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Playoffs Serial:

The Shitty Poltergeist

written by Michael Holmes
directed by Rebecca Larsen

Beth and Dan just bought a house! And it's to die for.

6 Episodes
Original Run: 4 eps, 2/2/19 - 2/23/19
Playoffs Run: 2 eps, 4/6/19 & 4/20/19

Episode One (2/2/19)

Summary: Beth and Dan are a couple who have just bought a house that has turned out to be haunted - and property values are plunging; they're stuck and can't afford to sell. They call in ghost hunters Eric Van Denken and Eleanor Ribble, and tell them there's a voice that seems to be laughing at them ironically... and it turned on a marathon of Tim Allen's awful sitcom "Last Man Standing" and they couldn't shut it off. As the poltergeist - a crusty man in a stained bathrobe who they can't see - moves a chair around, Eric informs the couple that the situation is serious. The poltergeist feels a connection to the place and resents anybody else being there. The ghost hunters will have to stay in the house for days - maybe weeks - to sort this out. When Eric and Eleanor consult each other privately, though, we learn that they're decidedly low-rent ghost hunters; their last few attempts at ridding people of poltergeists have gone bad. But Eric is determined; this is his last chance to save his reputation. Even if it kills them all.

Video

Photos

Photos by Lana Rae Jarvis

Episode Two (2/9/19)

Summary: Eric and Eleanor are a year behind on their rent and on the verge of being kicked out of their apartment, which they have to sneak into to get their fake "paranormal" equipment in order to avoid the landlord. We learn that they're frauds - but in 2016, Eleanor had a paranormal experience that even Eric, who can always find a scientific, rational reason for the hauntings they investigate, can't explain. They return to Beth and Dan's as the poltergeist is rummaging through the snacks the couple recently brought. As Eric pretends to investigate the basement, Beth and Dan tell Eleanor that a previous resident died in this house in the 2000s after starting to fix it up. As Eleanor informs them the spirit is tied to this space, the poltergeist passes through, and Eleanor gets a whiff of something she finds familiar - Drakkar Noir, the men's cologne. The ghost seems to recognize her as well.. Suddenly, Eric starts screaming for help from the basement, and Beth, Dan and Eleanor set off for the basement together as the spirit returns to eating the cookies.

Photos

Photos by David Rodriguez

Episode Three (2/16/19)

Summary: Eric has been hit in the head by something in the basement, and the others tend to him while Beth goes out to get ice. Eleanor finally realizes who the spirit is: Frankie - the best friend of her ex-husband, who she had an affair with. But Frankie isn't behind whatever is happening in the basement. As increasingly scary noises come from below, the gang fearfully prepares to investigate...

Video

Photos

Photos by David Rodriguez

Episode Four (2/23/19)

Summary: Eleanor flashes back to a few years ago. She's about to make herself financially secure by entering into a long con, partnered with Eric Van Denken and her hot-tempered, alcoholic husband Joe. But Frankie, brandishing two train tickets makes her another offer - to run off with him. Joe's a lout, and Frankie really loves her. She's on the verge of agreeing... but a drunk and belligerent Joe stumbles in, having gotten wise to her affair with Frankie. During the argument, Joe has a heart attack. Frankie can't be there when the cops arrive, and Eleanor can't leave her stricken husband's side without arousing suspicion, so Frankie leaves to take the train, and Joe dies in Eleanor's arms. In the present, the other spirit in the basement turns out to be Joe...

Photos

Photos by Nathan Wellman

Episode Five (4/6/19) - Playoffs Round 1!

Summary: In a flashback to Beth and Dan's early days in the house, they record a dual audition video for the TV shows "My Terrible Roomate" and "Flip My House." They're still trying to deal with the poltergeist on their own and try to put on a happy face about it, but the spirit's antics, making a mess all over the house (but always just off-camera), begin to put the couple on edge, and they decide to seek out professional help.

Video

Photos

Photos by Maddalena Calderon

Episode Six (4/20/19) - Playoffs Round 2!

Summary: Eric, now convinced ghosts are real, just wants to make a quick getaway, and he admits to Beth and Dan that he's a fraud. Eleanor manages to make contact with Frankie and asks him to talk to whatever's in the basement. Frankie, who clearly still loves Eleanor, agrees... and is then shocked to find that the angry spirit in the basement is Joe.

Photos

Photos by David Rodriguez

Cast

Heather Roberts Beth (Eps. 1-2 & 4-6)
Joe Hernandez-Kolski Dan (Eps. 1-3 & 6)
Bart Tangredi The Spirit (Eps. 1-6)
Alisa Tangredi Eleanor Ribble (Eps. 1-4 & 6)
Devon Michaels Eric Van Denken (Eps. 1-3 & 6)
David Haverty Joe / The Evil Spirit (Eps. 4 & 6)