Want to Be Australia's Top Psychic?
Friday July 4, 2008
So do some other people, and they're willing to demonstrate their abilities on a new reality television show. A new program called The One: The Search for Australia's Most Gifted Psychic will debut soon, in which a group of contestants will have to display their talents by locating a lost child, identifying items belonging to various celebrities, and performing other fun feats that show off their psychic skills. Interestingly, there are two "judges", one being a well known skeptic of all things paranormal, and the other being an author and practicing witch.
Other than Top Chef and Deadliest Catch, I don't actually watch reality television, but I'm wondering how this will play out. Specifically, I'm wondering if The One will portray witchcraft and psychic abilities as some weird freakshow, or if it will be more like, "Hey, look, we can't explain it but it seems like it works, so enjoy." If you're one of our readers in the land down under, keep us posted and let us know how it is!
Other than Top Chef and Deadliest Catch, I don't actually watch reality television, but I'm wondering how this will play out. Specifically, I'm wondering if The One will portray witchcraft and psychic abilities as some weird freakshow, or if it will be more like, "Hey, look, we can't explain it but it seems like it works, so enjoy." If you're one of our readers in the land down under, keep us posted and let us know how it is!
Comments
We had a show like this here in the States last year called “America’s Psychic Challenge” that aired on Lifetime. It was a nightmare and portrayed the people as weirdos and often as fakes. The two women that made it to the finals were (in my opinion) chosen because one was a “lightworker” because she channelled angels and the other was “from the dark side” because she worked with the dead and was a Voodoo Priestess; they called the last challenge for the win a “battle of good and evil, light and dark”. I can’t imagine thiswill be any better. Reality tv is anything but.
I didn’t see the Lifetime series last year, but I’m not surprised as to how it turned out, Rowan. It’s sad that public perception is so negative. At the same time, there are a lot of people who are fakes, and this title is not limited to pagans! I’ve seen/heard of a few Christian pastors who do the same thing!
I couldn’t help but laugh Ross when I read your comment about Christian Ministers. As a pagan living in the southern U.S. I say “Amen to that brother!” lol
I live in Australia and watched the first programme. On the whole, the producers treated the subject with respect and there were no derogatory remarks. On the first test of locating the young boy? Only two psychics located him, a couple of the others were very close in the time limit and She De Montford (editor of Spellcraft magazine)took less than 4 minutes to find him!! Even the sceptic was impressed. BB Chris
I watched the first ep and was pleasantly surprised - She De’Montford (bless her - love her mag) was very impressive. Even the “sceptic” was very considerate in his comments… no nasties yet.
They actually seem to be trying to present each person in a neutral way, and allow them to choose to work live on stage, or record a reading at home - whichever they are most comfortable with. Will keep you posted as it goes on.
BB