Ghost Lab (Discovery Channel)

common sense media says

Copycat ghost-hunting show mixes scares and tedium.


parents & educators say
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the stars of this reality show hope to prove the existence of ghosts by visiting allegedly haunted houses with a variety of scientific gear. While there's nothing particularly age-inappropriate for older tweens (words stronger than "crap" and "fricking" are bleeped, and violence is more discussed than shown), it can be both tedious (lots of waiting around) and occasionally quite scary, when something unexpleainable really does happen. Overall, the tone is pretty creepy, so younger and/or particularly sensitive viewers may not enjoy watching.

Positive messages: The show isn't out to convey any overtly positive messages, though the participants work hard to  find hard scientific evidence documenting ghosts' existence.
Positive role models: The Klinge brothers have a fun, relaxed relationship and share a devotion to investigating the paranormal.
Violence: No actual violence shown, but the investigators sometimes discuss the violent deaths that took place at the allegedly haunted sites they visit.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: The investigators say “crap” and “fricking,” but more extreme words are bleeped.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Ghost Lab

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the supernatural. Do you think ghosts are real? Do you think the Ghost Lab team actually encounters spirits? Can their gear prove the existence of the paranormal?

  • Why are there so many shows like this? How does this one compare to others you've seen? Do you think there are enough haunted houses for all these investigators?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Motivated by an alleged personal encounter with a ghostly squad of Civil War soldiers, brothers Brad and Barry Klinge decided to create the GHOST LAB, a rolling paranormal investigation vehicle. Along with other intrepid spirit hunters, the Klinges travel the country to examine supposedly haunted houses. The team spends the night at each site, using high-tech gear to try to find evidence of the supernatural. Some trips are a bust, but sometimes the team -- and the cameras -- document sights and sounds that are almost impossible to explain.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The reality show ghost-hunting genre is starting to get pretty crowded, from Ghost Hunters to Ghost Adventures. These shows all follow the same basic format, with the team getting briefed on the sometimes-macabre history of each site they visit and then descending on the location with plenty of equipment. The highlight of each episode is when the cameras actually catch something that may indeed be ghostly -- and sometimes they do.

But most of the GHOST LAB footage is of the brothers explaining what they're doing and why and then sitting around waiting for something to happen. That’s the weak point of all of these shows, and it’s especially weak here. The Klinge brothers seem like genial folks, but they're not especially telegenic; watching them sitting around isn't appealing, and the issue is exacerbated by their heavy abuse of dude-speak. “Dude, I think I heard something!” “No way, dude, that was just a rat.” Well, dudes, I think I’d rather watch something else.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Discovery Channel
Cast: Barry Klinge, Brad Klinge
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Discovery Channel

This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

homer123
parent of 16 year old
 
ok watch for language
not as good as chost hunters

brandonh1996
teen, 15 years old
 
Eh..
I wouldn't say this show is bad, but for kids 10 and under it can be scary. They refer several times to daemonic spirits and ghosts.

Plague
parent
 
Ghost Lab
Not my favorite ghost hunting show on TV, but its highly addicting and very fun to watch.

EminemForeva8
kid, 11 years old
 
Fail.
Really commonsensemedia? Really? I'm 10 and I LOVE this show! Not only that, I'm not scared of it at ALL. I only just get the creeps when the investigators talk about demons and ghost people.

 
The use of different SyTec gadets is long overdue. Nice to see people use their heads and inventing experiments never before used. As for language, come on, if your kids haven't heard it already, where have you been hiding them, the basement. Even Ghost Hunters gets bleeped out. Keep it coming G.L., my whole family will be watching what you come up with next. Go Klinge's!!!!!

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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