This show was rushed, and relied heavily on surprise cuts to commercials (When it came back from commercial, the noise or "surprise" was something simple like a mouse) This is a pure rip-off of Ghost Hunters and it attempts to go "beyond" them, and fails miserably. Also, what is with the Directors log thing? Is this star trek? It just ruins the novelty of this show, which wore off quick. The only reason it's been watched is that people want to laugh at the pure anti-climatic nature of it. They never find anything, and most likely never will. Funnily enough, they always point out something that is the thing they are "hunting" and guess what?! It's the local radio station's tower light that is blinking red!
37 Reviews
para normal church
rgromes3 February 2009
I'm a fan of the paranormal and ghosthunting is close to my heart. This show is entertaining enough t watch, you just have to do it with the knowledge that at the end of every show you will likely be subject to a dose of religion. Not always Christian as some have suggested, but almost every time, some religious connotation ends the show. And that's okay. Afterall, if you're watching the show about invisible beings interacting with the living how's that any different from most religions? Andwer; it's not. They've used native American, Christian, Hawaiian, African, catholic religions to conclude episodes so you can't say there's Christian overtones, but you can say religious overtones. All that aside, the show is worth watching if your into ghosts and psychics and this sort of thing. As for the cast, it features Ryan, the overly dramatic leader; Elfie,an odd looking woman who can research with the best of them, but goes out of the way to make her odd appearance stand out by detailing it with piercings and such; heather a capable, but ridiculously quiet member of the team. If she would speak out more I truly believe the show would be easily 40 percent better; Serge, a techie who despite looking aikenish, seems to know what he's doing with the equipment until it's actually time to film the ghostly activity. (Note: And this is true of every ghost hunting show out there. They all have cameras following the 'researchers' around. It should be them holding the cameras. We should never see there faces during the investigative stage. Afterall, if all we're seeing during they're "personal experiences" is their reaction to whatever they've seen, then what's the point. If they wore hats with minicams attached they might actually 'catch' activity on film. Instead it's Tupac time ((All eyez on me)) a very pointless way to conduct an investigation. Afterall weren't they there to catch ghosts?) Next in the cast is the eye-candy, Katrina. I can watch her beauty on screen 24/7. IMHO they should have her in every scene. Talent wise she can ask scripted questions, but little else. Finally there's the guest psychic, shaman, wiccan priestess. Usually we get "chip Coffey". This guy rocks. He's definitely legit. He knows with certainty what is going on at every case withing moments of his arrival. Frankly, I think he should have his own show. Other guests have not had his presence and in some cases seem downright hokey. Eitherway, the show is entertaining and I'll continue to watch it. Not with enthusiasm, but rather because there's nothing better on TV at 2 AM.
Great Atmosphere and Set Up, But big let downs
IndieCredFred6 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The atmosphere in this show is great. There's plenty of excellent buildup, but thats where this show fails. There's way to much build up for nothing. You will constantly see a creepy set up that makes it feel likes something really freaky is coming right out of the corner and then....nothing. Over and over again nothing. You hear plenty of stories of people talking about freaky events but you see none. They show up at these peoples doors, talk about their deep and emotional pasts, set up lame equipment and find nothing! there is nothing on this show thats leads me to believe in anything paranormal. I laugh every time they need to exercise a "horrible spirit" that we as an audience have seen nothing of. They get rid of the spirit that never was and everything is put in a neat little package. A show that looked so freaky and had such great potential leads up to one thing...Nothing!
Paranormal State is all Turn and no Prestige
larrymadill11 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I am a pretty much a sucker for those Ghost Hunter shows. From the Cheesy mockumentaries like Discovery Channel's "The Haunting" to Scooby Doo Reality shows like "Ghost Hunters". When I saw promos for A&E's "Paranormal State" I knew I was going to watch. Especially when "Paranormal State" was juxtaposed against a weak Monday Night Football game.
By the end of the pilot of "Paranormal State" when the main "character" in this reality dance macabre gives a Creepy Kid a bottle of Max Von Sydow Holy Water and reassures him by telling this boy that he, too, had a unspecified bad experience as a child with things that "came out of the closet" and the (Catholic) Church gave him a Holy Water to fend off the Things Coming Out of the Closet I knew I should have given Monday Night Football another shot.
The shtick behind "Paranormal State" is a group of Penn State students all got together and started their own Ghost Hunting club. Or Society. Or Super Adventure Club. And they run around Pennsylvania researching the most terrible hauntings and the lost plot to an M. Night Shymalan Movie.
The "They" is kind of a misnomer. Really Paranormal State revolves around a Nittany Lion named Ryan Buell who would probably be running Penn State's yearly Anime Convention if it wasn't for this show. He is often accompanied on "investigations" by hot co-eds and some other people seen in the credits but rarely caught on camera. Hey, are they ghosts too?
This is Ryan Buell's show. Paranormal State is his "vehicle" as we like to say in the Biz. And, oh, what a dull ride in a vehicle he can be.
Did I mention Ryan narrates the entire episode of Paranormal State in a star date-less "director's log" voice over? Almost immediately that gets annoying because the obvious intention is to give Ryan's ghost hunting some gravitas, but his filtered monotone does nothing but provoke grunts and laughs. Seriously, every serious intonation sounds like the radio chatter from a Call of Duty video game.
The "investigations" -- the plot that each episode revolves around -- are interesting on the surface. No haunted Inns or Restaurants to be found in "Paranormal State". This is a show about fearing the unknown like a good Catholic Boy and by god they give you stuff to fear.
