(TV Show) In Search of
TV Series hosted by Leonard Nimoy with episodes that focused on bigfoot and other cryptozoological and paranormal themes from 1977-1982. In Search Of is perhaps the best known of many sasquatch related TV documentaries and has been memorialized in the song "Sasquatch" by the band Tenacious D. That song includes the lyrics "In search of Sasquatch, that was a kick-a** In Search Of, with Leonard Nimoy, kickin' out the jams...ha!" Ironically, there was never actually an episode entitled "In Search Of: Sasquatch" but there were the following sasquatch related episodes:
Contents
- In Search of: Bigfoot (originally aired 28 April, 1977- Episode 5 of Season 1)
- In Search of: Swamp Monster (originally aired 4 March 1978- Episode 16 of Season 2)
- In Search of: Monster Hunters (originally aired 9 Nov. 1978- Episode 9 of Season 3)
- In Search of: The Abominable Snowman (originally aired 28 Nov. 1979- Episode 9 of Season 4)
In Search of: Bigfoot (originally aired 28 April, 1977- Episode 5 of Season 1)
Features:
- Ape Canyon
- Grover Krantz
- Peter Byrne
In Search of: Swamp Monster (originally aired 4 March 1978- Episode 16 of Season 2)
This episode leads in with a brief discussion of the yeti, Peter Byrne, and the Ape Canyon incident, before delving into the Honey Island swamp monster story from Louisiana. A swamp monster encounter is recounted partly by Ted Williams, a local LA trapper, and investigations by Harlan Ford are portrayed.
The episode briefly shows purported tracks from the creature, that have since been clearly shown to actually be alligator tracks. In also includes a rather incongruous piece with a professional costumer (Michael Nahy-sp?) trying to recreate the creature.
In Search of: Monster Hunters (originally aired 9 Nov. 1978- Episode 9 of Season 3)
Mostly focuses on the efforts of the the Bay Area Group, a SF, CA based collection of investigators with a strong no-kill stance. The group was led by Arch Buckley who is introduced as a "footprint expert" and later describes and reenacts his 1970 encounter. Another member Al Berry "journalist from Sacramento specializing in tape recording the sounds of bigfoot," also describes and reenacts his own 1972 experience during which he recording the first of the 'Sierra Sounds.' Steve Sanders, zoologist and veterinarian, also describes his own 1969 camping incident in No. CA.
Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Director William Montagna is briefly interviewed and expresses his reserved skepticism. The episode also covers the University of British Columbia hosting the 1978 conference "Sasquatch and Similar Phenomena" which produced the classic 'Manlike Monsters on Trial: Early Records and Modern Evidence.'
'In Search of: The Abominable Snowman (originally aired 28 Nov. 1979- Episode 9 of Season 4)
Arguably the least interesting of this series, the yeti episode repeatedly uses costumed actors running and walking in snowy fields, likely because of the lack of decent yeti evidence. Peter Byrne, a staple from the series, features heavily in the episode including a return trip to the Himalayas and an interview with Lord Hunt, leader of Hilary's 1953 climb, who described his experiences.