Does TV influence Bigfoot enthusiasts?

Editor's Note: James Duncan is a freelance blogger who loves to write topics on Cryptozoology such as Bigfoot, Loch Ness monster, and other mythical creatures. James spend most of his free time researching evidence about Bigfoot. James has been focusing on Bigfoot evidence for 6 years.

Do TV shows about Bigfoot have an impact on real-life Bigfoot hunters? Are these shows creating more believers, skeptics or non-believers? Take a look at some of these shows and share your thoughts!

Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot on is about a team of Bigfoot experts and researchers as they travel around the country in search of Bigfoot, or as they like to say, "Squatch."

While entertaining, Matt, Bobo, Ranae and Cliff still haven't done what they set out to do – find Bigfoot. There's debate as to how much real evidence the Finding Bigfoot team has actually captured.

If you've seen Finding Bigfoot, you know that Bobo is quite a character – he often leaves crazy platters of food out for any wandering Squatch that may be looking for donuts or bacon. Clips of his somewhat-silly antics and Squatch-hunting techniques have been shown many times on E!'s pop culture clip show, The Soup. Is host Joel McHale's commentary on Finding Bigfoot leading to less credibility for the show?

While Finding Bigfoot is a documentary style reality show, characters on many scripted series have also discussed Bigfoot and gone on Bigfoot expeditions. Here are some notable instances where Bigfoot hunts have been main plot points on satellite TV. What do you think of these?

Nickelodeon's iCarly had an episode where Carly, Sam and Freddie attempt to prove that Bigfoot is real after hearing a report of the creating being spotted nearby. They find an imposter – Dr. Van Gurbin, a Bigfoot expert – dressed up and pretending to be Bigfoot for publicity for his latest book on the subject. The episode ends with a possible real Bigfoot stealing an RV and driving away – the characters hear a roar and believe it was Bigfoot.

USA's Psych, known for its spoofs, recently aired a documentary-style, Blair Witch Project parody episode where Shawn and Gus join Bigfoot chasers in the woods. In true Psych-spirit, there's a real crime to be solved and no Bigfoot, just a big guy who lives in a cabin in the woods.

Other shows, including HBO's The Newsroom and Fox's Futurama, have also featured episodes about characters who believe in Bigfoot and go searching for evidence.

We can only hope that Bigfoot shows and references in pop culture offer awareness and interest to others. Maybe these shows will lead to more people becoming Bigfoot believers and enthusiasts, ready to join in the search for the elusive and mysterious creatures. Do you agree with the way these shows portray Bigfoot enthusiasts?