Small children are harassed, things loom in the dark, voices encourage the living to kill, and the Aleister Crowely in me rubs my hands. Of the two episodes I watched each revolved around violent, nasty hauntings tied to violent, nasty deaths.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Everything in "Paranormal State" is short-handed into half hour, "Dog the Bounty -- er, Ghost Hunter" blocks. Every time there is an interesting, verifiable shred of evidence -- the murder of a family in a farmhouse in the 1800s -- the proof is waved in front of the viewer like a con artist trying to convince you a stack of papers currently under your nose is proof of that ten million coming from Nigeria and then yanked away before you can get a good gander.
At least with Sci-Fi Channel's "Ghost Hunters" there is a somewhat over-exhaustive need to trot out every possible shred of evidence and present it to the viewer. EVPs that could be a rat farting, cold spots in a drafty house, and "orbs" that even the Ghost Hunters themselves discount as dust. It is a sort of Scooby Doo like approach that makes "Ghost Hunters" ... almost believable.
Whereas "Paranormal State" claims to have EVPs but gives the viewer a ten second video clip of a wave file in Garage Band with no audio. Yep, see, an EVP, right? People are claiming to see dark figures in the basement... Well, we will just go and see about that... while leaving the night vision camera on an enthralling stationary shot of the living room. Ryan, the intrepid leader of this pack of Penn State Graduates, is claiming to see "visions" of a demon's name he knows and that might be involved in a paranormal haunting... But he can't tell us, the audience, or his team of gothed out undergrads, because... He can't. You never say a demon's name out loud, Ryan informs the wide eyed Co-Ed who dare inquires.
Well, how very very convenient for you. Especially since this is a Television Show where the audience cannot read your mind.
"Paranormal State" is all Turn and no Prestige. The audience gets told what is supposedly happening but you never see an ounce of proof that the creepy kid is seeing Dead People. Not even grainy video of a chair moving, or a black blob running between prison cells. Nothing. You are just told what happened by Ryan in yet another mechanical voice over.
If you are going to try and spook me dress it up a little. If you are trying to sway me, show me a orb or a blob and have the fat chick who works days at Hot Topic tell me why that black orb is really the spirit of an ax murderer. And if you want to make me watch a ghost hunting show give me something besides trotting out Lorraine Warren by the second episode.
"Paranormal State" is weak sauce. Not really worth watching unless you are hard up for TV time, or just have that thin of a DVD collection. Or unless you want to know what really happened in that closet with the Holy Water.
By the end of the pilot of "Paranormal State" when the main "character" in this reality dance macabre gives a Creepy Kid a bottle of Max Von Sydow Holy Water and reassures him by telling this boy that he, too, had a unspecified bad experience as a child with things that "came out of the closet" and the (Catholic) Church gave him a Holy Water to fend off the Things Coming Out of the Closet I knew I should have given Monday Night Football another shot.
The shtick behind "Paranormal State" is a group of Penn State students all got together and started their own Ghost Hunting club. Or Society. Or Super Adventure Club. And they run around Pennsylvania researching the most terrible hauntings and the lost plot to an M. Night Shymalan Movie.
The "They" is kind of a misnomer. Really Paranormal State revolves around a Nittany Lion named Ryan Buell who would probably be running Penn State's yearly Anime Convention if it wasn't for this show. He is often accompanied on "investigations" by hot co-eds and some other people seen in the credits but rarely caught on camera. Hey, are they ghosts too?
This is Ryan Buell's show. Paranormal State is his "vehicle" as we like to say in the Biz. And, oh, what a dull ride in a vehicle he can be.
Did I mention Ryan narrates the entire episode of Paranormal State in a star date-less "director's log" voice over? Almost immediately that gets annoying because the obvious intention is to give Ryan's ghost hunting some gravitas, but his filtered monotone does nothing but provoke grunts and laughs. Seriously, every serious intonation sounds like the radio chatter from a Call of Duty video game.
The "investigations" -- the plot that each episode revolves around -- are interesting on the surface. No haunted Inns or Restaurants to be found in "Paranormal State". This is a show about fearing the unknown like a good Catholic Boy and by god they give you stuff to fear.
Small children are harassed, things loom in the dark, voices encourage the living to kill, and the Aleister Crowely in me rubs my hands. Of the two episodes I watched each revolved around violent, nasty hauntings tied to violent, nasty deaths.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Everything in "Paranormal State" is short-handed into half hour, "Dog the Bounty -- er, Ghost Hunter" blocks. Every time there is an interesting, verifiable shred of evidence -- the murder of a family in a farmhouse in the 1800s -- the proof is waved in front of the viewer like a con artist trying to convince you a stack of papers currently under your nose is proof of that ten million coming from Nigeria and then yanked away before you can get a good gander.
At least with Sci-Fi Channel's "Ghost Hunters" there is a somewhat over-exhaustive need to trot out every possible shred of evidence and present it to the viewer. EVPs that could be a rat farting, cold spots in a drafty house, and "orbs" that even the Ghost Hunters themselves discount as dust. It is a sort of Scooby Doo like approach that makes "Ghost Hunters" ... almost believable.
Whereas "Paranormal State" claims to have EVPs but gives the viewer a ten second video clip of a wave file in Garage Band with no audio. Yep, see, an EVP, right? People are claiming to see dark figures in the basement... Well, we will just go and see about that... while leaving the night vision camera on an enthralling stationary shot of the living room. Ryan, the intrepid leader of this pack of Penn State Graduates, is claiming to see "visions" of a demon's name he knows and that might be involved in a paranormal haunting... But he can't tell us, the audience, or his team of gothed out undergrads, because... He can't. You never say a demon's name out loud, Ryan informs the wide eyed Co-Ed who dare inquires.
