Major Woos Confront Skeptics on CNN's Larry King Live Tonight

[Mr. Scott]

According to a CNN ad I saw this morning, Larry King will have Sylvia Browne, James Van Praagh, and a third fraud who's name I don't recall, on his show tonight (9:00 ET). IIRC he promised they would confront skeptics. I don't know if it is a new show or a rerun.

[Kopji]

I think the skeptics need to start boycotting tv shows like Larry King.

[petre]

I think the skeptics need to start boycotting tv shows like Larry King.

Larry who? :P

[T'ai Chi]

I hope they get in at least one reading so I can add it to my collection.

[Ranger Gord]

The ad indicated the third of the three would be Char Margolis. There was no mention of the names of any skeptical guests. Would it be wrong to assume that 'confront skeptics' translates to 'read a prepared speech'?

[sat556]

Has this been on yet? I am in the UK and have been trying to work out the time it'll be shown here but it's late and I just can't think straight! How many hours until it starts if I haven't missed it?

[William Smith]

Has this been on yet? I am in the UK and have been trying to work out the time it'll be shown here but it's late and I just can't think straight! How many hours until it starts if I haven't missed it?

9 p.m. ET should be 2 a.m. in the UK. Hurry.

[sat556]

Fab! Thanks :)

[shalomsteph]

Rabbi Boteach is kicking some psychic ass. GO TRIBE!!!!

[Smitz]

As I sit here watching Larry King and the Van Prowlers, Silvery Browns, and Chars whatever her name, it only convinces me more that these so called, self proclaimed psychics are spending time talking about what they claim they can do, and so called dimensions that are unproven.

They back away from Proof. Thanks to Dr. Farha for asking good questions.

Perhaps, more people on this night will ask questions and see what these self proclamed psychics(ohs) are trying to tell the gullible ones that think there is something to what they say.

A question is being asked this moment about the promise of the JREF foundation of the test to Sylvia Browne, will be interesting to what she says.

Interesting, eh?

Smitz

[shalomsteph]

I'm waiting for her answer....

[WildCat]

I'm waiting for her answer....
She's accusing him of backing down from the Yellow Bamboo test... what a liar!

[WildCat]

"Prove we're wrong!" says von Prick.

[shalomsteph]

And she lied again!!! Oh, what WOULD Randi and Boteach do if not for psychics?

[WildCat]

They hardly show the rabbi, who does a great job when he is allowed to speak! 3 on 1 isn't really fair!

[shalomsteph]

LOL von Prick....they are dissing on my man Boteach..who has it exactly right.

[Libertarian]

Sylvia owes van praagh BIG time! When LK said he'd put a million dollars right there on his desk, and asked her if she'd do a test, VP interrupted so that she didn't have to answer.

[Rose]

Well, the three "psychics" managed to divert the focus on the challenge and why Sylvia refuses to take it, though they did get her to admit she did accept.

[Smitz]

Van Prowler will not answer a direct question, but instead turns an answer into a question with no real meaning.....he convinces me he is a psycho not a psychic, if there is such a thing.....as since there is nothing paranormal...then it would seemingly mean that the term psychic is rather meaningless.

Waiting to hear Dr. Farhar's questions be asked.

Smitz

[WildCat]

Rabbi challenged von Prick to come up w/ something useful, like when the next bomb will go off in Iraq. Von Prick responded that isn't it wonderful that he can speak to the dead, proving that there is an afterlife. :rolleyes:

[Rose]

the good guys lost a point. bringing up specific vs general statements/predictions, it would have been nice to see an open comment of "well, you might have cheated"

[shalomsteph]

Van Prowler--another good one. They can read people in comas? Then why did no one know that Terri Schiavo was BLIND?? Rabbi is right again--the caller's mother is still ALIVE and needs love NOW

[shalomsteph]

Wildcat--I was waiting for Van Prick/Prowler (I love those) to say it is BETTER for the soldiers in Iraq to be dead...*******

[HeyLeroy]

What else? What else?

I'm at work, please keep me up to date!

[WildCat]

Sylvia accuses Rabbi Boteach of not being nice to a woman (her)...

[Rose]

And Boteach says "I don't claim powers I don't have"(to paraphrase)

[Smitz]

Seems Sylvia is talking about her books now....... wonder how many she is trying to sell, using CNN and Larry King for free advertising, yet she will not directly say anything that is meaningful.

What a waste of a good hour of airtime...... showcasing these charlatons who cannot prove any claim they make what so ever.

