Ghost Mine

I will try to do my posts on Thursdays here on out. "Ghost Mine," which is a new show, airs on Wed. at 10  Eastern on SY-FY. I will talk about it in a sec, but I just wanted to mention a show I've talked about before, "Ghost Hunters." A new episode aired last night, and I want to tell you, I'm really not impressed. Are these folks ever without a flashlight? Jason and Dave were walking around and they looked like burglars casing a joint for things to rob. They were jerking their lights around, constantly moving them up, down, sideways and back. I am surprised they ever get any evidence. I have never seen people that get paid to do what they do act so stupidly. Since a film crew follows them around, they have their hands free to survey every god-damn sound they hear. It's one thing to see where you are going, but it's another to never be in darkness. Are they scared? Let me say this: I'm done. They can do with this show whatever they want, but I'm done watching. It used to be kind of funny. Now it's just people bumbling their way through a location, flashlights blazing. Don't watch. There is a show that that follows their time slot that I think is great. It's called "Ghost Mine."

Ghost Mine takes place in Sumpter, OR at the old Crescent Mine. I've been to Sumpter, it's a cool town. A Texas oilman is re-opening the mine looking for gold. There are about 8 miners, all hit hard by unemployment and the economy. They are there to feed their families. Miners are very superstitious, especially the underground ones. They aren't too happy to have a couple of paranormal investigators around. Especially one with red hair. They are pretty rude to them in episode 1, and make their feelings known. They don't want them near the mine when they mining. They thought the paranormal folks would only go in after the shifts are over. They are quite rude, but underground mining is a very dangerous occupation. Sumpter has a huge dredge that was used in the late 1800's that is still on-site. A local Native American believes the whole town is cursed because of the scars done to the land by the dredge.

I've watched the first 3 episodes, and I'm liking it. One old miner is working, and hears 3 distinct knocks. He calls them Tommy Knockers, and when he hears these knocks, he's gone. He says," let's get the hell out of here." And I mean he leaves the site. He refuses to ever set foot in there again. He says there are good Knockers and bad. He thinks these are bad. Patrick and Kristen, (the paranormal folk), are getting evidence quickly. They have cameras set up, so they can watch as the miners work. The paranormal crew goes into to where the miners were and start an EVP session. They are hearing all kinds of things. Sounds of metal clashing, sounds of someone walking, when they are the only ones there. They also discover a new cave-in, proving the Tommy Knocker and the old miner right. I'm going to stop. I'm not going for play for play, I'm just giving you folks my opinion on these types of shows.

Kristen and Patrick have 25 years experience. The miners are all mostly very experienced. This is the best paranormal show to come on TV since "Ghost Adventures." I mean it's exciting! It's real! It's worth an hour of your time. Today they are showing the first 3 episodes back-to-back at 2pm Eastern. Watch! Great show.

Ghost Adventures Latest

After watching Episode 99 of Ghost Adventures, I must say that I've been quite disappointed with this season. Four episodes have been "Best Of," which is kind of a misnomer. Yes, it's the best of several episodes which all have the same theme i.e. "Haunted Hotels," but there is nothing new, except for Zak's commentary. No scenes that didn't make it into the original episodes, nothing "new." Now if you're new to the show is guess this is fine, but if you've been watching from the start, it's very disappointing.

After watching the episode before this last one, I thought "alright, new shows, new places." Then last night, here we go again. I don't know what is happening to the crew internally, but as I've said before I think Nick is burned out. Are they doing this because Nick is leaving the show? Has the Travel Channel chopped the budget? Are they all tired of it and this is going to be it? I have more questions than answers, but let me say this: If Nick does leave, don't replace him. I think Zak and Aaron would be fine with just them investigating. If you look back, I've noticed that Zak and Aaron seem to get the most action in every episode. Aaron has been promoted to 'Investigator," and that was wise. He always seems to get the spirits to rise up. I think it's because of his demeanor. He's a likable guy, and I think spirits are drawn to him. And Zak is the lead investigator, and he's always been a pleasure to watch.

So, I just ask, "What is going on with Ghost Adventures?" Is this it? The next episode will be number 100. Will it be the swan song? I don't know yet. I have Dish, and so far my listings haven't updated so I can see what next week's episode is. I know this show has caused personal problems for all the cast. Maybe they need a break. Or maybe the adventure has come to an end. Either way, I've enjoyed myself, and without them Friday night's will suck. But so do "Best Of" episodes.

The Haunting of...

