History Channel - Original Air Date: 2/6/07
This episode of History's UFO Hunters takes the gang to Catalina, CA, to look into numerous reports of UFOs and USOs -- no, not the military support group, Unidentified Submerged Objects (that's flying saucer in the water to most of us). The scientist member of the team is a bit more prominent in this episode -- especially when investigating a sunken plane supposedly downed by a USO -- but it's still eyewitnesses telling stories that form the bulk of the show's "proof." There's even a point where one of the sightings is explained by the media as "kid with weather balloons," but of course our investigators aren't having any of that. (Any UFOlogist worth his salt knows the government and media never tell the truth.) The most interesting parts of this episode involve a water tank test, proving that an airplane could drift into deeper water over time, and a test showing that a powerful electromagnet placed right next to an internal combustion engine can stop the engine. All of which proves exactly nothing. In the end, as in the first week, the investigators find no scientific proof, seem to end up just taking the witnesses at their word, and give credence to really outlandish theories (an underwater UFO base). The people in Catalina are clearly seeing things, but these investigators aren't shedding any light on what they may be seeing. It also strikes me that it's odd that in their second episode, these UFO Hunters already seem to have run out of flying objects.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Uncanny Radio: Snowed Out, or Not Snowed Out?
Now's a great time to test your online streaming ability!
Tune in to live streaming on www.wbsdfm.com from 8-9 tonight and see if the Special Emergency Edition of Uncanny Radio made it through the snow storm and onto the air. Manwolf and Linda don't know for sure, but even if UR is not on, you'll hear some fine Adult Alternative Album music on WBSD. And, with tonight's practice, you'll know what you have to do next week, when we go live!
Remember to check www.uncannyradio.com (and its companion blog) for our upcoming guests and features!
Tune in to live streaming on www.wbsdfm.com from 8-9 tonight and see if the Special Emergency Edition of Uncanny Radio made it through the snow storm and onto the air. Manwolf and Linda don't know for sure, but even if UR is not on, you'll hear some fine Adult Alternative Album music on WBSD. And, with tonight's practice, you'll know what you have to do next week, when we go live!
Remember to check www.uncannyradio.com (and its companion blog) for our upcoming guests and features!
Monday, February 4, 2008
MONSTER QUEST: American Werewolf
History Channel - Original Air Date: January 30, 2008
From a seemingly absurd premise -- that there are wolf-like humanoids haunting the Midwestern US -- this show becomes one of the most interesting and compelling of the Monster Quest series. (And I'm not just saying this because author Linda Godfrey is a friend of mine.) Despite an unfortunate lack of physical evidence (the supposed werewolf fur turns out to be from well-known animal), the show brings together a number of eyewitnesses who tell fantastic stories of seeing the "manwolf" -- or, as the show sometimes describes it, the "dogman." Witnesses come from several walks of life and represent a range of ages. As they speak, one is struck both by their apparent sincerity, and the utter strangeness of their reports. But, just when one thinks they're all batty, they start taking polygraph tests. When the first one passed, I thought, "Well, that's interesting." But when the rest passed, too, it was downright amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a monster hunting show that put so many eyewitnesses to the test. And I've never seen a show where all the participants passed the polygraph. The monster hunting world is fraught with fakers and attention seekers -- but the people in this show don't seem to fall into those categories. The science on the show is quite good, with a bit of hypnotic regression being the only really dodgy bit. Usually, when I'm done watching a "true" monster show, there's always a spot where I think, "Why didn't they check this part out?" But here, the only thing they could have done more than they did was polygraph the multiple-sighting hunter. Of course, he may have been too busy beating the bushes for the scientist with the trank gun. And having a hunter with a trank gun on the trail of the beast was such a good move, that one of my friends called after the show and asked, "Why didn't they do that on the other shows?" Why, indeed? As the last show for this season, hopefully American Werewolf points the way for high-quality Monster Quests to come. And for the record, neither Linda nor I have ever seen the manwolf in person. But we'll keep looking.
From a seemingly absurd premise -- that there are wolf-like humanoids haunting the Midwestern US -- this show becomes one of the most interesting and compelling of the Monster Quest series. (And I'm not just saying this because author Linda Godfrey is a friend of mine.) Despite an unfortunate lack of physical evidence (the supposed werewolf fur turns out to be from well-known animal), the show brings together a number of eyewitnesses who tell fantastic stories of seeing the "manwolf" -- or, as the show sometimes describes it, the "dogman." Witnesses come from several walks of life and represent a range of ages. As they speak, one is struck both by their apparent sincerity, and the utter strangeness of their reports. But, just when one thinks they're all batty, they start taking polygraph tests. When the first one passed, I thought, "Well, that's interesting." But when the rest passed, too, it was downright amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a monster hunting show that put so many eyewitnesses to the test. And I've never seen a show where all the participants passed the polygraph. The monster hunting world is fraught with fakers and attention seekers -- but the people in this show don't seem to fall into those categories. The science on the show is quite good, with a bit of hypnotic regression being the only really dodgy bit. Usually, when I'm done watching a "true" monster show, there's always a spot where I think, "Why didn't they check this part out?" But here, the only thing they could have done more than they did was polygraph the multiple-sighting hunter. Of course, he may have been too busy beating the bushes for the scientist with the trank gun. And having a hunter with a trank gun on the trail of the beast was such a good move, that one of my friends called after the show and asked, "Why didn't they do that on the other shows?" Why, indeed? As the last show for this season, hopefully American Werewolf points the way for high-quality Monster Quests to come. And for the record, neither Linda nor I have ever seen the manwolf in person. But we'll keep looking.
