Phantoms and Monsters: Paranormal Phenomena, Bigfoot, Mothman, UFOs and Other Unexplained Anomalies

I'm going to make a television show recommendation...something I rarely do, but I really think a mention needs to be made. For those who are now totally confused by 'Fringe' and freaked out by 'Grimm' (though, I'll admit, I'm still hooked on both shows) there is an alternative that hasn't yet gone beyond the viewer's imagination and offers unique weekly story lines.

'Alcatraz' is another J. J. Abrams 'Bad Robot Productions' entity. Abrams may be attempting to regain some lost credibility after the likes of 'Person of Interest', 'Undercovers' and 'Six Degrees' (ugh!). The producer of the hit series 'Alias', 'Lost' and 'Fringe' may have recovered some of the old magic in 'Alcatraz'. For those people who are intrigued with the John Titor phenomenon and other time travel conundrums, 'Alcatraz' may fill your niche need.

The two-hour pilot established the show's central mystery: In the early '60s, the entire population of the prison on Alcatraz Island (guards and prisoners) suddenly disappears. The first hour moves along at a reasonable pace and introduces Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones), the detective investigating a modern-day murder with ties to the prison. Jorge Garcia plays Dr. Diego Soto, an Alcatraz expert and author. It may be hard to figure how there will be chemistry between Garcia and Jones, but I think as the series continues they will compliment each other very well. Sam Neill portrays a mysterious lead investigator who glowers, scowls and intimates that he knows a lot more than everyone else, which he most likely does, though it may be a bit irritating to some viewers.

All in all, half the fun of this kind of show comes from the piecemeal reveals in relation to the big mystery. This show recalls the early days of another Abrams product, the Fox drama "Fringe," before it allowed itself to get very weird and truly ambitious. The early reviews were not glowing but most TV critics have agendas and little concern of the public's sentiment. I have not read many disapproving views since the television premiere and the overwhelming reaction of fans streaming to San Francisco to tour 'The Rock' may turn the production into quick cult hit. Below is a description of some of the recent viewer activity:

'Alcatraz' Fans Try to Break Into Real Prison to Find Fictional Secret Room

Some tourists at the Alcatraz island, who tried to sneak into 'closed areas' of the former prison, admitted that they were looking for a 'bat cave underneath Alcatraz' seen on the FOX new series.

"Alcatraz" has just aired for two weeks, but already it gained a cult of viewers. Some tourists have been reported to be trying to stray from their guided tours on the real-life island to find a top secret room, that only exists on the FOX new show.

According to TMZ, National Parks Service rep Alexandra Picavet said the fans tried to sneak into "closed areas" of the former federal prison. The tourists admitted that they were searching for a room that is described as a "bat cave underneath Alcatraz" on the Sarah Jones-starring series.

Following the incident, Picavet stated they have now posted a sign read, "The TV show 'Alcatraz' is fictional, many areas it depicts are not real. Closed areas protect you, historic structures and nesting birds."

Executive produced by J.J. Abrams, "Alcatraz" centers its story on 302 inmates who disappeared from the prison, but reappear in the present day after a few decades. It opened to a solid number of audience (10.05 millions) with its two-hour premiere on January 16. - aceshowbiz

A shadow figure captured during a Los Angeles Paranormal Association (LAPA) investigation of Alcatraz in 2008 - photo usage obtained from L. Halfhill (LAPA)

Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years

Letters from Alcatraz

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