Not a pot I'd want to be in...

greymatters · 27th December 2007, 05:22 PM

I have a buddy here in Las Vegas who is a professional mentalist. He has a show on Friday (December 28th) in Illinois he's been promoting for about a month.

The highlight of the show, which has been featured in all the publicity for the show, is a newspaper headline prediction. His prediction has been sealed and was mailed to the company president about 3 weeks ago, and will be opened tomorrow.

Therein lies the problem. Naturally, the newspaper headlines tomorrow will concern the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

How would you like to be in that situation? Part of the audience will think, "It's just a trick, and a sick way to end a show," while the rest of the audience will think, "That's amazing! He really predicted Benazir Bhutto's assassination! Of course, if he knew of this 3 weeks ago, he's a jerk for not doing anything to help stop it."

My suggestion to him? From now on, predict the headlines of the sports page. Besides, he's from Vegas anyway, so it would have a natural presentation with sports betting.

What about the show tomorrow? I imagine he's not looking forward to the last routine.

tkingdoll · 27th December 2007, 06:41 PM

Hee hee, that is a funny situation to be in.

Well, it depends how good he is at scriptwriting. If his act involves claiming paranormal ability, then he could talk around it with the old "my gift only allows me to see the future, not change it" shtick. That would be my get-out, anyway.

I agree that in future, sports headlines are a safer bet.

malaka · 28th December 2007, 06:28 AM

Did he say which newspaper? Maybe he could predict the headline for one of those tiny, local, suburban papers: "Riggs park gets a new swingset" or "Betty Williams holiday spirit".

Garrette · 28th December 2007, 06:54 AM

As teek said, it depends on his scripting abilities. He might try an empathetic dodge along the lines of a prediction (but better written) that when taken out says this:

'I agreed to predict the headlines today, and normally I would be pleased to do so. Yesterday's events in Pakistan, however, deserve more respect than my simple entertainment can provide. Therefore, the score of last night's game was ..."

DJM · 28th December 2007, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by tkingdoll

Hee hee, that is a funny situation to be in.

Well, it depends how good he is at scriptwriting. If his act involves claiming paranormal ability, then he could talk around it with the old "my gift only allows me to see the future, not change it" shtick. That would be my get-out, anyway.

I agree that in future, sports headlines are a safer bet.

A few weeks ago a famous football player was murdered in the US, and I assume that was part of the sports headlines. So that's pretty risky as well..

Azrael 5 · 28th December 2007, 04:52 PM

Easy way out:don't predict front page headline.Predict page 25 or something.

People worry too much.

malaka · 3rd January 2008, 07:29 AM

Sooooo...??? What happened??

greymatters · 3rd January 2008, 10:18 AM

He's not back from Illinois yet, so I haven't heard. As soon as I know, I'll post it here.

Garrette · 3rd January 2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by greymatters

He's not back from Illinois yet, so I haven't heard. As soon as I know, I'll post it here.

Write it as a prediction placed in a sealed envelope held by the mods until your friend reveals the answer. Then we'll open the envelope to much fanfare.

HappyHarryHampton · 4th January 2008, 02:50 AM

He's only in trouble if people really think he can predict the future.

Does anyone really believe that?

greymatters · 6th January 2008, 12:57 AM

You'll be glad to know that I've finally heard from him!

The day of the performance (December 28th), the Chicago Sun-Times, the paper he was predicting, had just a photo, with the headline: "CHICAGOANS REACT TO BHUTTO'S ASSASSINATION: 'I CAN ONLY PRAY FOR MY COUNTRY"

A caption below read: "Syed Raza sits on his cab Thursday on Devon after hearing of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. 'She was the only hope for democracy,' he said.; Stunned Pakistanis predict the slaying of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will lead to bloody chaos: 'Pakistan is burning right now.'"

He built the prediction up as being somewhat cloudy and vague, which was helped by two prediction routines he had performed earlier. The prediction itself read along the lines of "Chicagoans pray for country. Reaction to strong, major event. Mention of 'hope for democracy'."

This helped emphasize that he was able to foresee the headline, while not putting him of the awkward position of, "If you knew Bhutto was going to be assassinated . . . " All he was claiming to see was the reaction, but not the event itself. The prediction was strong enough to be convincing for its purpose, and it was well received by the audience.

