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John Edward

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This article is about the self described TV psychic. For other uses, see John Edwards (disambiguation).
John Edward
Born (1969-10-19) October 19, 1969 (age 55)
Glen Cove, New York
Occupationself described psychic medium
SpouseSandra Edward
Children2
Websitejohnedward.net

John Edward McGee, Jr. (born October 19, 1969), better known as John Edward, is an American author, former ballroom dancing instructor and television personality who describes himself as a psychic medium. He is best known for his TV shows Crossing Over and John Edward Cross Country, which are premised on Edward communicating with the spirits of the audience members' deceased relatives.

Born in Glen Cove, New York, Edward says he was convinced at a young age that he could become a psychic.[1] After writing his first book on the subject in 1998, Edward became a well-known and controversial figure in the United States through his shows and other media appearances. His current show, John Edward Cross Country, has been aired on Woman's Entertainment Television (WE) since May 2006.

Biography

The only son of an Irish-American policeman and an Italian-American, working mother,[2] 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] Edward 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."[3]

According to Edward, when he was 15 and "a huge doubter" (in psychic abilities), he was "read" by a New Jersey woman who convinced him that he could become a medium.[4] "She told me things that there is no way she could have known. And the first part of the reading was that this was the path that I was supposed to be on and that I was supposed to be a teacher and help people and — I thought she was nuts."[4] Speaking of the same encounter in a 2002 interview, Edward said, "She told me I would one day become internationally known for my psychic abilities through lectures, books, radio and TV. I thought she was full of it until she started to tell me things no one in my life knew about. . . . The details were unbelievable."[5]

Later, Edward worked as a phlebotomist while pursuing a degree in health care administration at Long Island University.[6] He met his wife, Sandra Coelho, when he was a student in a dance studio, and he became a ballroom dancing instructor before entering his current field of work.[4] He and his wife had their first child, Justin Michael, on September 25, 2002, and their second child, Olivia Gabriella, on January 25, 2007.

Television shows

Edward published his first book, One Last Time, in 1998. His related appearance on Larry King Live later in the year prompted enough phone calls to overload the show's switchboard.[7] The next year, Edward had a show of his own.

Crossing Over with John Edward

From 1999 to 2004, 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".[8]

Show format

Readings in Crossing Over involve Edward questioning audience members with what is presented as information being communicated by their deceased friends and relatives. Edward says he receives images and clues from "the other side" which the audience must assist him in interpreting. Aside from questionnaires filled out prior to taping, 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."[8] Audience members respond to Edward's statements and questions, adding any details they feel are appropriate. The show often employs a split screen, the view of 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 WE, 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."[9] 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".[9]

Paranormal study

Gary Schwartz, a psychologist and researcher in the controversial field of parapsychology, designed and administered a series of tests for Edward and several other mediums to verify their paranormal claims and published his belief that Edward's abilities were genuine in his book The Afterlife Experiments.[10] The study did not undergo scientific peer review, and 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.[11] Schwartz responded to the critique,[12] leading Hyman to write a rebuttal.[13]

Criticism

Critics of Edward believe he performs the mentalist technique of cold reading.[14][15][16] 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.[17]

A 2001 Time article suggested that Edward used hot reading on Crossing Over.[18] In another incident, Edward was said to have used foreknowledge to hot read in an interview on the television show Dateline.[19] 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. … John Edward was a bad cold reader. He, too, struggled to get hits, and in one attempt shot off nearly forty guesses before finding any significant targets."[20]

Another accusation has been that Edward's accuracy on television is inflated by the editing process.[15] 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."[20] 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.'"[5]

John Edward has denied ever using foreknowledge, cold or hot reading.[21]

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. According to Edward's autobiography, he did not know that the producers had chosen the victims' families to appear on the show. 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 at Studios USA the company that distributes Edwards' program 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.[22][23]

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 vegetative Terri Schiavo, Edward said "I do believe that the soul, the consciousness, can communicate when they're in a state, whether it be a mentally incapacitated person, someone who's in a coma. It's a consciousness, and the soul has a living consciousness. So whether it's in a physical vehicle or not, there is still the ability to connect [...] But she's clear on what's going -- and I can tell you that she's definitely clear on what's happening now around her."[24] Edward was criticized for this statement because Schiavo did not have proper brain function at the time. [citation needed]

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, Oprah, 20/20, and the HBO Special, Life After Life: America Undercover.[25]

Other notable appearances include:

File:John Edward awarded on South Park.jpg
Edward and his award on South Park.
  • 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."
  • 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.[27]
  • Will & Grace: Edward made a cameo appearance in the 2004 episode "East Side Story".

