Buck's Ghosts and Hauntings: The TV Machine Explodes

First there was Ghost Hunters, then we expanded with Ghost Hunters International, Paranormal State and Ghost Adventures, now we have Ghost Lab and Extreme Paranormal and soon we’ll have Ghost Hunters: The College Years (or whatever they are really calling it).

In fact, amateur ghost hunters are springing up like Zombies after a chemical spill! It’s even worse on the Internet where it seems every 3rd or 4th person is either in some group, starting some group, or looking for some group to join.

I know, I know, it’s October when a young man’s (or woman’s) mind turns to thoughts of the macabre. But, it does seem to be overkill at times. The TV Machine, which loves its sensational storylines, wacky personalities, and drama doesn’t help matters by giving people a platform who probably should best be kept offstage and unable to influence the public at large.

In the case of Extreme Paranormal I heard a recent episode included what amounted to occult rituals to “raise” ghosts. I watched some of the premiere episode on A&E’s website and have to say: These guys have absolutely no business in the field of paranormal research. In addition it is incredibly irresponsible of A&E to give them a television show.

In their very first outing they do everything that serious researchers warn amateurs not to do. They destroy property, they engage in occult rituals, and they generally make nuisances of themselves with nothing to show for it at the end.

I predict that if this show is allowed to continue we can expect the headlines to begin around the country: “Teenage Ghost Hunters burn down historic site!” “Teen Ghost Hunters caught breaking and entering to perform Satanic ritual to ‘Raise Spirits’!”

Of course, A&E’s entries into the paranormal pop culture genre have never been stellar. They launched their franchise with Ryan Buell and his demon loving team of twinks. However, in comparison, the guys on the new entry make Buell and rosary loving friends appear sober and reasoned.

So, what are we to make of the new entries in the already infested field of Paranormal Pop TV? Let’s look at A&E’s hype about the goofs on “Extreme Paranormal” which includes the quasi-Blair Witch Project symbol in their logo (sigh):

In "Extreme Paranormal," irreverent paranormal explorers Shaun, Nathan and Jason investigate chilling local legends, attempting to seek the truth by provoking spirits. Unlike other paranormal investigators, they put themselves directly in harm's way - taunting ghosts, summoning the dead and daring the demonic to attack.

"Extreme Paranormal" gives rabid paranormal fans the ride they've always wanted: the chance to follow a team that dares to challenge legends, curses, and hauntings by actually attempting to provoke paranormal activity. These guys have spent the last ten years kicking sand in the face of ghosts across America. Every Sunday at midnight, they recount their latest mission on their popular radio show "Ghostman and Demon Hunter."

While other paranormal investigators keep the spirit world at arms-length, our guys lack that part of their DNA that tells other investigators to "be afraid" and run away during intense encounters. The team has developed a bring-it-on mentality when it comes to their explorations.

I don’t think “investigators” is exactly the right term for these guys. Thrill seekers? Irresponsible goons? Immature asses? Those all fit fairly nicely, but not the label investigator, certainly not researcher, and certainly not serious.

Perhaps it is time that the paranormal community stands up and tells these networks that there are far too many shows on already and they are harming research by continuing to try to outdo each other with sensational and often fake “ghostly encounters.”

There is a reason you never see serious investigations into the paranormal as conducted at major universities on these television shows. TV networks rely on sensation, gullible amateurs willing to do anything for their 15 minutes of fame, and a serious lack of critical thinking about paranormal activity and the occult in general.

A&E should be terribly ashamed of this program and should be held accountable for the inevitable clones that is spawns in the real world and the harm that comes to people and property because of it.