Recent antics of TAPS/GH/GHI

[not daSkeptic]

I see that discussions of TAPS and their exploits are not exactly rare around here. A good thing, in my opinion. I decided to post here so as to spread the word about some of their recent activity which has been generating a bit of a buzz on the official Ghost Hunters forums (before the threads are deleted that is).

I must apologize for the length of the text that follows, but as a new member here I am presently unable to post links to the information as documented elsewhere. Let me just say that it can be found on BlogSpot under the same name as myself here (daskeptic).

A few days ago, Brian, the moderator of the aforementioned forums, received word from his superiors at Sci Fi that he was losing his status as a moderator owing to a complaint by cast members about his actions at a convention. His side of the story is naturally quite different, that he had asked perfectly reasonable questions and caused no trouble. In response, he posted an open letter calling on Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson to explain themselves. Seemingly wasting no time, the two replied (individually), each claiming to have little memory of who he was and rejecting any notion of responsibility for his firing. Sensing a bit of a contradiction, Brian wrote back to his supervisor at Sci Fi asking why he was getting two different stories. His query was ignored, but it was suggested he might receive further action (his entire forum account deleted) if he "created problems." It also appears Sci Fi was not supposed to tell Brian why he was losing his moderator status and is unhappy about the matter being publicized.

I submit this data for everyone's review and discussion. I am eager to hear what others make of it. If there is some means by which I can get the corroborating links to everyone I would be more than happy to do so.

[Jonquill]

This forum?

http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?showforum=70

[Achán hiNidráne]

So let me see if I get this straight...


Skeptical Moderator asks the plumbers (Come on people, that's all these knuckle-draggers really are!) some tough questions.
Plumbers get angry and cry like an pair of overgrown babies to SciFi.
SciFi tells Skeptical Moderator that he was being fired because the plumbers were upset by his questions.
When asked, the plumbers claim that they don't know a gosh darn thing about it.

Hmmmm... you're right. Someone IS lying. My guess it's numbskulls who should be snaking out crap out from a toilet in Marrietta rather than playing scientist on TV.

[not daSkeptic]

This forum?

[address snipped]

Yes, the thread is entitled "Just in case anyone missed it......"

[not daSkeptic]

So let me see if I get this straight...


Skeptical Moderator asks the plumbers (Come on people, that's all these knuckle-draggers really are!) some tough questions.
Plumbers get angry and cry like an pair of overgrown babies to SciFi.
SciFi tells Skeptical Moderator that he was being fired because the plumbers were upset by his questions.
When asked, the plumbers claim that they don't know a gosh darn thing about it.

Hmmmm... you're right. Someone IS lying. My guess it's numbskulls who should be snaking out crap out from a toilet in Marrietta rather than playing scientist on TV.

Yeah, that's pretty much the story.

I agree about the false image of these individuals. Playing with gadgets and saying the word "debunk" every five minutes does not a scientist make. There's an important set of philosophies and principles of which the pseudoscience and pop-science crowds seem ignorant. Of course I'm sure I'm just echoing Carl Sagan and others in this rant ..... sorry. :)

[Jackalgirl]

I wonder if SciFi uses the phrase "Cast Member" like Disney does -- in that everyone involved in the show is called a "Cast Member". If that's the case, could it be possible that some lesser show peon got offended and pulled a Jane Goodall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Larson#The_Far_Side) on the TAPS guys?

Not that I don't think these guys are leading the competition for runner-up to the Biggest Douchebag in the Universe Award, but still, the original message did not specifically name them as the "cast members" making the complaint...

[not daSkeptic]

I wonder if SciFi uses the phrase "Cast Member" like Disney does -- in that everyone involved in the show is called a "Cast Member". If that's the case, could it be possible that some lesser show peon got offended and pulled a Jane Goodall on the TAPS guys?

This is a good question and one I considered in my blog. There are a couple of interesting points one could raise.

First, in his response to the allegation, Jason Hawes says, "If we wanted him gone he would have been banned not just demoted." This would seem to be an admission that TAPS is not above taking (or even exceeding) the sort of action of which they are being accused.

Second, assuming he and Grant Wilson are indeed innocent in all of this, are they not concerned about attacks against their reputation on the official website of the television show in which they star? Would they not want to find out why Sci Fi representatives are attributing possibly untrue and damaging things in their direction, even if not directly to them?

[MaryCBW]

Attempt to read the "not actors" thread. Before you try, be sure to place a pillow on your desk. The pillow will keep people from asking about the bruises caused by constantly banging your head on the desk.
Any thread about Moss Beach is a trip.
I have not been to the official GH/TAPS site lately. I try to just read what the loonies are saying without commenting. I like to lurk and any comment that upsets the true believers can get pulled and the poster can be locked out of the forums. The ban means no posting or reading.

[MaryCBW]

Oh my word, I did not get at first that you were talking about Chop1.
Dang. Guess I have to join myspace again and actually remember the
name and password. He's the only one who manages to keep the true
believers and skeptics from killing each other.
I gotta get caught up now.
TTFN

[Cainkane1]

I enjoy watching this program because they go to neat places like Chillingham castle and castle Bathory not to mention some pretty neat prisons, hotels and quaint homes including victorian style manors. Ghosts? nah but the places they go to are neat. Ooh and I forgot to mention the ships and lighthouses.

[Alareth]

I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled something like this. Look at that crap they did to get RemieV kicked from the Dragon*Con panel.

[MaryCBW]

daSceptic:
That thread just went "poof".
Did you happen to screen grab it?

[Minarvia]

daSceptic:
That thread just went "poof".
Did you happen to screen grab it?

Yeah, I went to find it and no thread by that name exists. :( I'm not surprised that it went up in smoke.

[not daSkeptic]

Yeah, people have tried recreating the thread and it keeps being deleted. Perhaps Sci Fi has some issue with the subject matter.

As for screenshots, no, sorry. However, one of my blogs has the details (including a link to chop1's MySpace). The address is in the contact-info section of my profile here.