Believe in Paranormal TV?
As a paranormal researcher I have an open mind and I am ready to witness the next extraordinarily unexplainable event just as much as the rest of the world. Over the years I have witnessed strange events, heard noises, voices, been touched and have even seen my share of ghostly apparitions while visiting some of Oklahoma’s most haunted places. One thing that seems to confuse a lot of people is how often does a true paranormal event take place? If you watch those nifty television shows, like SciFi’s Ghost Hunters or A&E’s
Over the past nine years I have been to many places. I have posted most of my findings on my website. I have some great and often unbelievable stories to share about things that go bump in the night. The fact of the matter is, real paranormal research is nothing like what is seen on TV. It has taken me nine years to substantiate any morsel of belief that I have within my soul. At times, I do find myself in a state of non belief, but it comes and goes. Nine years is a long time and I will admit that it looks like what I do is pretty exciting. It’s not. I live in the real world with real time. My adventures do not have expensive opening and closing credits, nor do they have custom theme music or suspenseful graphics indicating that something ghostly is lurking around the corner. It has taken me nine years to collect a handful of moments that I feel were truly unexplainable. It’s not as easy as it appears to be on television.
This past Halloween, SciFi’s Ghost Hunters a.k.a. TAPS, had a real live paranormal investigation. The event lasted more than five hours with many, and I mean many commercial breaks. As a “ghost hunter” myself, I of course had better things to do on Halloween night than watch five hours of live TV. After trick or treating with my family, I went to sleep! The next day or two passed by, the video from the event was beginning to get posted on the internet. The next week, they had a recap show, highlighting all the “paranormal” events that took place during the live show. I was intrigued, especially by the jacket tug phenomenon. I even boasted a bit about it on our radio show. The next day I wanted to see the jacket moment again. I found the show footage on youtube. I was not aware that Grant Wilson’s jacket was tugged a total of three times. “Three times, really?” I asked myself, I was not buying it. As I watched more I realized that there was something seriously wrong with the situation. I have yet to find a paranormal researcher or ghost hunter in the United States that have had that much “luck” while on an investigation, something was pointing to the shady side of research and it was not shadow people. The jacket tug was just too much, a blatant production overkill perhaps. I watched the below footage and still was not convinced that it was paranormal. No matter how much I wanted to believe, what I was seeing was nothing more than a parlor trick. Perhaps some fishing line, hand in pocket with each tug, each tug the lack of use of the right hand, the unnatural reaction within a human being to regain balance, none of it added up. And I was not alone.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FOOTAGE
After watching the footage, I noticed on the menu that there was a breakdown of the jacket tugging. I viewed the video and realized that this was bigger than just a few people. Thousands upon thousands of views and comments were posted in retaliation of this video, some supportive of the “jacket phenomenon”. Here is the analysis that opened many eyes in the field of research and with fans of the show. This video has single handedly created a scandal in the field of paranormal research.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!
I am one of the hosts of a Paranormal Radio show on the Para-X network called the Ghost Divas LIVE. We have a very active and adult rated “blog” where we talk about all kinds of things involving the paranormal field. We offer commentary on things we see, read, hear or handed to us by “informants”, it often gets heated but it’s all in good fun in hopes to educate others. We decided to attempt to reenact the “jacket tug”; we spent a minute or two and figured out the best way to recreate the event. TAPS preaches continuously on their show that if things can be recreated, it’s more than likely not paranormal, it has been “debunked”. So, we did what they would do. We reenacted the jacket tug seen by millions. Of course our version is a bit different. We included some humorous sarcasm and over acting, just to make it entertaining. Yes, I do have a sense of humor. I take this research serious, but I am still a human being that can laugh at what we do as “ghost hunters”.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR VERSION
After the posting of our recreation on the internet, the backlash from supporters of the show started to pour in from everywhere. The video analysis that was posted, the originator was even getting death threats from crazed fans that claim that it was paranormal and that the cast of Ghost Hunters would never stage paranormal activity. The rebuttals ranged from “they are honest and would walk off the set if they were asked” to “It’s normal to keep your hand in your pocket if you are looking for something”. We offered up a challenge for anyone to “debunk” the “debunking” or any other common sense analysis of the video in favor to it actually being supernatural. To date, not a single person has stepped forward to validate the claims made by these paranormal celebrities. Not a single person! But there is a lot of this floating around!
