"Chasing
UFOs" is a pro-UFO series aired on National Geographic Channel (sic).
James Fox, Erin Ryder and Ben McGee are a research team investigating various
UFO cases in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. Fox is a seasoned ufologist,
while Ben is his sceptical opponent. Ryder is the hot woman with the vaguely
risqué dress habits. Both Fox and McGee were dissatisfied with the series, and
have publicly disavowed it. It's unclear whether it will continue for another
season, but for now it's still promoted on the National Geographic website.
The concept is ripped from "Finding Bigfoot", almost to the letter. Even the guy who introduces each episode with a dramatic-sounding voice sounds similar to his "Finding Bigfoot" equivalent. Maybe it *is* the same bloke? The discussions in the car, town meetings with witnesses, nocturnal expeditions, cliff hangers, even the way the team members speak...all is stolen from "Finding Bigfoot". Ha ha. I hope National Geographic paid the claim fees!
Unfortunately, James and Ben are less charismatic and much less interesting than their "Finding Bigfoot" competitors Matt, Bobo and Cliff. Most of "Chasing UFOs" is ridiculous filler, but even at their most humorous, the UFO team are no match for Bobo & Friends. Worst of all, the UFO cases investigated usually turn out to be less compelling than even the least believable Bigfoot sightings - or, if they are compelling, it certainly doesn't show! I'm almost prepared to buy the idea that a White Bigfoot can turn up on a suburban parking lot on Rhode Island in broad daylight, but I haven't seen any hard evidence for alien visitation on "Chasing UFOs". But sure, there are a lot of spiders in Brazilian rainforests. "Chasing UFOs" feels like "Finding Bigfoot" without the squatch...
I'm writing this with the caveat that the producers of "Finding Bigfoot" might have ripped *their* concept from some older ghost hunter show. If so, I'd say theirs was the better rip!
Two stars - but only for the effort.
No comments:
Post a Comment