I've always found it humorous how folks poo-poo something along this course. Not because they are cynics but because they didn't think of exploiting the public's fascination with something of
strange ilk, first.
Since the earliest of times human beings have held a fascination and innate belief in the surreal. Some of it may be based on genuine encounters while most of it is based on both, tradition and ignorance. Not "ignorance" in the context of "stupidity" but rather innocence -- that naivety that allows one's imagination to flow with the core idea of "what if?"
Culturally however we have a cornucopia of elements to consider; everything form religious-based superstitions to cultural-based lore such as the act of honoring/remembering one's ancestors and even seeking to know their guidance, understanding omens and apparitions, etc. Very (very) few of us escaping these two primary veins of influence, the combination resulting in a "need" to connect to it and explore the
unknown or, in certain instances, the taboo.
Shows of this sort are an echo of such things. Sadly (as has been hinted at in previous posts) it is likewise a form of B-rate "entertainment" that panders to the classic couch potato side of the populace; the same people that love to watch programs like COPS and think that Big Brother or Survivor are "reality"...
in other words, one of the largest demographics when it comes to marketing and what can only be described to as those with "low" critical thinking skills as well as life ambition (to some degree). But likewise, its a demographic that is in love with the fantasy around such things.
I've been watching a few of these programs...
let me rephrase that... I've been trying to watch a few of these programs (some of them are simply horrid) for the sake of research in that I'm in the final leg of creating some local tourist draws associated with the Paranormal... and yes, I'm exploiting those same demographics previously noted... just as many others (Mentalists and non-mentalists) are doing by offering Ghost Walks, Grave Yard Tours and even Ghost Watch/Investigations... there's even a couple of groups in the Southwestern U.S. doing UFO Watches/ Tours, etc. with patrons paying hundreds of dollars each to be a part of the "fun".
Magician's, as I've pointed out in the past, tend to be very myopic because of their cynicism and faux-morality when it comes to this sort of thing. As to why this is so... well, we'll not venture a guess. But when it comes to the reason for their knee jerk around this sort of programming and how it deliberately exploits those primitive elements noted above, there are but two key reasons; jealousy and arrogance.
Jealousy, based on what I stated in my opening paragraph; it's a golden goose ploy that got away from them.
Arrogance on the other hand, stems from the ego-centered theory that being a magician and pseudo-intellectual makes you too smart to "fall for that" let alone understand the public fascination and related commercial appeal. I know that sounds very jaded and even cruel, but sometimes we just can't help but get in our own way and prevent ourselves from admiring the forest because of all the trees that stand in the way...
!! 
