October 23, 2008
GH: Theodores' & Smith's
For all you Steve Gonsalves groupies out there, did you know he was in a band? Supah! Yep, he's a drummer and apparently one place his bad has played is a bar/pool hall called Theodores' & Smith's. Steve hangs there weekly (although probably not for much longer now that this has hit the airwaves!) and over the time he's spent there a lot of folks have told him stories about paranormal activity they've witnessed there.
The place is huge, with 5 floors altogether but only 3 of them occupied. The 4th and 5th floor used to be part of what they claim as the original and largest pool hall in the nation, as well as for bowling. Both floors are mostly empty but some old vending machines and other signs of history were scattered about. The 3rd floor is currently being used by a print shop and the folks who work there have repeatedly reported hearing the sounds of pool balls cracking, bowling pins being knocked down, people talking and all sorts of other sounds coming from overhead. I'll go ahead and ruin the suspense right now: Tango & Steve saw a shadow on the 4th or 5th floor they think might have been a bat, but they didn't see it again so they don't think it was a bat, but they can't be sure. End of story on those two floors.
Well, not quite. Kristyn & Kris were up there and Kristyn thought she saw something move, then they asked for spirits to touch them and she felt a "cold breeze" and Kris felt coldness brush against her shoulder. I wish there was more, but there wasn't. For those who would take these observations to mean something supernatural was going on, remember they are in a big, abandoned room — possibly with windows open, we have no idea. Also remember the cautionary tale of Kristyn "seeing" the door move at the Oak Alley Plantation when the tape showed it never actually moved. Our eyes and ears (and sense of touch) can and will play tricks on us. On the other hand, I was pleased at Kristyn's treatment in the episode. At one point I think she was even holding the walkie during the car ride — this and the following investigation were the first time I really felt like she was treated as a full fledged team-member.
Speaking of our senses playing tricks on us, the inimitable Ghost Hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson seem to have given up altogether on thermometers. More on that in a moment, but while on the 2nd floor among the masses of pool tables we got to see Jason & Grant's faces as Grant told us to look at the "shadows blocking out the light from the windows" and Jay pointed out there was a "light that keeps going by". Good thing they had that Mini-DV camcorder. Oh wait, they didn't, so we just basically got to look at a steady-shot of their faces while the camera operator didn't even consider turning to see what they were looking at, and Jay & Grant didn't even consider taping it themselves.
But that's okay, because we get more proof of the paranormal just moments later when Jay tells us it "just got really cold". Thanks Jay, just so I know how cold "really cold" is, are you measuring in celsius or fahrenheit? Or are you just guessing? Or are you just making stuff up? I mean honestly, we know you've got a whole arsenal of IR thermometers and you even went out to buy the ambient attachments after people pointed out IR thermometers don't measure air temperature (just surface temperature of objects) so where are they? Why have you suddenly stopped using them now that you seem to be on a tear with tons of investigations where you or possibly your flashlight have suddenly been subjected to double-digit temperature changes — according to your guesstimates?
Not to be outdone, audio seemed determined to surpass the lack of video and temperature evidence, as Jay & Grant insisted they could clearly hear the sound of the scoring beads (suspended on wires over the pool tables) being moved back and forth, but not only do we not hear this on the production audio but apparently either they didn't have handheld recorders running at the time (in which case, exactly what *were* they doing in that room, sweeping for EM fields without EM detectors? Feeling for a disturbance in The Force?) or no one could find the sound on the digital audio recorders, or else maybe it's just that no one cared. I wouldn't rule out that last one; either these guys are getting lazy or someone's decided to put a new emphasis on personal experiences to the exclusion of actual evidence.
There was one more moment of interest during the investigation, Jay & Grant were in the basement when they both heard what they described as a male voice. Again, we don't hear anything on the production audio (I'm looking at you, robfrmpgh 
), but this time we do hear it when they play it back on their handheld recorder. In fact, Grant mentioned that it was not very loud when he originally heard it, but it is quite audible on the recorder, even in contrast with Jay's voice, which it seems to be talking over. I wasn't sure what to make of this, mainly because I wasn't sure if there was a voice or if it was just some other kind of unexplained (but not paranormal) sound. It is a basement after all, you never know when you're going to hear a pipe gurgle or a water heater kick on. J&G, however, were fairly confident the recording was an evil sounding voice that simply said, "Welcome to Theodores" — and I guess it did kind of sound like that. Maybe.