[Libertarian]

with all due respect, rabbi needs to change tunes.........

let the oklahoma guy say something........

[WildCat]

Now Sylvia's plugging her books, saying how wonderful they are and how much they help people. Sure they do, Sylvia. :rolleyes:

[shalomsteph]

Boteach said that he believes in an afterlife, but it is irrelevant to what is going on right now on the earth. Our responsibility is to the living and to the earth now. Yep.

[WildCat]

with all due respect, rabbi needs to change tunes.........

let the oklahoma guy say something........
Yeah, they keep cutting him off.

And for those who can't see it, the 3 "psychics" are in the studio w/ King, and have 90% of the camera time. The skeptics are via remote feed, and rarely seen.

[roger]

Now Sylvia's plugging her books, saying how wonderful they are and how much they help people. Sure they do, Sylvia. :rolleyes:Did you hear what she said as justification: "not everything I do is bad." Talk about an admission of guilt!

[shalomsteph]

Oh no... A REALLY SAD VICTIM....her dad disappeared. Oh, they aren't going to say on the air. Margoles is going to call her next week. Rabbi is going off on them, again he is correct. Giving her false hope is evil

[shalomsteph]

Van Prick is criticizing the Rabbi because he is "judging."
Finally, OKC guy gets to talk. They have never assisted anyone important with finding people.

I like Anderson Cooper best right now...

[Libertarian]

I've never seen Van P. before. Boy, is my gaydar going off! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

[WildCat]

Did you hear what she said as justification: "not everything I do is bad." Talk about an admission of guilt!
Yes, I've noticed that they seem to be singing the "but we're really just helping people tune" rather than directly claiming they actually have powers. Interesting...

[Smitz]

Char (latan) is asked a direct question about a missing man in Oklahoma(?) and her reply is, tell the producers to take the number and she will call later, avoiding to show her failures publicly.

What a laugh.....or more so.... a sad storyline to spend so much time talking about...giving these self proclaimed money hockers more opportunity to reap the ingnorant and gullible.

[Dermanus]

Nice vague, difficult to track question.
"Will we live to see our daughter get married?"

[WildCat]

Caller: "Sylvia, I just want to tell you that I love you w/ all my heart". Where's a puking smilie when you need one?

[Rose]

good, hitting on Sylvia's "medical advice" now

[shalomsteph]

I've never seen Van P. before. Boy, is my gaydar going off! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

LOL...he even hath the lishp. He is very irritating.

What's with the stacked callers, all loving on the psychics.

Larry: "How do you know that?" (She told a woman she will live to see her daughter's wedding)

Sylvia: "Because I am psychic"

Now OKC guy is talking. Sylvia does health readings, and she is dangerous...

[Libertarian]

These two skeptics came right out of their corners seemingly upset, with loud voices. I don't blame them, but wouldn't a calmer demeanor serve the skeptic view better?

[Dermanus]

The rabbi is doing a cold reading. It's a pity he's not very good at it.

[Dermanus]

Aie - and now he's letting the psychics try a cold reading after he's already given them a bunch of stuff that they know isn't true.

[shalomsteph]

These poor people calling in....this is sad. I really feel bad for them. Rabbi sucked at cold reading...
THE J INITIAL!!! NO
Deceased? Yes
Female/Male Female
M?
MA? Yes
Mary? (Caller gives-Margaret)

[Dermanus]

...so the professional psychic could tell that he had a dead aunt who like the remodeling he did?

I wonder how my dead grandfather feels about my new house?

[WildCat]

Deceased Aunt Marge wants to say she likes the decorating you're doing to your home. Just what you want to hear in a message from beyond. :rolleyes:

[Rose]

wow. what a comfort to know that your dead aunt approves of your redecorating projects(another call in reading). funny how "mary" couldnt tell the psychic "Hey, I'm dead and my name is Mary and can you tell him useful, like where I left my investment portfolio?"

[Libertarian]

Hope the doctor gets a chance to explain cold reading, (he actually did it near the beginning of the show but didn't point it out -- just smiled). Hope he also points out that the "psychic" is asking all the questions!!

[Smitz]

An M..... or an MA (pause)....... Mary or Marguerite........? Was she related to you?

How many middle aged people have an aunt, cousin, friend, sister etc, that may be named Mary, or Marguerite, two very commonly used names, and most people do housing renovations and redecorating fairly regularly....... nothing too psychic about that to me.......but to someone gullible...well perhaps they fall for it hook, line and sinker, like a fish taking the bait from a fisher person or predator.

