Tapped Out? – TV’s Ghost Hunters plan to make a press release
TV show with original cast members
TAPS- Jason and Grant, the super hero’s of the supernatural. They are no longer mere plumbers, they are business men. They own, produce and manage an empire. The TAPS empire. From big dollar property , merchandise, magazines, to giant events. TAPS is living large these days, thanks to their fans of course. On top of filming for the weekly TV show on Syfy, Ghost Hunters are now the poster children according to some for literally “selling out”. The majority of people that watch the shows are fans, as for TAPS fellow paranormal researchers watching, not so much.
Lately, the TAPS empire has been under the microscope by their peers. What used to be the occasional “oh my that’s a paranormal” moment, has turned into a weekly cat and mouse chase of let’s see what they can get on film this week. From jacket tugging to sliding pieces of furniture, the past two seasons have been chocked full of ghostly phenomenon, too good to be true. Once self proclaimed “debunkers” are now getting debunked. Not only by fellow paranormal researchers but by regular people that have a great deal of common sense and a keen eye for too good to be true moments. Perhaps TAPS has taught their viewers well? The TAPS scrutiny hit hard during the Halloween live episode where Grant, reported to have his jacket “tugged” by a ghost. Perhaps it would have been more convincing if the “ghost” tugged just once, but it was actually tugged 3 times. Overkill is never good for live TV. Since then, the pressure is on. The real paranormal community is watching like a hawk. The heat may be on for the TAPS crew to get more evidence, perhaps that is why they are getting miraculous events, caught on tape each week. Remember, it is a business.
I will provide a few links for you to see how the general population is getting the word out about rumors of staging crews and rigged evidence. Want more? Visit YouTube, there is a plethora of video to help you make up your mind, or not.
Recent TV show starring singing icon called Meatloaf & Part II
& of course Sliding Lamp Want more? Visit Youtube
I am not setting out to change the way people think about a scripted reality based TV show on the Science FictionNetwork, so don’t get too upset with me. But I do want to share what some are calling breaking news in the paranormal field concerning TAPS. Oh and to remind you that TAPS, Syfy and Pilgrim films are to offer a press release to clear their tainted image this week.
The not so “breaking news”- Many remember Donna Lacroix from the first few seasons of Ghost Hunters and perhaps, Ghost Hunters International. She was involved with the starting of the show, before it became big business.
This week, Donna spoke about her time on the set of Ghost Hunters as a cast member live on the internet radio show titled GhostDiva-Live. The GhostDivas show is a fun and unique broadcast. It comes on late and is targeted towards adults. The show basis is similar to the popular TV & Radio show titled “Whatever Martha” The women sit and talk about what is on TV, have guests and poke and prod at the paranormal field, just for laughs. Donna was a guest on this show this past week and she told the hosts that they can ask anything, from plastic surgery to rumors of TAPS faking evidence. She agreed.
The show has now hit the paranormal and even skeptic community like a tornado. Although, Donna’s intentions were just to speak her mind. The possibility of the TV show staging evidence has become focus. On several sites Jason Hawes of TAPS have made statements concerning Donna’s interview. He also stated that Pilgrim Films and SyFy network are preparing a press release over the show. I find it odd that they are taking this internet radio show so serious. Was Donna telling the truth enough to make the TAPS empire nervous? Many people feel that yes, it was enough to tarnish their image. Donna has made many statements that all she wanted to do was to talk about it. She was also aware that it would ruffle some feathers in the community, but she had no idea that it would circulate around the internet as it did in less than 72 hours. I do have to ask why TAPS, Pilgrim Films and even the SyFy network would take her statements so serious to create a press release? The truth is, GhostDivas LIVE is a small but very popular (for like minds) type of radio show, based in Oklahoma, and broadcast by the Supernatural Radio Network, it’s not a huge radio show by any means.
There are message boards, forums, youtube videos, tweets, Facebook updates, myspace blogs, standard blogs and beyond in an uproar about this show. Many people have been sitting back waiting on the smoking gun to officially shut the TAPS empire down. This show was not the smoking gun, it may lead to it yes, but it is not. The radio interview was to allow Donna to speak her mind and for people to ask questions about the production. To most, Donna is a hero for speaking out, while to a small few, they were disappointed that it was not the bomb they had been wishing for. No matter what your opinion is about TV’s TAPS/Ghost Hunters, the radio interview offers an entirely different outlook when it comes to the super hero status that is seen on TV.
Listen to the entire broadcast here. (Warning: Strong Language and adult content)
No matter what you might think about the TAPS/Ghost Hunters TV show you must remember that the show was created for entertainment purposes only. Why would TAPS be the only “real” TV show on a network that has nothing other than Science Fiction based programming is a great question to ask yourself. If you are a fan of this show that is fine, but keep in mind that it is for entertainment and quite possibly fiction wrapped in a cozy “reality based” blanket.
