We always lie to strangers

"Monsters and Mysteries in America" is a surprisingly good series shown at Destination America. It features interviews with people who claim to have encountered various paranormal creatures, plus reconstructions of the events.

The producers have made absolutely no attempt to verify the various stories. They could be absurd tall tales, for all we know. Despite this, the show works. Some of the people on it are pretty good story tellers. Regardless whether you believe in monsters or not, you will probably find this to be entertaining, certainly on a rainy day!

I admit that some of the supernatural beasts shown on "Monsters and Mysteries" are just too bizarre to be believable. Come and meet the Sheep-squatch (you heard me). Or how about Justin Smeja, the man who claimed he shot a Bigfoot in the Sierras? (John Muir would have a few unkind comments about *that*!) The shape-shifting werewolf Rougarou of Louisiana is another sure attraction on our tour, as is the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a Bigfoot-like creature with webbed, reptilian feet. A couple of classical cases are also revisited, including the alien attack on Sutton's farm in Kelly and Mothman of Point Pleasant.

Are we really supposed to believe in these yarns? Perhaps not. However, the complete lack of any sceptic versus true believer confrontation actually makes them strangely relaxing to watch... Four stars for what might become a piece of modern Americana.