Predator....and prey.......seems like a connection to these featured psychos? eh?

[shalomsteph]

Damn...I would be PISSED if that's the only thing a dead loved one had to say.

Another psychic love fest caller...
DUH-earthquakes in LA

[WildCat]

Caller: "Oh Larry, I love your psychic panel. The critics just don't understand".

No, we don't. Not one bit.

[Libertarian]

Deceased Aunt Marge wants to say she likes the decorating you're doing to your home. Just what you want to hear in a message from beyond. :rolleyes:

the rabbi managed to point that out! yay!

[Hutch]

Just a note of thanks to all who could stomach watching this and report back. Very much appreciated all.

[shalomsteph]

LOL=Rabbi is going off about the furniture thing, too. Now Char is throwing Hebrew words around, trying to equate Judaism to what she does

[WildCat]

Show over, as expected the deck was stacked against us. Nothing new in Larry King land.

[Rose]

Well, guess the believers won't be convinced. But maybe some fence sitters will notice that the panel dodged the Halloway question. good, not perfect showing by our heroes.

[Libertarian]

anyone know how many "small" earthquakes the "west coast" experiences in a year? I bet it's a hell of a lot more than four or five!!

[shalomsteph]

OK, the biggest disappointment is that Browne, Van Prick-Prowler and Margolies are all in the tribe. I was hoping the Christians would want them.

[Libertarian]

Just a note of thanks to all who could stomach watching this and report back. Very much appreciated all.


Don't thank me -- I had a bucket next to my chair, just in case.

I will say one thing, that was a very quick hour.

[HeyLeroy]

Thanks, everyone, for the play-by-play. Does anyone know if transcripts are made available for LKL shows? I'd love to read this show over.

[shalomsteph]

Leroy--there are, they should be up on CNN in a few days

[JLam]

The guy with the aunt Margaret sounds exactly like a guy who gives out psychic readings on Paltalk. I mean, EXACTLY like him.

I smell a rat.

Just sayin'.

[shalomsteph]

But it was really a psychic love in. Still no answer about why Sylvia won't take the test. Larry offered to do it on his show, but then that went away.

[eri]

I wanted to punch Char in the mouth for that smug smile of hers. Sooooo much. Anyone else? Just me?

I thought the skeptics did a good job, but they spent far too long arguing religious points - wouldn't have been able to do that if the Rabbi hadn't been one of them.

Dr. Farha, will you marry me? :D

[Smitz]

Sylvia had her defenseman tonight with Van Prowler butting in when asked a good question by a skeptic, as he tried to change the subject and none would answer a skeptics question and looks like Sylvia is making too much money rather than be exposed for what she is by taking the JREF foundation million dollar challenge. They always have a reason or excuse when it comes to something using facts and logic to test their unproven abilities as the only thing that would likely be proven, is their inability to predict anything precise. Any person can predict a vague probablity and have some success. How many earth tremors affect the West Coast of the USA each year? Likely many do, so it would be highly probable that there will be many tremors for the next twenty years,eh?

I thank the JREF for having this wonderful site.

[Libertarian]

Thank god that I'd already seen Southpark.

[shalomsteph]

Yeah--the Rabbi was trying to NOT get sucked into a religious discussion, because he was making the point that it is about here and now, not the afterlife-whether or not it exists is irrelevant.

[Loon]

OK, the biggest disappointment is that Browne, Van Prick-Prowler and Margolies are all in the tribe.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

:(
:(
:(

[shalomsteph]

I wanted to punch Char in the mouth for that smug smile of hers. Sooooo much. Anyone else? Just me?

I was ready to punch out Van Prick-Prowler when I thought he was going in the direction of saying the troops in Iraq were better off in the spiritual world.

Dr. Farha, will you marry me? :D

No...HE's MINE!!! (He is a cutie, and sharp, too.) :)

[Loon]

The bit about the medical evidence at the end was good.

Larry King seemed really frustrated.

Regarding the cold reading: M and J are very common initials. Z or W would have been more impressive. Plus, once you get to M (and remember that this is for anyone around him...), there are only 6 options for the next letter. Ma is very common. My is Myrtle and that's about it, I think. Mo gives Molly and Monica, maybe a few others that don't jump to mind (we could research this more...) Me is Melissa, Meryl... Mu doesn't have anything. Ma is going to be most common.

