Why doesn't somebody turn the Million Dollar Challenge into a TV game/reality show?

[shemp]

This is something people would watch weekly! A professed psychic/communicator/dowser/etc. would be tested with a shot at a million bucks.

Can't you see James Randi in a tux hosting this show? Maybe it wouldn't be big enough for the major networks, but it's gotta be better than a lot of the crap on the WB and UPN schedules! Throw in a scantily clad female co-host, and it would be boffo!

[Whomp]

I don't know.
So many of these folks truly believe in their powers. Watching them learn the painful truth on national television would be like watching puppies burn.

'Course that only applies to humans, not J.E. or Sonya.

[KelvinG]

The show would never work because the cowards who call themselve psychics, or whatever other paranormal powers they claim to have, wouldn't agree to go on the show because they know they will be exposed as the frauds that they are.

[Kimpatsu]

Actually, Kelvin, I think it would work very well. Back in 1980, James Randi had a show on British TV in which he tested self-professed psychics and the like under alboratory conditions in a TV studio. I still remember the Irish guy who claimed he could read auras. That test failed miserably, like all the others. They had mind readers and dowsers on as well. With the $1 million carrot, I'm sure the self-deluded will be lining up round the block. Sylvia Browne, John Edward, and the other evil ones won't touch it with a barge pole though.

[Linda]

Anybody remember when Randi was in Korea some months back? Well, he was filming a series of 7 shows for Korean tv on just this topic. The series was a big ratings success.
We've been pitching the concept to producers here for some time, but one of the problems is that the producers are afraid someone will win the million in the first couple of weeks and then what will they do for the rest of the series?! I swear that's the truth! Anyway, someday, maybe.

[T'ai Chi]

"under laboratory conditions in a TV studio"

uh huh.

:D

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by T'ai Chi
"under laboratory conditions in a TV studio"

uh huh.

:D
Yes. It's perfectly possible to create proper controls in a TV studio.

[aggle_rithm]

You mean, "Who Wants To Make an Ass of Himself on National TV"? It's been done.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by aggle_rithm
You mean, "Who Wants To Make an Ass of Himself on National TV"? It's been done.
But there's never a shortage of willing candidates...

[HILLD]

Ooooo! OOooooo! before anyone else thinks of it, can I be the first to christen the program

"Woo-Woo wants to be a millionaire!"

deriviative genius at it's best!

[aca]

Originally posted by Linda
Anybody remember when Randi was in Korea some months back? Well, he was filming a series of 7 shows for Korean tv on just this topic. The series was a big ratings success.
We've been pitching the concept to producers here for some time, but one of the problems is that the producers are afraid someone will win the million in the first couple of weeks and then what will they do for the rest of the series?! I swear that's the truth! Anyway, someday, maybe.
Someday soon hopefully. Soon as the world gets skeptic producers. Seriously, if the money hasn't been won in all these years how do they figure it'll be claimed within a few weeks?

[Linda]

Originally posted by HILLD
Ooooo! OOooooo! before anyone else thinks of it, can I be the first to christen the program

"Woo-Woo wants to be a millionaire!"

deriviative genius at it's best!

ROFLMAO! :D :D

[BenjaminWolf]

That is very, very funny. I am giggling like crazy.

[aggle_rithm]

I know! We can pattern it after "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" thusly:

At first, they are asked to perform simple psychic tasks, such as levitating a feather. They win a hundred dollars, then have an opportunity to double the earnings by a more difficult task, such as bending a spoon.

By they time they get to the million dollar prize, they have to do something like speak to the dead. (The dead, of course, will be kept in a sound-proof booth to prevent cheating.)

[Questioninggeller]

Originally posted by shemp
This is something people would watch weekly! A professed psychic/communicator/dowser/etc. would be tested with a shot at a million bucks.

Can't you see James Randi in a tux hosting this show? Maybe it wouldn't be big enough for the major networks, but it's gotta be better than a lot of the crap on the WB and UPN schedules! Throw in a scantily clad female co-host, and it would be boffo!

People like to see a game that people have a chance at winning. No one will tuned in to see some loser who fails to show his dog talk to a dead relative.

Anyway, I'd watch it... It'd be funny. Yet, the problem is that it would encourage these nuts.

[Crossbow]

Originally posted by shemp
This is something people would watch weekly! A professed psychic/communicator/dowser/etc. would be tested with a shot at a million bucks.

Can't you see James Randi in a tux hosting this show? Maybe it wouldn't be big enough for the major networks, but it's gotta be better than a lot of the crap on the WB and UPN schedules! Throw in a scantily clad female co-host, and it would be boffo!

