It's a day late but January 20 was Unsolved Mysteries 35th Anniversary.

Wonder what led to the change to Karl Malden and then the man we love Robert Stack?

From what I've read Karl Malden demanded huge money

From what I've read Karl Malden demanded huge money
Where did you read that?

Where did you read that?


I don't have a link or anything...but I have also read that many times over that Malden wanted more money.

I've said it before...we all love Robert Stack -- but if they would have went with Raymond Burr or Karl Malden, I think we would have held them in just as high regard if they kept hosting. Now, I know Burr died in like 1993? but Malden ended up outliving Stack by about 7 years.

The Stack specials were aired fairly close to one another, so that makes me think that the original special episodes were using different hosts to see which one fit the best. Obviously, it was Stack.

Wow. That's great to see.

Raymond Burr was 70ish when the first special happened while Karl Malden was 75. I'd have to believe age might have played a part.

While Robert Stack wasn't MUCH younger than Raymond Burr.. He was about 2 years younger.

And as far as name value, he was the budget choice of the three, i'm sure. Burr and Malden would have certainly commanded more money than Stack. CERTAINLY Burr.

Are any of these accurate? I don't know, but certainly good possibilities.

Of course, how things play out.. Malden, the oldest, outlived both Burr and Stack.

Raymond Burr was 70ish when the first special happened while Karl Malden was 75. I'd have to believe age might have played a part.

While Robert Stack wasn't MUCH younger than Raymond Burr.. He was about 2 years younger.

And as far as name value, he was the budget choice of the three, i'm sure. Burr and Malden would have certainly commanded more money than Stack. CERTAINLY Burr.

Are any of these accurate? I don't know, but certainly good possibilities.

Of course, how things play out.. Malden, the oldest, outlived both Burr and Stack.
Burr was also probably too busy with the Perry Mason TV movies to come back for the second Special. I think he made almost 25 of them between 1985 and 1993.

The Stack specials were aired fairly close to one another, so that makes me think that the original special episodes were using different hosts to see which one fit the best. Obviously, it was Stack.

Stack was the best choice even though he probably wasn't the first choice. He was also very dedicated to the show which I always admired. I especially loved when he did the Elliott Ness episode he was so proud of that one you could tell.