...because I have decided to begin a mass boycott on paranormal television shows. If people continue to watch these stupid programs, they will continue to air. If they continue to be aired, the field of ghost hunting will continue to suffer.
When I started ghost hunting in 1999, the techniques and attitudes abroad were FRESH and COOPERATIVE! Today the field is full of skeptics and people with "know-it-all" attitudes. Regardless of how some think I behave, I am NOT a know-it-all type! The last thing I wish to do is behave like some jack-ass fool who thinks I know everything about ghost hunting. There are so many techniques I only WISH that I possessed the skills to utilize in the field. I recently became an ordained minister. This CLERGY membership allows me to confront demons and other evil spirits where others cannot.
If you watch Ghost Hunters, please join me in boycotting the show. My friend Brian (who works with me as co-founder of CPR) left the show behind well over a year ago. I should have done the same! It's a joke, a fraud, and a total kick-in-the-face to REAL ghost hunters around the globe. I hope it gets canceled at the end of this season. Cheers!
13 comments:
The Atlantic Paranormal Society: credibility and entertainment
I am blown away by how much money the actors on TAPS has made based on their television show, but more so because they have set themselves up as a branch of science. People all over the country are paying these TV actors to become certified "ghost hunters." The reason so many people pay Taps to become certified ghost hunters is because they are star struck by TV actors of Grant and Jason.
I am also blown away by the arrogance of these two figures, on national radio, calling people on their phones on the air as a means to make them the butt of their arrogant jokes. In the case of Most Haunted, Jason and Grant dedicated an entire radio show to call one of the actors on the phone, verbally attack this lady, and then hang up on her as she tried to defend herself. Jason arrogantly and repeatedly shot this woman down on account that he "has been in the field for nineteen years". In other words, he is "the know it all" of paranormal, and no one else knows anything but him.
One would think, as serious investigators, they would have made better use of their time in discussing ghosts and the paranormal rather than put down a TV show for entertainment.
The arrogance of these guys killed the show for me...and it is not just radio episodes like Most Haunted. I have seen many shows where Jason and Grant put down their own co-workers, gossip, and behave so obnoxiously to promote drama on the show.
I think people should look at the show for what it has become under its foremost arrogant leaders: Jason and Grant
1. A show that promotes tourist traps and attractions. Every city has started a ghost tour, and many of the places that TAps investigated open up for "haunted tours". Ghost tourism and attractions have become a million dollar industry, and the show has become one of the bigger capitalist of this industry. Not to mention all of the conventions and appearances Taps does, charging a few hundred a person for each event. If this was science, the show wouldn't be charging as entertainment venues, but rather college course work.
2. The radio show does not focus on paranormal studies and theories but rather concentrates on themselves. They call people to put them down, accept only phone calls that will agree with their putdowns on the opposite party, and justify the whole thing on account of how long they've been doing investigations. When TAPS called Yvette Fielding, they attacked this lady on air, hung up on her when she tried to defend her show, and then justified the whole thing on account that they've been in the field for nineteen years. This kind of arrogance is not science and makes the show more about glorification of themselves.
3. In the investigations where evidence of a haunting is found, it is always shown to the public at the end of the show...why is it real camera guys on sci fi do not pick this "evidence" and "experiences" up? One other thing to look at when considering the evidence, TAPS does not have a public archive where they display their "evidence". If they were a group based on science, they would have a public archive for other people to study and scrutinize over. Instead, it is just what is filmed for the show, and the public is not allowed to view the evidence for themselves. Perhaps this is because of fabrications?
4. When looking at the show for what it is, the story line seems to be more about drama and reality tv instead of actual paranormal activity. The guys spend more time arguing, swearing at each other and acting like assholes rather than investigating. Which if this was real cases, one would think TAPS would be a little more involved in the case and less in playing dramatic roles about themselves. Not to mention, you now have Taps members posing nude on their websites for attention. One would think this one Taps member would have considered the amount of kids that are looking at the website every day.
