Stranded

"Stranded" is the latest paranormal TV show, building on the ever increasing belief in ghosts. It takes a different group of "contestants" each week, and places them for 5 days and 4 nights into a haunted location. They are given ghost hunting tools, and bring in their own food.

The first episode was pretty good. Mostly from what I've seen so far is these people are friends, and each has varying beliefs in the paranormal. It is fairly interesting, and some evidence is actually gathered, some known, some undiscovered by the contestants and shown to us after the fact. Now, the first episode kept me entertained, but here's my problem. I can't remember where they were, or what their names were. I don't think it's forgetfulness, it's that it's all forgettable. Both the location and the people.

The producers leave some things for the contestants to discover. They leave facts about the house or building, and also info on the deceased folks that happened to reside there. Next was the 2nd episode which was a little disappointing. It was 3 "musicians" who really had no training in the use of equipment, and who basically fumbled their way through the entire filming process. That was very forgettable. Now, having remembered some of these facts, I'm starting to remember that the 1st episode was a hotel or something like that on an island. They were taken by private boat, and dropped off. Now that is truly "stranded." That is the locations the producers should be looking for. No escape. Make these people feel like they have nowhere to go. In the 2nd, they were driven to the location. It was on the ocean and fairly secluded. Not bad. But this episode wasn't as good. It could be that not all people are meant to be on TV. The characters were blase', and it didn't work in the producers favor. I will continue watching, because I think the premise is solid, it's just they need some really haunted locations that creak and crack, and be a little more careful in the selection process of the contestants. Make sure they either get a crash course in the equipment or are amateur ghost hunters. In other words, give me a call.

"Stranded" airs on the Sy-Fy channel Wednesday's at 9pm Eastern. Episode 3 will be at the West Virginia State Penitentiary, (which we know is haunted and been visited by "Ghost Adventures" and "PRS."), and will feature an ex-cop, his sister and her husband. That might be good! I give this show 3 1/2 stars, great premise, but poor casting sometimes, and location DOES matter. If next week turns out like I think it should, maybe then it will be 4 star entertainment.