Was UM more scary when you were a kid? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

justins5256 · 07-03-2005, 04:42 PM

Hi,

My girlfriend and I were having a debate about UM recently. I told her I thought the later years of the show sucked because they were filmed differently and therefore not as scary as earlier seasons, specifically '87-'93. Just so you know, I'm 23 years old, and I've watched UM since the beginning in '87. She said that those earlier seasons were probably scarier because I saw them when I was very young, and that as I grew, my fear of the show decreased. I couldn't disagree more. There was something about those first few seasons that made them scary, and it was not my age. Some of those early stories still disturb me. Not to the point of running into mom's room and hiding under the covers, but there are some stories that do leave me feeling uneasy after seeing them. I can't think of one story from the CBS/Lifetime years that has even come close to having this effect. Again, there was something about the way those early episodes were filmed and presented that made them scary.

Any thoughts?

Gizmo1 · 07-03-2005, 04:46 PM

I watch UM all the time, and many of the cases are disturbing. The ghosts and paranormal stories do not freak me out at all but the murders and deaths that are not solved do. Im 16, dont easily scare, but some of these stories on UM stay with you.

PrettyinPink55 · 07-03-2005, 06:06 PM

I observed the same thing.

See this post I made:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=140822

crystaldawn · 07-03-2005, 09:20 PM

Hey!

Good question. I think they're just as scary now but when you're a kid certain scenes just seem to stick in your mind. I think it also depends on the situation. I remember very vividly when I was young and watching the "Boys on the Tracks" episode with my parents. We were sitting in a completely dark living room and then the first scene you see is a completely dark screen with only the light of the train coming at you. Its no wonder it has stuck in my head all these years. Although I do think some of the new stories are interesting I can't think of any that have disturbed me like several of the old ones have.

U.M. Fanatic · 07-03-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Hey!

Good question. I think they're just as scary now but when you're a kid certain scenes just seem to stick in your mind. I think it also depends on the situation. I remember very vividly when I was young and watching the "Boys on the Tracks" episode with my parents. We were sitting in a completely dark living room and then the first scene you see is a completely dark screen with only the light of the train coming at you. Its no wonder it has stuck in my head all these years. Although I do think some of the new stories are interesting I can't think of any that have disturbed me like several of the old ones have.

Exactly, that's why my parents tried to keep me from watching Unsolved Mysteries too much. Of course, I'd watch it anyway.

dynoguy88 · 07-04-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U.M. Fanatic

Exactly, that's why my parents tried to keep me from watching Unsolved Mysteries too much. Of course, I'd watch it anyway.

That cracks me up because I can relate.

I don't know what my problem was when I was little. This show would scare the crap out of me yet I still continued to watch it every Wednesday night. There were times when I was too scared to sleep at night and I kept my parents up in the process. Mom told me to stop watching the show but I would end up going to another room and watching it anyway.

U.M. Fanatic · 07-04-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

That cracks me up because I can relate.

I don't know what my problem was when I was little. This show would scare the crap out of me yet I still continued to watch it every Wednesday night. There were times when I was too scared to sleep at night and I kept my parents up in the process. Mom told me to stop watching the show but I would end up going to another room and watching it anyway.

This hasnt stopped either. Now when my parents drop by they still ask me if I watch this show, because it still plays on my mind. They still chide me to watch it late at night, which I will not do. (I like a good nights sleep!)

compulsive dvd · 07-04-2005, 07:11 PM

I still get freaked out if I watch it before bed, even if the cases have updates. The older shows have a granier look to them since they were shot on film. That, along with the lower quality voice over, makes the older ones still seem scarier. The newer ones were too bright with a shot on video look. They could very well have used 35 or 16mm film and had better transfers, but the grain isn't there. Also, I prefer the old white titles to the newer chyrons for the names. I would imagine they had a lot larger budget during the old shows because it was on network tv and very popular.

Mijada · 07-04-2005, 08:03 PM

I was in high school when UM first came on and they scared me a lot back then. Especially the ghost stories and the one where the 2 woman from Rhode Island who were found beaten on the basement floor of their apartment house.

PrettyinPink55 · 07-05-2005, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

That cracks me up because I can relate.

I don't know what my problem was when I was little. This show would scare the crap out of me yet I still continued to watch it every Wednesday night. There were times when I was too scared to sleep at night and I kept my parents up in the process. Mom told me to stop watching the show but I would end up going to another room and watching it anyway.

Oh my gosh, that is so me!!!! LOL!! Soon my parents realized it was a lost cause, though.

I love getting the crap scared out of me!

Also, watching it at night is the scariest! Especially when they show composite sketches and photos of wanted criminals, etc!!!

And the update music!!!