Well, how very very convenient for you. Especially since this is a Television Show where the audience cannot read your mind.
"Paranormal State" is all Turn and no Prestige. The audience gets told what is supposedly happening but you never see an ounce of proof that the creepy kid is seeing Dead People. Not even grainy video of a chair moving, or a black blob running between prison cells. Nothing. You are just told what happened by Ryan in yet another mechanical voice over.
If you are going to try and spook me dress it up a little. If you are trying to sway me, show me a orb or a blob and have the fat chick who works days at Hot Topic tell me why that black orb is really the spirit of an ax murderer. And if you want to make me watch a ghost hunting show give me something besides trotting out Lorraine Warren by the second episode.
"Paranormal State" is weak sauce. Not really worth watching unless you are hard up for TV time, or just have that thin of a DVD collection. Or unless you want to know what really happened in that closet with the Holy Water.
They aren't there to gather evidence...
chevymangreg19896 October 2008
If you have read a lot of bad reviews on it, you might notice that most of those reviews have to do with the lack of evidence shown on TV. I think that this show compared to other ghost shows, i.e. Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, is a nice fresh look on paranormal investigations. Instead of just going in to gather evidence and prove whether or not a location is haunted or if the clients are fakes, they go in to help a client. They try to relieve pain and suffering, offer counseling, and try to find a way out for clients and their 'friends.' So if you want to watch a ghost program that aims to show the viewer evidence, watch Ghost Hunters, or if you want to watch a show that involves a client feeling relieved about a horrifying haunting, Paranormal State is for you. And being a fan of all three mainstream ghost programs, Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, and Paranormal State, each has its own atmosphere. Most Haunted is more of an experience show, having a large group of investigators to go in and show you a 'haunted location' and show you what they found. Ghost Hunters is an analytical program, trying to base whether a location is haunted based on video, audio, and personal evidence. Paranormal State, as I stated earlier is a program going in to help a family needing help in experiencing a haunting. I hope you enjoyed this comment and maybe noticed the same differences I noticed. Happy Ghostshow hunting!
Pretty cool
juanster7614 May 2018
Captains log- We stage everything and it still sucks
DebraIonaVogel3 November 2021
Annoying, oh so annoying.
The psychics OBVIOUSLY know everything before they, um, get to work.
Ryan is annoying, Elfine or Elfie has about as much charisma as a dead fish. The others? Don't know their names, don't care...doesn't matter.
This is just the bottom of the paranormal shows barrell.
The psychics OBVIOUSLY know everything before they, um, get to work.
Ryan is annoying, Elfine or Elfie has about as much charisma as a dead fish. The others? Don't know their names, don't care...doesn't matter.
This is just the bottom of the paranormal shows barrell.
Good program
endless_illusion5 October 2010
I've been reading the reviews, and as a paranormal buff I don't get why people are fussing over the entertainment quality to the show? This show was stated as a DOCUMENTARY. They are ..keyword..documenting the information they find. Unfortunately this show is not to gives people chills and thrills. Ghosts do not provide special affects like Hollywood portrays. From what I understand this group is fairly serious of what they do. It is a job, and they aren't going to play around.
If you are interested on the reality of what paranormal activity really is and interested in different point of views from different religious groups.. this is probably THE only show with all that. This program is very much educational, if you believe in something outside your tiny little bubble.
If you are interested on the reality of what paranormal activity really is and interested in different point of views from different religious groups.. this is probably THE only show with all that. This program is very much educational, if you believe in something outside your tiny little bubble.
Show is so rushed it leaves one wondering why do it
susanlnelson22 January 2008
I actually enjoy the characters but the show is so rushed that you don't get a chance to get engaged. It leaves you high and dry. It barely starts to get interesting and then it's over. I find that frustrating!! The team seems a bit non cohesive but I like the fact that they are so kind to their clients. It is appealing to watch the "Dead Time" segments and it would be nice if there was time enough to explore the back story in more detail. Some of the trainees need more personality development. The experts that are brought in are very fascinating and I'd love to see extended scenes with them. The leader seems to be a caring individual and it would be nice to hear more details about his childhood paranormal experiences.
questionable another ghost show i binged watched this scary at times
ilovemovies201620 June 2018
Questionable but scary at times if you doing lol reality ghost tv show this is for interesting stories and sometimes scary but the authenticity is very questionable some people shout fake some people believe it is real everyone has their own opinion watch for you're self to find your's
The Worst of the Ghost Hunting Shows
jaxon931 December 2007
I initially tuned in to Paranormal State because I (more or less) find the paranormal search genre to be interesting TV, if nothing else.
I really enjoy Ghost Hunters because well over half of their investigations result in total debunking, and find Most Haunted to be hilarious with its use of mediums and frumpy British women with Paris Hilton day-glo eyes fainting from fear/demonic presences all shot in lovely night-vision green.
Paranormal State has none of this appeal. It feels like it was cobbled together from "leads" that Ghost Hunters rejected. The episodes ranged from trailer trash families and single mothers with emo adolescents sitting around and scaring themselves, to an "interview" with a 5 year old about the monster who lives in his room (the monster goes RAWRRR, we are told). All of these people calling upon a college club to solve their problems. The whole show is about Ryan and his partner, his enormous ego. He leads his troupe of doe-eyed coeds around, except when a case is deemed "too extreme" and orders them to remain at the hotel HAHAHA. Better leave it to the pros, ie himself.
