Podcasts
Zak Bagans Exhibits Signature Restraint in Haunted Brothel [Guide to the Unknown]
If you had “Cartoonish paranormal investigator sprinkles money on bed to make ghost madam more comfortable” on your May bingo card, congratulations – you’re gonna be able to cross that one off just under the gun.
On this week’s episode of Bloody FM’s Guide to the Unknown, Kristen and Will check in on the season premiere of Ghost Adventures, the Travel Channel juggernaut entering its 29th (!) season. The show features lead investigator Zak Bagans, joined by crew members Aaron Goodwin, Jay Wasley, and Bill Tolley as they crisscross the country, visiting places purported to have paranormal activity and launching a tech-filled investigation into what’s going on there. Orb photos and EVPs abound.
If you’re familiar with the Ghost Bro stereotype of a dude on a paranormal show yelling at a spirit to show itself, this is where it originates.
However, if you actually listen to what they’re yelling, you may be surprised at the vulnerability on display. Quite often on Ghost Adventures, these fellas show their bellies, offering up an unexpected vulnerability by way of bravado.
“Dude, I’ve got the CHILLS, bro, I’ve got friggin’ goose bumps, look at my arm!”
“Yooo no seriously look at MY arm, I’VE got the goose bumps!!!”
Bagans also frequently gets tummy aches that he attributes to empathy that allows, nay, forces him to feel what the dead feel or felt possibly at the moment of death. There’s a lot of talk about feelings happening.
But then – record scratch – there are also dudes freaking the hell out because they say that a ghost is “mounting” one of them in a haunted brothel.
The season opener has the boys visiting Ogden, Utah. This town once had a house of ill repute situated over a violent bar next to a hotel over a speakeasy – a perfect little stretch of sidewalk for some unfinished business-style ghosts that the GA gang can sink their teeth into.
Ghost Adventures is a polarizing show, and Zak Bagans, as its ringleader/PT Barnum, is a divisive figure. But it seems like most people can agree that he sure knows how to sell the sizzle, razzle dazzle ‘em, etc. And what sells better than sex? Whatever your opinion, it’s hard to deny: the guy knows how to start a season with a bang.
For a breakdown of the Ghost Adventures season premiere, check out this week’s episode and subscribe to Guide to the Unknown on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to get a new episode every Friday.
The Halloweenies cool off from the hot hot heat and splish splash with giant alligators as they revisit Alexandre Aja‘s 2019 creature feature Crawl.
Together, they discuss their love (or hate) for the timeless terror, their investment in Barry Pepper, and, uh, Demolition Man. Don’t ask. It should be noted this episode was recorded in September 2024 and is being unlocked for the summer. Oh, it’s also produced by Sam Raimi.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters. This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.