Interview: Behind the Scenes of "The Haunted"

11/25/2009

Such Haunting Questions

Did you catch that first episode of "The Haunted"? If you're curious about the paranormal, you'll want to check out this Sunday's tale for more intrigue about animals. It's safe to say you'll be doing a lot of wondering and second-guessing as the series unveils new mysteries each week -- and you'll look at animals, from pets to wildlife, with new eyes.

Seeking some added 4-1-1, The Mole recently interviewed two of the show's producers about what goes into "The Haunted." George Plamondon and Betsy Schechter were glad to share their insights:

Where did the idea for this intriguing series originate?

We produce other shows in the paranormal genre, and have long been aware of the notion that animals are more sensitive to spirits than humans. That idea became a great launching point for this series. As we looked into it further and talked with paranormal teams across the country, we discovered many amazing stories of people and their animals being affected by spirits.

Have both of you always been interested in the paranormal?

We're interested in exploring, and in telling good stories--and the idea of the "unknown" often delivers in that pursuit. The real drama in these shows comes from personal stories of paranormal experiences, and how lives have been affected.

Why do you think that people are so fascinated by the unexplained, especially as it relates to animals?

People are intrigued with things they can't explain. If one is open to the possibility of the paranormal or some sort of other dimension, then shows like this are entertaining. People do tend to have a trust that their animals can sense things that they cannot, which makes "The Haunted" work all the better.

The series illustrates how animals respond to what seems to be the presence of spirits. Did you find that any animal species is more in tune than others?

In the show, many different kinds of animals have allegedly sensed spirits--dogs, cats, horses, rabbits. As dogs and cats are more common house pets, we certainly hear most of those stories. 

Please talk a little about some of the story lines in the episodes.

One of the things that always fascinates us is the historic references in the show. For instance, in the episode titled "Murder at the Black Horse," (airs this Sunday) both the paranormal team and the family that owned a historic tavern came to the conclusion that the ghost haunting the building was a former mobster. We also have an episode in which a possession takes place, and a priest has to be called in to help. Another includes a story of a building which used to be both an insane asylum and an animal testing lab.

There must be hundreds, if not thousands,of incidents like the ones we'll see this season. How did you determine which stories to feature for Animal Planet viewers?

The most fascinating have both animal experiences and human drama. And compelling paranormal evidence is something that always adds to the intrigue.

An episode description that made me laugh was the one about the screeching of monkeys terrorizing a candle shop. Such a tranquil place, bedeviled by something so unbelievable.

"Curse of the Candle Shoppe" is a great story. The owner was having frightening experiences that were affecting her new business. Through historical research and a paranormal team's investigation, the owner and her husband uncovered some truly dramatic revelations about their building.

In shooting these stories, did any of your production crew members get at all freaked out?

We didn't have anyone leave the show because of paranormal experiences, but we did have some crew members who claim to have been mysteriously touched and heard disembodied voices. Most of these people have worked on a number of episodes of paranormal shows and are generally skeptical. So it's interesting if someone [like that] experiences something!

What surprised you most about the subject matter as you were putting this show together?

It's usually how much families' lives are affected by the hauntings--it's always dramatic!

Which story was the most challenging to illustrate?

Probably the one which involves rabbits. They're trickier to work with than dogs!

What do you hope viewers will learn from watching "The Haunted"?

We really just hope that people will find the show compelling and entertaining. These are some great ghost stories, with real human and animal drama.

George and Betsy, thanks so much for sharing the details behind your new series. We'll be looking forward to more of these mysterious tales every Sunday at 10 p.m.

Comments

[justin]

Are these stories real or fabricated? i watched a couple of the shows and i must say they seem very real. I guess I am a skeptic and it wouldnt surprise me if these were spoofed.

[Jenny Stewart]

They are very real! My team was featured on an episode and nothing was fabricated!

[S Levick]

I just saw my first episode of The Haunted. It was the "Demon House" episode. While the show was entertaining it was just a bit frustrating. With all the video cameras rolling you would think they would have live footage of blood that suddenly appeared or the Yorkie being taken over by a spirit. Yet like every other show they show the benign footage and then cut to recreations when really THOSE are the shots they should show! Are we to believe people video everything right up to then and shut off the camera? When you run real footage yet cut to recreations it makes many viewers believe the real footage simply did not contain anything and so you had to make things up.

[Cathy]

I recorded one episode that I watched last night. The owner was a retired cop, and his wife kept horses and a dog. The dog had a seizure out of the blue, then a very healthy horse died and the Vet could not find an explanation, and then a young horse had a seizure and just up and died. So they bought two new kittens, and one of them had a seizure and died, and the second one died shortly there after, and then another horse. I would be horrified and it was obvious it was something evil in that barn. They all heard voices of one another, and the barn door which was very heavy closed extremely fast while the hubby was in the barn. So in comes PPA. They did not get alot of evidence but did hear heavy footsteps in the loft. What bothers me was some psychic came in, and said it was just spirits and she felt all the animals died of natural causes. That is a CROCK yet they took her word? Why didnt get they get someone in there to do a blessing or cleansing? This episode angered me, cause a few PI people and a psychic didnt REALLY pay attention to the issues at hand. What killed those once healthy animals, EVIL? I did like the ending where the woman noticed two crosses on the barn which she felt was an angel. Bottom line, animals dont just up and die, one after the other when there is paranormal activity at the same time. I love the show, but to be honest, was NOT impressed with team of investigators ugh.

