Sylvia Browne on Montel. Egads.

[Cat Fight]

I know she's been pitted before and the consensus is that the's a total fraud, but aside from a few YouTube videos I'm finally seeing her in action... christ! I'm out sick and watching Montel and the woman hasn't gotten a single hit!

She's so vague and when she does get into specifics the audience members correct her. I couldn't care less only she's telling people that colon cancer victims will recover and kid with Hydrocephalus will be just fine.

All the spirit guide stuff, of course, cannot be confirmed. Only I swear she's used the same name (Dee Dee) twice. I guess Montel's viewers must eat this shit up.

[Amp]

You mean Montel isn't doing "Who's My Baby's Daddy? Part 55" today?

[Philster]

No, by having Sylvia on, he's doing something that has no value.

[Zebra]

Who's my baby's dead daddy?

[Ca3799]

I think you meant "Baby Daddy Part 5,555,555".

Sylvia is an embarrasment to 'psychics' everywhere. My dog makes more accurate and believable guesses, uh, 'predictions'.

Isn't she also the one who says the spirits leave messages for the living by dropping pennies for people to find? How creative.

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by Amp

You mean Montel isn't doing "Who's My Baby's Daddy? Part 55" today?

That's not Montel, that's Maury. Unless Montel jumped on that bandwagon?

(And I can't believe I know that, but when I'm sick I love to watch Maury simply for the baby-daddy shows).

[Khadaji]

Originally Posted by Ca3799

I think you meant "Baby Daddy Part 5,555,555".

Sylvia is an embarrasment to 'psychics' everywhere. My dog makes more accurate and believable guesses, uh, 'predictions'.

Isn't she also the one who says the spirits leave messages for the living by dropping pennies for people to find? How creative.

That's because Dogs can read minds

[Wallenstein]

Interesting article on Ms Browne a couple of weeks back...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2198928,00.html

[velvetjones]

Originally Posted by Ca3799

My dog makes more accurate and believable....'predictions'.

OK, so can your dog tell me who Zebra's baby's dead daddy is? I have to know.

[tdn]

Originally Posted by velvetjones

OK, so can your dog tell me who Zebra's baby's dead daddy is? I have to know.

The dog could tell you, but the answer would be rough.

[yanceylebeef]

Originally Posted by Ca3799

Sylvia is an embarrasment to 'psychics' everywhere. My dog makes more accurate and believable guesses, uh, 'predictions'.

you may be more right than you know...


Maybe they ARE getting ready to take over the world!

[Mikemike2]

Originally Posted by Ca3799

Sylvia is an embarrassment to 'psychics' everywhere. My dog makes more accurate and believable guesses, uh, 'predictions'.

.

The problem for Sylvia is that she is famous enough that people are going to the effort of tracking her predictions. She is used to making confident sounding declarations, and never having them questioned again. Certainly Montel has never brought her to task for any previous wrong predictions.

But now sites like Stop Sylvia Browne are tracking her accuracy rate, and showing the real trauma she is causing bereaved families who counted on what she said. If you google "Sylvia Browne" many of the top hits are openly critical of her.

I think her credibility has been hurt. Unfortunately the hag is about 70, and getting shut down now may not matter to her that much.

[overlyverbose]

I've actually met Syliva Brown, back when I was in high school. What an obnoxious, inaccurate git. The interviewer in the article provided by e-logic was spot on. She came to visit one of my mom's social clubs and we went along for the show. And what a show it was - we had pretty much the same experience the interviewer had on the cruise ship, only she wasn't in a wheelchair at the time.

[Edward The Head]

I used to like Montel. Of course that was long ago before he started putting this stupid bitch on. I'd rather watch Maury and his find my daddy show then Sylvia

[Otto]

Oh no, she's on Montel and "The Soup" is on strike? More proof that God doesn't exist and he hates us.

Originally Posted by Amp

You mean Montel isn't doing "Who's My Baby's Daddy? Part 55" today?

No no, it's Maury who does "Who my baby daddy" every other day.

[overlyverbose]

Originally Posted by Otto

Oh no, she's on Montel and "The Soup" is on strike? More proof that God doesn't exist and he hates us.


