My interview (or, more accurately, my "guest appearance") on the Lou Gentile Show took place on October 12th, 2001--my birthday! In was not my first radio interview--as I had done others on various subjects, but it was my first on national radio about Dudleytown. I really did not know what to expect, but was assured by the producer, Joe Decker, that Lou was a people person, and I would not be "broadsided" or asked questions that would make me uneasy, and that I could not be guaranteed that it would not be argumentative, "hot" discussions may ensue--especially during the listener call in part. No problem! After all, I knew my subject, and had the facts on my side.
Well, all did not go as planned. Before I go on, you may wish to go to Lou's website: http://www.lougentile.com, click on the ARCHIVES, find my interview, and listen to it. You will need REAL PLAYER to listen, but you will be linked to a place to download the free version if you do not already have it.
The first 30 minutes or so were, even for me, a little boring. That was not Lou's fault, but I have told the Dudleytown Legend/story so many times that, for me, it was a little slow. Then the bomb came. Lou decided to take a listener's call. The caller stated his name: "John Zaffis." John is Ed Warren's nephew. Lou said "Oh-oh", and I knew there may be some very heated discussion. I was right.
John runs the "Paranormal Research Society", and its web site: http://www.prsne.com, and is rumored to be the "heir to the throne" of his famous uncle (this is, of course, unsubstantiated). From what I knew of him, and from Lou's reaction, I supposed that he was "primed" for battle. I had also heard that Lou considered Ed Warren a close friend, and that Lou would (at least) be tempted to agree with John. I was right on one count, and half right on the other.
John started by responding to a prior statement that I made that, when I had sent email letters to Ed Warren requesting the documentation, or source, for his version of the Dudleytown story, Ed never responded. I had also stated that John did send some email to me, and later (in Ed's name) challenged me to a debate. John stated that Ed Warren did reply to me. I countered that NO Ed didn't, but that he (John) spoke for Ed. I was, of course, correct. John never did, however, respond to how Ed Warren got the information, or documentation, for the Warren's (and John's) version of the Dudleytown story. I do not think that I ever will find out how the Warren's came by their information.
The interview continued in that vein for a while, with Lou at one point telling what happen when he went there. We then refocused on the subject of documentation. John apparently did not understand the concept of documenting where one gets their information, and did not apparently understand that my information came from Town records, etc., despite the fact that I repeated it several times. He said on at least three occasions: "Well, writings get changed over time." At one point, I asked him what he meant by writings, and he responded with "books" and things. I again repeated that the only books I used (other than to obtain the Legend stories) were town histories, and that all of the birth, death, and marriage dates, along with the land purchase information, came from town (legal) sources and not books. I really do not believe he understood that, mainly because he mentioned the "writings change" statement again near the end of the show.
The show went off the air at 2:00 a.m. (Eastern), but continued an additional half hour over the internet. It was during this time I got the most interesting statement. I again asked John the source of the "hoofed footed" creatures with green eyes, and he said that it could have come from the "ghost writer" that helped Ed and Lorraine write the book (he did not remember the name of the writer--it was Robert David Chase). This I could not let go--and immediately stated that, if the Warrens name is on the book, then they are responsible for its contents--especially if they take top billing (which they do).
In the end, some folks have emailed me saying that I was broadsided. I will admit, that while I was not prepared to do "battle" with so famous (in the Paranormal world) a person, that I believe I carried my point through. I only wish that I would have been warned of this. Lou swears that he did not know that would happen....maybe he did, maybe he didn't. One thing is sure, though, he did nothing to stop it. I would really have liked to have answered calls from other listeners. No matter. I hear that I have a invitation to be a guest again some day (if even on another topic--I suggested research by Paranormal Societies). If I am invited, I will accept. In fact, I will accept even if I am invited to do a debate with John. I have nothing against the man. I am sure he truly believes in what he is doing. I just want to know next time.
It has now been one year since the above interview. I have received a copy of the program from a kind visitor to this site, along with a follow up broadcast about July of 2002 on one of Lou's "open question" nights where I and Ric Osuna from the Amityville site were discussed. I also spoke to the then producer of the show. As I had feared, it seems that I was broadsided. According to many listeners who have emailed me, Lou has a habit of doing this to anyone he does not agree with. But, to keep this on track, let me update you as to the challenges I gave to Jeff Zaffis.
Since Jeff Zaffis never responded, am I to assume there IS no response? I am sure the Warren Fan Clubs would poo-poo that idea, but what would you think?
In the July session, an on-line listener emailed Lou a number of questions about both Dudleytown (and myself) and Amityville (and Ric Osuna). Lou responded by stating that "only about 30% of any book is fact, the rest is publicity" and that Mr. Osuna and I "hung out at the same places." Later, he said that I stayed in Dudleytown "only about 10 minutes."
When I heard that (I still have the copy), I was flabbergasted. First, Lou HAS my book and knows (if you have it, you know it to) that almost every page is footnoted and tells where I got my facts. Secondly, I have never met Ric Osuna. We have corresponded via Email, and ONE TIME spoke on the phone over a very important matter (all of 10 minutes), but we have NEVER met. Lastly--only 10 minutes at Dudleytown? That is a lie. Pure and simple, a lie. And he knows it.
Lou Gentile has become the Jerry Springer of the Paranormal World, and gives it a very black eye. I am tempted to say that I am sorry I did that show, but will not. I have received some very good email from those who heard it, and all BUT TWO were positive and said I defended my facts very well. I AM sorry, though, that these folk claim to be religious, and do these things. God Bless them.
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