News about the show that you may be interested in knowing and doing something about!

[mark10]

Hey all:

For huge fans of the show, I have some bad news (I for one am a huge fan of the show). I received an e-mail back from Lifetime that they have NO PLANS to air any new episodes of UNSOLVED MYSTERIES nor do they plan on replacing Robert Stack. The reply that I received from Lifetime gave the usual speel about how Robert Stack was a great person, etc, and they extend their sympathies to his family and his fans. Get this, they also told me that they will continue to show reruns, and will put in updates should anything further develop in the cases that they broadcast. Exactly who will do the updates is unknown at this point.

I find this troubling since the fact that the show is still popular among the television audience, and there are many cases out there that are "unsolved mysteries." I was told that they have received numerous e-mails inquiring about the status of the show (whether it will go on, play all re-runs until it gets old, etc.) It seems the only way anything will be done is if there is enough support to demonstrate that the show is still worthy of being on television. I was given a number to call Cosgrove-Meurer Productions, and letting them know whether we wanted the show to continue (obviously with a new host). Since I am not in the television industry, it would be difficult for me to pick a suitable replacement for the late Rober Stack. The only names that come to my mind so far are John Walsh, and maybe Alex Trebek. But remember, this is not a debate about who will be the host, it is about the show. Cosgrove-Meurer Productions can be contacted at the following number:
(818) 843-5600

Collectively, if there are enough of us to demonstrate that the show is still in demand, who knows? Finding a new host won't be too much trouble after all. The show is still in demand, however, we as a group have to demonstrate it, and prove it

[Kane]

Originally posted by mark10


Since I am not in the television industry, it would be difficult for me to pick a suitable replacement for the late Rober Stack. The only names that come to my mind so far are John Walsh, and maybe Alex Trebek.

Although I respect your opinions, I regret to say that I don't concur with them. Here's why:

John Walsh is already too busy hosting America's Most Wanted (which airs on the FOX network on Saturday nights) and the daily syndicated talk show The John Walsh Show. Besides, since UM does stories about ghosts and UFOs, I doubt that he'd have enough interest in those subjects to host UM anyway.

As for Alex Trebek, he's mainly a game show host, and I personally can't see how he could fit into a show like UM.

In general, I'm uneasy with the idea of an established show like UM being hosted by someone who has previously hosted another established show of its ilk.

[njf520]

my reading of the post was that is was 98% about no new episodes being made and 2% about a new host.

i agree that stack was perfect but i'd rather see UM come back with a new host than not come back at all.

there are many good "host" types on A&E, Discovery, etc that would be perfect. finding someone to do voice over work should not be hard. the real point is, UM is not going to have any new eps made unless something changes.

all i am saying is, let's not fixate on the host thing. let's worry about getting new UM eps on.

njf

[Kane]

Originally posted by njf520


all i am saying is, let's not fixate on the host thing. let's worry about getting new UM eps on.

njf

My whole point about the host subject is that the idea of choosing someone to host a show like UM shouldn't be a case of "take what (or whom) you can get." Besides, there are some kinds of people who would be compatible for hosting an anti-crime show like UM, and some who would not be.

Here are some general examples of finding the most sophisticated candidate:

1) I've heard stories about how game show producers would seek the most fitting candidate for the position of a game show host. The prospective game show host tend to be required to have a good sense of humor, especially since it's healthy to have at least some level of humor on game show. I mean, would you want a game show host who is grumpy and has no sense of humor whatsoever? (I don't think so!)

2) Often times when an actor is being sought to portray for example, Superman, producers have a tendency to choose someone who has never played the role in any previous incarnation. The candidate they end up choosing is usually an unknown or vaguely know actor. (Christopher Reeve was an unknown character when he first played Superman.) This is often a good thing since the general consensus is that having an over-exposed actor in such a role may become too distracting.

Believe me, I'm not trying to be critical about anyone's opinions as to who might be a good host. I'm just saying that (as I noted earlier) there are certain types of people that would be a plausible fit for hosting UM, and certain types of people who might not be. This whole message should explain (and perhaps justify) my fixation with compatibility in an anti-crime show host.

My ideal UM host is someone with a reputation for playing crimefighters, who can channel that into hosting UM, and who is not afraid to have a tough stance on crime. (These descriptions, of course, applied to Robert Stack, and those are obviously some of the main reasons why he hosted UM.)

If someone asked me who I think might fit the UM hosting duties, I'd say that I could see someone from the Law & Order shows doing it.

[rerungirl]

I appreciate the fact that mark10 contacted Cosgrove-Meurer and obtained a number for us to call and show our support for UM. After the way Lifetime has treated the show the past few months, I was amazed it was brought back to the evening line-up this fall. I doubt seriously though if they intend to update any of the cases. This afternoon's show featured the Bill Rundle/Traci Kenley case (two friends who disappeared in Nebraska) and there was no update even though I believe their bodies were found several months ago.

