Montel Williams responds

[headscratcher4]

That's how the Christian Right gets shows canceled, like NBC's, The Book of Daniel. They rallied and inundated the show's sponsors with complaints. If they can do it, we can do the same.

Edit: I do not have a tape of yesterday's show. I didn't bother recording it. If some of you do, PM me with the sponsors of yesterday's show.

Better still...spur on the religious right. Get them to complain to sponsors about their promotion of witchcraft and the dark arts.

 

[Locknar]

A general question...does anyone know if Montel contributes to SB's church or is a member? Seems to me, him being such a avid fan, there would be some type of connection there.

Of course, what do I know

 

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Guys, I appreciate the idea but don't bother sending Montel Williams letters, enspecially emails.

I sent a few back when I first became interested in Sylvia Browne and that was more than a year ago and you can see how much difference that made.

He's ignored viewers complaining about SB since 1991, he ignored Hal Bidlack's letter even though he must have known Robert's site was tracking it, he's ignored James Randi, he's ignored reporters and radio talk show hosts who put him up to the wall. Yes, they can "kiss off" .

This is the first time he's even addressed criticism of Sylvia Browne on his show.

 

[NobbyNobbs]

Why on earth would Montel let Sylvia answer for him (unless, of course, he were, let's say for instance, a disgrace to the US Navy, and the military code of honor he occasionally likes to spout)?

As for Hal, I didn't always agree with him, but I felt his intentions were good regarding this forum. I'd shake his hand if I ever get the chance to meet him. I think he has always retained his honor.

Montel can kiss my tush. The only reason I tuned in his show at all was to catch Sylvia in lies. I won't bother anymore, since Montel apparently can't change his mind, regardless of the evidence.

Another "Sylvia Browne Wednesday" viewer just went "poof", Montel!

Have you written to the Montel show to express these feelings? Of course, you'll get the standard "Thank you for writing" reply, but the folks producing the show and even Montel himself may eventually get the message if they get enough of these comments.

Have you written to the Montel show to express these feelings? Of course, you'll get the standard "Thank you for writing" reply, but the folks producing the show and even Montel himself may eventually get the message if they get enough of these comments.[/QUOTE

Yep, I have. Several times. And yep, I get the standard email reply. But you are right that they may take notice if they get lots of complaints so I write periodically.

I was going to say, don't bother, but...

If any of you want to make a real difference in the junk Montel is churning out, don't bother writing the show - write the show's sponsors instead. They will take notice more than Montel's producers.

...beat me to it. The producers of the show won't care if a dozen or so Americans don't watch. But let the sponsors know that their products won't be purchased by you or anyone with whom you can communicate, and now you've got some power.

(Since Montel is totally sucked in to the woo, wouldn't it be cool if a competing show, say, Oprah, did a "rebuttal" show? She could show some clips of Sylvia at work, and Randi and RSL could be there to explain what's going on. Lots more people watch Oprah than Montel.....)

 

[Denver]

The real way to tell the efficacy of your complaints, or the value of his guests to the audience, is to watch the commercials. As long as the sponsors continue to support the show, the show will continue along its current trend. The trick is not to just protest to the show, but to the sponsors you see on the commercials.

Also you can also infer from the commercials the intended audience. If you see the commercials (and the demographic) shifting from, say, nice car commercials, to cheap loans commercials, even though the show keeps airing, you know something is afoot with the sponsor confidence and audience.

I will also add that, even if this is effective, don't expect any kind of big announcement or obvious change. If the show is affected, and takes the situation to heart, the best we can hope for is either a sudden simple disappearance of her from the show, or less and shorter appearances which results in a phase-out.

(Not with a bang, but a whimper...)

 

[skeptifem]

I will also add that, even if this is effective, don't expect any kind of big announcement or obvious change. If the show is affected, and takes the situation to heart, the best we can hope for is either a sudden simple disappearance of her from the show, or less and shorter appearances which results in a phase-out.

(Not with a bang, but a whimper...)

its all a numbers game though. bored houswives watching montel totally outnumber concerned skeptics. i mean ffs southpark is still trucking along with many sponsors that stuck with them throughout some serious controversies.

 

[dudalb]

How is it a nation that loves, "Catch the Mother****er," shows like To Catch a Predator, L&O:Orginal/WTF Crim Unit/Extra Crispy/Antibacterial, Criminal Minds, local news exposing fraudulent activities and Court TV has instead shows the embrace the psychic instead of exposing them as frauds, predators, and con-people?

Considering Montel's constanly low ratings, I would not say the American public is embracing Montel's show.
As for Psychics,the whole "Madame Cleo" fiasco of a few years ago should have been enough to get turn people off,but I guess not.

 

[chillzero]

Guys, I appreciate the idea but don't bother sending Montel Williams letters, enspecially emails.

I sent a few back when I first became interested in Sylvia Browne and that was more than a year ago and you can see how much difference that made.

