What Are Reality Ghost Hunting Shows For Now?

reply to post by AnteBellum

Now that I think of it, I should have just watched the debunking videos. I usually don't, but in this case it would have made up my mind in a instant and not over several months of random thoughts on the subject.

Hail the Internet. If not for the fine minds of everyday people we would still be lost in a mainstream fog of green screen, blurry anomalies.

Took me a long time to come out of the dark like that, too. Thats why I prefer the little guy stories about encounters. Imagine a YouTube channel that has multiple filmed encounters… we go pfft, that guy is making that stuff up. But when "Ghost Hunters" do it, its more widely accepted. After all, we "saw it on TV".

Great OP!

Well done & presented - S&F.

I was just talking about the main premise of your post the other night. I was always marginally interested in these shows but only watched one now & then. My sister on the other hand was a huge fan and finally got me into watching a few of them on at least a semi-regular basis.

You did an impressive job putting together that list. I knew there were a lot of them but had no idea there were so many. I was also surprised to realize that I had actually seen at least one of an awful lot of these shows over the years - I just never thought to add them up.

Of the shows that I watch on a semi-regular basis now (damn you sis!) I have varying opinions.

One of my favorites you actually left off of your exhaustive list - Haunted Collector. The premise is interesting (hauntings are tied to objects) and I get a strong sense that Zaffis & his crew are very sincere in their efforts and reactions and in their interactions with the people he visits. Not sure if it's still being made/produced although it was still on not too long ago.

I liked some of the TAPS shows but often found them lacking in substance and the TAPS crew often felt flat.

I also enjoy watching the Dead Files. Again, I find the premise and layout of the show interesting (a retired NYC detective who I initially disliked but who has grown on me over time) and a medium whom I believe truly possesses a gift. I like how they independently investigate and they seem to both get along and keep some distance from each other at the same time (on a personal level) so that the chemistry really works.

The last show that I watch regularly is Ghost Adventures. Even though Zak and his crew are often way over the top, I believe they genuinely come across some really cool things, and they really push the envelope with new gizmos, gadgets & technology in their quest of the paranormal. If we're going to truly find anything definitive regarding ghosties and the paranormal, continued innovation and experimentation is the only way to go. And although they can be over the top hambones in front of the camera, I think they are also truly sincere, and are just having some fun along the way. And why the hell not?

As far as the truthfulness or reality of many of these shows, I liken them to the UFO phenomenon. I believe that most UFO sightings/events have some sort of logical explanation, but that still leaves a fair number that simply cannot be explained logically/scientifically and which remain baffling and therefore potentially of a non-earthly origin. I believe the same holds true for the ghost/paranormal stuff and for that reason I'm glad these shows are out there pushinh for some answers - and maybe even entertaining us a little along the way.

On a final note - the pic you posted is wild. I'm going to read thru your thread as it definitely piques my interest - and gives me the shivers just a little bit.

I used to be a huge fan of Ghost Hunters and some of those other shows, but I've lost interest. There are too many of them now, and it seems like nothing that exciting happens on them anymore. For a while, I enjoyed "The Dead Files", but it doesn't seem to be on anymore. It was completely unhinged and very entertaining--I didn't even care if the whole thing was fake or not. I also like some of the loopier episodes of "Paranormal Witness" because the tales are so completely outlandish and obviously exaggerated if not downright made-up. But now watching those shows seems like a waste of mental energy. I'm keep hoping something unique and new will come along that will renew my interest, but so far, they all seem to follow more or less the same dull formula.

When I had cable, I use to watch these shows. Now I know, I could find some of them on the internet...I watch a few when I'm directed by link to them.

But I really can't be bothered to do so, when there is so much to read. I'd rather interact with an ATS member and their personal ghost story experience, than wonder if what I'm watching on TV or in the Movies is all theatrical effect or based on the actual event.

Besides, I've had a few paranormal events of my own. I don't really need to be convinced, being I've already had a few ghostly encounters of my own.

CdT

intrptr
reply to post by AnteBellum

 

I used to buy into Ghost Hunters because so many experiences I had were similar to things they talked about.
However when it came to direct evidence, I lost it here…

. Youtube is filled with their "antics".

Afraid I have to pull Zaks covers too. There are plenty of debunk videos there as well. The main stream filters are never going to let the truth out. These "reality shows" are designed to show us a little truth mixed in with a big bunch of BS.