Of course, this doesn't prove that psychics are frauds. It's (theoretically) possible that the reason she went with M is because that's the name of the person coming through; so what if it's a common name.

I wouldn't bet on it though.

[shalomsteph]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

:(
:(
:(

Well, but so are the Rabbi and the OKC professor....and ME! :-)

[Smitz]

I thought that Dr Farha asked good questions and he certianly did not get the fair share of airtime as the others did. What was even more distressing to me, when Sylvia was asked to give answer about the million dollar JREF challenge, Larry King interjected to say that he was going to advertisement, and when the show came back on air, the question and answer kind of disappated into the airwaves and looks like Sylvia slithered out of that one quite easily, and soon afterwards, she was talking about her books....no one asked about her books...but she brought them up, as they likely are good cash cows for her bank account.

When Van Prowler was asked about Iraq etc, apparently there are no spirits interested in telling him how they can save lives and stop the spilling of blood.

Why did not skeptic's calls get through to the show? Seems to me, some precall screening perhaps took place before they could ask questions.

One good thing about the show, it convinces me more than ever these three showcased charlatans are nothing more than money grubbing con artists feeding off the ingnorant and gullible in our society who evidently have no background in scientific theory or knowledge and perhaps could be the same gullible people who believe they are goign to win a jackpot in the lottery or win the big one at the casino. There are some very small percentage of winners, but for each winner there are hundreds of losers, but I do wonder if I could get a call through, if Sylvia could tell me what numbers to play in the next major lottery. She cannot. Van Prowler cannot. Char cannot.

It would be interesting to see how many books she will sell because of the so called testimonials she received from callers on tonights show.

[shalomsteph]

I used to be indifferent to psychics...sort of, "well, I don't believe in them, but I don't care if others do." But over time, I have come to realize that they are damaging and harmful. They steal money from emotionally unstable or distraught people, and could potentially steer people away from real help.

I don't believe in hell, but I wish I could invent one for them.

[shalomsteph]

\b

[T'ai Chi]

These poor people calling in....this is sad. I really feel bad for them. Rabbi sucked at cold reading...
THE J INITIAL!!! NO
Deceased? Yes
Female/Male Female
M?
MA? Yes
Mary? (Caller gives-Margaret)

I emailed Randi re: initial frequencies and Margolis. See my webpage.

[New Ager]

A number of you mentioned that all the calls were pro-psychic. That is status quo for LK. Sadly, at least the five psychic shows have had no skeptic callers.

I was glad to see Larry be a little tougher on the psychics tonight. Usually, he shines their shoes for the whole hour.

Sylvia's "why do you have a hard-on for me" was funny.

[shalomsteph]

Pardon my ignorance, and I think I know, but what is a woo and why do you call him/her/it that.

My dog is psychic. He knows when the car pulls up and gets off the couch.

[duggie]

Larry you suck. Gushing that the "Mary?, No but my mothers sister was Margaret" represented an impressive hit was pathetic. And having every caller a woo asking about dead relatives was inexcusable. Not one caller addressed the topic under discussion.

[Loon]

Well, but so are the Rabbi and the OKC professor....and ME! :-)

Yeah, but are you cute? :P

[patchbunny]

anyone know how many "small" earthquakes the "west coast" experiences in a year? I bet it's a hell of a lot more than four or five!!According to the US Geological Survey, California alone has had 194 earthquakes over the past week. A map is here (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Maps/US10/32.42.-125.-115.html).

[VoloVersio]

According to the US Geological Survey, California alone has had 194 earthquakes over the past week.

Then again, one could just play the whole arbitrary range limit card and decide for themselves what constitutes a "small" quake.

[treble_head]

Sorry for hitting this late. I watched the repeat because my guests were tools, and didn't want to watch the show. I was very happy with the show, all in all.

[Mojo]

Did you hear what she said as justification: "not everything I do is bad." Talk about an admission of guilt!Good grief! Did she really say that?

Thanks for the running commentary, everyone. Almost as good as seeing the show!

[Mr. Scott]

I suspect the Rabbi was included to dodge the branding of skeptics as aetheists. Dr. Farha's presentation was, to me, anemic. They were no match for three glib motor mouthed con artists. That Dr. Farha was at a loss for words (I think twice) was unfortunate.

The skeptics had a major disadvantage aside from being outnumbered 3:2. They were at remote locations, probably unable to see the facial expressions and body language of the three frauds. Also the remote hookup makes it very difficult to deal with being interrupted and asserting one's right to speak. I wonder if the frauds participated on condition that skeptics not be in the room with them.

