Ghost Hunters (TV series)
Ghost Hunters | |
---|---|
Genre | Paranormal Reality television Documentary |
Starring | Jason Hawes (2004–16; 2021–present) Grant Wilson (2004–12; 2019–2020) Steve Gonsalves (2004–16; 2021–present) Dave Tango (2005–16; 2021–present) Amy Bruni (2008–14) others |
Narrated by | Mike Rowe (2004–16) Andy Geller (2006–07) Jim Pratt (2011) Jason Hawes (2012–16; 2021–present) Grant Wilson (2019–2020) |
Composer | Vanacore Music |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 16 |
No. of episodes | 251 (+ 12 specials not included) (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers | Craig Piligian Tom Thayer Mike Nichols Alan David Rob Katz |
Production locations |
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Running time | 46 minutes |
Production company | (2022–present) |
Release | October 6, 2004 present | –
Related | |
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Ghost Hunters is an American
The program featured
The series, initially produced for 10 episodes as a
The series popularized paranormal reality television and ghost hunting, and some members of the show have moved on to feature in their own television programs.
Premise
Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, along with other team members who belong to the group they founded, The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), investigate locations of interest by using various electronic equipment, which they believe is capable of detecting paranormal activity. The two originally worked as plumbers for Roto-Rooter as a day job while investigating locations at night.[2]
Investigative procedures
This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2019) |
When investigating a location, TAPS team members first visit and survey the property with its owners, who describe their experiences at the site. Next, the team sets up electronic equipment in the apparent paranormal hotspots. The TAPS team then spends several hours taking
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.
The TAPS members state that they do not believe that every phenomenon captured is evidence of the paranormal and sometimes provide reasonable explanations such as
Since the series 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; however, the ghost hunters claim to have several decent recordings of
Equipment used
During investigations, the TAPS ghost hunters team use various equipment, including digital
The team has also experimented, in at least one episode, with a geiger counter during their investigation to see if it would register any anomalous readings.
Starting around the third season, the team has used the K-2 (or K-II) meter,
In the fifth season's "Edith Wharton Estate" case, the team introduced two new pieces of equipment: one is a custom-made geophone, which detects vibrations and flashes a series of LEDs that measure the intensity of the vibration; the second is a new EMF detector that makes a buzzing sound when in the presence of an electromagnetic field, and the stronger the field, the louder it buzzes. In the episode, the geophones were recorded on video flashing to the vibrations of what sounded like footsteps across a floor, even though no one was supposedly in the room.
Other gear not typically shown on screen are an ion generator, a device that charges the air with electricity and is theorized to help spirits manifest, and the white noise generator, an audio device that makes a static background noise and is theorized to act as a catalyst for assisting entities in making EVPs.[6]
Team
Current members
- Jason Hawes – lead investigator/producer/TAPS Founder (2004–2016; 2021–present)
- Steve Gonsalves – co-lead investigator, previously tech manager (2004–2016; 2021–present)
- Dave Tango – tech manager/investigator (2005–2016; 2021–present)
- Shari DeBenedetti – investigator (2016; 2021–present)
Guest members
Members who currently make Guest Appearances in Episodes
- Amy Bruni – Main investigator (2008–2014), Guest Investigator (2021–Present)[7]
- Adam Berry – Ghost Hunters Academy winner, Main investigator (2010–2014), Guest Investigator (2021–Present)[8]
- Dustin Pari – GH Main investigator/GHI investigator (2005–2010, 2015–2016), Guest Investigator (2014, 2021–Present)
- Samantha Hawes – Main investigator (2014–2016), Guest Investigator (2021–Present)
- Kris Williams – case manager/investigator (2007–2011; moved to GHI) Guest Investigator (2021–Present)
- Satori Hawes – Guest Investigator (2022–Present)
- Cody Ray DesBiens – Guest Investigator (2022–Present)
- Austin Hawes– Guest Investigator (2023–Present)
Former members
This list includes former investigators considered part of the crew, and is sorted by tenure and amount of investigations taken part in. Persons after season 1 who made less than 7 appearances are not included.
