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Research and Reference => That's Paratainment! => Topic started by: Damian on January 09, 2010, 08:08:32 PM

Title: Paranormal Cops
Post by: Damian on January 09, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
Have you guys seen the previews for the new show called Paranormal Cops?  It'll air on A&E on Tues 1/19.  I've got it set to record.

It appears that the investigators are police officers by day and ghost hunters by night.  My hope is that because these guys are cops, they'll follow strict investigation practices and will adhere to the scientific method and focus on gathering evidence.

I try to watch any paranormal related shows that I can find but most of them are purely for entertainment and there is a lot of manufactured drama.  Regardless, i'll still keep watching because I can't seem to get enough, but I'm hoping that Paranormal Cops will be more like Ghost Hunters.  We shall see.   :-\
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 09, 2010, 09:22:26 PM
Wow, I haven't heard about a "Paranormal Cops" show coming out but I am way interested.  Do you know the airtime?  I will definitely look for it!    :)   Jason....I think you have the show beat.    ;)
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: Gary on January 09, 2010, 09:39:07 PM
I'm thinking this show got delayed?  It was advertised for Fall of 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcpRcT9m1iA  <<--- Looks interesting.  I will give it a shot!!!
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 09, 2010, 09:41:32 PM
Hey Gary    :)   Thanks for the link!  I am definitely gonna check it out!
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Jason on January 10, 2010, 10:32:43 AM
Quote from: Buddy on January 09, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
It appears that the investigators are police officers by day and ghost hunters by night.  My hope is that because these guys are cops, they'll follow strict investigation practices and will adhere to the scientific method and focus on gathering evidence.

I, and everyone in my group, hope that police officers would, as you very aptly said, "adhere to the scientific method and focus on gathering evidence." As police officers, their job depends on their integrity. I would hope that they would maintain their integrity and bring more respectability to the field of paranormal investigation. I do have a concern however,

My concern lies with the fact that they have chosen to take part in a television show and advertise the fact that they are police officers. "Following the scientific method" and "focusing on gathering evidence" are not the most entertaining ways to "ghost hunt." These guys are going to feel pressure from the producers to entertain, or as we have come to call it "paratain," their audience in order to maintain their ratings. I need to qualify this and point out that I believe IT CAN BE DONE. But television shows add an inherent obstacle to credibility and always lend themselves to the criticism that "the producers made them do it." Being a police officer doesn't automatically circumvent that criticism, in my opinion.

I also have a problem with this endeavor if they are getting paid to participate in this show (or receiving any other tangible benefit). Police officers have a higher standard of ethics to adhere to. To elaborate, a police officer cannot use their job title to promote a second job, or television show, especially if they are using their title as "police officer" to advertise that job and are getting paid, in some form, for that job. Such a case boils down to using your badge to make money.

Shows like "Cops" are okay because those officers get a little air time and nothing else. Police officers that are paranormal investigators and use their law enforcement skills to conduct investigations for non-profit organizations are okay because they aren't getting paid for doing what they do. It's the payment and receipt of tangible benefits that causes the snafu.
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 10, 2010, 05:08:06 PM
Hey, well said, Jason.  You brought up a good example of "paratainment".....COPS. 

I used to watch that show religiously and didn't know any better.  NOW....I stay away from that show.  For the purposes of "paratainment", police officers on that show are seen saying and doing things that normally would not be done, either by policy (variable from department to department) or simply the Constitution itself.  JUST MY OPINION.  How many times have you had a Ride-Along or been a Ride-Along and wanted to show them or see the good stuff???  Me?  Tons!!!  Did I always find it???  Nope.  Now add a TV camera in your car, and the pressure to make it a good ride comes into play. 

I personally have made it a habit to run from press cameras of any kind and not have any part of it for even a minute.  I wonder if or how long it will take for the police officers on the new show to succumb to the pressure of making it interesting and fantastic, or the "glamour" of being on TV...."Who will win the title of "The Next Steven Seigal"!    ;D
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Tim on January 11, 2010, 07:40:01 PM
BAD GHOSTS, BAD GHOSTS
WHATCHA GONNA DO?
WHATCH GONNA DO WHEN THEY HUNT FOR YOU?
BAD GHOSTS, BAD GHOSTS.

