John Edward: Difference between revisions
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| birth_date = [[October 19]][[1969]] |
| birth_date = [[October 19]][[1969]] |
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| birth_place = [[Glen Cove, New York]] |
| birth_place = [[Glen Cove, New York]] |
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| occupation = |
| occupation = Psychic medium |
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| salary = |
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'''John Edward McGee Jr.''', (born [[October 19]], [[1969]] in [[Glen Cove, New York]]), better known as '''John Edward''', is an author and [[television]] personality best known for performing as |
'''John Edward McGee Jr.''', (born [[October 19]], [[1969]] in [[Glen Cove, New York]]), better known as '''John Edward''', is an author and [[television]] personality best known for performing as a [[medium (spirituality)|psychic medium]] whose job is to help the spirits of the dead communicate with the living. |
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The son of a policeman, Edward was raised [[Roman Catholic]]. Although Edward later became non-practicing, he has said he never stopped feeling connected to God and is still closely connected to his Catholic roots.<ref>{{cite book | last = Edward | first = John | year = 1998 | title = One Last Time | publisher = Berkley | id=ISBN 0-425-16908-1}}</ref> Speaking of psychic abilities, he once said, "This is something that is driven by a belief in God. It's the energy from that force that I think allows us to create ''this'' energy."<ref>{{cite book | last = Edward | first = John | year = 2001 | title = Crossing Over | publisher = Jodere Group | id=ISBN 1-58872-002-0 | pages=p. 21 }}</ref> |
The son of a policeman, Edward was raised [[Roman Catholic]]. Although Edward later became non-practicing, he has said he never stopped feeling connected to God and is still closely connected to his Catholic roots.<ref>{{cite book | last = Edward | first = John | year = 1998 | title = One Last Time | publisher = Berkley | id=ISBN 0-425-16908-1}}</ref> Speaking of psychic abilities, he once said, "This is something that is driven by a belief in God. It's the energy from that force that I think allows us to create ''this'' energy."<ref>{{cite book | last = Edward | first = John | year = 2001 | title = Crossing Over | publisher = Jodere Group | id=ISBN 1-58872-002-0 | pages=p. 21 }}</ref> |
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Edward graduated from [[Long Island University]] with a degree in health-care administration, working first in healthcare and then as ballroom dancing instructor before |
Edward graduated from [[Long Island University]] with a degree in health-care administration, working first in healthcare and then as ballroom dancing instructor before entering his current career. |
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==Television shows== |
==Television shows== |
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Revision as of 21:16, 30 December 2006
- This article is about the TV psychic. For other uses, see John Edwards (disambiguation).
John Edward | |
|---|---|
| File:EdwardFace.jpg | |
| Born | October 191969 |
| Occupation | Psychic medium |
| Spouse | Sandra Edward |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | johnedward.net |
John Edward McGee Jr., (born October 19, 1969 in Glen Cove, New York), better known as John Edward, is an author and television personality best known for performing as a psychic medium whose job is to help the spirits of the dead communicate with the living.
The son of a policeman, Edward was raised Roman Catholic. Although Edward later became non-practicing, he has said he never stopped feeling connected to God and is still closely connected to his Catholic roots.[1] Speaking of psychic abilities, he once said, "This is something that is driven by a belief in God. It's the energy from that force that I think allows us to create this energy."[2]
Edward graduated from Long Island University with a degree in health-care administration, working first in healthcare and then as ballroom dancing instructor before entering his current career.
Television shows
Crossing Over
Edward was the producer and host of the show Crossing Over with John Edward, which has been syndicated and aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States and on LIVINGtv in the UK. In Crossing Over, Edward performs what mediums call "readings".[3]
Show format
Readings in Crossing Over involve Edward questioning audience members with information presented as being communicated by their deceased friends and relatives. Edward says he receives his information in images and clues which the audience must assist him in interpreting - the audience is not supposed to supply Edward with any prior information about themselves, their family or who they are trying to connect with "on the other side."[3] Audience members respond to Edward's statements and questions, adding any details they feel are appropriate. The show often employs a split screen, showing a reading without sound on one half of the screen while on the other half the subject of the reading is shown in a later interview as they discuss their experience. A voiceover by Edward is also implemented at times, sharing further insights and inspirational messages.
In other instances, Edward conducted private sessions away from the studio audience. The subjects of these segments later talked in greater detail about the situation that led to their reading with Edward and the effect the reading had on their lives. Periodically, segments revisit people who have previously appeared on the show.
