Destination Truth

Destination Truth is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on June 6, 2007, on Syfy. Produced by Mandt Bros. Productions and Ping Pong Productions, the program follows paranormal researcher Josh Gates around the world to investigate claims of the supernatural, mainly in the field of cryptozoology. The third season concluded on April 21, 2010, and currently holds the highest ratings ever for the series, which continued with a fourth season, beginning on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.[1] The fifth season began July 10, 2012.[2] On March 27, 2014, Gates confirmed via his Facebook account that Destination Truth had ended its run and would not be returning for a sixth season.

Destination Truth
Title screenshot of Season 3
Also known as	The Monster Hunter (UK)
Genre	Documentary Reality Paranormal Mystery Travel Adventure Outdoors
Developed by	Michael Mandt Neil Mandt
Presented by	Josh Gates
Starring	Josh Gates
Narrated by	Josh Gates Jerry Bishop (intro only)
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	55 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Michael Mandt (S1-S5) Neil Mandt (S1-S5) Lucia Gervino (S1) Rob Swartz (S1) Casey Brummels (S2) Brad Kuhlman (S2-S5) Bischa Gholam (S3) Bobby Pura (S3.5-S5) Josh Gates (S5)
Running time	45 minutes
Production company(s)	Mandt Bros. Productions Ping Pong Productions
Distributor	NBC Universal Television Distribution Discovery Channel (UK)
Release
Original network	Syfy
Picture format	480i (SDTV) (2007–09) 1080i (HDTV) (2009–12)
Original release	June 6, 2007 (2007-06-06) – August 14, 2012 (2012-08-14)
Chronology
Related shows	Expedition Unknown Stranded Ghost Hunters Ghost Hunters International Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files Legendary Locations
External links
Website
Production website

Format

Each episode runs for about 45 minutes and typically features two investigations of paranormal activity, usually involving the search for cryptozoological creatures. Gates and his team venture out to various locations around the world where Gates interviews witnesses, reviews any physical evidence they might have, and researches the local history. Later, Gates and his team go into the field, often after nightfall, in an attempt to capture firsthand evidence of the existence of these legendary creatures. Any evidence gathered is then sent to independent experts, generally laboratories or academics in the United States, for further analysis.

The cases rely heavily on field investigation. Typically, Gates' team members split up into two or more groups to survey an area using night vision and thermal imaging cameras. They also commonly use electromagnetic field monitoring and detection equipment when cases contain claims of the supernatural. The team use walkie-talkies to relay findings to a base camp, but also carry backpack mounted cameras, microphone rigs, and hand held night vision systems to gather evidence, and to replace a traditional camera and sound crew.

Footage from the show is usually edited from an entertainment perspective that relies on "suspense building mechanisms" such as brief segments involving team members becoming agitated or startled, asserting they have seen or heard something of interest and then followed by a sudden cut to a commercial break. Conclusion of what happened is then revealed after the break.

At the end of each segment the show details the teams findings with a brief dialog in which Gates typically either states that the accounts on which the case was based are largely myth, or that they are supported by the team's findings.

Ratings

The season three premiere of Destination Truth hit a series high with 2.1 million viewers, the largest number of viewers ever for an episode of the series and the first episode to be watched by over two million viewers.[1] The second episode of the season broke more ratings records, despite formidable competition, and achieved 2.021 million viewers, the second episode of the series to have more than 2 million viewers, and the second episode in a row to do so.[1] The fourth episode broke the record set by the season premiere, with 2.3 million viewers. When season 3 continued on March 17, 2010, the show received its best premiere rating, with 2.2 million viewers.[3]

Episodes

Main article: List of Destination Truth episodes

Cast and crew

A feature of Destination Truth is that along with Josh Gates, who heads up the investigations, members of his production crew also directly participate in the cases and double as his research team rather than remaining behind the scenes and off camera.

Final Season Cast (season 5)[4] Josh Gates – host, lead investigator, co-producer Erin Ryder – case manager Kyle Wheeler – cameraman David D'Angelo – cameraman Katy Murakami – field investigator Adam Butler – audio Tristant Icaza – tech specialist Richie Fung – medic Former Drew Adams – production assistant Allie Boettger – sound engineer Hank Braxtan – tech expert, post producer Casey Brumels – camera operator, co-executive producer Ron Carlson – producer Gabriel "Gabe" Copeland – camera operator Jael de Pardo – researcher, field producer, investigator Rey Delgado – medic Vlad Garcia – audio technician Bicha Gholam – case manager Lindsay Gillette – researcher Tony Gonzales – tech manager Shawn A. Goodwin – medic Naomi Grossman – production assistant Richard Hackney – Motion GFX, Assistant Editor Araceli Haldeman – assistant producer

Former cont. Sharra Jenkins – tech specialist Chris Lore – case manager Mike Morrell – audio engineer Bobby Pura – co-producer, investigator Dan Ramirez – director, camera operator Nick Scown – producer, editor Star Seifert – producer, researcher Ian Shorr – producer, researcher Erica "Shush" Shusha – camera operator Vanessa Joy Smith – tech manager Michael "Ponch" St. Hilaire – audio technician Evan B. Stone – camera operator Jarrod Tomassi – medic Jed Udall – camera operator Rich Velazquez – audio technician Rex Williams – medic Eric Wing – camera operator, producer, casting director Ali Zubik – field producer, investigator Other Michael Adler – sound mixer Brad Kuhlman – executive producer, former investigator Neil Mandt – creator, camera operator, executive producer Michael Mandt – creator, executive producer Jeff Rice – producer Angela Wittenberg – editor

Guest appearances

Over the seasons, Gates has built a relationship with the TAPS team from SyFy's paranormal show, Ghost Hunters and frequently brings his own ghost hunting evidence to them for review and comment. Likewise, Gates has been on their programs, frequently hosting their Halloween specials and other live events.

Jason Hawes – TAPS investigator Grant Wilson – TAPS investigator Steve Gonsalves – TAPS investigator Dave Tango – TAPS investigator Jael de Pardo – investigator

Robb Demarest – GHI investigator Dustin Pari – TAPS/GHI investigator Barry Fitzgerald – GHI investigator Kris Williams – TAPS/GHI investigator Allison Scagliotti – actress Warehouse 13

References

1. "Syfy's Destination Truth season premiere hits series high with 2.1 million viewers". TVbytheNumbers.com. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
2. "Destination Truth". Syfy.
3. Seidman, Robert (March 18, 2010). "Syfy's "Destination Truth" Scores Its Best Season Premiere Ratings Ever". TV by the Numbers.
4. "Destination Truth". Syfy.

External links

• Official website by Syfy
• Official website by Mandt Bros. Productions
• Official website by Ping Pong Productions
• Destination Truth on IMDb
• Destination Truth at TV.com