Best of Paranormal TV: In Search Of . . .

One of the longest running paranormal  based series, In Search Of . . . explores both the unexplained and the mysterious. Unlike the previous television show from the previous post, this one researches history, science, and much more. It started out as hour long specials narrated by Rod Sterling. When it switched to a series format, Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame took over after Sterling's death. The show was cut back to a half hour time slot. Despite the shortening of the time, it lasted six long seasons from 1976 to 1982. There was a very short revival in 2002 with Mitch Pileggi of The X-Files fame that covered some of the same territory. All later paranormal investigation shows owe a debt to the original In Search Of . . . because a lot of the same format continued in other investigative broadcasts.

The beginning credits were the same on each episode, warning, "This series presents information based in part on theory and conjecture. The producer's purpose is to suggest some possible explanations, but not necessarily the only ones, to the mysteries we will examine." In this way the presentation wouldn't be seen as absolute and scientific fact. Viewers could make up their own minds how truthful and accurate each mystery might be to reality.

Best of Paranormal TV: One Step Beyond

I will be doing a short  history on  a sort of reality television, if you can call it that, featuring the best paranormal shows. Narratives are included, but not exclusively fiction. They claim based on true accounts and exploring the unknown or strange.

Unless pointed out differently, the first major television show that explored the paranormal was "One Step Beyond," featuring a half hour docudrama. Each of them had an introduction by John Newland who told the back story similar to "The Twilight Zone" fictional series. A few eventually famous actors such as Elizabeth Montgomery, Charles Bronson, Robert Blake, Christopher Lee, and Warren Beatty appeared as people involved in the mysterious events.

Most of the topics are based off psychic events or ghost stories. The first episode, "The Bride Possessed," is about what the title hints at. The newlywed bride begins to recognize features of a place she has never been and then has a personality change, denying ever knowing the man she married. Another well known episode is the rather cool name of "The Dead Part of the House," where a young woman becomes friends with ghosts, possibly in connection with some dolls. These represent the bulk of the story lines, where someone isn't who they appear to be or have premonition of things they never before had contact with. There isn't really any investigations. The show mostly tells stories in a dramatic recreation.

More Things in Heaven and Earth

Before taking a trip down roads of the unexplained, I wanted to write about my beliefs when talking about the paranormal. Sure, religion can be put in this category, but I don't see them in the same light. One is more private and of a serious contemplation. The other that this blog deals with is fun flights of imagining the possible. If true they wouldn't completely change my world view, although make this world far more interesting.

It began at a very young age, although how early is hard to say. Science fiction from Star Trek to Star Wars is part of my family heritage. How that can tie into the more fantastical shouldn't be hard to connect the dots. Assuming that aliens, time warps, and parallel universes can exist, then certainly visitors from space, Bigfoot, and secret government conspiracies aren't out of the question. It is in the questions that the mundane takes on the mystical. Religion may answer the spiritual why, but why not holds its own fascination. As Hamlet said, "And therefore as a stranger give it welcome./ There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,/ Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Come with me to the very edge of reality.

A Few of My Friends

There are a few friends and family that I would like to introduce who are themselves creative people. One of them started a web site to bring us all together. Please visit The Creativs and see what each has to offer, or what they are doing. The Creativs are a group of young, talented individuals who care to share their talents with others. Among the group we have:

Kayce  who makes custom, hand stamped jewelry, some of which benefit charity.

Your truely N.D. Melander who likes to write and is currently working on some short stories. More about that later.

Holden Melander wanting to write and some day publish a top selling fantasy novel.

Nolan Melander, a person you'll just have to click on his link in the web site for more informaiton.

  

Theresa has been writing since the fourth grade. She published the horror novel Moon Lit Night that can be ordered on the web site link.

If you haven't done so yet, buy Icarus Falling for your reading pleasure. After that check out the other fine artists and authors.

Discovery Dinosaurs: Fiction more than Fact

Growing up I have always been fascinated by dinosaurs, the big lumbering creatures from Earth's past. They hold a mystery and excitement that enthralls young boy's imaginations. I have never given up my interest in them. Any chance to learn about or watch a show that contains them is almost never missed. Perhaps in a strange way they were my first foray into the world of science fiction since we know so little about them and yet so much has been said. What they were really like even after years of progress in studies of their remains is still mostly speculation. Because of the relatively blank slate, the Discovery Channel has taken speculation of dinosaurs to a whole new level. The line between science fiction and science fact in not blurred, but completely imbalanced with the fiction side taking most of the space.

This drift from presenting research and doing more dramatic presentations has been going on for years. It all started with the documentary Walking With Dinosaurs where scientists presented the latest discoveries, and artists and film makers imagined them visually. This inspired more shows of a similar style, but a smaller amount of science was presented to the audience. The most recent incarnation almost does away with any scientific evidence.

Science Fiction Music Videos

Came across a video from one of my favorite bands and noticed a science fiction theme. Decided to check out other music videos that I like that have some kind of space or alien theme. Here are the ones I picked to listen to and watch:

Order Icarus Falling Today! Official Copy.

Finally, the wait is over for "Icarus Falling" to purchase. Click on the book cover link on the right to order at Lulu the Parking Orbit Publishing product. Get it now and tell your family and friends who would be interested in some adventure reading. Don't forget to request a copy for your local library.

It can also be ordered as an e-book in a PDF format to be downloaded to your computer. This can be read in Adobe Acrobat, or transferred to an e-book reader that supports PDF files like the Kindle DX. Changes have made it more reader friendly.

After ordering, drop on by again to share your thoughts on the book or subjects relating to it's story. Maybe there are questions you have that you would like answered in a sequel. Perhaps your into the unknown and paranormal and have some stories or theories to share. Whatever your reason, come back for good conversation.

Good reading to you!