I also wonder on another matter. TAPS claim that it takes weeks to film one show...if it is science, then why is the show made up? Do they wear the same clothes the whole week? They have to have a certain look? Why would one investigation take an entire week to film if it were indeed based on truth? Seems like it would take as long as the investigation, which doesn't take weeks to do. This further indicates that there is scripts and refilming going on. Not to mention, Renee Wilson has agreed that the plumbing scenes are just for the show. Why would this part of the show be fabrication when the rest of the show is real? I think this further suggests the whole show is fabrication.
As a paranormal researcher, I hope people will stop glorifying television, and support the real scientists and Para psychologists at local universities; these are the groups that promote real science and struggle with funding to keep going. These are the people who are real about finding answers, and do not promote themselves such as TAPS members and public heros.
I have found these guys to be television entertainers...and like most entertainers I know...there comes with it a measure of acting, show biz, and fabrication. One would think the public would be smarter than to mistake television for real science...but sadly, TAPS has a whole webpage of die hard fans, ready to hang the person who even slightly suggests of TAPS fabrications.
That's too bad. Shows like Taps ruin the field over all by setting it up as just thrills and entertainment rather than a field bent on finding answers to something that may truly exist.
----------------------------------------
I don't have a clue as to your identity - but you really make some valid remarks! The first thing I'd like to add is a note from the "web history" of my years talking about ghost topics online.
There was a time in 2004 where someone on a message board I had created took a hard shot or two at the TAPS team and their fabricated evidence. It was so truthful that a few of the message board members (who were also TAPS groupies) decided to GO BACK TO TAPS message boards and report the incident...
A bunch of star-struck losers convinced JASON HAWES to join OUR MESSAGE BOARD! He made a stop or two to report his displeasure with what my friend and I had stated about HIS SHOW. I was AMAZED at what took place there. For starters, JASON HAWES couldn't spell to save his life, his grammar was WEAK, and his punctuation absolutely SUCKED! THIS GUY is a SUCCESSFUL CELEBRITY whom everyone worshiped at that time! I came onto the message board after a nice Memorial Day weekend and played the straight-shooting role that I always play. He called my group a CULT after we accused TAPS of fabrication and misrepresentation of real evidence. HAWES only argument against our claims was "OUR SHOW IS NOW BROADCAST IN 14 COUNTRIES", or something stupid like that...
Jason Hawes is a real-life plumber who will be doing many toilet repairs in the near future. His television show will ultimately be canceled due to a ratings drop.
No one can continue at any calling in the real world without being honest and credible.
As far as the way Hawes and Wilson use their radio spots to insult others is concerned, I cannot WAIT to hear of the fallout that will occur at UNIVCON 6 next weekend. The star of the upcoming paranormal convention isn't TAPS idiots - but the famous Lorraine Warren! Jason Hawes took a recent stab at the Warrens on their dumb TV show. He insulted the work of Ed and Lorraine Warren-which was a BONE-HEADED THING TO DO for a bald plumber with about 3 years TV production to his TEAM'S CREDIT.
You're right about TAPS evidence,too! They have no evidence photos on their website, they don't even USE standard cameras as a primary method of collecting evidence, and above all else - YOU NAILED IT when you said that TAPS just presents evidence for the television viewers.
"Ghost Hunters" is a miserable one-hour slot of drama and post-pubescent trash that is ultimately making EVERY WORTHWHILE paranormal investigator look like a copy-cat idiot.
John Zaffis should be ashamed to even appear with the TAPS team on television spots. His aunt and uncle did work of credibility LONG BEFORE any punks decided to insult people who attempt to collect REAL EVIDENCE.
The statement you made regarding archiving of evidence was also DEAD ON,too. If TAPS has a shred of real evidence, you would THINK that THEY would have started an online ARCHIVE of paranormal evidence files --- but THEY didn't! Someone else did it already - and THEY aren't contributing a damned thing!
Now that I replied to your great comment, I'd like to add a THANK YOU for adding your insights to this blog for others to ponder. Cheers!
Hey, I'm a fan of the paranormal in general so I thought the show was interesting. I am mainly interested in finding out how one can get into the field and work with a team to do investigations. It fascinates me to the fullest and I love to travel. Europe would be great to explore. Can anyone tell me more about the real ghost hunting and how one does it?
