It’s been a long time since I paid attention to ghost investigations. After my book was done and my Doubtful News days were over, I felt like I had exhausted my interest in paranormal claims about ghosts. I did not keep up with what was going on with the infamous Ghost Hunters (TAPS).
Today I came across this (long) video interview between Jason Hawes and Stevi Etes, a paranormal researcher and content creator, and was surprised at how things have changed in the last few years. The emphasis was now about legitimate research, using newspapers, seeking out original sources, and confirming facts – finding the true story, namely about Ed and Lorraine Warren, their legacy and influence. I ate this right up and was pleased at what I saw.
In the interview, linked below, Hawes invites Etes to expand on her findings about the haunted objects and museum, including the most famous object – Annabelle the doll. Etes states that she has a long list of examples beyond the usual ones where the Warrens outright manufactured their stories. She noted several key incidents whose stories changed over time. The Warrens became internationally popular after their involvement with the Amityville story. But before that, Ed had paid people to give him their ghost stories that he used, often excluding important details or other investigators. Lorraine was absent in the stories until suddenly she wasn’t. She suddenly was noted as a medium.
The Warrens did not foresee the Internet and the ability to verify historical records. The fact that paranormal investigators can now check the old records means we KNOW the stories were inconsistent and probably fictionalized. We can see that the Annabelle story was made up, taken from the “Living Doll” episode (126) of The Twilight Zone.
It was interesting that Hawes remarks how the truth gets lost in the crazy story. It’s always the latter that carries on. Even when the false and exaggerated claims get exposed, people ignore it and still carry forward the myth. The exact same scenarios happen with cryptids and UFO narratives. These are entertaining stories that people prefer to believe.
Now, this version of Hawes feels a bit icky to me, since the Ghost Hunters TV show did so much to promote exaggerated paranormal claims. I haven’t kept up on what Jason has been doing but he’s obviously changed. He has other content that shines a light on how what was broadcast wasn’t always under their control. Jason and Stevi struggle with the fact that the Warrens brought attention to the paranormal even though they obviously falsified so much. At 1:02.11, Jason brings up CSI investigator Kenny Biddle. He was struck by Kenny’s remark to him about the Warrens “positive” efforts to bring attention to paranormal claims: “At what cost?” was Kenny’s retort to Jason.
You will not get me to volunteer anything positive about the Warrens. They were selfish, money grubbing liars, or in Lorraine’s case, maybe a weak pawn used by a disgraceful and mean man. Hawes is trying to be generous and not burn bridges but it is clearly NOT possible to defend them. Jason notes they all knew about Ed Warren’s mistress Judy (who was underage when she and Ed first became involved). But no one said anything. It seems clear, as things often go, that celebrities who are aiding you in some capacity are given a pass; things get overlooked or ignored. But now, the tone has shifted; that is remarkable.
Hawes (and others) are now showing the “debunkers” some respect. In a previous video, Jason notes he “loves” the debunking community because they are after the truth, and that is what we all should ultimately aim for. I guess it’s never too late to change the road you’re on.
This was a lot to unpack but it’s an interesting shift. To remain relevant in a fringe field, you have got to change with the times. When some ugliness is revealed, you can only deny it for so long. Hawes and others have chosen to make space for the skeptical view and embrace some of those methods. Hawes seems to be taking the many little steps towards a more balanced and reasonable view. I hope that his fans and followers move down this path with him. Etes is doing sound and important objective research, which is laudable, no matter if we may disagree on other aspects. Critical researchers always tried to do this but we were villified for it then. Repackaged now, it seems to be easier to swallow. In another example from this week, a TikTokker I used to dislike several years ago has since renounced his belief in the lies promoted by grifting ghoul David Paulides. When I watched a recent presentation (The Lore Lodge), I was surprised to see my image and name appear as one of his sources. The message of critical thinking CAN get through! It may take a while, and maybe not the degree we wish, but sound methods stand the test of time for those willing to notice. It’s good news.
Interesting developments. How are you, Sharon? Might I see you again at some future conference?
Excellent and insightful commentary! Well done!
Sharon, thank you so very much for your kind words!!! Thank you thank you!!
Stevi
Enjoyed this! Its good to see the shift…
Really interesting and encouraging development, thanks for the update.
I think the show with Jason and Stevi opened alot of people’s eyes ( including me). There is so much paranormal stuff out there, that’s its hard to believe what’s even real or fabricated.
Don’t forget the awful film series based on their claims – there are just so many times the same doll can try to take over the world.