He's ignored viewers complaining about SB since 1991, he ignored Hal Bidlack's letter even though he must have known Robert's site was tracking it, he's ignored James Randi, he's ignored reporters and radio talk show hosts who put him up to the wall. Yes, they can "kiss off" .

This is the first time he's even addressed criticism of Sylvia Browne on his show.

bolding mine.

Would you like to rethink that? Somehting has had an effect enough that he has finally addressed the issue - albeit completely inappropriately.

I'd love to see him have the courage to have RSL and SB face off.

 

[RSLancastr]

RSL - I agree with you about the cosmetic surgery. The earlier years that he showed with SB she looks really bad.

I have said in other threads, the surgery did make her look younger.

I wonder if she's ever stated that she's never had plastic surgery? That would be interesting to follow up on.

I have wondered the same thing, but have yet to see it anywhere.

Yes...the most important use of one's psychic power is predicting celebrity break-ups. It is far more important than, say, pin-pointing BinLadin's location.

I think the fact that he feels the need to have a show like this indicates Robert that you have Montel running uncomfortably about Sylva. He's getting defensive, which means he is feeling the attacks.

Keep them coming.

Will do, pgw.

Also you can also infer from the commercials the intended audience. If you see the commercials (and the demographic) shifting from, say, nice car commercials, to cheap loans commercials, even though the show keeps airing, you know something is afoot with the sponsor confidence and audience.

At least here in Los Angeles, Browne's sponsors all seem to be the standards daytime TV fare: trade schools, cheap loans, that sort of thing.

Oh, and amusingly enough, a nail polish that will help you grow long nails!

I didn't know about the whole story of the lady who hoped to win the lottery. They cut that part where Sylvia said she'd win it? Wow, what a huge surprise!

To be more accurate, they cu the part where the woman said that Browne had told her she would win.

Really, what is Montel thinking???

Your guess is as good as anyone's at this point.

A general question...does anyone know if Montel contributes to SB's church or is a member? Seems to me, him being such a avid fan, there would be some type of connection there.

I would tend to doubt it, but do not know. Someone recently told me that the gold sword necklace he wore in a recent episode was a Novus Spiritus necklace, but A) I haven't confirmed that, and B) He might just like the way it looks.

This is the first time he's even addressed criticism of Sylvia Browne on his show.

(Since Montel is totally sucked in to the woo, wouldn't it be cool if a competing show, say, Oprah, did a "rebuttal" show? She could show some clips of Sylvia at work, and Randi and RSL could be there to explain what's going on. Lots more people watch Oprah than Montel.....)

Nobby, Oprah is, if anything, even more into the woo than Montel is. Search around here and you'll find a thread or two about her recent episode where she fawned all over John Edward and Allison Duboism, and set up the "token skeptic" she had invited so that she could say she had given skepticism a chance on the show. And she fully supports the nonsense that is "The Secret."

I'd love to see him have the courage to have RSL and SB face off.

I'm not holding my breath waiting for that invitation.

 

[chillzero]

I'm not holding my breath waiting for that invitation.

Heh, but maybe... if he thought of the ratings....

 

[Garrette]

I would tend to doubt it, but do not know. Someone recently told me that the gold sword necklace he wore in a recent episode was a Novus Spiritus necklace, but A) I haven't confirmed that, and B) He might just like the way it looks.

Perhaps he be Ashaman, raised to the level of the Dedicated.

 

[bjb]

Does anyone else remember this story involving Montel from back in 1993?

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-14488564.html

I thought he did the right thing. It would be nice if we could have the old Montel back.

 

[angrybeliever]

Quote:
I wonder if she's ever stated that she's never had plastic surgery? That would be interesting to follow up on.
I don't think that plastic surgery is really the question for me. I could care that she had it. It is not like she tells the truth or not...jeez, she DOES smoke, doesn't she?

Originally Posted by Locknar
A general question...does anyone know if Montel contributes to SB's church or is a member? Seems to me, him being such a avid fan, there would be some type of connection there.

I do not believe that Montel does or ever would contribute to the church. He or Sylvia for that matter could give two figs about the 'church'. Believe me, if Montel or any other 'star' was associated with Novus....the office and Sylvia would have played that for all it was worth. It's bad enough at lectures, she name drops her 'close' friends.

I find it very revealing that during his photo journey into his reality....he chooses to use 20 letters from 1995, from only the 2nd appearance....instead of revealing whether his emails in 2007 are astronomically more against her. Why he cut away from showing which predictions were true (a situation that even on Heather's site, diehard 'fans' were questioning and being disappointed, and why he never talks about Hornbeck, or Opal Jennings, etc. Shame on him for hiding behind the perks of Sylvia Browne and his network.

You can well believe that the hard work of Robert Lancaster, AND the messages on these boards have sent a chill of fear up the backs of Sylvia and those in the office. The long toted 'don't answer your critics' has been shelved, and they are trying damage control. The funny thing is....why would someone show clips of her predicting stuff as damage control, when the biggest problem is her outrageous predictions already on Montel?



