Critics Views on UM - In Your Opinion, Why Were Some Harsh Towards It

[DCFan1911]

Hi All,

I remember reading a TV article (can't recall the magazine it was in) that was going over the upcoming fall schedules for the 1995-96 season. In the article, when mentioning the networks' new fall schedule on Fridays, they said "Unsolved Mysteries inexplicably ticks on".

Aside from the utter foolishness of this statement (how does it not make sense that a show that never runs out of material keeps going??), and the ignorance of it (does the critic not care that the show caught dozens of criminals, reunited lost love ones, and brought abducted children home safely??), what, in your opinion, was behind the negative attitudes a lot of media critics had towards this unassuming documentary show that became a Top 20 hit?

Just curious on everyone's thoughts. Thanks for sharing!

[Oooga Chucka]

Good question.

First of all, critics make their dime off of their personality. In this opinion-driven subculture, it is the smarmy wise-ass that gets the bucks. Unfortunately, this critic probably took it to the next level, putting the focus on himself instead of the show.

Also, UM, while still very good during this time period, it did lose some luster as time went on. I mean, I still enoy it even now, but it went from Robert Stack and creepy music to that flutey music with Virginia Madsen and Keely Shaye Smith (calling him "Bob", no less)! As I said, the show was still very good at this point, and undeserving of the aforementioned criticism, but in TV land, longevity is rarely respected and seniority is often viewed as "get 'em out to pasture."

All in all, though, it is an unfair rap on a great show that performed a great public service.

[Apostapler]

Obviously if we're posting on this forum nearly 10 years after the show went off the air, we're a little biased.

I know I am. :P Can't think of one reason not to love this show.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by Oooga Chucka

First of all, critics make their dime off of their personality. In this opinion-driven subculture, it is the smarmy wise-ass that gets the bucks. Unfortunately, this critic probably took it to the next level, putting the focus on himself instead of the show.

I love this, and I completely agree with you. I think the fact that there are entire television shows devoted almost solely to smartass commentary on every topic or event imaginable lends some credence to the old addage: 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Oooga Chucka

Good question.

First of all, critics make their dime off of their personality. In this opinion-driven subculture, it is the smarmy wise-ass that gets the bucks. Unfortunately, this critic probably took it to the next level, putting the focus on himself instead of the show.

In any case, I agree with what you said about a TV pundit putting more focus on himself than on the show. Not everyone likes the same thing, but I have learned that one has to be a fool to form an opinon that isn't based on facts. Did the UM critics form opinions that weren't based on facts? Chances are they did. But I wouldn't necessarily deem those critics ignorant. Instead, I would just say that (to paraphrase Ronald Reagan) they knew so much that wasn't so.

Not suprisingly, some (if not all) of the critical attacks against UM were similar to the attacks against America's Most Wanted. Both shows were slammed as "tabloid" shows. Some pundits have even trashed AMW as "vigilante justice", and I'm sure the same was said about UM at one time or another (although I can't confirm it). But that label doesn't stick, mainly because both shows have made it clear that viewers should not approach a wanted fugitive or take the law into their own hands.

[TheCars1986]

I'm assuming criticism was drawn because certain "critics" saw UM as attempting to profit off of these unfortunate events, instead of seeing the REAL intention of Unsolved Mysteries...a legitimate outlet that reached millions of people who could potentially help solve cases. Anyone who criticizes a television show that the FBI and other law enforcement agencies openly worked with in attempts to solve murders and missing persons cases is a flat out moron, IMO.

[crystaldawn]

The only reason I can think of would be that around '95-96 was when (in my opinion) Unsolved Mysteries started going downhill. The addition of Keely Shaye Smith and the poor choice of newly made science based segments would be a valid reason to wonder why it kept being renewed then. Of course if you're talking about UM from '88 to the early 90's I can't think of one single reason to say anything negative about it.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

I'm assuming criticism was drawn because certain "critics" saw UM as attempting to profit off of these unfortunate events, instead of seeing the REAL intention of Unsolved Mysteries...a legitimate outlet that reached millions of people who could potentially help solve cases.

That may be it (or at least a contributing factor). I think it goes to show that no matter how much good UM did, the series was constantly misunderstood by pundits. This reminds me of Spiderman, who is often vilified in the press despite his heroic feats.