His final "lasting impression" routine (after the headline prediction) also helped close the show with the audience enjoying it, and taking the "heavy" edge off the prediction routine.

Azrael 5 · 6th January 2008, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by HappyHarryHampton

He's only in trouble if people really think he can predict the future.

Does anyone really believe that?

ZZzzzzzzzzzz

greymatters · 7th January 2008, 12:20 AM

In a similar situation, Parade Magazine (a Sunday newspaper insert) often puts their issues together about a month in advance. Their January 6th issue came out, and, well . . .

There is no mention of the fact that she was assassinated, and she talks mainly about what her plans are if elected.

BPScooter · 11th January 2008, 12:18 AM

My small-town local newspaper that only recently started carrying Parade put a blurb on their front page that explained the situation, that the insert was prepared prior to the assassination and there was no time for any change. In light of the nature of the interview and the event itself it seemed to me not lacking in taste to publish it, it was rather moving to me. But it was the disclaimer (or explanation, or "spin" or handling) of it that made that difference, right? Interesting thoughts, thanks.

greymatters · 18th January 2008, 12:44 PM

Mental Floss' blog just posted an article inspired by the Parade/Bhutto blunder. It's called 9 Times They Probably Should Have Stopped The Presses.

27th December 2007, 05:22 PM	#1
greymatters Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 734	Not a pot I'd want to be in... I have a buddy here in Las Vegas who is a professional mentalist. He has a show on Friday (December 28th) in Illinois he's been promoting for about a month. The highlight of the show, which has been featured in all the publicity for the show, is a newspaper headline prediction. His prediction has been sealed and was mailed to the company president about 3 weeks ago, and will be opened tomorrow. Therein lies the problem. Naturally, the newspaper headlines tomorrow will concern the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. How would you like to be in that situation? Part of the audience will think, "It's just a trick, and a sick way to end a show," while the rest of the audience will think, "That's amazing! He really predicted Benazir Bhutto's assassination! Of course, if he knew of this 3 weeks ago, he's a jerk for not doing anything to help stop it." My suggestion to him? From now on, predict the headlines of the sports page. Besides, he's from Vegas anyway, so it would have a natural presentation with sports betting. What about the show tomorrow? I imagine he's not looking forward to the last routine.
	__________________ Grey Matters: Blog \| Videos \| Mental Gym \| Presentation \| Original Products \| Recommended Products Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain!

27th December 2007, 06:41 PM	#2
tkingdoll AKA TEEK Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Up Myself Posts: 12,450	Hee hee, that is a funny situation to be in. Well, it depends how good he is at scriptwriting. If his act involves claiming paranormal ability, then he could talk around it with the old "my gift only allows me to see the future, not change it" shtick. That would be my get-out, anyway. I agree that in future, sports headlines are a safer bet.
	__________________ TAM London Oct 3rd and 4th 2009 www.tamlondon.org www.spoonscience.com The World Record Spoon Bend from TAM6 - for all benders, pushers and dealers Last edited by tkingdoll; 27th December 2007 at 06:41 PM.

28th December 2007, 06:54 AM	#4
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	As teek said, it depends on his scripting abilities. He might try an empathetic dodge along the lines of a prediction (but better written) that when taken out says this: 'I agreed to predict the headlines today, and normally I would be pleased to do so. Yesterday's events in Pakistan, however, deserve more respect than my simple entertainment can provide. Therefore, the score of last night's game was ..."
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	__________________ My kids still love me.

28th December 2007, 06:54 AM	#5
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Originally Posted by tkingdoll Hee hee, that is a funny situation to be in. Well, it depends how good he is at scriptwriting. If his act involves claiming paranormal ability, then he could talk around it with the old "my gift only allows me to see the future, not change it" shtick. That would be my get-out, anyway. I agree that in future, sports headlines are a safer bet. A few weeks ago a famous football player was murdered in the US, and I assume that was part of the sports headlines. So that's pretty risky as well..
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

28th December 2007, 04:52 PM	#6
Azrael 5 Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Yorkshire,Uk Posts: 4,171	Easy way out:don't predict front page headline.Predict page 25 or something. People worry too much.
	__________________ "I achieve these results through a mixture of magic,misdirection,suggestion and showmanship"-Derren Brown Photography here

28th December 2007, 06:28 AM	#3
malaka Muse Join Date: May 2002 Location: columbus Posts: 894	Did he say which newspaper? Maybe he could predict the headline for one of those tiny, local, suburban papers: "Riggs park gets a new swingset" or "Betty Williams holiday spirit".

