Sylvia Browne on Jay Leno Show

[jer_j]

I just watched it, and to me it definitely seemed uncomfortable and tense. Jay has to smile and be polite and likable on his show, but he was chafing at the limits of that persona. Whether or not he was actually irritated as such, he was dying to come out and say Browne was a fraud - and he did all but utter those exact words. It reminds me of an unpleasant dinner conversation where nobody says exactly what they mean, but their jabs are all so obvious that they'd might as well start throwing punches. Technically, he left enough room for interpretation that people could say he was just foolin' with her; but even there he was pushing the limits.

Good for you, Jay.

That's how I read it anyway. But then again my psychic powers are underdeveloped.

 

[Dragoonster]

Leno looked uncomfortable and at least slightly irritated, and certainly (and explicitly) dismissive of Browne and her "abilities". It may have been a legitimate surprise--the actress interjects about Browne "she's the real deal!" at one point, perhaps she's a fan and contacted a producer who agreed to the stunt.

 

[Foolmewunz]

I can't see the replay from work, but if it's as described, I think the more telling aspect is his actual words. If he was any form of a believer, he'd have just played along and oh-gosh-and-gollied the way Montel does. He didn't. He contradicted her outright. I'm sure that's what put her off. She's accustomed to softball questions and set-ups a la Larry King and Montel and local radio talkjocks who are all a-tingle having the Claws on board. He told her she was wrong and she expected an open-minded(by her definition, which is "will believe anything") reception.

 

[Silly Green Monkey]

She sounds horrible! I kept expecting her voice to grind to a stop halfway through. And did she start the session by asking everyone to hold hands, or did I mishear?

 

[RSLancastr]

I was watching the Leno show last night and definitely got the impression that he was peeved with her appearance. I actually flipped the channel in the middle of the segment because I just cannot tolerate that woman. I'm happy to see that Jay told her she was wrong about some of her predictions.

I did watch enough to see Jay ask if she needed to set something up and she told him she didn't use any crystal balls or tea leaves (because those are apparently the tools of the frauds ). He asked her where her readings came from and she answered, "From God." He repeated that phrase with what I'd call an audible eyeroll.

Why does this woman have followers?

For the same reason any "psychic medium" does. Many vulnerable people are desperate for reasons to believe that they can contact their deceased loved ones. They will grasp at anything that even remotely gives them this hope, including such a painfully transparent fraud as Browne.

 

[ExMinister]

I can't see the replay from work, but if it's as described, I think the more telling aspect is his actual words. If he was any form of a believer, he'd have just played along and oh-gosh-and-gollied the way Montel does. He didn't. He contradicted her outright. I'm sure that's what put her off. She's accustomed to softball questions and set-ups a la Larry King and Montel and local radio talkjocks who are all a-tingle having the Claws on board. He told her she was wrong and she expected an open-minded(by her definition, which is "will believe anything") reception.

He contradicted her but then he said something agreeable like, "I hope so," and so kind of gave in to what she said. I think he DID play along that way, even if he didn't gosh and golly.

And she didn't seem put off in the least to me. To me she seemed in her element. She loves to be challenged (as long as its in a friendly way the way Leno did) so she can adopt that confident "that's OK honey I'm the psychic, you'll see" attitude, which is sort of her trademark, and they laughed and joked around which plays right in with the stand-up comedian psychic public image she tries to cultivate. I disagree that she expects a "will believe anything" reception after all these years. What she probably DOES appreciate are standard questions about health and easily anticipated questions like the one about Leno's cars, something he's well known for, like the ones the actress asked.

And how do we know he didn't say the thing about his staff being fired as a joke about publically finding out things he might not want want to know about his future?

At any rate, I hope you all are right and he's not a believer, but either way I still think the show went very well for Browne.

 

[RSLancastr]

Slyvia Brown would not have come near the Tonight Show while Johnny was around. Pyschics avoided the show like the plague because, having been a Magician himself, Carson knew all the tricks,as Uri Gellar found out to his sorrow.

evidently, Carson did NOT know all the tricks, as he called Randi for advice on how to handle Geller's appearance. According to Randi.

 

[RSLancastr]

Whoa, you're still around Robert? I haven't been paying attention to many things around this community lately, but glad to see you're doing well, enough to post here, at least.

Where have you been? I've been opsting here pretty regularly since my discharge from hospital on June 30. click on my name at left, then on "view rslancastr's threads" (or words to that effect) to see. thanks for the kind words!

 

[desertgal]

evidently, Carson did NOT know all the tricks, as he called Randi for advice on how to handle Geller's appearance. According to Randi.

