Updates of Previously Reviewed/Supernatural Sisters

I have taken a couple of weeks off to watch some of the latest shows airing new episodes. Let's get started.

"Stranded" is turning into a fairly decent show. Last nights episode was kind of painful though. The female in the trio was so scared, it became painful to my eyes but especially my ears. I do feel sorry for her. But I have never seen anyone that freaked out. When left alone she started whimpering, then screaming and sobbing uncontrollably. To be honest even the guys were scared. Even the skeptic came around. If they continue to use good locations, and maybe screen future "guests" a little better, it could be good.

"Haunted Collector" has also proved to be pretty good into this new season. I like all the characters, and they know what they're doing. Here's one thing I've noticed...every out-come so far this season has been a success. They remove an item, and poof...ghost's are gone! I have a bit of a hard time with that. But it is the paranormal, and since so much is still unknown, I can't at this time call total bullshit.

"Ghost Adventures" came close to hitting the bottom of the barrel with "First-Timer's," which had a few celebs and contest winners, first-timers so to speak. So it was another best-of, which has to be ending because I don't think they can scrape up anymore catchy titles. Tomorrow night's show looks like it will be a new case..."Return to Goldfield." This is where they got on someone's radar to become what they are today. Goldfield, Nevada is a great location. I'm actually looking forward to this one. I do hope they truly went back, and are not "returning" with showing us old clips. We'll see.

"Dead Files" has been good. I like Amy, and I don't think she's fake. Also, they like to investigate family homes,  and that's cool too. I've never ever seen a show "advertise" for people having problems. But there they were during a commercial break, Amy & Steve asking people to go to the website and submit their problems and locations. Nice!

The last show that was new I watched was "Supernatural Sisters." (Bio Sat. at 10 eastern) Since there was only one episode it's really hard to judge, and it's looking like that will be it. I don't know for sure, or if the ratings sucked, but if it's never seen again it really won't be missed. It revolved around 2 sisters from New Jersey. Or New York or somewhere in that area. It reminded me of "The Long Island Medium," except she's entertaining. I got the feeling that the sisters were not as clairvoyant as they claimed. I don't expect anymore shows from them.

I also spent the last 2 weeks pondering what I've been writing, and even wondering if all of this is a waste of time. Look, I know ghosts exist. There is no other explanation. When I was a young child I had an imaginary friend...invisible to others, but I could see him. I called him Casey, because that's the name he told me. I'm not sure, but I had a distant cousin named Casey who died at a young age. Was it him? I don't know. I also had a brother who died as a baby, and maybe it was him. He would have been one-year older than myself. But whoever it was helped this shy, reserved kid make through some trying childhood times.

In 2010, I lost another brother to Alzheimer's. I cared for him for 6 years in my home. It was truly 36-hour days. Shortly after he passed, he returned to my home. I could hear him pacing in his bedroom, just as he did when alive. Here's what I think. He died and didn't know it. His brain wasn't functioning hardly at all, and I believe he didn't even know he was dying. So he came back to the last known location. It all came to a head when he started knocking things off shelves, in anger I'm sure because either I wasn't paying attention to him, (I couldn't see him), or just angry at where he was. After he knocked a large object of a shelf in the bedroom that could have never fallen itself it scared me to the point of anger. It startled me, and I said in a loud voice, "Ted, you are dead! Look for a white light and go towards it goddamn-it." I repeated it again, and that night the pacing stopped. He was gone! So what I said must have been true. There must-have been a light, and he walked through. At least that's what I hope. Rest in peace...dear brother.

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.

Notice To Producers/ Hire the Constantino's

Last night while watching the latest "Ghost Adventure," Debby & Mark Constantino made a guest appearance. Any producer's or TV execs need to look at giving them their own TV show. They are fantastic. I love how Debby practices what I have been preaching for a long time; Show respect to the spirits, check your ego at the door, and watch the evidence pile up.

That is becoming the problem with a lot of these shows, the groups have no respect for the spirits they are trying to contact, and they wonder why they don't get much action. Debby is very respectful to the dead, and she gets results. Doesn't that make sense? How can you go in with an attitude and expect the dead to perform like trained seals? Would anyone perform on demand being asked by an egomaniac? Give this couple their own show. They have proven time and again that they can get Class A EVP's, and they are so good at understanding what they hear. Plus the kindness that they show would add up to a hit! So come on Bio, Travel Channel, and Sy-Fy. Hire this couple and give them a forum. They were truly the highlight on last night's show, being upstaged only by the medium that took Zak on a little walk in the dark. What I think would be really great is if Aaron went with them. Aaron is also very respectful, and he usually gets more results than Zak and Nick. It's gone to their heads. I want to see a show with the Constantino's and Aaron. So let's get it done...I'm sure I'm not the only one. It would be a hit, and maybe show the Ryan Buell's, Jason Hawes, and even Zak what it's all about. Because these folks have lost their way. Time to get back on track.

