You know, I've been thinking about this thread…and it still gets me, I mean the premise of it.

So…trained, professional actors are telling of their personal experiences relating to ghosts.  Actors…

And by actors…you mean people who are literally trained in the art of deception and lying.  I mean, after all, when one is acting in a particular role, they wish you to believe that they are somebody else and experiencing things that they themselves have not.  Acting, therefore, can be looked at as intentional deception.

I can't think of a group of people who would have less credibility in relating their personal paranormal experiences than a group of actors.  How exactly can one ascertain whether they are telling the truth or simply using the show as a vehicle for self-promotion due to the fact that ghosts are "hot" right now?

Yeah…I'm just going to pass on that one.  I don't see what can be gained from it.  I mean, if you want ghost stories…just pick up a book or a movie.  Probably infinitely more entertaining than that show…

First, let me say, I have no interest in this program and not because these are actors telling "their" story.  It's just too manufactured for my tastes and it looks to me to be just another acting gig.  I also find it a bit too "let's jump on this paranormal stuff and ride it into the ground" sort of program.

That being said, I don't think it's as easy as saying this person is an actor so why should I believe him or her.  Quite frankly, Josh Gates himself is an actor (documented since at least 2002) before he got this gig on DT.  In fact, in addition to DT, he's a still photographer, producer of DT, archaeologist and still does commercial acting.

So, using your equation, the next logical statement would be: Josh Gates is an actor and therefore he should not be believed.  How do we square that?  We all love to watch DT and maybe it's not because we actually believe him, but that he makes us want to believe him (hence, the consummate actor).  We see him on DT as Josh the person, who is on a television show exploring mysterious and unexplained phenomena.  That is the connection.  He has a good "Q" score.  We believe in his enthusiasm, his drive, his sense of humor and his boldness to take on challenges none of us would and he does this all this by taking us on his adventure.  That is his history.  The question then is, if he had a long and very successful history in the entertainment business for years on the stage, television, or another medium, would we say this about Josh Gates or is it just that we know the history and have formed long-term opinions about people such as Rivers, Baio, Carradine, etc.?

Well I have worked for a few lawyers who did have credibility issues albeit nothing to do with the paranormal.   I do know a number of lawyers and can say there are some not so high on my credibility list.

I do get what you are saying about supplying video evidence.  That cannot be disputed.  It's like sitting around a campfire and trading ghost stories.  However, on a different show we have Jason, Grant, Steve or Tango filming and telling their stories and they are in the actor's union.  In the 5 years we have watched their "acting", we don't seem to believe them.  What if they made a guest appearance on the show?  Would we believe them then because they said it was true and brought video evidence as well?  Josh just has a tiny bit more acting experience, a real personality, and knows how to sell it better (and darn it, I do like Josh!).

This show is counting on celebrities "selling" it.  That's half the equation.  I guess my opinion is that actors or not, with or without videos, I'm not buying it.  Maybe I've just become numb to the overexposure of it all.  And, I hate to even say this, but when GH was recently at Essex and the Sheriff and his officers (trained in knowing how to detect deception and lies) relayed their stories, I wasn't buying that either and they are our finest in blue and I have the utmost respect for their service.  Heck, we've even seen individuals on camera relating their personal experiences, just to get publicity and draw in money for renovations, etc. to their establishments and they weren't actors.

Either way, I won't be watching.