"The Haunting Of..." is a show on the Bio channel featuring Psychic/Medium Kim Russo, and a new celebrity each time that has usually first told their story of a haunting on the show "Celebrity Ghost Stories."

I first saw Kim Russo a few years back on "Paranormal State." I can't remember the episode, but I think she has only been used by Ryan Buell and company one time. Kim claims that she actually sees ghosts, and talks with them silently. She and the celeb arrive separately at the site of the haunting, and sometimes this is a haunting that has happened before they were famous, although not always. I remember 2 episodes I saw, one with Regis Philbin and one with Gina Gershon. Both were quite interesting. I think Regis is quite the skeptic at first. But towards the end when Kim names some names that only he and people very close to him would know, I think he changed his mind. Now I'm not saying that everything that Kim uncovers couldn't be found somewhere, but I think she won him over. Kim is quite interesting, and a lot of times is greeted by the spirits of the location before she even gets there. If she is the real deal, it must be a very hard existence. I mean, imagine everywhere you go, you see spirits, and they all want to talk to you at the same time, because they know she can see and hear them. The Gina Gershon episode was pretty good too, although all of things that Kim uncovered could be found in public records. This haunting happened while Gina was in New York, going to college. Since I've only seen 2 shows, and they are not showing new shows right now, I will say I've spent time on things a lot worse. Kim is quite likable. And the celebrities usually are fairly famous. So I give it 3 1/2 stars.

I may revisit this later on when new episodes appear, if they do. It airs on Bio on Saturdays at 10 pm Eastern. I want to believe Kim is the real deal, I really do. If not, she should be an actress. Sometimes while watching "Paranormal State," and Ryan is being an ass, I sing the intro of the Beatles song, "I'll Get You," when Lennon is singing "Oh Yeah Oh Yeah," except I substitute "Bullshit Bullshit." Try it sometime. One show I really sing along with is "The Ghost Hunters." I don't know if any of these shows are real, and I'm not sure spirits are real. I'm becoming a skeptic myself. The TV has been inundated with paranormal shows, a new one appearing almost weekly. I will continue to be open, but I sure would like to go to a haunted location with a pro, and see it with my own eyes. As a child I think I was haunted by a spirit, but I can't say for sure. So I'll continue singing "Bullshit Bullshit" when I watch and see something that is crap. Maybe someday I'll be proved wrong. I also think My brother who died of Alzheimer's came back after he died, giving me goosebumps, and I could hear pacing every night in his old room. (he moved in with me so I could care for him.)  One day something fell of a shelf that was not gravity, and it pissed me off. So I said, "Ted you're dead! Look for a white light. Look for a white light and go through it!" He hasn't been back.

Fringe

I know that this is a sci-fi show, but having just watched the series finale, I felt I had to mention it. Fringe is about a government group that has the utmost clearance, and to most people it does not exist. It investigates odd occurrences. I by odd, I mean weird, sometimes almost paranormal happenings.

I have watched this show since it first came on TV, since 2008. It was one of the greatest TV shows of all time, in my humble opinion. Kudos to the actors we feel in love with, and to the writers who took this series to the extreme. I will be honest, I cried like a baby at the end. I will really miss this show. It became part of my Friday nights for 5 years. Incredible! The finale has truly left me speechless. From the special effects, to the set design, to the instruments etc. that looked so real. I think I know one reason Fox had to end it. I bet it cost a fortune to shoot. It had such realism, you forgot that these type of things don't exist. I am not going to write about all the things that happened in the last 5 years because it would take me weeks. From the acting to the props, this show was top-notch.

So, I'd suggest buying the box set when it comes out. It would be prudent to see this from the beginning. I really hope that Fox goes all out, and releases the whole thing on Blu-Ray. I begging you Fox, release the whole thing as a box set in Blu-Ray. I'll be waiting. And so should you...

The Dead Files

Another show on the Travel Channel is called "The Dead Files." This is based on the idea of putting a psychic/medium and a former policeman together, both investigating the site separately, then coming together in the end to compare notes.

Amy Allen is the psychic/medium, and Steve DiSchiavi is a former NYPD homicide detective. What makes it interesting is both come across as very credible. Amy is able to actually see dead people, and communicate with them. I will say that she seems very real, even feeling the pain the dead felt when they died. If she is an actor, she should be on the Silver Screen. Her expressions are at times priceless. If she pulling one over on us, damn she needs an Oscar. Steve is the real thing too. You can detect his accent, and I have a feeling he was a very good detective. He investigates and gathers facts. Facts on who lived and died there, and any other truthful things he can uncover. Also on the show is Amy's hubby, Matt Anderson. He is the "cleaner." He goes to the site before Amy and removes or covers up anything that might be leading. What I mean is, anything that might help her. It essentially makes her blind. Except if she is in a location that you can't remove things, such as a prison. He also follows Amy during her investigation, filming her on a Handy Cam. He also asks her questions that all of us watching may want to know the answer to.

