Uncanny (BBC Programme / Podcast)

Looking at some of the comments above, I agree with the sentiments. The first series, the best for me, was low key, quaint and probably cheap. Now it's snowballed into something grandiose and "spectacular." It feels less intimate and more sensational...and of course, commercialised.

I think there's also the boredom factor. The first series was fresh and new. Over successive years the format feels tired and not as fresh. This isn't a problem specific to uncanny. The first time you do something it feels fresh and exciting. On successive occasions, probably less so.

I don't know how they could reinvigorate it. Certainly, IMHO, the stories are not as enticing. Danny tells us he has got hundreds of emails from the US and if what has been produced so far is "the best" then heaven help the worst.
 
DrPaulLee said:
Here's another local example of something spooky on completely virgin land. Nearby is a large hospital and the very first unit built was plagued by a clock that people could hear ticking and chiming. Staff could never find it.
It's been suggested that the unit was built on the site of an old house and that the ghostly clock is a spectral remnant of that long gone building.

But... Ive asked people on the local history forum and checked old maps and there was never anything there. Just fields, trees and allotments.
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I lived with a phantom clock!

In 1979 I moved with then-husband and a new baby into a newly built 2-storey block of 6 flats, constructed on land that had been fields before.

Ours was the middle flat of three on the first floor and we were the only tenants for a good few weeks.

We'd often hear a loud, clear ticking when the only clock in the place was our small battery-operated alarm. The sound couldn't be pinned down even when we switched everything off and wandered from room to room listening hard. It seemed to be everywhere.

Other times there'd be a muffled thump and all the power would briefly go off. Never got to the bottom of that either.
 
DrPaulLee said:
Looking at some of the comments above, I agree with the sentiments. The first series, the best for me, was low key, quaint and probably cheap. Now it's snowballed into something grandiose and "spectacular." It feels less intimate and more sensational...and of course, commercialised.

I think there's also the boredom factor. The first series was fresh and new. Over successive years the format feels tired and not as fresh. This isn't a problem specific to uncanny. The first time you do something it feels fresh and exciting. On successive occasions, probably less so.

I don't know how they could reinvigorate it. Certainly, IMHO, the stories are not as enticing. Danny tells us he has got hundreds of emails from the US and if what has been produced so far is "the best" then heaven help the worst.
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So agree.

In the first series I had the mental image of Danny sat in his garden shed after dark, bringing us those intriguing and downright scary first-hand accounts of the paranormal from credible witnesses from around these islands. Now he's on a road trip of the USA, we have celebrities on the show for often the flimsiest of reasons (eg David Baddiel) and the the money-spinning Live Show with all that tacky merchandise has overtaken the podcast.

If Uncanny was a singer then there was the surprise hit first album, the difficult second one and now the record company have brought in big names to collaborate and push sales for albums three and four along with trying to 'make it big in the US'. Yet everyone still prefers the first album.
 
I liked the first 2 episodes of these series but wasn't that taken by the 3rd. They kept saying that they had built the house themselves. Perhaps they just didn't build it very well and the various plumbing and electrical problems just seemed spooky when they weren't really.
 
Paul_Exeter said:
So agree.

In the first series I had the mental image of Danny sat in his garden shed after dark, bringing us those intriguing and downright scary first-hand accounts of the paranormal from credible witnesses from around these islands. Now he's on a road trip of the USA, we have celebrities on the show for often the flimsiest of reasons (eg David Baddiel) and the the money-spinning Live Show with all that tacky merchandise has overtaken the podcast.

If Uncanny was a singer then there was the surprise hit first album, the difficult second one and now the record company have brought in big names to collaborate and push sales for albums three and four along with trying to 'make it big in the US'. Yet everyone still prefers the first album.
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It reminds of British bands who were succesfull in their own country and then chasing the Yankee dollar route which I few folded.
 
With the news that:

An undisclosed Cumbrian hill farm is the location for the first ever positive identification of big cat DNA taken from a carcass.

https://www.countryfile.com/news/ne...s-presence-of-big-cat-in-cumbrian-countryside

I realised that Uncanny has never featured British 'Alien' Big Cats which i find a curious omission given how newsworthy that have been and the large number of witnesses. Would have mede for a cracking episode and now some actual evidence to silence Ciarán.
 