Read my section on HOW-TO which you can find by searching the index on the right side of this website.
I find alot of the information and evidence that TAPS produces is interesting and very forthcoming. I'm not sure why there is so much annimosity towards Jason Hawes and
Grant Wilson. It almost comes across as jealousy because they were approached to do Ghost Hunters and not someone like Lorraine Warren (oh yeah, as if she's more credible than TAPS). The equipment and techniques TAPS uses is pretty much are the only things available right now, unless someone else out there has a better idea to de-bunk or disprove the existence of the paranormal, which is their basis of the show, I'm sure TAPS would love to hear from you and digest your ideas. As for Jason's arrogance -- he has nothing over Bob O'Reilly, Don Imas, or Rush Limbaugh. Talk about arrogance!! Yes, Jason is quite sure of himself on certain things but he can't be all that bad of a person if he spends time doing charitable events. So what if he and Grant Wilson get paid for making appearances? Most people in that industry get a good chunk of change to be a part of any kind event -- the more popular they are the more money they get. However, they do have to make a living and I'm sure a good amount of that money goes to a charity of their choice, not to mention they do not take a dime from any of their clients for their investigations. And as for their Roto-Rooter scenes ... who cares how long it takes. It's a TV show. Those scenes are cut in for diversity and as "fillers" ... and it does take weeks to shoot an episode but the Roto-Rooter scenes are more than likely done at the end of the shoot. Besides, who really cares about that?!?! I'm more interested in the evidence gathered. I don't sit around wondering about how long the episodes take or their Roto-Rooter jobs. My husband and I like the show. I believe it's much more credible than Most Haunted -- now there's a fraudulent show! At least TAPS is trying to debunk paranormal activity whereas Most Haunted has claimed every place they've gone to is haunted. The producers of Most Haunted has even been criticized for being frauds, including Derek Acorah, Stuart Torevell (cousin of one of the producers -- nepitism is a wonderful thing), Yvette Fielding and hubby Karl Beattie. They've all been caught on film making noises and sounds only to try and cover it up after they realize they're on camera. The only one I find credible on Most Haunted is Ian Shillito. Not to mention that on Most Haunted they do not really set up any kind of base or anaylyze their findings. They can have all kinds of dust floating in front of them but they'd swear all of it were orbs or hear a sound and deem it being a ghost communicating with their team. If anyone is giving paranormal research a bad name it's those on Most Haunted.
I think that you are stupid, taps is the best thing that has came on tv about the paranormal, I would be very upset if Taps comes off. I believe in what they do, they try to debunck alot of stuff and some stuff you just cant make any sence out of it. Taps is the only one out there that I actually believe that they capture paranormal, all these other shows that use to air was fake, I think that only reason that you want to take them off is because you are mad that they didnt pick you first.
I enjoy Ghost Hunters, but I can't say I respect them. They do the same thing that my friends and I do, and know probably less. They just fixed the right persons toilet. I have learned a few things about conducting investigations from the show. We have learned about different equipment. And quite frankly, I find it entertaining. What does make me disrespect them, is the fact that they charge an arm and a leg to go on trips with them and for lectures it is $10,000 for 2 hours, plus hotel and transportation costs. (a friend of mine is a huge fan and is trying to get them here. Maybe the college with pick up the fees)
We are going to conduct our first lecture for free. Maybe we can go on the road and make enough to get a thermal camera!
I find the show entertaining and thats it. You have valid critisicsms. In the world of computers evidence is kind of a farce when it comes to video and audio however. Since I use final cut pro, adobe preimere, after effects etc. the existence of real evidence is very very very had to prove anyway in todays world or computer effects. Its somewhat a shame because you can't believe what you see on any such show- any boner can mix a sound effect into an audio file. Merging video clips into another is also to easy- evidence pre-computer (70s) would be interesting.
