Loren Coleman Explains Why Cryptozoology TV Shows Like Finding Bigfoot And MonsterQuest Don't Last Long
Although we thoroughly enjoyed live blogging and commenting the Canada episode of Finding Bigfoot last night, some people are already getting sick of the same old formula being hashed out by the producers.
In an article by Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, he points out that the producers for Finding Bigfoot are starting to show signs that they are "scratching the bottom of the barrel for stories." He notes the demise of the History Channel's MonsterQuest show when they began producing non-cryptozoology programming about city rats, escaped piranhas, and large out-of-place snakes. "I was saddened but not surprised to see them cancelled in mid-season," wrote Coleman.
Coleman also wonders if the Finding Bigfoot producers were looking for "an easy target" by going after a controversial figure like Canadian Bigfoot researcher, Todd Standing. To many people in the Bigfoot community, Todd Standing is considered a fraud, so why did they investigate him?
Coleman wrote: "Did the show’s producers decide to look for an easy target to create credibility with the debunkers watching the series?"
If the producers weren't trying to go after an easy target, then what were they after? "How does showing the Sylvanic footage to the general viewing audience add anything worthwhile to the study of Bigfoot?" asked Coleman.
Here's what Coleman wrote about Todd Standing and Finding Bigfoot on Cryptomundo today:
One of my problems with most of the reality cryptozoology television series is that after a bit they tend to start scratching the bottom of the barrel for stories. This was behind the demise of MonsterQuest when they began producing non-cryptozoology programming about city rats, escaped piranhas, and large out-of-place snakes. I was saddened but not surprised to see them cancelled in mid-season.
These shows seem to ignore the fact that that while the subject matter is elusive, nevertheless, there is a universe of compelling cryptids out there to investigate.
So why would Finding Bigfoot already be turning to Todd Standing to show his movie? Well, the simple answer is because Mr. Standing has what television needs…visual footage…even if it might be, allegedly, created. Also, one wonders, did the show’s producers decide to look for an easy target to create credibility with the debunkers watching the series?
The tangled weave of intrigue with Todd Standing didn’t start recently. It has been going on for a long time.
The domain sylvanic.com was created on November 29, 2004, registered to a Todd Standing of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Between 2004 and 2006, a film appeared by Todd Standing entitled Sylvanic. For the tale of how it was made, you can watch the Finding Bigfoot re-runs now.
Almost immediately, as soon as Standing began to show his footage in 2006 in halls and elsewhere, people began to question it. One reviewer employed phrases like it appeared to be “just a fictional short film” by “Blair Witch wannabes.” Viewing all 30 minutes revealed it to be a story that someone was trying to sell. Did Standing finally find a payday with Animal Planet?
[via www.cryptomundo.com]
The last season of MQ only made it to DVD in England, but it was clear from all seasons that their favorite subject was Bigfoot. Mine too, so maybe all of MQ should've been dedicated only to Bigfoot type beings, after all there's also the Yehren, Almas, Yowie, Neanderthals, etc. It's still a much better and more serious crypto show than Finding Bigfoot, and ought to be revived. After all, its catch phrase is now legendary in itself; "People around the world report seeing monsters. Are they real or imaginary? Science searches for answers - on MonsterQuest". Of course in reality these beings aren't monsters by any means, they're hominids, but such title cheapness sell on TV apparently.
ReplyDeleteAnon, MQ was terrific. I really miss this show. See my comments below and feel free to chime in with your ideas
DeleteHey Shawn, why not start a thread on ideas for improving FINDING BIGFOOT? U can submit the best ones to the producers. Here's my idea; have the team investigate some of the more classic encounters. For example, why not track down the Minnesota Iceman? Find those involved, where is the exhibit now, etc. A little Bigfoot history once in a while would be cool and mix it up. Screaming in the woods with Matt and Bono is getting old. Thanks and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI meant "Matt and BOBO"
ReplyDeleteIf Loren Colman is so good at it why doesn't he have a Crypto show on Animal planet? He knows himself he's a phony after years of crypto research that produced nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Finding Bigfoot, is that any sound, tree knock or rustle of leaves is a 'Squatch'.
ReplyDeleteI'm as guilty as the the next person in that even though you know you're gonna see nothing new, you just have to watch.
On the subject of Todd Standing, I thought Moneymaker and gang were a bit harsh. Ok, so his videos arn't conclusive, but neither is anything the Finding Bigfoot team come up with, but they are convinced it's always a 'Squatch'
Good points, but is ANYONE interested in trying to make this show BETTER??
DeleteMonsterquest was a great show. But I bet it never got 1.6 million veiwers as Finding Bigfoot has. Unfotunately thats what executives care about. If the BFRO wants to do something worthwhile, they need to make a documentary once they are able to compile some good evidence. Maybe the money from FB will allow them to do that. Anyways, they'll probably have the time as I'm sure the show will be cancelled after this season. Maybe they'll milk it for a third season...
