'Exorcism: Live!' is a thing: Destination America performing live exorcism this Halloween - Los Angeles Times
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‘Exorcism: Live!’ is a thing: Destination America performing live exorcism this Halloween

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Destination America is looking to instill a little more fright -- and a few fewer spirits -- into viewers this Halloween with “Exorcism: Live!â€

Yes, it’s a real show. On television. And it’s not a parody.

Just as the title implies, the network, which boasts programming such as “Mountain Monsters†and “Paranormal Survivor,†will be hosting the first-ever televised live exorcism on Oct. 30 by visiting the St. Louis home that inspired William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel and William Friedkin’s 1973 horror film “The Exorcist.â€

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So, who they gonna call? The cast of the cable network’s series “Ghost Asylum,†the Tennessee Wraith Chasers and psychic medium Chip Coffey will serve as the ghostbusting crew at the Exorcist House -- where the infamous ritual originally took place on the young Roland Doe in 1949 -- in an attempt to rid it of lurking spirits. The special is also aiming to recruit a Roman Catholic priest for the ritual too.

The team will explore the currently occupied house’s attic and basement to find whatever -- or whoever -- has haunted the house for the decades and use high-tech gadgets to investigate “these true-life demonic entities on live TV,†the network announced Thursday at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour in Beverly Hills.

The spooky spectacle isn’t limited to one screen either (#iknowright?!). Destination America, an offshoot of Discovery Communicatins, will also post live feeds from vantage points throughout the house on its website, allowing viewers to track and tweet any anomalies they witness too.

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Destination America’s general manager Marc Etkind said the special aims to “show exactly what is inside this infamous, highly dangerous and possessed home.â€

“By actually exorcising this iconic house live, Destination America will do what it does best -- bringing never before seen experiences to television,†he said.

Discovery and its numerous channels have hosted several live programs across its portfolio, including last December’s “Eaten Alive†and Nik Wallenda’s various tightrope stunts.

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Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.

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