Paranormal Cops review
Yes, it’s that time of season again when the TV shows start their seasons, and new shows are introduced. Paranormal Cops is A&E’s latest installment to the ghost hunting genre. Don’t get your hopes up.
I started off this morning by watching the opening episode of Paranormal Cops, and all I could think of was that it was Ghost Hunters, rebranded. Same synopsis, same investigation style, same finish. It all starts out with the Chicago Paranormal Detectives, cops by day, paranormal investigators by night (plumbers by day, investigators by night…sound familiar?). They get the call on a haunted place by a distraught employee and so they go and check it out. They listen to what the employee has to say about the occurances in the building and then they go to work, after shutting down the lights for the night. Deja’ Vu’ anyone?
The CPD starts off by running around the basement (which is the hotspot), packing the usual gear. EMF detectors, camera’s with nightvision, guns. Guns? Yeah. The one guy I saw was packing heat. I don’t know why…anyhows, they look around here and there and have their medium (not a cop) check out areas along with them. They find a spot where the EMF detector gets slightly active. Instead of trying to detect the source of the EMF, they go right to work assuming a ghost is present. They start asking questions, the detector goes off…and the medium translates…anyhows…another detective investigates the news surrounding the building which turns out to be an old mobsters casino, owned by the driver to Al Capone. They find that that homicides have occured in the basement. After the night they find two leads that they investigate. One is a former worker in the building, who tells an eerie tale, while another happened to be a patron of the old mob casino, and of course, the guy collaborates the homicides that occured there. They return again the next night and have long winded EMF talks (ala Ghost Hunters) with the ghost that resides there. The show finishes off with reviewing the case and the evidence with the client, and of course, rating the paranormal activity of the building on a scale of one to four. It turns up a three in the CPD book. Case closed.
Case Closed? In the opening statements of the show, it is stated ‘We don’t rest until your case is closed’. Well how do you close a paranormal investigation?
This is horrible A&E programming. They couldn’t even do something original (like Ghost Lab tried), they just took the Ghost Hunters formula and spun it into their own show. Of course they do have their own style of investigating, but realistically, it’s the same show. The only high points I could say about the show is the Cops seal the building with police seal tape (in which they found a door with broken seal later in the show), and they carry guns. I can’t wait until the show fuses into a mixture of Ghost Hunters and Cops! The lows to this show are orbs…they like orbs.
The jury is still in session as far as this show is concerned. If you like Ghost Hunters, you should like this show, but if you really don’t like Ghost Hunters or have had enough of watching it, this show will be a waste of your time.
Written by Gary Popella - Gary@ghosttheory.com
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I remember when Arts & Entertainment started and they were kind of an alternative to PBS. Now it’s just idiotic crap. Thanks for the review. I won’t be wasting my time. By the way Gary, any other weird activity since what happened in your kitchen a while back?
Nothing. I think it got the hint when I told it to leave and never return, though I keep my eye open for anything out of the ordinary. I still rate that event as bizarre at the very least.
Yes, very unusual indeed.
Gary,
While this doesn’t sound too promising (I tend to ignore these shows anyway) I think I can answer one question.
Cops tend to carry guns whether on or off duty. Never know when a crime is going to happen. Frankly, there are several states where a large percentage of the citizens carry firearms with them at all times. I’m sure you already knew that though.
G,
Great review. I actually watched this episode while at work (yea I know).
It’s a mash-up of Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State. Horrible.
What made it bad for me was the incident with the tape. A broken tape on a door means someone opened the door.
So the show decides to take this and play with is since they are cops. They all draw out their guns and search the place. It’s so obvious that this could have been faked just to reiterate the fact that these guys are cops. I mean, why put tape on a door in a creepy hallway and not setup a camera? The owner of the shop did not report any doors opening or closing….wtf
But you know…this is what “ghost hunting” has come to.
-Javier
bondo,
Yeah I knew lots of cops carry when off duty, but then I think about the show and how it’s portrayed and it’s just for dramatic effect which leads to Javier’s point at which the door seal was busted, and then they start clearing the building’s basement (note how they didn’t clear the main floor or the upstairs while they were at it).
Javier, I like what you pointed out about the client not mentioning the doors opening and closing until the end, after the door had been discovered. Lame…
Personally I think this is going to be one of the last paranormal shows that TV is going to make for a while, they have pretty much milked this cash cow dry, and I can only think of a few more ways they can make a show without redoing what has already been done.