Shemp, normally I really like your posts but I respectfully submit that your idea will not work.

The problem I see is that it will be hard to line up people to be tested. Randi has said that most do not even take the first step in defining their paranormal power.
Another problem would be that the testing will not likely fit into a standard half-hour game show with about 8 minutes of commercials and 4 minutes of intros, explanations, and credits leaving only 18 minutes of testing. It seems like most of these tests take at least an hour.

However, if you watch the TV channel 'Comedy Central', they occasionally do interview people with paranormal claims and it is a real hoot. In fact, they did one show that was really great with George Takei (Mr Sulu) where the showed interviews with people who claimed to be in contact with aliens, skunk apes, makers of immortaility devices, and so on. I think that this is a much better approach.

Bye for now!

[thatguywhojuggles]

I suggested this idea a while back... they way I suggested we do it is disguise the show so that it looks like it is being hosted by "believers," and each week they try their hardest to win Randi's money, but each week they fail. By having "believers" hosting the show, you will get the audiences we need and want. There is no use preaching to the choir.

In each show, the "believers" will admit that each test that is set up is fair, and there should be no reason it doesn't work.

[Rastelli]

I agree the idea is intriguing, and feel there would be no lack of participants. Crossbow's observation that the testing would take too much time is valid, although the testing could be done beforehand and edited down, ala John Edward's show.

The main problem is the fact that as psychic after psychic failed, the show would likely become predictable and boring. Perhaps if cheaters were busted on camera it would liven things up a bit.

Rastelli

PS Hi, Walter, I'm a juggler-artist-atheist also. What are the odds?

[Skeptic]

We've been pitching the concept to producers here for some time, but one of the problems is that the producers are afraid someone will win the million in the first couple of weeks and then what will they do for the rest of the series?!

That explains a LOT about television. By the way, how about this for a rebuttal:

"Mr. producer, if somebody DOES win it, it means that for $1,000,000 of the foundation's money, we have finally got evidence for the existence of the paranormal--something people tried to do, unsuccesfully, for the last 5000 years.

You would have in your possession a recording (and a broadcast) of one of the greatest scientific discoveries ever--of a feat far more important than the moon landing. If you cannot see a way to make money from THAT, you should resign.

If nothing else, the ratings you'd get for 'THE WORLD'S ONLY SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN PSYCHIC!' would be worth far more than a million dollars. Not to mention the Nobel prize for the greatest scientific discovery since relativity."

[Beleth]

Originally posted by Linda

We've been pitching the concept to producers here for some time, but one of the problems is that the producers are afraid someone will win the million in the first couple of weeks and then what will they do for the rest of the series?! I swear that's the truth! Anyway, someday, maybe. So do what the makers of Survivor do - film all 13 or 26 episodes before you show the first one.

If someone actually does win the million dollars, you simply show that episode as the season finale. (No reason to show them in order of taping, after all.) You have the added benefit of being able to hype it out the wazoo beforehand.

[dsm]

Originally posted by shemp

This is something people would watch weekly! A professed psychic/communicator/dowser/etc. would be tested with a shot at a million bucks.


Perhaps a better idea. Rather than go to all the expense and trouble of a TV show that the psychics likely wouldn't show up for anyway, can't something be done here in the forums?

How about advertising to psychics to come here and (say) make some sort of "prediction" about the future? The members would work with the psychic to ensure that the prediction is "reasonable" (ie. high specificity level) and then we'd wait to see if the prediction came true. This could be a first step in applying for the million dollars.

Could something "laboratory worthy" be designed that could take place in the forums?

:confused:

[Kimpatsu]

But TV makes a better medium! We're trying to educate the great unwashed masses,after all... :cool:

[Rastelli]

dsm
<<How about advertising to psychics to come here and (say) make some sort of "prediction" about the future? The members would work with the psychic to ensure that the prediction is "reasonable" (ie. high specificity level) and then we'd wait to see if the prediction came true. This could be a first step in applying for the million dollars.>>

I'm reading "Earth" by David Brin, a novel of the near future, and
in the book there's a site on the net called the "Prediction Registry" here people could log any sort of prediction and have it verified by the date it was made if they happen to get it right. I thought this was an intriguing idea. Anyone know if such a site actually exists? I'm with dsm that it should be done here if it's not already available. It would put the onus on charlatans ("Why didn't you register your prediction?") and, who knows, maybe uncover a legit seer.

Rastelli

" A man in Minnesota will send a suit to the cleaners and it will come back ruined."

