| Author | Message | ||
     Paul_finch (Paul_finch) Username: Paul_finch Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 92.9.225.9 |
The legendary lady is apparently leaving MOST HAUNTED because there aren't enough ghosts. That's what I hear, anyway. Can't fault the logic, myself. Much as I've the enjoyed the show over the years for its 'empty-headed fun' approach, I think the disinct lack of clear supernatural activity has increasingly become its Achilles Heel. Too many rapping sessions, when it's all too easy to fabricate such things, too many earnest mediums assuring us that "there's a man over there in the corner", when of course we can't see anyone, and far too many people suddenly feeling ill (which must mean there's a spirit present - ????). Where she's planning to go next wasn't made clear in the article I read, but it did hint that she might be fronting a similar kind of show for ITV 2. The best of these ghost invesigation shows for me is the American GHOST ADVENTURES, presented by three technically proficient but enjoyably wide-eyed college boys. They go to much scarier places, and in the two seasons they've so far done, compared to MOST HAUNTED'S 12 (I think), have already captured manifestations on film, taped lots of weird voices and been smacked, punched and kicked (always the best bits) by resentful forces of the nether realm. | ||
| Jonathan (Jonathan) Username: Jonathan Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.143.178.131 |
Ah, but have they been punched, kicked and smacked by resentful forces IN the nether realms? That always smarts. | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.74 |
Maybe they'll hire Joe Power. | ||
| Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels) Username: Mark_samuels Registered: 04-2010 Posted From: 86.133.23.20 |
Or Bishop Manchester? Mark S. | ||
| Jonathan (Jonathan) Username: Jonathan Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.143.178.131 |
Is he still doing his thing? | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.74 |
The Bish seems to have succumbed to feuding with his critics on the Internet. And here's an update on Joe Power: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/psychics/joe-power/ | ||
| Paul_finch (Paul_finch) Username: Paul_finch Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 92.9.225.9 |
If MOST HAUNTED is to continue, I think having someone who's very skeptical, rather than someone who's inclined to attribute paranormal origins to every single incident, would be an interesting route to take. The show became a bit ridiculous the way so many little things - the sorts of taps and creaks that we hear all day in our own homes, and completely ignore - were being taken as evidence. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.72 |
Not as far fetched as Derek fucking Acorah. "It's somebody close to you, it's somebody who has a head, its somebody who spoke a language, its somebody who didn't live in a cave in a dump...and their first name doesn't start with X..." I'm sure I've seen a sketch somewhere doing exactly that. Derek fucking Acorah is himself a living breathing sketch. God I really detest that man, and how blatanly uncaring he is about appearing such an obvious con-artist. He belongs in Hilary Mantel's majestic, utterly triumphant 'Beyond Black', though not in any decent sized supporting role on account that he is a c**t. (I'm actually in a good mood)  | ||
| Jonathan (Jonathan) Username: Jonathan Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.143.178.131 |
For one of the best skit's on mediums see Phoenix Nights. The medium episode in that is hilarious. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.72 |
Oh yes, indeedy, Jonathan, classic stuff. Shame that Mr Colossal Ego Kaye hasn't turned out anything decent since...not since he became the grinning 'cat who got the milk' darling of insipid chat shows. No, really, I'm in a good mood. A mood made better by my following list of TV goodies all lined up for tonight: An episode of One Step Beyond. An episode of Hammer House of Horror - Mark of Satan. An episode of the original Twilight Zone: Shadow Play. An episode of Life On Mars - Series Two/ep 1 (I've just introduced it to my fiancee, and she loves it to bits) And perhaps a movie: State of Grace or Seraphim Falls. So, see, happy as Larry. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.155.206.185 |
But some of these mediums can be very genuine - they're just not out for careers/money. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.72 |
Yes, Tony, and they are listed in a private directory, and barely see anybody for readings, etc. Those that practice for the public, are not, in the world of mediums, considered genuine or sincere. I spent five years researching and looking into this specific community(I won't go into the reasons why I did it and what for, but hopefully the results will allow me to present them in the manner I intend to soon), and trust me, those that you might consider sincere, have no intention of appearing on stage (usually), and certainly not on TV. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
Five years? I'd love to see the results of that research, Frank...it's a subject that fascinates me. | ||
| Carole Johnstone (Carolej) Username: Carolej Registered: 04-2010 Posted From: 94.9.232.163 |
I have a friend who lived and worked at Stansted Hall for a time (home of the Spiritualists' National Union), and he said pretty much the same thing as you, Frank. Those mediums sought little or no publicity, and as far as I'm aware, no money was involved either. Having had no firsthand experience re mediums or even bumps in the night (sadly), I can't really offer an opinion either way, except to hope that both are as genuine as I want them to be! | ||
| Paul_finch (Paul_finch) Username: Paul_finch Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 92.0.205.130 |
