ghost stories
This Wednesday's episode of "Ghost Hunters" hit pretty close to home. The Rhode Island-based TAPS team headed into Massachusetts once again, and one of their stops was at Bucksteep Manor, atop Mount Washington. Right here in the Berkshires!
The estate was built in 1897 and is now used as a bed and breakfast, and TAPS was called in to investigate claims of apparitions and strange occurrences. As usual, they ended up deciding the place likely isn't haunted.
This would be disappointing -- what, no ghosts, again? -- if that weren't the whole point of the show. Other ghost programs we watch in my house, like the Travel Channel's "Most Haunted," go into these places looking for spirits... and always find them. Something dramatic and creepy always happens, every time. Makes you wonder how much of what they find is real, and how much is created just for the viewing audience.
But The Atlantic Paranormal Society has a different take: They're more interested in debunking. It's the supernatural version of the Discovery Channel's "MythBusters." The gang goes into famous places and private homes alike to check out claims of paranormal activity, and they try to find other explanations for the occurrences.
For example, this week, lead investigators Jason and Grant went into Bucksteep's basement and determined that the girls who reported having their hair gently pulled by an unseen entity were probably really feeling cobwebs tugging on their locks as they passed by, because Grant felt it himself and hunted down the cobwebs.
If they can't explain something, they at least want to catch it on camera or audio. They want proof before they'll declare a haunting, and even when they capture footage or sound, they remain cautious. They go back to the place and check ventilation, outside traffic, stability of furniture, even the plumbing.
It's very rare that TAPS will say, "We think it's haunted." And I respect that.
Incidentally, last Saturday's SNL spoofed "Most Haunted," and Hugh Laurie's portrayal of medium Derek was dead-on. The whole skit, actually -- too funny.