That was my last straw too, I was a firm believer that they would not fake anything and I started to see the debunk videos and I started to look with a closer eye and then the halloween thing happened and it was so obvious that I couldn't watch anymore. If I do watch any I forget the one I watch but it's just for entertainment and if there is nothing else on

reply to post by Riffrafter


It's interesting that you bring up Zaffis bc Jason Hawes from Ghost Hunters trained with him for years before establishing TAPS. I think they both honestly care about helping people, I just think Ghost Hunters was led off the rails by Piligrim and the shenanigans spiraled out of control. Former cast members have had a lot to say about production and their heavy-handedness.

I've had my own experiences and know for myself that *something* extra is going on around us that we don't currently understand. The EVPs are what get me most. I'll never forget the Great Wall of China episode of Destination Truth... It really affected me.

The quality of television has dropped off significantly ever since the first "reality" tv show was ever made. I cannot tell you how much I despise the majority of reality shows in general. I also hate the fact that networks like the History Channel have debased themselves into showing nothing but reality shows. They might as well change their name. Anyway, apparently this is what America wants to see. Why I do not know.

As far as ghost hunting shows, here is what I think is going on...True or actual paranormal phenomena can be quite bland. On average such phenomena is the same, including bangs, footsteps, and other noises, occasionally actually seeing a ghost or something move, and sometimes with more incredible things, but rarely. This goes for haunted locations in general. So all of these shows are going to be hit or miss on whether they find any evidence, but even if they do, it is likely to be the same old thing. That got really old really fast for me personally, as I liked Ghost Hunters when it first came out as well. I watched it for probably 2 seasons, maybe 3, I cannot remember.

I also think that many of these shows actually do use trickery in certain instances. We must remember that the networks are after ratings, not evidence of ghosts or the truth. So employing trickery and hoaxing would serve their ends, while keeping the viewers excited and riveted to the show. That is another reason I tend to stay away from such programs in general now.

But as to why there are so many shows I can only assume that people are watching them. To create such a show the network must think that this is what people wish to watch. Having liked Ghost Hunters, like you said you did, I'm sure we can both understand why people like watching such shows, but I feel that the networks will have to constantly be gaining new viewers to keep getting decent ratings, as I don't think that the fans will religiously watch the show. It will get old after a while.

So the monotony of such shows probably causes them to lose viewers, and maybe new shows move in to fill the niche.

When Ghost Hunters and a few other shows first came out, they investigated private residences. Usually they interviewed a housewife that just wanted prove that she was not crazy. (Her family noticeably absent.) After episodes started to air fairly believable evidence started showing up, everyone wanted an investigation.

Ghost hunters went to Wright Patterson Air Force base (Active base) and interviewed an active duty officer.
This impressed me some, and Ghost Hunters investigated the Presidio. It was not the evidence caught that impressed me, it was the Army official report of closing the Presidio. The sane and sober staff of the Presidio said it was haunted...In the report. One thing I know about the U.S. military, officers reading a report have almost no sense of humor. If you add (for example) ghost, fairies or bigfoot there had better be a really good reason.

Ghost Hunters investigated several other Military related sites and interviewed random tour guides and enlisted men and women. Just the fact that active duty officers will go on camera and talk about ghost should speak volumes.

Back in the day , me and the kids watched a lot of these shows but we stopped as my kids got older. All the shows talked a lot about experience but had little evidence. When My Ghost story came on it seemed to be better and had some good video evidence. Yes, it could all be faked, but I assume not every one is faking.

I have always wondered why in the supposedly scariest places you just wouldn't run some IR cameras 24x7 and pipe to the internet and allow everyone to view the data. Seems like it wouldn't be to hard or expensive to do.

All the " investigative" shows jumped the shark years ago
I like paranormal witness , t hey tell a story & thats all lol

reply to post by AnteBellum


Dead Files is my new favorite. I guess I'm bored with evidence and am more interested in the history behind aggressive hauntings. The why seems to be more important to me.

Thanks OP.

I must admit I am always intrigued by these shows and it is hard not to watch them through until the end. But I definitely have a pet peeve. ----- I don't have a problem with the re-enactment shows that use actors to tell someone's story, but I can't stand when they show something frightening in the re-enactment that isn't confirmed by the person telling the story.

For example, they throw some random scary sounds into a scene, like whispering, etc., as someone walks towards a room in which something paranormal will happen, but the witness or narrator doesn't mention anything about the sounds. That makes me think no one heard these sounds when it really happened and the producers are just trying to make it scarier than it already is by adding their own elements to the story.

The tactics used to keep viewers from changing the channel during a commercial break are also pretty annoying, but understandable, I guess.

reply to post by AnteBellum


It's just not realistic that a paranormal team could roll into town and spend 1 or maybe 2 nights at a location and catch evidence of the paranormal week after week for a television show.