The episode I last saw was them at the New Mexico State Penitentiary (now closed). An actress was involved with filming there. She was experiencing failing health, and her home was now haunted after the shoot. Her big mistake was finding a hat at the site, bringing it home for her kids to play with. Shortly after, she began seeing a shadow figure, and her health declined. She made the cardinal mistake of trying to burn the hat in her fireplace. She thought the bad associated with the hat would go up in smoke, and out the roof. I guess burning an attached object is actually the worst thing you can do. Amy also sensed she had some psychic abilities, compounding the haunting. Amy investigated both the prison and her home. This is where she saw the "shadow devil." Gotta love it. She had never seen anything like it. In the mean time, Steve talked to ex-prison guards and an ex-con. This was also the site of one the worst riots in US prison history. He also found out that the site the prison was built on was the site of a horrible Indian battle. Amy thought that the ground was cursed even before that.

Long story short, Steve leaves it up to Amy to tell the people if they are in danger, and what to do. What makes it real is that I believe Steve didn't believe in ghosts until he met Amy. She will start giving details that match up with the facts he has gathered. While it is possible that all this is crap, and that Amy could know the story, I have a hard time believing Steve would jeopardize his standing, all for a TV show. But then again, money can make people do a lot. During the show Amy also has a sketch made of the most prevalent ghost, or the most dangerous thing she encounters. The last 15 minutes of this hour-long show is the "Reveal." I won't give anymore away. I'd suggest watching and judge for yourself. If it is a scam, there are many poorly made shows on the paranormal that don't deserve an hour of your life. I think this one does. It shows on Friday, at 10pm Eastern. They stick it in between Ghost Adventure episodes. Let me say that it makes for a good night of viewing on Fridays if you're home. After watching the last season of "The Ultimate Fighter" where all the contestants really didn't do any fighting, and mostly laid on each other for 5-minute rounds, you'd be better off watching the Travel Channel. I think they moved Ultimate for the new season from Fridays, probably because these shows were better than real-life fights. Just saying...

The Ghost Hunters Addendum

Adding to my last post, I forgot a few things. I forgot to mention the cast of characters that make up the crew helping Jason and Grant. To be honest, I can only remember two other cast members. Tango and Amy, (I think). Tango seems like a nice guy, but there's a man with a beard that usually accompanies him. He is NOT likable in any way. He comes across as a conceited know-it-all. I cannot remember his name. Since all my research comes from ONLY watching the episodes, he will remain nameless. But I think he has been with the gang from the beginning. Amy is a likable person that comes across on the screen well. I think she was pregnant during the filming of the last new episodes. Kudos for investigating while pregnant. One episode that sticks out from this time is when the spirits are harassing her. Cannot remember where they were. But my point is I think I don't remember the names of the others because there is nothing memorial about them.

So to wrap up this gang, I did watch a re-run last week. If you go into watching this show taking a humorous slant, it can be funny. I mean laugh out loud funny. And remember also that they once used a Geiger Counter in an investigation. Kind of sums up their various mistakes and misuse of equipment. So as far as real ghost hunting I can only give them a 2 out of five stars. Throw in the unintentional comedy and they are up to a three. New episodes without Grant are on the way. I don't think it will make a difference either way. Next week I'm looking into The Dead Files.

Ghost Hunters

Started in 2003, Ghost Hunters began with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. I don't know exactly what caused them to start T.A.P.S., but they worked together for Roto-Rooter. Grant recently retired from Ghost Hunters, but Jason continues on with Ghost Hunters and keeping his day job as a plumber. Got to give him props.

The TV series began in 2004 on Sci-Fy network. T.A.P.S. stands for The Atlantic Paranormal Society. They have a fairly large crew and investigate people's homes as well as larger institutions. They have a boatload of equipment, and each investigation compiles many, many hours of data which sometimes take many hours to go through. And to their credit, they admit sometimes they don't get ANYTHING that can be considered paranormal. They also try to debunk any evidence they gather.