Well, I don't think that Carson himself would have ever said that he knew "all" the tricks, but, considering that he poked fun at psychics with 'Karnak', I think it's safe to say he didn't hold any belief in psychic ability.

I don't know if psychics wanted to avoid Carson or not, but if they didn't often appear on his show, it's probably more likely because he didn't invite them to.

 

[AndyD]

And that doesn't sound in the least bit sarcastic to you?

Err, no. No more sarcastic than any comment you might find on a fan site. Of course, I've not seen the show and couldn't watch any of the clips so I'm commenting only on the text on that page and although it's by "Bryan", it's on Leno's website. Perhaps people more familiar with Leno and his crew would read it differently.

 

[Rrose Selavy]

I don't think the NBC site clip will play for some for us outside the US - I get e message about it not being availble in my location (on the NBC site) or country (on daily motion)
If anyone finds a Youtube source it would be appreciated.

 

[Akhenaten]

I'm in Australia, Rrose* and the only link labelled as that video actually leads to a Montel segment. I won't post it.



* Australia Rrose has a nice sound to it.

 

[RSLancastr]

I woke up in the middle of the night last night and started flipping through channels. I found an infomercial with Montel & Sylvia selling a blender (pardon me, an emulsifier. I turned it off and went back to sleep.

Oh yes, one interesting tidbit: when Montel announced Sylvia, he said it had been over one year since the last time she had been "on this stage"

Wow, it almost sounded like she had been... stopped... or something.

 

[grayman]

I woke up in the middle of the night last night and started flipping through channels. I found an infomercial with Montel & Sylvia selling a blender (pardon me, an emulsifier...

See post #21.

 

[Delano]

Letter to Jay

Hi Folks,

I am considering sending an e-mail to the Jay Leno Show suggesting that they book one of Sylvia's critics. I do think Jay was honestly surprised and upset at Sylvia's appearance. I am thinking of something along the lines of

"Dear Jay Leno Show staff:
I was disappointed to see that you recently had Sylvia Browne on your show but I was pleased to see that Mr. Leno reacted to her surpise appearance in a thoughtful and critical manner. You would do a great service to your audience if you were to allow one of her critics, such as Robert Lancaster, the webmaster of StopSylvia.com, or James "The Amazing" Randi to debunk her claims on your show. Ms. Browne agreed years ago to take the Million Dollar Challenge that Mr. Randi's foundation administers, yet she has refused to follow through and allow her abilities to be scientifically tested, even though she would win a million dollars by doing so. I hope you will take advantage of such an opportunity to educate and entertain your audience. Thank you."

What do you folks think? I tried to be polite and neutral- not calling her a blood sucking shyster, etc. Would Robert, Randi, or some rep of the JREF be willing or able to go on, on the admittedly small chance that they agreed? I have not sent this off yet.

 

[Minarvia]

I am not familiar with Mr. Leno's format as I have only seen one or two of his shows in the past but I say...why not send it? It can't hurt, and if indeed he was irritated (by the surprise of having Sylvia there) and is looking for interesting guests he may even embrace the idea. I don't know if he would want to single out a prior guest, but he may be happy to have his audience be educated, or at least see another point of view, regarding them in general.

It may be different from his usual guests who I think are mainly tv personalities. But like I said, I am not terribly familiar with his shows.

I like the way you phrased your letter. Indeed, it is not abrasive or overly harsh and you were neutral and polite.

 

[RSLancastr]

Hi Folks,

I am considering sending an e-mail to the Jay Leno Show suggesting that they book one of Sylvia's critics. I do think Jay was honestly surprised and upset at Sylvia's appearance. I am thinking of something along the lines of

Thanks, Delano. I had planned on sending them an email myself, detailing some of Browne's more notable failures, and offering my services as a guest (and suggesting Randi as well) should they ever decide to have Browne on again.

Thanks for running your email by me. please feel free to send it off, and please keep me informed of any reply you receive.

Best,

RSL

 

[arthwollipot]

I don't watch Leno, but I'd tune in to see that.

 

[Questioninggeller]

The New York Times

Outlook Not So Good on Jay Leno’s Psychic Sit-Down
New York Times
November 4, 2009, 9:18 am
By DAVE ITZKOFF

...
Naturally, Ms. Browne was asked to predict the future of Mr. Leno’s show, to which she replied, “Oh, it goes on and on and on, until we’re just all half-dead.”

(Mr. Leno’s response: “So that could be the end of the week.”)
...

Full: New York Times (Follow link for video)

 

[Delano]

Sent of e-mail

So I sent off the aforementioned e-mail, I'll repost back if I hear anything, but I'm not holding my breath.