This year, Nakai Theatre decided that instead of the usual Comedy Fest they usually put on - they would replace it with something called "Pivot" - an extreme theatre event. From the press that touted this new festival, words like: "Groundbreaking, extreme, and out-of-the-box".
From Tara McCarthy's article in the Jan. 25th issue of What's Up Yukon, David Skelton mentions that Nakai was finding that Whitehorse audiences: "were moving away from being as satisfied with the stand-up and sketch comedy" and that one of Nakai's responsibilities: "is to expose Whitehorse audiences to a high quality of professional theatre"
That's some pretty bold statements there, and if you're a regular Yukon culture vulture - you might agree that Pivot would have to be pretty impressive indeed for all that pomp to ring true.
I'll admit, I only went to one evening of the Pivot festival, but I saw the bulk of shows that were being offered. And honestly, I felt a little guilty for having comp tickets, only because I felt so damn sorry for the few people who paid. Let me stress the "few" part of that statement.
It's not my intention to point a finger at Nakai and laugh, but boy, Pivot certainly added to the Hindenburg-like qualities that Nakai has slowly been building.
The shows at Pivot were pretty much the exact kind of fare anyone could see at any Fringe festival in North America. The difference being that one has much more choice at a Fringe festival - so you're likely able to see something you like.
There was nothing likeable about the shows at Pivot (mind you, I didn't see "This is Cancer - Live" and I'll go out on a limb and say it was probably good - Bruce Horak has some cred). David Bateman's monologues were so disjointed, obviously unrehearsed and pretty dull. Gay guys talking about their mothers and comparing them to glamourous stars of the past - it's actually kinda cliche. I did make a good mental grocery list during his show though - so thanks.
He couldn't handle his props, and didn't seem to have a grasp on where he was going. It was pretty unprofessional seeming - not unlike a crappy Fringe show.
"Lounge" was better, but that's not saying much. It was split up into two acts, and the second certainly killed what little momentum the first had.
Neither show was groundbreaking, extreme or thought-provoking.
Taking a look into the crowd, you could see the usual folks who go to Arts events in Whitehorse. We've all seen stuff like this before, and we've seen it done better. I've seen more entertaining things done at Homegrown.
This festival had no heart, and no drive. Just the fact that there were so many free tickets handed out should be telling.
Last year, me and a little group of like minded amateur comedians put together two nights of sketch comedy. We had the Westmark ballroom filled with people, and we put on a pretty decent show. While we certainly had some low moments, this was relatively new to us, and we had a lot of room to grow.
Nakai couldn't even fill one third of the ballroom, which was their main venue.
Just add that to the growing list of things Nakai has lost money on.
While I'll completely agree that Nakai should be the last people to run a comedy fest in the first place, at least they were trying before. Now - not so much. If they can pull people like Ron James and Cathy Jones up here for fundraisers (that they lost money on by the way), one would think these people would be perfect anchors to build a comedy fest around.
Pivot was a pretty uninspiring festival, right where we needed somethign bright in our dead of winter. This has me worried about Homegrown, and if Skelton will have his hands in what shows will be put on.
Then again, as they say, if you want something done right...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Family Ties kicked Growing Pains' Ass.
Just needed to get that out.
And c'mon, Tom Hanks as the drunk uncle - drinking vanilla and marashino (sp?) cherry juice - priceless.
But as usual, I digress.
This past Monday saw the return of Comedy night at Coasters. I not-so-sneakily parlayed the leaving of my partner (she's gonna get some edumacation) into getting more people to show up for some laughs. Thankfully, it worked.
It was a good night, with a lotta laughs, and some great comics. From where Chris McNutt started, yelling over people talking to their beers at the Whitewater Wednesday Open Mic Jam nights - to where we are now is pretty nifty.
There are now comics who are close to on par, and occaisionally better than us *cough* pros. There's Logan, who on his first time on stage, blew everyone out of the water with his presence, and his material. We have Rob, who really is a nautral, as long as he can get over his nervousness and the trend to mimic popular comedians. Though, we should worry, cause once he finds his own voice - he's going to kick all our asses.
And then there's Scott. This guy has his own thing going, and it's going very well. He's a natural at the mic, although he usually mentions how nervous he is. When I say he's a natural, I mean he has a presence that says: "This is who I am." Whereas, most comics will come on to the stage with some proto-persona of themselves, Scott is wholly real. And watching him - you can see the power of coming from such a real place.
So those of us that have been doing it for a while, our days might just be numbered. We'll have to make sure we step up our game once in a while. Not that I plan on being competitive, far from it. We need new, good comics to keep this thing alive. Our audience is one fickle sonofabitch. So the more, the merrier. It also keeps everyones brains churning for new material - and that's always good.
And c'mon, Tom Hanks as the drunk uncle - drinking vanilla and marashino (sp?) cherry juice - priceless.
But as usual, I digress.
This past Monday saw the return of Comedy night at Coasters. I not-so-sneakily parlayed the leaving of my partner (she's gonna get some edumacation) into getting more people to show up for some laughs. Thankfully, it worked.