Well I liked it. I watched from a hotel room, texting my wife who was watching at home. We both enjoyed it. It’s better than Ghost Hunters because they bring in a medium. I also found the history fascinating. They went into a lot more depth than Ghost Hunters. My wife loved the use of forensics and such (she’s into shows like Law & Order). Any paranormal type show that makes use of psychics and tech is a winner in my book. Of course, Paranormal State is still my favorite, with Psychic Kids and Ghost Adventures tied for second. Ghost Hunters is too dry for my tastes. They don’t actually try to help, just prove or disprove. I like shows where they try to help the clients in some way.
It can’t be any worse that that ‘Extreme Paranormal’ show they tried out for 2 weeks.
But yeah this is just another show of burly guys who get excited everytime a K-2 meter jumps or they see an orb on a picture. The television has flooded the airwaves with garbage and are doing an injustice to the practice of paranormal investigation, which at best, was already looked upon with one eyebrow raised to being with.
TomS,
Compared to ‘Extreme Paranormal’, ‘Paranormal Cops’ deserves an Oscar.
-Javier
Hey Gary,
It was interesting to see the show through your eyes. I have to admit, I liked it. And I’m about as jaded with ghost shows as they come.
But you know why I liked it? For many of the same reasons Zanriel pointed out. Esp that they used a psychic. But I liked that it was cops rather than plumbers doing the investigating. Shoot, at least they’re suited for it! They’re used to asking questions and being suspicious of people for their day jobs!
Now, I will give you credit that they’re a little too fond of orbs, which I don’t buy as evidence. And Javier made a good point about the broken tape on the door. Easily could’ve been messed with for hype purposes/effect.
Plus, if there’s anything I’ve learned from Ghost Hunters, it’s to be wary of show producers! (Because lord knows they’ll fake footage for numbers!)
It was fun to read your opinion!
Lovely. How long before we see wannabe ghost hunters carrying around guns and brandishing them at any spooky sound they here?
And a mixture of Ghost Hunters and Cops would be interesting, but I’d rather see a mashup of Ghost Hunters and Cop Rock. That’d be awesome.
how do you expect it to be different? I mean really, it’s Ghost hunting, not a vampire show, get over it
‘EMF detectors, camera’s with nightvision, guns. Guns? Yeah. The one guy I saw was packing heat. I don’t know why…anyhows’
did Gary forget to take his smart pills the morning of the review? Guns? WHY NOT GUNS????? you kidding me right? THEY ARE COPS, WHO ARE LICENSED TO CARRY GUNS WITH THEM EVERY WHERE THEY GO!!!!!!! Including on ghost hunts.
Ronald Mcdouche,
Yes because pulling guns out in client’s homes is necessary while ghost hunting, right?
What ever happened to real “ghost hunting” like it was done by Dr. Barry Taff, Dr. William Roll, Holzer, Gross and many others? Now we need groups with some crazy twist?
Farce! I say.
-Javier
Exactly! See read the point where -guns are there for dramatic effect-
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…
And yes the ghost hunting show should be different, because redoing what’s already been done equals nothing new, and if you have nothing new in the world of TV, you have a show that will not last very long…or did you forget to take your smart pills on making that comment?
Courtney,
I’m just merciless with shows like this nowadays
I’ve just had it with shows redoing what has been done already. There are different approaches to doing a show, different ideas are untapped. It’s just the same material, regurgitated. I should make an article and let people input their fresh ideas into it. Maybe it’ll spark some fresh ghost shows in the near future…
I liked the show. How many ways are there to make an investigation with the tools and knowledge we have today?
Every god damned para-group out there could be accused to rip off GH´s methods, so how do You think it should´ve been done then?
I like the cops, and I think they came up with some relevant stuff.
I just don´t like the jealousness in this business, people that think they know it all, when noone really knows NOTHING at all about this.
We are blind out there, all we have is theories that doesn´t mean shit, it´s just poor theories…
How can you judge, from the the lack of knowledge? I say rock on, we need every sincere investigator we can get!
I think the cops are sincere in their paranormal investigations.
/JP
No Probs JP,
There is tons of ways to make an investigation with the tools and knowledge we have. Earnestly, most of these shows do little to no background investigating, and if they do, it’s only geared towards advancing the show in the end. Do you think that it can be found who previously owned or lived at a property? Of course! Do they go and talk to these people? No. It’s too expensive to research it to that degree and honestly the TV show only needs a small bit of info or research to advance the show to the viewers. Some of the other shows out there managed to find at least one device to introduce into their investigations, to add a new facet towards acquiring data, yet I am willing to bet there are tons more ways out there to acquire data. This show did none of that.
