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A spin-off of the popular NBC news magazine series, Dateline, the show Dateline: The Smoking Gun covers true crime cases, focusing on the detectives who race against time to find critical evidence that could crack the case. The show is hosted by Dateline correspondent, Andrea Canning.
In the weekly series, each episode presents a new case and often brings to light the various twists and turns, false leads, and wrong suspects that detectives have to encounter in such cases. The series also promises to provide a closer look at the police investigations, unlike other crime shows.
Ultimately, it is all about finding that one crucial piece of evidence that would help the police find the killer. Viewers who liked Dateline: The Smoking Gun can check the list below for other similarly-themed shows.
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Cold Case Files, 48 Hours, and other shows like Dateline: The Smoking Gun
1) Crime Watch Daily
An investigative news magazine series, Crime Watch Daily, aired for three seasons and was hosted by Matt Doran and Chris Hansen. Created by Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey, the show generally consists of investigative reports about the latest crimes, other true crime stories, and police footage caught on tape.
Like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, the show revolves heavily around true crime and does exhaustive research, so that the viewers are presented with all facets of the crime. It makes for a good companion piece after watching Dateline.
2) On the Case with Paula Zahn
Starring Paula Zahn, On the Case with Paula Zahn, is a documentary and news program that provides the viewers with stories of the latest crimes, interviews with the suspects, family members, and police, providing an expert opinion.
In the show, Emmy Award winning journalist and former CNN anchor, Paula, travels across the country to interview people who are affected by the crime cases. Like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, the show deep dives into true crime stories.
3) Cold Case Files
A reality legal show, originally aired on A&E Network, Cold Case Files looks into long-unsolved or ‘cold case’ murders. The show follows the investigations that went on for years to solve these crimes, and how modern technology can bring a new dimension.
Its episodes focus on forensic science and new DNA techniques to help solve the cases. It also mentions any recent breakthroughs that have happened in the case. The show has been successful as although it covers older cases, it details reports like Dateline: The Smoking Gun.
4) 48 Hours
A documentary news magazine series, 48 Hours has been airing since 1988 on CBS and was created by Howard Stringer. The series originally focused on showing the events that occurred within the first two days of a crime.
It now focuses on the entirety of the true crime cases and features one case per episode. The show has won over 20 Emmy awards and two Peabody awards. Like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, the show is all about true crime and in-depth research.
5) 20/20
On air on ABC since 1978, 20/20 is a news magazine show created by Roone Arledge. It has been hosted by various anchors, with David Muir and Deborah Roberts hosting it currently. The show focuses on the human element in the cases.
Over the years, the series has shifted from traditional investigative journalism to exclusively focusing on single true crime stories. Like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, the show involves the human element in such crimes, resulting in an interesting watch.
6) Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall
Hosted by Tamron Halla—journalist, talk show host, and author—Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall is an investigative crime series that deep dives into the reason behind why people commit crimes. Hall, along with her team, provides extensive background about the cases, which is generally overlooked by news channels.
She uses her knowledge of law enforcement and personal tragedy to look deeper than what is shown in true crime cases. Like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, the show investigates the start, middle, and end of a criminal case.
7) American Crime Story
American Crime Story is a true crime anthology series, developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. The show is the second installment in the American Story franchise. It has three seasons, with each covering a different true crime story.
For instance, the first season covers the murder trial of O.J. Simpson. The entire season provides extensive coverage of that one popular media case. The show has been successful, and like Dateline: The Smoking Gun, it provides an in-depth look into a few criminal cases.
Viewers can go through this list and choose a show of their liking.
