Plot Synopsis

THE UNKNOWN STORY is a series of one-hour specials, each focusing on a different theatrical film or TV series. Each installment takes a deeper look into the stories behind these iconic programs.

"I Love Lucy" (Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): I Love Lucy is one of the best sitcoms in history that broke ground on screen and behind the scenes with the perfect recipe of rare talent, timeless comedy, new technology and a live audience. Stars Lucille Ball and co-star husband Desi Arnaz changed the rules of television and created an empire in the process. The Unknown Story follows Ball as she journeyed from B-movie roles to beloved TV star who along with Arnaz revolutionized what it meant to be a celebrity by using the success of I Love Lucy to form their own studio Desilu Productions which was unheard of at the time. But it wasn't all glamorous. With the skyrocketing success of the show, their flourishing studios and a growing family, the pressure on their marriage also increased and it would put Lucy and Desi on vastly different paths. TV and entertainment experts Jamie Rubenstein, host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, Tom Gilbert, co-author of "Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz" and The Hollywood Reporter Chief TV Critic, Daniel Fienberg help tell the story of I Love Lucy including its many firsts from reaching 10 million homes, the rerun and an onscreen pregnancy.

"Gilligan's Island" (Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT): While only airing for three seasons Gilligan's Island became one of the most unlikely and enduring television shows ever made. Even now in the decades following the series the fandom has taken on a life of its own welcoming fans to ask themselves the irresistible question, "What would I do if I was stuck on the island?" The Unknown Story goes beyond the island and back to the beginning from the series' complicated casting and disastrous first pilot episode that nearly sunk the show before it aired to that catchy and memorable theme song, backstage drama among the cast and the abrupt cancellation that blindsided fans. The special also reveals the unwavering persistence from Gilligan's Island creator Sherwood Schwartz to continue and complete the story for fans through a series of TV movies. Sharing their unique experiences watching the show and its TV movies come together from the inside are two of Schwartz's children Lloyd Schwartz and Hope Juber. Also sharing their insight is television historian Jim Colucci and author Joey Green who wrote The Unofficial Gilligan's Island Handbook.

"Three's Company" (Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): "Come and knock on our door" is the first and unforgettable line of the catchy theme song for Three's Company. The Unknown Story explores the show and its early days that would eventually run for eight seasons in the late '70s and early '80s. While the antics of roommates Jack, Janet and Chrissy are legendary early attempts to find that perfect onscreen chemistry were unsuccessful. After three different pilots were taped for the show the final lineup included Suzanne Somers who became the key puzzle piece alongside John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt. But onscreen comedy gave way to big offscreen drama including the sudden and controversial exit of Somers from the show. Sharing his experience starring as the playboy neighbor and Jack's best friend in the show, Larry Dallas, is Richard Kline with additional insight and commentary from television historian Jim Colluci and PEOPLE Deputy West Coast Editor Jason Sheeler.

"Cheers" (Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT): One of the most beloved sitcoms of the '80s and '90s didn't start off that way. After its 1982 premiere Cheers ranked nearly last in the ratings. Due to a loyal and growing fan base that was eager to see the ups and downs of "will they or won't they" couple in Sam and Diane played by Ted Danson and Shelley Long the series eventually grew to a top 10 certified hit for eight of its 11 seasons. Cheers spent one season at number one and became one of the most popular series in history with the finale watched by more than 80 million viewers. The Unknown Story celebrates how the show became a true destination for anyone who wanted to go "where everybody knows your name" as well as what was behind the shocking decision by Long to leave the series during its heyday. Sharing their stories from the show are Cheers writer and showrunner Cheri Steinkellner and Cheers writer Ken Levine.

