6th Year Anniversary of Robert Stack's Passing - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-14-2009, 07:53 PM

Link

Today we mark the passing of a man whose show you'd never want to make an appearance on. Actor Robert Stack, best known as the host of popular TV show "Unsolved Mysteries," died of heart failure in 2003 at the age of 84. Dennis Farina took over Stack's hosting duties when the show began a new run in 2008.

The concept behind "Unsolved Mysteries" is a simple one. Strange happenings that have stumped authorities are reenacted by professional actors in hopes that viewers might have information that will help solve these cases. Everything from unexplained deaths and alien abductions to murders and long-lost loves have been featured on the show.

According to the show's official Web site, more than half of the wanted fugitives profiled on the show have been brought to justice, many because of tips from viewers. For most of us, however, the show results in a tendency to sleep with the lights on and flee indoors every time we see flashing lights in the sky.

Stack was also an accomplished actor outside of the "Unsolved Mysteries" soundstage. He played Prohibition agent Eliot Ness in the 1959 TV series "The Untouchables" (a fictional account of the real Untouchables, a group of law enforcement agents who sought to enforce Prohibition and put Al Capone in the slammer) and Rex Kramer in the 1980 film "Airplane!", who helps pilot-with-a-drinking-problem Ted Striker to land the plane.

Since we opened with the thrills and chills of "Unsolved Mysteries," we would like to end with one of Rex Kramer's best quotes from "Airplane!" so that everyone can have a nice laugh and not be paranoid about alien abductions for the rest of the day:

(while asking Striker questions to see how much he knows about landing a plane): "Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. Sorry, Ted, that's a dumb question... skip that."

catlover79 · 05-14-2009, 07:56 PM

Wow...

I loved him as the host of UM, but REALLY loved his role as Captain Kramer in Airplane!! I still

when he beats up all the zealots in the airport.

Oldschooler81 · 05-14-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Wow...

I loved him as the host of UM, but REALLY loved his role as Captain Kramer in Airplane!! I still

when he beats up all the zealots in the airport.

Me too! He played the "humorous straight man" really well. I first saw that movie around the time I was just getting into UM (around 1993/94) and thought that was hilarious. Same with when he's driving with the younger guy to the airport (talking on a carphone) and is oblivious to hitting a guy on a bike and running the car offroad.

I can't believe it's been 6 years, he wasn't even that old (although he did live a long life) so that was especially sad for me. He seemed like a great guy and was pretty dedicated to UM.

RIP Mr. Stack.

catlover79 · 05-14-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldschooler81

Me too! He played the "humorous straight man" really well. I first saw that movie around the time I was just getting into UM (around 1993/94) and thought that was hilarious. Same with when he's driving with the younger guy to the airport (talking on a carphone) and is oblivious to hitting a guy on a bike and running the car offroad.

I can't believe it's been 6 years, he wasn't even that old (although he did live a long life) so that was especially sad for me. He seemed like a great guy and was pretty dedicated to UM.

RIP Mr. Stack.

Yes, he did seem like a real cool guy, onscreen and off. RS also did a bit on Jay Leno in the mid-90s, a spoof on his UM role. He wore the trench coat. The last thing he said was, "Our next mystery - finding a town that does not have a Starbucks or Gap store."

everybodylovesrs · 05-14-2009, 09:13 PM

We all miss and love you RS.

Scoobiedoo30 · 05-14-2009, 10:35 PM

Has it been 6 year's Robert you sure aremissed by everyone

Apostapler · 05-15-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

Has it been 6 year's Robert you sure aremissed by everyone

It feels like an eternity since he's been gone. I have a clip of his appearance in BASEketball where he spoofs UM...never fails to make me laugh.

Marcos19 · 05-15-2009, 05:02 AM

I agree with Apostapler. It seems so much longer than 6 years. We were all very fortunate to have witnessed the greatness and the presence RS brought to the table. Nobody did it better. RIP Robert Stack.

browneyes106 · 05-15-2009, 02:10 PM

I can't believe it's been six years. RIP Robert.

browneyes106 · 05-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostapler

It feels like an eternity since he's been gone. I have a clip of his appearance in BASEketball where he spoofs UM...never fails to make me laugh.

I loved that part of the movie.

Oldschooler81 · 05-16-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostapler

It feels like an eternity since he's been gone. I have a clip of his appearance in BASEketball where he spoofs UM...never fails to make me laugh.

Oh yeah I was just thinking of Baseketball too.

