Psychic Sally morgan caught cheating?

[zooterkin]

Simon Singh is trying to set up a test with her.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/oct/13/sally-morgan-prove-psychic-powers

That article has more information on what was supposedly heard, too, after Simon Singh contacted two of the three women who rang the radio station after the show. (We have Simon Singh speaking at Reading Skeptics in the Pub next week, so I wonder if he'll talk more about this.)

I contacted two of the women who had phoned RTÉ Radio. Both Sue and Dorrie are surprised at the hostility expressed by some of Sally's supporters, so they have asked me not to disclose their surnames.

They remain adamant that the voice they heard was not the result of innocent chit chat. Indeed, there are a number of points that still require explanation. For example, Sue and Dorrie heard the voice mention "David", "pain in the back" and "passed quickly", and they both claim that Sally then repeated this word-for-word on stage, but in a more dramatic fashion. When Sally repeated the words, Sue says that the voice confirmed by stating "Yes".

The mystery voice then talked about "Stephen", "pain in back" and "passed quickly", and again this was repeated. They claim several others heard the voice, and the resulting fuss caused an usherette to leave the auditorium and the window was then closed. According to their recollection, the show came to an abrupt end soon after this.

 

[charlatan]

"Is there anyone in the room? I'm entering the spirit world. I'm getting a name. Is there a Char....Charlie...Charlotte....Charl...Charlatan..
in the room?"

You called?

 

[abaddon]

You called?

No. You dead?

 

[Azrael 5]

@guardianscience Guardian Science


Sally Morgan will win my $1m prize if she proves her psychic powers to @SLSingh, says James Randi

Cannot find Randi quote in article so I'm just quoting tweet. Sounds good though.

 

[rjh01]

Comments from Daren Wiltshire (SM's Son-in-law and 'tour manager') this morning, on her Fans of Sally Morgan Star Psychic facebook page:

Daren Wiltshear: "What, she can only do one test? are you for real?? Please tell me your not that stupid??
She did a controlled scientific test with Gary Schwarz in America, and Derren Brown came to Sallys house to film for HIS series. What part of that is hard to understand??"

<snip>

I looked up Gary Schwarz and found that Sally should not rely on tests done with Gary to prove her abilities. Test done by Gary have been found faulty. I would also love to see if and where they were published.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schwartz

Schwartz's methods have prompted criticism by skeptics such as University of Oregon professor Ray Hyman, who says they deviate from the accepted norms of scientific methodology, and criticizes Schwartz for research errors such as inappropriate statistical tests and using subjects predisposed to believe in psychic abilities.[4] Skeptic Robert Todd Carroll maintains that Schwartz's evaluation of mediums is subjective and a product of wishful thinking.[3][5] When skeptic James Randi asked the University of Arizona to submit Schwartz's research data to an independent panel for evaluation as part of his $1 Million Challenge, Schwartz declined because he believed the panel, which was picked by Randi, would be biased.[6] Schwartz has also been accused by psychic Laurie Campbell and Allison DuBois of exploiting their publicity value.[7]

 

[Azrael 5]

I tweeted Derren Brown about his involvement in a "test" but got no reply, and further to my last post seems Randi's comment on that blog was removed by a moderator Singh is now tweeting.

 

[Sideroxylon]

I looked up Gary Schwarz and found that Sally should not rely on tests done with Gary to prove her abilities. Test done by Gary have been found faulty. I would also love to see if and where they were published.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schwartz

For more on Gary Schwarz's experiments, read psychologist Ray Hyman's article "How Not to Test Mediums: Critiquing the Afterlife Experiments".

 

[snuffkin]

A few people have tweeted Derren Brown to clarify this matter of SM apparently saying that she'd agreed to be tested, but that Derren didn't show the footage in his tv show. Hope he replies soon

Also was the Randi quote about putting forward the $1million prize for Singh's test, on the Guardian article comments section maybe just a hoax then? because it has indeed been removed. Would be great if JREF could make a statement on their Twitter or FB to clarify.

 

[snuffkin]

Sally Morgan facebook page today:

I wanted to respond to more recent allegations appearing in the press about my use of an earpiece. The matter is in the hands of my libel lawyers, but I know some of my fans are questioning me and believing what they read in the press. I have done and will continue to wear an earpiece (as well as a microphone) when my shows are being filmed for TV or when I am touring in a new production or a new theatre. This is entirely normal and allows me to take stage direction and cues from my Stage Director. Just to be clear, I have never received anything other than stage direction or cues from my Stage Director through an earpiece. I have never been fed stories as is alleged from ‘plants’ or from lighting technicians (as alleged in the Dublin show). I am not a cheat or a fraud or a fake or a con artist, as alleged, and hope to continue to entertain my fans for many years. I also wanted to thank you all for the messages of support during this upsetting time. xSx

 

[Reno]

Didn't she state before that she never wore an earpiece? Was she lying then or is she lying now....?

