Turn to the SciFi network, even the Travel Channel, and you’ll find shows that take you behind the world of plain reality TV and into the unknown. Sure, it’s easy to be skeptical. It’s easy to be a cynic. What’s it not easy to do is believe – not when you’re dealing with television, a vehicle concerned with big ratings and special effects. But A&E’s Paranormal State has already turned some non-believers into paranormal investigators…whether they wanted it that way or not.

Executives and show producers involved with the documentary series have said they’ve witnessed paranormal activity for themselves by virtue of their involvement with the show. Reports include EVP (electronic voice phenomenon), otherworldly mists, and cold chills. The series debuted last week, becoming the most-watched premiere for the cable channel in the last 3 years. Undoubtedly some of those numbers arrive from an overall lack of television choices, the result of the ongoing writers’ strike.

The entire crew wore St. Benedict medals (which were dipped in “holy water”) while shooting. Good thinking. If a ghost comes after me with a glint in its eye, I’m going to reach right for the nearest talisman. That oughtta help. One person tied to the series calls it “emotional and compelling and real.” Pardon my cynicism, but we are still talking about a TV show here. Like the news, reality TV has to worry about ratings, too.

Paranormal State is somewhat similar to SciFi series Ghost Hunters in that it follows a group of paranormal investigators (The Paranormal Research Society, which consists of a group of children who attend Penn State University) as they look into cases of hauntings, ghosts, possession and other paranormal events. This is, of course, where any and all potential similarities end. Where the Ghost Hunters seek to disprove and debunk paranormal claims, those involved with Paranormal State rely upon hearsay and personal opinion to reach every single conclusion.

But I decided to go ahead and check out Paranormal State for myself, an easy enough feat since A&E is already featuring clips of the series on demand. The “investigators” use very little technology or equipment to research activity, basing the bulk of their findings on feelings and other psychic phenomenon – leaving little for viewer eyes to see, but offering a lot by way of conjecture. Slick production, interesting reality subjects and intense scenes certainly give the series a dramatic edge, but in truth I found myself laughing more often than cringing. Now it all makes sense. Paranormal State is a comedy – that explains everything from the holy water medals to the main personality on the show, a twenty-something student who takes himself much too seriously. I’m not saying the series isn’t good watching, but I will go ahead and say that if you want to find answers you shouldn’t look to cable TV to provide them.