Ghost Hunters

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Ghost Hunters
Image:GHlogo.jpg
Genre Docu-soap
Developer(s) Pilgrim Films and Television Inc.
Starring See Credited cast below
Narrated by Mike Rowe
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 39 (November 15, 2006)
Production
Executive producer(s) Craig Piligian
Tom Thayer
Running time 60 minutes (including commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel Sci Fi Channel
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
Original run October 6, 2004 – present
Links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary
For other uses of the name, see Ghosthunters (disambiguation).

Ghost Hunters is a reality television series produced by Pilgrim Films featuring Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, Roto-Rooter plumbers who investigate claimed hauntings and ghosts as the creators of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). The show debuted in October 2004 on the American Sci-fi Channel.

It should not be confused with the original 1996 Inca Productions show Ghosthunters produced for the Discovery Channel. The format was sold to the US to become Ghost Hunters. The only remaining link between the two shows is presenter Ian Cashmore who anchored the UK/Europe show. Cashmore piloted the US show, but chose not to remain part of the US venture after he filmed the promos.

Contents

Hawes and Wilson, along with other team members, investigate locations of interest by using electronic equipment which they feel is capable of detecting paranormal activity. TAPS's equipment includes digital thermometers, EMF (electromagnetic field) scanners, infrared and night vision cameras, handheld digital video cameras, digital audio recorders, and laptop computers.

When investigating a location, TAPS team members first survey the property with its owners, who describe their experiences at the site. Next, the team sets up electronic equipment in the apparent paranormal "hot spots." The TAPS team then spends several hours taking EMF and temperature readings, recording audio for EVP, and filming with digital video cameras. Afterwards, the team spends several hours analyzing all of the data for signs of possible paranormal activity.

A few days after reviewing the information, Hawes and Wilson discuss their findings with the location site owners, offer suggestions for dealing with any apparent activity, and answer any questions the owners may have.

Since the show began airing, TAPS has recorded thousands of hours of audio and video data. Most investigations, according to TAPS, turn up cold with very little, if any, paranormal activity occurring. The ghost hunters claim to have several good recordings of strange mists, odd lights, moving objects, and shadowy figures that manifest before the camera and disappear quickly - all highlighted at the end of the show.

TAPS does not believe every piece of evidence gathered is proof of the paranormal. To lend credibility to their investigations, the team tries to debunk what they find and look for reasonable explanations for things such as "cold spots" (that may be drafty windows), "moving objects" (that may have been accidentally bumped or tugged), "phantom lights" (that may be reflections of light from a passing vehicle), and "strange noises" (that may be a thumping branch or vermin in the walls).

In addition to the investigative aspect, the show highlights personal conflicts and relationships among members of the TAPS team, which may be why the SciFi network categorizes the show as a docu-soap.

Ghost Hunters has garnered some of the highest ratings of any Sci-Fi Channel network programming.[1] From the start, the show has found an audience for its mix of paranormal investigation and interpersonal drama.

In the early shows, TAPS was headquartered in a trailer located behind Jason Hawes's house. Within one season, they had moved the entire operation to a storefront in downtown Warwick, RI, and acquired several new TAPS vehicles equipped with surveillance instrumentation.

In addition to their successful television venture, TAPS operates a website where they share their stories, photographs, and ghost hunting videos with an ever-growing membership list. Because of the popularity of the show, TAPS cast members have signed contracts with at least two talent agencies, Escape Artistry and GP Entertainment, to manage their appearances at lectures, conferences and public events.

Ghost Hunters has attracted various critics and skeptics. Some feel that the episodes put too much emphasis on the melodrama between various TAPS members instead of focusing on the paranormal investigations. Others debate the scientific validity of the investigations conducted by the TAPS team,[2] and contend that shows such as Ghost Hunters blur the line between reality and fantasy. For persons uncertain about their beliefs in paranormal phenomenon, seeing such oddities on television may influence their decisions about the existence of such things, based on a survey by a Purdue communication professor.[3] There are also concerns about the amount of time spent gathering evidence. Some critics contend that multiple days or weeks of data collection per site are necessary to make a valid judgment on paranormal activity or haunting.[4]Still others question the more extraordinary evidence gathered by the team and its lack of critical, third-party peer review,[5]citing that within the mainstream scientific community, refusal of peer review invalidates a researcher's results. The group does not release detailed records for independent examination. With each new season, critics of Ghost Hunters continue to publish skeptical analyses and theories on the Internet, often employing frame-by-frame analysis of episode footage which they believe debunks the show's findings.[6]

Like many reality shows, Ghost Hunters has developed some storylines which carry over from episode to episode.

