Can anyone help me with a school project about Unsolved Mysteries??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

sfbmetalwise · 04-28-2005, 05:10 AM

I was wondering if anyone here could help me out with a project I am doing for my Televsion History class. I have to re-create the 1988-1989 NBC Fall line-up usuing shows from any network and any year of the 1950's. One of the shows from the '88 line-up was obviously Unsolved Mysteries at 8:00 on Wednesday night.

I have to find a show from the '50's that is similar to Unsolved Mysteries. What I am looking for is not necessarily the same exact genre or type of show (although it definitely could be), but a show with a similar tone. It could be the subject of the show that is similar, the characters, shows that capture the same target audience, shows that contain similar cultural or politcal aspects of the time, or shows that addressed social issues of that time. It could be any of these criteria or simply just a similar type of show.

Some of the examples that my professor gave to me were:
"Gritty westerns are a lot like gritty crime shows. Yet Bonanza (a western) was really a family drama, more like The Waltons than Deadwood. Variety hours in one decade might easily pass for dramadies in another. Reality shows and sports shows may well capture the same target audience. Law and Order in the '90s isn't much different from the Playhouse 90 series of the 50s. Audiences might watch both for the very same reasons."

I already have some ideas but I am only 20 years old so I was just wondering if there were any older people out there that might have a better knowledge of shows from the 50s or the 80s than I would. I really appreciate any opinions or info you might have to offer. If you want feel free to email me any time at sfbmetal@yahoo.com . Thanks, Scott

Kane · 04-28-2005, 09:17 AM

During the 1955-56 season, CBS aired a show called "Wanted." It was a short-lived documentary that profiled wanted fugitives.

Also, there is a book called The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows. It features a list of TV shows, as well as a section that lists the past television schedules. I think that book would be of great help.

Good luck.

nohwheregirl · 04-28-2005, 11:54 PM

What about The Twilight Zone? According to IMDB, it ran from 1959-1964. Both shows have an eerie tone.

grinch · 05-02-2005, 03:54 PM

I would recommend "One Step Beyond".It was a half hour dramatazation of real life paranormal occurances.(similar to what Unsolved Mysteries did).The difference between The Twlight Zone and 'One Step Beyond' is The Twlight Zone is fiction ( and very well-written).One step Beyond is based on real-life documented cases.

04-28-2005, 05:10 AM	#1
sfbmetalwise Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 28, 2005 Posts: 6	Can anyone help me with a school project about Unsolved Mysteries??? I was wondering if anyone here could help me out with a project I am doing for my Televsion History class. I have to re-create the 1988-1989 NBC Fall line-up usuing shows from any network and any year of the 1950's. One of the shows from the '88 line-up was obviously Unsolved Mysteries at 8:00 on Wednesday night. I have to find a show from the '50's that is similar to Unsolved Mysteries. What I am looking for is not necessarily the same exact genre or type of show (although it definitely could be), but a show with a similar tone. It could be the subject of the show that is similar, the characters, shows that capture the same target audience, shows that contain similar cultural or politcal aspects of the time, or shows that addressed social issues of that time. It could be any of these criteria or simply just a similar type of show. Some of the examples that my professor gave to me were: "Gritty westerns are a lot like gritty crime shows. Yet Bonanza (a western) was really a family drama, more like The Waltons than Deadwood. Variety hours in one decade might easily pass for dramadies in another. Reality shows and sports shows may well capture the same target audience. Law and Order in the '90s isn't much different from the Playhouse 90 series of the 50s. Audiences might watch both for the very same reasons." I already have some ideas but I am only 20 years old so I was just wondering if there were any older people out there that might have a better knowledge of shows from the 50s or the 80s than I would. I really appreciate any opinions or info you might have to offer. If you want feel free to email me any time at sfbmetal@yahoo.com . Thanks, Scott

04-28-2005, 09:17 AM	#2
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	During the 1955-56 season, CBS aired a show called "Wanted." It was a short-lived documentary that profiled wanted fugitives. Also, there is a book called The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows. It features a list of TV shows, as well as a section that lists the past television schedules. I think that book would be of great help. Good luck.

04-28-2005, 11:54 PM	#3
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	What about The Twilight Zone? According to IMDB, it ran from 1959-1964. Both shows have an eerie tone.

05-02-2005, 03:54 PM	#4
grinch Grinch Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 25, 2005 Location: Claremont,NH Posts: 31	I would recommend "One Step Beyond".It was a half hour dramatazation of real life paranormal occurances.(similar to what Unsolved Mysteries did).The difference between The Twlight Zone and 'One Step Beyond' is The Twlight Zone is fiction ( and very well-written).One step Beyond is based on real-life documented cases.