CryptoChannel ‘06

Posted by: Loren Coleman on September 3rd, 2006

Boston Rob

The Sci-Fi Channel’s start date for the new Rob Mariano vehicle will be Wednesday, October 11, 2006. The program “Sci Fi Investigates” will air at 10:00 pm Eastern/9:00 pm Central.

The new reality show will be a six-week series hosted by the “Survivor” and “Amazing Race” alum “Boston Rob” and produced by NBC News Productions. Among the subjects covered will be “Bigfoot,” “Mothman,” “Paranormal Hotspots,” “Roswell Revisited,” “The Afterlife” and “Voodoo.”

Boston Rob

Cryptomundo earlier cautiously mentioned this program on July 14, 2006. As I critiqued it then, the program appears to be taking a skeptical or hostile approach to these subjects, but time will soon tell.

How many new programs will the Sci-Fi Channel be airing in this crypto-Fortean genre?

Malaysia Bigfoot

Josh Gates, the actor and former reality show contestant, as was mentioned here last winter, was in Malaysia filming Bigfoot accounts and footcast discoveries. He was there as the future host of “Destination Truth,” a new television series reportedly to be carried on the Sci-Fi Channel’s fall 2006 lineup.

Malaysia Bigfoot

Are these two different projects? Have they merged into one? What is up with “Destination Truth” and their supposed investigations of the Malaysian Bigfoot and Chupacabras? An inquiring public needs to know.

Meanwhile on the Bigfoot movie front, Sasquatch Mountain premieres on the Sci-Fi Channel on September 9, 2006, at 7:00 pm Eastern/6:00 pm Central, and then again the same night at 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00 pm Central.

Devil on the Mountain

The movie was formerly titled Devil on the Mountain. The never-screened, newly renamed Sasquatch Mountain stars Lance Henriksen, the extremely good actor who has appeared in other Bigfoot motion pictures and perhaps is best known for his role in AVP: Alien vs Predator as millionaire “Charles Bishop Weyland,” in two earlier Alien films as “Bishop,” and in the television series “Millennium” as “Frank Black.”

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.


9 Responses to “CryptoChannel ‘06”

  1. jjames1 responds:

    I’m fairly certain that “Destination Truth” and “Sci Fi Investigates” are, indeed, two separate shows, even though they sound somewhat similar, at least superficially. After looking for the original announcements for each show, they have completely different production staffs.

    However, it appears that “Destination Truth” may have never made it past the pilot stage. I can’t seem to find any reference to the show other than Josh shooting a pilot and/or being in Malaysia. On the other hand, “Sci Fi Investigates” has an official debut date. It’s possible (and probable…) that the Sci Fi channel simply decided not to go forward with “Destination Truth” once they saw what they had in “Sci Fi Investigates.”

  2. skunkape_hunter responds:

    I will be looking for these shows !! Like many who post here I watch the same shows over and over again in an attempt to glean a little bit more info.

    I also do not mind if a show takes a skeptical or hostile approach to the topic. I tend to actually like that better, as it makes me think a bit deeper. It is also fun to watch ‘them’ try to ‘debunk’ the Patterson film. Once I saw a good copy of that film and it became apparent that there were muscles moving under the skin; that is all she wrote as far as I am concerned.

    So I say bring it on ! 🙂

  3. twblack responds:

    I like any show dealing with crypto-related things. Even if a negative approach to them. It just makes me look and think about it even harder about the whole story and events that has gone on over the years. For I myself am very skeptical of Lake Monsters I still watch all shows dealing with them. Both believers and skeptics shows alike.

    I must admit it would be better if the person doing these shows had more than “hey I was a reality show contestant” hosting. A good background in science or anthropology or biology or crypto or something to do with what they will be reporting on.

    I wish they would give Loren and others here a show, it would be far better than anything else out there as of late. I miss the likes of In Search of and Arthur C. Clarks mysteryies. And yes, I know Mr. Spock was nothing more than a TV person, but I thought he and that show did a Very Good Job. If Rob does that good then hey it might be all right too. But I have My HIGH doubts about this show. But I will watch and see for myself.

  4. springheeledjack responds:

    I will be tuning in!!! Always surfing the channels for crypto stuff…hey does anyone know if the old “In Search OF” series with Leonard Nemoy has ever been released on video/DVD? I grew up on those! Let me know if anyone has info.

    Thanks,

    SHJ

  5. mooppoint responds:

    Loren and readers,

    Just curious as to whether you might know why all these shows are airing now?

    I know nothing about the timetable and motivation that goes into television scheduling, but this seems pretty hot on the heels of the “Maine mutant” media frenzy.

    I’m sure Sci-Fi had these shows scheduled before that, but the timing just seems a little odd.

    Just curious.

