November 18, 2009

Josh Gates Responds To Cryptomundo

In all due fairness, I pass along to Cryptomundo an email just received, without edits (except for the addition of the link to the posting in reference) from Josh Gates, the host of “Destination Truth.”

I was just forwarded your article entitled, “Destination Truth Retreats from Cryptozoology.” I was really disappointed to read that your thoughts on our third season and I thought I might clarify a few points for you. Neil Mandt is a close friend and your reporting about his company no longer producing the show due to pressure to diminish the the quality or standards of DT isn’t accurate at all. In fact, the show has evolved greatly from season to season. We made the switch to high-definition, began employing 3D animations, maps, and a host of high quality field equipment for our investigations. Ping Pong Productions, who now produce the show, have been incredibly hands on. Both owners of the company, Brad Kuhlman and Casey Brumels, travel in the field, work behind the scenes, and appear on camera, which is a real testament to their commitment to the series. I do not serve as an executive producer on the series, as you reported.

In terms of of the topics covered on the show, we have always tried to cover a wide range of stories that involve mysteries around the world. Even in season one we investigated hauntings as well as cryptozoological creatures. As the show has expanded (we now produce more than double the amount of episodes per season that we made in season one) we have continued to explore the paranormal, while maintaining a strong focus on cryptozoology. The only one-hour, one-topic, episode of the season was devoted to the Bhutan Yeti. We also brought the show to the U.S. for the very first time and focused both of our stateside segments on cryptozoological animals (thunderbird and skunk ape). In the 9 episodes that just aired, every single one of them had at least one segment devoted to a cryptozoological subject.

We’ve always appreciated the support that you and Cryptomundo readers have given to the show and promise to continue to produce high-quality episodes that feature exciting investigations into the planet’s most fascinating mysteries.

All the best, Loren.

Josh


Josh Gates
Host/Producer – Destination Truth

Destination Truth Productions Los Angeles, CA 90046

Malaysia Bigfoot Cast

The Internet Movie Database notes that Gates is a producer. I was informed, apparently incorrectly, that Josh Gates had assumed a more hands-on role in the program by taking on executive production duties starting with Season II of “Destination Truth.” My apologies to Mr. Gates for being wrong on this point.

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.

Filed under Cryptomundo Exclusive, CryptoZoo News, Destination Truth, Media Appearances, Pop Culture, Public Forum, Television