Note: This post was originally published with only four differences. We immediately thought of one more as soon as we hit publish and rushed to amend it with the additional one.
Here were the two most common responses when the new series Ghost Adventures: House Calls was announced: “How is that different from a regular Ghost Adventures episode?” and “Isn’t that the same thing as Ghost Hunters?”
Both are fair questions because let’s face it. Travel Channel and discovery+ produce massive amounts of paranormal content, but very little of it is “fresh” and new anymore. Especially when it comes to their most popular shows. It’s basically the same old thing just slightly repackaged.
Ghost Adventures: House Calls is no different. The key ingredients of the regular Ghost Adventures formula are still there, namely, there’s (a) a haunted location, (b) a lockdown investigation, and (c) an evidence review and reveal.
However, there are at least four differences fans will notice, including the following.
House Calls Difference #1: The team initially meets via video chat.
Rather than meeting in person, Zak Bagans gathers the team —Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley, and Jay Wasley— together via video to review the case.
House Calls Difference #2: Aaron has hair. (At least in the first episode.)
If you’ve ever watched an episode of Ghost Adventures, you know it’s not all demons and darkness 100% of the time with them. The team likes to have fun too, and you can always count on Goodwin for a laugh.
I haven’t seen beyond the first two episodes, but in the first one he plays a joke and shows up to the team video meeting with a full head of hair. In the second one, he’s playing Indiana Jones —or maybe Joe Exotic?
House Calls Difference #3: Videos from clients.
During the start of the investigation video meeting, Bagans shares videos the clients have made detailing the paranormal activity they’re experiencing and the problems it’s causing them.
House Calls Difference #4: Zak isn’t on-site for investigations.
Rather than accompanying Goodwin, Tolley, and Wasley to the investigation locations, Bagans stays behind to oversee the process from his headquarters.
He’s still very much with them in spirit, however, and actively participates even though he does it remotely. He provides plenty of insight and applies experimental tactics from his unique vantage point.
House Calls Difference #5: It’s more personal.
About the new series, Bagans said, “These are the most personal and emotional investigations we’ve ever done.”
And that may be the biggest difference. Ghost Adventures started out as investigations of allegedly haunted places. Over the years, the darker the stories the better —or at least the more alluring to Bagans and crew. Some places were abandoned, others were businesses, and some have been personal homes.
But the investigations in House Calls are just that. Homes. Because as Bagans also said, “A home is a very personal and sacred space. When unexplained spirit activity causes a family to feel threatened and uncomfortable in their own house, that’s cause for immediate action. House Calls is about helping people who are living in fear from something unknown. Our goal is to figure out what’s going on and provide answers, advice and many times, validation.”
For More Info
Visit discoveryplus.com.
Check-In
Do you see any other differences between House Calls and regular Ghost Adventures episodes?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
Loading ...
Aaron has hair, yeah, that counts.:-) I don’t know of any other differences because I haven’t seen House Calls, but I want to!