I will be awaiting patiently the press release from the Syfy network, TAPS and Pilgrim Films. Nobody is attempting to change anyone’s mind, but I do ask that you see both sides of every story from the youtube videos to net radio shows. Do not believe everything you see on TV and continue to think critically when it comes to those claiming to have evidence of the afterlife. In my 11 years of research, I have yet to have a ghost perform for me on camera. Now, I am asking myself, maybe it’s because I’m not wearing a TAPS official and certified t-shirt?
Sincere blogger,
Paranormal Eyes
Tonya H.
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Comments
It is unfortunate that the things Donna has said are being twisted and or taken out of context. The simple fact is the TAPs show offers what are questionable events to say the least. Another simple fact is TV is not real life. In order to keep viewers a show must ‘ramp it up’ as it goes on. Take a look at shows like South Park or almost any other TV show for that matter. In my opinion TAPs should consider the responsibility it has to the public. There are many people with mental disorders who are in need of help, not by ghost hunters but by mental health professionals. Shows like TAPs as well as people like Chip Coffee and Chris Moon reinforce what are delusional episodes these people are having. I know enough to be aware of the fact NO ONE knows for sure about ghosts being real and what occurs after we die, but I am 40 years old and I pay attention and I have yet to see anything that can prove ghosts are real to me. I would LOVE to know we do indeed carry on in some form but I refuse to allow a medium created for the sole purpose of ENTERTAINING people to become my reality.
Kudos to Donna for speaking her mind and shame on anyone for trying to use her statements for anything more than what they are, her opinion.
Well now to say “it’s just TV” is quite bogus. For years we heard the plumbers say that they are debunkers. Now knowing they have been faking things since season one, and now just accelerating the faking.
What really bothered me is the uproar they caused when they investigated the Moss Beach Distillery – a favorite place to investigate for Loyd Auerbach. The location has “props” installed for “ghostly entertainment”. Even though these items ARE WELL KNOWN TO EXIST, the plumbers decided to take the tact that they were “being taken by swindlers”. They was quite a back and forth between Jason and Mr Auerbach for the next few weeks.
When it has turned out that the plumbers are the bogus cheaters.
I am not holding my breathe for the press release. I have a feeling they will wait out the storm and ignore it, as they have always done in the past.
If it does ever show up, I will share it. I promise.
The moss beach thing, that was a joke. Everyone does know there are “props” there. Funny how they missed it. just a quick google search could have closed the case and saved some production money.
What makes me upset is that Donna had a myspace page…and now its taken down….Within a day of that show on Ghost Divas…Ghost Divas said you would have her back – I hope you mean it. I am worried about her.
What got me about the “moss beach” episode was anyone who owns a t.v. knows about the props, it was featured on other shows showing that it was rigged. So, taps was full of crap to act as if they didn’t know it. No big debunking there, and to corner the manager for “not disclosing” the props and making him out to be a fool was pathetic, since it was no secret. To hold the Divas alone for backing Donna is not the only answer if you’re worried about her. WE ALL NEED TO BACK HER!
Tonya excellent article, thank you. I never liked the show simply because they didn’t use psychics or psychic mediums. Some say that our information cannot be used scientifically, but I feel that is a bunch of bull, sensitives can also be used as a tool, reputable ones of course, we sensitives can be wonderful spirit detectors. I feel that the gadget industry didn’t want them to use us so they can sell their gadgets to paranormal investigators, sensitives are seen by these companies as competition, and in the United States not in the UK paranormal teams emulated TAPS in this practice. Now who can’t be trusted? I am not implying that all paranormal investigators fake evidence, those top notch investigators know that we sensitives are very useful. Also I find that shows with sensitives in them are much more interesting to watch, Ghost Hunters is a bore.
To Carolyn: We do have Donna’s back, we promise! We’ve been in touch with her and she is just very overwhelmed with the fallout from the interview.
I have been unable to watch GH for a very long time because it just seemed too convenient the amount of evidence they get these days. Great job to Tonya on this article and objectively addressing the current “breaking news.” TAPS has been fooling the average television viewer for years. Donna never said that she was privy or witnessed any staging crews and that the entire experience was not all bad. She was a fabulous guest and is a true Ghost Diva in her own right.
GhostDiva Amanda
While I get what you mean, Reap, about the need to ‘ramp it up’, it is in no way license for misrepresentation and fraud. The show bills itself as reality, which means that while there may be a degree of editing done to heighten tension and create drama, it cannot fabricate the truth toward that same end. Although I lost my taste for the show long ago (for many reasons), I know many still enjoy Ghost Hunters for its entertainment value, and that’s fine. However, we cannot – if these allegations are proved legitimate – excuse this sort of behavior, because it ends up reflecting badly on everyone in the field.
Ghost Diva is pretty much a very opinionated and demanding woman.
We can leave the super hero status to the TAPS guys, they will claim it.
I have to give cudos to Tonya on this!!! When TAPS first came out I respected them. Now I question eveything. A lot of the rumors that have been going around were confirmed on the talk show with Donna. I hope everything turns out okay. I know Tonya and Tammy and the rest of the crew will have her back. I think Jason and Grant need to rethink a lot of things..oh wait. Dang now that I said that the TAPS mafia will come and get me. Run Hide!!! As a paranormal investigator I am finding what use to be a good show and educating the general public on the topic as a spoof and a what not to do show. I use to saying have you seen ghost hunters? That show is a good example of what an investigation is like. Now I say have you seen ghost hunter? Good we don’t do anything like that. On a side note most of the taps family teams are actually good teams and I hope this does not affect them.. Good job ghost divas!!!
