, I'd want the whole thing redone. Scrap every case that was solved, focus only on the ones that weren't solved and brand new ones. For the ones that weren't solved that were on the original show, re-shoot the segment; new script, new actors, update the facts of the case, everything. The worst part of the Farina episodes is that they were literally just the same episodes with Stack, just replacing the host and the host's background. Cheap way of trying to "update" the series.

"Cheap" is the right word. And while I'm on the subject, from what I have seen, the reaction to the 2008 revival is similar to the reaction to the 2002 revival of In Seach Of. Just as the 2008 UM lacked the production values of the original '80s/'90s series, the 2002 ISO was devoid of the production values of its '70s/early '80s predecessor. As a result, both reboots looked painfully cheap. While the original ISO lasted six years, the 2002 reboot crashed and burned after only eight episodes.

I think shows like UM suffer because of the era they were made in. Television has changed so much since the late 1990's/early 2000's to where everything is so fast paced & aimed people with no attention spans, Mainstream networks will not touch them with a bargepole.


What is annoying is that UM reruns up to 5 times daily and they don't show updates. Once a week they play olllld ones from the '87-'90 era.

Though the old stalwarts are gone, the fact John Walsh has another show (The Hunt) proves there's at least some interest in the genre left. I for one wouldn't mind seeing him or some other show scoop up all the unsolved cases from UM and revisiting them.........

I would love to see a show like the original UM in prime time again like all of you, but I think it is an artifact of a different time.

It is amazing to me that they were able to solve so many crimes - and I think a lot of that was due to the fact that back then most people would watch the major networks during prime time (even if they had cable). You don't have that kind of massive viewership for one channel at one time anymore, so the "interactivity" of the show couldn't be a big factor anymore.

Another thing that I'm not sure could work is the reenactments, which are obviously a huge part of what makes the show great. As far as I can recall, all the modern crime shows that are worth watching don't have extended reenactment scenes with dialogue between the actors. They just show little scenes with narration. I don't know if a 2015 reenactment would be as convincing, or as gripping, as they were then. For one thing production values are different so they wouldn't look/feel the same.

This

Though the old stalwarts are gone, the fact John Walsh has another show (The Hunt) proves there's at least some interest in the genre left. I for one wouldn't mind seeing him or some other show scoop up all the unsolved cases from UM and revisiting them.........

Is that guy popular in the US? I saw some AMW'S & he came off as really obnoxious/egotistical with his let's get those stupid bad guys rhetoric & being way over the top. I could not see him doing UM any favours with his style. I know what happened has probably made him very famous over there & the public sympathetic towards him but he just comes across as very grating.

Is that guy popular in the US? I saw some AMW'S & he came off as really obnoxious/egotistical with his let's get those stupid bad guys rhetoric & being way over the top. I could not see him doing UM any favours with his style. I know what happened has probably made him very famous over there & the public sympathetic towards him but he just comes across as very grating.

I don't know if anyone would consider him popular (that new show of his is on CNN), but I'm inclined to agree with you - if he mellowed out a bit, then maybe he'd be a good fit to cover some of these older cases

I don't know if anyone would consider him popular (that new show of his is on CNN), but I'm inclined to agree with you - if he mellowed out a bit, then maybe he'd be a good fit to cover some of these older cases

America's Most Wanted featured many cases that were also featured on UM. In fact, both of Walsh's shows, AMW and The Hunt, profiled William Bradford Bishop, also profiled on UM. Maybe The Hunt will eventually take on more cases that had been covered by UM, but that remains to be seen. In any case, Walsh has a history of covering cases that were also presented on UM.

i hate reality tv

Agreed!

I agree that "reality" tv is trash. And if anyone believes it is real and not scripted they are very foolish. But than again people don't think anymore thes days. We really do have "walking dead" who just believe whatever bull they are presented with in the media. I wonder if a forbidden site channel presenting unsolved mysteries would work? I know we cannot use the name or any of the actual videos from the actual show but what if other info found on the internet was packaged into videos and presented. The stories could get out and maybe some updates too. Just an idea I have wondered about for awhile. What do you think?

I just can't get into Investigation Discovery channel shows. It's just not the same as UM or other shows back in the day. When it comes to the ID Channel, It's like watching a mini movie rather than a documentary. I dislike how documentaries in general today are watered down. It's like they forgot the whole point to documentaries. The purpose of one is to be informative but nowadays it's just like watching a movie. It's like they're trying to make it easier for us to understand but it ends up defeating the purpose of the show.

Hello my friend,good to see your first post :)