IS IT REAL? Ghosts
National Geographic Channel - Original Air Date: 2005
This show examines several haunted locations and suggests -- through scientific experiment -- that hauntings may be more about human psychology than the supernatural. Subjects experience spooky feelings in a series of underground chambers -- but the feelings seem to have more to do with the actual size and shapes of the rooms than with any spirits. A psychic investigates a house he has no prior knowledge of and pretty much strikes out on finding the house's supposed ghost. (He does come close on the manner of death -- choking is a fairly common way to die -- but he misses completely on the age and sex of the victim and other salient details.) The show also shows a film of a supposed ghost in a junkyard, and then photos of "orbs" and "mists," and "vortexes of light." Skeptics then demonstrate how easily the ghost film could be hoaxed or recreated, how orbs are most commonly dust, and how other effects can be camera problems or operator errors (camera straps, stray hair, etc.). The theory is put forth that many of the people taking spirit photographs don't know or understand the technological limitations of their equipment. (And as a photographer, I can attest this to be true.) Historical ghost photographs, once believed but now seen as obvious fakes, are reviewed briefly, as is their history. EVPs are listened to, and faces are seen in photos -- but it seems most likely that both of these things are the result of human pattern-seeking. (Though they don't say this on the show, in the same way that groups of stars become Great Bears and hunters.) Skeptic James Randi sums up by urging people to look at the evidence for ghosts -- and concluding they won't find much there.
This show examines several haunted locations and suggests -- through scientific experiment -- that hauntings may be more about human psychology than the supernatural. Subjects experience spooky feelings in a series of underground chambers -- but the feelings seem to have more to do with the actual size and shapes of the rooms than with any spirits. A psychic investigates a house he has no prior knowledge of and pretty much strikes out on finding the house's supposed ghost. (He does come close on the manner of death -- choking is a fairly common way to die -- but he misses completely on the age and sex of the victim and other salient details.) The show also shows a film of a supposed ghost in a junkyard, and then photos of "orbs" and "mists," and "vortexes of light." Skeptics then demonstrate how easily the ghost film could be hoaxed or recreated, how orbs are most commonly dust, and how other effects can be camera problems or operator errors (camera straps, stray hair, etc.). The theory is put forth that many of the people taking spirit photographs don't know or understand the technological limitations of their equipment. (And as a photographer, I can attest this to be true.) Historical ghost photographs, once believed but now seen as obvious fakes, are reviewed briefly, as is their history. EVPs are listened to, and faces are seen in photos -- but it seems most likely that both of these things are the result of human pattern-seeking. (Though they don't say this on the show, in the same way that groups of stars become Great Bears and hunters.) Skeptic James Randi sums up by urging people to look at the evidence for ghosts -- and concluding they won't find much there.
IS IT REAL? Ghost Ships
National Geographic Channel - Original Air Date: 2005
The show tackles some common sea myths in this episode, including the haunting of the Queen Mary and the ghost ship Mary Celeste. Tour guides from the QM talk of their spooky experiences aboard the ship, and then demonstrate how a "spirit" can be detected with dowsing rods. A skeptic then demonstrates how easily a rod can be subconsciously manipulated. Much time is spent talking about the perils of the sea and humanity's relative powerlessness in the face of the ocean. This explains why some superstitions and myths have grown up around the water: to give humanity a sense of control, even though there is no actual control over nature. Strange sounds heard by divers on a wreck are suggested to be whale song or other natural underwater noises, distorted by the ocean and heard imperfectly by human ears--which are not built to hear under the water. In examining the Mary Celeste mystery, the show points out that some of the myths believed to be "true" about the story are actually taken from a fictional account of the voyage penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The show suggests that possibly the ship's occupants left the ship to escape toxic alcohol fumes, but their lifeboat became separated, and the ship sailed on without anyone aboard. As usual, a scientific and skeptical point of view dominates the show. And, as usual, it's hard to argue with.
The show tackles some common sea myths in this episode, including the haunting of the Queen Mary and the ghost ship Mary Celeste. Tour guides from the QM talk of their spooky experiences aboard the ship, and then demonstrate how a "spirit" can be detected with dowsing rods. A skeptic then demonstrates how easily a rod can be subconsciously manipulated. Much time is spent talking about the perils of the sea and humanity's relative powerlessness in the face of the ocean. This explains why some superstitions and myths have grown up around the water: to give humanity a sense of control, even though there is no actual control over nature. Strange sounds heard by divers on a wreck are suggested to be whale song or other natural underwater noises, distorted by the ocean and heard imperfectly by human ears--which are not built to hear under the water. In examining the Mary Celeste mystery, the show points out that some of the myths believed to be "true" about the story are actually taken from a fictional account of the voyage penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The show suggests that possibly the ship's occupants left the ship to escape toxic alcohol fumes, but their lifeboat became separated, and the ship sailed on without anyone aboard. As usual, a scientific and skeptical point of view dominates the show. And, as usual, it's hard to argue with.
