"Ghost Lab" was brilliant! Lots of equipment, willing to ask experts and best of all-taking theories and testing them. Problem: A bunch of yahoos way over their heads, abrasive personalities, Zak Bagans type of takeovers of historic sites. It was like brain surgery with a buzz saw.
"Ghost Adventures" The concept of being locked in without a crew is a good one--if it's true that they don't have a crew (I find that preposterous). Problem: Obnoxious and idiotic. It's not to be taken seriously. It truly is like frat boys tearing into an abandoned site. The concept of taunting is ridiculous. There is nothing here but pure entertainment--not one drop of contribution to the field. They are taking away from true research and smart minds for ratings and products.
"Paranormal State" Had the mood and atmosphere, music and editing that made it truly creepy like a fireside tale. Problem: It's just a horrible abomination. They screwed up families that were already fragile, imparted magical thinking and possessions, demons, and evil. There were no benign hauntings, only horrible threats to people's mental health. I despise this show and the people who made it happen. That's the honest truth!
"Ghost Hunters" Great concept of debunking, using some commonsense and putting less bodies in a site. Problem: No growth, no change. They think they know what ghost types are and how they work -- where did they learn this at Hogworts? They never consulted professionals and experts. They never changed it up. Stale, stale, stale.
Ideal paranormal show would have the best here--debunking, smaller teams, being locked down, having no extra crew, having great editing, music and atmosphere and testing theories with unlimited experts and equipment. And, if we're going to make this entertainment, find someone as engaging, smart and funny as Josh Gates, puh-lease.
Okay, now Syfy--let's get this baby out there!
Credit: magical-poetry.blogspot.com