John Edward

This article is about the purported TV psychic. For other uses, see John Edwards (disambiguation).

John Edward McGee Jr., (born October 19, 1969 in Glen Cove, New York), better known as John Edward, claims to be a psychic. He was raised Roman Catholic, the son of a policeman, but no longer practices.

John Edward is the producer host of the television show Crossing Over with John Edward featured on the SciFi Channel (see and on LIVINGtv (see [http://www.livingtv.co.uk/) in the UK.

Crossing Over

John appears on the show Crossing Over with John Edward in which he claims to communicate with the deceased relatives or friends of those in the gallery, or studio audience - this is often called a "reading". This involves John Edward standing before the audience, and speaking with its members, relaying the information he supposedly garners from their deceased acquaintances. The audience members then either confirm or deny aspects of the subject Edward is discussing. The show often employs a split screen, so that the viewer can witness John Edward continuing his reading without sound on one half of the screen, whilst on the other half the audience member being read discusses the accuracy of John Edward's claims. A voiceover is also implemented to help aid the viewer, giving a greater overview of what is occurring, and providing details which may be relevant to the context of the reading.

There are also instances where John Edward will conduct a private session away from the gallery, which is still filmed and commented upon. This is often the more "in-depth" part of the show, where those read, along with their families, talk in greater detail about the situation that lead up to their reading with Edward, and what conclusions they have drawn from the event. Periodically, Crossing Over will feature a part of the show that attempts to "catch-up" with those who have previously been read by John Edward.

Gary Schwartz Tests

Edward was tested by psychologist Gary Schwartz, who concluded Edward's abilities were genuine. Part of the test involved a "reading" of a subject who Edward had not met previously. CSICOP's Ray Hyman, wrote an article critiquing Schwartz's methods.Schwartz wrote a [http://www.enformy.com/Gary-reHymanReview.htm response to this critique which led Hyman to write a rebuttal of Schwartz's response.

Edward in the media

David Cross

In his comedy album It's Not Funny, David Cross states: "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? (audience respond to him, shouting back, "Crossing Over.") Crossing--? no, no, no, no, no, it was, it was church." Cross then launches an attack on George W. Bush and his Christian views, drawing a brief comparison between what he sees as the foolishness of religious belief and the foolishness of people who believe in Edward's abilities.

Daily Show

Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, on Comedy Central, called John Edward a "crazy TV psychic guy" when he stated his views on the Terri Schiavo case.

Family Guy

Edward is parodied in "The Cleveland-Loretta-Quagmire," an episode of Family Guy, with the strong implication that Edward is a fraud and those who accept his claims are gullible.

Penn & Teller: Bullshit!

In the first episode of Bullshit! devoted to debunking "frauds, phonies, and mountebanks", Penn and Teller quote South Park by referring to Edward as "the biggest douche in the universe." They consider John Edward and his mediumship a part of an "art of deception", and have complained that he refused to allow them to tape his seminar and accompanying mediumship demonstration.

Royal Canadian Air Farce

On a 2002 episode of Royal Canadian Air Farce, a popular Canadian sketch comedy program, guest star Peter Keleghan portrayed John Edward on his show, trying to communicate with dead loved ones of guest Elizabeth Taylor (portrayed by Luba Goy). Taylor was very uncooperative, and ended up giving John a headache, which Taylor tried to help with by giving John a massage.

South Park

A 2002 episode of the animated series South Park, entitled "The Biggest Douche in the Universe", focused partly on Edward, portraying him as a cynical and exploitative fraud who knowingly manipulates the bereaved, but at the same time gets extremely upset if anyone questions his abilities. Stan works to expose him by mastering cold reading and repeatedly argues that Edward's actions are fraudulent, and more importantly, immoral, as they deceive the bereaved and vulnerable. At the end of the episode, aliens bring Edward to an intergalactic awards ceremony where he is honored with the Biggest Douche in the Universe Award, beating a literal giant douche for the award.

Will & Grace

Edward has made a cameo appearance on Will & Grace.

External links

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