Why does it matter to me that some guys were caught faking evidence on TV for a Halloween show? It doesn’t in the grand scheme of it all. Unfortunately, this particular show has been representing a field of research that I have been involved with for many years. I am not a fan of the show. I have had my suspicions as the seasons continued on, it was becoming more and more common that they would witness and capture purported paranormal activity. Although I never idolized them as much as some people and teams, they were the closest thing to what I do as a paranormal researcher. Their show has pushed our little “hobby” into the mainstream which in turn has allowed more cases to come forward. The “shame” was being lifted and it gave people who were experiencing a suspected “haunting” the courage to come forward. As a researcher, this is a moment where I am ashamed to be in the same category as these guys. Faking evidence is not standard practice with 90% of teams that I know of here in
Don’t believe in claims of the paranormal, until all possibilities of it being normal have been eliminated.
Sincere blogger,
Tonya H.
aka-Paranormal Eyes
PS- I did not miss the "EVP" captured on the live show. It's not worth the time and energy to discuss it, because it was not paranormal. Even TAPS are now disputing the audio being an authentic EVP, even after they played it off during the live show! The mas majority of EVP's collected are not audible buy the human ear and "looped" for our pleasure.
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Comments
What does it mean to sell out? To let fame and wealth corrupt hearts full of once innocent or honorable intentions? If TAPS has faked some evidence, then they are doing nothing but living up to our ever lowering expectations. As Tonya says, this does have a negative impact on your field. Like it or not information and entertainment are blurring together. Truth goes to the side that can best spin the information we all have. The fact of the matter is that “paranormal” or spiritual experiences have been a part of the human experience since the beginning. I’ve always been a little nervous about taking a primordial, deep subject such as the soul and the afterlife and making a multimillipon dollar carnibal out of it. They seem to run on opposite tracks, yet when these tracks intersect, a wreck occurs. The human soul is making a comeback. Atheism has fired all its barrells and gone silent, organized religion is slow responding to our spiritual awakening. We watch shows like GH for entertainment as well as hope. If one is polluted than the other is sacraficed. Keep them accountable so we can keep our movement strong.
It seems everywhere I turn this week, all I see are blogs, videos, and more blogs about the show in question. It’s funny, but everyone has been trained so thoroughly to debunk. You can see it in the videos being posted and the blogs and comments.
I’m always looking for the bright-side to every bad situation, and I think I see what this is going to do for the paranormal world.
It is going to settle things down a bit and allow data to become more and more controlled. Sure, there will always be questions as to the authenticity to any and all data. God knows, I am thanking my lucky starts that Tom, Amanda, Mike, or Anna Marie DID NOT video tape my jacket being lifted ( see video below ) while we were at the Waverly. Im sure it would not be acceptable by many, but what sucks is it did happen. LOL!
What I hope this does is force the paranormal research world to understand how serious we need to be with our data that we collect and why we need to document, post, and allow for critique. We will NEVER learn why or how this activity happens without trying to debunk what we experience.
So, I don’t see anything bad coming from any of the debating. I only see good… and I hope it starts happening even sooner.
As disheartening as someone faking data is, it also lights a fire under our asses to make sure we keep our shoes clean.
I respect the fact that so many people are speaking their minds and thinking. Finally! 
- Brian
Ghostology with Brian & Anna Marie
The blurred lines between reality and reality TV is bound to create controversy. The saddest part of the this whole escapade is that it seems to be a big surprise that ghost hunting isn’t interesting enough to support a five hour live telecast, much less season after season without the hook that draws more people in. If no evidence exists, or the evidence is not clearly paranormal, shows must fabricate the evidence to maintain their status.
