A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
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A look at the claims, predictions and behavior of a media "psychic".
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| Montel: Psychic Show Participation ReleaseWe examine the release form signed by members of Montel's audience.  Thank-you card (Front) BackgroundSince this site went up, I have been asked by a number of people whether audience members attending the Sylvia Browne episodes of the Montel Williams show are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It has been reported in the past that people attending tapings of other psychic shows (John Edward's Crossing Over, James van Praagh's Beyond) were required to sign such documents, a practice which was criticized by skeptics as an attempt to silence reports of bad readings. I was unable to answer this question about the Montel tapings, having never attended one myself. Recently however, someone who attended one of these tapings sent me copies of all documents received in conjunction with the taping. I am placing them on this site for all to examine. The TicketAfter ordering your tickets, your ticket arrives in the mail. It contains standard disclaimers, and looks like it is used for non-Sylvia Browne tapings as well as those for "Sylvia Browne Wednesdays." Ticket Front Ticket (Front) Here is the text from the front (all emphasis in original):
Ticket Back Ticket (Back) Here is the text from the back (all emphasis in original):
The Release Release Those attending a taping of one of the episodes featuring Sylvia Browne must sign the "Psychic Show Participation Release". The text of the release can be read below with my comments (all emphasis mine):
Thank-you CardA thank-you card is handed out to you as you leave the taping. Like the ticket, it appears to be used for all tapings, not just those with Sylvia Browne. Thank-you Card Front Thank-you card (Front) The front shows an "autographed" picture of Montel Williams. Thank-you Card Back Thank-you card (Back) The back shows instructions for ordering more tickets. AnalysisThere does not seem to be any "non-disclosure agreement" in the documents, so this would not account for the lack of reports of bad readings from those who have attended tapings. I would imagine this lack can mostly be accounted for by the fact that most people who attend such tapings are fans of Browne. Apparently, clauses 4 and 5 of the Release are to protect Sylvia Browne, Montel Williams and others from a lawsuit in cases such as when Browne told Shawn Hornbeck's parents that their missing son was dead when was alive, or when she told the grandmother of missing five-year-old Opal Jo Jennings that Opal was alive and in sexual slavery in Japan when Opal had already been murdered in Texas, or any of a number of other cruel and distressing things she has told people on the Montel show for the sake of ratings. It also gave Williams and the producers of the show the right to ignore the pleas of a woman who asked them not to show Browne telling her that her firefighter fiancé had drowned in the World Trade Center, as she felt it was disrespectful to her late fiancé. All apparently in the name of ratings and "entertainment". ConclusionMy thanks to the person who supplied me with these documents. Related LinksClicking on any of these links will load a separate browser window for viewing the linked page. StopSylviaBrowne.com is not responsible for the content of any of these linked pages.
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