Periodic Paranormal Update: The (Fourth or Fifth) Sequel

Okay, I know it's been too long since I've posted a paranormal blog, especially because I've heard that there are people out there who tune in specifically for the paranormal news.  So, let's get caught up:

Ghost Hunters:   The boys are back (as fans already know) with new shows all the way through Christmas.  Scuttlebutt in the online Ghost Hunters world has it that Kris Williams is gone for "personal reasons" and Amy Bruni, who was introduced on last week's show, is in.   The core team of Jason, Grant, Steve, and Tango are so strong that I almost feel as if the "girl" (and, clearly somebody insists that there must always be a "girl") sometimes feels like a second-tier member of the group.  Amy comes with strong credentials so she should be out there as a full-fledged first-tier investigator.  We'll see her perform for the first time this week.  Jason and Grant said in their presentation last time I saw them that the show's demographic is mostly female, so I wonder (and not for the first time) why the team is so male-dominated - as it always has been. 

In other Ghost Hunters news, there seems to be growing contingent out there who seem to think that Jason and Grant are faking evidence.  (Watch this video and you'll get a look at how ridiculous it's getting.  I'd like to explain to this guy the realities of putting together a live seven hour TV show, but, you know, he wouldn't get it, so what's the point?)  Bottom line for me:  I've met these guys.  Twice.  They seem to be the exact same guys you see on TV.  I've got a pretty good gut instinct about people and there is no way in hell they'd fake anything.  Whether it's jealousy (and, hoo boy, that plays a factor) or just extreme cases of know-it-all syndrome (a definite secondary cause) but the SciFi message boards are just overrun with it.  I know it is insulting and dismissive to tell somebody to get a life, but, seriously, some life-getting is very much called for.

Ghost Adventures:   Has anybody caught this show airing Friday nights on the Travel Channel yet?  Here's the gimmick:  Three brash young men  compose the entire team of investigators. In other words, no SciFi-sized crew tags along.  (Though Ghost Hunters crew is not overly large, I think they've got one camera guy and one sound guy with them most of the time.)  So, anyway the Ghost Adventures guys are "locked down" - and that seems to be a very big deal to them because they repeat it over and over - for a night in a supposedly haunted location.

I think I've caught three episodes and in every single one they produce "evidence" that doesn't really seem like evidence to me - we're talking "mists" I don't see, the usual noises that could be made by anything and anyone, and EVPs that just aren't clear.  Still, they have caught some good stuff (the video I've posted is certainly impressive) but most of time I'm left feeling as if maybe there's something paranormal going on and maybe there's not, but to these guys everything is "haunted".  Still it's entertaining, mostly due to the toxic levels of testosterone oozing all over the place.  On the whole, a thumbs-up in entertainment value alone from me. 

Paranormal State:   Sadly this show is currently on hiatus, but it's always one of my viewing highlights of the week.  Is there anything funnier than "psychic" Chip Coffey's dramatic pronouncements?  Or how about the way everything - and I do mean everything - turns into a demonic possession?  As a serious show on a serious subject, this one tanks, but, heck, it's a rollicking good (and stupid) ride.  Bring it back as soon as you can, A & E!

UFO Hunters:   I've really turned into a fan of this show.  Twice now they've gone into locations featuring mass waves of UFO sightings just after the events and done a terrific job of collecting and analyzing the evidence.  There's an appealing skeptical kind of believer vibe to this show, as well, that resonates with me.  2008 has to be one of the most active UFO sightings year in historical record and I'm glad these guys are around to preserve on film the memories of those who've experienced them.  They've also made public some truly extraordinary video.   I hope the History Channel sticks with thie show because it's a good one.

On the cryptobiology front, I've got nothing.  The "mummified" Big Foot flap of this summer really pissed me off.  As does the ongoing arrogance of the media in continuing to ignore the UFO wave (well, except for Larry King who regularly devotes time to the subject).  The good thing about all these shows is that more and more people are open to paranormal possibilities.  Is it too much to hope for the day when the media might be, too?

tags: sandy  paranormal  

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