Haunted Collector

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Haunted object investigations are informative but spooky.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series -- which focuses on the investigation of hauntings and paranormal activity -- could be too scary for younger viewers or people who are uncomfortable with this kind of material. Expect occasional salty language ("hell" is audible; stronger words are bleeped). There are some interesting historical stories being told here, but the vibe can certainly be creepy.

  • The series assumes the existence of ghosts, spirits, and paranormal activity.
  • Zaffis is respectful of the people he's helping and considers what he's doing as being helpful to others. He also educates team members and viewers on the difference between paranormal activity and phenomena that are caused by the living.
  • Potentially haunted items sometimes include guns and other items associated with violence and death. Some team members are spooked by what they find (or feel) during investigations. Some clients are distressed by the findings.
  • Lighthearted remarks are made about dating people who are creepier than the spirits they're looking for.
  • Words like "hell" are sometimes audible; occasional curses like "s--t" are bleeped.
  • Apple MacBooks are visible, although the Apple logo is conspicuously covered.

What's the story?

HAUNTED COLLECTOR follows paranormal researcher John Zaffis and his team as they travel around the country looking for objects that ostensibly house spirits. With the help of son Chris, daughter Aimee, lead researcher Beth Ezzo, and tech guy Brian, Zaffis sweeps through the homes and workplaces of clients who want help dealing with the supernatural activity that's tormenting them. Using up-to-date technology to record electric voice phenomena ("EVPs"), strange movements, and electromagnetic energy throughout, the team zeroes in on the items that are the source of the spiritual commotion. Time is also spent talking to tenants, researching historical archives, and consulting with experts about found objects. With the owners’ permission, the potentially haunted items are relocated to the Zaffis Paranormal Museum in Stratford, Conn., in hopes that the spooky goings-on will calm down.


Is it any good?

 

The series takes a curiously informative approach to understanding paranormal activity, combining the history of communities, buildings, and antique objects. Zaffis’ commitment to helping people restore a sense of peace in their lives gives the show credibility, while he also educates both his team members and viewers about the difference between phenomena caused by the dead and what's ultimately created by the living.

Updates about what happens after the supposedly possessed items are removed aren’t always offered, leaving viewers to wonder whether Zaffis and his team were actually successful in their efforts. Meanwhile, the show’s flair for the dramatic -- which comes in the form of ominous-sounding music and added visual effects -- sometimes makes it seem a little hokey. But folks who like this sort of thing will definitely find it entertaining.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about reality shows that focus on paranormal activity. What's the appeal of these shows? Do you think they're trying to convince viewers of the existence of ghosts and other spiritual things? Or are they trying to spook folks for the sake of entertainment? 

  • Is the study of paranormal activity a science? If not, what is it? How do people become experts in the field?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Kid, 13 years old
October 24, 2011
 
Eh...
Freaky... Im scared of clowns and dolls anyways! XD

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Syfy
Cast:Aimee Zaffis, Chris Zaffis, John Zaffis
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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