3rd January 2008, 07:29 AM	#7
malaka Muse Join Date: May 2002 Location: columbus Posts: 894	Sooooo...??? What happened??

3rd January 2008, 10:18 AM	#8
greymatters Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 734	He's not back from Illinois yet, so I haven't heard. As soon as I know, I'll post it here.
	__________________ Grey Matters: Blog \| Videos \| Mental Gym \| Presentation \| Original Products \| Recommended Products Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain!

3rd January 2008, 10:31 AM	#9
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	Originally Posted by greymatters He's not back from Illinois yet, so I haven't heard. As soon as I know, I'll post it here. Write it as a prediction placed in a sealed envelope held by the mods until your friend reveals the answer. Then we'll open the envelope to much fanfare.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	__________________ My kids still love me.

4th January 2008, 02:50 AM	#10
HappyHarryHampton Scholar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 83	He's only in trouble if people really think he can predict the future. Does anyone really believe that?
HappyHarryHampton Scholar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 83

6th January 2008, 12:57 AM	#11
greymatters Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 734	You'll be glad to know that I've finally heard from him! The day of the performance (December 28th), the Chicago Sun-Times, the paper he was predicting, had just a photo, with the headline: "CHICAGOANS REACT TO BHUTTO'S ASSASSINATION: 'I CAN ONLY PRAY FOR MY COUNTRY" A caption below read: "Syed Raza sits on his cab Thursday on Devon after hearing of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. 'She was the only hope for democracy,' he said.; Stunned Pakistanis predict the slaying of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will lead to bloody chaos: 'Pakistan is burning right now.'" He built the prediction up as being somewhat cloudy and vague, which was helped by two prediction routines he had performed earlier. The prediction itself read along the lines of "Chicagoans pray for country. Reaction to strong, major event. Mention of 'hope for democracy'." This helped emphasize that he was able to foresee the headline, while not putting him of the awkward position of, "If you knew Bhutto was going to be assassinated . . . " All he was claiming to see was the reaction, but not the event itself. The prediction was strong enough to be convincing for its purpose, and it was well received by the audience. His final "lasting impression" routine (after the headline prediction) also helped close the show with the audience enjoying it, and taking the "heavy" edge off the prediction routine.
	__________________ Grey Matters: Blog \| Videos \| Mental Gym \| Presentation \| Original Products \| Recommended Products Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain!

6th January 2008, 05:21 AM	#12
Azrael 5 Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Yorkshire,Uk Posts: 4,171	Originally Posted by HappyHarryHampton He's only in trouble if people really think he can predict the future. Does anyone really believe that? ZZzzzzzzzzzz
	__________________ "I achieve these results through a mixture of magic,misdirection,suggestion and showmanship"-Derren Brown Photography here

7th January 2008, 12:20 AM	#13
greymatters Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 734	In a similar situation, Parade Magazine (a Sunday newspaper insert) often puts their issues together about a month in advance. Their January 6th issue came out, and, well . . . There is no mention of the fact that she was assassinated, and she talks mainly about what her plans are if elected.
	__________________ Grey Matters: Blog \| Videos \| Mental Gym \| Presentation \| Original Products \| Recommended Products Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain!

11th January 2008, 12:18 AM	#14
BPScooter Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 726	My small-town local newspaper that only recently started carrying Parade put a blurb on their front page that explained the situation, that the insert was prepared prior to the assassination and there was no time for any change. In light of the nature of the interview and the event itself it seemed to me not lacking in taste to publish it, it was rather moving to me. But it was the disclaimer (or explanation, or "spin" or handling) of it that made that difference, right? Interesting thoughts, thanks.
BPScooter Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 726

18th January 2008, 12:44 PM	#15
greymatters Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 734	Mental Floss' blog just posted an article inspired by the Parade/Bhutto blunder. It's called 9 Times They Probably Should Have Stopped The Presses.
	__________________ Grey Matters: Blog \| Videos \| Mental Gym \| Presentation \| Original Products \| Recommended Products Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain!