Lurasidone online “Monsters and Mysteries in America” is devoting an episode entirely to John Keel. It will air Wednesday, April 1, at 10 pm ET, on the Destination America Channel. I declined to appear on camera, but I hear that John’s old friend Larry “Ratso” Sloman did a fine interview. He’s better at that sort of thing than me, anyway. So, tune in, and watch away!
March 27, 2015
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Hopefully it’ll eventually air in Europe, or it pops up on Youtube!
Comment by Theo Paijmans — March 27, 2015 @ 4:28 pm
The production company journeyed to the International Cryptozoology Museum to shoot some of John Keel’s papers, and film an interview with me too. Glad to know they made contact with you folks as well. It sounds like they will be doing justice to Keel’s legacy.
Loren Coleman, Director
International Cryptozoology Museum
Comment by Loren Coleman — March 31, 2015 @ 5:25 am
Here’s a video link: https://youtu.be/U36GRbhy9HU
Comment by Jerry Hamm — April 3, 2015 @ 12:51 am
Thanks to Jerry Hamm for providing a link to MONSTERS AND MYSTERIES… The producers obviously had a good grasp of the historical data, but sadly chose annoying sensationalism in the visual aspects. For one, John Keel wasn’t a cigarette smoker. Also, Keel himself wrote, in THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, that he felt no fear during his first exploration of the (now-demolished) North Power Plant. The show claims he was terrified, but Keel felt no fear until returning alone to the TNT area after midnight, and encountering the “zone of fear” on one of the back-roads. Other problems too…but the show was less sloppy than many other “Mothman” documentaries. Why must TV value sensation and distortion over intellectual integrity? Guess that’s why I don’t have cable.
Comment by William J. Grabowski — April 5, 2015 @ 2:39 am
Yes, thanks, Jerry! I haven’t had time to watch the show yet. I did hear that Larry’s wife thought he looked handsome. I’m not surprised that it was sensationalized, though; that’s what TV usually does. I don’t own a TV, myself, and grew to dislike the business after appearing on a number of shows in my misspent youth. As for cigarettes, I think John used to smoke them back then. He has one in his publicity photo for “Mothman.” He later switched to a pipe, then gave up tobacco for good.
Comment by Doug — April 5, 2015 @ 9:15 am
Love this site… Monsters and Mysteries ep wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, but it wasn’t terrible.
By the way, Loren Coleman- the eyebars that failed were 330 and 33. (You’ve mentioned eyebar 13 in several spots- including this television interview- but that’s incorrect. It was joint c13n.)
http://failures.wikispaces.com/Silver+Bridge+%28Point+Pleasant%29+Collapse
Coinicidentally enough- 330 33rd street was John Keel’s street address in 1967. Did he ever mention this anywhere? Seems like a fairly importance piece of the puzzle.
Shameless plug, I know- but we covered this in our tribute to the Mothman Prophecies- Rush Finley (owner of the Lowe Hotel, and acquaintance of Mr. Keel’s over the years) has some nice things to say in this interview:
https://youtu.be/nK3FfOW1YEw
Comment by Bill — April 5, 2015 @ 10:17 pm
Overall I enjoyed it, but I for one can not stand tv shows with reenactments. Just can’t stand it. It’s always so phony and fake. I’d much rather hear more dialogue of what is going on then have to wait 30 seconds for the reenactment bit to be over or temporarily over. But overall it was well worth the watch in my opinion. It could have been much worse, so I am satisfied!!
Comment by Dallas — May 3, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
I finally watched it. I was disappointed that it didn’t spend more time on John, as a writer and researcher. Instead, it retold the story of The Mothman Prophecies, simplified for TV. Which was pretty much what I expected…
Comment by Doug — May 3, 2015 @ 6:39 pm
These type of shows always disappoint in small or large ways. In this case too little commentary by people who actually had connections with Keel and clips of John himself, and too many interviews with people who seemed to be recounting stuff anyone who has read a book or two would know. Not a big fan of ubiquitous researchers. Would rather they had done a more comprehensive story of his life. Doug, did you find many innaccuracies?
Comment by T'Mara — May 4, 2015 @ 9:05 am
Actually, all of the people interviewed knew John, but not much that was personal made it to screen. I guess that’s what the producers wanted. I didn’t notice any inaccuracies, just simplification for TV: “There was a monster in Point Pleasant!” rather then “There were a lot of strange things happening in Point Pleasant, including sightings of a large winged creature; John investigated, but never found out what was happening, or what people actually saw, as things continued getting stranger around him.” That’s to be expected; the show is about monsters, after all.
Comment by Doug — May 4, 2015 @ 10:39 am
I was hoping they would spend more time on the MIB part to the story. That’s one of the parts I find most fascinating. But I was thrilled that they included what they did. I just recall in John’s book the story about the man who seemed awfully interested in a ladies pen ( I forget how it exactly happened ) and the story about the Man at someones house whose pants leg came up a bit and some type of wires were observed or something.. But maybe that didn’t occur in Point Pleasant, I need to give the book another re read here very soon. I agree though I’d love to see something on John’s life. Obviously the Mothman case is a huge part but i’d be absolutely thrilled to see a sort of “bio” on his life. One day!!!
Comment by Dallas — May 4, 2015 @ 5:56 pm