57 replies to this topic

[Moody98]

Why do they in shows like Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters do they always go to commercial every time they they make contact with a ghost? It really annoys me the way they always do that. By the time the show comes back from the commercial the shock factor of running into a ghost has worn off and I'm bored of it already. They should spend some time dealing with the ghost for a while before going to commercial. It would make the shows alot more enjoyable for me to watch. I like to get into the communicating with the ghosts that I see on television. And I can't do that when they go to commercial every time they contact a ghost.

[meanderer]

Not every time they "make contact with a ghost" is actually making contact with a ghost. But, about cutting away to a commercial before showing you what happened on the show. This way, they (the show's producers, the network and the sponsors) are betting that you'll sit thru the commercials, just to see what happens on the show. It's been like that since people sat around camp fires telling stories. I'll admit that it does seem to be getting out of hand lately, but it's really nothing new. It is getting tiring, I'll agree. But on shows like "Ghost Hunters", if someone jumps and then they cut to a commercial, when the show returns, there's a pretty good chance that Steve just bumped into a spider web...

[CaveRat2]

Turn OFF the TV and get out and do a real investigation. Not trying to be confrontational here, but the truth is TV is entertainment. It's all about the drama and selling advertising. And if they can ensure you stick around and watch the ad they have done their job. The fact the ghost "appears" just before the commercial is no accident; the show has been set up to do just that. Keep in mind too that some TV shows manufacture evidence. The OP likes to try to get into the communicating aspect, but remember the ghost may be simply a product of the show's producers if they feel additional drama is needed. Thus my recommendation that if you want to get into an investigation best to actually do one instead of watching Hollywood's version of one on TV.

[jimmary]

Meanderer, your last sentence was an excellent example: Ghost Hunters is really bad about cutting away at a moment of excitement, only for that excitement to be something comedic or mundane. I have come to expect that from them at commerical breaks. Ghost Adventures, in my opinion, will cut away on a legitimate moment of excitement and them come back and jump into whatever the paranormal event is at hand. Obviously the shows are edited to accomodate commercials in addition to presenting whatever "evidence" was obtained during the investigation and to extract the maximum amount of excitement.
The commercial break does nothing to my attention; the Travel Channel shows so much of the same crap during the breaks that I can almost recite the ads word for word. In fact, I get up and do something else or change the channel until it comes back on (I have my lazy evenings, so I/we may end up watching a lot of paranormal shows).
CaveRat, I wish I had more time/opportunity to go on hunts. Ghost Hunters is on Wednesdays, so with work the next day and a high school-age son (he is definitely not into it like my wife and I are), that scheduling is out of the question. Now as for the other shows, those are usually on Fridays and Saturdays, so there is the opportunity there. But then with throwing in the excuses of everyday life (a full Saturday of yard or housework, etc.) cuts the energy level WAY down for an evening of paranormal investigating. Regardless, I still want to do it more often. I will fill in that time with reading up on the paranormal or, as stated, watch the paranormal shows.
Then again, with the bed-shaking incident my wife had Monday, along with the shadow people my son has seen on several occasions (he doesn't want to see them), we can just stay home and investigate our own house.

[Moody98]

I think going and doing my own investigation's is a good idea. I like going to the cemeteries in colma, CA. south of San Francisco, CA. to do investigations. There is a really big mausoleum called Holy Cross which I have picked up some pretty interesting evidence on my iPhone. Mainly banging settling noises after I've asked a question about whether their are spirits or not. As for the ghost shows I'll think I'll just not pay as much attention to every little detail. Thank You.

[jimmary]

If you do your own investigations, make sure you take someone with you if possible. That's more of a safety issue, but someone else can back up your experiences. And don't trespass.

[Moody98]

Actually the ghost shows are very entertaining. I was watching Ghost Hunters last night and watched them for 4 hours. The results they get are pretty incredible.

[BadVoodoo]

Moody98

You stated something where many (at least that I speak to at investigations) think is very suspect. 99% of the paranormal "ghost" community never get the amount of evidence they seem to find in a night. And when they "see" a shadow, the camera is always filming one of the investigators and turned away and no static camera seems to be shown backing the claim unlike other shows. I find them untruthful and deceptive if you look for Ghost Hunters fake on youtube, you maybe surprised at the "things" people at home catch. Not taking anything away from TAPS members, just the "reality" part of the show and evidence they "somehow" manage to capture. One example is the Colorado investigation end of last season, where there was a scream (coming though a vent). They looked at each other in disbelief, then this "major" discovery was not revealed to the client. Very suspect things on this show. I hope I did not ruin your night

[TheresaRHPS]

I'm not defending any paranormal show, but one thing to keep in mind is that these shows are geared to the everyday person...NOT those who are involved in the field themselves, lol. Producers use all sorts of production techniques to take what generally amounts as a "boring" event---hours of onsite investigation where nothing happens---and make it exciting. It's all about the ratings, and there are a lot more people out there who DON'T have the experience of what actually happens during an investigation.

This 'plot-device' is not new or even unique to paranormal shows, but yeah, it is kind of annoying. However, it is NOT as annoying as the piped in sound effects and poorly placed music that Ghost Hunters used to be really bad about, lol. After a LOT of complaining, they eased up on it for awhile, but it seems like they were bringing it back a tad before I stopped watching regularly.

[jimmary]

I agree with all that you stated, Theresa. I don't know if you remember, but GH used to air episodes where they didnt' find anything, which was fine since I'm sure that happens. Now they are geared toward finding something in everly location (for more ratings, I'm sure). Who knows; maybe they are trying to hit the locations that supposedly have the strongest of paranormal activity (I believe that's how Ghost Adventures opperates), the changes that GH has made are obvious. I still enjoy both shows, though.

[White Witch]

I do like Ghost Adventures better then Ghost Hunters.

[jimmary]

I have converted, White Witch. Those guys may be a bunch of spazzes, but the show is very interesting. I watch all of the shows, but GA has become my favorite.

[White Witch]

This past weekend on Travel channel was a marathon of Ghost Adventures. I watched when I got home from work until my eyes closed for sleep then started again when I got home the next day. They are cool and to me good looking. LOL As I have said nothing wrong with eye candy. I've lost track of Ghost Hunters since Grant left. I don't think they'll do as well now. People can say what they want but I enjoy Ghost Adventures. There are times in life you just have to stop picking things apart. Don't you agree? A guard here at work doesn't join in the fun of Halloween or most other holidays. I told him he must have a boring life. I said you should keep the kid inside you. If you don't you're old before your time so we may as well dig your own grave. Have fun in life!

[White Witch]

WOOOHOOO Ghost Adventures tonight starting 8pm!!!! I am one happy camper!!!!

[jimmary]

I agree and I have the kid in me still alive. Here, pull my finger. PULL IT!!!
I'll be passing out candy, so I'll have to record whatever is on tonight. "The Great Pumpkin..." is on as well. Gots ta watch it.