Ok, so maybe there is no mystery to my technology issues yesterday- glitches happen! However, now that it appears to be working again I can bring you the news of who I have dubbed this week's Creative Mastermind! Over the last week I have one show in particular stuck in my head and I suspect because we're inching closer to Halloween perhaps that's the reason why I've been wanting to watch it. The show I'm referring to is the unforgettable series, Unsolved Mysteries.
Where do I begin with this drama? Well, I can honestly say this is one show that I personally have never heard anyone say they didn't like it. Now, people may say "I don't watch it because it's too scary"- that's fine! But I've never actually had someone tell me they don't like the show. The reason? Because Unsolved Mysteries is practically FLAWLESS!!! Everything that was incorporated in this show was perfectly executed- never corny, or over-done it was just right. What I think was so creative about Unsolved Mysteries is the way it was portrayed and interactive. Unlike a regular news broadcast, this show actually took the time to explain the stories, do re-enactments, and gave viewers an opportunity to be a part of the show by calling in tips and information related to cases.
Of course I think everyone who watched the show knew the key element in it's success, Robert Stack. When Unsolved Mysteries first came out in the late 80s it was more of a TV special on NBC rather than an actual TV show. It was originally hosted by Raymond Burr, but when it became an official TV series in 1988, Robert Stack came in as the host. He remained the host of Unsolved Mysteries, with a few occasional co-hosts & reporters, until 2002. Unfortunately, Robert Stack passed away in May of 2003 and the show was left in limbo until it's comeback in 2008. When the Spike network brought Unsolved Mysteries back it wasn't the same. The new host, Dennis Farina, was good but just lacked that creepy charm that everybody was attracted to from Stack. Ironically, earlier this year Farina passed away from a blot clot just 10 years since Robert Stack's passing. I think what drew people into this show was Robert Stack's art of storytelling. He always appeared as the dark investigator hiding in the shadows. His voice was low and mysterious- like something you'd hear in a classic mystery radio show. He possessed the ability to draw audience members through his voice, tall & dark stature, and the gleam in his eyes that instantly attached to you when he said "perhaps you can help solve the mystery." Here are some clips of Robert Stack to help remind you of the man who brought suspense and drama into your homes.
Getting back to the show itself, I liked it so much because it was actually realistic! They talked about crimes, legends, UFOs, ghosts, missing people, and just about anything that would attract attention to people's curiosity. Most people, myself included, were particularly drawn to the stories about ghosts and paranormal activity. I'll be honest, I feel there's more fascination than belief in the supernatural, but this show hit it just right for people who do believe or don't believe in that kind of stuff. There were a couple of episodes though where people would be seriously freaked out (and for a 90s show this is pretty good). From what I read online there are two specific moments in Unsolved Mysteries that really creep people out: The case of Tallman's Ghost and The Devil's Backbone. I won't spoil those for you, check them out yourself and I'll let you be the judge. Re-enactments in all of the stories was well created and looks very genuine. Scripts for the actors and Robert Stack's lines were also well-written. Overall, the story-telling in this show was just good from start to finish!
Finally, I can't mention Unsolved Mysteries without leaving out this: (*Note no video-just audio!)
Yeah, that catchy creepy music.... If I had to rank the theme to this show in comparison to other paranormal shows it would definitely be towards the top (Along with the theme to X-Files, Twin Peaks, and Forever Knight). If you heard this music you knew something strange was going to happen. Now this particular clip is only one of several variations to the theme because the theme changes throughout the seasons. But I think this theme is the one people relate to the best. It's catchy, has a great down beat, and uses a lot of strange electronic sounds to really set the tone for the show. Composed by Michael Boyd and Gary Remal Malkin, the theme had the efficient and urgent sound that a news broadcast would have, but it also had the strange sounds making it stand out above other shows.
So there you have it my friends! It's no mystery why Robert Stack and "Unsolved Mysteries" have been crowned this week's Creative Mastermind. This show had an excellent host, terrific production skills, unusual theme music, and the capability to reach out to the audience in a way that had never been done before. So well done to cast and crew of Unsolved Mysteries, and hats off to Mr. Robert Stack. His talents even before Unsolved Mysteries will never be forgotten and he is truly missed in the entertainment world Rest in Peace!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Creative Mastermind and if you know someone or something that would make a great Creative Mastermind then share it with me by commenting on this post or any of The Creative Cabana's social media sites. Have a great day everybody and thanks for stopping by!
*I do not own "Unsolved Mysteries" or have relations to Robert Stack. All media used in this post was provided through YouTube and Google Images. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
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