[DCFan1911]

I don't recall the "vigilante" angle ever being used to criticize UM, but whoever may have used it was certainly way off-base. UM encouraged people to phone in tips to police/law enforcement - not to go off on their own trying to capture criminals.

In this instance I can't help but be reminded of a late 80s or early 90s segment where the director of the FBI personally addressed UM viewers to ask for their help in capturing a child molestor who was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. His pleas worked - the molestor was captured as a result of the UM segment.

In any event, if this is "tabloid" or "vigilante" television, so be it. It's a lot more useful than most of the drivel networks insult us with year after year!

[unidentified]

In the words of Maximus - "are you not entertained?"

This critic obviously wasn't. Obviously narrow-minded wanting only his daily fix of Jerry Springer!

[Clockworkhigh]

1995-'96? Hmmm. Well when you compare the reality crap on TV in 2011 stuff like The Bachelor, Biggest Loser, Survivor, American Idol, Jersey Shore, etc. you'd have to think that had Unsolved Mysteries been on primetime today that it would tower over other shows as far as quality goes.

I guess I am biased, but I think TV was far superior 15 years ago. Seinfeld was at it's prime, Friends was a great new show, The Simpsons was at the height of it's power, Frasier, the tail end of Married With Children, Fresh Prince and Home Improvement were all on the air at that time. All great shows that dwarf anything today, and all shows that have still withstood the test of time. Maybe UM got lost in the shuffle? Too bad, because it was one critics opinion and the show always has been a public service to people

[rhzunam]

Originally Posted by Clockworkhigh

I guess I am biased, but I think TV was far superior 15 years ago. Seinfeld was at it's prime, Friends was a great new show, The Simpsons was at the height of it's power, Frasier, the tail end of Married With Children, Fresh Prince and Home Improvement were all on the air at that time. All great shows that dwarf anything today, and all shows that have still withstood the test of time. Maybe UM got lost in the shuffle? Too bad, because it was one critics opinion and the show always has been a public service to people

I'll give you the Simpsons and Seinfeld but Fresh Prince and Home Improvement? Granted maybe the popularity of the shows does reflect a lack of quality (like reality TV) but the amount of channels give a lot of opportunities for shows that wouldn't have it before (It's Always Sunny, Louie, Party Down, etc). Even with all of them, great shows get cancelled all the time like Arrested Development. Still I think TV is as good as ever.

I still don't get what you say about Fresh Prince and Home Improvement. Fresh Prince was alright but it's really dated nowadays. And I think that just in thursday night in NBC they are 4 shows that are better than the best Fresh Prince.

As for critically panning the old UM, I don't get that at all.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by unidentified

In the words of Maximus - "are you not entertained?"

[Clockworkhigh]

Originally Posted by rhzunam

I'll give you the Simpsons and Seinfeld but Fresh Prince and Home Improvement? Granted maybe the popularity of the shows does reflect a lack of quality (like reality TV) but the amount of channels give a lot of opportunities for shows that wouldn't have it before (It's Always Sunny, Louie, Party Down, etc). Even with all of them, great shows get cancelled all the time like Arrested Development. Still I think TV is as good as ever.

I still don't get what you say about Fresh Prince and Home Improvement. Fresh Prince was alright but it's really dated nowadays. And I think that just in thursday night in NBC they are 4 shows that are better than the best Fresh Prince.

As for critically panning the old UM, I don't get that at all.

Fresh Prince in my mind was funnier than anything on TV today not named Two and a Half men.

Home Improvement was a dying breed of shows where it was okay for men to be masculine. Honestly, have you seen the guys from Jersey Shore? Get out of the closet already!

Just a matter of opinion, but when you say Fresh Prince is dated who cares? In Seinfeld they had the cell phones the size of an iron as well it doesn't take anything away from the show

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Clockworkhigh

Fresh Prince in my mind was funnier than anything on TV today not named Two and a Half men.

Home Improvement was a dying breed of shows where it was okay for men to be masculine. Honestly, have you seen the guys from Jersey Shore? Get out of the closet already!

Just a matter of opinion, but when you say Fresh Prince is dated who cares? In Seinfeld they had the cell phones the size of an iron as well it doesn't take anything away from the show

If I may interject here, News Radio > Seinfeild.