Ghost Hunters

[kateln]

Eh, I think Ghost Hunters is an entertaining show, but yeah--it's gotten dull this season.

[angelaudie]

Ehhh, it doesn't shock me there are groups that are anxious to discredit TAPS. I find it kinda amusing she did stats to see how often they declare places haunted and times it seems like she's grasping at straws (i.e. dropping innuendos that because in 2nd season we saw less of plumbing jobs this means they charge people for their services).

[kostgard]

angelaudie said:

Ehhh, it doesn't shock me there are groups that are anxious to discredit TAPS. I find it kinda amusing she did stats to see how often they declare places haunted and times it seems like she's grasping at straws (i.e. dropping innuendos that because in 2nd season we saw less of plumbing jobs this means they charge people for their services).

I'm not surprised that those people are out there either, but they really shoot themselves in the foot by bringing up the "we don't see them on the show plumbing as much - that means they're charging for their services!" type stuff.

It is fine to believe that there is no such thing as ghosts or hauntings (I'm completely undecided myself), so just debunk their work that way. But I've seen websites and some people (from these websites) who were posting all over the "Ghost Hunters" thread at TWoP who act like Jason and Grant ran over their grandmother and then ate their dog for dinner. Why do we no longer see footage of them plumbing? The most logical answer would be that either the shows producers have decided they don't want that footage and want to concentrate on the hauntings or that Grant and Jason are plumbing less because of their fame (I heard that for a while there was a problem with people sabotaging their own plumbing and then calling the plumbing service requesting that the Ghost Hunters come fix their pipes) or because they are making some decent scratch from the Sci-Fi channel. It really shoots your credibility to jump to the conclusion that they are charging for their services when no one has come forward saying that they were charged.


As for the limestone-haunting connection, I have no idea. The first and only time I've heard of that is from this show.

[nadia]

Yeah, why would there even be any scenes of them plumbing on a show about hauntings? I understand that is what they do for a living and it might have been interesting in the first few episodes when the audience is getting to "know" the cast, but people tune into to see all the freaky deaky stuff, not snaking out a toilet. For some people to point that out and complain about the lack of plumbing scenes is really stupid.

[Deleted]

Agreed about the plumbing scenes; we don't need them anymore and it's not proof that TAPS is charging now. Geez. I have to admit I did always love those scenes because they were a funny exposition device and so obviously scripted. "Hey Donna... what's up? A haunting, huh? Yeah, ok, we'll be there as soon as we get our heads out of the sewer - ten minutes, tops." I always had a chuckle at the way they acted like Donna just *happened* to call them in the middle of Roto Rooter time.

I love this show lots. But it does seem like Jason and Grant are getting a little softer. I want the creepy stuff but I also don't want them to accept things as easily as they are doing so far this season. Their debunking skills were part of what made me love them. There seems to be less of that these days. But I don't blame TAPS or Jason or Grant... I'm sure the Sci Fi channel has a pretty tight grip on how the episodes turn out these days.

[Smilla]

I'm sure the Sci Fi channel has a pretty tight grip on how the episodes turn out these days.

That's one thing I've been wondering about a lot lately: how much "creative control" (if any) Jason, Grant, et. al. have regarding episode content. My guess is not very much, because Sci-Fi has to protect its investment (not to mention its liability).

[Deleted]

Hi Greecies, just want to chime in here on that stuff. I'm in a affiliated group in the TAPS family actually. The director of our group trained Grant and Jason. One thing I have learned since being a paranormal investigator is how cut throat, nasty, territorial and incredibly competitive paranormal groups are. It's shocking really. The lengths people will go to is unbelievable.

Now with the potential to make money or be stars due to the media explosion of this stuff, it's even worse.

Jason and Grant do not charge for private investigations and cases with kids take top priority. Now what the arrangements are concerning Sci Fi, travel and other bookings, I'm not privy to. They are good guys.

Anyone been on MySpace and read Jason's recent attack? A woman who is in another paranormal group and talking smack went to his father's nursing home and has been talking to him. Shades of "Sleeping with the Enemy" I would say.

ANywhoo, I just saw Donna's MySpace. Um....??

[Shanmac]

Her profile is private (and, dear God, her pic --- wow! Donna! I'm surprised!). What'd she say? Jason blogged a response/explanation about her blog, saying it had nothing to do with SciFi and they were on Donna's side. I didn't get what she had said, though.

[Deleted]

Wow Leenerbups, I had no idea! I guess it's just a business like any other kind, at the end of the day.

[kostgard]

That's so cool, Leenerbups!

Somehow I think it is weird that the paranormal investigator business is so cut throat - I can understand doing your best to keep frauds who are just trying to bilk people out of their money out of the game, but otherwise it seems like you'd want to work together and share info to gain credibility?

I believe that Jason and Grant don't charge - and I think I remember reading that they even keep themselves available for follow-up info and help.

As far as what Sci-fi pays for, I'm sure they cover travel expenses, and they are the ones who set up visits to famous haunted places like the Stanley Hotel (the "Shining" hotel).

Does anyone have a link to Donna's myspace?