BuzzFeed Unsolved

BuzzFeed Unsolved (also known as simply Unsolved) is an American documentary entertainment web series created and produced by Ryan Bergara for BuzzFeed. It first aired on YouTube on February 4, 2016, and has run for 12 seasons so far. The show previously aired on the "BuzzFeed Multiplayer" channel, but currently airs on "BuzzFeed Unsolved Network".
The show is 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 are often morbid, most episodes are presented in a comedic manner, cutting between Bergara's voiceover of the episode's topic and comedic discussion with Madej. The show is filmed primarily in Los Angeles, with some episodes filmed in separate locations in the US and UK. Each episode is followed by a question and answer episode, entitled "BuzzFeed Unsolved Postmortem", wherein Bergara and Madej answer questions sent in by viewers about the week's episode.
The show has become an immensely popular BuzzFeed production, regularly featuring as one of the network's most watched shows. Prior to the premiere of Season 8, BuzzFeed renewed the show for a 9th season, which aired in late 2018. In 2019, the 10th season premiered in March and the 11th season premiered in September. In late 2019, Bergara and Madej started their own digital production company, Watcher Entertainment, with "Worth It's" Steven Lim. However, the two are still employed at BuzzFeed as freelance producers, and continued "BuzzFeed Unsolved" with a 12th season in March 2020.
Format.
Synopsis.
"BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime" and "Supernatural" are currently co-hosted by Bergara and Madej, with Madej having taken over from original co-host of Bergara's, Brent Bennett, in late 2016 due to Bennett no longer having enough time to devote to the show's production.
The show is known for the dynamic of its co-hosts, with Madej acting as a skeptic against Bergara's theories and belief in ghosts. The contrast between Bergara's belief in conspiracies and the paranormal versus Madej's skepticism provides the majority of the comedic dialogue; however, despite Bergara's strong belief in otherworldly spirits, he shows reluctance towards belief in cryptids such as Bigfoot and aliens, in contrast to Madej, who conversely believes such creatures to be somewhat more realistic or grounded in reality. Those in support of Bergara have been nicknamed "Boogaras", and those supporting Madej's skepticism have been nicknamed "Shaniacs"; questions submitted to each week's "Postmortem" episode generally fall into both camps, either in support of Bergara's theories or in skepticism of them.
Production.
The episodes are normally filmed as 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 and other visuals. In some episodes, the hosts and other crew members travel around to investigate a location(s), although this method is primarily used for the "Supernatural" episodes; the show's "True Crime" seasons are typically filmed all within the "Unsolved" set. Due to the show's growth in popularity, Bergara works with a number of individuals to propose cases if the show is capable of covering them, while Madej is kept out of the process to give a more fresh perspective.
Other important members of the main "Unsolved" crew include TJ Marchbank, 1st AD, Devon Joralmon, line producer, and cameraman Mark Celestino.
"BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime".
In the show's "True Crime" seasons, Bergara focuses on unsolved crimes, particularly well-known cold cases from many years ago. In these, Bergara typically reads out the story of the case, including evidence the police working on the case used, before presenting a handful of possible suspects and theories, from both the official police reports and the ideas of others, coupled with evidence that can both prove and disprove their involvement. During these cases, Madej will cut in to provide his input, responses, and theories to Bergara, ending the episode with both hosts discussing which theory appears most likely based on the suspects involved.
"BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural".
In the show's "Supernatural" seasons, Madej and Bergara discuss alleged paranormal entities, hauntings and demons, often seeking evidence of their existence. The shows' "Supernatural" seasons typically include one alien and one demon themed episode per season.
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.
Guests.
In "BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural" Season 4, "Ancient Aliens" contributor Giorgio Tsoukalos was featured in the discussion about a potential UFO sighting. A recurring guest on the show, in person and by mentions, is the "Vatican approved exorcist" Father Gary Thomas, who discusses his belief in demons and the supernatural. During Postmortem episodes, guest co-hosts are occasionally brought in.
The Hot Daga.
The "Hot Daga" is an animated mini show series shown at the end of Postmortem episodes, created, written, and narrated by host Shane Madej. The series originated when Madej jokingly wanted a skateboarding hot dog graphic at the end of the Postmortem episode "The Boy in the Box - Q+A" in August 2017, and has grown to multiple mini-episodes and musical numbers which are sung by Madej himself. Although at the beginning of episodes, Madej jokes that the show is commissioned by his co-host Ryan Bergara, Bergara is infamously not a fan of the series despite voicing one of the characters and having his own musical number. However, Bergara listens to the show as it is narrated to the audience, though he does not fail to admonish it at any given opportunity.
Notable characters include Pam, an evil hotdog witch, Gene, a red container of french fries, Mike soup, a spaceship pilot and space wars veteran, Maizie, a holographic lesbian corn icon, and the Plupples. Another character, Dr. Ernesto Gordon Goondis, is voiced by Bergara through Madej's splicing of many of his dialogues from "Unsolved" and connecting them to create the voice of the character.
Since Season 5 of True Crime, the end of some Postmortem episodes have included a "Roast Mortem" section where the hosts go through commenters' roasts on the hosts in the episode in question. The segment later changed to "Toast Mortem" during the COVID-19 pandemic to spread positivity during quarantine. This segment has replaced the Hot Daga episodes, with the last installment of The Hot Daga having taken place in September 2018.