I’m not surprised that they faked it. I’m not surprised that they were so amateurish in the manner they did it. What I am surprised about is the reaction by both critics and fans. Many critics seem to have forgot that they have been caught faking it before, but successfully pushed the blame onto a handy scapegoat. The only difference is now they are the one with the hand in the cookie jar with no way out. The Queen Mary bed thing, the Eastern State Penitentiary tennis shoe wearing ghost, and the restaurant escape in Cali all point to the willing to fabricate evidence if they feel they can pull it off. I can’t say I blame them, if I was being funded in the manner that they are. They must create the impression of reality, despite the fact that it is entertainment, and is designed to perpetuate a profitable spectacle for the masses.
The fans, on the other hand, get into a mode of celebrity worship and refuse to acknowledge that such shows are rigged to provide them with gripping entertainment. Of course, the only reason it is gripping is because of the ill founded faith that they maintain in the reality of the show, and the faith that strange things do happen to TAPS all the time. As such the fans refuse to acknowledge whatever contrivance that threatens their preferred form of entertainment and lash out at those who view the show with a more critical, and less devoted eye.
At the end of the day, the internal argument is moot. The fan base will continue to support the show, and the critics will continue to point out the flaws. On the other hand, people who do not watch the show, don’t care about ghost hunting and probably are skeptical for a variety of reasons look on at the carnival that the paranormal community has become, simply because it is new drama unfolding.
You are putting a great deal of faith in the suppositions and assumptions of one person on YouTube who is unceremonious enough to use expletives to make his point. What are his credibilities? Where does he have the right to sit on an overdramatic black on black screen murmuring accusations? Did you ask these questions before you bought the words of someone… one… Being a group that has been in the paranormal community for some time, you should approach T.A.P.S. directly instead of just taking the words of one person on YouTube. Do we really believe in what we see on YouTube over going to find the correct information ourselves? That is like taking Wikipedia as dogma instead of researching in tried and true resources. I am not saying T.A.P.S. is guilty or innocent, but I am questioning your acceptance of a very disrespectful individual on YouTube and have lost a small amount of respect for G.H.O.U.L.I.
Good, thoughtful piece. This underscores the need for the highest level of investgation standards and an understanding that some research makes for boring TV.
In response to: ProdigalParadigm
The video you are referencing is nothing more than his personal opinion. That video is not the basis of my opinion or those that are opposed to the suspicious trickery involved. The video that is making it’s rounds is the break down of the scenes. The observations of blatant actions.
Credentials from someone that was a “fan” and was nothing more than critical? What would be the point. Ghost Hunting is not rocket science. Take a look at teams around you. What are their credentials?
Ignoring the personal rant posted on youtube by Dan Bell and looking at the evidence that has been rumored for some time now, the personal view of this person is simply him “venting”.
As for approaching TAPS directly. That’s rather funny. They are aware of this situation in full, they have blogged about it and explained nothing. They will not not comment to people that appear to be “against” them. Not even TAPS likes or wants to be questioned.
The above link is just one of MANY that are out there. It’s not just GHOULI , the originator of the video analysis or even the Ghost Divas. It’s bigger and people are speaking about it.
That’s what it is all about!
I heartily agree with you and have posted (along with others) on this very same issue. In fact, I made the proclamation way back in Season 1 that, in time, the demands of the business and those much needed ratings would paint this team into a corner, effectively forcing them by contract to “produce” one way or another. Are they indeed doing so now? Hard to say, but the evidence thus far does raise suspicions.
I think if one watches Ghost Hunters for fun, they’re getting their money’s worth. If you want to see real paranormal investigations at work, look elsewhere. The best investigators, as Tonya points out, are more subdued in their approach.
I also have looked at the evidence on the video and found it very “enlightening”. I haven’t watched the live video footage that was on TV, but what I saw on the you tube video is the guy with the english accent stating that he heard the EVP over his headset. Now we all know what the odds of that happening. I think that some people in the paranormal field think that TAPS is the definitive authority on the paranormal, I myself don’t see them that way. I truly don’t think there is a definitive authority. I have see things before on other episodes that I have thought rather odd when they showed them. The one in particular was the “shadow image” which was later debunked being the small statue. Myself and David saw it immediately when we were watching the episode, even my wife caught it. But again what I saw doesn’t make it correct by any means. I don’t believe everything I am told or see. There are some groups that believe in different things than we do, does that make them correct? I say no and it doesn’t make us correct either.