Come on! You can sing too!
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Tracy on January 11, 2010, 10:35:59 PM
Timmeh.....you're KILLIN' me...   :D
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 19, 2010, 02:23:21 AM
F.Y.I........."Paranormal Cops" starts tomorrow night (Tuesday 19th) at 10pm on A&E.    :)
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: Gary on January 19, 2010, 09:28:39 AM
Awesome, thanks for that info Lillie!  Can't wait.
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: Damian on January 20, 2010, 12:22:23 AM
Hey gang.  I just watched the first episode of Paranormal Cops and I have mixed feelings about it.  It felt like another "me-too" paratainment tv show, but their unique spin is in their use of their police training, techniques, and skills.

They attempt to lock-down the investigation site and use evidence tape on door jambs.  And they have a Medium as a part of their team.  I didn't really feel like their Medium added much to their investigation.

I noticed that some of the investigators held an implement in one hand that appeared to have 3 devices attached to it (digital audio recorder, EMF detector, and something that looked like a mini boom mic) which seemed pretty handy.  I liked that idea.

***SPOILER ALERT***  At one point in the episode an investigator noticed that the evidence tape on one of the locked doors had been broken.  They called the entire team together, discussed the incident, turned the lights on, and began what appeared to be a complete and systematic search of the investigation site to find anyone who might have come into the site through that door.  Ultimately, they found no other person in the building.  I realize that a situation like this and how the team responded adds some drama to the show which is what producers want, but I liked that the entire team investigated that incident immediately.

What I'm starting to understand is that viewers will probably never see a paranormal investigation show that is 100% accurate in its representation of a paranormal investigation.  So now that I'm slightly disillusioned  ;)  I can simply watch the shows for their entertainment value AND keep my eyes open for ideas/practices/equipment that would be applicable and effective in a non-televised paranormal investigation.  This represents a significant shift in my views of paranormal tv.
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 12:48:37 AM
Buddy, you already saw it??  I just checked the listings, and A&E is showing it at 10:30 pm now instead of 10pm.  ??   Oh well, I'll sit through Psychic Kids and Paranormal State, so I don't miss it.  I like your review.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Karl on January 20, 2010, 12:50:10 AM
Quote from: Buddy on January 20, 2010, 12:22:23 AM
Hey gang.  I just watched the first episode of Paranormal Cops and I have mixed feelings about it.  It felt like another "me-too" paratainment tv show, but their unique spin is in their use of their police training, techniques, and skills.

They attempt to lock-down the investigation site and use evidence tape on door jambs.  And they have a Medium as a part of their team.  I didn't really feel like their Medium added much to their investigation.

I noticed that some of the investigators held an implement in one hand that appeared cto have 3 devices attached to it (digital audio recorder, EMF detector, and something that looked like a mini boom mic) which seemed pretty handy.  I liked that idea.

***SPOILER ALERT***  At one point in the episode an investigator noticed that the evidence tape on one of the locked doors had been broken.  They called the entire team together, discussed the incident, turned the lights on, and began what appeared to be a complete and systematic search of the investigation site to find anyone who might have come into the site through that door.  Ultimately, they found no other person in the building.  I realize that a situation like this and how the team responded adds some drama to the show which is what producers want, but I liked that the entire team investigated that incident immediately.

What I'm starting to understand is that viewers will probably never see a paranormal investigation show that is 100% accurate in its representation of a paranormal investigation.  So now that I'm slightly disillusioned  ;)  I can simply watch the shows for their entertainment value AND keep my eyes open for ideas/practices/equipment that would be applicable and effective in a non-televised paranormal investigation.  This represents a significant shift in my views of paranormal tv.