The network calls the show a docu-soap, as they show conflicts and the personal lives of the crew members.    It's a decent show, but I have a few gripes. It seems that they don't investigate very long. Either this could be due to the fact that they had to go work the next day, or they just don't like to stay up late. Jason usually calls an end to the investigation, and sometimes this has been as early as midnight. Since 3am is considered the anti-hour, this seems to me to be way too early. This is why Ghost Adventures has them beat hands down. Who knows the evidence these folks have missed? I mean come on, what gives? As the show gained popularity, I know that Jason and Grant didn't really have to go to work. Jason still works as an honorary member of Roto-Rooter. Which means he can come and go as he pleases.

I believe success can be detrimental. In the beginning they had headquarters in a trailer behind Jason's house. They had one van. By the second season they acquired new vehicles and, more equipment, and a storefront. It seems to me that would be inspirational. But instead it has made them slackers. The show reached syndication. I know they have made money. Why not throw every thing in and investigate all night? It frustrates me.

In 2011 the show was renewed for an 8th season, making it the longest running reality series on the network. The new shows after this have been fairly sparse. I think in Jan. 2013 they will be airing new shows again. But they have lost me, and I think they have lost themselves in the process. Critics have cited numerous errors the team has made. Which really means, even after all this time they don't know what in the hell they are doing. So is it surprising that they don't get evidence? I feel you must treat spirits like people, after all they were at one time. You have to show respect. They have all this scientific equipment and don't know how to use it. The funniest quote I've read about these guys is,  "you may own the world's most sophisticated thermometer, but if you are using it as a barometer, your measurements are worthless. Just as using a calculator doesn't make you a mathematician, using a scientific instrument doesn't make you a scientist."

I will close by saying that if you want to watch folks who are stumbling through an investigation, this is the show for you. It can be comical at times. And some of their crew members can be people you love to hate. Showing reruns right now, but new shows are supposed to be shown on Wed. at 9pm Eastern, on the Sci-Fy Network.

Ghost Adventures

Ah, the Ghost Adventures Team. Arguably the best crew on TV. In 2004 they got some of the most compelling evidence of a brick literally lifting off the ground and flying at high speed through the air. This occurred at the Goldfield Hotel in Goldfield Nevada.

Zak Bagans and Nick Groff started this adventure together. They then hired Aaron Goodwin as a camera tech. What separated these guys from the pack is there were no camera crews, they very rarely use flashlights, and they literally stay on-site from dusk until dawn. The only way they can see is night-vision from their digital video cameras, peering through the LCD screen.

Due to his popularity for the faces he makes when something paranormal happens, Aaron has since become part of the investigative crew. These 3 guys have mostly given these investigations everything they have, and are on the cutting edge as far as using new equipment. And by spending the night, they usually get something. You have to realize that to do an hour show, you have to have something to show or hear. A lot of times they may only get a minute and a half of actual evidence. That leaves a lot of time to fill. But these guys can be really funny, and in no way is it hard to watch.

Episodes to watch for are the ones from Bobby Mackey's in Wilder, Kentucky. I think they have been there twice. I do believe they are never going back. They were followed home by something or someone. Called the 'Gates of Hell," Bobby Mackey's is one scary place. If you don't believe in ghosts, I'd suggest a visit. There is evil lurking there. Aaron's marriage recently ended, and he is blaming things that have followed him home. Even people in the production side have experienced haunting's of their own homes.

While I recommend all of the episodes these guys have put out, the last 3 "new" episodes have been best of type of shows. The best haunted hotels, the best haunted hospitals, etc. Kind of disappointing if your a fan. I'd also like to say that I feel Nick has lost his desire. I think he has been through hell at times, and this year he doesn't seem to be in the game. It would be sad to lose him, but I would understand if he quit the show. I don't know if they have run out of places to go, if their budget has been cut or what, but most of the shows from 2012 were a bust.

So, I recommend all the early episodes up to about number 90. I think they are at about 95 in episode numbers. Also, you have to see the brick flying in the 2004 documentary. It is quite unreal. Probably can be found on You Tube. Maybe they need to step back and catch their breath. It's been quite a ride for these three guys, and maybe enthusiasm has waned. I do hope not, but considering that things have followed them home, maybe they have had enough. They have captured more evidence than any TV crew. These guys have become pros right before our eyes, and I wish them the best if indeed they have had enough.

Their show can be seen on the Travel Channel on Fridays at 9pm Eastern. That is when new shows are supposed to run, but they show reruns on Fridays also, and also Saturday's from 7pm to about 1am. I say give them a try. Watch the faces Aaron makes before he's about to crap his pants. These guys are the tops as far as TV shows about the paranormal goes. Their Ghost Adventures have become OUR Ghost Adventures.