Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Not-too-creepy paranormal searches on America's back roads.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
HAUNTED HIGHWAY follows a group of paranormal investigators as they search for legendary beasts, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena around remote areas of America. The reality series features two teams of researchers, including reality celeb Jack Osbourne, reporter/producer Dana Workman, destination reporter Jael de Pardo, and film producer Devin Marble, as they travel from Montana to Louisiana conducting first-person investigations of hellhounds, Sasquatches, and spirits. Relying on eyewitness interviews and state-of-the-art equipment, they spend long nights diving into lake caves, hiking through forests, and engaging in other activities in hopes of finding and recording evidence of their existence. After each search, they analyze their data and talk to scientists and other experts to determine if they have found anything conclusive.
Is It Any Good?
The series attempts to create some Blair Witch Project-like suspense by relying on a first-hand reporting style that requires the cast to record themselves rather than having a camera crew follow them into deep lakes and dense forests. Footage from high-tech devices like thermal imaging cameras and ominous music is added in to increase the creepiness factor.
The show's over-produced scenes filled with footage of little more than dark shadowy places may spook younger kids, but despite the casts' best efforts, chances are that teens and adults will find it hard to take any of it very seriously. Those who like paranormal-themed shows may find it entertaining, but there's not much here for those who don't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about legends that talk about ghosts, monsters, and other paranormal activities. Where do these legends come from? What is the purpose of keeping legends alive for future generations? Did you know that stories about ghosts, monsters, etc. are often told to children teach them lessons about how to behave?
How realistic do you think this show is? Is the cast seriously looking for ghosts and monsters, or are they just pretending for the cameras? Is a show like this one intended to inform viewers, or is it really just to entertain them?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 3, 2012
- Cast : Dana Workman , Jack Osbourne , Jael de Pardo
- Network : Syfy
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Fantasy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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