Paul_Exeter said:
With the news that:

An undisclosed Cumbrian hill farm is the location for the first ever positive identification of big cat DNA taken from a carcass.

https://www.countryfile.com/news/ne...s-presence-of-big-cat-in-cumbrian-countryside

I realised that Uncanny has never featured British 'Alien' Big Cats which i find a curious omission given how newsworthy that have been and the large number of witnesses. Would have mede for a cracking episode and now some actual evidence to silence Ciarán.
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Although Metabunk aren't happy because the person who found the sheep carcass and took the samples has an active interest in ABCs:

https://www.metabunk.org/threads/cl...thers-in-the-british-countryside.12957/page-3
 
DrPaulLee said:
Looking at some of the comments above, I agree with the sentiments. The first series, the best for me, was low key, quaint and probably cheap. Now it's snowballed into something grandiose and "spectacular." It feels less intimate and more sensational...and of course, commercialised.

I think there's also the boredom factor. The first series was fresh and new. Over successive years the format feels tired and not as fresh. This isn't a problem specific to uncanny. The first time you do something it feels fresh and exciting. On successive occasions, probably less so...
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Paul_Exeter said:
So agree.

In the first series I had the mental image of Danny sat in his garden shed after dark, bringing us those intriguing and downright scary first-hand accounts of the paranormal from credible witnesses from around these islands...
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I know I've mentioned the series before, and I assume many people here will be aware of it anyway, but the Uncanny format actually came into being with the earlier - non BBC - Haunted podcast (2017).

I listened again to some of these last week - and whether it's just a wee bit of nostalgia for something that felt fresh and new at the time - I can't help feeling that it has something that's maybe got a bit lost in the subsequent development of the template. The shortish run probably helped - there being maybe less pressure to dig up stories, and therefore maybe the opportunity to be more selective. Certainly, I think that proportionally more of these stories have lodged themselves in my memory. With exceptions - I'm not at all totally down on Uncanny, and a couple of the Haunted episodes don't really work for me.

I'd recommend, The House That Had to be Sold.

I really liked this first episode. Engaging, and seemingly very grounded witnesses, combined with everyday domesticity and an interesting cross cultural aspect. It feels like a thoroughly modern haunting. Even the basic retelling of events feels somehow less self-consciously like the telling of a ghost story than seems standard. This episode has less of the ‘expert’ input, and more of the story; I don’t actually dislike the way Uncanny is structured, but I suspect we would mostly agree that a weighting towards story holds the attention better. (That said, I'd actually agree - in regard to this first episode - with the comments about burglary, and how it can affect our domestic psychology; I think it’s probably really quite relevant in many cases, but I have doubts in regard to this one).

Also, The Night Shift (1+2).

Haunted hospitals – what more could you ask for. And a story that ramps up in a satisfyingly dramatic, but not overly theatrical way.

And:

The Thing in the Attic - which somehow manages to be absolutely, utterly bonkers and kind of terrifying at the same time. (I was working on my own at night when I first listened to this episode - at the point of the big reveal I had to stop what I was doing and verbally engage with my tablet: 'No, nope…enough of that….get the fuck out of town…'etc.

It didn't listen.

All episodes here: Haunted.

Also, the music is less annoying and Danny seems a bit less ‘Danny’ (To be honest - even I’m not sure exactly what I mean by that, but I get my drift).
 
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DrPaulLee said:
Looking at the Facebook groups there isn't widespread approval of the US series.
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Crikey, just had another look at Uncanny Fans on FB and the USA series is getting an absolute kicking to the extent one member has now put up a post practically begging for people to say they've enjoyed it. I somewhat doubt the upcoming Bigfoot episode will win people over.
 
Although I'm not enthused about the US stories, I hope that the Australian one will materialise. Their use of language would be hilarious. At an Unconvention, a guy who researched the Humpty Doo poltergeist gave a presentation and his Australianisms ("Fair Dinkum" etc) had the audience in giggles.
 
