While the show went through a number of hosts throughout its tenure, it was the late Robert Stack who became legendary amongst die-hard fans for his low-registered, yet even keeled voice as he walked through graveyards at night and led viewers through the evidence tied to each unsolved case.
What made the original Unsolved Mysteries so good and scary was Robert Stack. Every episode he would be narrating the show from some poorly lit alley, wearing a trench coat, with a voice that could have been the killers. He was the best/worst. pic.twitter.com/H8oqqOaDlf JABO Vancouver (@jabo_vancouver)
The first episode of the #UnsolvedMysteries reboot was so good. Im glad they went with no host, you cant replace Robert Stack. Chris (@bob_abooee)
About to go down a google rabbit hole to try and solve the mystery in episode 1 of the new UNSOLVED MYSTERIES on Netflix. Also, I really like how the ghost of Robert Stack is in the opening credits. Michelle Swope (@RedheadfromMars)
But when Netflix decided that the show deserved a reboot, the producers realized it would be very hard to find someone who would measure up to Stacks ability to carry the show. Hence, they decided on a simple, yet controversial decision: forgo a host entirely and let the stories speak for themselves. With this method of storytelling, it gave the show the chance to speak to those who might know answers and go on location to give a well-rounded perspective of the case.
"We talked about that for a long time, even about using an unseen narrator, Terry Dunn Meurer (the original shows co-creator who returned for the Netflix reboot) told . We decided that it was really rough to fill the late Robert Stacks shoes. He was an iconic host for so many years. In some of Netflixs notes, which reported, show producer Shawn Levy agreed with Meurers sentiments, explaining that in Roberts absence, we are letting the spirit and the strength of the stories carry the narrative. Above all, our aspiration was to make a new chapter worthy of his memory and of [his] iconic contribution to this iconic series."
And it looks like fans seem to appreciate the new format, especially the subtle tribute to the beloved hostwith his outline briefly appearingin the series' opening credits.