Dan Aykroyd’s dad Peter has a book out in time for Halloween called A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters. Dan and his dad Peter were on the Today Show this morning and discussed their family history as paranormal researchers. It seems to have started with Dan’s great grandfather, who was friends with a medium at the turn of the century and regularly conducted seances. They say all this in a very matter-of-fact way, and proclaim that they both believe in ghosts, having studied this issue extensively. I’m a non-believer but I found the discussion kind of fascinating anyway. One thing I learned is that Akyroyd’s dad Peter actually inspired the story of Ghostbusters!

Dan explained to Al Roker that he believes in ghosts, but that the book is less about spirits and more about “the empiricists who were studying ghosts at the turn of the century, [including] Arthur Conan Doyle and William James.” He said the “book presents a very balanced view of it and also exposes some of the hoaxes and charlatans that were at it at the turn of the century as well.”

Dan’s dad Peter said that he always believed in ghosts, and that he’s witnessed too many explainable things to discount. “You can’t deny what you see.”

They then showed three photos they claimed were real examples of spirits (below), but they looked entirely bogus to me. Dan said he thinks they’re authentic based on the integrity of the people who produced them, except for the booger one with the photos stuck in it, which he said was iffy.

As for the possibility of a Ghostbusters 3 – Dan said it was probably a go. “Two years ago I’d have to say no. Now it looks pretty good.”

The Today Show website has a segment from the book, and it focuses on Peter’s experience as a child sneaking around to watch his grandfather conduct a seance. Peter later discovers his grandfather’s diaries and personal correspondence while cleaning out his home after his death.

This is interesting and all, but as I said I’m a skeptic. If it leads to another Ghostbusters movie I’m all for it, though.

Thanks to Izzy for the tip!

Yes, Dan Akroyd is a “wild and crazy guy,” but a recent infomercial type video released on the internet has many asking just how crazy. In the 8-minute long clip, Akroyd appears to be hawking a new vodka, quadruple distilled, triple filtered through diamonds, which gives it a unique light, sweet, creamy taste.

At this point, no one is able to discern if the video and website are sincere or a well placed viral campaign, possibly for the anticipated Ghostbusters 3 movie said to be in the works. As NY Magazine pointed out, Akroyd makes a direct reference to “ectoplasm” in the sales pitch, but it does seem to be meant as a mocking reference to his most popular movies.

Dan Akroyd has had a very keen and public interest in the paranormal and extraterrestrial for a long time.  He’s even been on CNN discussing UFO’s in a very serious and educated way, so the idea behind Crystal Head Vodka isn’t the suspect part of the “ads” as far as Akroyd is concerned.  In fact, over half the video sounds like the beginning of an episode of Unexplained Mysteries.  But watching them, you won’t be able to keep from expecting him to say if you buy a bottle of Crystal Head Vodka today, he’ll throw in a Bassmatic for only $14.95.

There are times when you think it’s possible this guy has immersed himself a little too deep into his other-wordly interests and came out a little bit the crazy for it and this is a genuine product, but when visiting the Crystal Head Vodka website, it’s impossible not to notice that there is no place to click to order yourself a nice bottle of “triple Herkimer diamond filtered Newfoundland deep aquifer pure spirit vodka”.  Which would be the perfect Halloween night, sit on the front porch getting toasted and yell at all the little trick-or-treaters to get off your property.