I thought that Larry King should have been taken to task for his gullibility re. the ESP researcher's work.

What I really thought was good was the point repeated several times that the psychics and the ESP guy never provide truly useful information. Apparently their supernatural abilities have no practical use except to convince people they have supernatural abilities (a monumental warning sign of fraud).

I missed Sylvia's statement "not all I do is bad." I'll review the tape and try to nail the exact quote and context.

I think Larry King knows that gullibility gets better ratings than doubt. Overcoming this is skepticism's greatest hurdle.

[redwards]

Next time, skeptic panel: Randi, Shermer, and Dawkins (or maybe Penn). I'd like to see how that showdown goes.

[Rockstar]

Syl's real easy to prove wrong, especially when she actually makes a testable prediction.

Go to http://archive.org and put in sylvia.org.

She doesn't post her predictions any more, but I wrote about a few in my first blog article (http://rockstarramblings.blogspot.com/2005/05/sylvia-browne-is-big-fat-idiot.html). Just check the 97-98 stuff to see what I mean.

[alfaniner]

Just cross-posting to this thread in what appears to be the appropriate topic.

A very good show. Glad I watched it instead of waiting for the transcript. (Sorry, rubbing it in...) LK seemed exhausted at the end of it. It did seem like he at least asked a few proper, probing questions this time.

I screamed when they first cut to SB on screen. GAAAHH! CNN, don't do that!!

The thing that really bugged me was that just after bringing up the fact of the JREF Challenge, they had to go to break, giving SB time to compose a response. I think she would have floundered more if pressed immediately.

Having so many people involved, it is almost impossible to follow up on the things that should have been. For instance, I could have done an analysis of Char's cold reading in about two minutes. Unfortunately, LK ended that segment with "Pretty good!" (thus negating his earlier skeptical questions) and went to break.

The three psychics sure did a good job of pulling each other's a***s out of the fire. At least LK tried to get JVP to actually answer a question that had been previously asked.

Then I heard the callers... It makes me shake my head and think, did they not hear or understand a single deception that was going on? Still, LK seemed excited at the prospect of doing it again, next time with everyone in the studio. I think he enjoyed it quite a bit.

I can only hope that some viewers/bleebers eventually find their way here.

In addition:
I suspect the Rabbi was included to dodge the branding of skeptics as aetheists. Dr. Farha's presentation was, to me, anemic. They were no match for three glib motor mouthed con artists. That Dr. Farha was at a loss for words (I think twice) was unfortunate.

I think part of that may have been to the delay in cross-country communication. In the fraction of a second longer that it took to hear and reply, it looked like hesitation and gave them a chance to jump in and interrupt more than they would have been able to face-to-face.


So, a what constitutes a "minor" earthquake? If there is a major one in the next 20 years (which of course I am not wishing for!) that would certainly prove SB wrong.

[sat556]

I watched this, thanks to Gzuz, and couldn't believe it. Is this the sort of thing Larry King has on often? I must admit I find this kind of programme had to watch as it infuriates me so. It has to be said that Brown looked very uncomfortable though, which made me grin :D

[shalomsteph]

I went to archives.org and looked at Sylvias site. I have never been there. Anyway, this waa on her site:


Sylvia's new Collector's Edition children's book available now!
In Animals on the Other Side, Sylvia and her son, Chris, share comforting insight about animals in the afterlife and answer popular questions including:

Does my pet miss me?
Did he know I loved him?
Can she come back to visit me?
Do snakes and bugs live on the Other Side, too?

Does that mean that every single cockroach I have squashed is on "the other side" plotting revenge?

[Elind]

I think the skeptics need to start boycotting tv shows like Larry King.

I think boycott is the wrong word. I haven't watched his crap for several years, and I know he doesn't give a damn. There are more woos than skeptics. Ratings. Ratings. Ratings.

[menotu]

i liked the way all three kept mentioning their own spirituality and this gift from god they have, and how they basically use their powers for good, so why do they charge so much money to tell someone their aunt likes the new renovation they've done on their house. Again though, it comes down to the idiots who buy into this load of dung and keep these "psychics" [oh how i hate that word] in business. much like evangilists. Where there's buyers there's sellers

[menotu]

Next time, skeptic panel: Randi, Shermer, and Dawkins (or maybe Penn). I'd like to see how that showdown goes.

