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Irish Ghost-Hunting TV Series - To View Or Not To View?

  • 07-10-2010 12:47pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭


    Hello. We were discussing whether we would or would not watch an Irish TV series about ghost-hunting/paranormal investigation on Irish television over on the Paranormal forum. The reaction was fairly mixed, tbh.

    It was suggested to bring the question over here to see what typically non-paranormal-minded folk would think of a show of this kind. There's a poll for this as well, so it would be appreciated if people would cast their vote. It doesn't matter whether or not you believe or don't believe in stuff like ghosts and the afterlife in general - what matters only is whether or not the programme would attract your interest.

    Now, ideally, the programme would not run along the lines of the more well-known and infamously farcical 'Most Haunted' (most of you have heard of Derek Acorah, its chief clown, I presume?). Hopefully, it would feature a professional team conducting paranormal investigations of allegedly 'haunted' buildings and sites around Ireland. Also, the investigations might be attended by willing, everyday members of the public.

    The show could also be an intriguing opportunity to confirm or to quash any long-standing rumours of various places supposedly being 'haunted' by white ladies, black dogs, headless monks, screaming babies, or whatever else. I'm sure most people can think of at least one place in their hometown, or near it, that has a spooky story or two attached to it.

    But, aside from the possible format of the show, do you think you would be inclined to watch a TV show of this nature?

    Would you watch an Irish TV series about paranormal investigation of Irish places? 44 votes

    Yes, definitely.
    0% 0 votes
    No, I would avoid watching it.
    20% 9 votes
    Maybe. My curiosity might get the better of me.
    79% 35 votes


«1

Comments

  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Don't bother, its all crap! Yet another cheap rip-off of similar rubbish on other stations.
    I won't be tuning in for this cheap rubbish. More useless brainfodder for the masses.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,047 ✭✭✭demakinz


    Id watch it if it was nothing like most haunted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    If it's taking the subject matter too seriously it'll be boring. If your having a laugh you'll only insult all the biddies that believe this stuff. I'd give it a chance the premise is interesting, it would either be great or crap, more than likely crap though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,759 ✭✭✭✭dlofnep


    It wouldn't interest me personally. I don't believe in ghosts.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    Don't bother, its all crap! Yet another cheap rip-off of similar rubbish on other stations.
    I won't be tuning in for this cheap rubbish. More useless brainfodder for the masses.

    Erm, if you re-read what I said, I wrote that, ideally, it would NOT be a rip-off of, or an imitation of, crap like 'Most Haunted' and all those similar shows.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,806 ✭✭✭✭KeithM89_old


    You need to get Derek Acorah on.. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 884 ✭✭✭spider guardian


    If it could show conclusive, irrefutable evidence that ghosts exist then I would definitely watch it. Otherwise no


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,554 ✭✭✭✭alwaysadub


    Hmm i dunno. I used to watch them type of programmes, and tried watching a bit of the new one that was on on RTE the other night, bit of a lurker in the paranormal forum,so had seen about it there, but when i heard some grown woman say she was going to wear nappies during the night, i switched over quick.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,704 ✭✭✭squod


    Topless ghost hunting, now that I could watch.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Wile E. Coyote


    I like things like this and Ireland has a huge history of folklore/haunted castles etc that it could be good viewing but it's RTE and you just know that no matter what they do they're going to f*** it up so I probably won't bother.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    ScumLord wrote: »
    If it's taking the subject matter too seriously it'll be boring. If your having a laugh you'll only insult all the biddies that believe this stuff. I'd give it a chance the premise is interesting, it would either be great or crap, more than likely crap though.

    Well, that was more-or-less what we were saying over in Paranormal. I mean, the reality is that paranormal investigation is fairly banal, analytical, and tedious by its nature. That's the reality you don't see portrayed on TV ordinarily because, yes, it probably doesn't make for exciting television.

    But what might make it interesting is the human interest side of it - the local people around Ireland who have stories to tell, the factual history behind some of the sites, and the honest, unedited experiences of the Joe/Josephine Soaps who attend the investigations.

    A balance between serious investigation and some fun would be the ideal premise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    [... ] but it's RTE and you just know that no matter what they do they're going to f*** it up so I probably won't bother.

    Lol.

    What if it wasn't RTE though? What if it was TV3?! :D


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Erm, if you re-read what I said, I wrote that, ideally, it would NOT be a rip-off of, or an imitation of, crap like 'Most Haunted' and all those similar shows.
    So you can confirm that its going to be an actual scientific study of ghosts, with quantifiable verifiable results - a show each week with those who will put their scientific reputations on the line and state their opinions one way or the other?

