Maybe next time.

Cryptoinformant 2.0, if you think of a way to make cryptozoology interesting to Bill Gates, give me a call. And yes, the behavioral and anatomical details make it clear that the interpretations of the fossil record are far from perfect. Certainly many books will have to be rewritten upon the discovery of this animal.

Regarding the photo:

Sigh.

“After seeing the “Swamp Stalker” episode of MonsterQuest, the witness found our organization online while having his morning coffee and contacted us from there.”

One should acknowledge that benefits do accrue. Many an encounter report, and trust me I read them, features a person who would not have had the foggiest what to do with their experience if not for An Evening of Television.

And yes it’s evidence, and yes it counts, and you can thank MQ, as do I.

I think MQ needs to tighten up and just do solid hunting/investigating. Alright, and I may be naive, so enlighten me–but I am assuming the investigation teams get some kind of funding from the History Channel…so isn’t it enough to get some good gear and actual time to go into areas and really investigate?

The thing that ticked me off most about that Destination Truth show was that they would go “investigate” a cryptid for what, like one night? And then make a guesstimation on its existence based on what they found out in one night? Are you kidding me…I still hate that show.

So is it that these groups investigating things are only getting a shoe-string budget and don’t have time to really follow up on leads or what?

That kind of information might get me to give MQ a little more slack…that and if I knew who was running the investigations…the people in the groups or the TV producers…

I just think the hour long shows about one cryptid, that turn up nothing new or nothing of significant value, isn’t really working that well. If the above mentioned is the case for 2 expeditions, I say strip the 2 one hour episodes filled with redundant interviews and mindless chatter down to 30 minutes each of something at least mildy entertaining and educational about the subject cryptids. Then when you have expeditions that are more succesful, in terms of evidence, you can highlight those and do them justice when editing for tv. I realize that it’s not reasonable to think that we are actually going to see a cryptid captured, but the success of the expedition can be based on what one can conclude from the evidence gathered. If the evidence gathered suggests (to a normal person) that there is some basis to believe that the subject cryptid may indeed exist and reside, or normally passes through, the boundaries of the expedition, then that is a successful expedition and worthy of investing more time and money into continuing the efforts. That could necessitate a show longer than 1 hour, or depending on the evidence, a show even longer than that as the investigators get even closer to the subject cryptid. And you could rotate investigators if needed, when some are required to leave the expedition, you bring in a new set of investigators and refresh supplies and equipment. I think something like that would bring in serious viewers if it is done correctly and is not overly dramatized. I mean, it’s just a thought, but just about anything other than what they are doing now with their current format could have the potential to be an improvement, IMHO.

I just think that if MQ rethought its drink, it could surprise itself. The reason I say focus on one cryptid is that all of a sudden the science takes center stage. I think that is a HUGE untapped audience, the “I had no idea” segment.

I got exercised a bit up there. Hope I didn’t hurt any feelings (sorry Loren, ‘unrealistic’ just does something to me), but shoot, bull in a china shop is my way sometimes (and sometimes more often than sometimes). And I don’t like to see something with scientific legitimacy waiting to be recognized selling itself short.

I think crypto deserves not only better than it’s getting, but better than it thinks it deserves.

Also, regarding the point that was made about the people putting together these expeditions not being rich – doesn’t it just suck that Bill Gates isn’t interested in cryptozoology?

I disagree up there with Loren’s comments…MQ is a niche show from the get go…I understand they may want to pull in as wide a range of audience as they can–that is common business sense, but you are still looking at the show as a niche market…I would guess (and feel free to throw statistics at me about who watches the thing if you’ve got em), most of your viewers are people who are in the know on cryptozoology, or at least interested in it.

The strength of the show is that the investigators involved, for the most part, are very methodical in their approach to hunting for cryptids, they do approach it in a scientific way, investigating and looking for physical evidence.

However, I also feel that a lot of times they drop the ball, come up with some goofy idea…and I don’t know if it’s because of one person’s thinking who’s running the expedition, or the heads of the show coming up with ideas or what. I just get the feel every now and again that things are being played up for ratings at the expense of the show’s premise.

Okay, and I fully understand that the show actually finding and getting a cryptid or capturing it on film is the holy grail of the show (not to mention the viewers), and I do think some really good stuff has been discovered (the fresh water sharks, the primate thing that stepped on the nails in the BF episode, etc).

I understand what you are saying, Loren, about the show’s ability to bring crypto-people together to work on expeditions and to broaden the spectrum, increasing awareness, etc…but at the same time the show is about hunting cryptids, and the other stuff should be a healthy by-product of that endeavor, and on many of the shows I feel like it is the other way around.

I have had a bit to do with scammers of late and it always relies on %5 truth %95 con.

I honestly believe that the locals honestly believe they have somethining the rivers, but I believe that some in cameroon may be taking advantage of the niavety of westerners for the western dollar/pound.

I can’t help but think our author may also be leaning towards this conclusion with the last pic – it translates pretty clearly to me too.