# I see a man. Is he in Michigan? Does he have a finger up? Is it his middle finger? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 25, 2001, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613 "2001-10-25T19:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/1 "2001-10-25T19:15:38Z")
As noted[here](http://www.tvinsite.com/broadcastingcable/53130.htm), the show “Crossing Over With John Edward” plans to devote one or more of its hokey seance sessions to speaking to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks. The production company for the show just happens to plan them for sweeps week. Wow. And you thought Fox had poor taste. If you’ve ever seen this John Edward guy in action, it’s amazing that anyone buys his shit. He claims he can talk with the dead. All he does, however, is rattle off vague generalities that could apply to many different people, move quickly past the ones that surviving family members say don’t apply, follow up on a few random hits, and leave the gullible saying, “Wow! Amazing!” (Will Farrell did a hilarious skit on him and his show on a recent Saturday Night Live.) The only thing that makes me more disgusted than that Edwards is going to take advantage of something so horrible and tragic for his own personal gain, it’s that there will likely be more than a few grief-stricken relatives of those who died who will take part, out of a false sense of hope. ---
**Author:** ![Bossk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/2 "2001-10-25T19:33:44Z")
Not only that, it’s the Sci-Fi Channel’s highest rated show. Um, I mean its most-watched show. ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/3 "2001-10-25T19:42:23Z")
Sorry, Milo. Edward only deals with the dead, so I’m afraid we’re going to have to kill you before he can receive your message. As far as Edward himself goes, that little fucker makes me see red. The very idea of turning an international tragedy and the basis for a goddamned war into a cheap ratings ploy…god, I’d like to run an enema tube down his throat and videotape him choking on his own shit. I honestly try not to give in to hate, but I could watch John Edward, Sylvia Browne, and all others of their ilk die and not even turn away from my lunch. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/4 "2001-10-25T19:48:49Z")
Ahh . . . I dream of the encounter. There’s **Milo** finger pointed like eternal damnation at John Edward. To his left, James Randi with a shotgun. To his right, Penn Jillette, hair down and vets neatly pressed, whapping a baseball bat into his palm. Behind him, the massed Doper army carrying the tar and feathers. The Snopers and REALL providing light cavalry support on the flanks. Sigh. It would be so beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/5 "2001-10-25T19:50:32Z")
Just call me Typo Boy. Penn wears a vest, of course. He rarely wears vets, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/6 "2001-10-25T20:03:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > Penn wears a vest, of course. He rarely wears vets, AFAIK. Well, if she’s cute and has a good figure, I imagine he would… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/7 "2001-10-25T20:03:57Z")
When I read the title of this thread, I thought Milo was angry at me for kicking his ass in FF.(Mmmmmm, beer good). I like your idea for that waste of human flesh, but it may be too good for him. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/8 "2001-10-25T20:06:47Z")
Thanks for the warning, Milo. How sad. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/9 "2001-10-25T20:24:10Z")
Milo, the thread title _alone_ gets a ten. [snigger] ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/10 "2001-10-25T20:43:53Z")
Milo, I really think you should check out…wait a minute, someone’s coming through. I’m getting a “J.” A “John”… or a “Jeff”… or “Joanne.” Who is this? Someone you were close to…a friend or a relative, or possibly a friend of a relative who died… Lisa, looking expectantly at Milo ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/11 "2001-10-25T22:04:55Z")
**Milo** , you gotta be shitting me! Please tell me you’re making this up! I know nothing about this guy except indirectly but this is the slimiest, most putridly maudlin exploitation of tragedy… Hold on, theres a commercial offering me commerative silver coins of “America’s Heroes”, guaranteed authentic legal tender…$39.95. I’m not going to hurl invective. I’m just going to hurl. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/12 "2001-10-26T01:29:58Z")
[Keanu Reeves] [Whoa.](http://www.tvinsite.com/broadcastingcable/53386.htm) [/Keanu Reeves] > [@](#): > > The one thing John Edward definitely crossed over was the line and the ‘psychic’ has shelved plans for a series of Crossing Over With John Edward episodes focusing on people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. > > Studios USA Domestic Television said Thursday that it is retreating from the plan to air the segment on broadcast syndication and cable’s Sci Fi Channel. > > Citing ‘a reaction that none of us expected,’ the company’s president, Steve Rosenberg, said that while some segments for the shows have already been taped, they will not be broadcast. Never again underestimate the power of a **Milo** Pit thread! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/13 "2001-10-26T01:42:20Z")
To have the dopers do a John Edwards Show. Would make for a hell of a story after it aired. A whole audience of people who think hes full of shit giving him phony clues to follow. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/14 "2001-10-26T02:07:10Z")
Well, **Milo** , actually the cancellation news hit Drudge just minutes after I posted my dismay. I’d best test this new found omnipotence… Carrot Top and Gilbert Gottfried to be deported immediatly! Henceforth, Coors Beer shall be produced for export only. That’ll do for starters. ---
**Author:** ![beergeek279](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beergeek279](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beergeek279)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/15 "2001-10-26T04:26:45Z")
> [@](#): > > (Will Farrell did a hilarious skit on him and his show on a recent Saturday Night Live.) Hey, give the man some credit…he actually did something to make Saturday Night Live funny (a feat greater than any channeling) ;). ---
**Author:** ![OrganicMatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/898d66/32.png) [@OrganicMatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrganicMatter)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/16 "2001-10-26T04:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Milossarian \* > > > [@](#): > > > > Citing ‘_a reaction that none of us expected_,’ the company’s president, Steve Rosenberg, said that while some segments for the shows have already been taped, they will not be broadcast. How stupid are they that they did not expect the reaction they got? Don’t they have any first-rate psychics on-staff to help them with these things? ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/17 "2001-10-26T04:56:14Z")
Let’s see: Miss Cleo, John Edwards, who’s next? Maybe it’s in the bible code. Did Nostradamus ever predict this? ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/18 "2001-10-26T06:48:15Z")
Man, I was gonna really rant on this and now… n o t h i n g 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/19 "2001-10-26T07:57:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terminus Est \* > \*\*Did Nostradamus ever predict this? \*\* Of course he did. Nostradamus predicted everything. (It’s on Snopes if you want to check it out.) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613/20 "2001-10-26T18:15:00Z")
Airing these segments might have been called off (for now, at least; I expect to see them turn up eventually), but he’s still doing readings for relatives of WTC victims. In other words, he’s still a con artist; he’s just reducing his profile temporarily so as not to damage his long-term earning potential. > [@](#): > > The show’s Web site on Friday had posted a statement declaring Edward “has been inundated with calls and pleas for readings from grieving families of the World Trade Center victims looking for comfort and closure.” Although such readings will continue to be conducted privately, the statement said, they “will NOT air.” And the network’s executive is a knowing con artist also: > [@](#): > > Word leaked out earlier this week about the planned episodes, which were meant to air during the fiercely competitive November “sweeps” period. The reaction “seemed a little crazy,” [Studios USA President Steve] Rosenberg said, “but we have too good a show to do something that might offend people.” I don’t know what to say, other than that I am so appalled I can’t even make a joke out of it. ([link to article](http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011026/en/tv_crossing_over_1.html), a slightly different version from what’s linked above) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-see-a-man-is-he-in-michigan-does-he-have-a-finger-up-is-it-his-middle-finger/89613.md?page=2)