Let's get Randi invited to TV shows

Vikram

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SherryA, another contributor to this forum, came up with an idea that might help neutralise the effect of shows like 'John of God'. Why not send mails to Talk Shows urging them to invite Randi for an interview? If enough of us do this, the shows might give the idea serious thought. That would ensure that Randi's views are given enough time and clarity.

Of course, I haven't spoken to James Randi and asked him for permission to do this, but I think admirers of his certainly have the right to ask shows to invite him. Randi can accept/decline at his convenience.

So, for those who think this is a good idea, here are the links to the feedback forms of some prominent shows:


The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

Larry King Live
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?12


I hope thousands of people e-mail these shows. Spread the word around.

If anyone else has any further suggestions for any more shows, please post them so that I can add them to this list.
 
I sent an e-mail to the Daily Show. This is a good idea, as Jon would be very sympathetic to Randi's plight.
 
Randi on Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Yes, yes, the Jon Stewart show! Someone with some sense. I'd like to prove to Randi we can make this happen. It will take a lot of emails, but it doesn't take but a minute to write one. How about it folks? --- SherryA.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml
 
Good Idea.

This is the email I sent:

"
Hi,

I'd like to suggest that you invite James Randi, (www.randi.org) on as a guest. He was recently interviewd for a ABC "expose" of John of God which was produced very badly. You can read James Randi's response to the program here: http://www.randi.org/jr/021805a.html

There's a lot of humor in some faith healer stuffing forceps up peoples noses to cure them, and if you can obtain the footage of the ABC program you can see him appearing to grab a quick feel of the boobs of all the patients he has on stage!

James Randi used to be repeatedly interviwed by the late Jonny Carson and should make an entertaining guest with the backup of a dodgy faith healer for laughs.

I am in no way affiliated with James Randi, nor do I have his permission to make this request. He's just somebody I'd like to see more of on T.V.

Thanks.
"

(Yes I do suggest that the very serious issue of the faith healer is a source for laughs. But you have to remember that it's comedy central. They are in the laugh buisness. Sorry in advance if that offends anyone. I felt a bit dirty myself writing it. If it were a different show I'm sure I would have pitched it a different way.)

O.
 
Orangutan said:
(Yes I do suggest that the very serious issue of the faith healer is a source for laughs. But you have to remember that it's comedy central. They are in the laugh buisness. Sorry in advance if that offends anyone. I felt a bit dirty myself writing it. If it were a different show I'm sure I would have pitched it a different way.)
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You're quite right. Emphasizing the ridiculousness of paranormal claimants is probably the best way to get The Daily Show to allott time to debunking it. Great job!
 
Randi on Jon Stewart

Maybe those of you who are more active in the forum than I am can promote the "email to get Randi on Jon Stewart show" idea on some other threads. I intend to write a letter to supplement our emails. Great email letter, Orangutan. Again, great idea you had, Vikram. ---Sherry Austin.


www.sherryaustin.com
 
As the John of God episode shows, anyone who is in a position to pick guests for a national show, is pretty much going to want to stick Randi on as the 'irascible curmudgeon', and not give him a chance to represent skepticism as some folks might wish...he is basically typecast as the 'scowling crank who hates hope and light' at this point.
 
crimresearch said:
.... stick Randi on as the 'irascible curmudgeon', and not give him a chance to represent skepticism as some folks might wish...he is basically typecast as the 'scowling crank who hates hope and light' at this point.
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I completely disagree. He has made so many other appearances that show a gentle side and humor to scepticism, and 10 seconds cannot undo that. In fact most people probably blinked and missed Randi's appearance. For example, other than his commentary, there is no way I would of paid any attention to that show.

The only thing people got out of that segment is how horrible researchers at ABC are, and a clear message to get your news from a better source.
 
Is there anything about the shows mentioned that suggests they prize a gentle sense of humor, or that they are targeting people who can grasp subtleties?

We are talking about shows that are competing with Jerry Springer, David Letterman, and Rush Limbaugh after all, not educational shows that are trying to win an award for highbrow programming, and my comments were aimed at their limitations, not at who Randi really is.

The cranky old nay sayer is a character they and their audiences understand, and if the guest looks that way, and can be cut and pasted to sound that way, Voila!...we got a show.

Now if James Burke started up another 'Connections" on A&E, that would be more like it.
 
Randi getting more exposure ?

Here is an email reply that I recieved from Randy last year on the same subject.I agree with you,if Randy had the right setting he could really educate alot of people.

Hamhawk714 wrote on 02-05-2004 03:43 PM:
I thank you for all that you do ,you opened my eyes to all the frauds out there.Anyway, I saw you on 20/20 last week and was wondering when someone like Dateline would have you on, or better yet ,have you ever talked to Montel Williams?I suggest they have you on the show .It would be awesome if Sylvia would appear.I know there is NO CHANCE of that happening,but wouldn't it be nice if you had a whole hour ?I know you would convert more than a few of her followers,certainly any with an IQ higher than a peanut and half an open curious mind..Anyway i'm going to start an e-mail campaign to the various shows Larry King, Montel, hell even Oprah.Maybe it's time you were on the Tonight Show again?Anyway that's what I started writing for I wanted to know if there was anyway to get copies of your many visits on the tonight show?I remember seeing you expose Uri when i was just 8 or 9 and would love to see it again.I'm e-mailing the aforementioned shows pushing for equal time for the Amazing Randi ........


