This is from last year, but I found very intriguing.  Any ideas guys and gals why this was done?  Ratings? Were these independent of Sci-Fi influence?  I really do not get it. . .cause they were thrilled to have GHI "investigate" the Inn. 

Please note that Jason's blog says that Grant and I agreed to its creation.  Donna pointedly says it was Pilgrim Films "who solely created" GHI. And #6 where she takes Jason and Grant to task for trying to stir up trouble. 

Wonder if this will happen when Steve and Tango when their new show starts?

Wednesday, January 09, 2008 

Jason’s Blog

Grant's Blog:

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Thanks for the post Hannah.

If I remember correctly, and it may be noted on this board somewhere, perhaps when Donna was explaining her departure from GHI, she stated that she and Brian (and possibly Andy?) had brought the premise of "their" program to Pilgrim as a different type of GH show and that it had nothing to do with Jason and Grant.  However, I'm not sure why Donna thought Pilgrim would not consult with Jason or Grant and ask for their opinion and/or approval.  Pilgrim had a deal in place with J&G and it would have been seen a conflict of interest with Jason and Grant to produce a similar show plus they would have to market it to SciFi which would also want confirmation as well.  I'm guessing it was sold as a companion piece and that is why it became Ghost Hunters International.  However, Donna and Brian's presentation was for it to be more local and shot in the US - not internationally.  I got the impression the UK was far enough away for them but not all the international travel Pilgrim or SciFi wanted to distinguish it from GH.  Yes, Donna had a medical condition but she had that medical condition while with GH and when she gave her presentation and perhaps that was why she wanted it more local.  But it would be perfectly logical and good business sense for Jason and Grant to be consulted when members of their "then current" team approached Pilgrim.

I think the tone of Donna's post showed a break in her relationship with her "very good friends" Jason and Grant.  There are a few very snippy comments here and there and I think it's safe to say they aren't phone buddies or even Twitter buddies.  Same holds true with Brian.  Even after Brian returned for the umpteenth time and caused some dissention among the ranks (even with Donna), Donna and Brian still maintained their friendship and did a radio show together where Donna complained about how Brian was presented/treated.

I think I understand your question about the SciFi influence.  If what you were referring to was did Sci Fi encourage Jason and Grant to put out their respective statements, I say yes but I think it was also Pilgrim's influence as well as TAPS.  Everyone wanted their bases covered in case the show faltered and they did not want GH to go down "the tubes" if GHI "tanked".  Notice they both post comments that cover the same exact points and then ask for opinions.  Their comments were just re-worked to make the same points.  Also, I think there was a distinct hint that they were extremely offended that members of their "team" would want to go off on their own and used the relationship J&G had forged with Pilgrim and SciFi.  Personally, I think they fought hard to get where they were and they were seriously ticked that here were some of their underlings coming in and wanting what they had worked so hard to accomplish and would ride in on their coat tails.  So, they wanted the comments to reinforce their superiority and know the weaknesses and strengths of both GH and GHI.

I'm confused by Donna's comment about no TAPS members appearing on GHI.  They were all TAPS members except Barry.  However Barry is listed on the TAPS website as a consultant.  Huh?  And, when GHI started Jason claimed Robb to be a really good friend (as he does with everyone it seems).  However, since GHI has been a success, they mix casts.  I can only guess that there was a real problem between Donna, Brian and Andy and their "good friends" Jason and Grant.  Notice how after all three left, we have seen the relationship develop between GH and GHI?  I'll guarantee you that if Donna and Brian were still there you would not see that happen.  Not sure about Andy.  I also think that since the premiere, the show has become successful and, with that factor in mind, Jason and Grant have had a bit more influence about the show and that's not what Donna and Brian wanted or presented so Donna's illness and Brian having a child and Andy as well, are good reasons but not the actual reasons they left the show.  No one on the GHI cast has the strong and manipulative personality to guide the show, in my opinion and I think that was evident during the Spalding Inn episode.

Wow, a lot of things to think about here.

Here is what I understand about GHI.  It wasn't initially related to GH at all.  This was a separate show whose concept was born at Pilgrim, without much of a link at all with GH except part of the name.  It was initially called "The Project" and held one of those "if you want to be on a paranormal investigating type reality show please apply here" type casting call.  I'm not sure what website it was on but the applicants, of course, had to apply to a place in L.A.  Pilgrim used TAPS ex-members to draw in viewers, but that was the only reason why we saw Donna, Brian, Andy etc.  Shannon Sylvia had responded to the casting call and I'm assuming that Rob did as well.  I pay no attention to Jason's "old friends of TAPS" BS.  That line became old fast.  Kris Williams goofed up on her first MySpace page regarding that and it too was removed after only a day or so (she put Jason and Grant as "people she would love to meet" which of course negated the "she's been friends with TAPS for xx number of years claim).  Her actress portfolio website was quickly withdrawn as well at the same time.  She does have one for her photography business, however.  Here's a YouTube video with an interview and clips of her acting ability pre-GH.  Keep in mind this was a spoof type of movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIyu6iu5GCw

Through numerous websites since the show's inception, including message boards (not this one) where people claimed to have known either cast members or a friend of a friend who did, those chosen to take part in GHI were not informed that it was going to involve traveling overseas for 3 months at a time until they were picked for the show.  At least that is supposedly what Donna said in one of her MySpace blogs–one which disappeared after being up only a few days.  I find that hard to believe, but Donna was not the only one who wrote about it.  It's a believable reason why we saw GHI members start to bail, esp. Brian and Andy, who were new parents and understandably wanted to be near home.  There were also horror stories about how the cast and crew of GHI were basically left to fend for their own in foreign countries, but I'll stop there as I realize all of this is rumor.  It's only posted here as some explanations as to what was really going on with GHI.

