INTERVIEW: ‘Ghost Hunters’ Amy Bruni on episode #200

Ghost Hunters, which recently entered its ninth season, is a reality-TV anomaly. The successful paranormal investigation series has been inspecting ghostly haunts for many, many years, far outlasting its competitors and easily taking the top spot for the sub genre.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 9 p.m., Syfy airs the special 200th episode, featuring Jason Hawes, Samantha Hawes, Amy Bruni and even a surprise visit from former cast member Grant Wilson. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), first started by Jason Hawes and Wilson, has a full investigating plate this season.

Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Bruni about the special episode and her most interesting investigation to date.

Why is Ghost Hunters so popular, lasting for 200 episodes? What makes this show better than other paranormal reality series?

I think Ghost Hunters’ longevity has everything to do with the family feel of the cast and the real heart they put into their investigations. These are all people who have known each other for years, and most of them have been involved in the paranormal field well before the cameras started rolling on them. While we all have our moments of getting startled or scared, you don’t turn this show on to watch people getting freaked out — you turn it on to watch them in their search for answers.

What can fans expect with the new episodes / investigations?

October is our favorite time of the year. It’s like Christmas for ghost hunters, and I think the investigations we chose to air this month reflect that. The 200th episode, (I still can’t believe I’m saying that), takes place at the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which is not only a fan favorite — but one of our favorites. Having Grant back for that investigation was the icing on the cake. Our Halloween episode is at the Cincinnati Music Hall, and I don’t think any of us expected the things that went on there. Definitely worthy of a showing on the 31st — I admit, I actually got pretty freaked out during an experience there.

What’s the most interesting case you’ve investigated on the show?

Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a place we go back to regularly, for the show and off camera. It’s notoriously haunted after having something like 30,000 people die from tuberculosis there in the early 1900s. The entities there are eager to communicate, and I’ve never met anyone who has set foot in that building and left without an experience of some kind. You will hear footsteps behind you, you will see shadow figures; they love to communicate with knocks and whispers … it’s a paranormal playground for sure.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Ghost Hunters’ 200th episode airs Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. on Syfy. Click here for more information.