No no, it's Maury who does "Who my baby daddy" every other day.

The Soup is on strike? But... But... Won't somebody think of the children?!?

Seriously, that sucks - I love The Soup. It's the one later-night (yes, I know it's not on that late) that I indulge in regularly because it's so freaking funny.

[CRich]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

That's not Montel, that's Maury. Unless Montel jumped on that bandwagon?

(And I can't believe I know that, but when I'm sick I love to watch Maury simply for the baby-daddy shows).

(Hijack alert) It's like a trailer trash train wreck--I just can't stop watching it. What always gets me is the boyfriend whose woman has cheated on him, she doesn't even know who fathered her child, she's a dawg that he can't even stand to sit next to.....until the results come in and by some chance he beat the odds & won the daddy lottery, and then he's down on one knee professing his undying love. Dude! She still cheated on you.

(End hijack)

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by CRich

(Hijack alert) It's like a trailer trash train wreck--I just can't stop watching it. What always gets me is the boyfriend whose woman has cheated on him, she doesn't even know who fathered her child, she's a dawg that he can't even stand to sit next to.....until the results come in and by some chance he beat the odds & won the daddy lottery, and then he's down on one knee professing his undying love. Dude! She still cheated on you.

(End hijack)

[hijack]
Ohh I know.

The one I'd really like to know about is the one who'd had.. what, 10 men on the show and tested to see if they were the baby daddy? And none of them were!This one I saw, god like a year ago and it was a 'best of..' type thing doing updates on them all and they'd mentioned her and that they still hadn't found the daddy and offered to test all the men she wanted to bring on the show until they found the father of her child.

All I could think was 'damn woman, did you pull a chain when you were ovulating?'

Would anyone know if they found the baby daddy eventually? Or if there's a site that keeps track of this? It's horrid of me, but I do want an update on her.[/hijack]

[CRich]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

[hijack]
Ohh I know.

The one I'd really like to know about is the one who'd had.. what, 10 men on the show and tested to see if they were the baby daddy? And none of them were!This one I saw, god like a year ago and it was a 'best of..' type thing doing updates on them all and they'd mentioned her and that they still hadn't found the daddy and offered to test all the men she wanted to bring on the show until they found the father of her child.

All I could think was 'damn woman, did you pull a chain when you were ovulating?'

Would anyone know if they found the baby daddy eventually? Or if there's a site that keeps track of this? It's horrid of me, but I do want an update on her.[/hijack]

And then every time it's not the daddy, she sobs uncontrollably like she's just heartbroken that it wasn't....er, what was your name again?

What is up with that? Because they've had more than one of those on the show--not that I watch it or anything. Are they prostitutes--really really careless prostitutes? Or just really popular? I can't even imagine sleeping with 10 men in one year, much less 10 men in one month.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

[hijack]. . . . All I could think was 'damn woman, did you pull a chain when you were ovulating?'

Would anyone know if they found the baby daddy eventually? Or if there's a site that keeps track of this? It's horrid of me, but I do want an update on her.[/hijack]

It's "pull a train," and men pull it on women.

I actually think Montel usually stays as far about the muck and mire as a talkshow can these days and still pull any sort of ratings, but this Sylvia Browne shit has got to stop.

I thought Montel was reasonably intelligent, but now I'm beginning to wonder because he actually seems to believe in that crap she spews.

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by 5-4-Fighting

It's "pull a train," and men pull it on women.

I thought it looked somewhat wrong, it's not exactly something discussed in my usual circles.

And I thought it simply referred to a single person fucking a lot of different people in a row.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

I thought it looked somewhat wrong, it's not exactly something discussed in my usual circles.

And I thought it simply referred to a single person fucking a lot of different people in a row.

Trust me it's not something that occurs a lot around me either, but I hear things.

One woman (or man) usually has sex with many men; no matter who initiates it, the "pull a train" reference is to the male point of view. I assumed it to be a lone female, but this definition includes a lone male w/ multiple males also. Who knew?

See here.

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by 5-4-Fighting

Trust me it's not something that occurs a lot around me either, but I hear things.