The unwitting comedy of this show is all in how gullible the participants are. Ryan spins his tales of being hunted, followed, etc by a demon that he first encountered when the Catholic Church recruited him to assist on a case. Sorry, but the Catholic Church has people who can do that, they don't need the day-shift manager at Quiznos to chip in his 2 cents.
This show is awful, shame on A&E for bankrolling this silliness, trying to follow in the footsteps of some much better paranormal-themed shows. It's almost unintentionally funny, except that Ryan is so arrogant and devoid of charisma that watching the show long enough to mock it isn't worth the trouble.
I really enjoy Ghost Hunters because well over half of their investigations result in total debunking, and find Most Haunted to be hilarious with its use of mediums and frumpy British women with Paris Hilton day-glo eyes fainting from fear/demonic presences all shot in lovely night-vision green.
Paranormal State has none of this appeal. It feels like it was cobbled together from "leads" that Ghost Hunters rejected. The episodes ranged from trailer trash families and single mothers with emo adolescents sitting around and scaring themselves, to an "interview" with a 5 year old about the monster who lives in his room (the monster goes RAWRRR, we are told). All of these people calling upon a college club to solve their problems. The whole show is about Ryan and his partner, his enormous ego. He leads his troupe of doe-eyed coeds around, except when a case is deemed "too extreme" and orders them to remain at the hotel HAHAHA. Better leave it to the pros, ie himself.
The unwitting comedy of this show is all in how gullible the participants are. Ryan spins his tales of being hunted, followed, etc by a demon that he first encountered when the Catholic Church recruited him to assist on a case. Sorry, but the Catholic Church has people who can do that, they don't need the day-shift manager at Quiznos to chip in his 2 cents.
This show is awful, shame on A&E for bankrolling this silliness, trying to follow in the footsteps of some much better paranormal-themed shows. It's almost unintentionally funny, except that Ryan is so arrogant and devoid of charisma that watching the show long enough to mock it isn't worth the trouble.
Really spooky
jademcpherson185 May 2014
This programme is excellent. One of the reasons I love this show so much is because the team goes in and helps real families who believe they are having paranormal experiences. Whether or not you believe in the supernatural you have to admire the team for the comfort they provide.
I also really love the team members. They all seem very genuine and there for the clients. They all have different religious and spiritual beliefs but they all share the common goal of wanting to help people and fighting the battle against evil. In particular, I like Ryan and Chip, they're both really caring and knowledgeable about the supernatural. Chip is very impressive with the information he comes out with about the property, most of which is completely correct even though he knows nothing about the case and hasn't visited the location before.
However as with all of these types of programmes (such as Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, etc.) it is either all completely fake or fact. I do believe in the paranormal and so I believe that everything on this show is completely real.
I also really love the team members. They all seem very genuine and there for the clients. They all have different religious and spiritual beliefs but they all share the common goal of wanting to help people and fighting the battle against evil. In particular, I like Ryan and Chip, they're both really caring and knowledgeable about the supernatural. Chip is very impressive with the information he comes out with about the property, most of which is completely correct even though he knows nothing about the case and hasn't visited the location before.
However as with all of these types of programmes (such as Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, etc.) it is either all completely fake or fact. I do believe in the paranormal and so I believe that everything on this show is completely real.
PARANORMAL STATE is disappointing
tperry-indiana17 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I have to agree with the other two comments. I waited over a month to see this great new show A&E had been hyping. What a disappointment!!! The show is pretty much all about Ryan Buell. His voice-overs are campy, not creepy. It sounds as if he is talking into a can. As of the second episode, which is roughly 30 minutes or so (if you take out the commercials) he is being chased or followed by something that he knows is demonic. He can't say the name, anytime someone needs to convey that name, they write it on a piece of paper and hand it to someone else. Not particularly informative or entertaining or believable for the rest of us. Why can't he say the name?...supposedly it would give the demon more power. Funny, I always thought demons wanted to hide their true identities. If you know the exact name of the demon, doesn't it make it easier for you to cast them out. Now the next episode, which airs in just a little while is titled "exorcism". So is Ryan in need of an exorcism already? Not to say that it couldn't happen but the show so far has not given any evidence or proof of anything. I can tell Ryan that if I were a small child, hell if I was an adult, and someone gave me a little bottle of holy water to chase away something that was terrifying me, I would look elsewhere for help!!! Besides which, if you don't use holy water & blessings, etc. in the right way don't you risk just further infuriating whatever is already mad at you? I will probably watch tonight but if these episodes are as ridiculous as the first, it will probably be the last time I watch it!
Frighteningly bad!!!
drumonkey4 January 2008
I suppose I should be fair and point out that I don't believe in ghosts. That said, I'm very interested in the subject and I enjoy a scary story as much as the next guy. I am a fan of Ghost Hunters because they at least try to give their investigations a scientific angle. Even early episodes of Most Haunted had a camp entertainment factor to them. Paranormal State has neither of these qualities. The cases themselves have the potential to be interesting, but as with so much "reality TV" these days, it suffers from overproduction, poor acting and silly scripts. The makers of the show freely admit that writers "guide" the stories. I hear they are even going to shoehorn in a romance subplot to appeal to the young female demographic. The show has many other flaws too. As others have stated, the narration quickly becomes like nails down a chalkboard. Over the top visual and audio effects quickly become just as irritating. I'm willing to suspend some disbelief for the sake of entertainment, but this whole "demon with a vendetta" story arc is just ridiculous. Given that the producers of this show are also responsible for brain dead fodder like MTV's Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor I suppose this is really no surprise. If you are a die hard fan of Ed & Lorraine Warren or a big "reality" show junkie I guess you'll find much to like in Paranormal State. For the rest of us....I recommend you avoid.