I believe in the phenomena of ghosts because I have seen one. I don't automatically prescribe to the theory that they are the spirits of the deceased, but there is something unexplained going on.

Point is, of the near 20 years I've lived in my house. The "ghost" has only been seen twice and the two occurrences were separated by several years.

Real paranormal actively is too rare & random to ever be caught on video. And it never happens on demand.

And I might also add that if you ever see a ghost, you'll know it. There is no strange mist or vague shadow. They look like a real, solid person. Only they're there where they shouldn't be and then suddenly they're not. If you did try to capture it on video it would look very unconvincing to a skeptic as it would just look like a real person standing there (if they even show up on video).

PS. No, I have never caught my ghost on video. As I said, it is so random and quick that it is nearly impossible unless you were taping 24 hours a day non-stop for a decade or more.

reply to post by sooth


You are so right!
I used to indulge in the idea that maybe these tv groups went to many other locations, just didn't show the ones that didn't produce any evidence. But after a few seasons even that idea seemed improbable. Now it irritates me when I watch these shows, they all have there own special little 'click' and evidence is always the same.

I have seen many apparitions and have been witness to many different forms of 'evidence' in my life. All of which I can't explain and only once did I capture something, when I wasn't even looking for it! It's all too convenient for a television show.

I wish they would show more shows like Destination Truth, where the story is more about the quest, then the goal.

I really liked the idea of Ghost Mine - the whole seasons they mostly stuck to the mine or the surrounding area. It made a lot more sense as an investigative approach to paranormal activity.

Some of those episodes were completely bonkers. Real or fake... it was good television! I know that there's more to things than simply what we see and accept - too much weirdness has happened to me personally. So, I'm a bit more open to the idea that they might not be faking some of these things.

There was also a crazy episode of a show called Haunted Highway (despite the name, they don't always do ghosts - sometimes it's myths and legends, which makes it interesting to boot) in some abandoned town where some really weird stuff happened on camera. Silver City, I think? For that alone, I'll watch that show when it's on... even if most of the episodes are rather boring, sometimes I'll learn some new myth or history.

AnteBellum
reply to post by sooth

 

You are so right!
I used to indulge in the idea that maybe these tv groups went to many other locations, just didn't show the ones that didn't produce any evidence. But after a few seasons even that idea seemed improbable. Now it irritates me when I watch these shows, they all have there own special little 'click' and evidence is always the same.

I have seen many apparitions and have been witness to many different forms of 'evidence' in my life. All of which I can't explain and only once did I capture something, when I wasn't even looking for it! It's all too convenient for a television show.

I wish they would show more shows like Destination Truth, where the story is more about the quest, then the goal.

yeah when ghost hunters first started I thought the same thing, even some of the episodes didn't have any evidence at all. Then I think the halloween episode or maybe that season they were getting way more evidence than they should have. I also enjoy ghost stories and just creepy stories and wish they had more shows where it didn't matter about evidence so much but just tell the story and if there are any witnesses. I would watch that show.

reply to post by AnteBellum


I actually use to watch the dead files pretty religiously , I dunno why in the past year ive just kind of fallen off.

It all seems like the same old stuff, getting caught faking the same old crap......

I like to do my own investigations, tho who the heck has time anymore....

Like you Destination Truth was and still is one of my faves, it SUCKS that its not on anymore, I found it both funny and enlightening, a few times they did get some really interesting stuff, but even episodes where they caught absolutely NOTHING the whole episode was entertaining in its presentation......

I think thats how it SHOULD be done

anyway, my 2 cents

P.S can anyone actually see my avatar or does it come up a brick wall lol

dbl my razer naga likes to double click

remember the hey-day of "house flippers"...at the height of the housing bubble


I equate all these 'Ghost' shows in the same light, everybody jumping on a hot=topic & riding it into the ground with media saturation..
but the 'ghost hunter' cottage industry never developed, and the hopes of selling 'ectoplasm detectors' or temperature sensitive boxes which would make the owner look like a professional ghost hunter, never materialized

sadly the idea of many unemployed setting up local operations as ghost-buster was also a bust...
an attempted Fad that never caught on

I dont watch these shows anymore, any of them. My main question is why do they allways look at night? I mean do the ghosts know when it's daytime or nighttime? Do ghosts only come out at night? ( I thought that was just Vampires & Edgar Winter Group). IMHO if ghosts are for real, they would come around during the daylight hours. As another poster said "It's entertainment, pure & simple"