| rdfs:comment | - Mystery! is a PBS anthology series, which debuted in 1980. In some respects a spin-off of Masterpiece Theater, the concept was suggested to PBS affiliate WGBH Boston in 1979 by an executive for Mobil Oil, the longtime Masterpiece sponsor. Following the success of a series adapting Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey on Masterpiece Theater, Mystery! was devised as a showcase for various British detective series and occasional one-shot stories or serials, importing pre-existing product from the BBC, ITV, and others, but with WGBH as a direct investor in producing new series as well, which would be shared. Such diverse characters as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Morse, and Dr. Jekyll were featured over the years. The series opening featured distinctive animation, designed by Edw
- Mystery! (also written MYSTERY!) is an episodic television series that debuted in 1980 in the USA. It airs on PBS and is produced by WGBH. The show has brought a large number of detective series and television movies—most of them British productions from the BBC or the ITV companies and usually adapted from mystery fiction literary sources—to air on American television. In 2002, they added an American-produced series based on the novels of Tony Hillerman to their roster.
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| abstract | - Mystery! (also written MYSTERY!) is an episodic television series that debuted in 1980 in the USA. It airs on PBS and is produced by WGBH. The show has brought a large number of detective series and television movies—most of them British productions from the BBC or the ITV companies and usually adapted from mystery fiction literary sources—to air on American television. In 2002, they added an American-produced series based on the novels of Tony Hillerman to their roster. Mystery! is noted for its animated opening and closing title sequences based on the cartoons of Edward Gorey and animated by Eugene Federenko, Derek Lamb, and Janet Perlman, with music by Normand Roger. For the Hillerman episodes, the American flag was worked into this opening title sequence. One of Mystery!'s early successes was Rumpole of the Bailey. Other noted successes include The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes starring Jeremy Brett in the title role, Inspector Morse with John Thaw, Brother Cadfael starring Derek Jacobi, and Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren. The last one proved so popular that the series was moved to Masterpiece Theatre for higher ratings. Agatha Christie has been well represented with several seasons' worth of stories featuring Hercule Poirot starring David Suchet as well as two versions of Miss Marple's mysteries. The 1980s and 1990s saw Joan Hickson in the title role in Miss Marple while 2005 and 2006 featured Geraldine McEwan as the small-town sleuth in Marple. Beginning in 2009 (with episodes filmed in 2008), Julia McKenzie has taken over the role of Miss Marple.
- Mystery! is a PBS anthology series, which debuted in 1980. In some respects a spin-off of Masterpiece Theater, the concept was suggested to PBS affiliate WGBH Boston in 1979 by an executive for Mobil Oil, the longtime Masterpiece sponsor. Following the success of a series adapting Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey on Masterpiece Theater, Mystery! was devised as a showcase for various British detective series and occasional one-shot stories or serials, importing pre-existing product from the BBC, ITV, and others, but with WGBH as a direct investor in producing new series as well, which would be shared. Such diverse characters as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Morse, and Dr. Jekyll were featured over the years. The series opening featured distinctive animation, designed by Edward Gorey and animated by Derek Lamb, depicting stock Victorian detective story figures. Like Masterpiece Theater, the series had a host, to introduce the segments and provide historical background and context on authors and characters. Initially, Gene Shalit filled the slot, but by 1981, he was replaced by Vincent Price. Price's long association with mystery and horror allowed for atmospheric tongue-in-cheek intros; he stepped down for health reasons in 1989, and was replaced by Diana Rigg (whose own association with the genre was highlighted by The Avengers). In more recent years, the series has undergone a variety of format changes and now rotates with Masterpiece Theater.
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