Donna LaCroix & Scifake Backtracking
Someone's in trouble...
This is turning out to be a real circus…
and I hate clowns….
When I listened to the interview that was done by the GhostDivas my perspective was that Donna was just a disgruntled employee wanting her next 15 minutes of fame. After listening to her story and reading scifake.com’s posts on on the whole “Donna LaCroix interview” I started to change my perspective. I always assume that all these paranormal/reality shows out there bend the truth a little (or a lot), so my reaction was naturally to think that when a former member decides to come out and “talk”, they might have something honest to say.
Then GhostTheory’s editor, Gary P. made the following post:
Gary says:
November 17, 2009 at 9:44 AMI read the main article and comments on Masslive, and the writer’s assumptions I think are correct. Donna is a disgruntled employee, taking a couple of sucker punches at the show and more importantly, the production company. Donna steps out to say that the show is entertainment at one point, yet she never sees anything getting faked, because they hid it from her, while mentioning that she was threatened and that the company will send their ‘minions’. Then she backtracks at scifake.com and states that she wasn’t trying to discredit anyone.
She strikes me as being neurotic and irresponsable (judging by her decisions on contract, loss of apartment, stepping in then stepping out of criticizing GH). Not to defend GH, but you really can’t trust her comments completely. She even admitted to being bitter about the show, and I’m sure she is even more bitter about how the show has progressed as an entertainment engine over the years, and the staff has made out from it, with spin-off show for Steve and Tango (I bet that show will really blow).
Honestly, she screwed up again with making these comments and then changing her position on them. She should’ve went and wrote a book on the show, at least she could have made some decent cash at the backend of the whole debacle, while getting out her frustrations in a therapeutic manner.
So I start to fallback a bit and think about the situation. My initial thoughts of Donna being disgruntled and out to take a few cheap shots at the crew and production company seem to flood back in my mind. Then Masslive’s Laura Merwin releases another post. A major blow to Donna’s credibility. Not only that, but the blow also chips away at SciFake’s integrity.
“I received an email from Ron Tebo of Scifake.com stating that, and I quote, “Folks after careful consideration (and at Donna’s request) we have decided to delete all articles and comments in regards to this botched situation brought on by two self absorbing bowwows with one agenda … humiliating others.” The email continues to state that “Donna’s health is deteriorating due to this colossal disorder brought on by three uncaring and selfish misfits.”
I have a few things to say about these new developments and then I’m going to be (hopefully) done with this whole mess…”
Read the rest at Masslive.com
So here we have the true essence of Donna and Scifake come out. Gary P. and Laura Merwin’s assumption of Donna LaCroix were right.
Scifake attacked the GhostDivas, by stating that the interview that was done by the GhostDivas is now affecting Donna’s health. I’m guessing stress/anxiety?
What’s more appalling is the fact that Scifake has now removed all the posts and interviews they did with Donna upon her request. Either some lawyers made some nasty calls to a few people, or Donna is flip-flopping again on her own comments.
Either way Scifake should of never removed those articles. This is not what journalism is about.
Written by Javier Ortega - javier@ghosttheory.com
Get GhostTheory updates faster! sign up to our RSS Feeds or
add us on Twitter
I’d have to bet Donna is throwing out the ’sue’ word to SciFake, so they did a knee-jerk reaction. The thing is, she said what she said, posted what she posted, and publicly. I’d also care to say, GH and the Pilgrim probably tossed the ’sue’ word in her direction also, probably due to non-disclosure clauses and such. It doesn’t matter anyhows at this point. She killed her credibility with backtracking and is going to lose ground fast with any status she might have had with her fans.
Another unfortunate loss in all this is the fact that she might have made a name for herself in being a whistle blower against these types of shows, as she elicited in telling watchers of the show to think for themselves. Instead she spoke before thinking and now she will have to excavate herself out of this mess. I wish her well nevertheless.
Javier, another great post by you. I’m really impressed you’re calling things out like you are and promoting all sides. I now consider you and GhostTheory a watchdog on all things paranormal! (Shows, blogs, podcasts…) My take on this…I feel bad for Donna. I don’t know all the facts or the truth, but she always struck me as decent. Is she bitter? Perhaps. I was always shocked she left GHI so suddenly like she did. I still assume it had to do with her health problems, but maybe there was more to it. All I know is, anyone who watched GH from the beginning can see the shift in then compared to now. I hope things aren’t faked, BUT…I know things aren’t on the up and up either. (Which I’ll divulge in my “Haunted or Hype?” piece I’m still working on.) However, KUDOS to you and your staff for your integrity in reporting!
Courtney M,
Thanks for the compliments.
Let us know when you complete the piece, I’d love to read it.
-Javier
It’s easy to sound bitter and disgruntled when mixing high emotion with the truth, but this isn’t the first time I have personally heard many of Donna’s claims. Ghost Hunters’ and GHI’s “misfit” Brian was interviewed on an internet radio show over a year ago, soon after his departure from TV. He basically made many of the same claims…again, a long time ago. Collusion? Maybe, but food for thought.
