Jersey Devil Expeditions: As seen on TV, Part II

The Jersey Devil Expeditions is the movie diary of Fighting Owl Film's new independent monster movie of the same name. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, you'll get an insider's peek at what it's like for filmmakers to craft a new entry of paranormal pop culture from Erin Lilley, a producer and actress on the film. 

The Paranormal State PRS Team.
Photo Credit: A&E
In my last post, I mentioned that the Jersey Devil myth is one that hasn't seen a whole lot of action in movies or on television, but that's not to say it hasn't seen any! I've already listed five scripted television programs that featured either the creature or the legend. Here are five un-scripted, reality programs that attempted to shed some light on our favorite cryptid. As before, I've tried to stay out of spoiler country in the post, but be careful clicking on any of the links if you haven't seen the episodes and want to be surprised when they don't find him. (What?! If they had, don't you think you'd have heard by now?!)

These are shows that Thomas and I have checked out for research purposes, since you can't write or produce a movie on a subject you know nothing about. Also, we're huge Destination Truth fans, and were really hoping for an up close and personal encounter between Josh Gates and the creature. Personally, my money'd be on Josh Gates.
Reality Shows

Lost Tapes: "Jersey Devil" premiered on November 3, 2009. A vacationing family has a run-in with the creature. The family's fight for survival mostly takes place in an abandoned cabin, grafittied with satanic symbols and the number 13; a reference to the legend of Mrs. Leeds (or whoever) declaring the Devil could take her thirteenth child. The creature is only seen in quick snatches.

Paranormal State: "Devil in Jersey" premiered February 9, 2010. The PRS team travelled to the Pine Barrens--with cryptozoologist in tow!--to try to determine how much reality there was to the myth.

Scariest Places on Earth: "Urban Legends" premiered June 16, 2001. There are four segments in this episode, and the third deals with the Jersey Devil. An experienced group of "Devil Hunters" toured the woods and ruins of the Leeds' house with the last remaining descendent of the legendary Mother Leeds. The hunt appears to be very exciting, with menacing growls and mysterious footprints. However, (in the interest of full-disclosure) the hunters have another, far less terrifying version of the events on their blog.

MonsterQuest: "Devils in New Jersey" premiered February 25, 2009. The History Channel show sent a sixty-member search party in the Pine Barrens to look for evidence of the creature. Meanwhile, detectives interviewed eyewitnesses.

Destination Truth: "The New Jersey Devil/The Yeren" premiered March 31, 2010. Ghost Hunters International's Kris Williams joined host Josh Gates and team on a trek into the Pine Barrens. While the results were inconclusive, they left open the very real possibility that something might be out there. 

Next time: The Jersey Devil goes to the movies! Five creature-features based on the legend.