Penn State people - "Paranormal State"

ree-Xi · #1 03-26-2008, 05:45 PM

I am a paranormal enthusiast (a hobby, not a mission) and have seen most of the Paranormal State episodes. Although I really am not a fan, like a train wreck, I can't help but watch.

Does anyone from Penn State know these people? Are they respected on campus? In the "professional" paranormal investigation world, they are not really respected. Obviously, most of what is experienced during investigations from any paranormal group can be explained away, or "debunked" by reason and logic, and most "evidence" is dependent on acceptance of various theories, but this show is kind of a joke.

Just wondering what people from the school really think of the "cast" and the show.

In anyone cares, I love "Ghost Hunters" and the TAPS Team. I have issues with some parts of the show, but I am a big fan.

#2 03-26-2008, 06:04 PM

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like Paranormal State, but because they enlist the aid of Lorraine Warren, I can't say that I have too much respect for them (as I do for the Ghost Hunters' TAPS Team).

Lorraine Warren (and her late husband Ed) are full of shit, IMO.

nittanyalum · #3 03-26-2008, 10:12 PM

I don't think I can respond as a token Penn Stater because, honestly, I'd never heard of this show. But from what I've read online, it sounds pretty staged.

DSTCHAOS · #4 03-26-2008, 10:18 PM

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who found them noncredible.

I had made a comment in that ghost thread.

Senusret I · #5 03-26-2008, 10:34 PM

Not to sound like Penelope from Saturday Night Live.....

But my psychology professor (a Jesuit) was on one of those shows about exorcism that came out in the late 90s. He was only m'eh to me. Credible as a psych prof, but wasn't one of those wacky paranormal profs.

I think he made us watch the video as part of our intro class.

ree-Xi · #6 03-27-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like Paranormal State, but because they enlist the aid of Lorraine Warren, I can't say that I have too much respect for them (as I do for the Ghost Hunters' TAPS Team).

Lorraine Warren (and her late husband Ed) are full of shit, IMO.

I grew up one town over from the Warrens and everyone in my area thought they were cooks. There was a rumor that if you touched anything in their house (they used to give tours), they had to perform a blessing or cleansing on you before you left. Of course there was never any evidence per say.

I know that they toured the college circuit but I never caught their show.

I find TAPS' approach to be more credible, and really enjoy seeing and hearing things that they record. I know that in a lot of episodes, they don't get any evidence, but I think that it is indicative that what many people perceive as paranormal is just everyday, normal stuff.

als463 · #7 03-27-2008, 08:40 AM

As a Penn State Alum...I am a bit embarrassed about some of the stuff on there...

One thing I will say is that there really are places on campus considered to be haunted. I noticed they talked about it on the show, once. The Paterno/ Pattee Library is supposedly haunted in the "stacks" area because a girl was murdered up there. They also talked about the Schwab Auditorium being haunted. It's true that one of our Presidents, Atherton, is buried right next to the building (which I'm sure some people may find to be a bit creepy) and that is also considered a haunted area on campus. I also noted they mentioned Cindy Song on their show. She was a girl at Penn State who lived in my former apartment complex, State College Park, only a building away from me. She came up missing and noone to this day knows her whereabouts...so, that's pretty creepy too.

When they interviewed the one girl on campus who said her dorm room was haunted--that was kinda' stupid. Yes, the school has been around since 1855but, even as a ghost lover, I highly doubt the rooms are haunted. I'm not sure how I completely feel about the show but, some of the stories are just too lame to care for.

AGDee · #8 03-27-2008, 11:33 PM

I liked it a lot when it first came out but it is getting predictable and worn out now.

I'm loving that Scariest Places on Earth is being re-run on Sci-Fi. It's so much more fun to watch than Paranormal State.

Thetagirl218 · #9 03-28-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I liked it a lot when it first came out but it is getting predictable and worn out now.

I agree! I thought it was intresting in the beginning, but I always had this nagging feeling that thought it wasn't realistic.

However, I do really enjoy Ghost Hunters and TAPS and respect their work and methods. I have no doubt in my mind that some of the stuff they have documented is legit!!!!

What the St. Augustine Light House episode if you want some proof....

DSTCHAOS · #10 03-31-2008, 10:21 PM

Tonight's episode confirmed that I don't like this show that much. Maybe my expectations were too high.

I will probably still watch it to get my paranormal fix.

ree-Xi · #11 04-01-2008, 04:26 PM

It's cool to see that other people here are interested in the paranormal. I think that there is too much out there for it not to exist. In terms of tv shows, I recently discovered the British version of "Most Haunted". I have to say that the show does put shivers up my spine. However, the parlor tricks, such as the "knocking" responses, are almost too evident.

Another show that I enjoy, that sometimes gives me the willies, is "A Haunting". I tape the episodes that are on in the afternoon. The show depicts dramatizations of "true stories". While a lot of it seems over the top, the stories are scary enough to make me watch them with all the lights on. The funny thing about that show is that virtually every house that is "haunted" has a long hallway where apparitions appear. It's like they have a formula for house plans.

DSTCHAOS · #12 04-01-2008, 06:03 PM

The paranormal definitely exists. The fascination with it is why there have been so many movies and shows.

Many of these shows, however, suck.

LOL @ I know exactly what you mean about the long hallway. That's a formula for movies and shows. I would say that's about the time period that some of these haunted houses were built. But I think that an apparition can suddenly make any hallway seem long.

AGDee · #13 04-01-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Tonight's episode confirmed that I don't like this show that much. Maybe my expectations were too high.

I will probably still watch it to get my paranormal fix.

My DVR didn't record last night so I think it must have been a re-run. Do you remember the topic?

Most Haunted originally had a guy named Derek on it who was proven to be a fake. I never liked the way they went about their investigations.

DSTCHAOS · #14 04-02-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

My DVR didn't record last night so I think it must have been a re-run. Do you remember the topic?

No but I'm sure you can check here.

http://www.aetv.com/paranormal-state/

The website is scarier than the show.

ree-Xi · #15 04-02-2008, 11:57 AM

What do you think about Ryan's experience with a "Troll"? I never thought of trolls as paranormal; I really think he just had a dream after watching some campy made-for-tv movie.