Friday, February 1, 2008
GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL - General Review
SciFi Channel - Original Air Date: January, 2008
This show has been on for a few weeks now, and it still seems to be struggling to get its legs. The levels of "proof" for a haunting on GHI seem to be lower than those for the original Ghost Hunters. Perhaps the producers and investigators are reluctant to completely debunk haunted locales with a history stretching back hundreds or even thousands of years. (I've noted the increasing tendency to declare places "haunted" in the original show as well.) The other problem is that the new show lacks the force of Jason and Grant holding it together. Rob and Andy do a good job, but the chemistry isn't nearly the same. Also, the show seems to be quickly falling into a recognizable pattern. Next time you see it, expect to see: Rob and Andy will cleverly debunk things (and then not mention those debunks in the Reveal); Donna and Shannon will have creepy feelings and get scared while in some spooky dark place; Brian and Barry will see shadows and movement and hear something mysterious (this was Brian's job on the original show, too). And the whole crew will express initial "skepticism" but turn out pleased at how many "genuine" experiences they've had. I do have hopes this show will improve, but many of the cast members need to be more truly skeptical and less skittish.
This show has been on for a few weeks now, and it still seems to be struggling to get its legs. The levels of "proof" for a haunting on GHI seem to be lower than those for the original Ghost Hunters. Perhaps the producers and investigators are reluctant to completely debunk haunted locales with a history stretching back hundreds or even thousands of years. (I've noted the increasing tendency to declare places "haunted" in the original show as well.) The other problem is that the new show lacks the force of Jason and Grant holding it together. Rob and Andy do a good job, but the chemistry isn't nearly the same. Also, the show seems to be quickly falling into a recognizable pattern. Next time you see it, expect to see: Rob and Andy will cleverly debunk things (and then not mention those debunks in the Reveal); Donna and Shannon will have creepy feelings and get scared while in some spooky dark place; Brian and Barry will see shadows and movement and hear something mysterious (this was Brian's job on the original show, too). And the whole crew will express initial "skepticism" but turn out pleased at how many "genuine" experiences they've had. I do have hopes this show will improve, but many of the cast members need to be more truly skeptical and less skittish.
UFO HUNTERS - The UFO Before Roswell
History Channel - Original Air Date: January 30, 2008
This is the first of the two UFO Hunter shows (another one, produced by the Ghost Hunters' producer premiers on SciFi soon). The publishers of UFO Magazine make up the investigative team for this show. A "new lead" (though what the lead is or how they got it isn't explained) takes the team to Puget Sound in search of "slag" dumped from a UFO in 1947, a couple of weeks before Roswell. Witnesses claim that the falling slag damaged a boat, killed a dog, and broke a boy's arm. Team members go diving and prospecting for the slag (after 60 years). There was also a plane explosion 40 days after the reported incident, which UFOlogists are trying to connect to the UFO sighting. With all the eyewitnesses to this supposed incident dead, investigating this report seems even more of a stretch than most UFO stories. It struck me very quickly that it would have been useful to have a real geologist on the team, to tell UFO slag from unusual rocks. They could also use a good skeptic, as everyone involved seems like a true believer. And all their speculation seems more like fiction than like science. At the end of the first episode, the leader of the group proclaims that 90% of all UFO reports are bunk. Lets hope that when the crew encounters one of those cases, they're brave enough to proclaim it. On this case, they weren't. Instead, they just added to the mythology that makes actual scientific investigation of UFOs so difficult.
This is the first of the two UFO Hunter shows (another one, produced by the Ghost Hunters' producer premiers on SciFi soon). The publishers of UFO Magazine make up the investigative team for this show. A "new lead" (though what the lead is or how they got it isn't explained) takes the team to Puget Sound in search of "slag" dumped from a UFO in 1947, a couple of weeks before Roswell. Witnesses claim that the falling slag damaged a boat, killed a dog, and broke a boy's arm. Team members go diving and prospecting for the slag (after 60 years). There was also a plane explosion 40 days after the reported incident, which UFOlogists are trying to connect to the UFO sighting. With all the eyewitnesses to this supposed incident dead, investigating this report seems even more of a stretch than most UFO stories. It struck me very quickly that it would have been useful to have a real geologist on the team, to tell UFO slag from unusual rocks. They could also use a good skeptic, as everyone involved seems like a true believer. And all their speculation seems more like fiction than like science. At the end of the first episode, the leader of the group proclaims that 90% of all UFO reports are bunk. Lets hope that when the crew encounters one of those cases, they're brave enough to proclaim it. On this case, they weren't. Instead, they just added to the mythology that makes actual scientific investigation of UFOs so difficult.
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