Discovery Communications, which owns such networks as TLC and OWN and is responsible for series like 19 Kids and Counting and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, has decided to press on with its dedication to pairing education and quality programming this October. On Halloween, Destination America, a channel owned by Discovery Communications, will air a live exorcism of the house fictionalized in William Peter Blatty’s novel The Exorcist.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the special Exorcism: Live! will feature real-life ghost-hunters the Tennessee Wraith Chasers, the crew from Ghost Asylum, and a psychic medium, all on-hand to cast out any errant demons and malicious spirits that might still be lurking about after the famous exorcism of Roland Doe 66 years ago.
As Destination America general manager Marc Etkind explains
As we step into one of the most haunted and well-known spirit destinations in America, Exorcism: Live! will show exactly what is inside this infamous, highly dangerous and possessed home. By actually exorcising this iconic house live, Destination America will do what it does best — bringing never-before-seen experiences to television.
Casting aside any judgments on whether these types of shows, which seem to have a less-than-successful track record of actually finding spooks and haints, are led by well-meaning investigators, it doesn’t strike me as a great idea to stir up the ectoplasmic field or whatever of a house you suspect to be riddled with evil and then broadcast said stirring for profit and ratings. I dunno. Maybe bustin’ doesn’t make me feel good.
Exorcism: Live! will air at 9PM on October 30 which isn’t Halloween, but the network is billing it as Halloween so, sure, Halloween.
[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]