A Haunting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| A Haunting | |
|---|---|
 A Haunting logo |
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| Format | Docu-drama |
| Narrated by | Anthony Call |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 43 Minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Discovery Channel |
| Original run | October 28, 2005 – present |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
A Haunting is a television series on Discovery Channel and Discovery Science that, according to its website[1] chronicles the "terrifying true stories of the paranormal told by people who experienced real-life horror tales." It presents the stories of people who believe that they have lived in haunted houses, or have been the victim of a personal haunting.
Contents |
[edit] Format
Each one-hour episode dramatizes ghost stories based on eyewitness events. The show presents these stories through cinematic reenactments of the events along with accounts from the eyewitnesses and investigators themselves. The reenactments depict fantastic events (stigmata, demon attacks, possessions, transmutations, etc.) that are often alluded to by the eyewitnesses during interview segments. However, witnesses rarely specifically mention the events that are shown making it unclear if these events are inventions of the production team, or if they are supposed to represent actual aspects of the story that are simply not explicitly discussed. The series showcases only supernatural events that many viewers would find disturbing and terrifying.
The show began as two feature-length specials ("A Haunting in Connecticut" and "A Haunting in Georgia") developed by Allison Erkelens, who also served as head writer. The specials were executive produced by Tom Naughton and Nicolas Valcour for New Dominion Pictures. Based on strong ratings, "A Haunting" became a one-hour series on The Discovery Channel produced by Larry Silverman. Executive Producer for Discovery Channel was Jack E. Smith, supported by Assistant Producer Mark Johnston for season 1 and David J. Smolar for the remainder of the series. These 'Ghost Operas', as they have become known as, have become a huge hit in college towns across the nation, and have re-sparked interest in hauntings in college towns in the Mid West.[citation needed]
[edit] Episode Format
A narrator presents the story of a haunting via dramatic reenactments and interviews with eyewitnesses and investigators.
Episodes have featured:
- Apparitions
- Poltergeist activity
- Visions
- Unexplained sounds
- Possessed or controlled individuals
- Demonic activity
- Christian faith-based solutions
Episodes typically conclude with the haunting resolved via home exorcism, home blessing, or people leaving it. Summerwind, an alleged haunted house, was destroyed in a violent lightning storm, after the people who had it left that property.
[edit] Criticism
The show is presented entirely from the point of view of the eyewitnesses, with no investigation into alternate explanations. Skeptical experts are not invited to explain the events in naturalistic terms. The investigators brought in appear to believe in the supernatural accounts from the start and might even have a conflict of interest. In addition, the hosting of the show by the Discovery Channel lends an air of authenticity to the show it would not possess were it to be broadcast on another network.
It should also be noted that episodes have been shown where video evidence of paranormal activity was recorded. Subsequently, rather than show the original footage the show merely reenacts the supposed recordings. The choice to do this remains unexplained, but nevertheless raises serious doubts concerning the reliability of the accounts that the series documents.
Some of A Haunting's episodes show Wicca[citation needed] and witchcraft causing the hauntings, but some show Wicca being used to stop them. This makes many people[who?] doubt the reality of certain episodes or the series in general.
[edit] Episode Guide
The show has aired 4 seasons.