Most Excellent!!!
reiki65027 February 2008
The thing that makes this show different than shows like Ghost Hunters is that they look for solutions rather than some tech junkies come to your house and say "Yep, you got something here, all right...or maybe not. This is what we got, draw your own conclusions." Whether you believe in ghosts or not, they leave places better than they find them with the quieting of areas quelled by unexplained noises or activity.
They leave people with a sense of peace and there is nothing wrong with that.
The show is edited to make things far more interesting than walking around with a camera waiting for things to go bump in the night.
I know I'll keep watching and so will my friends.
They leave people with a sense of peace and there is nothing wrong with that.
The show is edited to make things far more interesting than walking around with a camera waiting for things to go bump in the night.
I know I'll keep watching and so will my friends.
So Bad, On So Many Levels
cmdavis29 January 2008
I was excited to see this show when I started seeing the promos on A&E. I've been fascinated with ghosts and the paranormal since I was a kid, and love catching "Ghost Hunters" when it's on (SciFi Channel). I've tried to watch three episodes of "Paranormal State" and only use up my time commenting on it because it's so bad and perpetuates the notion that anyone who believes in the paranormal is a gullible freak. "Paranormal State" is beyond cheesy. Cheesy "Director's Log" voice-overs that will leave you wishing for Captain Kirk. Cheesy teasers going into commercial breaks that are taken completely out of context. Everything paranormal on this show is automatically assumed to be "evil" and the work of a demonic spirit. Then come the exorcists, demonologists, psychics ... like in "Poltergeist" you almost expect the team to leave and say "This house is clear." I very much appreciate the "Ghost Hunters" approach, where they go in to disprove claims, then take away what they can ... and they are almost always reassuring to the client (if they find anything) that haunted does not equal evil. "Paranormal State" is not "so bad it's good" ... it's just plain bad. Didn't A&E used to stand for "Arts & Entertainment"? The art part has long been gone, and the entertainment factor is now waning as well.
Wonderful Show
gothgirl177827 October 2008
Paranormal State is a wonderful show featuring what we call "paranormal" from ghosts to spirits and UFOs. The Paranormal Research Team didn't sign to make the show to scare the wits off people. They made the show to help those who are haunted realize there are other people out there who know what they're going through. The PRA Team help families get closure in their lives. Lorraine Warren told me this, and she's completely right. The closure that they give to families, plus the overall help with keeping the family together is amazing. If you want to be a little frightened, amazed, intrigued and satisfied, I highly recommend this team of paranormal investigators who know the best ways to help those who are haunted.
Quite possibly the worst show I've seen in my entire life.
irgifted874 September 2008
For awhile I was hooked on shows like Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth and stuff, even though I thought they were full of crap I found them interesting and entertaining, and that's why we watch entertainment TV. It's fun to turn off your brain and believe that every shadow caught on camera is not just some shadow, but some insane asylum inmate's tormented spirit or something, so long as you can snap back to the real world later.
That being said, enjoying Paranormal State requires more than merely shutting your brain off, it requires you to consume lead in large doses on a regular basis during your childhood, then suffer repeated head trauma, then take up huffing paint in your teens. Then you have to get high/drunk and watch.
Paranormal State is beyond the pseudoscience (which I can enjoy with a degree of critical thinking) that you'll find on Ghost Hunters (which I still find to be reasonably interesting and entertaining program), it's pseudo... everything.
The show follows the adventures of a group of students from Penn State University (not to be confused with University of Pennsylvania) lead by Ryan Buell as they take it upon themselves to exorcise demons and spirits using ceremonies from whatever religion seems most dramatic at the time (ranging from Catholic exorcisms performed by college coeds to Wiccan spells cast by socially awkward goths, to Native American cleansing rituals. To their credit, these are performed by Native Americans). If you believe in Wicca or you're Catholic or a follower of a traditional Native American religions, I think you'd want their cleansing rituals performed by someone who... isn't a maladjusted college student with some free time. I don't remember the scene in the exorcist where the priests threw up their hands and said "it's no use! Call up an after school club from the state college. This one is too much for us. They've probably read the Wikipedia article on exorcisms." The show is frankly insulting to the intelligence to the viewer. The show's opening title sequence has Ryan talking about PRS (the Paranormal Research Society), saying that when he came to Penn State (notice you don't see any shows where the host says the same thing, but instead of Penn State he says "When I came to MIT" or "After I got my theoretical physics degree...") he found other people with similar interest in the paranormal. He says they are sometimes "warriors." I remember when I used to pretend I was a warrior and I fought ghosts. I was six. Then the emotionless Ryan brings out the flamboyant and obnoxious Chip Coffey, who pretends to go into trances and become possessed by cussing at the cast. Awesome. I thought people had learned some sense about how ridiculous the idea of psychics and mediums is after "Crossing Over" went off the air. The show takes itself way too seriously, as this small group of societal misfits pretends they are battling against some ancient, cosmic evil. Production values are low, stories are boring, and, unlike Ghost Hunters, which will occasionally catch something anomalous (although likely explainable, but interesting nonetheless) on their equipment, PS requires you to believe that the noises and creaks that they hear are evidence of demons, ghouls, and possibly leprechauns. The only thing scary about this show is that there are people out there that take it seriously. The only thing paranormal about it is that the people on it are able to make each episode while keeping a straight face.
Call me jaded, but I feel like the great mysteries of the universe and the afterlife are too great to be solved in a half-hour TV show by a journalism undergrad at a state school.
