An Unwelcome Ghost Hunters Reveal

Okay, so I am a Ghost Hunters geek.  And let me just go right on the record:  I really liked Jason, Grant, and Steve when I met them and they absolutely seem to be exactly the very same guys that they appear to be on TV.

I believe that TAPS is committed to their mission, so when they come up with something they can't debunk, I'm impressed.

Unfortunately, somebody at the production company, combined with some shoddy research on the part of TAPS staff, has combined to cast some unwelcome (and I think ultimately unfair) doubts on their credibility.

Long story short, remember the Manson Murders episode?  Remember that dramatic scene where Chris Fleming (sort of a classier and I think less fake Derek Acorah) gets the "ghost" of Jay Sebring to manipulate the temperature in the room?  Well, geeks even geekier than I am have posted some pretty convincing evidence that the FLIR thermal image data was manipulated either to fake the temperature change or to make it appear as if it happened much faster than it actually did.  Uh-oh.

On top of that, the homeowner apparently neglected to tell the TAPS staff that he had filmed a cheesy movie ripping off the murders in the house a few years ago and still hadn't managed to sucker anybody into distributing it.  Uh-oh again.

And then there's that K2 meter with which Fleming appeared to have a "conversation" with Jay Sebring. (For the record, Flemming was selling them in Philly and those who used them in the Penn said they were awfully easy to manipulate, even when you didn't mean to.)  

Here's what Jason posted on the TAPS forum:

"I know a few people have been asking about my feelings on the K2 meter. I am not a big fan. Yes, we have seen it light up on its own as if its answering questions. I have seen a few things happen with it.  It also seems to be easy to manipulate.  If another version comes out in the future then it should have an on and off switch so the user or people around have no concerns of it being manipulated. So there you have it on the K2.

Now on the Manson murder episode.

As for the show being a publicity stunt for the home owner.  TAPS did not know the home owner was doing a movie on his house till after we got to the home.   I do not think the case managers knew anything of it either.  The homeowner did a home production of a story he wrote about some things with the Manson murders. To each their own...

To those who asked about Chris Flemming.  Chris is a good guy and a friend. Each person had their own way of investigating, dowsing rods, impressions, video, audio,crystals and so forth.  We have always opened the door for people and their techniques and always will.  I do not have to agree with someone to respect their beliefs, as long as I respect the person then I am willing to work with them.  Chris has his own way and to each their own."

So, what's my opinion?  The Manson Murders episode was misguided.  Using Chris Flemming was misguided.  The episode was certainly misleadingly edited as if Jason and Grant were impressed with the K2.  And, without anybody at TAPS knowing what they were doing, somebody at the production company doctored the footage.

Its unfortunate.  Jason and Grant have worked for years to earn their credibility and now it's in question.  I hope that their guard is now well and truly up and that when they come back on September 26th they'll be back on track.  In fact, I'm counting on it. 

And I hope that whoever okayed that fake footage gets canned. 

tags: sandy  coleman  tv  

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