Forty Eight Hours

IN 1988,CBS had created "48 Hours",a daring news-magazine show meant to cover one topic(examples: Immigration,police stakeouts,on duty with soldiers in Kuwait,Prom nights,etc.)over the course of(wait for it)forty-eight hours!

This ran for a while,but something changed and the producers at CBS News decided to retool this show. It would no longer truly hinge on the time dynamic of covering a story,but would take on a much more methodical,studied examination of a story or event. For probably the better part of a decade now,it's mostly centered around a murder case,usually ones that have murky results or contentious verdicts.

Perfectly fine filler entertainment for those who don't like sports,are shut-in on Saturday nights or have an interest in cases like the ones they showcase,this show has had a flux of correspondents,but some such as Erin MOriarty,HArold Dow and Susan Spenser,have been staples of the show's run,through the format changes.Probably a bit pulpy to be considered serious journalism anymore,more of a counterbalance to stuff like "DAteline" and "DAteline:To CAtch a Predator". NArrative and somewhat reminiscent of documentaries on A&E. A show one usually doesn't seek out,yet will most likely be drawn in once they give a show a look.

I was watching 48 Hours on Saturday nights because they focus on murder cases like Katherine Woods case and others on a weekly basis. They go into detail of a case, talk with suspects, witnesses, friends, relatives, and others about the case as well as the prosecutors, policemen, and defense attorneys. They also help us understand the community and environment where these crimes happen. Of course, they talk about injustices, legal talk, and the case at hand. Trials can be both boring and exciting at the same time. The show has changed from being investigative to focusing on one subject to help us understand the story which is always reality. It's always frightening how potent the truth can be. How people who look like you and me could be involved in such horrendous crimes? Especially when the victim is close member of the family, spouse, friend, etc. Recently, they had done the Napa murders and are going to do an hour on the Atlantic City Murders which has not been solved. They also follow up on cases like the Katherine Woods case too.

The show is interesting, but it does the unspeakable: It asks viewers to weigh in, as though gossip should ever be considered. The judicial process is problematic enough without armchair jurors. It's a dangerous gimmick, and shame on them.

For years being a viewer of "CBS" this award winning real life investigative news program "48 Hours" has always been a must view as the reporting and interviews and cases examined are cutting edge and often open for challenge with both sides of the legal system often making challenges and fighting for answers. Each case featured does involve crime mostly murder and the cases are real life many are cold cases unsolved one's from many years ago it's like a search and find mission a detective show at it's best! It's really interesting and in depth many stories and cases featured are high profile and in depth that involve cases of serial killers. The interviews given with family members, police, and suspects are revealing and eye opening. Plus the reporting is from top notch "CBS" reporters! Overall award winning must see investigative show from "CBS" one of it's real life best!

These are one of those shows that keep you hooked until the end. The suspense is also really well done. The best time to watch this is at night, it's really a great experience. You sometimes don't know whether the cases get resolved at the conclusion.

It is a intriguing show that is edited in such a sure-handed way. You hear different sides to the story, from the authorities to lawyers and from criminals to the friends & family of the victim(s). There's a lot that goes on within that hour!

48 Hours Mystery and 48 Hours on ID are the ones I like the most but the original 48 Hours is just as great as its successors. The genres are mixed so well, like drama and sometimes horror, and I'm glad there are so many to watch. If you don't have/use DVR for your cable, you can easily find full episodes on YouTube and the CBS News website. Give it a watch and you'll want to know more about the story in each episode from beginning to end.