All that being said, I highly recommend that everyone watch this show at least once, if for no other reason than the sheer entertainment derived from watching a truly terrible movie or TV show. Or you can make a drinking game out of it. I think the second would be preferable.
That being said, enjoying Paranormal State requires more than merely shutting your brain off, it requires you to consume lead in large doses on a regular basis during your childhood, then suffer repeated head trauma, then take up huffing paint in your teens. Then you have to get high/drunk and watch.
Paranormal State is beyond the pseudoscience (which I can enjoy with a degree of critical thinking) that you'll find on Ghost Hunters (which I still find to be reasonably interesting and entertaining program), it's pseudo... everything.
The show follows the adventures of a group of students from Penn State University (not to be confused with University of Pennsylvania) lead by Ryan Buell as they take it upon themselves to exorcise demons and spirits using ceremonies from whatever religion seems most dramatic at the time (ranging from Catholic exorcisms performed by college coeds to Wiccan spells cast by socially awkward goths, to Native American cleansing rituals. To their credit, these are performed by Native Americans). If you believe in Wicca or you're Catholic or a follower of a traditional Native American religions, I think you'd want their cleansing rituals performed by someone who... isn't a maladjusted college student with some free time. I don't remember the scene in the exorcist where the priests threw up their hands and said "it's no use! Call up an after school club from the state college. This one is too much for us. They've probably read the Wikipedia article on exorcisms." The show is frankly insulting to the intelligence to the viewer. The show's opening title sequence has Ryan talking about PRS (the Paranormal Research Society), saying that when he came to Penn State (notice you don't see any shows where the host says the same thing, but instead of Penn State he says "When I came to MIT" or "After I got my theoretical physics degree...") he found other people with similar interest in the paranormal. He says they are sometimes "warriors." I remember when I used to pretend I was a warrior and I fought ghosts. I was six. Then the emotionless Ryan brings out the flamboyant and obnoxious Chip Coffey, who pretends to go into trances and become possessed by cussing at the cast. Awesome. I thought people had learned some sense about how ridiculous the idea of psychics and mediums is after "Crossing Over" went off the air. The show takes itself way too seriously, as this small group of societal misfits pretends they are battling against some ancient, cosmic evil. Production values are low, stories are boring, and, unlike Ghost Hunters, which will occasionally catch something anomalous (although likely explainable, but interesting nonetheless) on their equipment, PS requires you to believe that the noises and creaks that they hear are evidence of demons, ghouls, and possibly leprechauns. The only thing scary about this show is that there are people out there that take it seriously. The only thing paranormal about it is that the people on it are able to make each episode while keeping a straight face.
Call me jaded, but I feel like the great mysteries of the universe and the afterlife are too great to be solved in a half-hour TV show by a journalism undergrad at a state school.
All that being said, I highly recommend that everyone watch this show at least once, if for no other reason than the sheer entertainment derived from watching a truly terrible movie or TV show. Or you can make a drinking game out of it. I think the second would be preferable.
I Watch and like Paranormal State
thefedshere22 January 2008
I am an avid Most Haunted and Ghost hunters fan though Ghost Hunters gets old they are always fighting with each other they have improved on that in the last couple of show but Jason is still arrogant. Most haunted is great they cover history they or Yvette does tend to scream a bit much but is good for a laugh. Paranormal State is great because it has it's own format more of a rescue that a ghost hunting investigation. I to watch many more Paranormal, haunting, possessions, and psychic shows each has its own way to tell the story. But......
Yes the voice over can be a bit much but is their style I accept it as is face value.
Also about not spending enough time with certain subjects or objects or happening got to think with reality it is only a half hour show you loose a bit of the story for that reason. I suggest the show expand to an hour in season two spend more time with the evidence.
I am sure they show us most of the action highlights and have to cut out some due to time. What ever be the case they usually do what they set out to do and that is rescue the persons having the fright, problem and always offer to be available if it doesn't work. They always check back on the persons involved to make sure they are safe. So I think all the negative comment are not correct in all, they have a total different agenda and purpose for their involvement.
That is my opinion but you all need to watch and judge for yourself as others that have posted have.
Have a great day
Yes the voice over can be a bit much but is their style I accept it as is face value.
Also about not spending enough time with certain subjects or objects or happening got to think with reality it is only a half hour show you loose a bit of the story for that reason. I suggest the show expand to an hour in season two spend more time with the evidence.
I am sure they show us most of the action highlights and have to cut out some due to time. What ever be the case they usually do what they set out to do and that is rescue the persons having the fright, problem and always offer to be available if it doesn't work. They always check back on the persons involved to make sure they are safe. So I think all the negative comment are not correct in all, they have a total different agenda and purpose for their involvement.
That is my opinion but you all need to watch and judge for yourself as others that have posted have.
Have a great day
Should be on a Christian network.
web-eric12 February 2008
I was very excited when Paranormal State first came on A&E. I thought that it may bring some more interesting ghostly evidence. The production value looked good and I really love the logo. Then, after about few episodes in, I started to feel that this show may not be looking for evidence but had a strong religious agenda.
It seems like every case they investigate has some big powerful evil demon that can't even make a teacup move on camera, yet everyone is terrified. Then comes some power of Christ ritual that saves everyone.
Also, there is very little focus on other members of the team. The entire show focuses on Ryan and he feels like one of those people that hands you pamphlets about his church on the street.
Has paranormal phenomenon and demons become the new missionaries of Christianity, scaring people to convert? Really, this should be on a Christian network. I was very disappointed.
