TV Details
Starring
Genre
More details

Ghost Hunters Academy (Syfy)

common sense media says

Competition adds edge to latest in supernatural franchise.


parents & educators say
  • 60% say there are positive role models
  • 60% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this entry in the popular Ghost Hunters franchise combines paranormal investigations with an elimination-style reality competition, giving it a little more edge than earlier series. The Atlantic Paranormal Society is looking for new recruits; of the thousands who applied for the job, the finalists must prove their mettle during on-site evaluations. Expect a generally creepy vibe, as well as mild swearing and frequent discussion of violent incidents in the past that could have led to ghostly presences.

Positive messages: The show makes it clear that the ghost hunters need to learn to trust their instincts and judgment -- and their teammates. Viewers see that people who try to cover up their mistakes or mislead their colleagues make everybody’s jobs more difficult. Hard work and functioning well as a team are valued, while kowtowing to the bosses and indulding in self-promotional antics are quickly dismissed as distracting from the overall goal.
Positive role models: Steve and Tango are demanding bosses who refuse to cut their new recruits any slack and go out of their way to trip up the would-be investigators. Their behavior could seem vindictive and hostile, but, as they later explain, they’re simply trying to find the best people to join their team of paranormal experts. As in any other job interview, they need to know who's qualified and who's just putting up a good front.
Violence: Frequent references to battles and other violent incidents that led to the deaths of the people who might be haunting the various locations that the team investigates.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Mild swearing, including “crap” and references to “ass kissing.”
Consumerism: The show is part of the expanding Ghost Hunters empire, which is quickly becoming a major paranormal franchise.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Ghost Hunters Academy

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the supernatural. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you think the Ghost Hunters shows actually capture evidence of the spirit world?

  • What do you think about this hybrid reality show, which adds elements of Survivor-style elimination to the traditional Ghost Hunters formula? Do you think this combination works?

What's the story?

What's the story?

The Atlantic Paranormal Society -- which created the popular Ghost Hunters franchise -- needs some fresh blood to help them study the spirit world. The team examines allegedly haunted houses, spending the night in old forts, historic mansions, and other places that have a history of supernatural activity and using scientific gear to hopefully capture physical evidence of the afterlife. But the group's successful TV show and the expanding TAPS empire means that they need to hire some new members; after screening thousands of applicants, the finalists are getting an on-air evaluation as they try to investigate a possibly haunted site.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

GHOST HUNTERS ACADEMY combines elements of the proven Ghost Hunters formula with a Survivor-style elimination series. Though there’s no fixed formula that means someone gets thrown off the show at the end of each episode, the recruits know that they'll be sent packing if they can’t pull their weight. Veteran TAPS investigators Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango lead the five finalists through a real investigation, but the focus is shifted away from the supernatural to land on the very mundane as each candidate tries to prove their worth.

The result is somewhat muddled. The recruits are jockeying to show their stuff -- or just avoid making a mistake -- while Gonsalves and Tango point out their errors and explain what they’re doing wrong. It looks like a group job interview held in a haunted house, with each nervous applicant trying to sell themselves. The best reality shows succeed by finding participants who will create the kind of drama that makes for good television; Ghost Hunters Academy, however, sifted through resumes looking for people who might make good ghost hunters. These participants may be great at communing with spirits, but they aren’t especially telegenic.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Syfy
Cast: Steve Gonsalves
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Syfy

This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

Review It

 

Review Ghost Hunters Academy





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

10
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 60% say there are positive role models
  • 60% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

MissBecky285
parent of 3 and 3 year old
 
Tweens up
i love it! They show teamwork and they stick to their beliefs.

 
its a great show for the teen age such as 15/16 but any younger than that the chilren may get scared.
i love this show, it is by far the best show i have ever seen. i have always loved anything that has to do with ghost eversence i was younger. my biggest dream is to make it to ghost hunters academy. this is a great show to watch and steve and tango are sooo AWESOME :)...

Jayc3
teen, 15 years old
 
Dumb
If anyone can prove this crap is real, then please make a show about it. Just because teens go around with 'ghost' detectors doesn't mean this crap is real.

nuvru
adult
 
Horrible!
Steve Gonsalves is a moron and this show clearly shows it. Both Steve and his monkey boy Dave Tango really try hard to make it seem like you have to be more then a high school graduate to hunt for ghosts. But it's clear they are delusional from the start. This show will be the demise of the Ghost Hunters brand name.

robin777
parent of 9 and 16 year old
 
Expand Their Minds
We love the show., Many of the episodes are based on paranormal activity with roots in our nation's history and add many poieces of information for young, growing minds.

smurph
adult
 
TERRIBLE Show don't waste your time
This show will be the down fall of Ghost Hunters-simply put it is TERRIBLE!

Justino4
teen, 14 years old
 
The Goofy Side of Ghost Hunters
I think this TV show shows the goofy, fun elements about investigating while also teaching positive messages and being taught by good role models such as Steve and Tango (Dave).

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Ghost Hunters Academy?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age