SyFy Announces Three New Paranormal Shows

According to Scifi wire, SyFy has announced the addition of three new paranormal series expected to be aired in July 15 to kick off its Thursday night lineup devoted to the paranormal. Although still under working titles, Paranormal Investigators, Beast Legends and Mary Knows Best are slated for their debut in hopes of attracting a wide audience presumably riding on the coattails of the popular reality series Ghost Hunters.

Ghost Hunters, with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson and members from The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), first aired in October 6, 2004 and is now in its 6^th season with reportedly some of the highest viewer ratings of any SyFy show. The show begins with a walk through of a reported haunted location with the owners, as Jason and Grant interview and note reported activity. The crew then investigates the site attempting to debunk existing reports of the paranormal by looking for logical explanations for reported activities. With the use of video and audio equipment, Ghost Hunters attempts to capture evidence of a haunting. After reviewing the evidence, Jason and Grant participate in the "reveal" where any evidence captured is presented to the owners. With a conservative approach, Ghost Hunters prides themselves on their attempts to debunk activity and only pose as evidence anything that cannot be explained by logical means.

On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, Ghost Hunters International debuted. This team investigates haunted locations around the globe and follows procedures similar to Ghost Hunters. Although they do appear to be a bit more dramatic and eager to claim sites haunted, this show provides exposure to locations outside of the states and presents some alternate views, often focusing on nature or elemental spirits that are seldom discussed by Jay and Grant. Although not my favorite, it draws many viewers.

On November 11, 2009, SyFy aired Ghost Hunters Academy headed by Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango as trainers for new recruits desiring to be Ghost Hunters. The series enjoyed an entertaining run and will reappear in the spring with slight twist. The new series eliminates one contestant after each investigation. Although entertaining to watch, this show appears to be a bit more for show with paranormal investigating in the background.

Paranormal Investigators (due to air in July) features a team of investigators with the sole purpose of reviewing other investigator's work to try to verify or debunk evidence caught on tape. Initial reports from the Scifi wire indicate that this six person team lead by former FBI special agent Ben Hansen, will search the internet and around the world for the most dramatic images and work together to uncover whether images are legitimate or a hoax. Perhaps their work will lend credibility to existing evidence of the paranormal.

Beast Legends is expected to track down legends of real or mythical beasts, create a computer-generated model and explore whether the beast could really have existed. The show promises a mixture of adventure, mystery and a touch of the mystical as it visits remote locations in search of mysterious beasts and brings the beast to life.

Mary Knows Best (working title) tagged a docu-soap reality series follows real life psychic Mary Occhino. Little other information is available at this time. This one leaves me a bit unsettled and feels a bit like a duplicate of Medium and Ghost Whisperer. Although both shows are enjoyable and entertaining, I'm not so sure that we need another inside look at the life of a woman who talks to ghosts.

For the paranormal enthusiast, Syfy provides a host of entertaining and informative shows centered on the paranormal. I find the concept of Paranormal Investigators interesting and it may prove to be both educational and enlightening, but I will reserve judgment until it débuts. Mark your calendars for July 15 and get ready for paranormal night on Syfy.