How was UM on Spike TV? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

synthisislab · 12-01-2008, 12:46 PM

I've been busy lately and haven't been on here in a while and don't get cable, so I was wondering how Spike TV handled this show and did they solve any of the cases featured and/or feature any new cases? Also, did anyone tape them and put them on disc for people that missed them? Any comments on this would be great. Thanks.

robbieasbury · 12-01-2008, 05:52 PM

Are there any reports on how well the show did in the ratings?

DP1 · 12-02-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synthisislab

I've been busy lately and haven't been on here in a while and don't get cable, so I was wondering how Spike TV handled this show and did they solve any of the cases featured and/or feature any new cases? Also, did anyone tape them and put them on disc for people that missed them? Any comments on this would be great. Thanks.

I'm very curious about this myself. These cases are now pretty old and cold. Is there any chance there have been any leads generated from them?

Kane · 12-02-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DP1

I'm very curious about this myself. These cases are now pretty old and cold. Is there any chance there have been any leads generated from them?

None that have been reported (so far). But that's not impossible. Lifetime reruns of the show led to tips that eventually panned out. No matter how many viewers tune in to UM, it merely takes the right person to be watching, one who has the right information to produce results.

Todd Mueller · 12-03-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

No matter how many viewers tune in to UM, it merely takes the right person to be watching, one who has the right information to produce results.

Perhaps that person is watching tonight. Perhaps it's you!

(I always loved that one...

)

DP1 · 12-03-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

Perhaps that person is watching tonight. Perhaps it's you!

(I always loved that one...

)

Nah, nah...you have to do it the write way.

"Perhaps that person is watching tonight. Perhaps...it's you."

Got to have a few seconds of empty space after "perhaps" to make it sound like Stack.

smashv2 · 12-03-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DP1

Nah, nah...you have to do it the write way.

"Perhaps that person is watching tonight. Perhaps...it's you."

Got to have a few seconds of empty space after "perhaps" to make it sound like Stack.

They should replace farina with CGI-Stack with a voice generator created from clips of all the words he ever used on the show.

DP1 · 12-04-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashv2

They should replace farina with CGI-Stack with a voice generator created from clips of all the words he ever used on the show.

Kind of like that scene from Live Free or Die Hard where the terrorists use old presidential speeches to send a message.

UM Zealot · 12-04-2008, 03:38 PM

I was always slightly bothered by the grammatical redundancy in Stack's introduction: "Perhaps you might be able to help solve a mystery".

Todd Mueller · 12-04-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UM Zealot

I was always slightly bothered by the grammatical redundancy in Stack's introduction: "Perhaps you might be able to help solve a mystery".

Stack said in an interview once that the "Perhaps..." line at the end of the show was actually the revised version.

The original line was: "Let me reitterate, again, one more time, that there is a chance, perhaps, just maybe, you might possibly in some way, be able to help solve a mystery." He said for some reason it just didn't sound right.

synthisislab · 12-04-2008, 08:02 PM

So I read through some of these Spike TV threads and I've heard many complaints about how they rush through it and try to make it more action packed instead of a documentary style. This is what I was saying months ago when I heard about Spike TV picking the show up. Anyways, I also heard that they go from this space station-like "telecenter" (but they don't even have a phone # to call) in wide screen, then crop the screen when showing the re-enactments (because UM, like all TV shows before The Sopranos was presented in full screen). That sounds pretty amateurish. Also they omitted dates (I guess new people watching won't realize that most of these re-enactments obviously look circa late 80s to early 90s and on older film stock/not video

) and Dennis Farina acts like these cases happened recently. Maybe they don't want to reveal too much information

. Speaking of info, I also heard that there is more info in these cases now that they show on the new UM. Is that true? That is really the only compliment I've heard with regards to the new UM. Well that and the maps and 3D pictures.

I don't know, I think I'll just stick to the old UM from the DVD sets and the discs I found here because it seems like they yanked this new one after putting together an inferior production. Gee, did they really think this show would work with how they did it by putting together a shoddy product, putting it on a subpar station, not promoting it much, then pulling it already in an abrupt manner without any explanation? I think Cosgrove/Meurer dropped the ball on this seriously. Most of the old fans don't seem to like this new version show (even close to as much as the original) and I can't really see many people new to the show watching and getting hooked like us old fans got hooked on the original. I'm also sort of miffed that C/M got peoples' ytube accounts suspended for posting old UM segments. Weak. How are these cases going to be solved at all when you take info away from the public by pulling the vids and omitting dates from the show that you do present to people? Also, they should do more focusing on the unsolved cases instead of the solved ones to get that info out there.

I really think what they should have done is brought the show to a major primetime network. Maybe re-hash it on NBC again. Hell, they brought back Knight Rider for pete sakes. But this time, they should have presented new cases. I think that would have been an excellent idea and it could have been put on Thursday night and draw a huge audience. But no, that would have required planning, work, and more money to risk. Maybe they should do that when ER is over and put it in the 10pm Thurs. time slot. Damn, this show could be great. Make it an alternative to AMW. Make it less flashy and less over-sensationalized and return the show to it's documentary roots. But no, everything on TV seems to be devoid of any creativity anymore and goes for the cheap thrills. Maybe I'm just living in the past.