Haunted Collector

First, kind of disappointed by the abrupt end of "Ghost Mine." No warning, no notice if it's coming back. Also, watched a few new episodes of the "Ghost Hunters." Not much to report except how do these folks get people to call them? The last location was an amusement park on Lake Oneida in New York that was huge. Here's my biggest complaint. Mr. Roto-Rooter calls an end to the investigation at 2:30am. Anyone worth their salt knows that 3am is the Anti-Hour, or Witching Hour. Maybe Jason had to be to work the next day. They were still getting action and he calls it a night. And the owners of the park contacted him! What a through investigation. Amazing.

Now on to "Haunted Collector." New episodes return 03/06/13 on SyFy at 9pm Eastern. Here is a show that got it's exposure from the "Ghost Adventures" crew. In on of the early episodes the crew goes to John Zaffis, who collects items reported to be haunted. They were asking him about trigger objects. I can't remember which place the boy's were investigating, but this is where Mr. Zaffis got his exposure, and probably his own TV show.

John is a likable fellow and his team is too. I watched this show last season, and they had some pretty good cases. These objects that they remove supposedly cause the locations to be haunted. So how does Zaffis store these items without being haunted himself? Glassware. He covers them in glass enclosures. He even has a museum where he houses these items. Now I have no idea if glass is an insulator from the paranormal. But according to him, it works.

This team responds to phone calls and emails from the general public. They check it out to make sure they are not being duped, then head to the location. They first do a sweep with various tools that all paranormal teams use. As it unfolds, they narrow it down to a particular object that is "haunted." Supposedly after removing the object, everybody's happy. No more paranormal activity. This might be a bit of a stretch, but hell, how can we refute it? I guess in watching any paranormal show one must suspend a bit of their reality to believe some of the stuff that gets into final cuts. So, if you think objects can be haunted, and can suspend common sense for an hour this show's for you. Believe me, I've seen worse. I give it 4 out 5 stars because at least these folks know how to use their equipment. Unlike "Ghost Hunters" who once used a Geiger Counter on an investigation. I'll be watching.

Ghost Adventures Apology

I broke down and watched 2 of this season's best-of last week. I want to say, that this crew are still the best ghost hunters on TV. I had forgotten about the possessions these guys had experienced. All 3 have at one time been taken over, and I must say that it must be difficult. We have watched the boy's over the years, and I for one took a lot for granted. Watching the "Bewitched & Bothered" best-of, I saw each member show personalities that were not their own. The one where Zak was taken over and really gave Aaron some hatred was especially compelling. Zak was downright mean, and the look in his eyes scared Aaron and even me. So, that being said, I want to offer my apologies to the whole "Ghost Adventure's" crew. These guys have gone to war for us, and even lost loved ones because of the show. I think it has been especially hard on Nick. He is the one that seems to wear the scars of battle on his sleeve. He may still be having problems, I don't know. So, the BEST paranormal crew on TV is still the "Ghost Adventures" gang, and they will be hard to top. Keep tuning in, these guy's have sacrificed a lot for a TV show.

Ghost Mine Update/Haunted Encounters: Face to Face

"Ghost Mine" is quickly becoming the best paranormal show on TV. Every week it is getting better and better, with more discovery's being made, and more drama as the haunting's continue to ramp up. With the discovery of the Mason's involvement and the secret mine opening being uncovered, using granite boulder's with 3 holes drilled into them forming a triangle and leading to the long hidden opening. The miner's discovered a very promising vein inside. But the electronic equipment is being quickly drained of power. This last episode was one of the quickest hours of TV I have ever watched. I highly recommend tuning in.

Which brings me to my disappointment in "Ghost Adventures." This was the best paranormal show on TV, but this season is a huge disappointment. Tonight is again a best of recap scrapping the bottom of the ghost barrel entitled "Obsessions and Possessions." Come on guys, is this it? Put us out of our collective misery and end it if this is all you have left. "Ghost Mine" is now the best paranormal show on TV.