DrPaulLee said:
Although I'm not enthused about the US stories, I hope that the Australian one will materialise. Their use of language would be hilarious. At an Unconvention, a guy who researched the Humpty Doo poltergeist gave a presentation and his Australianisms ("Fair Dinkum" etc) had the audience in giggles.
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Australia would also be good because the Yowie hasn't been done to death and there is a lot going for the Thylacine, too.

I accept that Danny has a living to make and also success can be fleeting in his line of work. Uncanny can't ever be the same as before it was a huge success but will still have these Series One episodes to enjoy (plus the stand-out ones from 2 & 3).
 
Spookdaddy said:
Also, The Night Shift (1+2).

Haunted hospitals – what more could you ask for. And a story that ramps up in a satisfyingly dramatic, but not overly theatrical way.
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I’ve mentioned that episode on here before and I think it was the Jewel in the Haunted crown. My first wife had her wisdom teeth removed in that hospital when we were a young unmarried couple. Then later on my employers redeveloped the site into the residential area it is now.

But back to Haunted podcast. I eagerly used to await each new episode and was seriously disappointed when it finished after one season.
 
DrPaulLee said:
Although I'm not enthused about the US stories, I hope that the Australian one will materialise. Their use of language would be hilarious. At an Unconvention, a guy who researched the Humpty Doo poltergeist gave a presentation and his Australianisms ("Fair Dinkum" etc) had the audience in giggles.
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Tony Healy or Paul Cropper.
 
The best way to rejuvinate the series? Scarcity.

Make a series only once every two years, containing maybe four or five episodes - but well researched and investigated. Not just 'scary stories' but those where the background has been thoroughly looked into, with both sceptics and believers having equal access to, say, history and weather conditions.

Less is more, which most TV companies tend to forget when they think they have a success on their hands.
 
catseye said:
The best way to rejuvinate the series? Scarcity.

Make a series only once every two years, containing maybe four or five episodes - but well researched and investigated. Not just 'scary stories' but those where the background has been thoroughly looked into, with both sceptics and believers having equal access to, say, history and weather conditions.

Less is more, which most TV companies tend to forget when they think they have a success on their hands.
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That won’t pay Danny’s mortgage though…
 
catseye said:
The best way to rejuvinate the series? Scarcity.

Make a series only once every two years, containing maybe four or five episodes - but well researched and investigated. Not just 'scary stories' but those where the background has been thoroughly looked into, with both sceptics and believers having equal access to, say, history and weather conditions.

Less is more, which most TV companies tend to forget when they think they have a success on their hands.
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Spot on and definitely from Halloween onwards when people are getting 'nested' down for the coming Winter months and appreciate a ghost tale
 
New Episode.

Well that was a corker.

First of a two part Bigfoot encounter story.

A very credible ...both in background and delivery ...witness to ( or victim of) a multiple creature siege in an Alaskan shack. The creatures described are of such gargantuan proportions and forensic facial description that the resident sceptic's repeated appeal to the word "bear" seems almost embarrassing.
 
I wish I could agree @gattino but I have a fundamental issue with the premise that Bigfoot is a predator, working in a team to stalk, kill and presumably eat humans. I find this hard to believe and doesn't fit with what we know from elsewhere. I feel there is a lot of influence from tribal folklore at play here.

Afraid I think it was some severely p*ssed off and hungry bears. Oh well, see what happens next week
 
But I think there you're talking about your own boggle threshold rather than anything in the witness testimony ( the only evidence accessible to us). Did he sound credible ? Was his story internally consistent?

If the answer to both is yes, that doesn't mean he isn't lying or that the creatures involved are the same species as the ones in other people's encounters in the wilderness. Since there is no scientifically described single species called " Bigfoot" in a book let alone a zoo, against which to judge it how would one know what "they" do or do not do in particular circumstances.

In terms of what's hard to believe "stalking and preying" by an unknown animal is surely less a strain on the imagination than a human mind vacating a body at death and interacting with the world.
 
gattino said:
But I think there you're talking about your own boggle threshold rather than anything in the witness testimony ( the only evidence accessible to us). Did he sound credible ? Was his story internally consistent?