    ...Or is it just going to be presenters rambling around Irish places, just like an English version?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 954 ✭✭✭PaddyBomb


    Just put a bag of potatoes in the middle of the floor and all the famine ghosts will be all over it.

    "If there's any ghosts in the room, please throw a potato across the room"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,165 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    Biggins wrote: »
    So you can confirm that its going to be an actual scientific study of ghosts, with quantifiable verifiable results - a show each week with those who will put their scientific reputations on the line and state their opinions one way or the other?

    ...Or is it just going to be presenters rambling around Irish places, just like an English version?

    Shiny eyeballs in a dark shed with the occasional screaming, and some dick telling you what Elvis just said to him.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    ejmaztec wrote: »
    Shiny eyeballs in a dark shed with the occasional screaming, and some dick telling you what Elvis just said to him.
    ...And Elvis ridding down a country lane on Shergar, being lead by Lord Lucan's calling! :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,647 ✭✭✭✭El Weirdo


    Mary loves dick!


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    El Weirdo wrote: »
    Mary loves dick!
    Maybe Mary loves Jane instead! ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    So you can confirm that its going to be an actual scientific study of ghosts, with quantifiable verifiable results - a show each week with those who will put their scientific reputations on the line and state their opinions one way or the other?

    I can't confirm it 100% yet because this is merely an attempt to gauge a reaction from the general public first. If said interest was weighty enough, the project could then be developed further and a definite format could be put in place.

    But one thing that most of the guys (and girls) who are active in paranormal investigation in Ireland have agreed on thusfar is that, yes, a show like this should only go ahead if it's serious, rational, comprehensive and balanced investigation of paranormal phenomena.

    We've all heard tall tales about 'hauntings' of this and that, so it's fair to say at this point that people want some truth.
    Biggins wrote: »
    ...Or is it just going to be presenters rambling around Irish places, just like an English version?

    No.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,124 ✭✭✭Amhran Nua


    If you could put cameo reenactments of the events that presumably led to the haunting that might be good, like that show "A Haunting", quite entertaining stuff, which led directly to "Paranormal activity", the movie that almost got banned in Italy. It sort of spoils the illusion when you see eyewitnesses on one show appearing in entirely unrelated hauntings in other shows though. :rolleyes:

    It might be good if you took a mythbusters approach as well, hard eyed yet tongue in cheek investigations and attempts to provoke spiritual events, backed up by instrument recordings and say a third party who is a recognised authority like a physics professor. You could ask people to send in their stories and go debunk them.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭phill106


    Saw it the other night, reminded me of a cross between most haunted/xfactor.
    Ooooo look door is moving. Will we check if maybe window is open? Yes , but not till the next morning.
    Id watch it again, just to see if it got any better.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Unless its a documentary show filled by measured results, carried out by trained professionals, who's reputations are beyond just "celeb status" - in all seriousness, it will swing towards the others rubbish format of light presenting by non-professionals and just be yet another wasteful show.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    But what might make it interesting is the human interest side of it - the local people around Ireland who have stories to tell, the factual history behind some of the sites, and the honest, unedited experiences of the Joe/Josephine Soaps who attend the investigations.
    That sounds ok, if you got good storeys from around the country and there is loads and even that would be a good way to catalogue those storeys from good storey tellers before they disappear. My mother has storeys about the grandfather walking home from the pub and taking a short cut through a field. Back then they thought if you got lost it had nothing to do with being drunk and was because fairies where messing with you so he used to spin around 10 times and out he's coat on inside out to confuse them.

    You do need to find something worth talking about instead of just making a show on the subject. I think if you just want to make a show for the sake of it, it'll fail miserably.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭Deus Ex Machina


    Amhran Nua wrote: »
    If you could put cameo reenactments of the events that presumably led to the haunting that might be good, like that show "A Haunting", quite entertaining stuff, which led directly to "Paranormal activity", the movie that almost got banned in Italy. It sort of spoils the illusion when you see eyewitnesses on one show appearing in entirely unrelated hauntings in other shows though. :rolleyes:

    It might be good if you took a mythbusters approach as well, hard eyed yet tongue in cheek investigations and attempts to provoke spiritual events, backed up by instrument recordings and say a third party who is a recognised authority like a physics professor. You could ask people to send in their stories and go debunk them.

    The only reason I can posit as to why "Paranormal Activity" would almost get banned is that it is comfortably the least entertaining thing ever rendered in the medium of film, and in forming that opinion I include the 3 hours and 42 minutes I accidentally recorded when I didn't turn off my new video camera properly, and left it facing a grey wall while I went into town.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    Don't bother, its all crap! Yet another cheap rip-off of similar rubbish on other stations.
    I won't be tuning in for this cheap rubbish. More useless brainfodder for the masses.