Now...do they compensate each other? Absolutely, I believe that! She gives him plugs at the lectures, and on radio. He keeps having her on his show (biggest cash cow for his show, but, I am sure that doesn't enter into it. NOT), and at the tapings of his shows, he does his 'heartfelt' plugs for her.


Try hitting him where it hurts. The advertisers. If they have enough letters, emails, and calls that a boycott of their products will happen...let's see where Montel's loyalties are then.


AB

 

[ChristineR]

Does anyone happen to know how Montel is syndicated? Different shows have different sorts of contracts. For example, infomercials and religious shows like The 700 Club buy air time. Some very low end shows are actually free. They come with commercials on the tape, and blank spots for the local station to insert their own. You can often identify these when they play in the middle of the night and switch from high-quality commercials for junk food to el cheapo ads for things that slice and dice. (In some cases the TV station gets a commission rather than an upfront payment and they are doing all this only to keep from going off the air.) Soap operas are notoriously produced by soap companies.

Montel though may actually get money from the stations, not his advertisers.

 

[Miss Whiplash]

Does anyone happen to know how Montel is syndicated? Different shows have different sorts of contracts. For example, infomercials and religious shows like The 700 Club buy air time. Some very low end shows are actually free. They come with commercials on the tape, and blank spots for the local station to insert their own. You can often identify these when they play in the middle of the night and switch from high-quality commercials for junk food to el cheapo ads for things that slice and dice. (In some cases the TV station gets a commission rather than an upfront payment and they are doing all this only to keep from going off the air.) Soap operas are notoriously produced by soap companies.

Montel though may actually get money from the stations, not his advertisers.

Doubtful he gets money from individual stations. In America, individual stations are owned by corporate broadcasting companies. Montel is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution, a subsidiary of the CBS/Paramount Network. He's paid by CBS. His sponsors buy ad time from CBS.

Lean on the sponsors hard enough, and they will pull their money out. Remember the woman who raised a ruckus about Married With Children by threatening a boycott of the sponsors.

 

[ChristineR]

Montel is not on CBS where I live (he's on FOX) and he is not listed on the CBS website. He may be produced by CBS but I doubt if he's part of the CBS syndication package. Most stations are not owned by their networks (CBS, FOX, etc.) as this is in violation of FCC rules.

 

[Darth Rotor]

So I presume Montel's response to Lt. Colonel Hal Bidlack is likewise - KISS OFF!

Why does this surprise you? Flies and honey Hal didn't play. His ratings will begin to fade one day, as they all do, and then he'll have to find other work.

DR

 

[Miss Whiplash]

Montel is not on CBS where I live (he's on FOX) and he is not listed on the CBS website. He may be produced by CBS but I doubt if he's part of the CBS syndication package. Most stations are not owned by their networks (CBS, FOX, etc.) as this is in violation of FCC rules.

He's on NBC here and one CBS station. Syndication mean he can be on any channel regardless of network. His program is still syndicated by a subsidiary of CBS, CBS Television Distribution. Here is the source.

And from the CBS Television Distribution website and the main CBS Website. Notice Montel is listed.

I said corporate broadcast companies, not networks.

 

[ChristineR]

Fair enough, but if his sponsors buy ad time from CBS Television Distribution why would a FOX station broadcast his show? They must be getting ad revenue somehow.

As I said, there are many ways this can work. One way is the local FOX station just buys the rights to show Montel and finds its own ads. Another is that CBS Television Distribution sells all the ad time and then pays the local FOX station to broadcast the show. That's unlikely, but that is how The 700 Club is distributed, as I said.

They may be splitting the difference--CBS Television Distribution both sells national ads and turns around and sells a program with some ads already in it to the local station, who in turn sells ads for the blank spaces to cover the cost of the program. I wouldn't assume that this is the case though, as I don't think this is the norm. I think it is more common for the distributor to sell the show without any ads and leave it up to the locals to fill the blank spots.

 

[Miss Whiplash]

Fair enough, but if his sponsors buy ad time from CBS Television Distribution why would a FOX station broadcast his show? They must be getting ad revenue somehow.

As I said, there are many ways this can work. One way is the local FOX station just buys the rights to show Montel and finds its own ads. Another is that CBS Television Distribution sells all the ad time and then pays the local FOX station to broadcast the show. That's unlikely, but that is how The 700 Club is distributed, as I said.

They may be splitting the difference--CBS Television Distribution both sells national ads and turns around and sells a program with some ads already in it to the local station, who in turn sells ads for the blank spaces to cover the cost of the program. I wouldn't assume that this is the case though, as I don't think this is the norm. I think it is more common for the distributor to sell the show without any ads and leave it up to the locals to fill the blank spots.

You'll have to ask the local channel that. Locally, Fox 50 is owned by Captiol Broadcasting Company , the same broadcast company that owns WRAL-TV 5, the local CBS affiliate.

If you watch the Montel show, listen for the commercial break near the end of the show. It will say, "Montel is brought to you by...." The ad that follows is the sponsor.