Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
01-18-19, 01:22 PM
#1
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
https://deadline.com/2019/01/netflix...vy-1202537462/
Yes!!!
Yes!!!
EXCLUSIVE: Unsolved Mysteries is back after Netflix revived the long-running true crime and paranormal franchise.
The series, which was hosted by Robert Stack and ran for over 500 episodes between 1987 and 2010, is being refreshed by Stranger Things EP Shawn Levy and his company 21 Laps Entertainment and Netflix.
I hear that Levy is overseeing the revamp in association with Cosgrove-Meurer Productions, the original production company run by the show’s creators John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer. The latter will show run the series with Cosgrove, Levy and Josh Barry as exec producers. Robert Wise is co-exec producer and showrunner with Dunn Meurer.
The 12-part show will use re-enactments in a documentary format to profile real-life mysteries and unsolved crimes, lost love, cases involving missing persons and unexplained paranormal events. Each episode will focus on one mystery. In the original series, actors played the victims, criminals and witnesses but family members and police were regularly interviewed.
Unsolved Mysteries ran on NBC between 1987 and 1997 and CBS picked it up for two years after it was cancelled. Lifetime aired a number of new episodes in 2001/2002 and Spike also picked it up between 2008 and 2010 with Dennis Farina replacing Stack following The Untouchables actor’s death in 2003.
Cosgrove and Meurer have been keen to revamp the show for some time and have kept an updated web presence for the show with new cases. In a Reddit AMA in August 2017, Cosgrove said, “We are actively talking to a couple of broadcasters who have shown interest, and we’re very optimistic that we’ll have something by way of new episodes by the end of the year. It’s too early to go into much detail, but we’ve had our research producers look into possible stories, and they’ve found some excellent ones which can be ready to go quickly.”
The order is the latest high-profile Netflix series for Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment. The company produces four shows for the SVOD service after signing an exclusive multi-year deal in December 2017; Stranger Things, which recently wrapped its third season, Shadow and Bone, an eight-episode series based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Shadow and Bone and Six of Crow Grishaverse fantasy novels, from Bird Box writer Eric Heisserer and I Am Not Okay With This, created by The End of the F***king World’s Jonathan Entwistle and Christy Hall.
The series, which was hosted by Robert Stack and ran for over 500 episodes between 1987 and 2010, is being refreshed by Stranger Things EP Shawn Levy and his company 21 Laps Entertainment and Netflix.
I hear that Levy is overseeing the revamp in association with Cosgrove-Meurer Productions, the original production company run by the show’s creators John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer. The latter will show run the series with Cosgrove, Levy and Josh Barry as exec producers. Robert Wise is co-exec producer and showrunner with Dunn Meurer.
The 12-part show will use re-enactments in a documentary format to profile real-life mysteries and unsolved crimes, lost love, cases involving missing persons and unexplained paranormal events. Each episode will focus on one mystery. In the original series, actors played the victims, criminals and witnesses but family members and police were regularly interviewed.
Unsolved Mysteries ran on NBC between 1987 and 1997 and CBS picked it up for two years after it was cancelled. Lifetime aired a number of new episodes in 2001/2002 and Spike also picked it up between 2008 and 2010 with Dennis Farina replacing Stack following The Untouchables actor’s death in 2003.
Cosgrove and Meurer have been keen to revamp the show for some time and have kept an updated web presence for the show with new cases. In a Reddit AMA in August 2017, Cosgrove said, “We are actively talking to a couple of broadcasters who have shown interest, and we’re very optimistic that we’ll have something by way of new episodes by the end of the year. It’s too early to go into much detail, but we’ve had our research producers look into possible stories, and they’ve found some excellent ones which can be ready to go quickly.”
The order is the latest high-profile Netflix series for Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment. The company produces four shows for the SVOD service after signing an exclusive multi-year deal in December 2017; Stranger Things, which recently wrapped its third season, Shadow and Bone, an eight-episode series based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Shadow and Bone and Six of Crow Grishaverse fantasy novels, from Bird Box writer Eric Heisserer and I Am Not Okay With This, created by The End of the F***king World’s Jonathan Entwistle and Christy Hall.
