This time of the year, the prime-time shows go into a repeat pattern and a lot of reality shows wind down. It’s because people tend to be very caught up in the holidays and end of year activities and don’t watch TV as much. Yes, we just started a new season of Secret Millionaire and Top Chef 5, but not much else is happening in the world of reality TV for the next couple of weeks.

But not to worry, there’s a whole new batch of reality series heading our way and here’s the line-up that I have so far:

2008-2009 - Premiere Dates Announced:

• Intervention [A&E, Dec. 15 at 10, Mondays at 9]
• Momma’s Boys [NBC, Dec. 16 at 10, Mondays at 9 but 10 p.m. as of Jan. 5]
• Smile You’re Under Arrest [Fox Reality, Dec. 27, Saturdays at 7]
• Bromance [MTV, Dec. 29, Mondays at 9] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Countdown to the Crown [TLC, Jan. 2, Fridays at 10]
• Confessions of a Teen Idol [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 8] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Superstar Dancers of the World/Superstars of Dance [NBC, Sunday, Jan. 4 at 9, Mondays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• The Bachelor 13 [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 8]
• True Beauty [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10]
• DietTribe [Lifetime, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Biggest Loser 6 [NBC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Homeland Security USA [ABC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8]
• 13: Fear is Real [The CW, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Real World Brooklyn [MTV, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 10] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Tool Academy [VH1, Jan. 11, Sundays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• High School Reunion 5 [TV Land, Feb. 18, Wednesdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call [SoapNet, Jan. 8, Thursdays at 11]
• American Idol 8 [Fox, Jan. 13, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
• I Love Money 2 [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Hell’s Kitchen 5 [Fox, Jan. 29, Thursdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Around the World for Free [WGN America, January]
• Chris & John to the Rescue! [Logo, January]
• Gone Country 3 [CMT, January 2009]
• Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, January 2009] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Exterminators [A&E, Feb. 4, Wednesdays at 10:30]
• Jockeys [Animal Planet, Feb. 6]
• Wingman [Fine Living, Feb. 10, Tuesdays at 9]
• Survivor 18 [CBS, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Millionaire Matchmaker [Bravo, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Amazing Race 14 [CBS, Feb. 15, Sundays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Celebrity Apprentice 2 [NBC, March 1, Sundays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Dancing with the Stars 8 [ABC, March 9, Mondays at 8, Tuesdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Running in Heels [Style, March 2009]

2009 - Premiere Date TBD

• Blonde Charity Mafia [Lifetime]
• The City [MTV, first quarter 2009] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Cougar [TV Land, spring]
• Creature [Animal Planet]
• Dance Your Ass Off [Oxygen] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Ghost Hunters [Sci Fi]
• How’d You Get So Rich? [TV Land]
• Jingles [CBS]
• Untitled Larry Birkhead series [E!, 2009]
• Lock ‘N Load [Showtime, 2009]
• Make Me a Supermodel 2 [Bravo] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Make My Day [TV Land]
• The Phone [MTV] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Real Housewives of New York City [Bravo] - watch for coverage on BravoFan.com
• RuPaul’s Drag Race [Logo]
• Shark Taggers [NBC]
• Solitary 3 [FOX Reality] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Southern Belles [SoapNet]
• Swords [NBC, summer]
• Toddlers and Tiaras [TLC]
• Tough Love [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Untitled Megan Houserman dating show - [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• When Women Rule the World [FOX, future uncertain]

Keep coming back here for all the reality TV news!

You might be as surprised as I was to find out that the Ghost Hunters were paranormal investigators before they became plumbers. I don’t know why, but I had assumed it was the other way around…

Anyway, they were guests on The View today and told the women all about the difference between paranormal events and hauntings, the definitions of incubus & succubus, and what they find most of the time on their investigations. This was fascinating:

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation

Tonight’s show is a full, live 6 hours of investigation by Grant Wilson & Jason Hawes and the team. They’ll be investigating the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. The last time they were there, they had some really impressive and unexplainable phenomena occur. Let’s hope we get to see some more of that tonight.

