Ghost Hunters is a reality television series produced by Pilgrim Films featuring Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, who are Roto-Rooter plumbers by day and who investigate claimed hauntings and ghosts at night as part of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). The show debuted in October 2004 on the American Sci-fi Channel.
Hawes and Wilson, along with other team members, investigate ghosts and spirits with electronic equipment that is sensitive enough to record surmised paranormal activity. Part of their arsenal include digital thermometers, EMF (electromagnetic field) scanners, infrared and night vision cameras, handheld digital video cameras, digital audio recorders, and laptop computers to record their data.
Investigator Brian Harnois is portrayed as an unreliable misfit and the cause of exasperation among the TAPS team. He is also often used as comic relief. As a result of his apparent cowardice after being spooked in episode 105 during investigation of Eastern State Penitentiary, Harnois catch phrase was created: "Dude, Run".
The phrase was subsequently printed on caps and T-shirts sold by the group’s merchandising arm. Harnois storyline reached a peak with his resignation from the group, seen in episode 207. He was shown rejoining the group in the 2005 Halloween Special episode after asking leader Jason Hawes for a second chance.
Their first step when investigating a location is to take a tour of the site with the owners of the property present to describe their paranormal experience. Based on this, the team then sets up their electronic equipment in the paranormal "hot spots" as indicated by the owners tales. The TAPS team then spends several hours roaming through the location, taking EMF and temperature readings, recording audio for EVP, and film using their digital video cameras. Afterwards, the team spends several hours analyzing all of the audio and video gathered for any speculated paranormal activity.
Hawes character is depicted variously as authoritarian alpha-male (nicknamed "The Ghostfather") and devoted but irascible "parent". Wilsons character is seen as the milder of the two, more apt to avoid conflict with team members and express support for Hawes decisions.
Other personalities on the TAPS team like newcomers Dustin Pari and Dave Tango are shown to contribute enthusiasm and occasional horseplay. In episode 213, Tango was apparently duped into wearing a rhinestone tiara during an investigation, while Pari is portrayed as technically knowledgable and eager to display his worth to the group. However, substantial storylines concerning these cast members have not been developed.