If the answer to both is yes, that doesn't mean he isn't lying or that the creatures involved are the same species as the ones in other people's encounters in the wilderness. Since there is no scientifically described single species called " Bigfoot" in a book let alone a zoo, against which to judge it how would one know what "they" do or do not do in particular circumstances.

In terms of what's hard to believe "stalking and preying" by an unknown animal is surely less a strain on the imagination than a human mind vacating a body at death and interacting with the world.
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He is a very good witness as you say, especially his background and you make a strong argument. I'm listening to it again and I will have a look at more cases from this area. As a podcast to creep out its listeners it is a cracking case.

For the record a bear with mange:

bn16bfoeww3b1.jpg
 
gattino said:
New Episode.

Well that was a corker.

First of a two part Bigfoot encounter story.

A very credible ...both in background and delivery ...witness to ( or victim of) a multiple creature siege in an Alaskan shack. The creatures described are of such gargantuan proportions and forensic facial description that the resident sceptic's repeated appeal to the word "bear" seems almost embarrassing.
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Yes, I really enjoyed the story and Fred described everything beautifully.

I have to disagree about the sceptic though. I think, sadly, she has it spot on. I have taken Fred's description of the face and listed them below. Now look at some photos of mangy bears. (Do not do this before bed and don't say I didn't warn you guys..)

Skin was an ashy grey
Very wrinkly
Big cheekbones
Nose flat to the face with broad nostrils pointed down
Very defined brow ridge
Deep set eyes
Faint red eye shine

I also think he said he did not see below the nose.

Uncle John's fish chowder would have been very interesting to a starving bear.

I was intrigued by the description of the huge figure as being so black it seemed to absorb light as this is what I and others have seen.

I can't wait till the next episode.
 
I can’t be dealing with Bigfoot stories, they are up there with fairies and goblins AFAIC.
I’ve marked it as played and won’t be downloading it.
I think this will be the final nail in the coffin for Uncanny in the T63 household.
Danny’s cash cow has run its course for me.
 
Tempest63 said:
I can’t be dealing with Bigfoot stories, they are up there with fairies and goblins AFAIC.
I’ve marked it as played and won’t be downloading it.
I think this will be the final nail in the coffin for Uncanny in the T63 household.
Danny’s cash cow has run its course for me.
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Fair enough. When the fun stops, stop etc.

It is still fun for me (and I could give up any time I want to..)
 
Hang on, is this the same tribal elder Fred;

"Reporting and recording Alaskan Hairy Man encounters. This is a issue I take seriously and not lightly. I'm not going to judge anyone's encounter or offer "expert" opinions. I don't feel anyone is an expert, however there are some legitimate researchers. I want a place for Alaskan's to get information about areas they might go hunting, fishing or camping. Even if the information is not accepted by everyone, if it helps one person then its successful. Understand that 500-2000 people go missing each year up here in Alaska. Not all are sasquatch/hairy man related however even if one is , its too many!I have a email account for reporting encounters at :[email protected] or you can call me directly at (907)315-7965 between 9am-10pm AST. Please no sales calls.We are self funded and not sponsored by any outside entities. I'm first nation's Alaskan native and Curyung Tribal Counsel member from Dillin"

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCU9zeM05A1pLz3DxQPIWw

Also:

"Fred from Alaska is back! He is here to share some amazing encounter stories from his Subacrtic Alaska Sasquatch YouTube Channel. These encounters are incredible and Fred is an amazing story teller."

https://www.everand.com/podcast/704...ories-from-his-Subacrtic-Alaska-Sasquatch-You
 
Paul_Exeter said:
If Uncanny was a singer then there was the surprise hit first album, the difficult second one and now the record company have brought in big names to collaborate and push sales for albums three and four along with trying to 'make it big in the US'. Yet everyone still prefers the first album.
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Is Bigfoot the equivalent of the 'run out of ideas album' when the artist makes an album of classic covers?
 
Yep this is the same guy as on Uncanny as the tribal name checks out:

"Cliff Barackman and James "Bobo" Fay speak with Fred Roehl, a Curyung Tribal Council member from Dillingham, Alaska about his sasquatch encounters and research! Read more about Fred's research here:"

 
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