"Star Trek " (Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): Star Trek is known as one of the most successful science fiction franchises of all time. The original series which aired from 1966-1969 was just the beginning and since then there have been several spin-off series as well as several movies, countless books and movie merchandise making for an immeasurable and tremendous impact on pop culture. Critics of the series are quick to point out the cheesy special effects and over-the-top acting but there's no question that it won over audiences. The Unknown Story examines the elements that came together to make the three season original series into a franchise that spans decades and how the '60s space drama created a new breed of super fans who called themselves "Trekkies" including Bjo and John Trimble who share their stories of organizing the Save Star Trek letter campaign when the show was up for cancellation after two seasons. The campaign was a first of its kind and helped ensure the show would endure. Also discussing the pop culture enterprise is Den of Geek Editor Kayti Burt and Casey Biggs who plays Damar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

"Fast & The Furious" (Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): With the original concept for the first movie based on a magazine article about a then little-known automotive subculture of illegal street racing few expected Fast and the Furious to be more than a flash in the pan. Now two decades, 10 movies, theme park attractions and multiple billions of dollars later the movies about fast cars and family show no signs of slowing down. The Unknown Story pops the hood on the mega franchise to show viewers the parts, people and power that drive the global phenomenon. Even after the tragic death of beloved main character Brian O'Conner played by Paul Walker the machine that is Fast and the Furious endured and paid the perfect homage to its fallen star pleasing fans and welcoming in new characters played by huge stars in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jason Statham and Charlize Theron. Giving viewers an intimate look at the early days of the franchise is original Fast and the Furious Director Rob Cohen as well as PEOPLE Movie Editor Nigel Smith.

"Karate Kid" (Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT): Karate Kid premiered nearly 40 years ago telling the story of a bullied high school student who teams up with an unlikely mentor. The underdog story resonated with audiences and critics alike igniting massive interest in martial arts and kicking off a movie franchise. Since then countless generations have been drawn to the story of bullied high school character Daniel LaRusso turned champion fighter with sequels and reboots including recent spinoff series Cobra Kai that continues to bring in new audiences who are eager to see what happened to the original characters of the first movie. Sharing their experiences are Ron Thomas who played Bobby Brown in Karate Kid and Robert Mark Kamen, writer for Karate Kid parts 1-3. Giving viewers a look at the cultural impact of the franchise is Daniel Fienberg, Chief Television Critic at The Hollywood Reporter and Gene Ching, Associate Publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine.

"Jurassic Park" (Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): As the tagline goes, the first movie in this epic franchise was "an adventure 65 million years in the making." Premiering in 1993 and directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg Jurassic Park and the blockbuster sequels that followed have secured their places as some of the highest-grossing movies in history. The strides made in making dinosaurs seemingly come to life continue to grow above and beyond imagination with new technology and special effects. Now a new chapter in the prehistoric powerhouse franchise Jurassic World Dominion is set for release in summer 2022 and The Unknown Story unravels the prized DNA that has made the movies with insight from Brad Jost host of The Jurassic Park podcast and Nigel Smith, Movies Editor at PEOPLE.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" (Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT): The first movie in the Indiana Jones franchise recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its premiere and anticipation for the fifth movie is ramping up ahead of its 2023 release. Starring Harrison Ford Raiders of the Lost Ark became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time and Ford's Indiana Jones character forever changed what it meant to be an action star. In The Unknown Story see how a vacation between friends George Lucas and Steven Spielberg in 1977 spawned a Hollywood hero, how Tom Selleck almost became Indiana Jones and a series of unfortunate events that almost shut down production of the movie potentially derailing what would become an incredibly successful franchise. Den of Geek Editor in Chief Mike Cecchini explains how the sprawling franchise can encompass everything from Biblical arks to aliens in ancient Mexico while former Movie Critic for The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt celebrates the swashbuckling character and how dysentery among the cast and crew created a signature scene in the movie.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT): This indie slasher hit was made for less than $2 million, premiered to great reviews and launched eight different sequels, catapulted the career of Robert Englund as the main character Freddy Krueger and vitalized a new interest in the horror genre. The Unknown Story reveals how this first movie was made while star Heather Langenkamp explains some of the behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade in one of the most impactful scenes in the first movie and discusses its cultural impact of the franchise.