- Grant Wilson – lead investigator/producer/TAPS co-founder (2004–2012; 2014 guest; 2019–2020)
- Britt Griffith – investigator (2008–2014)
- K.J. McCormick – investigator (2010–2016)
- Brian Harnois – tech manager/investigator (2004–2007; moved to GHI)
- Donna LaCroix – case manager/investigator (2004–2007; moved to GHI)
- Kristen Luman – guest investigator (2015); co-lead investigator (2019–2020)
- Daryl Marston – co-lead investigator (2019–2020)
- Mustafa Gatollari – team researcher/investigator (2019–2020)
- Brandon Alvis – tech manager/investigator (2019–2020)
- Brian Murray – investigator (2019–2020)
- Richel Stratton – investigator (2019–2020)
- Kristyn Gartland – investigator (2005–2009)
- Joe Chin – investigator (2008–2010, moved to GHI; 2014 guest)
- Andy Andrews – investigator (2004–2007; moved to GHI)
- Traci Boiselle – case manager/Halloween special 2011 Center Command staff (2011; 2016)
- Joshua Ovenshire – tech manager (2016)
- Barry Fitzgerald – investigator/GHI lead investigator (2006–2010)
- Michelle Tate – Ghost Hunters Academy alumni, investigator (2013–2014)
- Mike Dion – investigator (2004–2007)
- Lisa Dowaliby – investigator (2006–2007)
- Ashley Troub – investigator (2012)
- Carl Johnson – demonologist (2004–2006)
- Paula Donovan – investigator (2005–2006)
Celebrity guest appearances (2008–2016)
During its first run of episodes, aside from guest investigators with connections to The Atlantic Paranormal Society, Ghost Hunters utilized connections with other Syfy and NBCUniversal series to feature actors and personalities from those programs, in particular during the live specials and especially those for Halloween:
- Josh Gates – multiple episodes (also Ghost Hunters live specials host)
- Meat Loaf – "A Bat Out of Hell", "Sloss Furnaces", and “The Haunted House on the Hill” episodes.
- Elijah Burke – "2007 Halloween Special" episode
- Colin Ferguson– "USS Hornet" episode
- Ben Hansen – "2010 Halloween Special" episode
- Kofi Kingston – "2010 Halloween Special" episode
- Nene Leakes, Shereé Whitfield and Kim Zolciak – "T.A.P.S. Meets The Real Housewives of Atlanta" episode
- Joe Maddalena – "2010 Halloween Special" episode
- Eddie McClintock – "Ghost of Buffalo Bill" episode
- Mike "The Miz" Mizanin – "2008 Halloween Special" episode
- CM Punk – "2006 Halloween Special" episode
- Meaghan Rath – "2010 Halloween Special" episode
- Allison Scagliotti – "2010 Halloween Special" episode
- Amanda Tapping – "2008 Halloween Special" episode
- Steve Valentine – "2008 Halloween Special" episode
- Meredith Vieira – "Murdered Matron" episode
Production
On March 3, 2010, Ghost Hunters' 100th episode aired, featuring their investigation of
On February 15, 2012, Grant Wilson announced he would be leaving the cast of Ghost Hunters in order to focus on his personal life.[10] In a statement, Hawes responded with, "I will miss working with Grant on a daily basis, and am indebted to the level of dedication and expertise he has brought to our field. I can’t imagine having a better partner through it all — both on the show and off. Grant and I, along with our spouses and children, are all like one big family. While I fully support his decision to move on from the series, this longtime friendship — as well as our business partnership — will continue off-camera for years to come."[11] Subsequently, Wilson also left the Beyond Reality radio show and was eventually replaced by JV Johnson, the publisher/editor of TAPS Para-magazine.
