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Just in case you've grown tired of the tried and true televised format of adults investigating haunted locations across the country, fear not - now children are in on the act!
That's right. Last night, on the Cartoon Network no less, the half-hour paranormal investigation program "The Othersiders" premiered. The show features several children, ranging in age from 13 to 16, who gather information about alleged haunted locations on the internet and then, with a veritable treasure trove of high-tech equipment, go about the process of "investigating" the location.
Now, there are a number of things I could discuss here that disturbed me about this show. For instance, the idea that it's on Cartoon Network doesn't exactly thrill me. As someone who takes this field of research and investigation seriously, it is disappointing that the new representatives for our community can be found on basic cable between reruns of Pokemon and Robot Chicken.
Another item I didn't exactly care for is that the team members constantly state, in one way or another, that they do not come to the conclusion that locations are haunted very easy. In fact, within the first few minutes, the "case manager," KC, states that the team requires "hard data" before deeming something as paranormal in origin. Of course, mere moments later, she turns right around and contradicts herself by saying that the location they would be visiting in this episode, the Lincoln Heights Jail, has had so much activity throughout the years that there simply HAS to be a leftover paranormal presence. How wonderful that she was able to draw that conclusion based off exactly no information.
There was also their incessant feelings. Everything from their experiences of nausea to claustrophobia to the chills were mentioned as being possible signs of spirit activity. Frankly, it got a bit annoying.
But I'll look past all of that because, in my opinion, there was a far greater wrong perpetrated in this episode - and it wasn't the fault of the cast at all. I am referring, of course, to the idea that these are children. Children! The "tech manager" is 13. The "lead investigator" is 16. These are kids. Babies. And they are being exploited by a vile, greedy network intent on capitalizing on the paranormal craze by throwing young men and women who have neither fully developed bodies or brains, into potentially dangerous situations.
Yes, I said dangerous. But it's not the possibility of the ghosts that are the source of the danger; though it is not exactly outside the realm of possibility. No, it's the fact that they are thrown into unfamiliar locations, in the pitch darkness, and sent off in pairs that has me angry. To the children's credit, they are intelligent young boys and girls, but they are not ready for this. It is obvious at several points throughout the pilot episode that they are scared. But press on, say the producers; your reactions of fear make good television!
Shame on Cartoon Network. They do a great disservice, both to the paranormal field and to these children, by broadcasting this show for the entertainment of the home viewer. And I'm not too keen on the parents of these kids who signed off on this either. They certainly hold a fair share of the blame as well.
Look, these seem like good kids. And it is a positive thing when young men and women, even of this tender age, are interested in paranormal studies. I see no problem with encouraging their interest in other more constructive ways until they are of at least legal age to vote. But to throw them into these situations which could very easily do long-lasting damage to their psyches is borderline cruel. And the adults who are running the show really ought to know better. Or, have we really sunk this low? I'm not so sure I want to know the answer.
Thanks for reading.
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