Unimpressed Reactions To 'Exorcism: Live!'

As promised, Destination America rolled into Halloween weekend with Exorcism: Live! The special featured a real-life (attempted) exorcism (of sorts) and starred the high-fallutin’ Chip Coffey and the Tennessee Wraith Chasers. Not as promised, the special failed to scare up any true evidence of demonic entities. Thus, the special made “TV history” by being the first live-action broadcast of such a ritual but nothing really happened. At one point, a vaguely shadowy shape appeared on one of the cameras, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

The special meant to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the crazy events that inspired The Exorcist. Coffey and his boys tried to exorcise the the iconic “Exorcist House” outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Technically, this was the first time anyone declared war on the “lurking spirits and demons” that are said to still lurk inside the house.

The team poked their heads from attic to basement, and damn, this was a fruitless experience for both Coffey and the audience. The team felt cold and shivery and “tight” — almost as if something was watching them — or so they said. The backing music was awful, they did not properly end the ritual, and the entire exercise felt like a ratings stunt (which it was). Nothing happened!

Destination America did, to its credit, do well to whip up some Twitter buzz during the broadcast. Would you sleep in this bed?

Think you could make it more than 5 minutes in this bedroom? #ExorcismLive pic.twitter.com/svkGMMsA1n

— Destination America (@DestAmerica) October 31, 2015

I will sleep in that bedroom for an entire week if you agree to pay my student loans. @DestAmerica #ExorcismLive

— Kelly Jackson (@academicfemnist) October 31, 2015

We've got reports of activity inside the house but also people at home are experiencing activity. Are you? #ExorcismLive

— Destination America (@DestAmerica) October 31, 2015

Yet Twitter was littered with various shades of abject disappointment and comparisons to Geraldo Rivera’s previous stunts.
https://twitter.com/RepubSince88/status/660298992727621632

#ExorcismLive Does anyone else feel like it was like watching Geraldo Revera opening the vault again?

— jg (@loveitdontu) October 31, 2015

https://twitter.com/TruDatElton/status/660297827071881217

Maybe a few people were spooked? A few of them at least pretended to be.
https://twitter.com/PolitiBunny/status/660275843113947136
https://twitter.com/OMacGaming/status/660271529184260097

One viewer grew irritated that an actual paranormal event could have gone down during a commercial break, but we’d have never seen it.

"The power of Christ compels you… to keep watching after this commercial break!" #ExorcismLive

— Terry Estep 🏳️‍🌈 (@terry_estep) October 31, 2015

Mainly, people were unimpressed that they wasted a Friday evening.

Oh snap!? Did you guys see it?! #ExorcismLive

— Katrina Weidman (@KatrinaWeidman) October 31, 2015

Demon must still be sitting in the green room. He thought he was supposed to show up at 11 central time not Eastern. #ExorcismLive

— Amanda Morris (@AmandaCarlyn) October 31, 2015

So it took 66 years to successfully fake an exorcism? #ExorcismLive

— Marley Moonshine ☪ (@CeeeMariee) October 31, 2015

https://twitter.com/candyislandbear/status/660275060645609473

Pretty sure I saw the #EXORCISMLIVE house on Love It Or List it. Open floor plan, crown molding, but not enough space for entertaining.

— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) October 31, 2015

ten minutes into #ExorcismLive and chill and he gives you this look pic.twitter.com/F2zYLleyLz

— pam wilinski 🦦 (@PamxRenee) October 31, 2015

The ultimate battle between good and evil will be decided by five puffy rednecks and their Radio Shack weapons. #ExorcismLive

— Matthew (@Matthew_Spicer) October 31, 2015

Short muscle guy: "I'm getting that tight feeling." It's ur shirt, bro. Do they carry that in men's? #ExorcismLive @DestAmerica

— ScumbagTrav (@TeeravBain) October 31, 2015

Even the damn ghosts want these guys to stop talking for one minute.#ExorcismLive

— Culture of Truth (@Bobblespeak) October 31, 2015

Then many tweeters perked up when they realized the paranormal team did not say “goodbye” as the so-called exorcism ended. Were they leaving room for a sequel, perhaps?

Idiots…close the session…you can't leave it open you have to say goodbye…y'all are so stupid. God be with you! #ExorcismLive

— Mariea Cauley (@MarieaCauley) October 31, 2015

Literally nothing just happened. #ExorcismLive @DestAmerica I'm ashamed of myself for giving this crap any ratings.

— Kelly Jackson (@academicfemnist) October 31, 2015

https://twitter.com/natalierenee30/status/660286509245952000