On June 7, 2016, Hawes announced that Ghost Hunters would be concluding on Syfy, with season 11 being the last season to be produced.[12] On August 1, Wilson publicly reunited with Hawes for the first time, as a guest on Beyond Reality.[13]
On June 26, 2019, it was announced that Ghost Hunters would be
On May 18, 2021 it was announced that Ghost Hunters was sold to
Release
Series overview
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | Network | |||
Sci Fi A&E | |||||
13 | 9 | April 8, 2020 | May 27, 2020 | ||
14 | 13 | October 31, 2021 | March 19, 2022 | Discovery+ | |
15 | 8 | October 1, 2022 | November 19, 2022 | Travel Channel | |
16 | 8 | April 6, 2023 | May 25, 2023 |
Home media
Season releases
- Ghost Hunters — Season 1 (The Complete) – (October 18, 2005)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 2, Part 1 – (September 19, 2006)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 2, Part 2 – (September 19, 2006)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 3, Part 1 – (September 9, 2007)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 3, Part 2 – (February 26, 2008)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 4, Part 1 – (September 7, 2008)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 4, Part 2 – (March 17, 2009)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 5, Part 1 – (February 23, 2010)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 5, Part 2 – (April 27, 2010)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 6, Part 1 – (September 11, 2011)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 6, Part 2 – (September 13, 2011)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 7, Part 1 – (August 14, 2012)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 7, Part 2 – (September 2, 2012)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 8, Part 1 – (March 19, 2013)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 8, Part 2 – (June 11, 2013)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 9, Part 1 – (August 12, 2014)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 9, Part 2 – (October 21, 2014)
- Ghost Hunters — Season 9, Part 3 – (2014; no official release[note 2])
- Ghost Hunters — Season 10 – (2015; no official release[note 3])
- Ghost Hunters — Season 11 – (2016; no official release[note 4])
Live specials
- Ghost Hunters — Live From The Shining Hotel– 2006 Halloween Special – (September 9, 2007)
- Ghost Hunters — Stanley Hotel – 2006 Halloween Special Uncut – (2007)
- Ghost Hunters — Live From The Waverly Hills Sanatorium – 2007 Halloween Special – (September 2, 2008)
Compilations
- The Very Best of Ghost Hunters, Vol. 1 – (October 18, 2005)
- The Very Best of Ghost Hunters, Vol. 2 – (September 19, 2006)
- The Very Best of Ghost Hunters, Volumes 1 & 2 — Scary Savings Pack – (September 16, 2008)
- Ghost Hunters — The Absolute Best of Ghost Hunters – (2009)
- Ghost Hunters — The Best of Ghost Hunters – (January 5, 2010)
- Ghost Hunting — The Basics & Beyond – (September 29, 2010)
- Ghost Hunters — Military Investigations – (May 18, 2010)
Reception
Ghost Hunters has garnered some of the highest ratings of any Syfy reality programming.
In the early shows, TAPS was headquartered in a trailer located behind Jason Hawes' house, and they drove one white van to investigations. Within one season, they had moved the entire operation to a storefront in Warwick, Rhode Island, and acquired several new TAPS vehicles.
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.
TAPS also ventured into the venue of radio broadcast with a three-hour weekly show called Beyond Reality, initially hosted by Hawes and Wilson. The radio show covers topics in a vast array of areas such as
Popular culture
Ghost Hunters helped popularize
Hawes, Wilson and Ghost Hunters were parodied on the 2009 episode of
Criticism
Ghost Hunters has attracted various critics and skeptics, such as Joe Nickell of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Skeptical Inquirer author Lynne Kelly,[25] James Randi, and Benjamin Radford. The Skeptical Analysis of the Paranormal Society (SAPS) was founded with the intent to recreate and debunk segments of the show.[26]
In June 2008, Ghost Hunters was awarded The Truly Terrible Television (TTTV) Award by
During the seven-hour-long, live Halloween show on October 31, 2008, at least two events took place that critics[who?] have scrutinized: One occurs when lead investigator Grant Wilson has his jacket collar pulled down by an unseen force three times; all the while one of his hands remained at his side, which led detractors to claim he was pulling a hidden string. This happens again at one point where Hawes touches Wilson's back and his collar moves down again. Another occurs when a supposed disembodied voice tells the hunters, "You're not supposed to be here." Critics[who?] have claimed the voice sounded like it was piped in from an external audio source. In regard to the scrutiny, Wilson and Hawes defended themselves, stating that everything in the show is real.[28] In a 2013 interview on The Reveal, Wilson stated that their television contracts forbade them from faking evidence on the show.[29]
According to investigator Benjamin Radford, most ghost hunting groups including TAPS make many methodological mistakes. "After watching episodes of Ghost Hunters and other similar programs, it quickly becomes clear to anyone with a background in science that the methods used are both illogical and unscientific". Anyone can be a ghost investigator, "failing to consider alternative explanations for anomalous ... phenomena", considering emotions and feelings as "evidence of ghostly encounters." "Improper and unscientific investigation methods", for example, "using unproven tools and equipment", "sampling errors", "ineffectively using recording devices" and "focusing on the history of the location...and not the phenomena." In an article for Skeptical Inquirer, Radford concludes that ghost hunters should care about doing a truly scientific investigation: "I believe that if ghosts exist, they are important and deserve to be taken seriously. Most of the efforts to investigate ghosts so far have been badly flawed and unscientific — and not surprisingly, fruitless."