All you people sayin they are fakes are idiots, I have a cousin that works on the TAPS home team, and I have worked with the home team and TAPS a few times, just not on the show, for personal reasons. But I used my own equiptment, and reviewed it myself, now how can you say that is faked? I am also good friends with all of the TAPS people, Jason, Grant, Steve, Tango, Kris, Kristen, and Amy, none of them are arrogant or stuck up at all, and you people need to consider the fact that they were doing this even before there was a show and will continue even after the show is done, so why don't you people use that brain that God gave you to think before you post this crap and make yourself sound like a jelous wanna be. And also, I have helped out at some of their events, and I bought a ticket for my brother-in-law and the ticket was most certinally not 10,000 dollars, it was 150 dollars for a 1 night event, 3-4 night events are about 500-1000 dollars because they cover food, hotel, and rent the whole place out for the whole event, and all or most of the money they make from events go to charitey, with the exception of hotel costs, plane costs for TAPS to get there. But they are all good guys/girls just trying to help people and educate about this type of science, so leave them alone, they never did anything to you and I promise you that if you ever met them they would be some of the nicest guys/girls you have ever met.
I'm sure your doing your thing man, but DAMN! In easy non-science terms your a fucking HATER! Don't hate man cause all you got is this lil' website and you been busting your ass since 99'-blah, blah, blah..nobody gives a fuck about you..go cry now.
And if ya wanna know how ANYBODY and including myself found your crying baby ass website b/s is cause i googled TAPS and wow!!!..here i am.
your jealous kid cause they are doing they're thing..gettin' paid.
i KNOW u wish you made money hunting spirits man..too bad u DON'T!
So I have been doing investigations about eight years, and I believe that most of the paranormal shows have been at the very least exaggerated for hype. It may take them a week to get one show finished with all the editing and reel tightening, who knows. Not to mention each show would have to be edited then approved by the network. There may be some jealousy going on with these guys, people would kill for their jobs. I dont watch the show although Ive seen it a couple of times and they werent as ridiculous as alot of the other ones. I can deal with arrogance as long as they keep it honest. As far as the Warrens go...it doesnt take too much researching to be truly shocked at what you would find. Lets just say this. What are the odds that Lorrain would just so happen to hit the paranormal jackpot at least three times over making her little nest egg quite comfortable. Three movies, several books, what incredibly awesome luck! She must be some sort of paranormal demon magnet to get these juicy stories about bleeding walls and scaly demon women. Dont forget about headless puppies, werewolves, and vampires. Yes, she is an avid believer in human dogs barking at the moon while terrorizing the living. You know, I was found recently by a pro comp outside DC, and if the show gets picked up by Discovery, I will be one of those ghost hunter tv people. I do promise if its picked up that I will never lie about what I experience. It was a requirement when they offered the job. So many of these shows make us look like idiots, we need some shows that have some validity and substance. Whats the point of doing a show if everyone knows your an utter fraud? Not pointing any fingers, but Ive seen some shows where I was just rubbing my temple wondering if the producers actually THINK people are that stupid, or they just got so lazy they didnt care. Either way, even being an investigator, Id rather be in the field doing it myself rather than watch a show that may or may not be a total sham. So is everyone serious? They are actually charging people to become "certified" ghost hunters? Please please please do not fall for that, its really a scam. There is no such thing as a real certification for ghost hunting. Im trying to see this play out in my head because its REALLY funny. Anyone that tells you they are an expert is LYING. There are no experts, just some people have done this longer than others. Trust me, there are plenty of good honest people (including myself and my group) that are more than happy to teach someone for FREE. Ive got a how to evp video on youtube, also free. No matter what happens, it will always remain free, show or no show. The hobby is expensive enough already, we dont need to be adding any pointless expenses on top of it
I dont know why ppl always jump on the band wagon when somthing like jason hawes says somthing about lorraine warren taps do there own thing and lorrainne warren does her thing i personaly am interested in both there styles of ghost hunting so who cares who says what about who ever i wish ppl whould just stop bitching about nothing if jason hawes has a problem with lorraine warren then thats there buisness no one elses so STOP bitching and enjoy life !!!! (peace)
i watched the show last night and tey caughta audio of a lady saying of course im in here where are you answering the question of the taps teams saying princes are you in here with us and she was saying a whole bunch more as wel that im sure you can look at on there site air date 26th may 201
Post a Comment