In the interest of full disclosure I am going to say here, publicly, for the first time that I auditioned for this show. My partner and I didn't make the final cut but it does give me a unique insight on just what this show is about.
The first rumor, and the one I have wanted to address for some time is that this show is out to kill a Bigfoot and that's the only way to win the 10 Million dollars. FALSE. This show has nothing to do with killing a Bigfoot, in fact it's a NO KILL show. There won't be any dead Bigfoot on the show. Many of the contestants would have turned the show down if that were the case, I know I would have.
Rumor Number 2 is that all the folks on the show were unknown until this show was conceived and that it seems fishy that they , a lot of them any how, became popular around the same time that the idea for this show came about. That perhaps maybe all their youtube videos, claims of shooting bigfoot, and other evidence was contrived just for this show. FALSE. I can say with 100% honesty that this one isn't true. Yes, it is a coincidence but that's all it is, in fact most of the folks didn't learn of the show till the Fall of last year at the same time I did. In any show there are several steps to pre production, the first is always a research and development phase. Many were originally contacted in that phase and as far as I know none of those folks appear on the show. The second phase where we are concerned is casting, casting started in late summer or early fall of 2012 to the best of my knowledge, well after all these folks had already been known to the Bigfoot community.
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| Dax Rushlow and Rictor Riolo from Bigfoot Bounty |
I guess in summary, lets watch the show before we make judgements on it. You don't have to like all the people on the show to enjoy it. Many of my friends made the cut, and at least one individual that I don't care for much but I wish them all luck. I know I'll be watching this show with the mindset that it's entertainment first and research second, much like Finding Bigfoot is. I know one thing for sure, the cast is very diverse and perhaps it will bring some folks into Bigfooting who may have been a little worried to do it before. I also know that the science on this show will be real, no BS there as it features Dr. Todd Disotell a well respected scientist.
PS: I'm rotting for Team Rictor and Dax! Love those guys!
Think you might give the show a try? Check out the Fan Page on Facebook :Bigfoot Bounty Fans
Michael Merchant hoaxed a sighting with his girlfriend and accomplice, Kathy Villarreal.
ReplyDeleteIt's no secret that I'm not a fan of Mr. Merchant, with that said there is no evidence that he hoaxed a sighting, he may have but there is no proof of it, there is no proof he had a sighting either, it's all just a story. I do wish him luck on the show though but I'm solidly on the side of Rictor and Dax.
DeleteMerchant hoaxed his sighting with Kathy to get on Bigfoot Bounty. Fact. He was also trying to help promote Lupe Mendoza with his hoax root ball photo. Fact. Merchant does not believe Bigfoot exists. He is all about exploitation and his girl friend is all about manipulation. FACT. The guy is a total loser. FACT. He is socially retarded and another druggy.
DeleteYou may be right. The rootball photo was defiantly very questionable, I must agree with that assesment. I still wish Mr. Merchant luck, he could buy a lot of mushrooms with 10 Million bucks!
DeleteI enjoyed Merchant but I think he's always had a screw loose. Anyone who watched the Out of Venezuela show could see that by his social interactions and behavior.
DeleteWith that being said I believe after being berated by fundie footers constantly it pushed him over the edge, and he saw the way many footers make money on 'nothing' and decided to be American about.
If you really want to get into proof and hoaxes, there's no proof of any sighting to say conclusively they have witnessed Sasquatch. There may be proof of them witnessing something but no conclusive proof of a giant monkey man.
Nicely said !!! I see much jealousy and hurt feelings out there.
ReplyDeleteLove it Steve. Well said. Very well said.
ReplyDeleteI and another girl got 90% thru the casting process. About them saying that its a no kill show, well I have to disagree there. I signed the papers they sent me, did our Skype interview, and sent pictures and stuff for the presentation to the board. I am telling you they were really wanting us! On the Skype interview, the lady asked about us catching a bigfoot. I specifically remember her saying there will be teams of two with guns wanting to shoot one down. To verify that I was considered, they will be six weeks, each week at one different location. They were paying each cast member 1000.00 per week. We lost out during the Skype interview when I argued about harming a bigfoot, and the danger it could imply. I swear, I am telling you the truth here!
ReplyDeleteI was told the exact opposite and it has been confirmed by the cast members. I went through 2 skype interviews and signed the initial papers as well as pictures and all the other stuff they wanted. It was always presented as a no kill show to me.
DeleteSo are all these hoaxing allegations against Merchant the reason why there's no connection anymore to Ro and Shawn?
ReplyDeleteYou would have to ask Ro and Shawn that. I have my reasons why I disassociated with him and they have theirs. Might be the same might not be.
DeleteWhat were your reasons Steve? Not gossiping just no one ever talked bout it and the Extinct podcast was a favorite and then Merchant vanished! Not that the Fortean Slip isn't fun of course
DeleteWell.... It's a long story. In the end I guess it boils down to personality conflicts and major disagreements on some stuff and things that were said that can't be unsaid. Maybey we will touch on it in tonights Fortean Slip, we will be discussing Bigfoot Bounty :)
DeleteMichael merchant is a very good person who is ethical and err ..... who am I kidding he is a turd !!!!