Books

  • One Last Time: A Psychic Medium Speaks to Those We Have Loved and Lost (1998) ISBN 0-425-16908-1
  • What If God Were the Sun? (2000) ISBN 1-58872-003-9
  • Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories (2001) ISBN 1-58872-002-0
  • After Life: Answers From the Other Side (2003) ISBN 1-932128-06-9
  • Final Beginnings: The Tunnel (2004) ISBN 1-932128-02-6
  • Practical Praying: Using the Rosary to Enhance Your Life (2005) ISBN 1-932128-12-3

Audio books

  • Developing Your Own Psychic Powers
    • Tape (2000) ISBN 1-56170-762-7
    • CD (2003) ISBN 1-932128-03-4
  • Understanding Your Angels and Meeting Your Guides
    • Tape (2000) ISBN 1-56170-763-5
    • CD (2003) ISBN 1-4019-0133-6
  • Unleashing Your Psychic Potential
    • Tape (2000) ISBN 1-56170-764-3
    • CD (2003) ISBN 1-4019-0136-0

References

  1. ^ a b Edward, John (1998). One Last Time. Berkley Trade. ISBN 0-425-16908-1.
  2. ^ Edward, John (2003). After Life. Princess Books. ISBN 1-932128-12-3.
  3. ^ Edward, John (2001). Crossing Over. Jodere Group. pp. p. 21. ISBN 1-58872-002-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  4. ^ a b c "John Edward: An Alleged Psychic Who Claims to Communicate With the Dead". Larry King Live. 1998-06-19. CNN. {{cite episode}}: External link in |title= (help)
  5. ^ a b 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)
  6. ^ "Interview With John Edward". Larry King Live. 2003-10-02. CNN. {{cite episode}}: External link in |title= (help)
  7. ^ "About John". Crossing Over with John Edward. Sci Fi Channel. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  8. ^ a b Edward, John (1999). Crossing Over with John Edward (Television series). U.S.: Sci-Fi Channel.
  9. ^ a b Edward, John (2006). John Edward Cross Country (Television series). Women's Entertainment.
  10. ^ Schwartz, Gary (2003). The Afterlife Experiments. Atria Books. ISBN 978-0-7434-3659-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Hyman, Ray (2003). "How Not to Test Mediums". Skeptical Inquirer. 27 (1). Retrieved 2006-12-04. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ Schwartz, Gary (2003). "How Not To Review Mediumship Research". Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  13. ^ Hyman, Ray (2003). "Follow Up Reply". Skeptical Inquirer. 27 (3). Retrieved 2006-12-04. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ 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= (help)
  15. ^ 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= (help)
  16. ^ O'Dell, Cary. "Crossing Over with John Edward". Television Reviews. PopMatters. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ Leon Jaroff. ""Talking to the Dead"". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2006-06-14.
  19. ^ Nickell, Joe (2001). "John Edward: Hustling the Bereaved". Skeptical Inquirer. 25 (6). Retrieved 2006-12-13. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ 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)
  21. ^ Edward, John (2001). Crossing Over. Jodere Group. ISBN 1-58872-002-0.
  22. ^ 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)
  23. ^ 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)
  24. ^ "Fox's psychic friend". Media Matters for America. 2005-03-25. Retrieved 2006-12-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "About John Edward". JohnEdward.net. Retrieved 2006-12-22. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Talking to the Dead". Bullshit!. Episode 1–01. 2003-01-24. Showtime. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ 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)
  28. ^ "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.

Critical articles

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