Not bad, but figure skating is way better. Outfits are hotter and women much better looking. :cool:

only this time have these 3 in studio and the psychics on timed delayed transmission

[RSLancastr]

Pardon my ignorance, and I think I know, but what is a woo and why do you call him/her/it that.Here is the definition I put in the SkepticWiki: woo-woo (http://www.skepticwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Woo)

[xenxabar]

Does anyone know Char Margolis is the mother (maybe aunt) of Cindy Margolis? They have the same last name and look similar. My searchs of internet came up with nothing on either of them being related. However, when I did a Google image search of Char, <shudder> I found this one (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.drphil.com/slideshow/images/3078_psychics/d1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://images.drphil.com/slideshow/slide.jhtml%3FcontentId%3D3078_psychics4.xml&h=150&w=200&sz=9&tbnid=1dm46RIexpMJ:&tbnh=74&tbnw=99&hl=en&start=12&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchar%2Bmargolis%26svnum%3D100%26hl%3D en%26lr%3Dlang_en%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN). Her appearance on LKL and pictures for her books are much better looking. IMHO, either she wears more makeup than Tammy Fae or she's addicted to botox (and giving cold readings to woos).

[New Ager]

Next time, skeptic panel: Randi, Shermer, and Dawkins (or maybe Penn). I'd like to see how that showdown goes.

In that case, we'd only need Penn. :)

[Mr. Scott]

Did you hear what she said as justification: "not everything I do is bad." Talk about an admission of guilt!

I just checked the tape. At 39:10 Sylvia Browne says "Not everything I do is sad," no bad. She's mentioning that her self-help books give positive messages.

I counted four times that Dr. Farha appeared to be at a loss for words.

The rabbi was a poor skeptic. Being that it was woo against woo, he gave the psychics concessions on religious points. Big mistake. Psychics always use religion as a shield to deflect skepticism. In debates like this one, you should never give your opponents any concessions. Farha made the same mistake. He said to one, "maybe you do have those powers, but..." Think of what damage that will be done when quoted out of context.

The Rabbi also tried twice to do cold readings. This is no-win for skeptics. If you do it well, the psychics say you have untapped supernatural ability and argue that their point is proven. If you do it poorly, you seem to prove that their psychic powers are required to do cold readings. Bad strategy in my opinion. I would just say, "there are books that describe exactly how con artists do cold readings and fool people into thinking they are psychic, and these three do cold reading con jobs exactly by the book."

The Rabbi's other weakness was that he was easily conned. Sylvia interrupted him and then immediately implied that the Rabbi was rude to "a woman" by interrupting her. The Rabbi then apologized! She conned him and he took the bait! He was too easily manipulated by the guilt trips the psychics were laying on him.

Char's cold reading was along classic con job lines. No one noticed that although she told the caller to only answer yes or no to her questions, "don't tell me anybody's name," the caller broke with that right away and told her a full name and other details. King was also quite gullible and didn't notice Char turned misses into hits using the extra information the caller gave. She asked "are you changing your home or thinking about changing your home?" At that point she appears to be asking if he is moving to a new house. The caller answers that they just did some remodeling. No one noticed that Char was referring to the present or future (to cover two bases) and the event was in the past. It was a miss! But she twisted it into hit, and Larry King bought into it and said it was impressive. The Rabbi and Dr. Farha also missed that one completely, showing that they were poorly prepared for her scam.

Sylvia Browne proved that she was truly lower class. When it was pointed out she couldn't prove their abilities, she answered "you can't prove air." When she asked Farha "why do you have such a hard-on for me" I was reminded of her statement early in the show "I am a tube."

[New Ager]

(Steph)

Does that mean that every single cockroach I have squashed is on "the other side" plotting revenge?

(New Ager)

Never mind us normal people. Think what "hell" an exterminator is in for!! :)

[New Ager]

I did notice this was most I had seen psychics try and move away from "I talk to the dead" or "I predict the future" and more into "I'm helping people and I have testimonials. It was almost like they were saying "so what if I can't talk to the dead or tell the future, I'm helping people."

I wish someone would have said to the testimonials, "I have a testimonial that someone saw a flying, purple unicorn. Do you believe that?"

