Plumbers by day...

I have been watching a new show on the Scifi Channel, the one about the men who are plumbers by day and ghost hunters by night and was wondering: besides getting paid to do the show, do the get paid to investigate the hauntings or is it just a hobby? If it is the former I would reeeeally love to quit my job and become a paranormal investigator. Anyone care to join me?

This is just a guess but from what I've seen of a few episodes, they're not receiving cash by the boatload to do the show. One of the guys had a little bit of a falling out with the Mrs. because she said it was affecting his job, his family and something has got to change. Another on the team actually lost his job but when interviewed it sounded like he was slacking there. Now, I don't know if they'll be 'compensated' should they actually lose there job, who knows? In any case, the show provides ample equipment for the weekenders. Have you seen the tech they have on the show? The PC's, the IR camera, etc. Who cares about the ghosts, I just want to see more of the equipment.

Meph, I'd say if you hate your current line of work and there seems to be no end in sight, I'd look for something better suited. Ghost hunting is probably best left as a hobby unless it does kick up as a salary with benefits position. Reminds me of acting.

I have mixed feelings on the show itself, but will watch with a cautious eye.

Springer and I are hooked on this show now. We too view it with a watchful eye, but for sheer entertainment and just see if it pans out to be the real deal makes it worth watching.

You're right...it's a trip watching a bunch of Roto-Rooter guys. One of the things I appreciate so far is that the two head guys seem to go in with the intention of debunking the situation.

It's very interesting.

I discovered this show last wednesday when they had back to back episodes of it, pretty cool. The entire crew is pretty funny, and I especially enjoy the plumbing moments when they discuss their mission while on the job. So far the most freakiest moment has to be the shadow figure in the jail hallways, that seemed pretty real to me, oh and that moving chair in the lighthouse was freaky too.

or does the show remind anyone else of Super Mario Brothers? Two plumbers, haunted castle, ghosts, etc. I'm waiting for the turtles with wings to come along to stop them from saving the princess.

Seriously and sadly I'm hooked too. My fav. was when they got the audio recordings in the New England house that said "May I come in?" and "They don't want us here". The owner burst into tears feeling bad that she was trying to rid the place of them.

I just watched it this weekend. They had a marathon of them.
I think it was Friday night. I saw the lighthouse one where the
chair moved. We also watched the one about the old prison in
Philadelphia. The guy with the cape just seemed to materialize
out of thin air and then he ran away FAST down the dark hall
of the prison.

Interesting stuff. They sure pick on that one guy ...
Brian I think his name is.

Originally posted by saint4God
they got the audio recordings in the New England house that said "May I come in?" and "They don't want us here". The owner burst into tears feeling bad that she was trying to rid the place of them.

I SAW THAT! I am really interested in EVPs. The voice on the
'they don't want us here' sounded like a little kid. I don't
understand why she burst into tears. Of course she doesn't
want the spooks around ... who does?

Originally posted by worldwatcher
I discovered this show last wednesday when they had back to back episodes of it, pretty cool. The entire crew is pretty funny, and I especially enjoy the plumbing moments when they discuss their mission while on the job.

So far the most freakiest moment has to be the shadow figure in the jail hallways, that seemed pretty real to me, oh and that moving chair in the lighthouse was freaky too.

Yea i saw the jail one! it sent chills up my back! they tryed to debunk it but they couldent!

How about the armory in Conn. I think -- where the photographer was knocked down.... the only thing I don't like about the show is all the back stabbing they do talking about other members.....They HAVE to realize that guy will see the show and know what they are saying.

But it is entertaining.....
jm

Saint4God, I agree that they are probably not being paid a large sum of money to do the show, considering it is relatively new. I also agree that their equipment kicks a!!. As for my job, I don't necessarily hate it; I just don't feel challenged by it. I am a buff-polisher specialist at an architectural hardware company. I sit at a machine eight hours a day (this week eleven) and deburr levers, door knobs, push bars, etc. As for something better suited, yes, that I have found. Two years ago I decided to become a writer and have been developing my craft ever since.

