This is my personal opinion of the shows like Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, Monster Quest, UFO Hunters and the people who star on them.  Let me note before I begin that I do not believe everything I see on TV or read in books and newspapers.  These shows are for entertainment purposes and not scientific research.

Put yourself in Jason and Grant's shoes for a moment.  You are full-time plumbers by day with a hobby that you love on the side.  Yes, it is an unusual hobby, and most people who learn what it is think you are nuts.

One day, a friend of a friend approaches you and tells you that they think what you do is fascinating, and if the general public could see what you do and how you handle it, that their eyes would be opened to the world of the paranormal, and you could help prove the existence of life after death or spirits!

You listen intently and appreciate the praise and then this person tells you that they would be interested in doing a show about what you do.  It would be a show that would follow you through the course of your investigations, showing how you do them with your crew and with only your input, and they would  film you doing things your way, it would be all based on what you wanted to show.  Sounds great, right?

It may not even pay well to begin with, but the producers may offer to buy you newer or better equipment for your investigations, and offer to fund trips to places that you have always wanted to see, but couldn't really afford to get to.  Plus, big bonus here, this may finally validate the work you do that other people turn their noses up at.

So, you agree.  The first season is done very simply, you show your regular day jobs, your nightime crew, and the way you investigate.  You explain terms that are used such as orbs, evp's, EMF detection, digital videos, cameras, anomolies and other various terms that most people have never seen or heard.  At the end of each show, you exhibit whatever evidence you found or didn't findand express your opinions on what is going on.

The show is a big hit and they want you to do a second season, but the producers now have ideas on what looks good on TV.  They buy you new vans, and get you an office with a storefront.  They buy you even better equipment and send you to more famous places to do bigger investigations.  They start to dictate exactly where you will go, how it's going to be filmed, even how you should do your investigations.  They also start paying you more money.

It's a compromise.  You are getting paid to do what you love, and you never did before.  You have access to really cool technology that you could not afford on your own.  The public is starting to get into the paranormal and you are meeting all kinds of people who are just as passionate about the paranormal as you are.

In return, you give up certain rights.  Probably evidence rights (although I don't know for certain), and choice of sites for investigation, what is shown on TV, what you say, how you do things and so on.  And on top of that, people are starting to dog you.  Some "professionals" or people who have also been investigating and authoring books and such start to disparage you.  They say your techniques are wrong, or you make up evidence, or you don't spend enough time at a site. 

So, it's time for season 3.  The producers have even more control, but the lure of all they have to offer in return is even greater. Now they have you selling equipment, and t-shirts and books, and videos and any other thing that the TV show can make money off of.  Do you sign on?  What would you do?  I know what I would do.

This scenario goes for all of these types of shows.  Imagine someone coming along and offering you the chance to follow you passion.  To not only get paid for it, but the chance to turn thousands if not millions of people on to what makes you happiest in the world.  Giving you technology and access to so many things that you would never get on your own.  Would you say no?

I know that if I was in any of these guys shoes, I would jump on it.  Especially Josh Gates.  I mean, my God, he got to go to Africa, and Tibet, and Scotland, and a whole bunch of other really cool places and investigate fascinating legends!  WOW!

In my opinion, these guys are not sell-outs, or fakes.  They just got opportunities that most people don't get.  I am jealous!  Before you trash these guys, just try to put yourself in their place.

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