[Mr. Scott]

Does anyone know Char Margolis is the mother (maybe aunt) of Cindy Margolis? They have the same last name and look similar. My searchs of internet came up with nothing on either of them being related. However, when I did a Google image search of Char, <shudder> I found this one (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.drphil.com/slideshow/images/3078_psychics/d1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://images.drphil.com/slideshow/slide.jhtml%3FcontentId%3D3078_psychics4.xml&h=150&w=200&sz=9&tbnid=1dm46RIexpMJ:&tbnh=74&tbnw=99&hl=en&start=12&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchar%2Bmargolis%26svnum%3D100%26hl%3D en%26lr%3Dlang_en%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN). Her appearance on LKL and pictures for her books are much better looking. IMHO, either she wears more makeup than Tammy Fae or she's addicted to botox (and giving cold readings to woos).

There are nearly 90 people in movies with the name Margolis according to the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com), and there's no evidence I can find there or anywhere else that they are related.

[menotu]

i thought the skeptics were a little weak. mind you they didn't get the same airtime. Who picked them and where was james through all this?

[2OldScorpio]

I just happened to catch the 3am repeat while channel surfing and found myself shaking my head throughout at the utter foolishness of Browne, Von Prick, and Char Char.

As other have said the skeptics side was at the disadvantage of being on a delay. Dr. Farha at times seemed to be 15-30 seconds behind so that when he had the opportunity to speak or respond the panel had already gone through 8 rotations of hypothetical questions and screaming fits of their authenticity.

Rabbi Boteach was kicking some major ass, but at times he was being overwhelmed in what turned into a 3-on-1 situtation. I agree with a couple other that it was have been interesting if Penn had been in his place.

The most offensive part of the program to me was when the women called about her mother/aunt who had alzheimer's disease and the psychics are going on and on about being able to communicate with the spirit of those show suffer from this disease and other forms of dimentia...I seem to remember hearing some line about the spirit of alzhemier's sufferers coming and going from the body??

If this didn't show the woo-woos as cranks I don't know what would. The Rabbi called them on it and was utterly correct in saying that you should honor her LIVING mother while she is still alive and that the "spirit-world" has nothing to do with the current situation.

LK just seemed to what to get the damn hour over with, although he did get a couple swipes in there at Browne and Van Prick who was going off about how skeptics should prove he can't do his thing rather than the other way around...to which King responded that it isn't the skeptics who are making the claim.

[Mr. Scott]

Thanks, everyone, for the play-by-play. Does anyone know if transcripts are made available for LKL shows? I'd love to read this show over.

The transcript is now online here:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/28/lkl.01.html

[Libertarian]

Here is the definition I put in the SkepticWiki: woo-woo (http://www.skepticwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Woo)

I took a look and the best part is the recipe for a woo woo drink! Since tomorrow is new years eve, I think I'll try it (like I need an excuse).

BTW, anyone else here old enough to remember comedian Robert Klein? I don't think he's retired, but you don't hear much about him. He did a great woo-woo sound impression.

[shalomsteph]

BTW, anyone else here old enough to remember comedian Robert Klein? I don't think he's retired, but you don't hear much about him. He did a great woo-woo sound impression.


Robert Klein recently had a special on HBO. I didn't see it, but he seems to be aging well. I don't know about the woo-woo sound, though.

[alfaniner]

Is that the sound where you whistle and hum at the same time? Kinda sounds like Herbie the Love Bug's horn? Or what you'd think a flying saucer would sound like?

[petre]

I took a look and the best part is the recipe for a woo woo drink!


Don't forget, it'll be more powerful if you dilute it 30 times :rolleyes: (and stretch to a lot more guests too)

[Libertarian]

Is that the sound where you whistle and hum at the same time? Kinda sounds like Herbie the Love Bug's horn? Or what you'd think a flying saucer would sound like?

Exactly!

[Psiload]

Sylvia Browne proved that she was truly lower class. When it was pointed out she couldn't prove their abilities, she answered "you can't prove air."

I'd like to personally prove this negative by firmly securing a plastic bag over Sylvia's head.

[bob_kark]

I was a little disappointed with the broadcast. I thought the Rabbi had some great points, but he started off on the wrong foot by believing in something he himself. In addition, the predictions he made blew up in his face. However, the biggest mistake I think he made was to tell all the psychics that he didn't dislike them personally.

Instead of apologizing about being right, how about mentioning the fact that these "psychics" delude grief stricken people or people who don't have the emotional or mental stability to deal with life on their own should be in some kind of counseling? Not only are the psychics stealing their money, they're toying with the welfare of their clients. Holding a carrot on a stick in front of the weak and the foolish certainly would be enough for me to dislike each and everyone of them personally.