Absolute banger
I don’t know if I agree with your points about Jason Hawes. He was the guy who made me realize the lengths people will go to to fake, and monetize the paranormal. There is an episode of Ghost Hunters I would recommend you watch. Season 4, Episode 11 where they completely debunk, and expose the Moss Beach Distillery for attempted to pull a fast one on the team. They had elaborate sensors set to trigger speakers when the connection was broken then reestablished. And even timers set to hydraulic systems to make the chandeliers in the bar shake at random timed intervals hooked up in the ceiling.
Jason was technically the man who MADE the debunking community and it was thanks to that episode airing. YouTube channel “Beardo Gets Scared” is a prominent (in my eyes he is anyway) debunking channel and cites that episode as being the sole reason he came to build the channel he has now.
Jason even mentions in other interviews there were more episodes of them debunking in a similar manner, but SciFi (the network at the time) didn’t want to let those on the show all the time as they felt it wouldn’t be “entertaining” enough so they weren’t allowed to push them through. He wanted the show to be about the debunking, not about saying it was haunted all the time. He fought tooth and nail to get that Moss Beach Distillery episode aired out. SciFi was REALLY against it, but he forced it by threatening he would walk away from the show if they didn’t let him air it.
This information comes from this interview with a group of Debunkers on a podcast channel named “Blame the Algorithm Podcast” on YouTube. It features YouTube personalities; J-CARTS ARTS; Andrew Stonerock; HEARTmode: HORROR; & amberdustt along with Jason Hawes. And he tells all this information to them. As well as information about the “Conjuring House” situation and Jason’s acquisition of the property and his next steps.
The Interview Link: https://youtu.be/n6_EQxhRqew
That being said, this is a well written article! Its nice to see the truth is beginning to get some traction again! People will say its harassment, or “in poor taste” to criticize those who’ve passed away. But the Warrens were the ones who put their names out in the public space to push what they did. If you happen to watch that episode and watch that interview. I would love to see your thoughts in another article down the line and whether your opinon on Jason Hawes has changed!
With Regards,
Darian Hansen
Thanks for the detailed comment! I did watch the video where he discusses Beardo’s content just to get more insight into what he’s doing today.
I understand GH did debunking. Using the skeptical approach (genuine or contrived) is always a good bet to look credible. I didn’t follow the details about their shows but I know how tv production will work. Ghost Hunters were definitely not the worst of the giant slug of paranormal TV shows, self-styled experts, and wannabes that appeared en masse from 2000 to 2015. But they did put out a lot of misinformation, and promoted much pseudoscientific nonsense, and encouraged thousands of people to try DIY paranormal investigation. It was a collective problem. I couldn’t pin it all on one guy to be responsible for that. You make your choices at the time; I understand. I am much happier with this situation. Re: the Warrens bad press, my thought is: if you don’t want people to speak ill of you when you are dead, don’t be utterly awful when you are alive.
As I noted in the beginning, I don’t have a big interest in ghost claims or paranormal investigations right now. But I certainly may listen to Jason’s opinion on topics in the future.
It’s great folks like Jason have finally come out against the Warrens. I’ve been putting the word out about them for decades. But then, I don’t have close to the same level of visibility in the “paranormal community.”
Sadly, the story of the “exposure” of the Moss Beach Distillery is still mostly unknown to fans of GHOST HUNTERS (and Hawes), and is not actually a good example of true “debunking.”
There was nothing to debunk. In fact, the special effects were well known to locals and at the airing of the show, 8 out of the first 10 results in Google about the restaurant mentioned the effects. In fact, there was a press party in 1998 to show off the effects. Any customers who asked about any of what was there would be told they were special effects (that was restaurant policy).
In addition, the speaker they found in the ceiling, which they claimed was for the laughing woman’s voice, was actually one of the P.A. speakers — you know, the kind of speakers almost every restaurant has to pump in music when open.
There were two issues: 1) no one working for the restaurant was willing to go on camera with them, with one exception, and 2) that person — the new chef — knew nothing about the ghost story so relied on an old brochure (from the early 90s) that had inaccuracies (based on the witness reports).
On top of that, it was claimed on the episode that they don’t do any research before going into a place. That was a convenient shift in previously stated (and demonstrated) policy and methodology — and makes little sense. Why would the show spend any money for an episode without knowing anything about the place?
Yet if they googled it, they would absolutely have to have been aware of the special effects and that they only came into being in 1997 — with reports of the ghost going back to the 1930s.
It was hard to believe then and hard to believe now that they — or at least the production folks — knew nothing about the special effects.
Methodologically, not doing any research yet relying on one “informant” to tell the story (an informant who personally knew nothing and certainly had no experiences there) is sloppy investigative protocol.
It’s about time the Warrens got exposed!