I really enjoy this series and hope is gets picked up for a second season. I like that the investigating is done by real people and the reactions seem so much more genuine. There are enough differences between the format of this show and other popular Ghost Hunting shows to set it apart.I had become disillusioned with the current Ghost Hunting shows and stumbled across Stranded, The Dead Files and Ghost Mine, I'm still on the fence with the Dead Files but I highly recommend Ghost Mine.I do think Josh Gates missed a golden opportunity with Stranded though. He should have called the show 'Dude Run!' and had Harnois narrating ;)

I was hoping to like this show and found the concept interesting. I was greatly disappointed after watching the first 3 episodes, all of which are so obviously fake it makes one want to cry. Each show even follows painfully similar plot summary which goes as follows: A believer, a skeptic, and someone on the fence arrive Monday night at their creepy location and immediately find a guest book to read, in the dark, that describes specific paranormal activities that have been reported in the location. Although they don't have electricity, they'll go put their food in a fridge. The group will see a physical disturbance like a window being open or a light across the house being on, but the window will close and the light will go off and no one cares. Terrifying phenomena will occur like doors opening and closing but the hundred static cameras placed around the (powerless) location wont show anything. The group will do some pointed exploring that will reveal a creepy fact that will influence their only ghost hunting excursions. With three days and four nights of seclusion, very little ghost hunting gets done, but they will experience exactly what was described in the introduction they read at their arrival. Not a lot of investigation footage but a lot of well-written diary videos are made. Thursday night will end in a climax of terror because the group will split up. The second episodes cast appeared to be acting the entire time. The show also goes to great lengths to portray the Moundsville Penetentiary as being in the middle of the woods when it is actually in the middle of a residential neighborhood, less than a mile from a Wal Mart (google maps it). I can't believe that Syfy spent years getting people interested in somewhat legit paranormal investigation with programming like Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth and then they try to pass this off as authentic. Clearly the trio of amateurs is not alone, or stranded. Clearly they are being scripted or at least specifically guided throughout the duration of the investigation. And most clearly, the show is NOT about paranormal evidence because out of the hundreds of static camera feeds rolling 24 hours a day for 4 days where the teams experience countless phenomena, nothing is ever shown. Big thumbs down.

There is something familiar yet refreshingly different about Syfy's new show Stranded. It combines some elements of MTV's Fear (no camera crew) and fuses them with the investigative panache of TAPS. The end result is a fast hour full of paranormal suspense experienced by brave amateur ghost hunters who are left 5 days to explore locations which are deemed haunted. At first, I was skeptical as to the show's credibility, authenticity and merit due to those behind its creation were also responsible for the gimmicky Paranormal Activity films; this is no longer the case. My suspicious doubts were obliterated once I realized that the first two locations were previously investigated by TAPS and certified as haunted or at least containing paranormal activity. I respect Ghost Hunters, so I figure if something's happening to Stranded's stranded "cast" then the happenings are apt to be legit. All in all it's a fun ride and I implore you to watch further.

Having just watched the premier episode I must admit I was all set to enjoy this new show. It's produced by Josh Gates and he has a history of creating exciting shows. The concept for "Stranded" borrows from two other series that come to mind. "The Scariest Places on Earth" Hosted by Linda Blair aired for about six years. Here families were sent into haunted locations and scared out of their wits. Little effort was spent in exploring and studying the paranormal. MTV's "Fear" aired for two years. It sent a group of young people into a haunted location and forced them to complete a series of "dares". If memory serves me one contestant was actually directed to invite a spirit to inhabit his or her body. Nasty stuff to be sure. Here Syfy has done what they do so well. Stay focused and investigate the paranormal. I appreciate the respect afforded the subject matter, and the viewer for that matter.Our three investigators for the premiere episode were enjoyable. We had one die hard non-believer, a true believer and a guy somewhere in the middle. The "hallway of tethered dolls" was creepy and had me hoping for one of them to go flying! What I would like to see in future episodes is more attention paid to the effect the experience has on the investigators. Perhaps have follow up interviews with them online where they can talk about the experience with some time to consider it. The non-believer stated she was still a skeptic. After seeing the terror in her face and tears in her eyes I would like to see what her feelings are a few months after the experience. I think that would make for interesting web content.So congrats to Josh and Syfy on what will be another hit. I look forward to the rest of the season!