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Unsolved Mysteries

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Reenactments of real-life mysteries can be creepy.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series does a good service by publicizing unresolved cases in hopes of promoting closure/resolution. Discussions of criminal behavior are a key part of the show. People profiled on the show come from diverse socio-economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Frequent descriptions of violent behavior. Guns, gunfire, and blood are frequently visible in the crime reenactments.
  • Sex:

    Occasional descriptions of sexual behavior, as it relates to the mystery being described.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol, tobacco, and drug paraphernalia are often visible in reenactments. Occasional smoking footage.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Unsolved Mysteries was written by Melissa Camacho

Parents need to know that this series' entire focus is on unsolved crimes and other incidents. Many stories describe illegal -- and often violent -- behavior, while other episodes deal with missing persons and supposed supernatural phenomena. Reenactments sometimes include guns, gunfire, and visible blood. While these images aren't as graphic as what you'll find in similar contemporary shows, the show's sporadic violence and frequent creepiness are probably enough to give most parents pause.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the media's relationship with crime. Is there a rush to report sensational stories before all the facts are evident? What effect can TV coverage have on how justice is carried out? Is it the media's job to get involved in solving crimes like the ones featured on this show? When is it appropriate to ask the public to help find clues to a crime? How do you think law enforcement officials follow up on the leads generated by the show? Do you think the reenactments are necessary, or do they serve merely to titillate the audience?
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More on Unsolved Mysteries

What’s the Story?

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES highlights unresolved crimes and strange occurrences in hopes that the public will help shed light on them and bring closure to those involved. Hosted by Robert Stack (Airplane!), the series -- which originally ran from 1987-2002 and still airs in syndication -- features stories about violent crimes, bank robberies, missing persons, unexplained phenomena, UFO abductions, ghostly sightings -- any incident that left law enforcement officials and private investigators scratching their heads, unable to stamp "case closed" on their paperwork. Each story is told using reenactments as well as file photos and interviews with people involved in the case -- including law enforcement officials, crime victims, witnesses, and people searching for loved ones. After detailing the case, Unsolved Mysteries urges viewers to call or write in with any information they may have that could help solve these real-life mysteries. And the approach seems to work: To date, the show has used viewer-provided leads to help solve more than 300 cases.

Is It Any Good?

Now noticeably dated, the series lacks the flashiness of contemporary crime-solving reality shows. While some of the recreated events feature guns, people getting shot, and images of bloody items allegedly used in a crime, these scenes are mild compared to the graphic crime images on television today. For some, that might detract from the entertainment value -- but at least the sanitized version of events allows the viewer to focus on the details of the case rather than being shocked by them.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models

    ick

    creepy!!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    a creepy show

    i do not reccomend 4 young kids

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