Didn’t lots of Chip Coffey posts get deleted from that site as well? LOL! Perhaps Donna is pulling a Chip Coffey move!
ie – “Don’t say bad things about me! That’s libel! I’ll sue! I swear I will! You just watch! Keep Watching! Watch me!”
It’s quite obvious that anyone connected to any one of these IDIOTIC paranormal shows who stands up to speak negatively is going to be painted by the shows’ cast/crew/network and-or the shows’ fans as “jealous” or disgruntled or sour-graped. They very well might be.
That doesn’t make these shows any more “real” or any less idiotic.
Let’s face it, Donna was probably relegated to the International Ghost Hunters spinoff by the horny duo of Jason and Grant – the “kings”, because of the young, good looking upstart Kris. That, and the lousy contract she signed miffed her enough to “suggest” that fraud was involved in the show. No doubt the lawyers got back to her quickly enough for her to back track and cover her legal arse. She, Harnois, and others are mere collateral damage consigned to the graveyard of the money making machine known as reality television. Needless to say her testimony isn’t necessary when you have these hilarious shenanigans already documented: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlM-Uy8ODYQ&feature=related
well presented and im gald to see after not checking the site for a long time that it is still my favorite paranormal reporting site. Taking an objective side and reporting things as truthfully as possible.. GJ guys
andrewkeeler,
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen your witty comments
Welcome back!
-Javier
I have to admit that I couldn’t bring myself to listen to everything that Donna had to say. And I have to admit that I didn’t follow the show from the very beginnin. With that said, I would like to add some things that I’ve noticed as I’ve been perusing paranormal investigative sites. The largest piece of evidence that GH and their franchise usually lack is orb sitings. If you go to http://xxghostsandspirits.webs.com and peruse their photos, you will see exactly what I’m saying.
There are some pretty incredible photos on this site, and it puts my faith in the validity of their investigative results in the GH franchise. Am I alone in wanting time/date stamps in their footage? And am I alone in wanting to see more than teams jason/grant, steve/tango, and kris/amy? We need to see more of a mix in their approach to their investigations.
Any thoughts?
GH was never a supporter of orbs and I can’t blame them. Orbs have been hyped up over the years by investigative groups and individuals who post their pictures on the internet, and honestly, if the orbs posted are not self luminating, I can’t honestly give much thought to them (mists included). The garden variety ‘orb’ or ‘mist’, I believe, is nothing more than a photographic error by equipment.
Gary,
You should really check out the website, then. There are some pretty fascinating pics. If what came out is a malfunction of the camera, then it’s pretty impressive. Look for the one in one of their cemetary investigations. There is a manifestation of what looks like a red skeleton curled up in the fetal position. And yes, they are quite hyped up, but we hardly ever see this type of evidence presented. Most of what we are given is sound. And every once in awhile, we will get to even hear it. And even more rare is seeing something move.
Now, if Kris and Amy had their own show, we would have more action more often. Spirits seem to like them more than the other investigators on Ghost Hunters.
But, then again, if I were a spirit and Jason came walking up around me, I don’t know if I would want to let him know I was there. He might debunk me.
I have been trying, but the link you provided is bad. Do you have an update for us?
Gary,
Sorry about that. It’s such a weird link that I have trouble typing it in correctly every time. Here is the correct one.
http://xxghostsandspiritsxx.webs.com
Let me know if you have anymore trouble getting to it.
I also want a few more eyes on the pics to see how many think they got a lot of dust in their pics too. Catching as many “orbs” as they did in these pics with what I’m hearing seems like it would be a rare occurance. What do you think?
Michka
I think a few of the pictures have some bizzare mist and/or bright orbs (self illuminated), but I also think the rest is of the garden variety type (mostly transparent in appearance). I also think that a couple of the pictures involved pareidolia (first in pic1 and fouths set). Not to say anything bad about the NYPAPS site, but it strikes me as a typhical ghost hunters website, which unfortunately, are a dime a dozen. I like their message on the homepage stating a few core values in order to reassure interested visitors.
Gary,
Thanks for taking a look. I’d like your take on the one in the graveyard with the skeleton in the fetal position, though. Is that pareidolia? Looks way too clear to be a faulty camera. Could just be my eyes though.
I’d be interested to hear Bea and Javier’s takes on the site, too
Michka,
What skeleton?
I visited the website. I’m not really impressed by the orb pictures. The other pictures with the white blurs, just look like the flash bouncing off the breath of the photographer.
Taking pictures in the cold produces a lot of these “ectoplasma” effects.
Where is the skeleton pic at?
-Javier
http://xxghostsandspiritsxx.webs.com/pics1.htm
Try this link and scroll to the third set of pics. Its the first one in the set. And I wanted you guys to take a look to get your impressions. i, for one think that some investigations should not take place when you can see your breath or the natural temperature is cold enough to affect the recorders. It’s hard enough to capture spiritual or paranormal activity without throwing in the natural forces into the mix. I couldn’t understand why just about all of their evidence was taken when it was cold outside.