I mean this franchise is a possible huge cash cow and could help out many people if it were taken more seriously. If they actually did it right, then they could have put out more DVD sets of the old ones, with commentary on all the episodes telling us more about the people featured in the cases and updates. But no, we just have to watch them off the UM Volumes. Which is fine by me, I like seeing them with that old film look to them and hearing Robert Stack narrate. Okay, well I'm done ranting now.

Did anyone cut these new UM episodes to disc yet? I'd be interested in seeing some of them at least. PM me.

mlarsen57 · 12-05-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm willing to watch UM on Spike again (if Spike ever gets off its CSI obsession), but the Robert Stack episodes were far better. And I really don't have anything against Dennis Farina. The new UM just doesn't have that crime-drama feel to it (especially the rock music played during reenactments).

unsolvedmysteriesfan · 12-05-2008, 06:44 AM

They fixed the screen issue and stopped showing it in small screen after all of the complaints on this board.

12-01-2008, 12:46 PM	#1
synthisislab Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 552	How was UM on Spike TV? I've been busy lately and haven't been on here in a while and don't get cable, so I was wondering how Spike TV handled this show and did they solve any of the cases featured and/or feature any new cases? Also, did anyone tape them and put them on disc for people that missed them? Any comments on this would be great. Thanks.

12-01-2008, 05:52 PM	#2
robbieasbury Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2005 Posts: 200	Are there any reports on how well the show did in the ratings?

12-04-2008, 03:38 PM	#9
UM Zealot Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 24, 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 55	I was always slightly bothered by the grammatical redundancy in Stack's introduction: "Perhaps you might be able to help solve a mystery".

12-04-2008, 08:02 PM	#11
synthisislab Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 552	So I read through some of these Spike TV threads and I've heard many complaints about how they rush through it and try to make it more action packed instead of a documentary style. This is what I was saying months ago when I heard about Spike TV picking the show up. Anyways, I also heard that they go from this space station-like "telecenter" (but they don't even have a phone # to call) in wide screen, then crop the screen when showing the re-enactments (because UM, like all TV shows before The Sopranos was presented in full screen). That sounds pretty amateurish. Also they omitted dates (I guess new people watching won't realize that most of these re-enactments obviously look circa late 80s to early 90s and on older film stock/not video ) and Dennis Farina acts like these cases happened recently. Maybe they don't want to reveal too much information . Speaking of info, I also heard that there is more info in these cases now that they show on the new UM. Is that true? That is really the only compliment I've heard with regards to the new UM. Well that and the maps and 3D pictures. I don't know, I think I'll just stick to the old UM from the DVD sets and the discs I found here because it seems like they yanked this new one after putting together an inferior production. Gee, did they really think this show would work with how they did it by putting together a shoddy product, putting it on a subpar station, not promoting it much, then pulling it already in an abrupt manner without any explanation? I think Cosgrove/Meurer dropped the ball on this seriously. Most of the old fans don't seem to like this new version show (even close to as much as the original) and I can't really see many people new to the show watching and getting hooked like us old fans got hooked on the original. I'm also sort of miffed that C/M got peoples' ytube accounts suspended for posting old UM segments. Weak. How are these cases going to be solved at all when you take info away from the public by pulling the vids and omitting dates from the show that you do present to people? Also, they should do more focusing on the unsolved cases instead of the solved ones to get that info out there. I really think what they should have done is brought the show to a major primetime network. Maybe re-hash it on NBC again. Hell, they brought back Knight Rider for pete sakes. But this time, they should have presented new cases. I think that would have been an excellent idea and it could have been put on Thursday night and draw a huge audience. But no, that would have required planning, work, and more money to risk. Maybe they should do that when ER is over and put it in the 10pm Thurs. time slot. Damn, this show could be great. Make it an alternative to AMW. Make it less flashy and less over-sensationalized and return the show to it's documentary roots. But no, everything on TV seems to be devoid of any creativity anymore and goes for the cheap thrills. Maybe I'm just living in the past. I mean this franchise is a possible huge cash cow and could help out many people if it were taken more seriously. If they actually did it right, then they could have put out more DVD sets of the old ones, with commentary on all the episodes telling us more about the people featured in the cases and updates. But no, we just have to watch them off the UM Volumes. Which is fine by me, I like seeing them with that old film look to them and hearing Robert Stack narrate. Okay, well I'm done ranting now. Did anyone cut these new UM episodes to disc yet? I'd be interested in seeing some of them at least. PM me.

12-05-2008, 06:28 AM	#12
mlarsen57 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 15, 2008 Location: Denver, CO- The Biggest Hick Town In The World Posts: 24	I'm willing to watch UM on Spike again (if Spike ever gets off its CSI obsession), but the Robert Stack episodes were far better. And I really don't have anything against Dennis Farina. The new UM just doesn't have that crime-drama feel to it (especially the rock music played during reenactments).

12-05-2008, 06:44 AM	#13
unsolvedmysteriesfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 25, 2007 Posts: 218	They fixed the screen issue and stopped showing it in small screen after all of the complaints on this board.