Sounds like an excellent reason this entire silly amateur ghost hunting stuff (both the TV kind and otherwise) need to come to a screeching halt.
To Buck: I don’t agree that investigating the paranormal should come to a halt. Just because some choose to fool the public that doesn’t mean that others will. The public has a lot to with it as well, look at Most Haunted Live, they we caught faking evidence many times and they are still on the air going strong. As far as I am concerned they lost their credibility with me and I don’t watch them anymore, and the only reason I did watch MHL is because they always used sensitives, even some of the so called sensitives on that show are flaky and I know their careers as sensitives has gone down the drain because of it. I viewed some of the videos on You Tube concerning TAPS and they were very sloppy on how they went about tampering with evidence. Today the paranormal is huge and its very hard for them to get away with tampering with evidence because they are placed under a microscope by many. Most of the time the producers encourage tampering or rigging for higher ratings, but if the investigators are honest and devoted to paranormal investigating they won’t allow the producers to encourage this, unfortunately this was not the case with TAPS.
A work of advise for TAPS…lay low.. I know from experience that if the ghost divas go public..you may come out of the other side but trust me..you’ll have some wounds to lick and even if you do a press release you won’t come out lookin good at that. For once I’m proud the ghost divas are from our state!!!
Donna has my utmost respect for openly speaking about what we all knew was a farce from day one. It was apparent from their methodology both then and now, that they have/had no clue what to do in an investigative setting in regards to purported anomalous phenomena. Research is far more than waving meters around and claiming every odd looking blur on video is a “ghost.” To even use the term “ghost” would indicate that you have proof the human soul exist, and that said “soul” somehow survives physical death. And since the human soul has yet to be proven, claiming something is the human soul after physical death is far more than premature. Since the methodology is flawed it renders the data, or “evidence” as people like to call it, inconsequential.
It is my hope that this starts a ripple effect and we see a decline in these “shockumentaries” that are plaguing our intellectual senses on a nightly basis.
[...] Hacker from Ghost Divas has recently posted about their recent interview with Donna LaCroix who formally was a cast member on Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters [...]
I have to say that I don’t see a ramping-up this year at all. Yes, last years Halloween jacket pull (which I did question) seemed ramped-up, but sense then, I haven’t seen anything that blew me away like the St. Augistine Lighthouse, the sound guy being knocked down, and a few other things from the earlier seasons. More often then not these days they get a couple questionable EVPs.
And the reason that I question the assertion that isn’t totally fake/staged is that Jason and Grant can’t act to save their lives… whenever they do the plumbing intro segments and the happen to get a phone call about the case, they are so unbelievable!
Thanks Mike,
Im not saying it’s not possible by any means. It’s just hard to get ghosts to perform in front of a production crew is all. It’s hard to get ghosts to do tricks,I have yet to make it happen in the 11 years I have been researching and investigating. I have tried, even in “severe” cases.
To be honest, I was a faithful fan ever since the chair in the lighthouse, but after they started to REALLY get stuff, it was so boring “Oh, they caught something, who knew…” I miss the days when they DIDN’T catch something, it made me tune in for the good days.
So sad to see heroes fall.
First off Donna has become a first rate disappointment who is now freaking out on everyone including the ghost divas! She went over to Scifake where Jasons buddy Ron is now coaching her on how to deal with this! Which having Ron Tebo coach anybody anything is a sad day for common sense! However I am sure Ron Tebo is gloriously loving every minute of his new found fame which he desparately wants!
Has for Feddie the psychic get a life moron and stop taking
people hard earned money and reaping over their vulnerbility! People like you Freddie make me sick, get a real job punk!
Has for Jason and Grant these two idiots are running scared
and have been for the last 5 years! Their claims that everything on the show is real is already biting them in the butt and theres alot more of that to come!
Heroes Betsy are you kidding me, boy did that come out of left field! Heroes save lives and they do dangerous jobs to save people! You really need to get the defintion of what a hero really is because you haven’t a clue!
And lets see here you talked about the lighthouse chair moving has real evidence…wow! Think you should watch how Grant walks down those stairs and how he moves his hands! Then go on You Tube and watch the debunking videos Ultimatetubetime and Movie Dan have put out then maybe you might understand!
I am comenting about the show at the Moss restaurant in california. I contacted the restaurant to discover that Taps knew about the bogus paranormal activity prior to shooting. The producers wanted to play it out this way, having the teem act like they were upset about wasting time. I no longer trust Taps and I am no longer a fan as a result. I thought they were one of the more honest paranormal hunters on tv, but I was wrong. I have been waiting for some true sign of life after death on the show, I have breast cancer and was hopeful of some type of proof. It is entertainment, however, I don’t like to be lied too. no longer a fan
Well said. I can’t wait to read this press release…I need a good laugh