The real gem of the investigation was the FLIR though. In the pool hall on the 2nd floor they were swinging their $15,000 thermal imaging camera around wildly, as they are wont to do, and at one point we can see what appears to be a human outline — except dark (cold). In a throwback moment to the age of responsible investigating J&G actually went back to take a look around for anything that might have caused the silhouette to appear on the FLIR — specifically a statue or a cardboard cutout or something — and did not find anything.
Considering their poor track record for knowing pesky details, like which direction they were facing or what floor they were on when something occurred, I'm going to have to stay skeptical for the time being. Still, those are the kinds of things that would cause such a silhouette. A thermal shadow would show up as warmer than the surroundings, but this was colder so I believe it likely would have to be a real object (or a g-g-g-ghost?). I dunno, but I'll single this out as the most intriguing evidence of the investigation and more compelling than most of the thermal footage they've collected. Still, that brief moment of video with a dark, human-outline shadow does give me a distinct Gibbons Home vibe — although in that case we're dealing with a regular IR camera. In this case we're dealing with thermal, and to my mind this is perhaps the first time (or one of only a few) where we've seen "cold" thermal footage, which actually corresponds with the theories that spirits draw energy from their surroundings (making them colder). So I'm definitely of two minds, but one of those minds is intrigued.
Filed under Ghost Hunters, Posts by Logisti
 |
| ^ Please Support our Sponsor |
Comments on GH: Theodores' & Smith's »
lar @ 8:06 pm
Only 4 comments…
1. Prior means BEFORE. Priceless the way Steve makes Tango look like a MORON.
2. If you missed the episode, record yourself on a $50.00 digital recorder mumbling into an empty metal bucket. There's the quality of tonight's evps, & it's just about as legitimate.
3. Flir. False Laughable Image Reflector. Pilgrim does not provide us with a complete look or overview of the room. We have to take J&G's word for it. I recorded the episode, anyone else? Time to go to study hall.
4. Spilt the girls up. They shouldn't be together. All they do is giggle, wiggle & jump. It's like a bad 1950's B movie, Sorority Sisters Scared & Spooked.
CrowTRobot @ 8:19 pm
…And I call "No Flippin' Way" on the skeleton. No WAY a real skeleton lays in the middle of an office for years.
The girls were embarrassing. Steve and Tango have become a very poor Laurel and Hardy. J & G are almost a parody of themselves.
The alleged 'figure' could easily have been several items that, when compressed (I think that's the right term) in the dark, appear to form the shape of a human figure.
Raphael @ 8:19 pm
Is it possible that a blocked heat source will leave an IR "shadow" on a wall much like visible light will do? The human in the foreground of the "entity" clip seems pretty well aligned with the "entity" Perhaps he was blocking light from Pilgrams cameras and thus forming an IR poor "entity" on the wall. I think in bygone years they would have left matrixing open as an explanation for the dark shape anyway.
Leslie @ 8:25 pm
There's something that I noticed at the begining of the show, when they were going over their camera angles. I thought that I saw movement in the pool hall. I found this you tube clip.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=H8b1ZRKfHyw
What do you guys think? At first I thought lights and/or shadow from an outside source, like a passing car. But I'm not so sure.
CrowTRobot @ 8:29 pm
I noticed the movement, too. I just think it was someone walking through the room – nothing paranormal. However, I was under the impression that when the cameras are set, the only ones left in the building are TAPS….and all the production crew.
Brenny @ 8:49 pm
At least the "bored" attitudes were toned down a bit during this episode….except Kris who seemed, yet again, a bit peeved to be paired with Krystin again. Why can't they just mix it up a bit? Their experiences weren't even mentioned in the reveal..as though they just don't matter. I just can't wait for the day that Tango can get back at Steve and make him look like the idiot or at least punch him in the face…poor Tango! I was absolutely shocked that J & G didn't have any equipment with them…or if they did, they didn't think to use it! I was so frustrated. I was glad to see a "cold" signature on the FLIR, but thought it was interesting how they jumped on the idea that it was some kind of entity, when all the other "entities" they caught were hot! What the fetch! Make up your minds….are they hot or are they cold!!
blinddog50 @ 9:11 pm
Okay, we can all mostly agree this show has turned to crap..right?
SCI-FI lists this show as a docu-soap.
So let's work on the soap part.
Did anyone notice Jay's earring.
New tat…new earring.
JH has got to be doing KW.