I absolutely agree 100%, while this type of thing is to be expected, it is still unfortunate. Legitimate paranormal research has been going on for years and years and will continue to do so…..TV shows are ratings driven and while most(benefit of the doubt) got into the show with the right intentions, they find themselves at the mercy of producers and execs that want results and audiences. Unfortunately, it only takes a few knuckleheads to give legitimate research a bad name….it’s a fad now to people who only want to see a chair move and get the chills…it will pass and the real research can continue.
The ‘voice’ was a disembodied voice, not an evp. I watched the live show, and the first time the voice sounded out, it was in the open, not on an evp. I was concerned that the voice was something other than a disembodied energy, but they did their best to eliminate it being anything other than what it was. I am curious, those that are so willing to just accept that T.A.P.S. has committed fakery and blatant false positives, did you actually watch the entire show and the entire reveal? I did… and I rewound many of the events that were claimed as evidence, and was dubious about several of them, but the voice, the jacket… I don’t think either way. I just find them interesting. Ask yourself, what if it were your team, and those events happened to you, and now people were claiming those events were not real. How would you feel? How would you handle it?
I’ve personally been slapped, had items thrown at me ,and seen someone taken to the floor by something that we couldn’t see. I’ve heard things that came out of nowhere. It’s amazing to me, after experiencing these things, that people would be so quick to accept the word of skeptics that a group of people (who have helped a great many people with problems in their own homes… let’s keep this in mind) are blatantly trying to fake their way into popularity. Just ask yourself, what if it were your team under all the scrutiny? I thought this field was about getting the evidence, weighing it, and making determinations based on what we have in front of us, not riding the coattails of supposition and assumption. I am very disappointed in how our community of investigation and research has been so quick to accuse them of fakery and dismiss what the show has done for paranormal investigation in general.
“The ‘voice’ was a disembodied voice, not an evp”
Since when does diembodied voices enter into the directors audio line? It the voice was in the room, then the trendy guy with the scarf and hat would not have heard it. The directors “wire” is not a walkie talkie. So, the voice came from the directors line. Which is typically 99% of the time a one way device. Jason, Grant and the others are hooked up to a microphone to speak back to the director that is sitting somewhere “directing the show”.
If it was a voice of the dead filling up the room/tunnel than nobody else would have heard it besides Jason & Grant.
You are more willing to believe that the sound was in fact a disembodied voice from the grave than the possibility that some events on this show are “staged” for entertainment? Really?
I do not believe that Tonya is questioning your personal accounts with the dead. If you do not question things in this field than TV influenced “ghost hunters” are going to go around and literally do DAMAGE! Both emotional and to property. It’s reckless and is opening the doors for ignorant people to go around declaring ghosts, floating heads, silly string phantoms and disemobdied voices from the “director” to be claimed as proof of the supernatural.
The debate rages on and the lines have been clearly drawn in the sand; was the incident with Grant’s jacket collar authentic phenomena captured on live television or was it perhaps a well thought out and planned hoax? Regardless of the answer, isn’t finding the truth the most important thing?
This is not an attack on Ghost Hunters or any other paranormal program, it is a valid and vital question, especially when dealing with a topic mainstream science already ridicules at every opportunity. Aren’t we as investigators, researchers or ghost hunters supposed to be seeking the truth? Hasn’t it always been a crucial element to keep an open but skeptical mind? Should this pertain only to ourselves and the evidence we have collected? No, it should also include those who have been elevated to celebrity status and are clearly seen as the spokespeople for the field of paranormal investigations, research, and yes ghost hunting.
The fans responses clearly show they perceive any question into this matter or Jason and Grant’s ethics as an outright attack and instantly defend their idols without hesitation. It’s not an attack when you attempt to find the truth and hold anyone, especially celebrities accountable, their actions and behavior is often what the general public sees and often perceived how we conduct ourselves.