[dsm]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu

But TV makes a better medium! We're trying to educate the great unwashed masses,after all... :cool:

But if none of the psychics show up (out of fear of humiliation), then who's been educated?

:confused:

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by dsm


But if none of the psychics show up (out of fear of humiliation), then who's been educated?

:confused:
If they don't show up, they called chicken on primetime TV. 15 minutes of fame and all that... They'll show. When Randi did a show debunking psychics on British TV, he had more applicants than he could use.

[darling]

Originally posted by shemp
This is something people would watch weekly! A professed psychic/communicator/dowser/etc. would be tested with a shot at a million bucks. I created a concept at TAM (and just because the JREF probably thought of it first dosn't mean I shouldn't get an executive producer credit or something).

It needs to be done just like American Idol. Go 'round the country with a snarky person making fun of people who can't sing.

[Brown]

Originally posted by Linda
We've been pitching the concept to producers here for some time, but one of the problems is that the producers are afraid someone will win the million in the first couple of weeks and then what will they do for the rest of the series?! I swear that's the truth! Anyway, someday, maybe. I suspect it may be possible to find insurance against such an event.

A bigger concern for me would be the independence of the show. To make it more entertaining, the television folks might insist that the tests be made "more sporting" or "less boring." The integrity of the testing might be compromised.

BTW, I thought the "Woo-Woo Wants To Be A Millionaire" was a clever title! I love a good play on words, and this is a good one!

[Larspeart]

That isn't a half-bad idea. i bet it would take off and work. Have good old Randi there, with his bankful of money, while ya-hoo's try to try a bunch crap.

[patnray]

"Win James Randi's Money"...

Great concepts. TV game shows are all about humiliating people...

It is true that people would become disintested when no one wins anything week after week. Shows like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" have to have a big winner now and then to keep the audience inerested.

But it could be turned into an intriguing mystery every week. First people could demonstrate their "ability" in an uncontrolled test. Then studio contestants could guess at how the claimants are 'cheating" or bet on how they will fare under controlled conditions. Thus there could be winners each week, just not the claimants. People would be rewarded for thinking logically and seeing through the scams, or humiliated for believing the claimants... It could work!

[frankwomble]

It's already been done. I saw Randi on TV years ago, when successfully winning the challenge only netted $10K.

If I remember the details correctly: He was testing an individual who said he could move telephone book pages using only the power of his mind.

Mr. Woo Woo demonstrated for the audience that he could do what he claimed (or so it appeared). Randi concluded that when he bent over the phone book he was actually blowing on the pages to make them turn. To test this theory, he surrounded the telephone book with a layer of very light polystyrene foam 'peanuts' that would move in the presence of any wind current, and had the individual attempt a repeat.

Mr. Woo Woo tried to move the pages again, but failed. He then claimed that the overhead florescent lights somehow interacted with the foam peanuts, creating a static electric charge that prevented the pages from moving. Sorry - you lose.

Randi then re-enacted the stunt himself.

[rwald]

I like the idea that patnray mentioned, about showing an uncontrolled test first to whet the audiance's appetite. And maybe having Randi replicate the stunt at the end of the show would be a nice touch as well. The biggest problem, as I see it, is that there may not be enough variety of claimants to make it interesting. Who wants to see dowsers failing to identify which of ten boxes contains a glass of water week after week?

[SpectorDetector]

It would be pretty pathetic to watch a show like that :wink8:


"Who wants to be a Millionaire" was bad enough . Watching all those folks come sooooooo close and only a few cash in was bad enough.

To watch claimants try to get the million through pseudoscience would be even worse.

The only way a scientific method applies to the paranormal is through the process of elimination by use of equipment to reproduce effects that are thought to be paranormal by less experienced investigators.

Although I have experienced paranormal phenomenon first hand , I have yet to be able to reproduce the event in order to study it using science.

My only option , therefore, is to study what is tangable and learn facts through what can be proven . Speculation becomes theory only when a control group or controled environment can be provided.


Spector Detector

[Kimpatsu]

The objectives of the shows are different. In "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", the viewers are rooting for the contestant; in "Who Thinks They're Psychic?", the fakers and con artists are being exposed, so we can all have a good laugh at their expense, as well as learning something.
BTW, you didn't "have a paranormal experience"; you think you had a paranormal experience. There is a world of difference between your perception and fact.
Why don't you describe the event to us in detail, so we can tell you how to replicate it without recourse to paranormal means?

