January 10, 2008
GHI: Premiere
Ghost Hunters International premiered tonight and some familiar faces are back. Most Ghost Hunters fans will instantly recognize Donna La Croix, Andy Andrews and the inimitable Brian Harnois. Those who saw the TAPS investigation at Leap Castle will remember Barry Fitzgerald as well. "Rookie" Ghost Hunter Shannon Sylvia from New England Paranormal rounds out the team, which is led by Robb Demarest, a paranormal investigator out of Florida whom Jason and Grant spoke highly of in the beginning of the episode.
In this first episode the team investigated Chillingham Castle and Mary King's Close in Scotland. I'll save you the suspense and say that there really wasn't much evidence captured at either location, and the only thing that stands out in my mind as possibly noteworthy was an EVP when Barry and Donna were running around looking for the source of a noise they had heard they are alone and both talking on the recording when you can hear what appeard to be a very clear recording of an unknown male saying, "James". This was tenuously tied to King James I, who had spent time at the castle, but without giving any credence to that sort of speculation I will admit it did seem to be a genuine voice of unknown origin.
There were some other EVPs caught as well as a photograph (of what to me appeared to possibly be a shadow caused by a camera flash or other strong, contained light source, but Robb seems to think otherwise) but the real story here is that Robb is a really great team leader. He did some serious debunking in these investigations, two of which I think are worth mentioning.
In Chillingham Castle he was walking through a room with Brian and asked for any spirits present to make themselves known. To quote Poe, suddenly there came a tapping, as if someone gently rapping. Well, not that gentle actually. In fact, I immediately suspected that there was another (living) person hiding nearby playing a little joke. This suspicion went through the roof when they asked if the "spirit" could do it again and it immediately did. Turns out, to turn another classic quotation, "it was only the wind". Apparently the windows are a bit loose in their panes and the wind knocks them around from time to time creating a sound that might have been mistaken for footsteps.
During the evidence review for Mary King's Close they came across a section of tape where Donna had heard a noise. She believed fairly strongly that it sounded like a horse drawn carriage coming down the street, probably because that is the specific sound the tour guide said people reported hearing in that particular room. Robb had the four-camera view in front of him and he fast-forwarded to that section and found a more likely explanation. Donna's reactions to the sounds (which culminated in a loud thud) corresponded exactly with Brian and Barry running through a nearby passage (culminating in a door being slammed shut).
As always, we continue to wait for some serious, compelling evidence of paranormal activity but while we wait it's nice to know there are more investigators out there who are decently financed, have private access to some pretty interesting places and — most importantly — are ready, willing and able to go the extra mile to find a normal explanation for evidence other investigators might readily label as paranormal.
Filed under Ghost Hunters International, Posts by Logisti
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Comments on GHI: Premiere »
Andy O @ 8:40 am
I agree the team leader Robb seems to go the extra mile in tryig to debunk every posible paranormal event. I actually think they so far do a better job at debunking these things. This season of Ghost Hunters International should be a good one. They are going to go to some interesting locations that have had paranormal events happen of thousands of years.
Shawn @ 9:39 pm
I have to disagree on the "end is near" thing, just look at Stargate: Atlantis. Some spinoffs are terrible ideas but in this case I think they have a solid program.
And you can't lump all paranormal shows together, both Ghost Hunters shows still stand out from the crowd by a LONGSHOT because as much as their investigation techniques need some serious work, they're light years more scientific than any other show out there and I think that's a saving grace not to be overlooked.
On that note, I apparently missed a "Special" last night, I wasn't aware they were going to air a new St. Augustine Lighthouse show — I hope to see it and have a post up on the site in the next day or two but I heard they actually used a Faraday Cage in their investigation. It seems to me that they're actually listening to their critics (some of the time) and that's another thing that will keep their show(s) a cut above their bubblegum brethren.
Logisti @ 10:35 pm
I have to disagree on the "end is near" thing, just look at Stargate: Atlantis. Some spinoffs are terrible ideas but in this case I think they have a solid program.
And you can't lump all paranormal shows together, both Ghost Hunters shows still stand out from the crowd by a LONGSHOT because as much as their investigation techniques need some serious work, they're light years more scientific than any other show out there and I think that's a saving grace not to be overlooked.