Which brings me to "Haunted Encounters: Face to Face." I have only seen one episode in entirety, which is the season finale Episode 5 that aired on 12/28/12. Started off very promising, with a crew consisting of 4 people, a lead investigator, a psychic, a case manager, and a tech person, calling themselves "The Paranormal Syndicate." Taking a page from "Ghost Adventures," they supposedly stay all night at the locations.

This episode started with the "Houghton Mansion," home of A.C. Houghton and his family. It is now a Masonic Temple, which once again involves the secret society that is the Masons. It also has tragedy at it's core, with deaths associated with it. In 1914 A.C. and his daughter and her friend were being driven by chauffeur and family friend Mr Witters. He swerves to miss something in the road, the car goes over an embankment, and the daughter and friend are killed instantly. The next day or so Mr. Witters kills himself in the barn, and a few days later A.C. dies.

Houghton Mansion is listed as one of the most haunted locations in the US. The crew heads in, and the psychic, who should be carrying a camera sees a black figure. Then she sees an arm and out coming around the corner, and she's gone. She runs out! If she would have had a camera she might have gotten something, but oh no! I have never seen a scared psychic before. Using a flashlight adds to the crap.

Meanwhile the rest of the crew does their thing. They get a couple of compelling EVP's, but that's about it.

They move on to St. Mark's on the Bowery, a church with a founder of New York (Then New Amsterdam), buried in the foundation, and also built upon a graveyard. Talk about a prime locale. Also the site of many grave robbery's. So they try a "Ripple in Time." This is basically a rip-off of "Trigger Objects." They DO get things stirred up. But here's where they lost me. THEY LEAVE. Because they are scared! WTF! Never have I seen a crew leave in the middle of activity, vowing to never return. I suggest that with that, this show never return. This episode aired on Bio Friday's at 10pm eastern. If this was the season finale, I'm glad I didn't torture myself with the 4 previous episodes. I give it 1 out of 5 only because they did get some evidence.

My Ghost Story/Caught On Camera

First, let me state my disappointment in what was my favorite show, "Ghost Adventures." Last week was another best of, and tonight's show is another. Now, if you've never seen the show, it's probably great. Cuts out a lot of dead air. Loyal viewers like myself are once again disappointed. I've even taken the show off my DVR recording list. What is going on? I figured last week their 100th episode would be new. Nope. Episode 101 is "Bewitched & Bothered," which is another rerun basically. Most shows celebrate 100 episodes. I guess the Travel Channel doesn't. Are they having difficulty getting results? Is Zak the new Ryan Buell? Are the spirits wise to them, and tired of being trained seals to perform for the masses? Spirits were people, and you can't treat them like a side-show act. Where's the show headed? I guess time will tell.

So this week I'm talking about "My Ghost Story/ My Ghost Story: Caught On Camera." For those who are new to Paranormal TV, these are great shows. Hell, I like them. Here you have amateur and unknown to the public paranormal teams. They get some great evidence. And, if you're a seasoned viewer, it's fun to watch and catch the scenes that probably aren't paranormal. I've seen a few where "orbs" are bugs and/or dust. But that doesn't stop them! No cynics debunking. It's great. I've also seen some very compelling evidence. Let me say, if the spirits are getting tired of performing for the pros, they have no such reservations for these folks. If you like lots of action without a lot of commentary, these shows are wonderful. I give them 5 out of 5 stars, especially the "Caught On Camera" shows. Which is what Bio is airing mostly. You can catch this show many times during the week, but the new episodes air on Fridays at 9pm eastern. Ironically the same time as the new "Ghost Adventures" shows air. Guess what I'll be watching tonight.

There is a cousin of  to these shows. "Celebrity Ghost Stories," which also airs on Bio Channel. These shows feature real celebs, and fairly decent re-enactments. Not quite as good the "Caught On Camera" but OK. This is the show that led to Kim Russo's show "The Haunting of..." I've already covered that show, so I'll leave with a couple of thoughts.

Come on "Ghost Adventures." You were the cream of the crop. How about some new investigations? Also, "Ghost Mine" is fast becoming a favorite of mine. The episodes are building, and I can't wait until the next one. That's a good sign. The two paranormal investigator's would give Zak and crew a run for their money. They already are. "Ghost Mine" is my new favorite. Catch them at 9pm or 10pm Eastern on Wed. on Sy-Fy. Next week they are taking the 9 o'clock slot from "Ghost Hunters." Good call!