  • Investigator Brian Harnois is portrayed as an unreliable misfit who exasperates the other TAPS team members. He is often used as comic relief. After being spooked in episode 105 during an investigation of Eastern State Penitentiary, Harnois's catch phrase was created:
“ Dude, run! ”

The phrase was subsequently printed on caps and t-shirts sold by the group’s merchandising arm. Harnois's storyline climaxed when he resigned from TAPS in episode 207. In the 2005 Halloween Special episode, he rejoined the group after asking leader Jason Hawes for a second chance.

  • Technical Manager Steve Gonsalves is portrayed as reliable and unflappable, despite several phobias including fear of heights, spiders, and air travel.
  • The relationship between group leaders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson is characterized as personal as well as professional. The two are also portrayed as parental figures of the TAPS "family." In episode 101, they are seen discussing how to handle a team member's tardiness:
“ Wilson: "Why don't you try to show you have a sensitive side?"
Hawes: "Why don't you show you have a rugged side?"		 ”
  • Hawes's character is depicted variously as authoritarian alpha-male (nicknamed "The Ghostfather") and devoted but irascible "parent." Wilson's character is shown as the milder of the two, more apt to avoid conflict with team members and to express support for Hawes's decisions.
  • Other personalities on the TAPS team like newcomers Dustin Pari and Dave Tango are shown to contribute enthusiasm and occasional horseplay. In episode 213, Tango was apparently duped into wearing a rhinestone tiara during an investigation, while Pari is portrayed as technically knowledgable and eager to display his worth to the group. However, substantial storylines concerning these cast members have not been developed.

  • In March 2005, Barry Clinton Eckstrom, 51, of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, began to send threatening e-mails to Jason Hawes, founder of TAPS. Hawes alerted the FBI in Providence. When the e-mails began to include threats against President George W. Bush, the Secret Service became involved. Eckstrom also used Hawes's name to send e-mails to some female members of TAPS, in which he threatened to rape and murder them. While under surveillance by federal agents, Eckstrom used a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania library computer to send an e-mail in Hawes' name to Roto Rooter's Cincinnati headquarters, threatening to shoot employees there. Next, Eckstrom typed a message threatening to kill President Bush, again in Hawes' name, using the Department of Homeland Security's website. Before he could send the message, he was arrested. Because of these activities, Eckstrom was sentenced to two years in federal prison in January 2006.[7][8]
  • Although she continues to be seen in reruns of Ghost Hunters episodes, cast member and TAPS Case Manager Donna LaCroix resigned from the group in January 2007. According to LaCroix, she plans to pursue a writing career, independent research projects, and possible relocation out of state.[9] Other cast member departures in January 2007 include former Director Lisa Dowaliby and former R&D Manager Paula Donovan.[10]
  • In 2007, SciFi Network delayed the airing of new Ghost Hunters episodes, creating a gap between new episodes of over six months. According to a network press release, six extra episodes are set to premiere in June 2007, and an additional six slated for debut in Fall 2007, with further new episodes promised in 2008.[11]

  • Jason Hawes - Producer, Lead Investigator/TAPS Founder
  • Grant Wilson - Producer, Lead Investigator/TAPS Co-founder
  • Steve Gonsalves - Technical Manager/Evidence Analyst
  • Brian Harnois - Investigator/Evidence Analyst
  • Dustin Pari - Investigator/Evidence Analyst
  • Keith Johnson - Demonologist
  • Heather Drolet - Investigator
  • Kristyn Gartland - Case Manager/Field Researcher
  • Andy Andrews - Investigator/Evidence Analyst
  • Dave Tango - Investigator-in-training
  • Craig Piligian - Executive Producer
  • Tom Thayer - Executive Producer
  • Mike Rowe - Announcer

# Original Airdate Location
101 October 6, 2004 Altoona, PA - private home
102 October 13, 2004 Altoona, PA - Mishler Theatre and Railroad Museum
103 October 20, 2004 Connecticut - Lighthouse Inn and Ashland, MA - John Stone Tavern
104 October 27, 2004 New London, CT - Race Rock Lighthouse
105 November 3, 2004 Philadelphia, PA - Eastern State Penitentiary
106 November 10, 2004 Upstate New York - converted church/private home
107 November 17, 2004 New Bedford, MA - armory
108 December 1, 2004 Philadelphia, PA - Fortuna Apartment & Topton House Pub
109 December 8, 2004 Sandisfield, MA - New Boston Inn
110 December 15, 2004 Albany, NY - two private homes