John Edward Cross Country
Edward's current show, John Edward Cross Country, has been broadcast on the Women's Entertainment Channel since March 2006. In this forum, the audience is not supposed to supply Edward with any prior information about themselves, their family or who they are trying to connect with "on the other side."[4] The show opens with a statement that he simply 'lets his guides draw him to the people that spirits are trying to connect with, and the audience should only validate the information he gives them'.[4]
Paranormal study
Gary Schwartz, a psychologist and researcher in the controversial field of parapsychology, tested Edward and several other mediums and published his belief that Edward's abilities were genuine in his book The Afterlife Experiments.[5] Although the study did not undergo scientific peer review, CSI's Ray Hyman, a psychologist and noted critic of parapsychology, wrote a detailed critique of Schwartz's methodology and conclusions in a 2003 issue of the Skeptical Inquirer.[6] Schwartz responded to the critique,[7] leading Hyman to write a rebuttal.[8]
Criticism
Critics of Edward believe he performs the mentalist technique of cold reading.[9][10][11] Choosing the first reading from a two hour tape of edited shows as a sample, magician and debunker James Randi found that just three of twenty three statements made by Edward were confirmed as correct by the audience member being read.[12]
A 2001 Time article suggested that Edward used hot reading on Crossing Over.[13] In another incident, Edward was said to have used foreknowledge to hot read in an interview on the television show Dateline.[14] James Underdown of the Skeptical Inquirer attended a Crossing Over show in November 2002 and said "there were no indications of anyone I saw collecting information... none of his readings contained the kind of specific information that would raise an eyebrow of suspicion."[15]
Another accusation has been that Edward's accuracy on television is inflated by the editing process.[10] After watching the broadcast version of the show he had attended and recorded, Underdown attributed a great deal of Edward's accuracy on television to editing and wrote, "Edward's editor fine-tuned many of the dead-ends out of a reading riddled with misses."[15] In 2002, Edward said, "People are in the studio for eight hours, and we have to edit the show for time, not content. We don't try to hide the 'misses.'"[16]
Edward has been criticized for promoting Crossing Over "as a genuine communication with the dead" because the legal disclaimer shown at the end of each episode reads that it was "produced for entertainment purposes only" and that its contents "are not meant or intended to be a form of advice, instruction, suggestion, counsel or factual statement in any way whatsoever."[17][18]
John Edward has denied ever using foreknowledge, cold or hot reading.[19]
Controversies
9/11
Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Edward began filming at least one special in which he met with some relatives of the victims, with the intention of communicating with those who were killed. The trade magazine Broadcasting & Cable sent a story, "'Psychic' Plans WTC Victims Show", on the daily subscription-fax sent to news media and TV-station executives on October 25, 2001. Steve Rosenberg, president of domestic television for Edward's production company, Studios USA, had tentatively scheduled the program(s) to air during the November sweeps period, but news of the taping sparked a national outcry. Both Sci Fi and the Crossing Over with John Edward production office were flooded with phone calls and e-mail, some expressing outrage at the exploitation of the national tragedy, others at what they perceived as extreme tastelessness in search of ratings. Rosenberg initially ignored the criticism, insisting the programming would go on as scheduled, but within hours terminated plans.[20][21]
Terri Schiavo
On the March 24, 2005 episode of the FOX News Channel morning show FOX & Friends, in response to a question as to whether Edward could communicate with the braindead Terri Schiavo, Edward said "[Schiavo is] definitely clear on what's happening now around her."[22]
Appearances in the media
Edward has appeared in many television shows, including: Entertainment Tonight, Live with Regis & Kelly, The Early Show, The Crier Report, The Tony Danza Show, The View, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Fox and Friends, Maury, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Wayne Brady Show, Dateline, 20/20, and the HBO Special, Life After Life: America Undercover.[23]
Other notable appearances include:
- Celebrity Deathmatch: Nostradamus forsees his loss to Edward and refuses to appear for the fight, so Miss Cleo takes his place and wins.
- David Cross: In his comedy album It's Not Funny, Cross jokes: "Oh, man, so I was watching that show ... there's this guy on stage, and everybody in the audience believes he has contact with the dead and spirits talk to him? (The audience shouts "Crossing Over".) Crossing—? no, no, no, no, no, it was, it was church."
- Family Guy: Edward was parodied in "The Cleveland-Loretta Quagmire", a 2005 episode in which a flashback shows Peter in the audience of Crossing Over.
- Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: In the first episode of the series, "Talking to the Dead", Penn & Teller call Edward and James Van Praagh "psychic scumbags", spend most of the episode discussing cold reading, and show that good editing can make a cold reader's performance more impressive.[24]
- PvP: In a story arc beginning April 1, 2002, three members of the cast win tickets to Crossing Over. Brent thinks Edward is "a total fraud" and commands him "in the name of James Randi" to admit it.[25]
- Royal Canadian Air Farce: In a 2002 episode, guest star Peter Keleghan portrayed Edward trying to communicate with dead loved ones of guest Elizabeth Taylor (portrayed by Luba Goy). Taylor was very uncooperative and ended up giving Edward a headache, which she then tried to ease by giving him a massage.
- Saturday Night Live: In an October 13, 2001 skit, Will Ferrell played Edward in a Crossing Over spoof and made uselessly vague statements for the entirety of the skit.[26]
- South Park: Edward was declared "The Biggest Douche in the Universe" in a 2002 episode of the same name.
- Will & Grace: Edward made a cameo appearance in the 2004 episode "East Side Story".
Books
- 1998 One Last Time: A Psychic Medium Speaks to Those We Have Loved and Lost ISBN 0-425-16908-1
- 2000 What If God Were the Sun? ISBN 1-58872-003-9
- 2001 Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories ISBN 1-58872-002-0
- 2003 After Life: Answers From the Other Side ISBN 1-932128-06-9
- 2004 Final Beginnings: The Tunnel ISBN 1-932128-02-6
- 2005 Practical Praying: Using the Rosary to Enhance Your Life ISBN 1-932128-12-3
References
- ^ Edward, John (1998). One Last Time. Berkley. ISBN 0-425-16908-1.
- ^ Edward, John (2001). Crossing Over. Jodere Group. pp. p. 21. ISBN 1-58872-002-0.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ a b Edward, John (1999). Crossing Over (Television series). U.S.: Sci-Fi Channel.
- ^ a b Edward, John (2006). John Edward Cross Country (Television series). Women's Entertainment.
- ^ Schwartz, Gary (2003). The Afterlife Experiments. Atria Books. ISBN 978-0-7434-3659-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Hyman, Ray (2003). "How Not to Test Mediums". Skeptical Inquirer. 27 (1). Retrieved 2006-12-04.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Schwartz, Gary (2003). "How Not To Review Mediumship Research". Retrieved 2006-12-04.
- ^ Hyman, Ray (2003). "Follow Up Reply". Skeptical Inquirer. 27 (3). Retrieved 2006-12-04.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Blumenfeld, Jon (2000-07-21). "Medium Dead". New England Skeptical Society. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|publisher= - ^ a b Endersby, Andrew (December 2002). "Talking the John Edward Blues". SkepticReport. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|publisher= - ^ O'Dell, Cary. "Crossing Over with John Edward". Television Reviews. PopMatters. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
- ^ Randi, James (2006-04-21). "John Edward Revisited". Swift. James Randi Educational Foundation. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Leon Jaroff. ""Talking to the Dead"". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2006-06-14.
- ^ Nickell, Joe (2001). "John Edward: Hustling the Bereaved". Skeptical Inquirer. 25 (6). Retrieved 2006-12-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Underdown, James (2003). "They See Dead People — Or Do They?". Skeptical Inquirer. 27 (5). Retrieved 2006-12-11.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Ling, Lisa (2002-10-13). "Connecting With the Dead". USA WEEKEND. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ La Canna, Xavier (2004-02-23). "Sceptic versus psychic". The Age. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Christopher, Kevin (2000-07-10). "Crossing Over with John Edward". Council for Media Integrity: Media Reviews. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Edward, John (2001). Crossing Over. Jodere Group. ISBN 1-58872-002-0.
- ^ de Moraes, Lisa (2006-10-26). "Medium Crosses The Line: WTC Segment Canned". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Radford, Benjamin (2002). "John Edward's televised tragedy seance scrapped". Skeptical Inquirer. 26 (1). Retrieved 2006-12-18.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Fox's psychic friend". Media Matters for America. 2005-03-25. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "About John Edward". JohnEdward.net. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "Talking to the Dead". Bullshit!. Episode 1–01. 2003-01-24. Showtime.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Kurtz, Scott (2002-04-01). "Strip for [[April 01]], [[2002]]". PvP. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ "Drew Barrymore / Macy Gray". Saturday Night Live. Season 27. Episode 3. 2006-10-13. NBC.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|city=ignored (|location=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) Skit transcript.
External links
- John Edward's official site
- John Edward at IMDb
- John Edward Tunes in to the Afterlife, an interview with Wendy Schuman
- "Can John Edward Speak to the Dead?". Larry King Live. 2001-09-10. CNN.
{{cite episode}}: External link in|title=