It seems like every case they investigate has some big powerful evil demon that can't even make a teacup move on camera, yet everyone is terrified. Then comes some power of Christ ritual that saves everyone.
Also, there is very little focus on other members of the team. The entire show focuses on Ryan and he feels like one of those people that hands you pamphlets about his church on the street.
Has paranormal phenomenon and demons become the new missionaries of Christianity, scaring people to convert? Really, this should be on a Christian network. I was very disappointed.
Terrible. Absolutely dreadful.
StuffedMannequin17 January 2009
There really are no redeeming factors about this show. To put it simply, its just terrible. Absolutely dreadful. It's just a dreadful "reality" show. Not only that, it's dreadful fiction.
Imagine this: A bunch of overly-imaginative teenagers get together one night and go "Hey! Let's make a paranormal show just like "Ghost Hunters" and whatnot!" So they grab a camera, harass local residents and film random landscapes behind a painfully "trying-to-be-dramatic-yet-failing-misreably" monologue. This show is basically a bunch of teenagers running around with a home movie camera trying to make a really bad horror documentary. The only difference is this show actually has a budget and writers. A wasted budget and terrible writers.
Oh, the problems, how do I count thee? Well, first off, let's talk about this from a personal level. I am not a total skeptic when it comes to the paranormal. I am willing to believe in whats paranormal and whats not, and I'm sure there are a lot of people who feel the same. So, if you're going to do a show about the paranormal, you have to do a good job convincing the viewer that what they're seeing is either paranormal or not, because the viewer can easily believe otherwise. I hate to compare, but I don't see why not at this point. Take "Ghost Hunters" for example. In "Ghost Hunters" you can tell that the cast is leveled with the audience. They're not totally skeptical, yet they're still willing to keep the possibility of any paranormal anomalies in mind. They have to look at something and be willing to say "this is possible that its simply nothing". And, with that in mind, they set out to try and prove themselves wrong. They use technology and several other gadgets along with constant moderation to determine what is paranormal along with bearing the fact that what they may be monitoring could be nothing in mind. Not only are they trying to convince themselves what is real and what is not, in the process they are trying to convince you. That element of doubt is not present in "Paranormal State". Strike one.
In "Paranormal State", the cast simply says "there's this spooky place, and its HAUNTED, so we're going to find some SPIRITS!" And immediately you know and saying to yourself "Okay, convince me otherwise". The cast is not professional in their interviews. In fact, sometimes it seems like they're just harassing local residents of these so-called "haunted" areas. They have no real evidence to back up their claims besides assumptions and theories, and the best they can must up is somebody who "claims" they can contact the dead, with no one ever backing up who this person is and how valid they really are. They could have easily just picked some random person off the street and said "pretend you can contact spirits for our show" and went at it. In the "Mothman" episode, this just happens. Without any convincing evidence towards the end of the show, they bring this sort of individual out where he does a random, painfully scripted "reading" of a supposed area of how something is "haunted" in order to convince its audience. Very, very poor effort. I feel that one of the main problems with the show is that it feels scripted. During one of the episodes, the cast gets attacked by one of these "paranormal anomalies" at times in an attempt to be dramatic. These sort of dramatic sequences would make any skeptic laugh and even those who are on the fence realize what they're watching is just a bunch of tabloid-esquire trash. If the show's aim was to try and convince their audience that these "paranormal" events are real, they're doing a horrifically poor job at doing so. Strike two.
However, there is always the counter. Just one last viewpoint to see if the show is actually worth something. What if the show isn't trying to convince you that these paranormal events are real and are simply trying to entertain you with good fiction? It even fails on that level as well. If the show's creators were trying to craft fiction to entertain its audience, the writing is too poor and even on a fictional level, it fails to convince the audience that its cast members are really experiencing the unknown in all its full, horrifying glory. The writing is simply not compelling and even, dare I say, boring. Strike three.
So what remains of this show is simply a bunch of teenagers who are too willing or too gullible to believe in the paranormal simply because its simply much more amazing than reality who set out with a camera, a bad script and bad actors to generally just make a really bad horror documentary. Thats all the show is at this point. There is no reason to see it, not even for the entertainment factor, and there's no reason to care about it. To be blunt, its lame. There are absolutely no redeeming factors about this show.
Imagine this: A bunch of overly-imaginative teenagers get together one night and go "Hey! Let's make a paranormal show just like "Ghost Hunters" and whatnot!" So they grab a camera, harass local residents and film random landscapes behind a painfully "trying-to-be-dramatic-yet-failing-misreably" monologue. This show is basically a bunch of teenagers running around with a home movie camera trying to make a really bad horror documentary. The only difference is this show actually has a budget and writers. A wasted budget and terrible writers.
Oh, the problems, how do I count thee? Well, first off, let's talk about this from a personal level. I am not a total skeptic when it comes to the paranormal. I am willing to believe in whats paranormal and whats not, and I'm sure there are a lot of people who feel the same. So, if you're going to do a show about the paranormal, you have to do a good job convincing the viewer that what they're seeing is either paranormal or not, because the viewer can easily believe otherwise. I hate to compare, but I don't see why not at this point. Take "Ghost Hunters" for example. In "Ghost Hunters" you can tell that the cast is leveled with the audience. They're not totally skeptical, yet they're still willing to keep the possibility of any paranormal anomalies in mind. They have to look at something and be willing to say "this is possible that its simply nothing". And, with that in mind, they set out to try and prove themselves wrong. They use technology and several other gadgets along with constant moderation to determine what is paranormal along with bearing the fact that what they may be monitoring could be nothing in mind. Not only are they trying to convince themselves what is real and what is not, in the process they are trying to convince you. That element of doubt is not present in "Paranormal State". Strike one.