Thank You,

Jason P. Kuhn
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Randi wrote on 02-05-2004 10:36 AM:
Jason, I have no interest on being a guest on King or Williams, and I've been on Dateline several times. King & Williams have too much invested in supporting Sylvia.... Oprah and I didn't get along well, since she's a believer in EVERYTHING.

I can't distribute copies of the Carson show, of course. Sorry.
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Re: Randi getting more exposure ?

Hamhawk714 said:
Here is an email reply that I recieved from Randy last year on the same subject.I agree with you,if Randy had the right setting he could really educate alot of people.
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I can quite understand why Randi would not like to go onto shows that have no problem with putting people like Sylvia on simply because she brings viewers in. Also, considering the way Oprah invokes God in so many of her episodes, I won't be surprised if Randi's views didn't fit in with the tone of her show.

However, 'The Daily Show by Jon Stewart' should not be clubbed in with the rest . It is extremely intelligent, skeptical and intolerant of nonsense. Jon Stewart has no problem sacrilegiously skewering religion and is probably a die-hard skeptic himself. James Randi would fit in perfectly with the skeptical tone of the show. I believe Randi likes Stewart as well. For that reason, I believe the Daily Show is our best bet.

If you haven't sent in a message to the show yet, please please do so.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml
 
For crying out loud, folks, aim higher!

Let's get Mr. Randi on "The Simpsons!"

A number of his friends and collegues have already done the show. Stephen Jay Gould, Penn and Teller, Johnny Carson....

Imagine: Marge comes to believe that she has a psychic power, and (spurred on by some sort of financial need), she decides that winning the Million Dollar Prize would be a good way to accumulate some cash.

Lisa, of course, thinks the whole thing is nonsense, but is unable to explain her mother's apparent ability. Bart seems convinced, however.

Homer, meanwhile, goes out and spends the million dollars before he actually has it.

Hilarity ensues.
 
Brown said:
For crying out loud, folks, aim higher!

Let's get Mr. Randi on "The Simpsons!"
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Any idea how one goes about getting someone on the Simpsons? Could you post a link here?
 
Vikram said:
Any idea how one goes about getting someone on the Simpsons? Could you post a link here?
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A few years ago, I spoke with David Silverman ("Simpsons" fans see his name in the credits on most episodes) about the making of the series. Apparently, it's largely a matter of initiative, contacting the folks behind the scenes who make the decisions. Silverman himself seemed rather shy, but approachable.
 
Slight derail

Last night Jon Stewart had Peter Jennings on and they talked about his upcoming UFO special report. I got the impression that it will not be the kind of whitewash the John of God show was. He said he was skeptical to start with and he is still skeptical but he mentioned that he was dismayed with some of the silly explanations proposed by government or military investigators. We'll have to wait and see.
 
Brown said:
For crying out loud, folks, aim higher!

Let's get Mr. Randi on "The Simpsons!"

A number of his friends and collegues have already done the show. Stephen Jay Gould, Penn and Teller, Johnny Carson....
Click to expand...

The Daily Show is definitely a better choice. The Simpsons, though still popular, are not even remotely watchable for those who remember the good old days.
 
Vikram said:
Any idea how one goes about getting someone on the Simpsons? Could you post a link here?
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In addition to the Simpsons TV show, there is also a Simpsons comic book.

Since comic books have relatively small circulations these days, many are very attentive to fan requests. If enough people write in suggesting a Randi appearance, and indicate that they would not only buy such a comic for themselves but would recommend it to friends and/or buy extra copies to give as gifts, there is a fair chance of such a story being done.

The Simpsons comic book is published by the Bongo Comics Group. I was not able to turn up a web address, and don't have any of their comics at hand to check to see if they have a web site (although most comics publishing companies do), but here is their mailing address (according to a fan site):

Bongo Comics Group
1440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 3rd Floor
Los Angeles California 90025.

And their phone is listed as: 310 966 6168

NOTE: This information may be outdated; I haven't tried to call the phone number to check (and don't intend to, being both cheap and telephone-phobic). But I will be making a trip to the big city the first week in March, and while there will look up a copy of a current Simpsons comic to verify their current address, phone #, and web address if any, and can post that information here in a couple of weeks if no one else supplies it sooner.
 
Mr. Randi has not been sitting idle in regard to the john of god show/farce. Here is a link to an interview he did on the Paul Harris Show:
http://www.harrisonline.com/audio/listings/jamesrandi.htm
Direct link to the .mp3 file:
http://www.harrisonline.com/audio/jamesrandi_johnofgod.mp3

Pretty damned good interview BTW. There are also links to download other interviews concerning Sylvia Browne, Why law enforcement does nothing about psychic frauds, and Cryogenics on the same page. Good stuff AFAIC. You can listen to them using Windows Media Player or Winamp.
 
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