Ghost Hunters International Archives

Paranormal State cast

The third, and last – for now at least – Ghost show I’ll be talking about is Paranormal State from A&E.

Led by the young Ryan Buell, the Paranormal State group is basically a bunch of college or college-aged kids going out and doing ghost hunts, with a particular emphasis on helping families in need of being rid of unwanted ghostly guests.

According to their sister site PRS (Paranormal Research Society), the group was originally conceived by Buell as a student group at Penn State while he was a student there in 2001.

The focus of this show is demonstrably different from the other two, in that (of the episodes I’ve seen) it definitely allows for alternative interpretations of events – in that they could be created by people with really active imaginations just as likely as by verifiable paranormal phenomena.

That said, there’s a curious sexual energy I’ve detected in the interactions our hero young Ryan frequently has with the slightly older “moms” residing in haunted houses, who are often desperately trying to protect their children from otherworldly entities.

Knight in Shining Armor? Perhaps. I’ve definitely gotten the feeling that these ladies could use help of a different sort from Ryan as well as the ghostbuster duty.

What I like about this show:

The team often brings in outside psychics, including Chip Coffey, who adds a bit of “drama” – wink wink – to what otherwise might be pedestrian technical quests (see Ghost Hunters – a show devoid of gay energy).
The college kids are generally enthusiastic and fun. Additionally, there are women who occupy central ghost-hunting roles, unlike “Ghost Adventures,” which is only the three guys.
They can’t always provide answers. I think that’s honest and makes me respect it more.

What I don’t like about this show:

Way too much emphasis on demonology, religion, and putting everything into a Christian context and world view. Actually, that is the major downside to this show, as it often ends with an exorcism performed by an out-of-bounds priest.

TAPS site

Awesome location for Ghost Hunting

Recently, my cousin said to me: “for a smart guy, you have really odd taste in television programs,” or something like that.

I guess I do.

Lately I’ve let the actual DVDs Netflix has sent me languish on the TeeVee (it’s the last couple of disks from the last season of Nip/Tuck… another post entirely) in favor of watching three reality ghost-hunting shows: Ghost Hunters trilogy (Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, Ghost Hunters Academy), Paranormal State and Ghost Adventures.

Today’s post is about the Ghost Hunters trilogy of shows. Do I believe in ghosts? Well, maybe, kinda sorta, you know, never saw one but then I don’t think I’m one to have much ESP or other kinds of psychic abilities.

Still, like anybody, I have that part of me that likes being scared to death. So I watch these shows hoping to get that kind of rise. Ghost Hunters is based out of Warwick, Rhode Island. Jason and Grant, who are plumbers some of the time, also head up the The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) which investigates ghostly happenings in the USA and around the world (Ghost Hunters International).

There’s also one season of Ghost Hunters Academy, which is a reality show competition for best student ghost hunter, who then gets to be part of the show.

I’ve enjoyed Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International. One of the reasons is that it seems more authentic, i.e., the team doesn’t always find evidence of paranormal activity. Of course, it’s better when they do.

What I like:
- Of the 3 ghost series, these guys are the most skeptical
- Authentic blue collar, regular guy appeal
- Of the 3 series, the only one with substantial female ghost hunters
- Dave Tango – EZ on the eyes. Also Steve Gonsalves‘ sleeve tattoos.
What I don’t like:
- EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) most often are things like “get out” and “help” – If I were a ghost I’d have more interesting things to say. Also, how come all the international ghosts speak English?
- Shots of the team evaluating their ghost hunter data. Usually they are set up in a hotel conference room and we get establishing shots of them poring over video and audio evidence. This is like watching paint dry.
- Epic Fail: team investigation in Atlanta with the Real Housewives. To me, that just screamed FAKE! However, mildly entertaining, though it’s 42 minutes I will never get back.