TCA: Destination America to Host Live Exorcism

Destination America will look to scare up viewers by televising a live exorcism on Oct. 30, the network announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association tour.

The special, Exorcism: Live! will take place at the original Exorcist House in the suburbs of St. Louis where the ritual was performed on Roland Doe in 1949, said network officials.

The special will feature the cast of the network’s series Ghost Asylum, as well as psychic medium Chip Coffey.

“As we step into one of the most haunted and well-known spirit destinations in America, Exorcism;Live! will show exactly what is inside this infamous, highly dangerous and possessed home.” said Marc Etkind, general manager of Destination America. “By actually exorcising this iconic house live, Destination America will do what it does best — bringing never before seen experiences to television”.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.