The show's editing has been questioned, such as activity that is not captured on tape and findings that are unsupported by evidence in the show specifically. Tools are used in ways that are not proven effective, or in ways in which they have been proven ineffective, such as
Techniques with thermal imaging cameras,
Other media
Spin-offs
Ghost Hunters International
A
UFO Hunters
Ghost Hunters producers Craig Pilligan and Tom Thayer released another paranormal investigation "special" titled UFO Hunters, (not to be confused with the show of the
Ghost Hunters Academy
On October 23, 2008, TV Guide reported that Syfy would launch a spin-off of the show called Ghost Hunters: College Edition, which would feature "co-eds" in the ghost hunter roles.[37] The show was later named Ghost Hunters Academy and began airing November 11, 2009. The series features Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango leading a group of amateur ghost hunters through various investigations.[38]
Later series
Kindred Spirits
TAPS members Adam Berry (also the finalist from
Ghost Nation
After the decision to cut ties with Syfy in 2016 and negotiations to start a new Ghost Hunters series failed, Hawes, Gonsalves, and Tango eventually came to decide to focus on efforts to help local investigators on a national level and start a new program, Ghost Nation. The program has aired on Travel Channel since October 2019.[40][41][42]
Haunted Discoveries
In 2022, Brandon Alvis and Mustafa Gatollari announced that their new paranormal documentary series Haunted Discoveries was in full production and that their new series promises to "push the field forward."[43] In October 2023, Haunted Discoveries debuted on the T+E network in Canada.[44] The new series "tracks the adventures of a team of paranormal investigators on the trail of anomalies in Kentucky, long considered America's most haunted state."[45]
See also
- The Atlantic Paranormal Society
- Apparitional experience
- Paranormal television
- List of reportedly haunted locations in the United States
Notes
- ^ Sci Fi was rebranded as Syfy on 7 July 2009; the last episode to air on Sci Fi was on 29 April 2009, and the first episode to air on SyFy was on 19 August 2009.
- ^ Only available through the TAPS More Ghosts web store.
- ^ Only available through the TAPS More Ghosts web store.
- ^ Only available through the TAPS More Ghosts web store.
References
- ^ "Ghost Hunters Season 16 start on Travel Channel". Next TV Series. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
- ^ "When ghosts attack". www.cnn.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "NBC Goes Sci Fi with First-Time Network Broadcasts of Hit Sci Fi Channel Reality Series 'Scare Tactics' and 'Ghost Hunters' on October 30". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Tung, Christen (September 7, 2016). ""Ghost Hunting Equipment: Tools To Get Rid Of Demons by Amy Bruni" Maggwire.com". Maggwire.
- YouTube
- ^ ""Steve's Gear Guide" Video Blog on SciFi.com". Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 29, 2014). "'Ghost Hunters' Co-Stars Amy Bruni & Adam Berry To Depart, Develop Paranormal Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 29, 2014). "'Ghost Hunters' Co-Stars Amy Bruni & Adam Berry To Depart, Develop Paranormal Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ ""Ghost Hunters" Renewed For Season 8 By Syfy". Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "'Ghost Hunters' Investigator Grant Wilson Exiting Show (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. February 16, 2012.
- ^ "'Ghost Hunters' investigator Grant Wilson exits". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Ghost Hunters leaving Syfy!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ "Ghost Hunters Grant Wilson, Jason Hawes to reunite on Beyond Reality Radio". July 29, 2016.
