Eye on the Paranormal – Issue 18 – Reality TV & Beyond…Way Beyond!

Greetings from the Eye on the Paranormal! Things have changed yet not really when it comes to the wonderful wacky world of paranormal reality TV and those lovable para-celebs. In the past I think my humor was a little too biting and did cross the line at times for that I am sorry and will try to be more careful.

Coming & Going in the Land of Para-Reality TV

"Paranormal State" is gone. Ryan Buell and the PRS team still have seven episodes yet to air, but when will they be seen? Why is this show leaving us? Were the ratings sinking faster than Lindsay Lohan's stock in Hollywood? Or did Ryan and Chad Calek's show, "Ghost Prophecies" not get picked up by A&E after a single episode? Was there a falling out after Ryan learned that there was a new show called "Paranormal State: The New Class" featuring a young team of investigators seeking ghosts behind every door? One difference between the old class and the new one is that in Ryan's book, "Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown" he claimed his show was 100% accurate -- a true documentary. However, the new show is billing itself as a docu-drama meaning that some is real some is not. The viewer will have to figure out what's real and what isn't.

Gone from the airwaves is "The Ghost Lab". It seems Discovery pulled the plug after ratings never did climb for this "Ghost Hunters" type of show.

"Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal" returned for its third season. But A&E put it up against AMC's "The Walking Dead" and the ratings for Chip Coffey's show went on life support. Was it the hit zombie show or the fact that Mr. Coffey was playing a smaller role in the program? The show is not currently slated to return anytime soon.

Discovery Channel is working on a new reality series that they are being pretty low key about. It's called “The Exorcist Files”. Each week a case of demonic possession will be brought into your home so it'll be like "Paranormal State" meets "The Real Exorcist" only this show is allegedly endorsed by the Vatican. However, a Vatican spokesperson was unaware of such a relationship.

Where Is God In Those Paranormal Reality Programs?

Many people watch paranormal reality programs, even if they know they're staged. It's like passing a wreck on the highway -- we gotta look. What do we see in these programs? Usually it's nighttime. The lighting is low. People are holding meters, lanterns, cameras, etc. What do they find? Maybe a shadow that moves. They hear a noise. They encounter cold spots. Sometimes they have a psychic tag along that claims he or she can talk to the dead. If the dead talk, what do you hear? A word or two? Mumblings?

Is it just me, or have you not wondered, "Where is God in all of this?" I don’t expect the force that created everything to sit down and have coffee with Jason and Grant. I don't think Zack would be sent hurrying down a hall because Gabriel opened a door and was waiting on the other side. But out of all the paranormal TV shows, why is it they never catch an angel on film? They never catch the light of God. A psychic doesn't say, "I feel the presence of Christ” particularly on cases that involve the demonic. They might say I feel a demon is nearby but have we ever seen it? No. Has a spirit ever said to that same psychic that "Heaven is a fine place?" Or, "I should have listened to the preacher because hell really does suck." I'm not mocking religion at all. I have faith in God. Jesus is my savior and I have faced a demon in battle and cleared many from homes. But why has God, or anything related to Him, ever been caught and presented on a paranormal show? I'm sure that it would be a huge ratings boost.

Ron Tebo brought this fact up in a recent interview on Paradacity. He asked why no one has ever asked if there is heaven or hell on any of those shows? And why is that more than likely the answer would frighten them? Because our culture is moving away from a religion of good vs. evil, love vs. hate, of a life that lasts forever in body. It's easier to embrace the concepts of no right, no wrong, no good, no evil, and there is no promised land on the other side.

A friend told me they felt the reason that none have ever been captured on a paranormal reality show due to what they are finding is not the spiritual world at all -- just what we think the spiritual world should be. Whatever the reason we will keep watching and keep wondering.

It's FINALLY Here! "Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State"

After many months of work and several drafts, “Paranormal Reality Investigating Paranormal State" the ebook is now available. You can download it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. You don't need to own a Kindle, Nook or eReader of any kind; you can get free apps for your computer, cell phone and more. There should be a paperback version later this year as we understand that many readers still prefer the printed page.

However, an inherent benefit of an ebook is the fact that you can read it right away. It can be updated easily as new information comes to light. After the final season 5 episodes are aired, we can release an updated version of "Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State."