Goofyman · 07-05-2005, 03:02 PM

Yeah, I am constantly freaked out by composites, age enhancements, and update music. Well, really, everything about that show is freaky. Especially when something brutal isn't solved. It's an uneasy feeling. I hate to be afraid, and that's what this show does to me. However, the atmosphere of the show is incredible. I'm compelled to watch the show whenever I can.

justins5256 · 07-05-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Hey!

Good question. I think they're just as scary now but when you're a kid certain scenes just seem to stick in your mind. I think it also depends on the situation. I remember very vividly when I was young and watching the "Boys on the Tracks" episode with my parents. We were sitting in a completely dark living room and then the first scene you see is a completely dark screen with only the light of the train coming at you. Its no wonder it has stuck in my head all these years. Although I do think some of the new stories are interesting I can't think of any that have disturbed me like several of the old ones have.

How are you, crystaldawn?

PrettyinPink55 · 07-05-2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofyman

However, the atmosphere of the show is incredible. I'm compelled to watch the show whenever I can.

Damn straight!

crystaldawn · 07-05-2005, 09:50 PM

Hey Justin. I'm doing fine, its nice to see you posting on here again. I'm also at Echoes and IMDB. You should join us there as well!

justins5256 · 07-07-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Hey Justin. I'm doing fine, its nice to see you posting on here again. I'm also at Echoes and IMDB. You should join us there as well!

I have a new job. I'll send you a link to the website in a PM.

07-03-2005, 04:42 PM	#1
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	Was UM more scary when you were a kid? Hi, My girlfriend and I were having a debate about UM recently. I told her I thought the later years of the show sucked because they were filmed differently and therefore not as scary as earlier seasons, specifically '87-'93. Just so you know, I'm 23 years old, and I've watched UM since the beginning in '87. She said that those earlier seasons were probably scarier because I saw them when I was very young, and that as I grew, my fear of the show decreased. I couldn't disagree more. There was something about those first few seasons that made them scary, and it was not my age. Some of those early stories still disturb me. Not to the point of running into mom's room and hiding under the covers, but there are some stories that do leave me feeling uneasy after seeing them. I can't think of one story from the CBS/Lifetime years that has even come close to having this effect. Again, there was something about the way those early episodes were filmed and presented that made them scary. Any thoughts?

07-03-2005, 04:46 PM	#2
Gizmo1 is in da house! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 12, 2005 Location: In A House Posts: 177	I watch UM all the time, and many of the cases are disturbing. The ghosts and paranormal stories do not freak me out at all but the murders and deaths that are not solved do. Im 16, dont easily scare, but some of these stories on UM stay with you.
	__________________ Gizmo1

07-03-2005, 06:06 PM	#3
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I observed the same thing. See this post I made: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=140822
	__________________ ♥♥♥

07-04-2005, 08:03 PM	#9
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I was in high school when UM first came on and they scared me a lot back then. Especially the ghost stories and the one where the 2 woman from Rhode Island who were found beaten on the basement floor of their apartment house.
	__________________ Proud mom to Spencer, Justine and Colleen

07-03-2005, 09:20 PM	#4
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Hey! Good question. I think they're just as scary now but when you're a kid certain scenes just seem to stick in your mind. I think it also depends on the situation. I remember very vividly when I was young and watching the "Boys on the Tracks" episode with my parents. We were sitting in a completely dark living room and then the first scene you see is a completely dark screen with only the light of the train coming at you. Its no wonder it has stuck in my head all these years. Although I do think some of the new stories are interesting I can't think of any that have disturbed me like several of the old ones have.

07-04-2005, 07:11 PM	#8
compulsive dvd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 27, 2005 Posts: 184	I still get freaked out if I watch it before bed, even if the cases have updates. The older shows have a granier look to them since they were shot on film. That, along with the lower quality voice over, makes the older ones still seem scarier. The newer ones were too bright with a shot on video look. They could very well have used 35 or 16mm film and had better transfers, but the grain isn't there. Also, I prefer the old white titles to the newer chyrons for the names. I would imagine they had a lot larger budget during the old shows because it was on network tv and very popular.

07-05-2005, 03:02 PM	#11
Goofyman Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2005 Posts: 136	Yeah, I am constantly freaked out by composites, age enhancements, and update music. Well, really, everything about that show is freaky. Especially when something brutal isn't solved. It's an uneasy feeling. I hate to be afraid, and that's what this show does to me. However, the atmosphere of the show is incredible. I'm compelled to watch the show whenever I can.

07-05-2005, 09:50 PM	#14
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Hey Justin. I'm doing fine, its nice to see you posting on here again. I'm also at Echoes and IMDB. You should join us there as well!