- ^ a b Wilson, Grant (October 30, 2019). "The season finale of @GhostHunters is tonight at 10pm ET/PT! What does that mean for the future of the show???? Watch the video and find out! @aetv #GhostHunterspic.twitter.com/8mlnO0cY8x". @grantswilson. Retrieved November 5, 2019.Wilson, Grant (October 30, 2019). "The season finale of @GhostHunters is tonight at 10pm ET/PT! What does that mean for the future of the show???? Watch the video and find out! @aetv #GhostHunterspic.twitter.com/8mlnO0cY8x". @grantswilson. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "A&E Network Returns to Paranormal Programming with New Shows Including the Return of "Ghost Hunters" with Original Team Leader Grant Wilson". The Futon Critic. June 26, 2019.
- ^ "A&E Investigates the Paranormal This April with the Spine-Tingling Premiere of Newly Reimagined "Celebrity Ghost Stories" and Season 2 of "Ghost Hunters"". The Futon Critic. February 18, 2020.
- ^ "'Ghost Hunters' Not Returning to A&E, According to Series Investigator Brandon Alvis". Pop Culture.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "discovery+". www.discoveryplus.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ "The First Mega-hit Paranormal Television Show Ghost Hunters Is Greenlit for a Comeback on discovery+". press.discoveryplus.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ "'Ghost Hunters' is Back on Discovery+!". Pilgrim Media Group. May 18, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ "SciFi Network Ratings Release".
- AZ Central. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ a b John Blake (September 7, 2013). "Ghost hunters haunted by new terror: competition". CNN. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "Grant Wilson & Jason Hawes on The View!". YouTube. Retrieved December 3, 2019.[dead YouTube link]
- ISBN 978-1-56025-711-0.
- ^ ISSN 1556-5696. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. June 23, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ "Was the "coat pull" on Ghost Hunters' live event faked? | CliqueClack TV". Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009. TAPS Interview
- ^ "THE REVEAL - *WORLD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW* Grant Wilson the co-founder of SyFy..." Podomatic.
- ^ Radford, Benjamin (November–December 2010). "Ghost-Hunting Mistakes: Science and Pseudoscience in Ghost Investigations". Skeptical Inquirer. 34 (5). Committee for Skeptical Inquiry: 44–46.
- ^ STELTER, BRIAN (November 10, 2009). "'Ghost Hunters' Seeks Spirits and Ratings". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
Benjamin Radford, the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, says the group and others like it lack scientific rigor and mislead people into thinking that their homes are haunted. "I've seen first-hand some of the damage that the show can do to fragile people who are scared and looking for a real explanation to their experiences," said Mr. Radford, who also investigates ghostly claims.
- ^ Radford, Benjamin (November 12, 2004). "Reality Check: Ghost Hunters and 'Ghost Detectors'". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Archived from the original on December 19, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- ^ "Current list of TAPS members". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008.
- ^ "History and Sci-Fi to air Dueling UFO Hunters Debuts Jan 30". Reality TV World. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Sci Fi's Development Slate Delivers Intrepid Mix of Inspired Fantasy, Mythical Adventures and Superpowered Comedy | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ http://www.ny-spi.com/ Ny-Spy Investigates
- ^ "Ghost Hunters Head to College". TV Guide. October 23, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- ^ "SYFY Official Site". SYFY Official Site.
- Huffington Post. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "'Ghost Nation' Sees Return of Original 'Ghost Hunters' Jason Hawes, Steve Gonzalez and Dave Tango Tackling the Paranormal". Reality TV. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "Ghost Nation Star Jason Hawes Reveals What to Expect From His New Paranormal Investigation Series". Horror. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "The Truth About 'Ghost Nation' Revealed". In Touch Weekly. November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "Ghost Hunters Mustafa Gatollari and Brandon Alvis Tease New Haunted Discoveries". Reality TV. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ T+E Network https://www.tandetv.com/shows/haunted-discoveries/ Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Rue Morgue: Creep Week Returns". Reality TV. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Ghost Hunters webpage by Pilgrim Films.com
- Ghost Hunters webpage at Syfy.com
- Ghost Hunters webpage at A&E.com
- Ghost Hunters at IMDb
- Ghost Hunters at TheTVDB
- Ghost Hunters at TV Guide