If you’re of a certain age, the iconic and mysterious theme music combined with the reliable narration by Robert Stack meant a certain thing: It was time for Unsolved Mysteries, the gronundreaking show that premiered on NBC over 35 years ago.
Most of us recall episodes that were particularly chilling – for this writer, it was absolutely the haunted house where a toaster flew across the kitchen and the garage appeared to be on fiare.
To celebrate the anniversary, a documentary tribute special called Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy is being released on Pluto TV and other major streaming platforms in October 2023. Here’s the press release with more details; a trailer for the special can be found above.
In Honor of the 35th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking True Crime Series “Unsolved Mysteries,” FilmRise and Cosgrove/Meurer Productions Have Joined Forces to Release an All-New Documentary Tribute Special
“Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy”
Exploring the History and Lasting Impact of one of the longest running True-Crime Series,
The Program will Stream for Free Beginning October 5th exclusively on Pluto TV and on All Major Platforms on October 19h in the U.S.
BROOKLYN, NY (September 2023) – “For every mystery, there is someone, somewhere, who knows the truth. Perhaps that someone is watching. Perhaps it’s you.” In 1987, actor Robert Stack lent his distinctive voice and donned his trademark trench coat for the very first episode of Unsolved Mysteries. No one knew at the time that the series would become one of the longest running programs in the history of television and kick-off a true-crime genre that continues to explode to this day. In honor of the iconic series’ 35th anniversary, FilmRise and series creators Cosgrove/Meurer Productions are premiering a compelling documentary that will give viewers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking true-crime show – “Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy.” The all-new feature will debut exclusively on Pluto TV on October 5 and then stream beginning October 19 on major platforms including Amazon Freevee, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus and FilmRise’s own free streaming apps.
Unsolved Mysteries, a unique hybrid of news magazine and drama offering a mix of true-crime stories, legends of the paranormal, and tales of loved ones separated by time and geography, spent 9 seasons on NBC before moving to CBS for two more seasons – and was the very first program that enabled audiences to play a role in helping an investigation by submitting their own story or sending in a tip. The show also served as a launching pad for now A-list actors including Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Dae Kim, Taran Killam (who was Robert Stack’s great-nephew), Cheryl Hines, and David Ramsey, among others. To date, loyal viewers have helped solve more than 260 cases, bringing over 180 fugitives to justice and reunite more than 100 families.
“Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy” features original interviews with co-creators Terry Dunn Meurer and John Cosgrove, along with long-time producers, and directors of the show, pulling back the curtain and allowing fans to experience their favorite cases in a whole new light. The crew divulges behind the scenes stories and covers all aspects of the show from research and casting to solving mysteries soon after episodes aired. With never-before-seen outtakes of beloved host Robert Stack and a look into some fan-favorite moments, “Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy” honors one of television’s most enduring and recognizable shows as well as the fans who were integral to its success.
For more information on “Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy” and to learn where to stream the new series, please visit: https://bit.ly/3ZeAxpR
About Cosgrove/Meurer Productions
Cosgrove/Meurer Productions is an award-winning documentary production company based in Burbank, California. CMP aims to tell compelling, true stories that inspire audiences. CMP was established by John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer in 1987, with the creation of “Unsolved Mysteries.” The six-time Emmy-nominated series is responsible for over 260 solved cases.
CMP has produced over 300 hours of prime-time network television, as well as pilots and series for Sci-Fi, Lifetime, Nat Geo, History, FX and the Biography Channel. In addition to reality series, documentaries and specials, CMP has produced sixteen movies-for-television for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, USA, Disney Channel, and A&E. These films featured stars such as Hilary Swank, Brendan Frasier, Martin Sheen and Jane Seymour. In 2020, Netflix released 12 new episodes of Unsolved Mysteries produced by Cosgrove/Meurer Productions and 21 Laps, and another 9 episodes in 2022. On February 17, 2021, the Unsolved Mysteries podcast was launched, and 80 episodes are now available.
About FilmRise
FilmRise is a New York City-based film and television studio and operator of the FilmRise Streaming Network, the world’s largest independently owned portfolio of ad-supported streaming apps and FAST channels. FilmRise distributes content worldwide, invests in original content, and works with digital creators to help them monetize their libraries in the greater streaming space. Founded in 2012 by veteran producers and financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein, FilmRise is a recognized market leader and innovator at the forefront of analytics-led curation and distribution.
The company offers over 50,000 licensed and originally produced scripted and unscripted television episodes across all genres, and award-winning, critically acclaimed feature films and documentaries. Television series include Gordon Ramsay’s HELL’S KITCHEN and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES; infidelity hit CHEATERS; iconic Classic TV series THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW; Canadian-drama mainstay HEARTLAND; true crime and mystery favorites FORENSIC FILES and UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, and more. Films and documentaries feature the two-time Spirit Award-nominated drama DRIVEWAYS, featuring Academy Award-nominee Hong Chau (The Whale) and Brian Dennehy; SURGE, the Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award winner with screen icon Ben Whishaw; the Tribeca Festival Best Documentary winner and three-time Emmy nominee REWIND as well as genre specific features such as holiday comedy A CHRISTMAS KAREN and western SANCTIFIED among others. FilmRise Original productions include true crime series BLOODLINE DETECTIVES HOSTED BY NANCY GRACE; MEET, MARRY, MURDER HOSTED BY MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG; and THE INTERROGATION ROOM HOSTED BY VIVICA A. FOX. In addition, FilmRise produced the PBS documentary series ICON: MUSIC THROUGH THE LENS and recently announced the new cooking competition series NOT LIKE MAMA. For more information, go to: filmrise.com.
