Unsolved Mysteries

Unsolved Mysteries was an American TV show, currently shown in reruns on the cable network Lifetime. The show also has reruns on the Australian cable network Austar/Foxtel, the show was on The W Channel (women channel) but has now moved to The Crime and Investigation Channel. The show does send an important message about the type of people out in society, the music and fantastic re-enactments also frightened some. Many children were watching the show for the sensation, but in doing so they learned a lot about life changing lessons. Also, for most people it was their first experience witnessing reunions of adoptees and their natural parents. Many adoptees and separated parents were inspired by the series to perform their own search, as it was nearly a taboo subject previously.

Related Topics:
American - TV show - Cable - Network - Lifetime - Australian - Adoptees

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Unsolved Mysteries segments, all of which involved actual events, fell into one of three categories:

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• criminal activity--accounts of abductions, suspicious deaths, murders, robberies and other miscellaneous unsolved cases, where either the suspects were unknown or could not be located. The viewer was invited to call or write (later episodes also featured an internet address) if they had information concerning the cases shown. According to the show, about 40 percent of the stories shown involving fugitives generated tips leading to the capture of those individuals.
• lost loves--accounts of individuals trying to reunite with someone from their past, usually involving children given up for adoption where either the child or the parent was searching for the other. The same address and phone number used to report fugitives was used for reunions.
• unexplained history--accounts of paranormal activity and other mysterious events, purported miracles, and "alternative" theories of history (such as claims that a famous outlaw did not die as history recorded it)

The show would also feature updates on success stories, where criminals were brought to justice and reunions of lost loves.

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The show began as a regular series on NBC in September 1988. In September 1997, the show moved to CBS, where it was shown on a regular basis until August 1999. The show was picked up by Lifetime in July 2001 and has been carried by them ever since.

Related Topics:
NBC - September - 1988 - 1997 - CBS - August - 1999 - Lifetime - July 2001

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It was hosted by the late actor Robert Stack. New episodes have not been made since 2003, when he passed away at age 84.

Related Topics:
Actor - Robert Stack - 2003

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Viewers were invited to call in tips to a toll free number. The number, 1-800-876-5353 (US), and website (shown below) are still active today although the show is long out of production.

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Six four-disc DVD sets were released on June 21, 2005. Each DVD has a different theme. The themes for each four-disc DVD set are ghosts, legends, UFOs, psychics, miracles, and bizarre murders.

Related Topics:
DVD - June 21 - 2005 - Legends - UFOs - Psychics - Miracles

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• Disclaimer: Before an episode begins, the following message is used: "This program is about unsolved mysteries. Whenever possible, the actual family members and police officials participate in recreating the events. What you are about to see is not a news broadcast."
 
Unsolved Mysteries: External link ►