ReplyDeleteSpill the beans please, what happened?
ReplyDeleteSounds like Merchant HOAXED in order to get on television. Shawn and To found out and basically kicked Merchant out of the group. That's the way I am reading all this. Can anyone confirm whether my personal take is correct? If not confirmed, then at least rebuttal WHY with facts as to how my interpretation is incorrect?
DeleteIt's all a matter of opinion as to whether he hoaxed anything only he could tell you that. What I will say is that the Mendoza photos caused a major rift in Tazer/Zen Yeti and that's a big part of the reason the group broke up. I have no clue if any of it was for the show, that's something he would have to come clean with if it's true. I was always entertained by his videos and held him in high regard before all hell broke loose, it's ashamed really because I loved Tazer as did all the team members.
DeleteThanks for the info Steve. You won't say it out right but I will: He was guilty of "something" or there wouldn't have been a heated split and subsequent vanishing of Merchant. He'll always be a hoaxer but sadly there will be people who buy his sob story and pretend as if he never did a thing when he Merchant decides to make a reappearance in the field.
DeleteI have had two encounters with this man like creature both times I felt grateful to be alive.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting on my first
DeleteSo Tazer fell out over a shitty root ball photo? That's kinda lame! I will say that video Merchant did with the footprint casts he made he was acting kinda erratic with the whole apology to Smejia for doubting Bigfoot exists and to me it seemed weird, kinda hokey? If it does exist I'm sure there's a Patty out there just waiting to pop Steve's Squatch cherry!
DeleteMy guess is the Taser gang broke apart due to the Smeja worship. Michael clearly has better taste in friends.
ReplyDeleteYour guess would be wrong
DeleteTazer was dismantled due to a law suit filed by the Taser Corp. The falling out had to do with people behaving badly; and getting butt hurt when their behavior was chastised. Steve would know the whole story; however he refused to actually discuss it with Merchant; so only has half the story. Lupe Mendoza's moral character was being assassinated by pack of cowardly Jackels. Who have done a fine job of spreading misinformation. You have to ask yourself; why would they care one way or the another? You'd think with their own private platform, they would move on. Or maybe they lack the following; and miss the old days of riding coat tails.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply Kathy, or is this Michael? Tazer was dismantled for that reason, Zen Yeti fell apart after the Mendoza photos came out. Point out where I assassinated Lupe's character and I will agree with the rest of your ridiculous post. I could care less about a following, unlike the author of this post. The burden of proof was on Lupe and he only proved that he was good at taking photo's of rootballs, in my opinion of course.
DeleteZen Yeti never fell apart; it got rid of the trouble makers, and bullies. Lupe's character was NEVER questioned until after he shared a series of photos. I find it interesting you and your gang are supporting plenty of people with outlandish stories and not a shred of evidence to back up their stories, but for some reason, the *gang* decided to attack Lupe.
DeleteIf you are interested in the truth; he was labeled a hoaxer, because he didn't appreciate gay porn being sent to him by an admin. It was only after was addressed, that suddenly his moral character was being questioned.
And a bunch of cowards ganged up on him. People with little or no sense, are still harping on about that photo. You just did the exact same thing in one of your earlier posts right here; and then have the gaul to go on about, "Show me where I assassinated his character". Seriously Steve? Are ya blind?
I have no time for backstabbing yellow bellied individuals intent upon spreading misinformation, or data they have no clue about; simply for the sake of causing someone else trouble.
You're suppose to be an investigator Steve, do some investigation. If you did, you'd soon discover a number of snakes in your circle. Or continuing doing what you are doing; and supporting them.
Their core agenda will soon be illuminated. Not that anyone will care.
With all due respect, I and many others, left Zen Yeti on our own accord, some were booted and banned but I was not one of those. We, (Michael, Kathy and Lupe) had a difference of opinion. Period. I never went public with that until it was brought up in the coalition group many months later. Michael blocked me from Facebook, why? I never harassed him nor Lupe or Kathy, never. Michael does not believe in blocking people according to an old video I found on Youtube, he claims it's a freedom of speech issue. I guess that does not pertain to me, oh well.
ReplyDeleteNow, do I believe Lupe hoaxed those photos? Yep. Can I prove it? Nope, not at this point I can't.
Here's what I find strange, you Michael, told us all you were under contract for another show and couldn't do Bounty. Then when that contract was up you all of a sudden can do Bounty and, it's my belief, and I may be wrong, thats when you started defending Lupe's photos. I believe that you thought you needed a boost for the show and those photos provided that boost. Just speculation on my part.
Oh, and those "snakes" continued to defend you publicly, even had you and Kathy on their podcast after your alleged "sighting".
At any rate, good luck on your show. I don't have to like you but I'm sure many others will. Have fun.
Oh, and be a man and post under your real name, unless this is Kathy, then be a woman.
DeleteSo, what ever became of V00D00sixxx?
ReplyDelete