For some reason—most likely due to the success of Sci-Fi’s “Ghost Hunters” series—cable television has seen a small boon in programming on the paranormal – some of it average, most far below that mark.
Yet last night’s much-hyped A&E premiere of “Paranormal State” hit a new low for “reality-based” ghost television on most every conceivable level.
But before I haul out the cleaver, a little data on the show’s concept – based around a group of Penn State students (the Paranormal Research Society, or PRS) who offer their services to persons living with invisible houseguests. Leading PRS is Ryan Buell, the group’s extremely serious director who chimes with “notes” on current cases including one featuring a boy who may be chatting with the spirit of a young man who died close to his property.
Yet whether this kid is psychic or not seems to be glossed over by PRS, whose young membership (with one exception, the team’s psychologist) seems more enthralled by the romanticism of ghosts to understand their subject matter. Later, on another PRS case, Ryan Buell calls in Lorianne Warren to consult on a possible haunting – which for any ghost hunter worth his or her salt, immediately sets off alarm bells, as Mrs. Warren and her late husband Ed carry a long-earned reputation in paranormal circles as total crackpots.
An example or two: the Warrens’ steadfast involvement with the heavily debunked ”Amityville Horror” case, and their creation of a book on werewolves.
No, not mythical or Hollywood werewolves -- the real thing.
To this end, the tone struck by “Paranormal State” (and Ryan Buell, in particular) becomes so preachy and irritating that after viewing the first two episodes (which foreshadows a long-term story arc with Buell allegedly stalked by an evil force) I have zero interest in seeing anything further.
The show is that overdramatic – not mention insulting to anyone pondering the unknown with an ounce of skepticism or self-respect.
Thus, move on kids – nothing to see here.
13 comments:
Not only was the show lame but the technical quality was at about home made level. The sound was poor at best, half the time you could understand what they were saying. Video was crap on night vision, I can do better on my Sony camcorder. The whole thing was not up to professional TV quality. A&E should have spent more money on making it and less on hyping it.
I have been a research medium for over 20 years. I have never met a demon. Angry spirit person, yes, demon, no. Classic horror tactics are being used in most of these shows. Let's face it, it is about advertising dollars and what producers think people will watch.
Television is a business. Horror has always been a big seller so it is not a coincidence that is what is being presented. I have done some consulting for television and if you think you are seeing reality, they will be happy to tell you it is entertainment when pressed.
I am working on a documentary that is completely real. It has a real conversation with a real spirit person who is claiming she is misidentified. Actual evidence such as: Coroner's Inquest, newspaper accounts of the day, Hotel Logs, and research from a descendant all point to this claim being completely true and the world famous legend being completely WRONG. All the work in done in the light of day.
Hotel Del Coronado case
So the question for the viewing audience is: Do you want to continue to be fed horror as reality paranormal or would you rather learn something and be told the truth?
In a pefect world you would combine a reputable research medium with all the tech gear and then see where we stand. In my case the spirit people come to me. They know I will do my best to assist them. I have nothing to hide and will allow any equipment to be used that does not interfere with the communication process.
Television producers are afraid that you will not watch a show like this. No demons, no crawling around in the dark, just the truth as we discover it. If you want this type of programming you need to let the cable networks know.
Thx for your time.
Bonnie Vent
San Diego Paranormal Research Project
Every 30 years or so the demons literally come out to play. So it was in the 1960s at the height of the Vietnam War culminating in the 1970s with things like 'Amityville Horror' and 'Exorcist'.
Now, 30 years later we have a war on in Iraq and the darkness once again comes to the forefront. The unifying force? Demonologists.
In the 1970s it was cool to be an 'exorcist', never mind that most people had really no clue what that entails. Today it's cool to be a demonologist.
Whether to protect turf, or because there are real dangers, most current demonologists are very concerned with this recent movement, growing their ranks. They say this is not for the weak of heart and only for those that are literally called to the work. It's troubling.
Equally troubling is the resurgance of Lorraine Warren. Now don't get me wrong, she's earned her stripes one way or another. But, it appears the PRS may be her most recent convert. For me, the drama and the sheep-goat mentality evidenced on-screen is a put off.
There does appear to be a storyline building: Ryan vs the forces of darkness. Perhaps we judge to soon, perhaps we judge too accurately. Future episodes will reveal all.
Thanks for the comments everybody.
While I must admit the PRS crew did a little research in their field work, most of their ops resembled a clueless bunch of kids screwing around the paranormal on a lark.
Plus, we always have to remember that what drives "reality-based" paranormal investigation shows like these is results (be they real or faked).
After all, from the standpoint of the producers of such shows, the absolute worst thing that happen while cameras are rolling is nothing.
As someone who has done paranormal research, not just ghost hunting, for several years, I was disturbed and bored throughout this show. First, what the apparent lack of any type of diagnostic equipment use or site control...but they call themselves researchers. Second, although I have had experiences with demonic or nature spirit entities...the hype factor this was used for was just stupid. Once again, the hip paranormal topic has generated a group of people running around with camcorders. I was also a little disturbed that they attempted cleansing rituals for these people. We ALWAYS direct the people back to whatever faith they believe in and let them go from there. I have seen numerous times that amatures playing at cleansings have created more problems than they have helped. I will not be watching anylonger. In fact, due to all the attention these kind of shows have generated, I am seriously considering selling my equipment and finding a hobby.
Johnny:
I would stick with ghost hunting, and not let a bone-headed TV show like this scare you off (no pun intended).
The key to this hobby is finding people who share a mindset on the paranormal that is similar to your own.
I gave up at the fourth episode when one member of the team suggested to the parents that their children get baptized! for me, it's pure Christian propaganda, they cannot find manifestations of God but curiously demons are plentiful and noisy and the bible along with holy water seem to be the answer to everything! I was expecting something more scientific but I guess it's not sexy enough.
Spot on reviews people, Im glad to see I wasn't hallucinating this peace of rubbish.
It did make me pine for the now defunked 'Paint Drying' channel.
I agree with most other posts. This show is so bad it's laughable.....especially the "expert" Chip I think his name is.....this guy is a total joke.
In conclusion, this show is absolute garbage.
It's all about entertainment and it all depends on how you like to be entertained. What is normal to some may be abnormal to others. Whatever the circumstances ' the views are many and some may only find relief in the unknown. The mind is very powerful, if you know how to use it. Therefore the spirits live within each and everyone. The type of spirit that lives in you depends on your own attitude.
I would rather watch Paranormal States, it is informative and entertaining than watch other mindless reality programs that don't grace the tv airwaves.
Do you really watch shows like this on TV and expect to see a real case, and a real investigation with real blessings and real closure? If thats what you want this is NOT your show. EVERYTHING is scripted obviously. However I find it entertaining. It is poorly executed but hell that
's half the fun of watching it. Hey to each their own but if you watch it expecting to see a real investigation then you are a tool.
The show has apparently achieved it's goal as you have all watched it. Whether what they present is true or not, we will all find out later. But if it sucks so bad, you should probably change the channel.
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