Treasure Hunting TV Shows, Scripted, Fakery
A 3 Card Monte
I’ve been calling out the producers of “The Curse of Oak Island” TV show for years. Maybe the reason why they have never responded to me is because they know, I got the goods on them. Sure, it’s nice to watch the metal-detection expert, Gary Drayton find a coin that dates back to the 1500s, or a relic from the Celtic era. However, neither of those finds means a massive treasure is hiding 200 feet below the ground. As I mentioned here, those finds just mean that the island has been inhabited for centuries. And what about Gary Drayton? The producers have christened him a “metal detection expert”. Well, as someone that has been involved in the hobby for over fifty years, my experience tells me this. If Gary Drayton is a “metal detection expert” then millions of others in the hobby are metal detection experts also. Because what Gary is finding, and the way he finds the items is no different than what millions of other with metal detectors are doing daily. And, they find relics and coins while using metal detectors that are less expensive than what Gary uses as a “metal detection expert”.
For those viewers that like watching what Gary is finding that’s great. My argument is the way the producers project his finds as a significant tie to a massive treasure. It’s a head fake, a ruse to keep viewers and advertisers happy, because, it’s all about those “Benjamins.”
Now for those that say that “Frank is picking on the show and trying to find fault because he is just jealous he’s not filming or searching for the treasure.”
WRONG!!!
At one time, while I was filming my TV series I was interested in searching Oak Island and filming what we found in the way of any relics. I was not interested in looking for the massive treasure because I never believed it exists. What I wanted to find were the many relics I knew were on the island due to the centuries of travel there from many countries.
In 2007 I wrote to the Nova Scotia Historical Society and to archaeologists to obtain a permit to film and search Oak Island. However, I was turned away because the Lagina Brothers Marty and Rick, the treasure-hunting brothers on the show had already obtained permission.
Now, for another fakery treasure-hunting TV series, a few years ago the History Channell had a series, “Lost Gold of WWII”. It was a series that took place in the Philippines, and it was about a massive treasure of gold that was hidden by Emperor Yamashita during WWII. After a few weeks of being televised, the show ended up on the cutting room floor. I’m surprised it lasted a few weeks. I have talked about that series here. In that TV show viewers were supposed to believe that a gorilla carved into a rock face above a waterfall and a rock formation that looked like a turtle’s head pointed toward the treasure. The wannabe treasure hunters in that series wouldn’t be able to find the hay in the barn.
And here comes another treasure-hunting series. “Gold, Lies, & Videotape” on the Discovery Channell. It’s a TV show that chronicles the discovery of, and the steal of the Doc Noss treasure that was found in the 1950s in New Mexico. This series so far seems to be somewhat reliable with the information surrounding the treasure. I do have some first-hand knowledge of the Doc Noss treasure that dates back to the mid-1960s. That was when I first heard of the Doc Noss treasure. At that time I was in the military and stationed out west near where the treasure was located. I visited the area of the treasure on different occasions. Back then, rumors were heard, and my curiosity about the treasure tale peaked with interest. Years later, after researching the Doc Noss treasure and speaking to treasure hunters living in that area, my question is, did our government, with the help of the army, steal Doc’s treasure? Just like they’ve been doing with the KGC (Knights of the Golden Circle) treasures they have been finding. Now, I am waiting to see if the TV producers of this treasure-hunting series are willing to go where the truth is.
My metal detecting/treasure hunting TV series, “Exploring History’s Treasures” EHT, was the first REAL, reality, show of its kind. There was no scripting, no planting or salting the ground with finds before we dug them. Exploring History’s Treasures can now be viewed here.
“Hey Frank I watched all 5 episodes......Man oh man, I am hooked. What away to end that DVD on episode #5. Now tell me what was that find? My whole family is wanting to know .....you have them on the edge of there seat...begging for more. My wife said they cant leave us hangin, that its not fair. Now when can i get my hands on more? I cant wait.......give me all the details. I will say you guys are on to a great thing here. Its Fun, comical, exciting, and full of suspense....almost like being there with you.
Larry B, Indiana”
“Frank:
Loved watching the DVD with my two boys (8 & 10). When I first put in the DVD, my kids were mad & wanted me to switch it back to the Disney channel.
Once we started watching it, they were enthralled. My oldest got his first metal detector for X-mas in December, my other son turned 8 on 1/13/06, so he wanted one too! Of course, I got him one too!
Since the weather in SW Ohio is not great this time of year, they have only gone out 2-3 times. They can't wait for warmer & dryer weather!!!
Anyway, after getting them hooked on the DVD & them making sure we watched all 5 episodes, they were completely crushed at not finding out what you found. Just thought you would like to know. We watched the DVD over a week ago, and they keep asking me every day if I have emailed you to find out what was in that hole! FRANK, JOHN......WHAT IS IN THAT DARN HOLE
I have my guesses, but realize it could be anything from a casket to the "treasure box full of gold". My boys are hoping it was the Doctor's gold.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know our response to the DVD. Can't wait until you have a regular series on TV. I hope it's on a channel I can access locally, or I guess I'll be ordering a DVD subscription.
I really loved the DVD.
Looking forward to more EHT to come.
Tracey, Zachary & Noah in Miamisburg, OH”