01-18-19, 01:45 PM
#2
Moderator
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
They should have Kevin Spacey host this as "Frank Underwood" just to mix things up a bit.
01-18-19, 05:49 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
This is electrifying news! But the original can't be replicated. I'm interested to see what they do with the concept 30 years later. They can't bring back the wonderfully atmospheric, earnest presence of Stack, and I'm sure they won't use the amazing score from the early series, so I think the show won't really resemble the one we all remember so well and love so much.
I don't get Netflix, so I'll find another way to watch it.
I don't get Netflix, so I'll find another way to watch it.
01-18-19, 10:39 PM
#4
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
The official Netflix press release:
I could see this coming out by late Summer or Fall. I don't think producing this show is as intensive as a scripted drama. Plus, I read that Cosgrove/Meurer productions already has stories ready to be filmed. They just need to find the right host/narrator.
- The wildly successful and first-of-its-kind mystery docuseries Unsolved Mysteries is being revived by the original creators (Cosgrove/Meurer Productions) along with the producers of Stranger Things (21 Laps).
- This modern take on the classic series will maintain the chilling feeling viewers loved about the original, while also telling the stories through the lens of a premium Netflix documentary series. Each episode will focus on one mystery and once again will look to viewers to help aid investigators in closing the book on long outstanding cases.
- Terry Dunn Meurer is showrunning this all-new version of the show she co-created with fellow EP John Cosgrove.
- Shawn Levy and Josh Barry are executive producing for 21 Laps.
- The original Unsolved Mysteries ran for 11 seasons and 260 episodes chronicling over 1,000 stories, and received six Emmy nominations.
- Episodes: 12 episodes
- Unsolved Mysteries is a Netflix production.
- Co-Creator / Showrunner / Executive Producer: Terry Dunn Meurer
- Co-Creator / Executive Producer: John Cosgrove
- Executive Producers: Shawn Levy, Josh Barry
- Co-Executive Producer / Showrunner: Robert Wise
I could see this coming out by late Summer or Fall. I don't think producing this show is as intensive as a scripted drama. Plus, I read that Cosgrove/Meurer productions already has stories ready to be filmed. They just need to find the right host/narrator.
01-19-19, 06:47 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Definitely interested but they really need a good host/narrator. Stack was so perfect for it. I liked Dennis Farina as an actor, but he was just okay in the revival that aired on Spike TV for a while.
Last edited by Mike86; 01-19-19 at 06:53 AM.
01-19-19, 09:57 AM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Okay - will they do "legitimate" stories or goofy paranormal stuff? The original did a mix of both, if memory serves.
01-19-19, 11:32 PM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I actually kinda liked that the original did a mixture. Like the Lost Loves or Strange Legends segments were good. Some of the UFO and more paranormal stuff was interesting.
01-20-19, 12:36 AM
#8
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Originally Posted by Mike86
I liked Dennis Farina as an actor, but he was just okay in the revival that aired on Spike TV for a while.
By removing the original music and Stack's creepy narration, it just became a bland show. I could easily sit down and binge watch a marathon of the original Stack episodes, but Farina's narration caused me to zone out for some reason. My mind would just wander off to other things before I finally changed the channel.
Last edited by joe_b; 01-20-19 at 12:45 AM.
01-20-19, 12:40 AM
#9
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I LOATHE the Dennis Farina version. Other than legal issue (like they didn't want to pay royalties to Stack's estate?), I don't understand the reasoning behind it. He just redid the Robert Stack narration and filmed new intros in that stupid "command center" set. Most of the "updated" info about the cases was woefully out of date (as in they hadn't checked on any of these people since the original NBC airings. Just lazy all around.
By removing the original music and Stack's creepy narration, it just became a bland show. I could easily sit down and binge watch a marathon of the original Stack episodes, but Farina's narration caused me to zone out for some reason. My mind would just wander off to other things before I finally changed the channel.
