For me personally growing up in the 90's,
it would be shows like Unsolved Mysteries & America's Most Wanted lol

just the music irks me but once they talk about true to life murders (around your town) i make sure i close all the doors and put off the blinds, but then once it goes dark in the room, i would imagine the tv would turn on itself and i hear the theme song for unsolved mysteries lol

also the first Resident Evil for the PSX, that game was freaky back in the days (besides the acting) but back then it was all serious!