Didn't say occur, I said discussed. I know an amazing amount of prudes, and the last time I heard a conversation with anything more than basic standard one on one hetero involved a guy who apparently thought the way to get me to sleep with him was tell me about the parties he went to and hooked up with online. It was really skeevy.

One woman usually has sex with many men; no matter who initiates it, the "pull a train" reference is to the male point of view. I assumed it to be a lone female, but this definition includes a lone male w/ multiple males also. Who knew?

See here.

I was planning to look up when I got home from work. Thanks for the link though. But why just the male POV? That doesn't make sense to me because in my head the guy would be like a single car in the train.. (she's the head of the train, the cars are like the line of guys waiting to have sex..)

Crazy language!

ahem, I'll stop the hijack now.

[OneCentStamp]

Originally Posted by tdn

The dog could tell you, but the answer would be rough.

I just needed to let you know that this did not go unnoticed.

[elucidator]

But, so far, unpunished.

[Malvert P. Redd]

Daytime TV is an absolute fuckin wasteland of total retardation. There's shitty soap operas, Jerry, Maury, Montel, 800 different bitchy judge shows, and Jeopardy! Um, which of these things is not like the other? Fuck, I need to find a job before I go insane.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Originally Posted by Ca3799

Isn't she also the one who says the spirits leave messages for the living by dropping pennies for people to find? How creative.

I read that as penises

Might make for an interesting show, though

[Princhester]

Originally Posted by elucidator

But, so far, unpunished.

'lucy is it really in your best interests to be advocating the punishment of those who make bad puns? Do you really want to go there?

Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm just concerned for you, that's all.

[Malacandra]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

I thought it looked somewhat wrong, it's not exactly something discussed in my usual circles.

And I thought it simply referred to a single person fucking a lot of different people in a row.

Why'd they do that? Oh well, I expect they'd have some loco motive.

[Telperien]

Originally Posted by Malacandra

Why'd they do that? Oh well, I expect they'd have some loco motive.

We'll kill you last, so you suffer.

[NajaNivea]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

[hijack]
Ohh I know.

The one I'd really like to know about is the one who'd had.. what, 10 men on the show and tested to see if they were the baby daddy? And none of them were!This one I saw, god like a year ago and it was a 'best of..' type thing doing updates on them all and they'd mentioned her and that they still hadn't found the daddy and offered to test all the men she wanted to bring on the show until they found the father of her child.

All I could think was 'damn woman, did you pull a chain when you were ovulating?'

Would anyone know if they found the baby daddy eventually? Or if there's a site that keeps track of this? It's horrid of me, but I do want an update on her.[/hijack]

Originally Posted by CRich

And then every time it's not the daddy, she sobs uncontrollably like she's just heartbroken that it wasn't....er, what was your name again?

What is up with that? Because they've had more than one of those on the show--not that I watch it or anything. Are they prostitutes--really really careless prostitutes? Or just really popular? I can't even imagine sleeping with 10 men in one year, much less 10 men in one month.

Wait... those things are real? I thought those shows were like professional wrestling. Everyone knows they're fake but pretends they don't?

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by NajaNivea

Wait... those things are real? I thought those shows were like professional wrestling. Everyone knows they're fake but pretends they don't?

I'm pretty sure they are real. At least some of them, though many are obviously played up. The ten men one? If she is an actress she'd better be getting a TON of money for it because her reputation must be absolutely shot to hell.

[Cat Fight]

Originally Posted by NajaNivea

Wait... those things are real? I thought those shows were like professional wrestling. Everyone knows they're fake but pretends they don't?

If only. I know people who've worked on the worst of the worst (Springer, Ricki Lake) and they told me there was no acting going on. If anything, they had to ask the guests to tone things down. Though I'm sure there have been a few fakes.

[Cervaise]

Originally Posted by Flutterby

If she is an actress she'd better be getting a TON of money for it because her reputation must be absolutely shot to hell.

In some circles, yes. In other circles, she's more popular than ever.

[Malacandra]

Originally Posted by Telperien

We'll kill you last, so you suffer.

Couldn't you just ride me out of town on a rail?