By removing the original music and Stack's creepy narration, it just became a bland show. I could easily sit down and binge watch a marathon of the original Stack episodes, but Farina's narration caused me to zone out for some reason. My mind would just wander off to other things before I finally changed the channel.
I don't know if you're aware, but all of Robert Stack's episodes are on Amazon Prime (12 seasons) A few episodes here and there had to be removed for legal reasons.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing how they format this new version.
01-20-19, 01:19 AM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I think most of the Farina episodes were just re-done Stack episodes, but I think there were some new segments too. They also added updates to some segments. I overall agree it wasn't great but I still watched it because at the time that was the only way to watch it at all other than the DVDs (which I do have some of the sets).
01-20-19, 02:30 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Originally Posted by Mike86
I actually kinda liked that the original did a mixture. Like the Lost Loves or Strange Legends segments were good. Some of the UFO and more paranormal stuff was interesting.
However the many segments about purported miracles and ancient lost treasures in Wild West canyons bored me to tears.
I LOATHE the Dennis Farina version. Other than legal issue (like they didn't want to pay royalties to Stack's estate?), I don't understand the reasoning behind it. He just redid the Robert Stack narration and filmed new intros in that stupid "command center" set. Most of the "updated" info about the cases was woefully out of date (as in they hadn't checked on any of these people since the original NBC airings). Just lazy all around.
By removing the original music and Stack's creepy narration, it just became a bland show. I could easily sit down and binge watch a marathon of the original Stack episodes, but Farina's narration caused me to zone out for some reason. My mind would just wander off to other things before I finally changed the channel.
By removing the original music and Stack's creepy narration, it just became a bland show. I could easily sit down and binge watch a marathon of the original Stack episodes, but Farina's narration caused me to zone out for some reason. My mind would just wander off to other things before I finally changed the channel.
01-21-19, 01:27 PM
#12
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I think these guys would be good potential hosts:
Terry O'Quinn
Lance Henriksen
Dennis Haysbert
Lance Reddick
I guess Bill Kurtis could be good too if they have to go with a non-actor
Even if they hire a working actor, it wouldn't be a huge time commitment. They just have to record voice overs for maybe a few weeks along with some on camera stand ups.
Terry O'Quinn
Lance Henriksen
Dennis Haysbert
Lance Reddick
I guess Bill Kurtis could be good too if they have to go with a non-actor
Even if they hire a working actor, it wouldn't be a huge time commitment. They just have to record voice overs for maybe a few weeks along with some on camera stand ups.
01-22-19, 02:52 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I agree that some of the non-crime material was good. For instance, when people were looking for Good Samaritans who had helped them, I always found those moving, especially when they were reunited.
However the many segments about purported miracles and ancient lost treasures in Wild West canyons bored me to tears.
However the many segments about purported miracles and ancient lost treasures in Wild West canyons bored me to tears.
Last edited by Mike86; 01-22-19 at 02:59 PM.
01-22-19, 03:58 PM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I think these guys would be good potential hosts:
Terry O'Quinn
Lance Henriksen
Dennis Haysbert
Lance Reddick
I guess Bill Kurtis could be good too if they have to go with a non-actor
Even if they hire a working actor, it wouldn't be a huge time commitment. They just have to record voice overs for maybe a few weeks along with some on camera stand ups.
Terry O'Quinn
Lance Henriksen
Dennis Haysbert
Lance Reddick
I guess Bill Kurtis could be good too if they have to go with a non-actor
Even if they hire a working actor, it wouldn't be a huge time commitment. They just have to record voice overs for maybe a few weeks along with some on camera stand ups.
Lance Henriksen
Those would be great choices, though Henriksen isn't getting any younger. He's probably too old to host these days.
01-22-19, 04:08 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I saw someone suggest Jonathan Banks, who I think could be an interesting choice but I don’t think it’ll ever happen. He’s got his gig still on Better Call Saul. He’s got that gruff voice and kinda has the look for a show like this. Dennis Haysbert could be good too.