[Devven]

"The Haunted" is the best paranormal show out there today in my book. I'm a little p.o'd tonite though cause I've been watching it each Sat nite @ 10 for the past few weeks then, after looking fwd to it all day I turn on AP only to find that stupid PIT BOSS show on, What gives? I see Haunted is on tomorrow, looks like reruns.

[Cobie]

I agree with Cathy from the post 2-06-10.
I was furious at that women who said she was Psychic...which I question… and told them the animals died of natural causes. Give me a break! There are some real good animal intuitives out there, she wasn’t one of them.
It is the responsibility of the living to protect the animals in their care. I don't care if it is from seen or unseen forces.
I'm glad there are all of these shows on TV right now about this topic. Maybe it will educate folks not to be scared of the unseen Not all ghost or disembodied energies are bad, mean or evil. But some are.
Bullies in life makes bullies in the after life. They don’t just change because they are dead and don’t have bodies. They are bullies that is all!
You have to tell the bullies to get out, leave your animals alone and do it now!
I had something unseen tormenting my animal babies one time. The you know what hit the fan and I stood up to it and got it out ASAP. These energies feed on your fear. Don't be afraid and get them out and get it done if they are hurting your animals.
There comes a point where attempting to communicate with them is pointless. Stop playing around with them and giving them power. If they are scaring or hurting the animals they have to go.
I’ve done many clearings and you can not let fear get the best of you. Stand your ground. If you can’t get someone there that can. Don’t be afraid. Do something to stop it.

[Glen B.]

In the episode, "The Possession of Cassie," I would like to know where the house is located, & if it is still standing?

[Sam]

I saw a few episodes last night for the first time.

Murder at the Black Horse was definitely a fun episode to watch.
Especially when that little machine said "steps". The basement itself was scary enough but that part was just the icing on the creepy cake.

[C. Reidy]

@ S. Levick... whatever is in that house doesn't want to be found out or brought to light... whatever it is has been bringing evil to that general area for a very long time.

All you have to do is enter the house to know something is not right. Jay and Elke have made a lovely home that should be warm and inviting. The air in the home is as still as still can be and there is a deep sadness to the house.

Much of the story wasn't shared which surprised me, they just touched on the surface of what is going on. The family has still not found peace.

[world at war movie]

are these shows real? or are they fake?

[leanspa]

i missed the haunted. i wish it was still on. are the episodes available on dvd?

[leanspa]

I actually saw this show and i liked it. Its worth watching.

[steven (junior ghost hunter)]

Is it real though

[max pump]

I heard this was fake. In my opinion it looks fake.

[Eric]

I would like to know if the people that worked on A Haunting on A&E now work on this show. There are so many similarities in how it is produced and how the stories are told. Even the music sounds similar. Loved that show. I don't know why they ever took it off the air. Even with all the new paranormal shows I still think its the best.

[illumibrite]

Those paranormal shows scare me, but they interest me.

[crowd conversion review]

I heard some rumors about this being fake. I thought I'd watch it to see for myself.

[rejuv cream]

Looks fake. I would have to see it for myself.

[rainey day]

It all looks and seems pretty realistic and I enjoy the stories. My issue is with Episode 11 The Demonic Seduction where Ed and his wife are haunted by a succubus. There is a scene that is filmed at night while Ed and his wife are in bed where you see a candelabra slide across a table toward a struggling Ed who is tossing about in his bed. I have watched the video over and over and it really looks as if Ed extends his arm as the candelabra moves. This coordinates so well that it appears to me that he is pulling a wire/string/threat/fishing line in a motion going away from him toward his wife, which is the exact same direction in which the candelabra moves. I think this was faked. A bit of felt of the bottom of the candelabra, a fairly smooth surface, and a wire is all it would take to move the candelabra even if it is heavy. It really throws a serious doubt on the rest of the story's validity because I question the credibility of Ed after seeing the video shot in his bedroom. It would be a shame if the rest of the story was accurate and a faked video ruined its believability.

[skinny fiber]

Sounds completely fake, but then again i would have to find out for myself.

[hcg drops]

Wow, I would love to go see that.

[south beach java]

I would have to see it to belive it. Sounds like a show that was just made up for ratings.

[south beach coffee diet]

I don't think that stuff is true. I would have to watch it for myself.

[south beach diet coffee]

That paranormal stuff doesn't catch my eye. It sounds like a bunch of lies.

[Emma]

The only episode i see that looks fake is "Leave House" . the "evidence captured" in that episode looked way too fake.