Beyond Bizarre S1E1
Beyond Bizarre was a show that originally aired on the Discovery Channel in the late 90s. Not much is really known on this show or even talked about much but I really want to preserve this amazing show the best of my ability. I actually grew up watching this crazy show so it's nostalgia! Hosted by Jay Robinson (RIP) he showcases oddities from around the world. Filmed documentary style. I coined the BIZARRE numbers myself and it was not a part of the show. I tried to recap the best I can so I apologize in advance if it's not efficient.
Episode 1 Transcript is now live! Can be viewed anywhere but best viewed on the Google Docs app. Also, I launched a new blog solely on this show.
Updates, if any, will be noted at the bottom of the post.
BIZARRE #1
Pentacostal Snake Handlers
In this small southern down of Kingston, Georgia is a small church but with a very interesting twist to their sermons. They dance with snakes! That's right, they sing and dance with a multitude of serpents with glee. This practice being banned in many parts of the US was originated in 1909 after a preacher decided to take scripture Mark 16 literal to handle the serpents. As a result, many have been bitten and even have died which goes into their religious views that God will heal them. This church also as a practice of drinking a poison called strychnine. Filming crew was given permission to test this substance in which to our very surprise that it was indeed 100% strychnine. Injesting this substance has been known to cause convulsions, the jitters, stiffening joints and restricted breathing.
BIZARRE #2
Good Witches
Just because you hear someone who practices witchcraft, it doesn't always mean there's a negative connotation to it. These particular sect of witches practice magic for the better. They are not at all connected to black magic or any kind of satanic practices. The promote the idea of putting out good out in the world in order to get good back.
As a primarily nature oriented religion, they have a High Priestess often resembling Isis, a symbol for light, love and fertility and a High Priest Horn God in which they practice in bringing fertility to crops and animals. Also coupled with the fact that they are very much normal looking people that easily blend in with society and can freely practice their religion and be free from accosting from modern society which obviously wasn't the case hundreds of years ago.
BIZARRE #3
Death Valley Race Track Rocks
Brief segment where it was discovered about the mystery of the moving rocks in Death Valley. Rocks weighing an enormous amount of weight makes an unseen trail of movement overnight. It is never witnessed first hand and usually appears with the noticeable movement the next day. Theories have ranging from wind to UFOs being behind it.
BIZARRE #4
Desert Giants
Brief segment in Blythe, California it was discovered in the isolate lands appears to have etchings in the ground that are only visible from a helicopter. These drawings can be as massive as 171 feet with depictions of anything ranging from animals to humans.
They have been thought to have been ancient people's etchings in an attempt contact with aliens. But experts can't say for certain.
BIZARRE #5
Integratron
Taking place in Landers, California Dr. George Van Tassel, a former test pilot, made living quarters from a giant rock and also created a rock airport. He claims that one night, he was awakened from a deep sleep to humanoid beings who invited him on a space craft in which he was unveiled secrets which would ultimately lead him to build of what he dubs the Integratron.
He spent 2 decades of his life and thousands of dollars dedicated to building in what he claims will be a rejuvenation chamber. His ultimate goal was to have up to 10 thousand people a day to step in this chamber in which this can take 10-15 years off their life. To make them younger. George Van Tassel unfortunately died before completion however there is a new owner. Emile Canning has never met him but is definitely aware of his vision so in his words he will try his best to fulfil and go off of his "best intuition".
BIZARRE #6
Valiant Thor
Frank E. Stranges is a man who has wrote countless books on what he calls a real account of him meeting with an alien who calls himself Valiant Thor. He claims to be from Venus who appeared to have an unprecedentedly high IQ. He appears to be completely human in appearance. Frank claims that Valiant once just materialized in the back seat of his car, the shock nearly caused a car accident. He claims that he still communicates with Valiant Thor to this day (as of the taping of that episode) and claims that he is "acting in a time frame and when the time comes for him to reveal himelf to the masses, he will."
BIZARRE #7
Joaquin Murrieta's Head in a Jar
Brief segment where Joaquin Murrieta, a mexican outlaw dubbed the "Robin Hood of the West" and is said to be in the inspiration for Zorro was captured in 1853 and was decapitated. For some reason his head is preserved.
A man and now owns this oddity keeps this head in a jar for his own personal collection of weirdness. Now we know why someone might want to preserve his head.
BIZARRE #8
Wolf Boys of Mexico
In a rare mutation, there lives 2 young boys who were born with hair that grows all over their bodies in particular their face. Not much is known why and how as they are one of the extremely few cases. This condition baffles experts. As of the taping of that episode, they have made money from joining the circus.
BIZARRE #9
Carnal houses
Back in the day somewhere in Mexico, disinterred remains were collected for a space saving move. There has been a practice that exhumed skulls would be inscribed with a name and date of death. Due to families not being able to afford fees for graves it was known to have those exact bodies exhumed only to find the shock of the mummified remains due to the minerals in the dry soil. These mummified remains used to be placed in church hallways. Frozen in time for display. Which leads to one of the first cryonic clinics to be established. Going into detail how one does.
BIZARRE #10
Modern Day Mummies
Previous segment pretty much segues into this final segment with the fascination of Egytian's practice of mummification transcending into a potential modern revival. That's right, modern humans want to bring back this custom in which it's been over 1500 years last this was in practice. In which, there is already technology under way as we speak. They claim that for up to 150k you too can be a mummy. I wonder how much this value changes due to modern day inflation?
Ze End
Or is it?
UPDATES SINCE THIS EPISODE
BIZARRE #1
Found an interesting article on the church and it's worth the read:
BIZARRE #3
Even though this wasn't mentioned in the episode, these rocks are more commonly known as the "sailing rocks" and the mystery has since been long debunked.
LiveScience Article quote:
Lorenz's research team calculated that under certain winter conditions in Death Valley, enough water and ice could form to float the rocks across the muddy bottom of Racetrack Playa in a light breeze, leaving a trail in the mud as the rocks moved.
BIZARRE #4
This was featured a bit on Ancient Aliens and are known as Blythe Intaglios
BIZARRE #5
Since the airing of the episode Mr. Emile no longer owns the Integratron. A trio of sisters purchased and became the new owners as of 2000. For more elaboration on the Integraton history here is a brief FAQ from a historian at the LA mag article link. While you're at it, Check out the timeline on the official website.
BIZARRE #6
Valiant Thor has turned into a well known figure in pop culture. He is a pretty hot topic on a lot of YouTube videos particularly conspiracy/UFO content. His likeness is featured in American Horror Story's 10th season titled Double Feature. Was also the inspiration behind the American metal band, Valiant Thorr.
BIZARRE #8
In 2016, Larry Gomez married a woman named Alicia. Also, Larry is his stage name, his birthname is Gabriel. He has a son from his first marriage who does NOT have the condition.
Danny has a Guinness Record for the most hair covered on his body. Not much else is publicly known.
BIZARRE #10
Professor John Chew passed away in 2016 at the age of 84. RIP. I hope you got mummified if that's what you want, bro.
I'll keep on eye on these BIZARRE's every now and then so if I find anything else, I'll update this post.