Catlover- I totally agree that even though Stack was serious about his job he had a great self depricating sense of humor. I wish I'd seen that Leno appearance. Does anyone remember the Pepsi Club commercial around '97?

catlover79 · 05-16-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldschooler81

Oh yeah I was just thinking of Baseketball too.

Catlover- I totally agree that even though Stack was serious about his job he had a great self depricating sense of humor. I wish I'd seen that Leno appearance. Does anyone remember the Pepsi Club commercial around '97?

No, I don't, sadly. The Leno appearance aired in '96 or '97, if I'm not mistaken. He did have that great deadpan humor.

MissFit29 · 05-16-2009, 10:02 AM

Oh, I remember that Pepsi commercial.

I always liked how Stack could change his delivery to suit the stories. In the murder stories he was always very stern, almost menacing, and had a take-no-crap attitude. He made you feel for the victims and WANT to help them find justice. But he could also soften it up for the lost loves stories, and he'd make you wonder if those UFO or ghost stories could really be true.

Stack gave this show life. Now....I don't know what it is.

Zoneboy · 05-16-2009, 11:04 AM

Pepsi Club

I wasn't sure if the rules regarding youtube also applied to this commercial.

TracyLynnS · 05-16-2009, 11:31 AM

Oh man! That commercial is awesome!

05-14-2009, 07:53 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,454	6th Year Anniversary of Robert Stack's Passing Link Today we mark the passing of a man whose show you'd never want to make an appearance on. Actor Robert Stack, best known as the host of popular TV show "Unsolved Mysteries," died of heart failure in 2003 at the age of 84. Dennis Farina took over Stack's hosting duties when the show began a new run in 2008. The concept behind "Unsolved Mysteries" is a simple one. Strange happenings that have stumped authorities are reenacted by professional actors in hopes that viewers might have information that will help solve these cases. Everything from unexplained deaths and alien abductions to murders and long-lost loves have been featured on the show. According to the show's official Web site, more than half of the wanted fugitives profiled on the show have been brought to justice, many because of tips from viewers. For most of us, however, the show results in a tendency to sleep with the lights on and flee indoors every time we see flashing lights in the sky. Stack was also an accomplished actor outside of the "Unsolved Mysteries" soundstage. He played Prohibition agent Eliot Ness in the 1959 TV series "The Untouchables" (a fictional account of the real Untouchables, a group of law enforcement agents who sought to enforce Prohibition and put Al Capone in the slammer) and Rex Kramer in the 1980 film "Airplane!", who helps pilot-with-a-drinking-problem Ted Striker to land the plane. Since we opened with the thrills and chills of "Unsolved Mysteries," we would like to end with one of Rex Kramer's best quotes from "Airplane!" so that everyone can have a nice laugh and not be paranoid about alien abductions for the rest of the day: (while asking Striker questions to see how much he knows about landing a plane): "Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. Sorry, Ted, that's a dumb question... skip that."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-14-2009, 07:56 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Wow... I loved him as the host of UM, but REALLY loved his role as Captain Kramer in Airplane!! I still when he beats up all the zealots in the airport.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-14-2009, 10:35 PM	#6
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Has it been 6 year's Robert you sure aremissed by everyone
	__________________ Who Dat

05-14-2009, 09:13 PM	#5
everybodylovesrs Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 12, 2008 Posts: 526	We all miss and love you RS.

05-15-2009, 05:02 AM	#8
Marcos19 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 17, 2009 Location: California Posts: 19	I agree with Apostapler. It seems so much longer than 6 years. We were all very fortunate to have witnessed the greatness and the presence RS brought to the table. Nobody did it better. RIP Robert Stack.

05-15-2009, 02:10 PM	#9
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I can't believe it's been six years. RIP Robert.

05-16-2009, 10:02 AM	#13
MissFit29 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 09, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 526	Oh, I remember that Pepsi commercial. I always liked how Stack could change his delivery to suit the stories. In the murder stories he was always very stern, almost menacing, and had a take-no-crap attitude. He made you feel for the victims and WANT to help them find justice. But he could also soften it up for the lost loves stories, and he'd make you wonder if those UFO or ghost stories could really be true. Stack gave this show life. Now....I don't know what it is.

05-16-2009, 11:04 AM	#14
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,454	Pepsi Club I wasn't sure if the rules regarding youtube also applied to this commercial.

05-16-2009, 11:31 AM	#15
TracyLynnS Don't Look Up Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 3,107	Oh man! That commercial is awesome!