I admit it: my family and I are hooked on paranormal investigation shows, a relatively new sub-genre of reality TV that has evolved its own vocabulary and equipment set – EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon), EMF (electromagnetic field) detectors, digital voice recorders, thermal imagers, the mysterious Inductive Probe, a panoply of specialty cameras – as well as its own stars.
Syfy’s veteran Ghost Hunters franchise is headed up by the nonplussed New England Roto Rooter men-turned-investigators Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson; Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab has the brash, beefy, and brainy Klinge brothers from San Antonio; and Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures has the lively Three Amigos from Vegas, Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin.
Each series has its own character and strengths, but Ghost Adventures, which airs Friday nights at 9 on the Travel Channel, is our current top dog on the strength of its often wildly entertaining blend of creepy settings, high production values, serious investigative techniques, impressive background research, and the showbiz bravado of the testosterone trio’s patented “lock downs” — overnight confinement in some of the nation’s most haunted settings.
Ghost Adventures launched its third season in fine style on Halloween ‘09 with a seven-hour live investigation from the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia. Tonight’s episode is centered on a visit to Clovis Wolf Manor, a former sanitarium and convalescent home in Clovis, California.
I recently talked by phone with the show’s founder and figurehead, Zak Bagans, 32.
Hi Zak, my family and I have become paranormal investigation show fanatics and it’s based on you. We love the show - you’re the right combination of serious investigative approach and showman.
Awesome, thank you.
I apologize because I’m sure you’ve gone over it many times, but I’m very interested how all of this came together for you in the first place. I know you’re from Michigan and went to school for documentary filmmaking.
Yes, I was interested in what could be done with the documentary aspects of film, but I never knew I’d be doing it on ghosts! It’s still a shocker to me that I’m doing this but I think it was meant to happen in some weird way. Six years ago I had an experience with a ghost that changed my mind and I couldn’t ignore it, and that served as the catalyst for what I do now.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dawn
What an awesome interview! Zak, Aaron and Nick are always fun to watch - though sometimes scary. I remember last Thanksgiving when we stumbled on that first episode with the hand shadow - we were hooked ever since!
2 - Jessica
Dear Zak I watch your show every Friday.I am ten and I am your biggest fan and when I say biggest I mean biggest.I have always wanted to come on YOUR SHOW.If need any help just tell me and have a very scary,and freaky night,and good luck out there boys,you'll need it and good show.
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks Dawn - it was a lot of fun doing the interview - got a new perspective on Zak and the lads
4 - Kevin
I prefer Ghost Hunters. Ghost Adventures contains a slight frat boy/Ashton Kutcher vibe that's not my thing. But any show is better than Most Haunted.
5 - rosey mary..
THIS IS COOL..
I VERY LIKE GHOST ADVENTURE..
I AM SUPER FANS...
HEI ZACK,AARON AND NICK..
THEY ARE COOLEST GUYS..
I EVER MEET
6 - Eric Olsen
Hey, know what you mean but I LIKE the frat boy angle. I like Ghost Hunters also, but their persistent calm seems a bit contrived in the other direction.
7 - Bruce P/
The paranormal has always interested me and I personally had 2 experiences that still give me the goosebumps just thinking of them.
Zak. Great info on the interview! I remember one of your episodes where a brick (from the ground)came flying across the room. It freaked me out watching it. Keep up the good work and thank you for educating us through your experiences.
8 - Lisa
Hey Zak, I have to tell you i dont miss an episode. You guy's do an awesome job. Keep up the good work. I would love to do what you guy's do. Where do you get the equipment you use?
9 - olivia hernandez
you are my hero. I think it is hard to belive a ghost want in inside of you. I think you are tell the ture. I bevelie that. it was funny you thow mashmellow at Aaron. next time put the candy far way from the heat. Zak Bagans you are the brave man I ever seen and Nick Groff you are the brave man I ever seen. you to Aaron Goodwin you are brave man I seen. you gays are funnist man I seen every time I seen your show I have to watch 20 time. Zak Bagans are you scared of sankes, hights and dolls. Nick Groff are you scared of then thing. Aaron Goodwin are you scared of then thing. where are you going for investigation I got two is my house and the gold field hotel. three of are cute. happy new year, and merry christmas.
