Encounters: The Hidden Truth

I used to watch "Encounters: The Hidden Truth" back in the '90s. It aired on the Fox network from 1994 to 1996. I think it started with one special that aired early in 1994, which did well in the ratings and led to the production of the weekly series later that year. It aired sporadically in different time slots and on different nights for 2 or 3 seasons. Even though it seemed like a similar replacement for the "Sightings" TV show that Fox had canceled in 1993, Encounters had a slightly different style and spin on its paranormal content. While I liked Sightings a lot more, I still liked Encounters and watched it whenever it was on. Despite the less than glowing review that another reviewer gave this show on this board, I think it was pretty good and was worth watching for anyone who was interested in the paranormal. The other reviewer obviously doesn't believe in paranormal events and apparently likes to look down on shows like this. The show's original host John Marshall seemed to be somewhat skeptical, but the paranormal stories were still presented in a straightforward and serious manner, nonetheless. Marshall and his team of investigators were replaced by actor Steven Williams (from "The X-Files") in the last 3 episodes of the series.

You know the drill: Nearly absurd "reports" about crop circles, alien abductions, UFO sightings, sinister government coverups, the Face on Mars, trips to the hills near Area 51, even some Bigfoot hokum. Back in the 1990s during the heyday of Fox programming you could look forward to seeing weekly "updates" on the quest to solve the unsolvable thanks to shows like "Sightings" and "Encounters". The former was perhaps the goofier but "Encounters" has it's share of bizarre absurdities, like the delightful moment when Marilyn Monroe was linked to Roswell, Stanton Friedman jabbering on excitedly and waving printouts covered with redaction blocks at the camera, and a priceless side-splitting trip to the home of a reluctant airline pilot who had seen a UFO but refused to talk about it. "Encounters'" cameras tracked him down and filmed him driving off in a huff.

With endless, droning, ominous synthesizer music, combinations of various video textures and one jaw dropping revelation after another, "Encounters" was must-see weekend stoner hour nonsense. You'd watch it before getting ready to go out and then laugh about it afterwards over a few beers. But one thing was for sure: You'd watch it every week that it fit in your schedule. I guess this could be an early example of the Reality TV fad, unscripted and talent-free entertainment centered around real people, most of whom seem to live in various trailer parks across the fruited plain. Then we get the parade of experts like Jim Dellitoso and Karl Korff about to come to blows as they argue over UFO footage -- one can just picture the discussions continuing out in the parking lot and one of the two showing up for work the next day sporting a shiner.

That's one of the things that ultimately started to turn me off about "paranormal studies as entertainment", which is that egos almost always come into play, character assassination becomes the modus operandi, and bug-eyed freaky looking dudes in ill-fitting suits try to convince us that the government is covering it all up. You sort of get the impression after a while that the hosts are subtly digging you in the ribs at times with a sort of knowing smile that belies the droll seriousness of the presentation: Nobody in their right mind believes that a human face was carved onto the surface of Mars. And if they do, they probably watch Fox. Programming genius at work.