    That's your own personal opinion, which is appreciated. Thank you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    ejmaztec wrote: »
    Shiny eyeballs in a dark shed with the occasional screaming, and some dick telling you what Elvis just said to him.

    :confused:

    Helpful input.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    That's your own personal opinion, which is appreciated. Thank you.
    Your quite welcome. :D


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    :confused:

    Helpful input.

    You do realize where you have posted the original question?
    Honestly, if you wanted more standard critic answers, AH is not the best place.

    Post a question here, you might have opened Pandora's box! :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,124 ✭✭✭Amhran Nua


    The only reason I can posit as to why "Paranormal Activity" would almost get banned is that it is comfortably the least entertaining thing ever rendered in the medium of film, and in forming that opinion I include the 3 hours and 42 minutes I accidentally recorded when I didn't turn off my new video camera properly, and left it facing a grey wall while I went into town.
    Made ridiculous amounts of money though.

    A few more ideas, you can assume you're going to fail to find anything in each show, so you need to make failure entertaining, not slapstick but maybe smartarse, openly mocking the spooks and spirits. Call it the Dead Files or something, anything with "Files" in the title will get the conspiracy crowd on board.

    Actually the scope for blending reality and fantasy in a show like this is massive. Purely for PR, you could get one of the redshirts to stalk off, pale faced, in the middle of another debunking, and never say anything, before quitting the show (you won't be pursuing the contract obligations, a little off-set discussion, some anger, some drama). Introduce a tiny artifact in one of the episodes that isn't spotted until weeks later by someone unrelated to the show, and if you wanted to go out with a bang, have it abruptly cancelled halfway through the season, no reason given, members are unavailable for interview.

    Could be a lot of fun!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    The only reason I can posit as to why "Paranormal Activity" would almost get banned is that it is comfortably the least entertaining thing ever rendered in the medium of film, and in forming that opinion I include the 3 hours and 42 minutes I accidentally recorded when I didn't turn off my new video camera properly, and left it facing a grey wall while I went into town.

    Yeah, I used to think similarly about that film, until a guy and a girl I know watched it alone in their respective homes while everybody else was out recently and it spooked them royally. They said that they had experienced no such reaction when they had seen it in the cinema previously.

    Put someone in a house alone while watching it and their mood changes entirely. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,239 ✭✭✭✭KeithAFC


    I missed it.

    The best shows on this genre are when they put history into the programme. Some fantastic locations. I know many people who watch paranormal programmes just because of the locations and they can get a look around the place lol.

    Not enough focus on that imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,836 ✭✭✭Sir Gallagher


    I'm assuming this sh1te is going to be on tv3, the term lowest common denominator springs to mind. Tv3 have really been churning out some awful stuff lately;

    Gangland Ireland
    Underbelly:crime boss
    Irish dream debs 20010
    Piers Morgans life stories
    Boozed up Irish Abroad

    and now this sh1te, they also had some program on recently which was about teens in Ireland which basically made out that all our teens are off drinking taking drugs and riding in bushes at every hands turn. The station makes RTE look like the height of high brow broadcasting.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭Deus Ex Machina


    Yeah, I used to think similarly about that film, until a guy and a girl I know watched it alone in their respective homes while everybody else was out recently and it spooked them royally. They said that they had experienced no such reaction when they had seen it in the cinema previously.

    Put someone in a house alone while watching it and their mood changes entirely. :)

    I watched it alone, at night, and in a house not dissimilar to that in the film and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Don't get me wrong, although I don't think that there is any credible evidence for the supernatural, I certainly love the dark charm that good ghost stories and hauntings have. I just felt that Paranormal Activity was utterly lacking in that respect. The acting was appalling, the supposedly frightening paranormal presence was boring both in description and how it manifested itself and the conclusion was completely lacking in suspense. Give me the original Haunting or even the Sixth Sense, but this superficial garbage isn't fit to stand as a representative of the ghost/horror film genre.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    You do realize where you have posted the original question?

    Of course I'm aware of the rep. this forum has, but I also stated originally that what was sought only was whether people would or would not watch a show like this. Is that so difficult for forum members of adult age (at least I think that's the case here - correct me if I'm wrong, seriously) to answer? Is that too much of a challenge, or was I too unclear?

    Ramblings about glowing eyeballs and a dick talking to Elvis is meandering, pointless drivel that's best reserved for either a plastered night on the tiles with your mates, or a creative writing class.
    Biggins wrote: »
    Honestly, if you wanted more standard critic answers, AH is not the best place.