Sure the skeptics came off as if they were attacking the poor psychics. However, if they were able to better able to explain why, they wouldn't have to come off as persecutors. They could instead be seen for what they really are, people who are concerned that these psychics are potentially ruining people's lives. Now, perhaps the show's producers did not give them the time to do so. However, the Rabbi certainly had time to apologize for hurting their feelings.

Anyway, has Randi ever been able to be on one of these shows? Will they not allow him to be or is he just not interested?

[Libertarian]

Anyway, has Randi ever been able to be on one of these shows? Will they not allow him to be or is he just not interested?

He's been on. I believe the LK show is where he said he would test Sylvia and is where she accepted (many weeks ago!)

Not sure if he's been on more than once, for some reason I think he has. One of the experts around here knows, I'm sure, and can enlighten both of us.

I did find this: http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/browne.html

[bob_kark]

I did find this: http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/browne.html

Thanks for the link! Its unfortunate that Dr. Farha didn't have more of an opportunity to speak on the program. Of course, I'm sure LK isn't too interested in proving that the psychics are just a sham. He wouldn't have much of a show to air if he kept getting rid of the fluff that feeds his show.

[shalomsteph]

Of course, I'm sure LK isn't too interested in proving that the psychics are just a sham. He wouldn't have much of a show to air if he kept getting rid of the fluff that feeds his show.

Well, he DID offer to do the $1,000,000 challenge on his show. At least he isn't a lapdog like Montel Williams. He is Sylvia's whore.

[bob_kark]

Well, he DID offer to do the $1,000,000 challenge on his show. At least he isn't a lapdog like Montel Williams. He is Sylvia's whore.

Why wouldn't he offer to do the challenge on his show? He would be a moron not to! Talk about ratings! Best case scenario, he's the first person to show conclusive proof that someone has psychic powers. Worst case scenario, he's able to show that Sylvia Browne, not psychics in general, is a total fraud. Not exactly news, but still plenty of fun for the viewers! People love to see a public figure fall from grace.

As far as not being a lapdog, LK still knows how to not rock the boat. He knows a meal ticket when he sees one.

[Yeah_Right]

Sylvia accuses Rabbi Boteach of not being nice to a woman (her)...

Syliva's a woman???

[eri]

Interesting side note: a friend of mine works for the publishing house that puts out Sylvia's books. Apparently they were organizing one of her public appearances, but Sylvia refused to get in the limo they sent to the airport for her because the seats were leather and she "could hear the cows screaming" when she touched them.

[shalomsteph]

Interesting side note: a friend of mine works for the publishing house that puts out Sylvia's books. Apparently they were organizing one of her public appearances, but Sylvia refused to get in the limo they sent to the airport for her because the seats were leather and she "could hear the cows screaming" when she touched them.

Do the cows scream when she she steps into her shoes? Or does it beg her not to eat it when it sits on her plate?

There's medication for that...

[Elind]

Do the cows scream when she she steps into her shoes? Or does it beg her not to eat it when it sits on her plate?

There's medication for that...

I have a feeling that made sure others would hear her and report this incidence, as you have just done. It's called good PR.

[Anti_Hypeman]

She wanted another limo because the bar wasnt stocked.

[Melendwyr]

She wanted other people to be inconvenienced accommodating her whims, because the more they must go out of their way, the more personal power she has over them.

[CFLarsen]

She wanted other people to be inconvenienced accommodating her whims, because the more they must go out of their way, the more personal power she has over them.

Bingo.

[Elind]

That's what I said. It's called PR.

[eri]

That's what I said. It's called PR.

Yep. But not good PR. They thought she was a major b***t.

[Blue Bubble]

She wanted another limo because the bar wasnt stocked.

And there were no ashtrays.

[7th sextile]

Do the cows scream when she she steps into her shoes? Or does it beg her not to eat it when it sits on her plate?

There's medication for that...

It would appear the ones on the plate are screaming:"EAT ME ,SYLVIA!!"

[CFLarsen]

It would appear the ones on the plate are screaming:"EAT ME ,SYLVIA!!"
Ewwwl..........

[Yeah_Right]

Of course the cows were screaming, I'd do the same if Sylvia was going to sit on me.

[ungoliant]

i just read some of her predictions from 1998. what a joke!

how can people go on believing her when this damning evidence is available?

[shalomsteph]

Of course the cows were screaming, I'd do the same if Sylvia was going to sit on me.

OK, that one made me laugh out loud. Thanks. :)