[hajario]

Originally Posted by Cat Fight

If only. I know people who've worked on the worst of the worst (Springer, Ricki Lake) and they told me there was no acting going on. If anything, they had to ask the guests to tone things down. Though I'm sure there have been a few fakes.

More than a few. It's not like they do any background checks so I am certain that lots of people make shit up just to get on TV.

Several years ago, a Canadian comedy trio managed to get themselves on five or six different talk shows, each time with a very different story. The reported that the staffers talked to them separately and really tried to egg them on to add to the drama.

[overlyverbose]

Originally Posted by Tapioca Dextrin

I read that as penises

Might make for an interesting show, though

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who read it that way.

[Telperien]

Originally Posted by Malacandra

Couldn't you just ride me out of town on a rail?

Sorry, those who pun must die. However, there is a provision in the rules for getting as much use out of your body as possible before your time is up.

[tdn]

Originally Posted by Telperien

Sorry, those who pun must die.

Why not just spank our cabooses?

[Telperien]

Originally Posted by tdn

Why not just spank our cabooses?

You might enjoy it, and I can't have that.

[Terrifel]

Well, I caught a few minutes of Ms. Browne's appearance on the Montel show, and I for one am convinced of her supernatural powers. Her performance was quite extraordinary, even shocking. That monstrously low, gravelly voice; those swollen, distorted features-- all classic symptoms of a medium in the throes of demonic possession. You just can't fake that kind of thing.

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by e-logic

Interesting article on Ms Browne a couple of weeks back...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2198928,00.html

This morning, Colette, Sylvia's co-psychic, seemed to be cold reading badly. She said to a man in the audience, "Why do I see a hospital around you?"

"I'm a doctor," he replied.

"That's why I see a hospital!" Colette exclaimed to the crowd.

"I'm a chiropractor," he added. "I work out of an office. I stay away from hospitals."

"I meant medical ... uh ... lab," Colette said. "You know the expression, to 'lab' something? To research something? That's what I meant. Are you researching anything at the moment?"

"Yes," he said.

<snip>

Sylvia looks impatient.

"I - uh - think I've got a poltergeist in my house because things keep moving in my dishwasher," Evelyn says, quickly. "Can you tell me the poltergeist's name?"

"The poltergeist is an older relative called Doug," Sylvia says.

"Thank you, Sylvia," Evelyn says.

She sits back down. I look sympathetically at her. She shrugs.

"I don't have any dead older relative called Doug," she whispers.

Color me impressed. Where can I get a ticket to listen to her babble?

[dropzone]

Something that has always struck me about Sylvia Browne is how unpleasant she is. Other scammers TRY to act concerned with the people they are ripping off, though they usually come across as oily and unctuous, but Browne makes little effort to hide how much she despises people.

[Princhester]

If you read that Guardian article it's probably part naturally how she is, and part schtick. That linked Guardian column has some good examples of her telling people appalling things, like bluntly telling some distraught parents that their child had been kidnapped into white slavery in Japan. A lot of her audience will watch because they are feeding off the drama of seeing the parents disintegrate. There will also be some who find her occasional grumpiness and bluntness more "real" than someone who always says nice things. I, for one, mistrust anyone who is 100% sweetness and light.

[dropzone]

But anyone who thinks she is putting a "positive" spin on it when she pulls "kidnapped by Japanese white, preteen, slavers" out of her ass when the kid was "merely" raped and murdered is creepy, and it does not not reduce Sylvia Browne = Massive Bitch a whit. She is a horrid person who is completely uninterested in, and unpleasant to, the people who come to her for "answers." And she is not "occasionally" grumpy. She has been that way every time I've seen her over the last 40 years.

[Princhester]

Originally Posted by dropzone

But anyone who thinks she is putting a "positive" spin on it when she pulls "kidnapped by Japanese white, preteen, slavers" out of her ass when the kid was "merely" raped and murdered is creepy, and it does not not reduce Sylvia Browne = Massive Bitch a whit.

Sure, I agree. That's precisely what I'm saying. I'm also saying that her bitchiness adds to the drama, which some people are going to feed off, while her 'orribleness is going to add to "realism" for some people.