Though I love writing horror and supernatural fiction, I'm increasingly worried that, bar one unusual experience when I was a very young child (which might have had x number of rational explanations), I've never actually seen or felt the presence of a ghost. I've made a point of visiting as many 'paranormal' locations as possible during my travels, and have never felt anything remotely unusual. Okay, I'm clearly not psychic, which some would say explains it, but it's quite depressing being a student of folklore (British folklore in particular), only to wander this country and, when you visit stone circles, being more concerned where there are cow-pats than where there are spirits, or when you seek out some mythical woodland grove, finding yourself transfixed by the sight of a used condom rather than any sensation of mystery. The weird screams that assail our neighbourhood on a nightly basis are clearly this new generation of belligerent foxes, not banshees. The rattling in my mum's neighbour's roof - sadly, because he really bugs me - was not a ghost, but a squirrel. I guess this is why I'm simply not impressed by mediums. I've seen so little conclusive proof of the supernatural, even though I've searched long and hard for it, and have seen so many charlatans who make a good living despite this, that I can't fail but be very cynical and very, very skeptical. That said, offer me some evidence and I'll analyse it eagerly. I always live in hope. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.72 |
Zed - I started the research in 1998 as a premable to a short story and became engulfed with the idea for a mammoth book. Working title: The Lost Companion I've interviewed quite a few people on the subject, and must admit that for all my doubts, those that I spoke to are as far removed the TV charlatans as one can get. Maybe I'll put up some of the experiences I had for people to read, if anybody's interested. I mean, not my experiences, but what I learned from those I interviewed. The research was long, and obviously conducted slowly, but what I gathered was clearly food for late-night thought. It fascinated me to my very core, for want of sounding dramatic. I don't believe in an afterlife, or ghosts, yet I have doubts as to what I was being told, not in the sense that I dismissed it, that I felt drawn into the idea that I couldn't explain away some of the testimony. One group I had been looking for, kind of a refuge for traumatized mediums, turned out to be living in a grand old house two doors away from the place I was working. BUT, alas, they were completely closed to almost any kind of contact. I had laughably been under the impression the house mentioned was some sort of nunnery! Anyway, I'm rambling again. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Here we go again... all experience is shared, there is no such thing as individualism, the cosmos is composed of one vast super-consciousness that purposefully (or perhaps insanely) fragmented into the illusion of infinite separate viewpoints of reality (not always conscious). When you accept that basic fact (and for me it is as obvious as the nose on your face) then questions like "is there an afterlife" or "do you believe in ghosts" or "is there a spirit world" or "are there higher planes of sentient existence beyond our understanding" become all rather passé. The great thing is, as people like Jung & Huxley brilliantly articulated, we are all able to tap into that original well of shared experience by breaking through the "doors of perception" and shaking off the shackles of our tunnel vision linear view of what is really going on all around us, inside us and throughout us. Get there and nothing can harm you anymore... just ask your local yogi. | ||
| Paul_finch (Paul_finch) Username: Paul_finch Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 92.10.170.156 |
So are there ghosts, or not? | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.17.252.126 |
It depends on how you define "ghosts" and how narrow (or focused) your view of reality is... we make our own ghosts. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.143.133.86 |
Steve - you're right. This is my view of the universe too. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.143.133.86 |
I liked that Joe Swash Busts Ghosts or whatever it was called. The recordings in the Edinburgh dungeon were spinechilling and utterly convincing. Liked the Danny Dyer Looks for UFOs, too. The culmination of his search was just phenomenal and needs looking into. Mystic telly. Honest - these programmes happened. I'm not making them up. | ||
| Paul_finch (Paul_finch) Username: Paul_finch Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 92.10.170.156 |
Well, I've only ever had a tenuous grasp of reality. As those who know me will attest. But still ... no ghosts. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.143.133.86 |
I'm happy to believe in stories people I trust have told me. | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.74 |
To be honest, my problem with supposed contacts with the afterlife is the sheer banality of the communications received. The dead all seem to speak with the same voice, and don't they ever make jokes? | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.155.202.224 |
I remember this story by Michael Crichton. He said when he climbed Kilimanjaro all these other people who had climbed it came down looking quite flat and unenthusiastic. He was shocked, but when he got to the top he came down with the same look, even though he had experienced great awe. He just hadn't been able to put it into words, and even more felt no need to. Actually, another story about Crichton had him visit - anonymously - several private mediums in London. He was entirely convinced by them even though he hadn't expected such a thing at all. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.155.202.224 |
Have you seen or felt the presence in your house again, Ramsey, btw? | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.74 |
Not recently, I fear! We wait for any guests to come down white-haired in the morning. Nobody on this board has... | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.23.20.11 |
Simon Maginn made a good point to me recently. He wondered why ghosts tend to appear fully dressed. Do socks, he speculated, have an afterlife, too? | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.155.202.224 |
I think ghosts appear as they used to be seen - and because they feel so close to their clothes they take them with them. Everything has an energy field. Even though I believe in them I know his sounds daft. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.23.20.11 |
I disagree. I saw the ghost of Julius Caesar the other night. Man, has he moved with the times. Baseball cap pointed backwards. Sneakers. Skateboard pads. He was a dude. He came, he went, he accessorised. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.55 |
No, that was the ghost of Adam West going to a fancy dress party. I know he's not dead yet, but ghosts can time travel. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Weber, you really frightened me there! Adam West is one of my all-time heroes... a giant amongst men. |