 

[desertgal]

...and hope to continue to entertain my fans for many years. xSx

I thought her position as a psychic was to help people, not just entertain them?

 

[snuffkin]

She did state that it was only a mic before. she said it wasn't receiving anything of any kind. Now she changes it to yes, she does have an earpiece and yes it does receive info. From stage manager (yeah, we believe you. lol)

This comment from a person with 20 yrs experience of stage and theatre productions, on her fb page:

You don't need stage direction via an earpiece. The only stage direction Sally Morgan needs is to be told how long she has left, this can be done via hand signals. She does not need any other stage direction & I should know!

 

[dlorde]

Didn't she state before that she never wore an earpiece? Was she lying then or is she lying now....?

Yup - I can't be arsed to find the link (it's probably on her Twitter page), but she did categorically state there was no way she could receive any sort of communication while on stage (apart from the audience members).

 

[Lamuella]

Sally Morgan facebook page today:

I wanted to respond to more recent allegations appearing in the press about my use of an earpiece. The matter is in the hands of my libel lawyers, but I know some of my fans are questioning me and believing what they read in the press. I have done and will continue to wear an earpiece (as well as a microphone) when my shows are being filmed for TV or when I am touring in a new production or a new theatre. This is entirely normal and allows me to take stage direction and cues from my Stage Director. Just to be clear, I have never received anything other than stage direction or cues from my Stage Director through an earpiece. I have never been fed stories as is alleged from ‘plants’ or from lighting technicians (as alleged in the Dublin show). I am not a cheat or a fraud or a fake or a con artist, as alleged, and hope to continue to entertain my fans for many years. I also wanted to thank you all for the messages of support during this upsetting time. xSx

"I was telling the truth when I said I had never used an earpiece. Except for the fact that I have used an earpiece, and people have talked to me through it."

 

[Azrael 5]

Yup - I can't be arsed to find the link (it's probably on her Twitter page), but she did categorically state there was no way she could receive any sort of communication while on stage (apart from the audience members).

YEs she did,indeed at on eher shows after allegations sirfaced she pulled her hair back and said soemhting like"Nothing in my ears no earpiece." Something about not recieveing messages through her feet as well. I'll find quote later.

 

[Azrael 5]

Okay found link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...denies-getting-information-man-backstage.html

At times near tears, she pointed to her head-mic and insisted there was no earpiece. She said having information relayed that way would be like receiving ‘messages through the soles of my feet’.

Pointing to her headset, she said: ‘These are so you can hear me. This is a microphone. I can put my hair behind my ears to prove I have nothing in my ears.

Busted!!

 

[snuffkin]

well done, love it!! Please please let the media go to town on this one. Really do wish JREF would blog about it too. Bah!

 

[Orphia Nay]

Sally Morgan facebook page today:

I wanted to respond to more recent allegations appearing in the press about my use of an earpiece. The matter is in the hands of my libel lawyers, but I know some of my fans are questioning me and believing what they read in the press. I have done and will continue to wear an earpiece (as well as a microphone) when my shows are being filmed for TV or when I am touring in a new production or a new theatre. This is entirely normal and allows me to take stage direction and cues from my Stage Director. Just to be clear, I have never received anything other than stage direction or cues from my Stage Director through an earpiece. I have never been fed stories as is alleged from ‘plants’ or from lighting technicians (as alleged in the Dublin show). I am not a cheat or a fraud or a fake or a con artist, as alleged, and hope to continue to entertain my fans for many years. I also wanted to thank you all for the messages of support during this upsetting time. xSx

Her own staff would not be "plants", would they, nor would they be "lighting technicians".

Also, why does she call her show a "production" if it's genuine?

 

[ttguy]

I kinda like Richard Wisemans suggestion on this. Namely that her whole show is completely scripted. Each show - at the same point - she says "David", "pain in the back" and "passed quickly". And our backstage boys were having a laugh and imitating what she is going to say next based on the "script".

This would explain both what the witnesses report re-what they heard and it would also explain why her show is not better than a standard lame cold read.

Does not mean she is psychic. Just allows her to deny she gets fed stuff thorough an ear piece.

 

[Azrael 5]

Considering her libel action aprtly revolved around media claiming she wore an earpiece ,and her admitting now she does wear one ,where does that leave her libel claim?