She just acts way to pouty when she's away from the J'ster.
Y'all gotta start looking at the soap part.
Way more interesting than the spook huntin' this bunch does.
P.S. Steve Gonsalves-Renaissance Man
Mary @ 9:59 pm
Steve is such a jerk to Tango. J & G might want to think twice before taking Steve's suggestion next time on where to investigate. The whole beginning was like "this is Steve's life".
And J & G seem to have new matching tat's. But, I can't tell what they are.
Phoenixmagi @ 10:39 pm
Is anyone else disgusted by Steve playing with the bones. I don't believe its a real skeleton but he believes it is so how disrespectful was it of him to be playing with the mouth. also I won't accept any evidence from a place where a TAPS member goes to weekley, even though I doubt that with the show's schedule, where him and his band plays and the management knows him, and its a place of busniess and always looking for new customers and being labled haunted would do that. the team is not impartial on this one so I would throw out any evidence.
Phoenixmagi @ 10:59 pm
Also what was up with KW's belly shirt last night?! you are doing a job, trying to be professional claiming to do scientific research and you show up likes it's casual friday?!!! plus she doesn't have a flast stomach so eww. looking a little flabby Kris you might wana hit the gym if you are gonna wear that shirt on national television. also on the website aintitcool.com they published a article of sci fi doing another spin off: Ghost Hunters College Edition. that's the title no joke. why no mention on this site. also on that site someone was defending the show saying how they catch a lot of evidence and debunk a lot. obviously he has not been watching this season. I used to loved this show then after I discovered this site I had my eyes open to how much of the show just doesn't add up. thanks for this site
Dr. Peter Venkman @ 11:07 pm
Overall, I thought this one was a beit better – J seems to have been getting bored with the whole thing the last few episodes.
I give Tango a lot of credit – staring at the tiny screen ( whay are they not watching something larger? ) and he catches the image that only shows for a single second. Nice work !
Now – to the image itself –
Funny how J&G wander around looking for a man-shape – since the pool hall was covered by 2 stationary cameras it should not be a big problem to compare their timestamps with the FLIR and get a good idea where they were at the time and where they should be looking.
The box shapes shown on the FLIR should get them pretty close to the same spot and angle
( wonder why they didn't bring it with them ? )
I've gone over what we have of the pool hall shots and am not able to get any similar location.
Could what we be seeing as the entire backgound of this be a reflection in one of the larger mirror like signs?
Edge @ 9:00 am
I can't believe that for the first "Investigation" by Jason and Grant in the pool hall, they didn't bring a single piece of equipment with them. You know when they kept seeing something blocking the light in the windows, shadows running around the pool tables, and felling cold spots? Nothing was verified. Where's the mini DV to record the movement and the light blockage, wheres the thermometer to check the cold spot, wheres the EMF to check for spikes? They had nothing! Why not walk over to where the activity is going on? See if there's anything else that might be blocking out the light form the window? Its really getting frustrating watching the show, they've started going down the Paranormal State path of investigation. Sit and stare at it.
robfrmpgh @ 11:04 am
LOL well first off thanks for the shout out Logisti…
Without reviewing anything (because I forgot to DVR the show) my first impression of the FLIR image was, maybe there was missing insulation in the walls. Now I could totally be wrong since I think the building was brick. I just thought it odd that the FLIR image was pretty much right up against the wall and seemed more 2 dimensional than 3. And if my memory serves me right (which is not often the case) the image appeared next to a window, so there might be the chance that cold air is seeping into the wall which could make a cold spot. I like that they went back in to see if anything could've caused it, but i would've liked to see them go back in with the FLIR and try to recreate it. Even if that would've meant spending another night there…
Now keeping true to my demeanor the image did seem to have a left arm in it's pocket so it is quit possible that it was something spooky…
As for the voice in the basement. I just find the fact that it said Theodores somewhat odd. Why only say Theodores? Did Smith just buy a share recently? Yea Yea, I know… It was just a joke sorry… But as Logisti said it wasn't captured on Pilgrims end so I assume they read all my posts from last weeks thread.