Damian, I think your reasons for, both, wanting to watch the show and for not entirely trusting its depiction of paranormal investigating are understandable.  I think a good many of us at the start of PPI were totally into Ghost Hunters and drew a great deal of inspiration from the way that technology was used and the way that investigative techniques were pioneered.  Over time, as those become a matter of practice rather than theory, if the "paratainment" becomes more concerned with the turn of the screw and less concerned with the innovative practice, it's natural for folks like us to lose interest.  I hate to admit it, but this is why, for me, I've simply stopped watching a lot of the paranormal TV shows.  Occasionally, something innovative will turn up but, as you've said, they all have to produce the drama somehow; it's the only way "reality" TV can compete with scripted drama.  The one thing I can say about new paratainment shows is that sometimes their gimmick is, itself, an innovative way of approaching investigating.  Anything that makes us take a fresh look at investigating is ultimately good.  Unfortunately, the gimmick is also the first thing that the viewers will tire of, and when a show becomes all about the gimmick (or, worse, the "drag" of ghost hunting) and not about the results . . . well, perhaps I'm already sounding jaded.  (Is that a collective gasp I hear? ;D)
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 01:04:16 AM
There is something that all of the shows have in common and which is very nice.....they all make reference to being there "to help the family".  I really like the fact that this has not been lost in paratainment.   :)
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: Damian on January 20, 2010, 01:12:50 AM
I hear what you're saying Karl, and I think you're right.  So now, for me, instead of looking for the end-all be-all of paranormal investigation shows, I'm just watching to see what I can learn from them and give thought to how I might have done things differently.
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 02:34:46 AM
Well, it seems that Chicago PD does endorse this show.  The investigators are using their titles as "Officer", etc., they mentioned it a few times in the beginning, and their line of questioning included whether or not the spirits liked cops.  The EVP's were pretty clear and spooky.  I actually zoned out for most of it, as it was no different than other programs.  I guess the jury is still out.    :-\
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Jason on January 20, 2010, 08:02:54 AM
Quote from: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 01:04:16 AM
There is something that all of the shows have in common and which is very nice.....they all make reference to being there "to help the family".  I really like the fact that this has not been lost in paratainment.   :)

I agree that I like the idea of "helping" the families. I think it's a good philosophy to have and one that I've tried to keep in my mind as case agent. My general attitude when I contact a family is, "What do YOU need." Then I try to determine if what we have to offer might help or if a referral is in order.

I can't speak to the show "Paranormal Cops" since I haven't seen it (and frankly just don't really have the time or interest in it to do so) but I'm skeptical of their claims to help (at least until I can see it for myself). Many of the paranormal shows I watch have this spin to their shows. It's like having Dudley Do-Right standing with his arms at his waist, one eyebrow turned up slightly higher than the other, looking slightly up and to the left as if to some imaginary muse of bravery, saying in a heroic voice, "I'm just here to help ma'am. Nothing special about me. I'm just your average every day hero. Please, no autographs until I've solved your problem."

I agree that paranormal investigators can, and do, help families. But I think the DEGREE that some help is exaggerated by producers. Some do more harm than good. I'm mean really. What kind of help is it if some investigators go into a home, provoke the hell out of some spirit, catch some cool things on video, then walk away high-fiving each other while the family still has to live in the same home with a now very pissed-off Casper.  :P
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: PPI Tracy on January 20, 2010, 10:12:04 AM
Quote from: PPI Jason on January 20, 2010, 08:02:54 AM
Quote from: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 01:04:16 AM
There is something that all of the shows have in common and which is very nice.....they all make reference to being there "to help the family".  I really like the fact that this has not been lost in paratainment.   :)

I agree that I like the idea of "helping" the families. I think it's a good philosophy to have and one that I've tried to keep in my mind as case agent. My general attitude when I contact a family is, "What do YOU need." Then I try to determine if what we have to offer might help or if a referral is in order.

I can't speak to the show "Paranormal Cops" since I haven't seen it (and frankly just don't really have the time or interest in it to do so) but I'm skeptical of their claims to help (at least until I can see it for myself). Many of the paranormal shows I watch have this spin to their shows. It's like having Dudley Do-Right standing with his arms at his waist, one eyebrow turned up slightly higher than the other, looking slightly up and to the left as if to some imaginary muse of bravery, saying in a heroic voice, "I'm just here to help ma'am. Nothing special about me. I'm just your average every day hero. Please, no autographs until I've solved your problem."

I agree that paranormal investigators can, and do, help families. But I think the DEGREE that some help is exaggerated by producers. Some do more harm than good. I'm mean really. What kind of help is it if some investigators go into a home, provoke the hell out of some spirit, catch some cool things on video, then walk away high-fiving each other while the family still has to live in the same home with a now very pissed-off Casper.  :P

All very excellent points, Jason. (as usual)   :)
Title: Re: Paranormal Cops
Post by: ljiljanac on January 20, 2010, 04:27:27 PM
Jason....nicely put and in your so eloquent manner!   ;)   Although I have wondered what happens to families who are left with "a very pissed-off Casper",   :D   I hadn't looked at it in that light.  I guess it's my faith in these investigators?/actors? to hold to the fundamentals of why they are there and what is of ultimate importance (i.e.  THE FAMILY)  that makes me think they might actually be there for that purpose.