Sure, every god damned para-group out there could be accused of ripping off GH’s methods, but then again whose is accusing them of ripping off GH? All I am saying is that A&E has structured the show to a facsimile of GH, and believe me, A&E is in charge. Sure, your average Paranormal Investigation group has limited resources, because equipment is expensive, so it ususally comes down to camera’s, digital recorders (or tape as some prefer), some camcorder’s or infrared remote camera’s, EMF meter and a laptop. For the very, very lucky, a thermal. How much money do you think A&E could dump into equipment? Do you think there could be more equipment that could be added to the show? Different types of equipment?
How would I do the show? For starters I would have qualified people on the show. Not COPS, not Plumbers, nor thrill seekers or johnny come lately’s or average joe’s. I would get people who study the paranormal, who are degreed individuals. Psychologists, physicists and other scholars who are open-minded enough to pursue this field either openly or as a hobby. People who have researched ghosts and paranormal activity. That way they are credible, and skilled. Give them all the equipment neccesary and let them go to it. Research the case to the max and present it concisely and earnestly. Put the clients on tape, and have them give the highlights of their experiences to the camera, unlike current shows which seem to offer a half-baked Q&A session. Investigate the site for a week, then present the evidence, not show up for a night like a cleaning service. Collaborate data acquired to background research.
How about another show. Have a narrator, take a crew and plant equipment all over the house and record the events for a week or two. Interject interviews with clients throughout the show, show evidence. No drama like ‘Run dude Run!’ or ‘There’s children involved so we are going to make this case a priority’ because you know -damned- well the groups involved never get back to the families in question.
You say we need sincerity out of investigators? I doubt sincerity and A&E are synonymous. You say how can I judge, from the lack of knowledge? I say it’s my opinion, as is the article I wrote, as is the statement you wrote. Don’t like it? TFB. I’m not jealous, I just don’t like the show, and think there are better ways to skin the cat, so to speak, and TV is not going to give it to us because there’s too many ‘Couch potatoes’ out there who are happy and content with mediocre programming. Personally, I watch little TV, and what I do watch is quality, because I don’t have time for crappy TV. If you do have the time, more power to ya!
As soon as this show starts acquiring credible evidence or A&E changes the shows style, let me know…
I kind of liked it, actually. I live in Chicago so maybe that’s why. Certain parts of the first episode definitely creeped me out. Besides, after watching several lame “Paranormal State” episodes, anything would have been exciting.
It’s hard to find a good paranormal related reality show. “Ghost Adventures” is too hard to watch because that guy is such a drama queen. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
.
Gary, whenever you’re ready to do your show please let me know what channel it’s on.
G
I just like the guy who doesn’t take the cigar out of his mouth
This show will not make it out of season 1. It was worse than I thought it could be. What a fake EMP session!! Come on A&E, I know there is better programming out there than this. I think the Jackson 5 talking to whackojacko’s ghost would be better than this show.
I cannot believe that at least 2 “people” could enjoy the $#@( that this show is. YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH TV these days…
thank you! now i don’t have to watch it! I was hoping a few years ago they would stop treying to copy shows that have been done already! anyone know if they pulled the plug on that other A&E extreme paranormal show?
No Prob Jeff!
And I’m not sure about the Extreme Paranormal show, but the facts speak for itself:
Episodes list: 2 epidoes (on was a two part)
Last aired: Oct 26, 2009
I’d care to wager the show suffered a crib-death at this point, especially with the new season having started and no new shows.
I just checked A&E’s site for Extreme Paranormal and it said it was a two night special event. I thought it was supposed to be a series, but maybe they just reworded it to save face?
Either way I hope those two episodes were the only ones that will ever air.
Me too!
Thanks Gary and Michael, That was the one show that had to go for sure! Now there are a few i think that need to go! but not as bad as that one! thanks again.
Not looking for another rehash of “Ghost Hunters”, If youre looking for a new show, try “Physic kids”. I like the balance of trying to help the children come to terms with the abilitys they claim to have. Then the true test of going to a known location and getting a feel for what they claim against that of a known professional and another therapist to talk with the parents and the kids to help them understand what is going on. Thats a great show, The kids go home with a better understanding, the parents feel more connected, theres a peace of mind and new friends are made.
Thats good TV
What an ABSOLUTE SIN to put poor Meagan’s parents through that farce for the sake of really really bad TV and the Droschaks selfish need to see themselves in the pubilc eye.
This show and all its tapes should be burned!! It’s by far the worst show on A&E! The fat short cigar (Penis) toting fool should take the cigar out of his mouth so we could understand him. “I hea footsteps ova tha.” And the EVP was fake. It was too clear. Telling Ron his is a disgrace to his heritage? Come on, he’s a disgrace to the law enforcement!