ReplyDeleteThe Monster Quest format wins hands down. HC is crazy for letting that show go. They should do like America's most wanted and revisit cases with new information or sightings.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I do like the FB gang. It's a guilty pleasure, I can't help it.
Watching River Monsters. These guys need to watch this show and take notes. Jeremy spent 3 solid weeks in Africa in the same area to catch a Tiger Fish. You can't spend a day or two and expect to find something. Ghost Hunters gets lucky but even since the accusations that they faked evidence the show has gone down hill with less and less every season.
ReplyDeleteI personally think it would help the show if they spent more time at each location. Maybe finding other witnesses, longer expeditions,etc. Especially places that have high volume accounts...Just my take.
ReplyDeleteAs a believer (not a researcher or "hunter) in BF, I think 2012 may yield some interesting findings that will turn many heads and change some opinions. I don't think there is any mystical magic surrounding Sasquatch - I don't think he's half-man, an "evolution revolution", a missing link, super intelligent (other than the natural instincts that many wild animals exhibit. I think merely it as an unknown primate - perhaps a prehistoric, thought to be extinct specimen. With the expansion of man and civilization, its becoming harder to remain hidden - sightings are becoming more prevalent - and of course MQ, Finding BF and all the rest are causing more folks to be on the lookout.
ReplyDeleteRegarding these shows - while the "serious" BF community critically finds these shows un-authentic, un-inspired, mere jokes, etc. - I am left wondering what they expect - Fact is - they are TV Shows.... they need to have viewers, sell advertising, etc. If the BF community is expecting more - they are mistaken.
They should be thankful that BF is getting the exposure. As a believer, I enjoy watching shows about BF. - I believe these mainstream viewers loose interest in these shows because ... they NEVER find anything.
They all will go the way of "In Search Of"
Meldrum is one of my most respected researchers - I follow his research a lot - but truth is, while I / we can get into what he is saying, and look towards his scientific approach - and his professional tactics... Discovery, Animal Planet, etc. - know that there needs to be flash, scary music, and slobbering scary looking monsters - to grab big viewers, this bigger advertising dollars - Meldrum wouldn't sell to the mainstream - period.
Once BF is scientifically proven - unfortunately, the big fella will be the demise of 'Cryptozoology" It will certainly turn heads, and change science. as we know it - though.
I seriously miss Monsterquest!! I loved that style and it worked great for me. The thing with F'ing Bigfoot is it's kind of like the Gilligans Island of Bigfoot hunting. I'll let you make the assumptions who is the Skipper and who is Gilligan. It's really more about the personalities. It's driving force is revenue and not true research, but what I give them creds for is exposing people to the world of BF hunting. It's like the show ER. I used to work in an ER. The show was a stylized version of a real ER, but it showed people a world they don't usually know. So, kudos for that. So far as Todd Standing, if he's smart and he gets a drop in revenue from people saying his BF stuff is a hoax, he will turn it around and use it with this angle, "I made the films to get people engaged with BF, make him real to people so I can get protections set up to keep him from harm. It was a social and artistic endeavor to get people excited about preservation." And, no, Todd-I do not want to run your PR for you.
ReplyDeleteI posted several references to the Minnesota Iceman in the previous article about the teacher reporting what his saw when he was younger.
ReplyDeleteThat would make a great episode. Also like I said before if the made it more like Unsolved Mysteries. The Cowman story presented in such a way would be excellent.
Has anyone noticed that when the History Channel airs reruns of MQ, they seem to only air the episodes about existing creatures? Squid, fish, crocs, snakes, spiders...It seems they deliberately will not play the BF episodes or even other cryptids such as orang pendek, el chupacabra, or the thylacine? Is someone in charge there that scoffs at BF and other legendary animals? It seems like skeptic snobbery at work to me. Makes me think that is why they cancelled a successful show and maybe why they began the fish, spider, snake boring episodes in the first place.
ReplyDelete"History wants to take a different direction." Sounds like they are too good for Bigfoot.
I also wonder why another network did not pick it up. Maybe syfy? I don't know about most, but half the reality shows have become garbage. Early on, TLC used to have interesting and diverse programming, and then it became all about decorating a home or hanging wallpaper. Tru-tv used to have great true crime and forensic shows. Now it's endless marathons of stupid videos, tow truck services and repo shows. And even if they have an audience for that, why can't they have some diversity? As for Monster Quest, it was just one show once a week. Why is there no room for that? That takes up one hour a week, leaving plenty of time for programming "in a different direction". If it were not for Investigative Discovery network, I think I would just give up the TV.
This show will have to go to the wayside once the DNA evidence shows once and for all that Sas is not an ape. MM and his group plus all the others making dough off this archaic and nonprogressive belief system will argue for sure (as will all of the scientific community) about how much ape to be an ape. Whatever pun is there, is intended. AP already shot all of season 2 so this will go to March or so. By then, hopefully (fingers double...TRIPLE crossed) we will know what the heck we are dealing with. I don't think the glamourization of Sas and his surroundings has done any good except make more people go trample his habitat. I live in NorCal...and I'm seeing it already.
