February 4, 2016 (2016-02-04) – November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
BuzzFeed Unsolved (also known as simply Unsolved) is a documentary entertainment web series created by Ryan Bergara for BuzzFeed that ran from February 4, 2016, to November 19, 2021. It first appeared on the YouTube channel BuzzFeed Blue and was later given its own flagship channel BuzzFeed Unsolved Network.[3][4]
The show was split into two alternating themes, with each season seeing Bergara and co-host Shane Madej discussing either unsolved crimes in BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime or investigating alleged haunted locations and demonic possessions in BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural. While the topics of discussion were often morbid, most episodes were presented in a comedic manner, cutting between Bergara's voiceover of the episode's topic and comedic discussion with Madej.[5] The show was filmed primarily in the United States with some episodes filmed in separate locations in England and Mexico. Most episodes were followed by a question and answer episode, entitled BuzzFeed Unsolved Postmortem, where Bergara and Madej answered questions sent in by viewers about the week's episode.
The show became one of BuzzFeed's most-watched programs and received acclaim from audiences, who especially praised the chemistry between Bergara and Madej. The series began streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime in 2018.[6] Prior to the premiere of season 8, BuzzFeed renewed the show for a 9th season, which appeared in late 2018. In 2019, the 10th season premiered in March and the 11th season premiered in September.[7] In late 2019, Bergara and Madej started their own digital production company, Watcher Entertainment, with Worth It's Steven Lim; however, the two continued BuzzFeed Unsolved with a 12th season in March 2020.
BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime concluded with its 8th and final season in July 2021,[8] and the 7th and final season of BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural started in October 2021 and wrapped in November.[9] There are a total of fifteen seasons. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Supernatural was not produced in 2020 and has one fewer seasons than True Crime because production was unable to secure haunted locations to visit under quarantine.[10] The final episode was followed up by a behind-the-scenes documentary BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Making of the Final Investigation on 24 November 2021.[11]
The "spiritual successor" to BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural is Ghost Files,[12] a documentary entertainment web series by Watcher Entertainment that was first released on September 23, 2022.[13] The successor to BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime is Mystery Files, which was released on May 19, 2023.[12]
BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime and Supernatural were originally co-hosted by Bergara and Brent Bennett until Madej took over from Bennett in late 2016.[5][14] Madej does not believe in supernatural phenomena, whereas Bergara does.[15][14][16]
The episodes were normally filmed with the two hosts at a desk, with Bergara presenting Madej and the audience with either a True Crime or Supernatural case depending on the season, aided with the use of stock photos, live action recreations with guest actors, and other visuals. In some episodes, the hosts and other crew members traveled around to investigate a location(s), although this method was primarily used for the Supernatural episodes; the show's True Crime seasons were typically filmed all within the Unsolved set.[16] Often, Bergara and a team of producers would pitch and research episodes and Madej would be kept out of the process to give a more fresh perspective.[17]
In the show's True Crime seasons, Bergara focuses on unsolved crimes, particularly well-known cold cases from many years ago. In most episodes, Bergara reads out the story of the case before presenting a handful of possible suspects and theories. During these cases, Madej will cut in to provide his input, comedic observations, responses, and theories to Bergara.
In the show's Supernatural seasons, Madej and Bergara travel to places with haunted folklore in order to attempt to find evidence of paranormal phenomena. These episodes sometimes contain more frightening scenes than the True Crime episodes, and they broadly involve some sort of in-person investigation.[18]
Throughout their investigations of hauntings, both Madej and Bergara use a variety of instruments and equipment to attempt to collect evidence, including video and audio devices. Other BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural episodes investigate supernatural entities and phenomena such as Mothman, Bigfoot, and the existence of aliens. The two aim to create an "everyman approach" in discussing the topics, with the use of humor in an effort to balance the tone between dark and goofy.[17]
In BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural Season 4, Ancient Aliens contributor Giorgio Tsoukalos was featured in the discussion about a potential UFO sighting.[19] Father Gary Thomas, a pastor who had been to the Vatican to learn about exorcisms and spirits, was also featured.[20] In "BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural" Season 6, Madej and Bergara investigated an alleged haunting at the home of Youtuber Loey Lane.[18]
The "Hot Daga" – a portmanteau of "hot dog" and "saga" – is a recurring absurdist animated segment at the end of some Postmortem episodes that is created, written, and narrated by Madej and focuses on a cast of anthropomorphized food.[21] The series originated when Madej asked Bergara to animate a skateboardinghot dog graphic at the end of the Postmortem episode "The Boy in the Box - Q+A" in August 2017.[22]
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