Also, next week the show will give us the results from tonight’s investigation. They’ll have to pour over six hours of video and audio from multiple sources to find any phenomena to show on the program. So be sure to watch and check back here for the recap.

The team started on the second floor where they had the most impressive things happen in their previous time investigating the place. They brought balls because there is supposedly a small boy that still plays there and has been known to roll the balls around that people bring in. They placed the ball and marked where it was placed so they could see if it was moved at all. (follow the jump for lots more!)
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On Monday evening, fellow Spekked blogger, Jonathan of Supernatural Scoop and I went to see the leaders of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson speak at the main public library in downtown St. Louis.

No one expected the throngs of people that would show up to see the Ghost Hunters speak. In fact nearly 1200 people showed up for a venue that comfortably could hold about 300 or so.

We stood in lines that were incredibly long, in spite of the fact that we got there over an hour early. (Next time, we will definitely take our press credentials with us…geez! Who knew?) Anyway, we ended up in this overflow room in the standing room only part at the back and barely made it in at all. We were told that over 700 people were turned away.

The Ghost Hunters have some major fans!! Here are some photos of what we got to see:

(continued after the jump)

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Recently, Jason and Grant took TAPS to Ireland for a couple of investigations. Apparently, the European investigations were so well received that there will soon be a new version of the Ghost Hunters show that investigates internationally. Here’s an excerpt from SciFi’s announcement:

Building on the tremendous success of the hit reality series Ghost Hunters, SCI FI Channel has greenlit Ghost Hunters International, following the adventures of a new team of skeptical paranormal investigators as they travel all over Europe, applying their principles of scientific debunking to some of the continent’s most legendary haunted spots. Ghost Hunters International is slated to debut on SCI FI in January 2008.

Like their U.S. counterpart, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), Ghost Hunters International is a squad of real-life “ghost-busters” - ordinary people who investigate and attempt to debunk claims of otherworldly activity. The new team will travel to different European cities each week in pursuit of the truth behind bizarre supernatural claims.

Comprised of veteran TAPS investigators Robb Demarest, Andy Andrews, Brian Harnois, and Donna La Croix, along with Barry Fitzgerald (memorable from the Ghost Hunters’ legendary investigations in Ireland) and newcomer Shannon Sylvia, the Ghost Hunters International crew is primed to uncover some of the most startling paranormal evidence yet!

I can’t wait to see what the new team is like and what places they investigate! And don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted on things as they develop.

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation

Get ready for another fabulous Halloween with the Ghost Hunters! This year, they do it in prime time! Here’s a bit from today’s press release:

SCI FI’s pulling out all the stops this October with wall-to-wall Halloween programming including the second annual Ghost Hunters Live — this year in prime time — and the Channel’s 13 Days of Halloween marathon! The 2007 Ghost Hunters Live investigation will take place on All Hallows Eve from 9pm-3am at the notoriously haunted Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. New episodes of Ghost Hunters return to SCI FI on Wednesday, September 26 at 9pm ET/PT.

In October 2004, SCI FI introduced Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson—plumbers by day, Ghost Hunters by night! Jason and Grant head up TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), a close-knit organization of volunteer paranormal researchers–ordinary people who investigate and attempt to debunk claims of otherworldly activity. These self-proclaimed skeptics have managed to expose some of the most frighteningly compelling evidence of paranormal phenomenon ever seen on television.

Be sure to set your TiVo and then watch with me. I’ll be blogging it live!

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation

The thing that I always liked about Most Haunted was the fact that they not only bring in their equipment, meters and cameras to investigate hauntings, but they combine it with the work of a psychic medium too. It just always seems to be more of a complete investigation to me then the Ghost Hunters.

But I think the Ghost Hunters are on the right track now. Tonight, they will bring a psychic medium with them on their investigation. Here’s the announcement they just published:

A PARANORMAL CROSSOVER….
Ghost Hunters meets Dead Famous!