ReplyDeleteJN
"Scrape the bottom of the barrel?" Watch the Salt Fork episode this Sunday night with Tim Stover (AKA Tcsjrbigfoot)and you'll see they already have.
ReplyDeleteHere is another one who loved the Monsterquest, especially the Bigfoot ones. The personal interviews and reenactments were very well done. And from time to time there were Bigfoots in the area. Remember Snelgrove Lake rock throwing with Meldrum. Another was the Hillbilly Beast of Kentucky when rock throwing took place. Wish they would bring this back.
ReplyDeleteChuck
Broski and Samuel you are right. The team needs to spend at least a month or more in a location.
ReplyDeleteThe way to do this is have several groups of 3 or 4 researchers, each with their own film crew who stay in a good spot and "go to town". Each weekly episode would be based on only this team in this spot by itself. Or could go back and forth highlighting each teams events for a week, much as Gold Rush is now doing.
I think this format could be a winner and bring out much more action.
Chuck
Wouldn't it make more sense to start with a town hall meeting and then do an investigation in the area with the most sighting.
ReplyDeleteSimple.
ReplyDeleteThey don't last long because they produce nothing.
But guys, I don't think FB has the sort of time and budget to be dedicating a month to each location. They would probably sit out there for a month and still produce not much more than they do in a few days for the show. They just want to shoot the episode in a few days, move on to the next location for the sake of keeping things fresh and that's it. It's more about listening to the eyewitnesses stories and seeing the videos/ evidence and hearing the crew's opinions. The investigation is just filler. That's why documentaries are better for bigfoot/ cryptids. They don't have the tight time restrictions television has.
ReplyDeleteLOL! All these TV producing experts on here make me laugh. Just because you own a TV doesn't mean you have any idea how shows are produced and aired for viewing. Do you really the cast is going to stay at one location for months at a time? This isn't survivor and the producers want to keep the show "fresh."
ReplyDeleteActually Anon us people with TVs dictate what's on. Ever wonder why TV showdown get cancelled? It's because people dont watch them. If they are the same repetitive and not interesting people tune out.
DeleteYou can stay in a location for 2 weeks or a month by cutting out the hours and days of when they don't find anything. Like I said Jeremy Wade does it. The survival shows stay a week and they don't show all 24 hours a day that shows like Survivor film. Just cut out the crap. Not that hard.
I think if a program was serious about actually finding a Bigfoot,the format would be different.
ReplyDeleteFinding Bigfoot is great for getting the average person aware of the subject,showing possible habitats and traits of Sasquatch.
I do have a problem with the game being the same,but with different players.That's why formulas suck.They need to think outside the box and make it interesting,but keep it in the timeline allowed.
Awhile back someone had suggested guest appearances.Throw in some education but keep it fun.
For the already initiated, the show may not be as interesting.
If there is a market for serious long term research,then some network will do it eventually.
Then it would be a documentary or a mini series with x amount of episodes.
If the show was really about FINDING bigfoot, and they really INTENDED to find bigfoot, what would they do with the rest of the season? They would not be able to keep the body....government and science would take it and start their own show.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I can't decide if you're agreeing with me or making fun of me. Lol.
ReplyDelete...just saying, they keep the season going by NOT actually finding bigfoot. The title is not an accurate description of the show.
ReplyDeleteIf the found bigfoot, they would not need to keep looking. Thus no more commercials, money or audience. So they have many reasons ( with dollar signs) to just make sure bigfoot stays just beyond their reach.....always.
I liked MQ but there was one thing that I thought was kind of irritating. Almost every show no matter where they were would say "the team is going to have to give up or turn back because of inclement weather conditions" or something to that effect.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed they never picked days to film that some kind of storm wasn't on the brink, lol.
Wonder what's up with this new show about the best bigfoot hunters that is being cast? Is it going to be some kind "someone voted off every week?
Awesome ideas and comments, guys!! Hopefully FB producers have someone reading these blogs!
ReplyDeleteHow about a "The Best Of Finding Bigfoot" show??...I think there's alot option's for keeping the show "fresh".
ReplyDeleteI am starting to find myself changing channels, channel surfing during commercials, etc. during the show now. It seemed like the first couple of episodes last season were awesome. Tracks were found, wood knocking, vocalizations, now...nothing. The appearance is as if they are quickly going into an area to be able to have another show and then moving on. I would rather watch one new show per month with a lot of great footage rather than see nothing new while MM and BoBo call everything from chipmunks to Ranea a Squatch.
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ReplyDeleteCryptid fans should check out the premiere of MONSTERS UNDERGROUND on Destination America on Friday, August 22nd at 10/9c.
ReplyDeleteThe first episode will follow a team of four hunters into Volcano Caverns in Flagstaff, Arizona, as they search for the reptilian/bat “cave demon” known as the Olitiau.
Future episodes will explore the dangerous caves of the American Southwest in search of cryptids including the Aswang, Mapinguari, Subterralien, and more.
Check out a preview of MONSTERS UNDERGROUND here: http://vimeo.com/102164001