On that note, I apparently missed a "Special" last night, I wasn't aware they were going to air a new St. Augustine Lighthouse show — I hope to see it and have a post up on the site in the next day or two but I heard they actually used a Faraday Cage in their investigation. It seems to me that they're actually listening to their critics (some of the time) and that's another thing that will keep their show(s) a cut above their bubblegum brethren.
Shawn @ 6:26 pm
Oh, I agree 100% that GH is better than the all the rest, but I wasn't trying to compare them – I'm only saying that there is an over saturation of paranormal shows on TV right now.
And too, usually when they start spinning off other shows from a hit television program, you usually start to see a decline in both viewership and in quality, since they often split up the creative talents behind these shows. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm willing to bet GHI doesn't last more than 2 or 3 seasons (I certainly don't see GH going anywhere when the dust settles, as it has a pretty loyal fanbase). The popularity of paranormal shows among the general public right now will have to wane at some point. Too much of a good thing…
By the way, has anyone seen that Pilgrim Films is now doing a series called "U.F.O Hunters" to come out in February? Looks like it was originally going to air on Sci-Fi but is now premiering on History Channel instead (wouldn't Sci-Fi be better suited for something like this? Then again, why the hell is Sci-Fi running ECW matches on there?). Here's a link to a preview for the series for those who might be interested:
http://www.disclose.tv/viewvideo/2409/UFO_Hunters_coming_February_2008/
marc @ 6:39 pm
i actually wasn't to thrilled with GHI. but, this is probably b/c of my attachment to the original show. Altho, i am not to sure if i like the leader of the group, but I was impressed with him debunking everything. even if it is a clear cut piece of evidence to the viewer, it is apparhent that he will ONLY accept something completely unexplainable. That in the end, will make not only paranormal evidence more acceptable in society and help prove claims. But, add integrity and honesty to the show. I agree, it does not have the same 'flare' or 'fire' as "GH" but, only time will tell.
For all i care, and HOPE.. is that the Original "Ghost Hunters" on SciFi, will become the longest lasting TV show, of any genre, of all time, in the history of television. For this, i am sure they could possibly become full time investigators. spend weeks or more at a location (which is a must and compare it to a "non" haunting location to show the difference). Have camera's up the whazoo in every room and every angle and every location covered… then we are talking books, more magazines, and of course Hollywood will follow up with the scariest documented visit that the "Ghost Hunters" have encountered.
Dave @ 11:54 pm
I think they should dump whats-his-name who's the leader, and the little ugly guy, Andy?, who's into dubunking (sorry, but never liked him even in the earlier shows either). Everyone else worked well enough with a nice touch using the British guy (Barry Fitzgerald) on the team. But who knows? – maybe they'll get their act togther. Otherwise, it was entertaining.
(Note: If you haven't see the show you can get it on YouTube.)
– Dave
SEPA @ 5:10 pm
I'll say the same here that I said on Grant's blog. Robb was nervous. I think once he settles into the fact that he's 'on television' and forgets the cameras, he'll be fine.
GHI looks like it's going to be a great show, but once again, I fear that the Sci-Fi channel will pressure them to find ghosts where there are none. I hope that doesn't become the case.
Only time will tell.
Deziree @ 2:30 am
I too have attachted myself to the original show but I will give the new show a chance. The premier wasn't bad and I agree that robb was nervous and seemed like he was trying too hard to be the leader which good leadership skills are good and I'm not saying he should be more like Jason and Grant but I think once he loosens up a little and things start flowing together it will be almost as good as the original sorry thats still my favorite show and honostly I am happy to see Brian with the international crew because I was tired of hearing jason yell at him maybe if he is tech manager again with a different group he can straighten out a little and this can give jason and grant a break from all the mistakes that have happened Im anxious for the new season of GH in march I'm not sure I can wait that long
Dave @ 9:56 am
Sepa, ….. Yes, Robb looked a bit out of it, but he looked to me like someone who just had drunken a half a bottle of Jack Daniels. Was he just nervous? – I don’t know? He must have been “very” nervous or something because he doesn’t come across well on T/V at all, in my opinion.
As for Andy, well, maybe I should take back a little of what I said about him, as perhaps he was pushing a bit because Robb was acting weird? I don't know, maybe I could get used to Andy's face in time?