Loyalty is a fine quality until it becomes blind loyalty, which is nothing less than a recipe for disaster. While it’s true TAPS has been in existence for a number of years, it does not relieve them of their responsibility to their fans, clients, the general public and especially the paranormal community at large. Whether they asked for it or not, they must carry the yoke of responsibility; if it’s too much to ask then perhaps it’s time to consider making some changes.
Rather than question the motives of those who are attempting to get to the bottom of all this, rather than automatically assume it’s due to jealousy of TAPS’ success or an attempt to gain fame, take a moment and ask “what if”? Isn’t that what most everyone asked when they first got started in this field?
When it’s all said and done and at the end of the day, if it’s seen as just a television program created simply to entertain the masses; then no harm, no foul. However, when it is perceived as reality and hundreds, perhaps thousands use it as a how to video and emulate what they’ve seen in private residences and historical landmarks, it must be then held to a higher standard.
The ultimate goal has to be truth……….
My biggest objection to the possibility that someone would fake evidence for the sake of entertainment is the presentation to the general public that it is REALITY. It is not reality, and it is the fault of the general public for not looking at things more closely, for not utilizing critical thinking, and for being unaware of how the media can easily manipulate us.
If the general public did not so readily accept that which they see on television, producers would not be encouraging people to fake evidence for ratings. While this does not excuse those involved in the deceit, some of the blame needs to fall upon the shoulders of the gullible, star-crazed fans of these programs.
All I could say to Tonya when I watched the video was “OMG”. I have watched many an episode of Ghost Hunters, and have been thoroughly entertained. I have listened to them at their “reveals” claiming that some particular event or image they caught on video was paranormal, and have nearly every time disagreed with their opinions, but I always thought they were sincere. After the video I do not believe in their sincerity any longer, and the disappointment I feel is very much akin to the feeling I had when I first found out my parents had been lying about Santa Claus.
I have to disagree with the theory that they “fake” all the evidence for entertainment value. if that were the case, wouldn’t every place they go to be haunted? Wouldn’t every show have paranormal activity? Jason and Grant are very careful about labeling a place “haunted”. They often explain events as ordinary. I admit, I have been sceptical at times. But unless they are actors worthy of Oscars, they have not faked most of their evidence. They even readily debunk most their own evidence. I honestly think we have a case of the “little green-eyed monster”.
There is a ratio guideline that they are rumored to follow, since season #1.
Yes, they are careful but not as careful as they used to be. Not too long ago, it was around 40% “haunted” the rest “debunked” or “inconclusive”. Now, the ratio has flipped and 75% of all paranormal activity on the show happens when Grant is in the room.
It’s a business to them, it’s not “reality” as real investigators. With the new shows they have to produce evidence, otherwise people will not watch, therefore their job is on the line.
They have yet to acknowlege that the jacket tugging has been debunked or even recreated. They preach that if it can be easily created it’s probably not paranormal. In this case they are ignoring it. Not because they believe it was “paranormal”, because they are not able to justify and validate the “event” according to their own rules.
Hi rock, hi hard place! How long do you think they will be stuck?
To date- Not one person has come forth to debunk the “debunking” of the jacket.
Who has TAPS helped???? They dont help anyone they just say its haunted or not. I think once they had a priest come to bless/exorcise the spirits out. Other than that nothing. But I will admit that they are better to watch than the Ghost Adventure they have everything happen to them all the time with almost the same script
[...] Believe in Paranormal TV? SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “testing”, url: “http://paranormalactivities.net/2008/testing/” }); [...]
[...] involved in claims of hoaxing evidence. The video above is only the most recent example, but a jacket-tugging incident about a year ago spawned similar accusations. In fact, these stories seemingly have been cropping [...]
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Well stated. Please take heed readers, as seen on TV does not work for paranormal investigating. You wouldn’t really hire Tom Selleck to be a private investigator because he played one on TV, would you? Or Katherine Heigl to perform you apendectomy because she plays one on TV, would you? Then don’t expect your local paranormal investigator to be represented by those seen on TV either!