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Self Made Freaks |
| Phinias
T. Barnum popularized freaks in circus sideshow venues, but over time
the traveling circus as entertainment faded. Today there are self-made freaks who have re-invented the sideshow concept. Jim Rose and his band of performers hammer nails and push screwdrivers up their noses, while swallowing insects, worms, and swords. As if that isn't enough, they stick needles and pins all over their bodies, and become human dartboard targets. In a dramatic finale, Jim Rose places his face in a pile of broken glass while a volunteer from the audience is invited to stand on the back of his head. |
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Modern Day Primitives |
| Fakir
Musafar is the paternal master of the modern primitive movement. Since
the age of 14, Fakir has been experimenting with what he calls "body play". He envisions ritualized pain as a means to achieve "pure consciousness" by way of near death, out-of-body experiences. Fakir is the first non Native-American person who has performed the sacred Lakota O-Ke-Pa rites of passage ceremony. Beyond Bizarre's exclusive coverage of the evolution of Fakir's life was the first time this incredible story was unveiled for national television. Beyond Bizarre also visits a piercing studio, where modern primitives alter themselves to resemble body modification practiced by remote tribal societies. |
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Cryptozoology |
| Beyond
Bizarre explores the fascinating science of cryptozoology: the study of animals believed to exist but are as yet undescribed by western science. Our cameras venture to Africa in search of Mokele-Mbembe, a legendary, surviving, dinosaur-like species. In addition, we examine the recent discovery of the megamouth shark, and Vietnam's hidden bovine: the Voo Quang Ox. America's leading cryptozoologists reveal credible quests for mysterious creatures that may be discovered in the near future, like Bigfoot or Sasquatch, the ape-like humanoid of the woods |
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Ghostly Visitations |
| For
those who are having problems with the spirit world, a ghostbuster is
normally called in to investigate the perceived paranormal happening. The Beyond Bizarre crew brings in ghost hunter Lloyd Auerbach to investigate the unusual happenings at the Banta Inn in Tracy, California where the alleged ghost of an ex-bartender is running amok. Armed with high tech equipment, the investigation provides some interesting findings that could indicate the presence of a devilish entity. |
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Tales from the Crypt/Forensic Sleuths |
| Dr.
Douglas Owsley of the Smithsonian investigates potential murder cases
where minute traces of human corpse remain, or where the victim was exhumed after several years. Despite the deterioration of vital evidence, Dr. Owsley still has the wherewithal to solve these kinds of cases. Dr. Kenneth Starrs had a large problem to solve, a mass murder committed in the 1800's, that could have included cannibalistic activity. First he had to find the mass grave, then exhume and examine the remains for telltale signs of de-fleshing. His findings were most unappetizing. Another sleuth, Tom Ebro, investigates and solves crimes that occur in and around aquatic environments where no fingerprints are left to trace. We find out how Ebro solved a murder, when he illustrated how a man most likely drowned his wife (instead of the implausible boating accident scenario the husband described.) |
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