Jay and Grant initially claimed to have nothing to do with the show, and this may well be the truth, despite Jason's later claims.  He seems to want to appear to have more power than he actually does.  The staged scenes looked, well, staged.  To me there always seemed to be an undercurrent of dislike on Jason's part whenever he and Rob were shown together.  Something I just can't put my finger on.  Where Jay and Grant not too happy about a spin-off show?

Speaking of which, it does seems that since the live show Jason is holding Grant in much less esteem as a partner and friend.  It's the sometimes condescending tone used whenever he mentions Grant.  As those of you who read my take on the Collargate debacle, I believe that Jason was totally against Grant pulling his stunt and was disgusted with him for not only doing it more than once, but continuing to constantly refer to it.  Jason was aware of the devastation it could have caused (and eventually did, although they seemed to have bounced back nicely).

Back to GHI: by now the blending of the two shows is moot since it is obvious that the wall of separation has been knocked down.  But in the beginning, things were vastly different.

BTW, wasn't Donna slated to appear at last year's live show?  She was to replace Kris Williams, who was in the middle of a contract dispute.  We will probably never know about the truth of the reasons for the  bad blood between Donna and the GH Dynamic Duo, but that it exists cannot, IMO, be denied.

I think that phillyk48 brings up a good point.   The idea of using GHI to investigate the Spalding originated with Pilgrim; I have no doubt.  A tie-in between the 2 shows.  Isn't GHI supposed to begin a new season very soon?  I don't think there is any love lost between the Dynamic Duo and the members of GHI.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the cameras weren't rolling. ;)

I doubt SciFi would get involved in GHI investigating the Inn.  They are the network that contracts with Pilgrim and it may very well have been Jason's "good friend", Craig Piligian, of Pilgrim who wanted GHI to investigate for cross production purposes.  We have to remember that even though Jason and Grant are the "stars" and have producer credits for GH, their contract is with Pilgrim and I'm guessing they were shown the reasons it would be beneficial.  Remember the awkward "ringing endorsement" Jason and Grant gave Robb and GHI in the first episode?

Oubliette, At that time, and maybe even now, I would think that Jason and Grant would be unhappy to have a similiar show on the air.  It's an ego thing which I can understand and it is competition as well.  I think that's why we see the blending – to smooth over those egos and maintain the GH superiority.  Maybe that's why we've seen more commercial and profitable episodes on GH.  They are, in essence, competing with locations GH cannot produce.  They don't have castles or the international and incredibly intriguing historical locations like GHI.  Also, the places GHI investigates are places most people can only dream of visiting whereas US sites are are readily available although not necessarily as accessible to the general public.

Here are two comments I made in the Crossing Over forum back on April 24:

Question:  Did it seem that this was a link (or continuing thread) from the end of the GH season to the new GHI season?

It seems like they were trying to set up the "bridge" between the end of GH's season and the beginning of GHI's.

Agreed Blinddog50.  It's almost like compensation to them for being in the fold of Pilgrim.  Icing on the cake.  I say good for Steve and Tango.  I think they seem like okay guys who just want to work and have a little fun doing it.  I think the fun we see is a more of a set up to define and distinguish them from J&G.  They all seem to have a part in the humor but it's so stressed they have become the comic talent which I think is a bit unfair.  I have to admit, I have had a good laugh or two but if I hear one more explanation about EVPs and Steve's phobias, I'll scream.  I do think Dustin is okay and I think you are right.  He is the likeable bridge between Robb and J&G.  The hat didn't bother me, I just chalked it off as looking absolutely stupid but he's a young guy and wanted to set himself apart from everyone so I can't blame him.  He invented a hook for everyone to remember him and it worked.

Mary said:

I did not know that Steve and Tango were going to have their own show. 

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Here's a bit more info on it for you:

http://www.skepticalviewer.com/forums/other-shows/ghost-hunters-new-generation-casting/page-1

In my other post I put down "GH:CE" thinking it was "College Edition."  It's actually New Generation.

Oubliette,

I agree with you about GHI and the camaraderie.  I think that solidified my opinion of Andy as it showed his passion.  Brian also took on a few tasks which were commendable as well.  It's a shame it took going with GHI for it to be shown to the audience.  Donna never seemed to back off - she showed curiosity and pushed forward.  No matter what you think of any of them personally, on those points they get kudos from me.

As far as Jason and Grant trying to get to the upper room of the castle, I agree.  I do not see either Jason or Grant ever doing that – ever.  That's something they would send Tango to do since Steve is afraid of heights and I believe Tango might have even attempted it provided Steve made a bet with him.