I am glad however, that they prefer to let the professionals handle the demonic spirits.
I don’t see a skeleton or a man in the middle of the Falls.
imho, orbs are dust, bugs, camera flukes, or swamp gas. This
is just a guess but maybe they investigate in the snow because
they don’t live in Florida and a road trip south would take up
most of their weekend.
GH has been faking evidence since the director said “Action” for
the very first time.
Brenda from Season 1 Episode 1:
http://www.skepticalviewer.com/2008/09/08/gh-101-altoona-home/
Pam Gates Hoyt had a lot to say about her experience with GH:
http://theouijaboard.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/first-you-make-a-roux/
The McNeils were banned from SyFy for talking.
I have been to one of the Ghost Hunters’ investigations and the owner of this facility laughed when I asked him about ghosts. While the show appeared to feel some cold spots, the ownder told me that he has never seen anything. We have returned there four times and each time we ask an employee about it, they laugh and state they have never heard of anyone seeing anything, nor have they seen anything.
While I would like to believe in this show, I see it as a true entertainment show…a scam.
Actually, I was reading Grant’s Twitter response and this is what he said:
Donna was misunderstood in that interview and has since corrected herself. TAPS never has nor ever will fake evidence.
Furthermore, the T.V. show Ghost Hunters falls under the category of Reality T.V. show. I also did some research a reality T.V. contract and it says “Once you sign the forms, you won’t be able to sue over personal injury or representation. check it out
http://www.instantcast.com/LearnAbout/Articles/giving_your_permission_to_reality_tv
Meaning that Donna can’t sue or accuse anybody for personal injury and she can’t accuse other T.V. networks and the company (Pilgrim Films & Television) for contract issues at all. So I have a suspicion that Donna didn’t actually read her contract at all. If that’s the case, then she’s in serious trouble. It going to be a judgement against her for Breach of Contract, The penalty for fraud (gaining something of value through using falsehood) varies by jurisdiction (criminal court); a claim of libel (telling falsehoods in print) or slander (verbally making up something) which can also damage her and people who are accused as well.
I got a feeling that Donna didn’t read her contract carefully enough. She probably sign the contract but she didn’t read it in full detail?.
This kinda reminds me of Howard Stern’s comments on the David Letterman Extortion Attempt, where Robin Quivers said “It’s the issue of how do you rise in the company?, Am I blocked because, I don’t have the ability?.” check this out tape counter 08:06 to 08:12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1gy73YeUoY
In the Donna’s contract issue situation; It’s the issue of “After I signing a reality T.V. contract?, can I be able to sue or accused the parties involved due to personal injuries and contract issues?.” That’s the issue here?.
For example, if I was being cast or audition on a reality T.V. show then all of a sudden I have to sign a release form along with a reality T.V. contract. I rather read the forms carefully before I sign it.
Say did anybody here seen the T.V. show America’s Next Top Model lately?. In every season of the show the prize was a contract with Revlon cosmetics, a contract for representation with Wilhelmina Models and a spread within Marie Claire magazine. As you guys already know that the winner of the first season was………….Adrianne Curry. However, what you guys didn’t know that Adrianne get into a feud Tyra Banks because she (Adrianne) did not receive all of her prizes and a modeling contract with Revlon, was for a much smaller amount of work than what was promised throughout the show. I also came across an interview with Adrianne Curry, she said “We were told throughout the taping of the show that the winner would have a huge cosmetics deal with Revlon. Billboards, magazines and all that wonderful fun stuff. What ended up happening was, I found out later on when I was waiting around for this deal that never showed up… I was told that it was just convention work.” check it out
http://www.pr.com/article/1032
In other words, she got ripoff. I also heard rumors after that, she went to talk a couple of lawyers about it. They told her to sue Tyra Banks and the show. But, she decided not to do it. You see, she must’ve read her contract where it says “You won’t be able to sue over personal injury or representation.” In other words, she can’t sue them for contract issues or being ripoff by Tyra Banks or the parties involved. IMO, when it comes to contract issues, why is Adrianne Curry is more observant then Donna?.
Oh God, stop defending this idiotic, fake-ass show and it’s con-artist hosts, Jason and Grant. Both of them are full of sh*t. There’s a guy on youtube who intelligently debunks much of the evidence these clowns try to pass off as ghosts or paranormal activity. From the ridiculous jacket pulling con, to the passing off a statue as a form, to that Meatloaf water bottle moving. If you pay attention, when they place the water bottle, the window is closed and you can see the window panes. When it’s moved, you can see the window is now open.
This buffoons don’t need defending. They need to be kicked between the eyes at least once a day. I say this as someone who used to be a fan of the show, and believe they had some credibility.
Just because Donna called them out, doesn’t mean she’s lying or disgruntled, especially when she has Brian and even Andy backing her up.
Jason and Grant are con-artists, and the show is fake.
“TAPS never has nor ever will fake evidence.”
He’s a liar. He faked that entire “coat pulling” incidence. They fake a ton of evidence on that show, and I find it ironic that the camera is never where it needs to be, but we should take their words for it.