Jason, Grant and the TAPS gang teams up with psychic sensitive Chris Fleming in the ALL NEW episode airing Wednesday July 18th!

Tune into the Sci-Fi channel and set your DVRs. This is going to be a great show!

Be sure to tune in! This should be extra fun!

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation

Reality TV fans, get ready for another great summer of reality TV! This summer looks like it will be full of great shows and some interesting new series. Check out the ones that have already been announced:

On the Lot (premiered Tuesday, May 22 at 9PM ET/PT and Thursday, May 24 at 9PM ET/PT on Fox)

The Academy (premieres Thursday, May 24 at 8PM ET/PT on FOX Reality)

5 Takes: Latin America (premieres Saturday, June 2 at 10Pm ET on Travel Channel)

Criss Angel: Mindfreak (premieres Tuesday, June 5 at 10PM ET/PT on A&E)

So You Think You Can Dance 3 (premieres Thursday, May 24 at 8PM ET/PT and Wednesday, May 30 at 8PM ET/PT on Fox)

Big Brother 8 (premieres Thursday, July 5 on CBS)

Ghost Hunters (premieres Wednesday, June 6 on SciFi)

The Simple Life Goes to Camp (premieres Monday, May 28 at 10PM ET/PT on E!)

The Next Food Network Star (premieres Sunday, June 3 at 10PM ET/PT on Food Network)

The Next Best Thing (premieres Wednesday, May 30 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC)

Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas (premieres Wednesday, May 30 at 10ET/PT on MTV)

Pirate Masters (premieres Thursday, May 31 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS)

Hell’s Kitchen 3 (premieres Monday, June 4 at 9PM ET/PT on Fox)

America’s Got Talent 2 (premieres Tuesday, June 5 at 9PM ET/PT on NBC)

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (premieres Tuesday, June 5 at 10PM ET/PT on Bravo)

American Inventor 2 (premieres Wednesday, June 6 at 9PM ET/PT on ABC)

Last Comic Standing 5 (premieres Wednesday, June 13 at 9PM ET/PT on NBC)

Top Chef 3: Miami (premieres Wednesday, June 13 at 10PM ET/PT on Bravo)

Age of Love (premieres Monday, June 18 at 10PM ET/PT on NBC)

Shaq’s Big Challenge (premieres Tuesday, June 26 at 9PM ET/PT on ABC)

Hey Paula (premieres Thursday, June 28 on BRAVO)

HGTV Design Star 2 (premieres Sunday, July 22 at 10PM ET/PT)

Solitary 2.0 (premieres August 11 on FOX Reality)

The Biggest Loser (premieres August 21 on NBC)

Who Wants to be a Superhero 2 (premieres Wednesday, July 25 at 9PM ET/PT on Sci Fi Channel)

Reality TV, TV, Television

Those of us who are fans of the Ghost Hunters will be thrilled to find out that they can audition to join the crew! They have posted a teaser on the SciFi Channel’s Ghost Hunters page to tell us that we can check back on June 6 for the complete details about how to audition.

Here’s the banner they have on the site. I plan to try out myself, so you better bring it! I’ll post the details as soon as they are announced.

If you are interested in the Ghost Hunters, check it out on the SciFi channel. Or, you can find out more about the TAPS team on their oficial web site.

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation

Fans of Ghost Hunters need to be sure to tune in and listen to Jason and Grant weekly on the radio beginning tonight. Here’s their announcement:

Starting tonight at 8 ET, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson will begin a weekly radio show on WPRO630. They will be live every Saturday night from 8-10pm. The name of the show is Beyond Reality radio and I hope everyone tuns in to hear those crazy ghost hunters as they embark on a new adventure.

www.BeyondRealityRadio.com is the web site for the show and also has a Link to the radio station, 630WPRO.com.

If you are interested in the Ghost Hunters, check it out on the SciFi channel. Or, you can find out more about the TAPS team on their oficial web site.

ghost hunters, Reality TV, reality-tv, ghost, paranormal, haunted, paranormal investigation