There will inevitably be disagreements by many para-celebrities and backers of "Paranormal State". This is because many fans of the show may lack critical thinking skills. We've noticed impaired judgment before; it crops up whenever a person believes they'll make money with a pyramid scheme, give their bank account number to a Nigerian scammer, or drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or booze. Those without critical thinking skills believe that "Paranormal State" is real. In fact, we jokingly refer to them as Paranormal State Zombies. Their limited cognitive ability is such that no matter how many facts are presented to them, they believe that "Paranormal State is real, Paranormal State is real…" ad nauseam.

To readers who require even more evidence about the legitimacy of this show, we reveal that Ryan Buell's book, "Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown" is a questionable work of non-fiction. Much of what you read in his [co-authored with Stefan Petrucha] book is as bogus as his show. In our book you can read about the personal attack that Ryan makes towards one of the better known para-celebrities featured in season 1. "Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State" will expose a side of the show that viewers weren't ever intended to see.

We're already hard at work on a demonology book that will give insight on how to and when to perform an exorcism. That will be out later this year. You can also look forward to reading more Eye on the Paranormal blogs; because para-celebs just can't stop misbehaving ...

Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State Book Info

"Paranormal State" made its debut on the A&E network in December 2007. This documentary program was comprised of an enthusiastic team of college students from Penn State University who wanted to help those troubled by unexplained phenomena. The Paranormal State/Paranormal Research Society's motto was, "To trust, honor, and always seek the truth." The show starred founder and director Ryan Buell along with his group of technicians, investigators and occult specialists. On most of his investigations he was assisted by such paranormal celebrities as Chip Coffey, Lorraine Warren, Chad Calek, and Michelle Belanger. The team was involved with helping frightened people and collecting evidence of the unexplained.

After five seasons and more than 75 episodes, the rumors of staged scenes, questionable evidence, misleading editing, and dissatisfied clients are explored.  As other paranormal programming comes along imitating this style of presentation, it's vital that the problems are investigated.

"Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State" is the first and only book of its kind to take an independent look inside this unique paranormal reality TV show. The authors uncover both positive and negative elements. In their quest to reveal the foundation on which this show was built, they unearth some startling secrets. With a step-by-step analysis of every episode, the authors present the facts. They give voice to those present on the set ranging from production staff, former clients, and various para-celebrities.  Casual viewers and diehard fans of the program are taken beyond the thermal cameras, EVPs, atmospheric music, and sound effects.

Authors Kirby Robinson and Lisa Maliga spent countless hours interviewing former clients, production team members, current and former PRS crew members, and various para-celebrities. The reader journeys behind the scenes of what might be the most controversial paranormal reality show to air on cable TV.
"Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State" will keep the reader up past Dead Time – not trembling in fear but discovering the truth of paranormal reality.

"Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State" – Soon to be Released!

It's been a while since you've seen any new posts here at the Eye on the Paranormal. I hadn't planned on being away from it as long as this, but you know the saying, 'God laughs at man's plans'. Yet, as much as things have changed they've also remained unchanged.

One of the changes is that I'm a little wiser than I was in the past. I need to say that I am sorry for some of the biting humor I used in the previous posts. Some people might have been hurt by them, and for that I am sorry.

What has remained the same is the popularity of paranormal reality programming. One might say it's even more popular than it has ever been.

Only a few more episodes of Paranormal State will be aired. Then it will no longer be around as we know it. If you've been affiliated with the paranormal field for a few years, you might be aware that I was one of the first, and possibly the most vocal, critic of the show. You can read those commentaries in this blog from 2008. I pointed out it was not as real as some would want you to think.

Back in April 2010, I started the first draft of a book entitled Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State, with my co-author, Lisa Maliga. It's an in-depth view of the show. We also analyze Ryan Buell's book, Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown. We uncover things that the show's producers and Ryan would prefer to remain hidden from public knowledge.

Some might ask that since the show is going off the air, why do we need a book about it? Here are two reasons.

1 The viewing public has a right to know the truth. Evidence has been faked, events have been staged, and facts have been misrepresented. Paranormal State has more in common with a mockumentary than a documentary.

2 To serve as a warning to others who think they can become a para-celebrity and plan on copying the tricks they've seen on the show. If viewers can learn to be more careful and apply critical thinking skills, they won't be fooled again.

Paranormal Reality: Investigating Paranormal State will be available later this month. I'll be updating this site when there is more information, including any online interviews.

I'll delve into the world of the unknown now that the Eye on the Paranormal is open again.