{"id":31959,"date":"2022-09-08T22:41:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-09T05:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/?p=31959"},"modified":"2022-09-09T11:21:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-09T18:21:28","slug":"spook-show-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/spook-show-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Spook Show 17 is the The 17th Door’s Antithesis to the Reality Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spook Show 17<\/em><\/a> is the antithesis to the reality show. It is boastful, it is smart, and it pushes boundaries\u2014perfectly mirroring the larger-than-life personality of co-owner Robbie Luther and the immersive haunted house the reality show focuses on: The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/a>. While this likely won\u2019t appeal to reality show fans wanting drama, beach bods, and love connections, it is the most realistic depiction of the haunted house industry we\u2019ve seen. If you\u2019ve ever worked at a haunted house, if you\u2019re a fan of haunted houses, or if you\u2019re just curious, this is the perfect show for you because it will give you all that, plus demonstrate just how The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em> has elevated the traditional haunted house with some of the most cleverly engineered scares.<\/p>\n

For those unfamiliar, The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em><\/a> is an extreme haunted house that relies on innovative scares (suffocation by latex), classic fears (claustrophobia), boundary pushing (electric shocks), and strikingly evocative scenes (a cinematic scare with lights that turn out one by one) to elicit fear and get participants to yell \u201cmercy\u201d, moving them to the next scene. While they aren\u2019t the first to use electricity or bugs, they are the most efficient and process-oriented haunted house we\u2019ve attended. Normal haunted houses suffer from the \u201cconga-line\u201d phenomenon, in which audiences witness scares happening to others ahead of them, diminishing their effectiveness. However, The 17th<\/sup> Door solved this problem by creating 17 rooms that each last a minute. A green \/ red light system allows audiences to progress from room to room, trapped inside for a full minute to experience the scares inside. The next room remains a surprise until the door is shut behind you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Spook Show 17’s Overall Focus<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spook Show 17<\/em> follows Robbie and Heather Luther, their partner Adam Carpenter and his wife Sarah, the various builders of the haunt, the reality show film crew, and the haunt actors across 14 episodes that fit somewhere between a reality television show and a documentary. Each episode is approximately an hour, following a chronological pathway that tracks the design of new scares, the build progress of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em><\/a> during its 2019 year run, the casting of the actors, and the operation of the haunt.<\/p>\n

The first three episodes focus on design and build. A total of 9 rooms have been removed, allowing Spook Show 17 <\/em>to focus on the new rooms, the engineering of upgraded scares, the problem solving required, and of course, the personalities behind them. As the episodes progress, a map of the haunt is updated from red to orange to yellow to green as each room is completed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As an engineer, the anti-reality show shines in showcasing the engineering and problem solving behind some of the best scares in the industry. In episodes 1-3, Truck Smash is highlighted, a new scare in which a truck barrels towards the audiences, stopping mere feet away from the onlookers. An ambitious room in concept, the execution is even more impressive. We get to watch Robbie conceptualize the room, Adam construct the room, and the team problem solve the issues that arise when energy is transferred back into the chassis, preventing a smooth stop. Trust me, it\u2019s great to watch these minds come up with a clever new way to scare people, then perfect it\u2014especially when you\u2019ve experienced it yourself over the last few seasons of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em><\/a> haunted house.<\/p>\n

The show also focuses on the sarcastic, biting, and often irreverent humor of the cast and crew of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em><\/a>. At times, this is hilarious. Some of the authentic humor left us laughing at our television. Robbie Luther and co-creator Wyatt Barclay aren\u2019t afraid to be silly, with Wyatt often acting out various characters in mini skits. Robbie often uses voices, commenting on the ridiculous nature of using an accent to say the word mozzarella<\/em>. While the humor is hilarious at parts, there are some scenes that feel more cringey and awkward than anything. Leaving the camera on a scene for far too long, such as a shopping cart moving down a cluttered hallway or focusing the cold open of Episode 2 on a random skater in the parking lot feels odd and out of place of the narrative. However, ultimately, the humor hits more than it doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The People<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Any reality show lives and breathes with the characters\u2014or personalities\u2014within its scope. The first episode introduces us to a lot of new faces, but doesn\u2019t dive deep enough for us to fully appreciate the different personalities. It\u2019s not until Episodes 2 and 3 that the show really shines, as we see the flaws, the successes, and the comradery of this rag-tag crew.<\/p>\n

Robbie Luther is the co-creator of Spook Show 17 and co-owner of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/a>. He\u2019s likely going to be a polarizing person, with his antics only amplified by the camera. He comes off as egotistical, cocky, arrogant, and a bit of a sadist. He pushes his cast to sit in a \u201ctrust chair\u201d electrified to bond them in trauma. He teases his cast\u2014because he cares for them\u2014and expects greatness from them. He even commands the audience to \u201cget rid of your phone and do something,\u201d criticizing the complacency of America. He\u2019s brash, but in him, we find a lot of vulnerable moments in later episodes.<\/p>\n

Sadly, we don\u2019t see much of his wife, Heather, in the first three episodes. She\u2019ll likely become a greater focus in the next episodes as casting begins. Knowing her in real life and hearing of her badassery in the show, we are excited to see more of her and her heart to help balance Robbie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wyatt Barclay operates the camera, occasionally coming out from behind it. He\u2019s often quiet; but like Robbie, he isn\u2019t afraid to showcase his wacky sense of humor. He\u2019s authentic, genuine, and fearless.<\/p>\n

