We all want guidance. If we knew we could get reliable advice from those who were somehow wiser or more knowledgeable than ourselves, we’d all take it at regular intervals. So it’s no surprise when the psychics come calling.
TV psychics crowd the airwaves, seemingly possessing rare insight. They predict the future, give career advice, even communicate with the dearly departed. Judging by high ratings and scores of best selling books, a large segment of our public eagerly supports them.
It’s interesting to see the evolution of look, approach and method of bestowing advice. Over the years, we’ve had gypsies glaring into crystal balls, to mystic tarot card readers and mind bending mentalists to today’s crop of family friendly advisors. Psychics have plied their trade from flashy carnivals, the theatrical stage, renaissance festivals, to up to the minute psychic network phone lines and websites. From New York to Boston to Los Angeles, psychics make a living catering to people’s hopes, fears and desires.
Every profession evolves. It changes with the times. Why should psychics be any different? They’ve been around for centuries in some form. If they didn’t change their image, they’d soon go the way of the hula-hoop. Though the aforementioned gypsy fortunetellers haven’t altered their style. Is it any wonder we encounter them in places of gaudy entertainment, likes urban novelty boutiques or the Carnival midway?
Decades ago, many respected members of society visited gypsy fortunetellers or the “clairvoyants” of the age. Today we know these colorful characters found in carnivals and novelty shops are more actor than prophet.
Are modern psychics merely gypsy fortunetellers cloaked in new wardrobe?
John Edward
One of the most popular on TV, his Crossing Over show might be gone, but he continues to make appearances and churn out books. Supposedly the wealthy and famous wait years for private consultations. One embarrassing moment for Edward came during an NBC Dateline report. A camera operator working on the shoot, had previously shot something in connection with John Edward years earlier. Edward had spoken at length with the man at that time, but tried to pass off knowledge of the man’s family as “psychic insight.” When confronted on camera, Edward admitted that he most likely obtained the information verbally and not psychically. It was an awkward moment for the TV psychic, but he easily brushed it off. Can we?
Sylvia Browne’s star seemed to rise as John Edward’s fell. A regular on Montel William’s Show, Browne has written scores of books and even appeared on the CBS Drama “The Young & The Restless” playing herself. Browne’s signature “power” is just about everything – she diagnoses medical ailments, tells you if you should take that new job, whether you like it or not or even if the person in question currently is working. I’ve seen her on more than one occasion literally shut people up if they don’t agree with her reading. When Sylvia’s not browbeating disagreeable audience members on Montel Williams, she’s explaining why she never took magician and psychic debunker James Randi up on his offer to prove her psychic abilities. He’s still waiting, Sylvia and so are we.
Van Praagh’s life inspired the CBS TV drama “Ghost Whisper” starring the svelte Jennifer Love Hewitt. Why a portly middle-aged mustached man inspires a show where a beautiful young lass is the head psychic is anybody’s guess. I’ve seen Van Praagh stumble on shows like Larry King Live when he gets a phone call, which jams his psychic radar. Unlike Sylvia Browne, Van Praagh actually admits when he can’t get a psychic handle on the situation, which I suppose is a lot better than being psychically adamant all the time.
I have an open mind. I would love to believe in psychic phenomenon. We’ve all had that weird flash where we knew something would happen, etc. However, doesn’t the fact that professional magicians regularly mimic the talents of psychics put some doubt into the equation? Certainly there may be those amongst us who have had such unbelievable encounters with psychics that their lives have been changed, hopefully for the better. But isn’t it a little dangerous putting trust in a total stranger?
For example: On Montel Williams I’ve seen Sylvia Brown caution people to either not take a job or she becomes such an enthusiastic cheerleader that if the person doesn’t consider the life change, Sylvia nearly becomes hysterical. What if that person takes her advice and it’s the wrong road? Does Montel do follow-up shows on the people who’ve taken Ms. Browne’s advice? Do they track the lives of people who’ve been counseled by John Edward, or James Van Praagh or any of the others?
At the height of John Edward’s popularity on TV, a good friend of our family suffered a tragic death in her own. To comfort her we sent her a copy of John Edward’s book, after she expressed interest in reading it. She was thrilled upon receiving it and it actually seemed to do her good.
Are psychics dangerous? It all depends on who’s taking the advice, I suppose, and what they do with it. However, if advice comes from friends, family, professional counselors or clergy, there exists more commitment and closure. Friends and family stick together. Counselors and clergy can be called upon again and again.
When the lights fade and the camera stops rolling, Syliva Brown, John Edward and James Van Praagh leave the studio. The people they’ve advised are cut off. Dangerous? Possibly. Commitment or closure?
You decide.
