Parents' Guide to

Ghost Hunters Academy

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Competition adds edge to latest in supernatural franchise.

TV Syfy Reality TV 2009
Ghost Hunters Academy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 5 parent reviews

age 8+

The Mr and I both discussed the anger the team members show towards the cadets. Steve has really become ugly and that same bad attitude is wearing off on the once sweet Dave Tango. Not surprised when this show didn't last long.

I would talk to the children about leadership skills and some kindness. They both can go together at times.
age 11+

Tweens up

i love it! They show teamwork and they stick to their beliefs.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (4 ):

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 Details

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