[SpectorDetector]

Kimpatsu thanks for responding to my first post,

While I must agree that perception is critical in witnessing any event, what I saw ( hallucination or not was all too real). Your opinion is only as valid as your amount of practial experience in the paranormal field. Anyone can spew conjecture and opinion as to the validity of paranormal happenings but to do so without putting in the work necessary to make such remarks is at best a show of ignorance. Exactly how long have you been studying hauntings? How many years have you devoted to understanding and dispelling such happenings? How many times have you put to ease the minds of people that are scared to death because some so called ghosthunter calimed that their house was full of Native American spirits? I have , more times than I'd like to remember.

Your reference to psychics leads me to believe that you would find great joy in witnessing their dismanteling . I , also percieve psychics as scam artist and lend their babble no creed. Dispelling their nonsense is a matter of understanding a combination human psycology and basic parlor tricks . Their claims would be qutie amusing to see dispelled on national tv . I think the first guests should be Sylvia Brown , followed by John Edward.

I have been researching paranormal phenomenon for 11 years now and have , in those 11 years only seen an apparition one time . This occured about 3 months ago while studying the effects of night photography in a cemetary. I was walking along with my partner taking photos , with no flash using slow shutter speeds , carrying my tripod when the only other person with me noticed a white hooded figure walking slowly along a concrete path which led to a cross. The path to which I refer, was measured the following day and found to be 47 feet from the location where the figure was first spotted. It was not luminous nor was it translucent but it was covered in white robes and was more easily seen than it should have been as it related to the darkness. The figure was of a human form and was walking slowly with its head facing downward . The direction it took was forward of our view and was moving slowly away. I, of course took photos at the time of the event but later found nothing except what appeared to be electrical static in my developed photos. The photos were taken using a Nikon N60 with 400 speed film . I also used an Olympus 3000 zoom digital that I had along as a secondary source of data. This electrical phenomenon occured in both formats. It is important to note that there were no direct electrical sources present, such as overhead power lines or external power sources. I can not account for geomagnetic shifts or naturaly occuring phenomenon which may have taken place at the time .

I returned to the area where the event occured multiple times to verify that there was nothing in or near the area of the event that could have caused the image that my partner and I witnessed. There was nothing evident to support such a theory and my return trips were unremarkable and uneventful.

I tried taking multiple photos of the area during both daylight and evening hours in order to reproduce the electrical phenomenon that plauged my film that night . I was unable to do so .

The above event is a condensed version. If I were to post the entire 14 page report , you would likely fall asleep before finishing it.


Thanks for you input,

Spector Detector

P.S. I will be posting some unrelated photos from a recent study I conducted that reproduce what rookie ghosthunters call orbs. I find it interesting that GHS claims to have coined the term orb right around the time that digital cameras came onto the market. More fodder from the cracker farm that only serves to discredit those of us that seek the truth.

[xouper]

SpectorDetector: Although I have experienced paranormal phenomenon first hand , I have yet to be able to reproduce the event in order to study it using science.

Kimpatsu: BTW, you didn't "have a paranormal experience"; you think you had a paranormal experience.

SpectorDetector: Anyone can spew conjecture and opinion as to the validity of paranormal happenings but to do so without putting in the work necessary to make such remarks is at best a show of ignorance.I think Kimpatsu was chiding you for leaving out the word "alleged" in describing your experience as paranormal. What I infer Kimpatsu meant is that until established with reasonable certainty, it's premature to conclude it was a paranormal event. Your own (abridged) account of the event seems to reveal that you do not have enough information to conclude it was paranormal, even though it remains unexplained.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your report of your experience. There are lot of contributors here who have indeed put in a lot of work investigating alleged paranormal phenomenon. Part of the fun will be finding out who they are. Welcome to the forum.

[SpectorDetector]

Very well stated xouper and thanks for the welcome,

My experience, while unexplained, was of a paranormal nature therefore my use of its term was relative in its description and was in no way implied as conclusive.

The truth can be illusive and does suffer a great deal from perception.

:cool:

Understanding what is witnessed is critical.

I use multiple forms for interviews, site information, event details, equipment report ( accounting of their function and issues that may pertain to their use )
, conditions report and of course a basic psycological profile for the claimant.

Studying a reported event can be very time consuming. Gathering of information is indeed critical to understanding its nature.


Spector Detector

[xouper]

SpectorDetector: My experience, while unexplained, was of a paranormal nature therefore my use of its term was relative in its description and was in no way implied as conclusive.OK, if that's what you meant, I accept that. I was misled by your original wording, which did imply a conclusion.

[SpectorDetector]

it is :)