I just wish Lifetime would do the right thing by its viewers and air all of the UM episodes rather than the select few they keep showing over and over again. It's also frustrating to see cases where a suspect has been captured and/or a court date has been set but we never learn the outcome. Many of these cases go back 10 years or more, and they still haven't been updated.

As far as a new host is concerned, I think Stacey Keach would be an excellent choice. He hosted a show called "Missing: Reward" several years ago and did a great job. Like Robert Stack, he is a well respected actor and has played many detective and law enforcement parts in the past. His unmistakable voice would add just the right sense of mystery to the show.

[SJP1313]

I posted this same info a few posts down.. the phone number and all the news about not continuing w. the show. But I wanted to put in my thoughts on a new host.

I do agree that I would rather see UM carry on w. another host, than be gone all together.

I dont agree with John Walsh, as stated before hes way to busy. Alex Trebec??? Doesnt fit in.

The host of a show called City Confidential on A&E would make a nice addition, as he currently does a crime show. Kinda the same eerie voice going on too. UM is a great show, with valuable information to many families, I dont see why the show couldnt carry on without a physical "host" and just a narrator? With some support, and creativity, the show could still serve its wonderful purpose and be just as entertaining. Robert Stack cant be replaced, so this maybe an option to give UM new life, and a new viewers. You can make almost anything work with the right ppl, the right intentions, and some good ideas!

Just some ideas!!
SJP

[mark10]

OK, it's encoraging to see that I got some opinions from people, and I hope that some of you contacted Cosgrove-Meurer like I did. However, with the replys that I got, I was particularly disappointed with Kane. Kane, are we on the same side or what? I want the show to continue...with the right host (of course). I specifically stated that this is not a debate about who will be the host, it is about the show. Yet I get my two "ideas" of a potential host being the topic of discussion from you. I was just giving an example, and I never suggested that either Walsh or Trebek are my choices. As I also clearly stated, I am not in the television industry. Next time, please read, understand, and then respond instead of just responding to the first thing that you see that you don't agree with, it will help you in the long run.

Njf 520 hit the nail on the head on two counts. I 100% agree with the point about that the show come back with a new host, than not at all. Secondly, my post was 99% about new episodes, and 1% about a new host (ok...we're slightly off here, but still in agreement for the most part... ) Also, I should mention that I appreciate rerungirl's post as well. Thank you. It's fantastic to see that there are people who want the show to continue, and that's what I'm trying to demonstrate. As njf520 said let's not fixate on the host thing. let's worry about getting new UM eps on. As I said at the beginning, a good start would be calling Cosgrove-Meurer at the following number:

(818) 843-5600
thank you

[elvisfan]

I'll call And,btw, how about William Shatner as host? Sorry, had to ask.

[Kane]

Originally posted by elvisfan
I'll call And,btw, how about William Shatner as host? Sorry, had to ask.

While I think William Shatner is a good actor, and was a good Resuce 911 host, I have a sinking feeling that his reputation for being difficult might make some of the UM crew too nervous to consider him.

Additionally, I speculate that, if by some miracle they decide to reactivate the show with a new host, they might end up going with someone who has limited (if any) experience as a show host. (In other words, it might be someone who has such a limited amount of experience as a show host that they aren't commonly identified as such.)

[Bluejay]

I got the same letter you're talking about. Contact information for Cosgrove-Meurer is the phone number plus:

Cosgrove-Meurer Productions
4303 W Verdugo Ave
Burbank, California 91505 USA
Tel: 818 843 5600
Fax: 818 843 8585

To get attention, postal letters work very well nowadays, especially if they are neatly handwritten, or typed on a typewriter -- it shows personal involvement. (I wouldn't suggest doing that thing where you cut letters out of the newspaper like for a ransom note, but I love thinking about it.. PuT th3 SH0W BaCK On....)

Why not Keely Shaye Smith for host? Always did like her.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Hey mark10 and everyone else,

I called the 818 number you gave AND IT IS HORRIBLE NEWS. It seems Lifetime has cancelled the show and is no longer interested. Cosgrove-Meurer has tried to shop it to other networks but NO ONE IS INTERESTED!

I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE IT IS A VERY INTERESTING SHOW AND I'M SURE SOME NETWORK COULD CARRY IT!!

So, they told me that THE CONSIDER THE SHOW PERMANENTLY OUT OF PRODUCTION!!

WHAT A TRAVESTY!!

IF there is a silver lining, it is that this company only produces shows that are non-fiction so wheneve they do produce new shows it will be only true stories so maybe it would be something similar to Unsolved Mysteries.

Plus another network could come up with a show on Unsolved Phenomena but that is just pipe dreaming at this point.

[Brent88]

Cancelled the show? But it will still air in reruns right?

I like watching the reruns(since a good many I haven't seen) but I want it back in production!