Super Mario bros? That is what I call my brothers: they are attending a technical high school for plumbing and love Ghost Hunters.

Valhall, yes, it is good to see that level of objectivity in the show. It puts those who wish to debunk anything paranormal just for the sake of disbelief in a hard position.

Is the jail house episode the one where two members of TAPS ran down the hall screaming like little girls? Still laughing at that.

Originally posted by Mephorium
Is the jail house episode the one where two members of TAPS ran down the hall screaming like little girls? Still laughing at that.

Yeah that was funny/ But i think they were running from there own shadows!

Originally posted by saint4God
or does the show remind anyone else of Super Mario Brothers? Two plumbers, haunted castle, ghosts, etc. I'm waiting for the turtles with wings to come along to stop them from saving the princess.

HAHA!!!! Originally I was thinking my two childhood favorites, Scooby Doo and Ghostbusters, but now that you mention it.....

Oh but I do love me some Ghosthunters! Reality tv at its finest. Those guys are great, and I hope the show pays off well for them. I don't think they make much money from the actual investigations for the most part, but the show is probably paying well.

I really appreciate the matter-of-fact nature they deal with the paranormal-- Most people are under the impression that anyone interested in such subjects is rather flighty, and they don't get more down to earth than Jason and Grant (I think thats their names).

To Mephorium's original question--
I encourage others to (intelligently and safely) research and demystify the paranormal, but it doesn't seem like a very good financial strategy. At least not in the short-term sense...

Hmm, so it seems one would either need funding from another source or provide the funds themselves. I just thought that there might be some way to reach an equilibrium.

Well if you are interested in exploring this, you could probably tag along with those who are already investigating, but I just wouldn't expect a fat check afterward. Perhaps a better hobby than career? The best jobs always start out as hobbies/interests anyhow.

I've seen a couple of episodes. It's entertaining, but I'm not sure how real it is. What do you think? Are the things they show 'proof' or are they just hoaxes for the camera?

Originally posted by Mephorium
Two years ago I decided to become a writer and have been developing my craft ever since.

Writing is excellent! I've taking a liking to it myself over the last x-amount of years, but alas I think I have a ways to go to reach Adams, Tolkien, Poe, and Hawthrone. Also a tough one to collect a paycheck, but would be interested in reading whether published or not. Maybe you can tie all your interests together somehow.

chiS2000, I don't know if it's faked or not. Things that would support a fake:
1) It's easy to fake
2) It's low budget
3) It's Sci-Fi. Have they done anything 'real' yet?

Things that would support authenticity:
1) They rely heavily on other drama like the car ride there, disagreements between the team and their individual households.
2) They never come up with anything that is conclusive evidence.
3) The reactions of the people when they play the findings.
4) Their work with military service and law enforcement agencies. Why would these two groups want to show how their people are duped into believing something not real?

Just some thoughts...

[edit on 30-11-2004 by saint4God]

I think they do play up the stuff that happens on the show to appeal more to the audience, but one of the things that lend it some credibility is that I actually heard of the TAPS organization before the show came out.

I agree. They have to dramatize the show, any show for that matter, otherwise it would be quite boring. I can't imagine a half hour of Mario and Luigi wandering around in the dark finding nothing.

The mysterious figure in the cape has been exposed as a TAPS-perpetrated hoax. An outside investigator, who analyzed the film, found that there was a guy who creeped along the wall, walked in front of the camera view in crouched position, popped up and started running away.

TAPS exposed

They purposely used a black cape to make it more difficult for the audience to pick up the figure moving into view.

Mod Edit: Shortened link with BB Code to preserve page formatting

[edit on 2-12-2004 by Spectre]

I don't know if I agree. The link to a discussion posed an interesting theory, but I think that will happen whenever someone finds photos/vids of supposed paranormal phenomena online. Just look at all of the threads where someone posts a photo or video on this board alone. There are always several skeptics with theories that could very well be the truth.

My gut says, the TAPS crew is pretty legit. They tend to debunk more cases than they verify. Just my hunch. Anyway an apparition can be identical to a human from what I have heard.

Now stop dissin Mario and Luigi!