Logisti @ 11:07 am
I forgot to mention: The owner actually seemed to expect them to DEBUNK the claims, not confirm them. Apparently some of his staff is nervous working there after the customers go home. As a detail this doesn't really matter, but it didn't seem like a case of self-promotion through TAPS.
lar, I actually thought — as Mary so eloquently (and accurately) put it — Steve was being a jerk. Tango was thrown off before of the way Steve told the story: X happened, and then Y happened a few minutes prior. Most people would expect you to finish that sentence with the word "later" so Tango was re-arranging in his mind that Steve was saying the first thing happened *second* and the second thing happened *first*. I wrote it off to typical Steve banter, but I certainly didn't think Tango looked stupid.
I do agree there is still an overtone of sexism on the show — there is no reason for the girls to be paired off other than they're girls. As Brenny said, split the teams and let's get serious.
Raphael, the only way a thermal shadow could occur (as opposed to a reflection) like you suggest is if an object (which the shadow is cast upon) has no heat of its own and is only reflecting heat from elsewhere in the room. I suppose this could occur, possibly on a window depending on the outside temperature, but it would be very tricky and I'm not even entirely sure it could happen, that's just my best guess.
Dr. Peter Venkman, Timestamps? Those were eliminated from the show's budget last year. Apparently they cost way too much credibility.
Edge, don't forget: where was the ubiquitous handheld audio recorder to capture the sound of the scoring beads being moved about? I think that complete lack of equipment might be the biggest takeaway from this episode: they seem to have decided that since people keep debunking their evidence they had two choices: acknowledge that their evidence doesn't amount to anything or get better evidence. Given those two choices, they decided to solve the problem by having no evidence for people to criticize, and then still draw the same unsupported conclusions.
Wes @ 11:31 am
What I thought was interesting about the "voice" was that it was just a jumble to me, and even the co-owner of the bar, and anyone else without special ghost ears, but Grant immediately came up with it saying "welcome to Theodores'" — almost like he somehow knew what it was supposed to be saying … I wonder how that could be????
Harry @ 11:45 am
———–
What I thought was interesting about the "voice" was that it was just a jumble to me, and even the co-owner of the bar, and anyone else without special ghost ears, but Grant immediately came up with it saying "welcome to Theodores'"
————
This was the least convincing EVP ever on GH! I don't how Grant managed to get "welcome to Theodores" out of something that to me sounded like "wrullumphhmughuh" (or whatever). I loved the look on the client's face during the reveal when he heard the EVP; he had a "are you jerking my chain??" look on his face that was priceless.
The most enjoyable part of Wednesday's "GH marathon" was the repeat of the St. Augustine lighthouse episode. That one was real fun, and a reminder of what got me hooked on this show. Bring back that sort of fun next season, guys (and gals)!
Patrick @ 12:19 pm
Anyone think that not even TAPS reviews the evidence anymore? I can't see Tango and Steve actually doing that now, I bet Pilgrim has a team of people doing it. That catch by Tango was far too quick a movement to be caught by someone who has been sitting watching tape for hours.
bullerspoke @ 1:08 pm
Well, most things have been said. I'll just post a quickie on the FLIR. First of, as I wrote in the comments to the latest podcast it is rare with cold "apparitions" on the FLIR, so that's a plus. But it till is a problem since they for some reason don't use the colour-meter on the FLIR so that we can assess how much colder it actually was. Secondly it is filmed at an odd angle and seem to be standing a bit of the ground and "on" the actual wall somehow, right besides a glassframe (of which there were plenty in the room). I don't know, it seemed to "hover" perhaps 1.5 metres up in the air or something and furthermore was strangely 2-dimensional.
But it was better catch than usual and warrants some thinking.
Edge @ 1:27 pm
Edge, don't forget: where was the ubiquitous handheld audio recorder to capture the sound of the scoring beads being moved about?
——————————————————————-
Haha, yeah I forgot about that. And why didn't the production audio pick it up? It certainly picked up the "clicking" during Grant's demonstration. Anything could have been moving the beads, they're hanging on string thats strung up in the air. Any kind of breeze, or air movement that hit that sting is going to cause those beads to rattle. Was the air conditioning on? Did they even think to ask or check? I'd think that would be pretty much common sense, not paranormal activity.
HoopDreams @ 2:49 pm
I think the FLIR image was a cardboard cutout – and placed there on purpose as supportive evidence…watch business pick up at T&S tenfold, especially when Steve's band plays…the lack of equipment was basically akin to taking Polaroid photos of wedding – shoddy, unprofessional, and sorely lacking…
Harry – I agree – watching St. Augustine, no matter what you think of the evidence, was great – the banter in the car, the set up, the investigation, et cetera…it was what made the show very enjoyable at one time…