– Dave
– Dave
Dave @ 10:02 am
Deziree,….. Yes, I think Brain is finally in a position where he won't be pushed around by Jason. After all, the team does depend on him a tech man and he's needed to get the job done. Brain is a character, but he didn't deserve the perpetual brow-beating he kept gettng from Jason.
– Dave
Tony @ 3:24 am
My wife and I are big fans of both show, Ghost Hunters and GHI, as well as Paranormal State on A&E. I'm a little confused after watching the previews of next weeks episodes of Paranormal State. While watching, my wife exclaims, isn't that one of the investigators from GHI???? We paused the DVR, and did a youtube search on the GHI, and WOW. Sure enough. The lady that was on the preview of next episode of Paranormal State was Shannon Slyvia. Or her identical twin. Very weird how much the lady's looked EXACTLY alike.
Now I'm not one to ruin my family's entertainment, but don't you think you have to call BS on this? On the preview of Paranormal State, the lady that looked exactly like Shannon, claimed that she could hear voices of children in her place, but her and her husband don't have children. HMMMMMM You investigate hauntings in Europe, honey, don't you think you'd be able to point at a haunting at your own place.
So my question is? Are these people actual investigators or is there some kind of mini Blair Witch crap going on here with BOTH shows.
Something to ponder
CrowTRobot @ 12:15 pm
Saw Episode III last night……I just don't know…
Setting aside the 'face in the photo' nonsense, I'm having a real hard time getting into this – and I want to. I really want to. But this show is beginning to feel more like some MTV reality mess than anything else. I'm not going to rehash all the team members weaknesses, but I'm not convinced any of them really want to find a ghost. The personalities (those that have one) don't mesh. There doesn't seem to be any real direction.
The saddest part is that they are investigating some great places – but it's being wasted on these…..I don't know, to call them 'amateurs' would be to insult novices everywhere. I just want to yell, "YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE LOOKING FOR GHOSTS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! CUT OUT THE NONSENSE!"
I'm going to give it another week or so. But if it doesn't get better, I may still watch it; but I'm not going to any trouble to set aside my Wednesday's for it.
Heather @ 8:22 am
Yes it was Shannon Sylvia on Paranormal State with her husband they called saying that their house was haunted by the sounds of children. It was the schoolhouse episode. I am hoping that this was filmed "Before" she joined GHI and maybe the experience "inspired" her to do this and that it was not for a ratings boost.I love the show Paranormal State and the org.Ghost Hunters but because of this I am now questioning the authenticity of the findings????
Shawn @ 5:59 pm
I haven't watched it yet but your saying there's no mentioning of the fact that she herself does some kind of paranormal investigations (or maybe some mention in the closing crawl about it)? I find the whole thing very odd.
Shawn
Dr. Peter Venkman @ 1:20 pm
Any speculation based on the order of the shows must be discounted – According to the date stamps the Chillingham investigation was on 11/05/07 – the second half of S01E02, Nanteos Mansion, was filmed on 10/30/07.
The team seems to run quite well with their equipment being flown around, which brings the question up – Why is Steve so important to GH that they would supposedly have 6 people go on week long road trips. Just about any installer of CCTV cameras could do as good if not better job.
Generally, the GHI characters are fine ( why is Shannon not an investigator-in-training ? ) with the exception of Barry. I'm torn by this – he had run public ghost tours previously, so he knows how and why you must put on a good show even if there is no "activity".
In one instance Donna says they are " creating a frenzy" by running around like maniacs taking pictures at random to try and draw spirits out. This seems to be a strange investigative technique, perhaps somewhat akin to provoking, but Barry says they were "chasing an entity" that there seems to be no other mention of ??
People on Barry's tours would remember the excitement of running through the halls of a haunted castle, and not remember that it was simply on his say-so.
I don't see Barry de-bunking anything. If they had not caught up to the armidillo, he would have had a spirit chase down in Louisiana.
Andy asks the unanswered question – " If we do EVP work in Italy, are they going to be answering us in Italian ?"
His understatement at the end regarding what they collected evidence-wise "wasn't the best" was funny considering they revealed only 3 EVP's each interpreted as a single first name.
The second segment has a great location and some decent debunking.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this version more then GH. The exotic locals surely add to it … watching what is becoming more and more blatent hoaxing and kitchen cabinets NOT move is begining to get rather boring on the original.