# Original Airdate Location
201 July 27, 2005 St. Francisville, LA - Myrtles Plantation
202 August 3, 2005 Cranston, RI and Grafton, MA - private homes
203 September 28, 2005 Philadelphia, PA - Eastern State Penitentiary (revisited), and vacation house
204 August 10, 2005 New Orleans, LA - Brennan's Restaurant and a private home
205 August 17, 2005 Wilmington, NC - USS North Carolina Museum and Raleigh, NC - Mordecai House
206 August 24, 2005 Putnam, CT - Bradley Playhouse and Firehouse
207 August 31, 2005 Connecticut Lighthouse and New York City Merchants House Museum
208 September 7, 2005 Springfield, MA - Tanguay home and Sutcliffe House
209 September 14, 2005 Rhode Island - Astor Mansion and a private home in New Jersey
210 September 21, 2005 Bethany, NY - Rolling Hills Asylum and Worthington home in New Hampshire
211 October 5, 2005 San José, CA, Winchester House and Long Beach, CA, RMS Queen Mary
212 October 12, 2005 Fall River, MA, Lizzie Borden's Home and Mansfield. OH, Mansfield Reformatory
213 October 19, 2005 Eureka Springs, AR - Crescent Hotel
214 March 29, 2006 Louisville, KY - Waverly Hills Sanatorium
215 April 5, 2006 Holliston, MA - private home, and Palladium Theatre investigation
216 April 12, 2006 Canandaigua, NY - TAPS investigates two cases in Jason's home town
217 April 19, 2006 Evansville, IN - Willard Library's "Grey Lady" ghost and a private home in Massachusetts
218 April 26, 2006 New Jersey - private home, and Hartford, CT - Hartford Conservatory music school
219 May 3, 2006 St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Light
220 May 10, 2006 New Jersey - Domani's Restaurant, and St. Augustine, FL - old jail
221 May 17, 2006 Guthrie, OK - Stone Lion Inn, and Massachusetts - private home
222 May 24, 2006 The Best of... (recap of the 20 best Season One and Two investigations)
223 May 31, 2006 Estes Park, CO - TAPS investigates The Stanley Hotel which inspired Stephen King's novel "The Shining"

Note: Season Three is currently airing. Details below are subject to change.

# Original Airdate Location
301 October 11, 2006 Tombstone, AZ - Bird Cage Theatre
302 October 18, 2006 Bisbee, AZ - Copper Queen Hotel, and Tombstone, AZ - O.K. Corral
303 October 25, 2006 Chester, VT - private home, and Moundsville, WV - West Virginia State Penitentiary
304 November 1, 2006 Massachusetts - Victorian mansion, and Washington, MA - Bucksteep Manor
305 November 8, 2006 Review of The Stanley Hotel 2006 Halloween special.
306 November 15, 2006 Ireland - Leap Castle
307 June, 2007 England - tavern and estate
308
309
310
311
312
313

  • 2005 Halloween Special - TAPS went to Savannah, GA to investigate the Moon River Brewery and a historic museum.
  • 2006 Halloween Special - "Ghost Hunters Live" - aired live on October 31, 2006 at 11:00 PM EST. It was a 6 hour broadcast originating from The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. ECW Extremist CM Punk joined the Ghost Hunters throughout the investigation.

  • Best of Ghost Hunters Vol. 1
  • Best of Ghost Hunters Vol. 2
  • Ghost Hunters - The Complete First Season - (3 DVD set)
  • Ghost Hunters - Season 2 - (released in two parts)

  • The Stanley Hotel episode is notable for reaching #2 in ratings for its time slot that night. Ratings Note
  1. ^ SciFi Network Ratings Release
  2. ^ Radford, Benjamin (2004-11-12). Reality Check: Ghost Hunters and ‘Ghost Detectors’. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  3. ^ Never seen a ghost? Then TV may be your teacher. Purdue News. Purdue University (1997-10-17). Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  4. ^ Twietmeyer, Ted (2005-09-26). TAPS Ghost Hunters: Leading People Astray?. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  5. ^ Darrow, C.L. (2006-07-29). Ghost Hunters TV Series: The "Haunted Lighthouse" - Episode 219 - St. Augustine, FL. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  6. ^ Smith, Alison. "TAPS vs. SAPS: The Atlantic Paranormal Society meets the Skeptical Analysis of the Paranormal Society", eSkeptic, The Skeptics Society, 2006-08-10. ISSN 1556-5696. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  7. ^ "Pittsburgh man indicted for allegedly threatening President Bush", Pittsburgh Business Times, 2005-06-09. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  8. ^ Ove, Torsten. "Man gets 2 years in jail for threats against Bush, Roto-Rooter workers", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-01-11. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  9. ^ TAPS Says "See You Later" To Donna LaCroix. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  10. ^ TAPS Members. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  11. ^ Sci Fi Channel (United States) (2007-03-21). Ghost Hunters Returns to SciFi for Season Four (pdf). Press release. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.

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