    What is then, in your opinion?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    I watched it alone, at night, and in a house not dissimilar to that in the film and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Don't get me wrong, although I don't think that there is any credible evidence for the supernatural, I certainly love the dark charm that good ghost stories and hauntings have. I just felt that Paranormal Activity was utterly lacking in that respect. The acting was appalling, the supposedly frightening paranormal presence was boring both in description and how it manifested itself and the conclusion was completely lacking in suspense. Give me the original Haunting or even the Sixth Sense, but this superficial garbage isn't fit to stand as a representative of the ghost/horror film genre.

    To each their own.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    What is then, in your opinion?
    As already somewhat mentioned, if done with an absolute professional manner, with professional people, it would be a good start.
    Otherwise its just inevitably more of the same, just dressed up in a different visual structured format.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,239 ✭✭✭✭KeithAFC


    I see it was Kinnitty castle. Watching it now, the voice over guy is not needed tbh. In that stupid voice anyway. Is that an act lol.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    I'm assuming this sh1te is going to be on tv3, the term lowest common denominator springs to mind. Tv3 have really been churning out some awful stuff lately;

    Gangland Ireland
    Underbelly:crime boss
    Irish dream debs 20010
    Piers Morgans life stories
    Boozed up Irish Abroad

    and now this sh1te, they also had some program on recently which was about teens in Ireland which basically made out that all our teens are off drinking taking drugs and riding in bushes at every hands turn. The station makes RTE look like the height of high brow broadcasting.

    Right, I'm assuming from all this that you would not watch a show about Irish-based paranormal investigation then. That's grand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    As already somewhat mentioned, if done with an absolute professional manner, with professional people, it would be a good start.
    Otherwise its just inevitably more of the same, just dressed up in a different visual structured format.

    No, what I meant by "What is then, in your opinion?" was what is the best place to be posting a thread like this?

    Because you had stated that AH was not the best place to be posting a thread like this, which is evident already.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    No, what I meant by "What is then, in your opinion?" was what is the best place to be posting a thread like this?

    Because you had stated that AH was not the best place to be posting a thread like this.
    Tried the "Reality" or "Television" sections on boards.ie?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    KeithAFC wrote: »
    I see it was Kinnitty castle. Watching it now, the voice over guy is not needed tbh. In that stupid voice anyway. Is that an act lol.

    God, yeah, the voiceover was really stupid alright.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭MrMojoRisin


    Biggins wrote: »
    Tried the "Reality" or "Television" sections on boards.ie?

    No, but will do. Cheers.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭Smartypantsdig


    I personally would not watch such a show. For one, I don't believe in spirits or ghosts and for two, I don't have a tv any longer :p! I threw it out in protest at the trite stuff that passes for programming these days.

    But good luck with your endeavour friend!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭SomeFool


    Don't believe in ghosts or anything but I'd imagine a lot of people would watch it purely through curiosity, particularly when the people/places are closer to home than 'most haunted' or whatever.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,522 ✭✭✭neilthefunkeone


    Nope.. load of me hole TV... Wouldnt even consider watching it..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AxJSbGOBU8&feature=related


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,757 ✭✭✭smokingman


    Hopefully, it would feature a professional team conducting paranormal investigations of allegedly 'haunted' buildings and sites around Ireland.

    Ahhh you're hilarious!
    It's an entertainment show, end of. No proof of any ghost has ever been recorded and while peeps may believe in them just like gods/tooth fairies etc, you're not gonna find anything serious on a show like this. The Most Haunted thing was so successful because it didn't really take itself seriously and you could easily tell they all had a good laugh making the show. Even sceptics watched that because they enjoyed the show and maybe the sight of someone else in their living room being genuinely scared.

    Don't dress up as professional and it might be watched.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,947 ✭✭✭Greyfox


    No way, watching the washing maching wash my clothes would be more interesting. Can't understand why anybody would watch such utter sh**e


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,124 ✭✭✭Amhran Nua


    No, but will do. Cheers.
    Ah I wouldn't get too discouraged by some of the reactions here, you mention anything paranormal to some people and they go into a paroxysm of received righteous rage as if you'd told them the earth was flat. It is entertainment, just like almost everything else on TV, and everyone loves a good ghost story, the trick is to find an angle that works and keep people interested.

    I doubt anyone wants to see a dry scientific documentary about repeated failures to find anything, but that doesn't mean you won't find a wide audience if you hit the right notes.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Amhran Nua wrote: »
    ...doesn't mean you won't find a wide audience if you hit the right notes.
    Just at the mo, don't get Cheryl Cole to sing them! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭jimthemental


    Biggins wrote: »

    Post a question here, you might have opened Pandora's box! :pac:

    The dirty slut!


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