01-22-19, 05:50 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Yes, Stack is pretty much irreplaceable. I still think Stacy Keach would be good. He hosted "Missing: Reward" in the early '90s.
01-22-19, 06:27 PM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
He had that voice that just fit. Like it would be mysterious and creepy as needed, but it could also be warm as needed for the lighter hearted segments. That and he just had a good look. He looked like an old school detective from old noir type films with the long raincoats and suits.
01-22-19, 07:05 PM
#18
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re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
The choice of host and choice of the "mysteries" will determine if I'll care enough to watch this or not. I only watched the original show occasionally, so I don't have much nostalgic/emotional investment in this.
01-22-19, 09:59 PM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
He had that voice that just fit. Like it would be mysterious and creepy as needed, but it could also be warm as needed for the lighter hearted segments. That and he just had a good look. He looked like an old school detective from old noir type films with the long raincoats and suits.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention the theme music. I know they won't, but it would be great if they just used the original. The score is as essential to the show as Stack.
01-22-19, 11:49 PM
#20
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
For me the scariest thing about the original series remains Robert Stack; nothing like a shot of a dark arched alleyway and BAM! out of nowhere comes a guy in a trench-coat telling you about a UFO sighting.
01-23-19, 04:37 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
Stack simply felt out of time on the original, like we were witnessing a man from a different era host the show. He played it like someone delivering the news in the 1950s or 1960s, which added a whole element of gravitas to the mysteries.
01-23-19, 06:34 PM
#22
Member
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
He had that voice that just fit. Like it would be mysterious and creepy as needed, but it could also be warm as needed for the lighter hearted segments. That and he just had a good look. He looked like an old school detective from old noir type films with the long raincoats and suits.
01-24-19, 02:28 AM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
I’ll never forget this one night I had fallen asleep on my couch and I had on whatever channel was airing re-runs at the time (probably Lifetime
), all the sudden I woke up to the blaring loudness of the theme song. Scared the hell out of me Some of the segments on the show could be damn creepy. It was one of the only shows that sometimes made me afraid watching it even during the day.
01-24-19, 04:52 PM
#24
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
^Yeah, the music can send chills up one's spine, as does Stack's narration. I haven't watched the show in ages, but among the scariest segments I can remember:
-The still-unsolved double-murder in the rest stop near Blind River, Ont. A survivor crawled under a camper and saw everything unfold. Then the psychopath swerved out of the rest stop onto the highway, almost hitting another motorist.
-Angela Hammond kidnapping. Small-town Missouri. After work, Angela Hammond phones her boyfriend from the town square. While on the phone she notices a creepy guy in a pickup truck parking nearby. She gives a description to the boyfriend, then he hears a scream over the phone. He races to the scene, just a few blocks from his house, but in the rush to catch up to the pickup he messes up his transmission, and his last views of Hammond are through the back window of the pickup, of her struggling with her abductor. She has never been found, and the kidnapper has not been identified.
-The triple-homicide of ATVers on Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga. Killer was arrested and convicted.
-The still-unsolved double-murder in the rest stop near Blind River, Ont. A survivor crawled under a camper and saw everything unfold. Then the psychopath swerved out of the rest stop onto the highway, almost hitting another motorist.
-Angela Hammond kidnapping. Small-town Missouri. After work, Angela Hammond phones her boyfriend from the town square. While on the phone she notices a creepy guy in a pickup truck parking nearby. She gives a description to the boyfriend, then he hears a scream over the phone. He races to the scene, just a few blocks from his house, but in the rush to catch up to the pickup he messes up his transmission, and his last views of Hammond are through the back window of the pickup, of her struggling with her abductor. She has never been found, and the kidnapper has not been identified.
-The triple-homicide of ATVers on Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga. Killer was arrested and convicted.
01-25-19, 06:33 AM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
re: Unsolved Mysteries returns on Netflix -- premieres 7/1/20
It's been so long since I've seen the Stack series, but didn't they do a lot of "re-creations" with actors? I'm not sure that "works" in today's TV world...I'd rather see actual footage/interviews with those involved, the way 48 Hours and Dateline do it.