Eduardo and Carlos reveal just how much work and versatility is required at The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/a>. Eduardo tiles the shower, while Carlos constructs walls and piping. Carlos especially comes off as a hilarious addition to episode 3, revealing that he\u2019s unsure if his wife will make him something special for his birthday: \u201cmaybe\u2014maybe yes, maybe no\u201d he responds. His childhood dream was to become a television star; yet, in later episodes, we see him shying away from the camera.<\/p>\n

Adam Carpenter is co-owner of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/a> and is able to build anything. Again, some of the engineering he accomplishes in these episodes is incredible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, Maurico, Cetti, Christian, and Dimitri provide moments to drive tension and action in the episodes. It\u2019s easy to feel sympathy for Dimitri as the cast teases and hazes him because he is the new guy. Cetti is a tinkerer who appears to be able to provide innovative solutions to problems\u2014but Robbie doesn\u2019t allow him to try his solutions. Christian provides some heart to the episodes they are in. And Mauricio is rarely seen because he dislikes the cameras.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the starting cast provides enough comradery, friendship, and bond to give Spook Show 17 heart. We see the ups and downs of this group as they are tested under the leadership of Robbie Luther. Some will sink while others will float, especially as the bonds of previous years are tested with the addition of a new character: the camera.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Camera<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spook Show 17 faces an interesting opportunity\u2014or problem\u2014with its conception: a lot of the people on the show feel uncomfortable or transformed by the cameras around them. Acting almost like a character in its own right, the cameras change the already polished production of The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/a> build schedule, injecting some of the drama and tension that reality shows are known for.<\/p>\n

While episode 1 hints at it, it\u2019s clear by episodes 2 and 3 that the cameras of Spook Show 17<\/em> change people. We watch as the already brash Robbie Luther transforms, admitting that he finds himself performing for the camera. His teasing and personality is amplified, and it definitely rubs some of the staff, especially newer members, the wrong way. While this behavior will be divisive among audiences, it results in some of the most vulnerable scenes. Robbie shows remorse over his actions, and truly faces the consequences of those actions. The mark of any good story is a strong character arc, and we look forward to watching Robbie change over the course of this series.<\/p>\n

We only had Episodes 1 through 3 to review and we were left wanting more. Episode 4 promises the start of casting. With a confessional booth constructed by the end of the third episode, we want to see how the vulnerability of actors\u2014people who really want to be on camera\u2014will change the focus on the show. We are excited to see the antics they bring and how their energy infuses a show that relishes in some of the slower, more thoughtful moments in early episodes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Conclusions<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ultimately, Spook Show 17<\/em> is an authentic and intimate look behind the design, build, casting, and operation of one of the most successful, efficient, and terrifying haunts in the world. It\u2019s an immortalization of the genius of Robbie Luther, Adam Carpenter, and the crew in their conceptualizing and execution of these insanely innovative scares. It\u2019s enough to appease the insecurities and ego of Robbie at least. While the engineering was interesting, it\u2019s the heart, the people, and the growth of their mindsets that will keep me invested for the full 14 episodes. Robbie has already shown signs of growth as the camera provides a mirror of self-reflection for him. This is a story I\u2019m interested in along with engineering marvels, great scares, and a frighteningly good time–and I\u2019m dying to see the next episode.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Spook Show 17<\/em> comes out on September 28th<\/sup> on Amazon, iTunes, PlutoTV, TubiTV, Roku, Vimeo, DirectTV, Google Play and InDemand on Cox, Spectrum, Time Warner. There will be 14 episodes. Find more information on IMDB<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and TikTok<\/a>. Also check out The 17th<\/sup> Door<\/em><\/a> company page on Haunting.<\/p>\n

For more information about visiting the 17th Door this Halloween Season, check out their Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and website<\/a>. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

MORE ABOUT HAUNTING<\/span><\/h1><\/div>
[vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_column_text]Haunting is a resource for immersive theater and horror fans in Los Angeles and across the world, promoting art and community. Want to help us reach even more people, and get some cool perks and experiences? For as little as $1 a month, you can join our Patreon<\/a> and help us keep bringing content to life.<\/p>\n

If you like the above article and want to find more like it, make sure to join our community. If Facebook is your favorite, follow us there<\/a> and become a part of our groups for Immersive Horror fans<\/a> and\/or Immersive creators<\/a>. We\u2019re active on Instagram, posting evocative imagery and informative stories to promote our reviews and recollections; follow us there<\/a>. You can even find us on twitter; click here to follow<\/a>. And subscribe to our event calendar<\/a> to get emails for all or specific events (look for the link right under the calendar<\/a>)! Finally, we have a newsletter that comes out once a week; click here to sign up<\/a>.
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spook Show 17 is the antithesis to the reality show. It is boastful, it is smart, and it pushes boundaries\u2014perfectly mirroring the larger-than-life personality of co-owner Robbie Luther and the immersive haunted house the reality show focuses on: The 17th Door. While this likely won\u2019t appeal to reality show fans wanting drama, beach bods, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[11842,80,6841],"tags":[27293,21,27294,27297,27292,27295,27291,13748,27296],"yst_prominent_words":[5935,13783,13782,4341,26011,1531,4525,12569,5203,13784],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.haunting.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Spook-e1662747660863.jpg?fit=1600%2C1188&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p89hUA-8jt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31959"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31959"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31959\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31983,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31959\/revisions\/31983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31959"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.haunting.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=31959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}