10 - Linda Scherer
Ghost Adventures is the best paranormal show on TV. I wish you had a longer season. I think all three investigators are very serious about their work and they seem to get along well. I admire that you are not afraid to show yourselves being startled at times. Aaron amuses me when he gets nervous. He's brave to do something that obviously makes him uneasyat times. Paranormal State is a good show too but Ghost Hunters have gotten too smug. I got tired of hearing them complain about Brian behind his back all of the time. That's not why I watch the show......I don't care to see grown, professional men gossiping about someone who works for them, especially to a TV audience. That is very uncool and they should know better.
11 - Sans
ghost adventures is just so cool i just love it I HAVE NOT MISSED ANY EPISODE AND WATCHED the repeat episode 5 times i love ghosts
12 - Sans
zac i just love this show wow man its just so lovely and my friend finds u so cute i hope once in my life i go for ghost hunting ghosts are damn cute
13 - Lori
Ghost Hunters used to be be my favorite until Ghost Adventures started. I love everything about the show..much more entertaining than GH, I also like your big muscles Zak ;) Keep it up!
14 - Shawn
I really enjoy paranormal shows and Ghost Adventures has grown on me. Here's the thing, though, I have a hard time taking the show completely seriously. I believe possession might be real. There's enough claims out there to see that. But, come on, Zak has been "possessed" twice and Nick once. That's 3 possessions in the shows short lifespan. On the other hand, Ghost Hunters (and GHI) have been on much, much longer and no one has ever been possessed. Also, Ghost Lab (not my fave, but they do the whole "scientific" method, which I do like) didn't have a possession in it's first season. Again, I'm not calling Zak or the GAC liars or phonys, but let's be real, that kind of stuff sells and gets ratings. The show is new-er and still growing a following. This is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Again, I'm a fan of the show, but I'm not convinced it's all legit (and yes, I feel the same about ALL paranormal/ghost shows).
15 - Eric Olsen
good points Shawn, my wife has said some of the same things. I'd love to see some of that excluded footage from the Venice island show
16 - Riddhi Bhanushali
Hey Zac i wanted to know that how you guys be so provokative & tell the so called ghosts or evil spirit so bravely that they are cowards & stuff like that although you know there too much of danger involved in it? I like the connection that you instantly create with these evils.I myself hav seen possessions & also had a quiet terrifying experience with a spirit though it was not evil but I was terrified.I just wanna say congratulations & goodluck & take care of yourself.&yeah i like you so take care
17 - aututm
i am intrested in the paranormal. i watch ghost hunters, ghost adventures and all that stuff.
18 - krystal and asya
im krystal and my 9 yr old asya and i love the show. what a great interview when will there be another? are the guys really laid back or kinda too celebrity?
19 - Eric Olsen
Thanks! I hope we can talk to them again when the new season starts
20 - virginie gautier
Hi! Zac,Nick and Aaron !! I love your show,it's very entertaining!of all the ghost hunters shows i have seen , you're the best so far.you have, for sure,a big fan from France!i can't wait to watch new episodes!go on dudes!do some more for your fans!! bye-bye...
21 - Eric Olsen
and there you have it
22 - rbekah
I thick the ghost adventures is an alsome show and my sister got me started on it and now I just love it,and zak, nick, and aaron are doing a great job and keep it up and good luck and have fun with it .
23 - yanti
oh my god!!!! you all are fantastic!! i love all of your episode...
24 - Eric Olsen
looking forward to the new season in the fall!
25 - rhonda
Ghost Adventures is my favorite paranormal show out of all of them, and I wont even miss a rerun, It blows Ghost Hunters right out of the spirit world! The new season is fantasic. Great interview guys!!!