We've heard about this one for a bit, but still weren't certain if it was a joke or not. But today Syfy announced it is indeed coming: Deep South Paranormal, a ghost hunting reality show focusing on the territory south of the Mason-Dixon.
Produced by BASE Productions (the same company behind Fact or Faked), Deep South will premiere April 10 at 10 p.m. ET and revolve around a "bayou-based team" and "homegrown blend of Cajun, Creole and self-proclaimed rednecks."
According to the network press release, the show will pursue the mysteries that have baffled Southerners and follow the no-doubt eccentric team as they "take on anything from swamp apparitions to haunted plantation houses and Southern voodoo legends."
"The fun-loving charm of these larger-than-life characters becomes deadly serious when it comes to their investigations, which deal not only with the hazards of paranormal phenomenon," says Syfy, "but with physical dangers like gators, snakes, spiders, wild hogs, and mosquitoes."
You can't help but marvel at the obviousness and brilliance of the gimmick. It's Ghost Hunters meets Swamp People and Duck Dynasty (which has been a huge ratings performer). Although the question remains: Syfy is still clearly interested in producing shows for the paranormal space, but is their faith in the GH brand waning? After all, as the show heads towards its tenth season, Syfy has not yet announced another season pickup.
As for Deep South Paranormal, the 6-episode season will have the team investigating Alabama’s Bear Creek Swamp, the Old Cahawba ghost town, Florida’s Manntown Cemetery and the Mont Helena Plantation in the Mississippi Delta, to name just a few.
-Aaron Sagers