  6. mystery_man responds:

    Well, it would be nice if these shows take a nuetral, openminded approach. The thing is, when they take a hostile approach, it not only attacks the credibility of cryptozoology, but it doesn’t look at the evidence in a fair and scientific way. Latching onto a skeptical explaination without considering the actual evidence is just as bad as latching onto the true believer explaination. A little skepticism is healthy, but not when it actively attacks our field or intentionally tries to discredit us by claiming things as hoaxes even when they may not be, like the Patterson film. Shows that do this are not approaching these subjects from a desire to learn the truth, but rather to make fun. These subjects deserve a rational, nonbiased approach, I feel. Here’s hoping that the above does not describe this series of programs.

  7. iamsandybb responds:

    re: mothman ,first off i am not a debunker and this is just a guess…After reading your artical about mothman,i then watched the movie “mothman prophicies “and could not help but associate it with cia experiments on innocent civilians(or since this government alows other agencies to operate with in its boarders maybe other agencies ) i belive tech perhaps electronic or frequency in nature are the root causes of these disturbances .i also had just finished watching a documentary on the cia and its hanis experiments with mind control .having experienced the mind altering effects of “hemisink” and “synchronicity” thru foundations that are located near where i reside i can tell you these illusions are possible to create with the right thecnology .(there are proceedings taking place by large human rights organizations to prevent the evil use of such tech from continuing to re-occurr )how ever going up against the goobernment requesting that it stop hurting its own people is like asking a blood thirsty pit viper not to bite someone poking it with a stick .the tech to cause vivid hulusinations with out an audable or detechable source has been out there for about 30 or more years,probally longer it just hasnt been as published untill recently .the phone calls were the key clue to this possibility .this tech breaches reality viea inaudable frequencies.

  8. robin_bellamy responds:

    I had the good fortune to work on the Mothman segment of “Sci Fi Investigates” (although my segment was on the haunted hotel in Point Pleasant. If the editing isnt too stupid this should be a good series. I really liked the folks involved–in addition to Boston Rob (who is quite colorful) they feature a CSI, an historian, and an archaeologist. I do think they are skeptic in the real meaning of the word, but I certainly did not get the feeling they were debunkers. Both the historian and the archaelogist have UFO research experience so if anything they likely lean toward believing.

    I don’t get the Sci Fi channel (I’m in Canada) but I’m hoping some family in the states will be able to tape the whole series. I spoke with the “stars” about their experiences with the bigfoot, voodoo, and UFO segments and it sounds like it will be great to watch. The team really has a chemistry.

  9. oregonbigfoot responds:

    Hi Loren, all,

    I’ve been informed by the producers that I can finally discuss the fact that Skye and I were the investigators who took the Sci-Fi Investigates team out on a three-day expedition a couple of months ago.

    After Mysterious Encounters, I was (understandably) reluctant to involve myself with a network to do a Bigfoot show. But I was assured by the producers, (the same folks who do NBC Dateline), that they would conduct a serious investigation into the phenomenon, so I agreed. I didn’t have to be the “star of the show” this time (thank God)… I simply had to provide witnesses, take the group out on an expedition, set up the equipment, and educate the crew as best I could about the Bigfoot phenomenon.

    We talked it over for months… but didn’t get around to shooting the episode until I was five months pregnant. That was interesting… hiking way back into the woods with loads of equipment and camping for three days…

    Anyway, it’s my hope that they do a good job portraying the Sasquatch phenomenon in a serious light. I did my best, while we were out in the field, to do just that. Though we did have a few lighthearted moments during the shoot. I enoyed the team members – particularly Richard Dolan, the UFO guy. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a bright mind and we got along fabulously. 🙂 (Hi Richard, if you’re reading this!)

    I’m not at liberty to discuss any further details about the episode, since I signed a confidentiality agreement. You’ll just have to watch – as I will. Trust me when I say I have my fingers crossed that they’ll keep the sensationalism down to a minimum. The last thing I want is another M.E…

    On a final note, please keep in mind that “REALITY TV” has, most unfortunately, taken precendence over documentary filmmaking with almost all networks. Nowdays, almost ANY bigfoot show you’ll see on TV will have a Reality TV flair to it. I define “REALITY TV” as producers taking “ordinary” people and placing them in “extraordinary” situations in order for the Average Joe viewer to live vicariously through them. Usually, the Average Joes on the screen have no more experience with whatever they’re dealing with than the viewer does… the whole point of Reality TV is that vicarious experience. Reality TV is not, and never will be, on par with a documentary film. (The Sci-Fi took it one step further… Debbie, Bill and Rich are all experts in their chosen fields, which I applaud! Boston Rob is there to represent the “Average Joe”… )

    Speaking of which, the Oregon Bigfoot documentary is FINALLY finished and is now available on the website. THAT, at least, I had complete control over and you won’t find me taking a bunch of novices and throwing them into the woods on a bigfoot hunt. 🙂

    Best,

    Autumn Williams
    Oregonbigfoot.com

Sorry. Comments have been closed.

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