In "Paranormal State", the cast simply says "there's this spooky place, and its HAUNTED, so we're going to find some SPIRITS!" And immediately you know and saying to yourself "Okay, convince me otherwise". The cast is not professional in their interviews. In fact, sometimes it seems like they're just harassing local residents of these so-called "haunted" areas. They have no real evidence to back up their claims besides assumptions and theories, and the best they can must up is somebody who "claims" they can contact the dead, with no one ever backing up who this person is and how valid they really are. They could have easily just picked some random person off the street and said "pretend you can contact spirits for our show" and went at it. In the "Mothman" episode, this just happens. Without any convincing evidence towards the end of the show, they bring this sort of individual out where he does a random, painfully scripted "reading" of a supposed area of how something is "haunted" in order to convince its audience. Very, very poor effort. I feel that one of the main problems with the show is that it feels scripted. During one of the episodes, the cast gets attacked by one of these "paranormal anomalies" at times in an attempt to be dramatic. These sort of dramatic sequences would make any skeptic laugh and even those who are on the fence realize what they're watching is just a bunch of tabloid-esquire trash. If the show's aim was to try and convince their audience that these "paranormal" events are real, they're doing a horrifically poor job at doing so. Strike two.
However, there is always the counter. Just one last viewpoint to see if the show is actually worth something. What if the show isn't trying to convince you that these paranormal events are real and are simply trying to entertain you with good fiction? It even fails on that level as well. If the show's creators were trying to craft fiction to entertain its audience, the writing is too poor and even on a fictional level, it fails to convince the audience that its cast members are really experiencing the unknown in all its full, horrifying glory. The writing is simply not compelling and even, dare I say, boring. Strike three.
So what remains of this show is simply a bunch of teenagers who are too willing or too gullible to believe in the paranormal simply because its simply much more amazing than reality who set out with a camera, a bad script and bad actors to generally just make a really bad horror documentary. Thats all the show is at this point. There is no reason to see it, not even for the entertainment factor, and there's no reason to care about it. To be blunt, its lame. There are absolutely no redeeming factors about this show.
Great new ideas
fitters6 May 2008
When ever I watch Ghost Hunters, and they talk about going to help someone, I feel like they never really helped them just exploited their haunting. I like Paranormal state most for the ways they help. My second most favorite was the evp box that translated evp instantly. I like Chip, think he adds interest. There has been a few stupid shows, like the college girl doing that game thing, and the Now Ghost Hunter Girls home haunting. I like Ghost Hunters debunking, it seems more scientific, but I love Paranormal researching much more. Too different shows two different ways. It would be very interesting to have Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State do the same place on the same show, and combine efforts. I would like to see each ones take on the same place.
Give me a break.
dja13006 September 2008
I can not believe that you want to condemn the people of Paranormal State as they tell you they are trying to learn more about the paranormal. They utilize different beliefs or are you that close minded to only have watched a minimal amount of shows before passing your judgement. If you believe the show is silly then just do not watch it. I happen to never miss a show and I have seen much more than you write about. Remember to keep an open mind and you may learn more than you expect. I lost my 57 year old Mother and I have been wanting her to contact me. She does thru music. The day my Mother died she died in my arms and her namesake my 4 week old baby of the time, who was being held in the arms of the nurse, flung her arms out to the side and arched her back while being held by the nurse. I saw this and the nurse said wow what was that? I replied my Mother's spirit just entered the baby, no sooner did I say that then the baby gave us a huge grin. The nurse said if I was not holding her I would have doubted it.
A Poorly Made Attempt at Ghost Hunting
acaciajules6 November 2008
This show, Paranormal State, has an almost "Blairwitch Project" feel to it. As in, you're watching a 'documentary' that's actually just a scripted movie, made to look and feel like a documentary.
My biggest problem with the show, is their 'go to' outside advisers of the Warren's, who were made famous for their 'investigations' of the Amityville murders, which were shown to be completely fraudulent, just based upon the police reports of the family's deaths! (such as the eldest daughter actually having been involved in the entire thing, to the point of possibly even helping with some of the deaths!) Then there's the way they constantly jump to blaming demons for everything. Not to mention how haughty the group is about what cases they take. They don't want to help those who need it most, they just want the weirdest cases, that will get them the most press and attention.
They're complete frauds, plain and simple.
My biggest problem with the show, is their 'go to' outside advisers of the Warren's, who were made famous for their 'investigations' of the Amityville murders, which were shown to be completely fraudulent, just based upon the police reports of the family's deaths! (such as the eldest daughter actually having been involved in the entire thing, to the point of possibly even helping with some of the deaths!) Then there's the way they constantly jump to blaming demons for everything. Not to mention how haughty the group is about what cases they take. They don't want to help those who need it most, they just want the weirdest cases, that will get them the most press and attention.
They're complete frauds, plain and simple.
Go Ryan!
justaflowerchild28 March 2009
I think it's cool. College students haunting ghosts and trying to help people...bringing peace of mind to people. Doing what they believe in. Ryan is a stand up guy..Takes guts to stand up for things like this, risk being ridiculed & put down..just to learn and understand and help others learn. Lack of understanding breeds fear. Knowledge brings freedom of fear. I enjoy the show and the cast, would like to see more in depth but what do you want for just 30 minutes? Would like to see the cast stay together and go on into more paranormal investigations. So I hope they continue as a group and as a show. And I love Chip Coffey when he visits!
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