It was a good night, with a lotta laughs, and some great comics. From where Chris McNutt started, yelling over people talking to their beers at the Whitewater Wednesday Open Mic Jam nights - to where we are now is pretty nifty.
There are now comics who are close to on par, and occaisionally better than us *cough* pros. There's Logan, who on his first time on stage, blew everyone out of the water with his presence, and his material. We have Rob, who really is a nautral, as long as he can get over his nervousness and the trend to mimic popular comedians. Though, we should worry, cause once he finds his own voice - he's going to kick all our asses.
And then there's Scott. This guy has his own thing going, and it's going very well. He's a natural at the mic, although he usually mentions how nervous he is. When I say he's a natural, I mean he has a presence that says: "This is who I am." Whereas, most comics will come on to the stage with some proto-persona of themselves, Scott is wholly real. And watching him - you can see the power of coming from such a real place.
So those of us that have been doing it for a while, our days might just be numbered. We'll have to make sure we step up our game once in a while. Not that I plan on being competitive, far from it. We need new, good comics to keep this thing alive. Our audience is one fickle sonofabitch. So the more, the merrier. It also keeps everyones brains churning for new material - and that's always good.
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Waiting Room
Fairly recently, I had come to the conclusion that I had wasted a lot of my life.
This was a firm realization, as in this was indeed a true statement, but it also didn't bother me all that much. Regret and guilt and emotions I try to avoid, in continuing to be a more honest, altruistic kind of fellah.
So that's all well and good, and I've been working steadily towards future goals. I still have the regular Coaster's Comedy nights, and I have plans for a couple of shows in the near future.
My big project is a fringe show I'll be touring next summer, hopefully to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saskatoon. I'm just waiting to hear from the first two.
So while I'm busy working on this, and continually developing more material, I keep on reminding myself that fairly soon, I'll be leaving the Yukon.
I had a great conversation with a friend last summer about living here. We've both been here about ten years, and we've come to the same conclusions.
The Yukon is not unlike a womb. It's a very safe place to be, and there's a freedom here to do practically anything you want to. It's very difficult to fail in any endevour here, but there seems to be cap on how far you can go. This is a very insular place, which lends to the general feeling of safety, but closes off a lot of growth.
Basically, we both realized that we had gotten just about everything we needed from here. It was a particualrily long lesson, but now that we're done learning - it's time to move on. I'm sure there's more I could gain from living here, but not as much as if I went - Outside.
Outside - it's a bizzare term. People use it proudly to show how insulated they are from the rest of Canada. It would make sense if the Yukon were truly a unique place, but it's capital has become frighteningly homogenized.
So now I wait.
This summer will be a chance to explore other areas in Canada, places where Erica (my fiancee, partner,etc.) and I might move to. So at least while I wait, I can build some excitement. And do some fun things here before I go.
This life is all I have, I plan on enjoying it.
This was a firm realization, as in this was indeed a true statement, but it also didn't bother me all that much. Regret and guilt and emotions I try to avoid, in continuing to be a more honest, altruistic kind of fellah.
So that's all well and good, and I've been working steadily towards future goals. I still have the regular Coaster's Comedy nights, and I have plans for a couple of shows in the near future.
My big project is a fringe show I'll be touring next summer, hopefully to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saskatoon. I'm just waiting to hear from the first two.
So while I'm busy working on this, and continually developing more material, I keep on reminding myself that fairly soon, I'll be leaving the Yukon.
I had a great conversation with a friend last summer about living here. We've both been here about ten years, and we've come to the same conclusions.
The Yukon is not unlike a womb. It's a very safe place to be, and there's a freedom here to do practically anything you want to. It's very difficult to fail in any endevour here, but there seems to be cap on how far you can go. This is a very insular place, which lends to the general feeling of safety, but closes off a lot of growth.
Basically, we both realized that we had gotten just about everything we needed from here. It was a particualrily long lesson, but now that we're done learning - it's time to move on. I'm sure there's more I could gain from living here, but not as much as if I went - Outside.
Outside - it's a bizzare term. People use it proudly to show how insulated they are from the rest of Canada. It would make sense if the Yukon were truly a unique place, but it's capital has become frighteningly homogenized.
So now I wait.
This summer will be a chance to explore other areas in Canada, places where Erica (my fiancee, partner,etc.) and I might move to. So at least while I wait, I can build some excitement. And do some fun things here before I go.
This life is all I have, I plan on enjoying it.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
This is the end...
Of Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
This show has been a great experience for me. It was one that I fully enjoyed the rehearsal process, mainly due to our director Stephen Drover, but also to the cast (and the fact that my fiancee Erica was in the show). The play has been a treat to perform, and I've fully enjoyed my role.
It's nice that I'll actually miss doing the show. That hasn't happened in a while.
It's nice.
This show has been a great experience for me. It was one that I fully enjoyed the rehearsal process, mainly due to our director Stephen Drover, but also to the cast (and the fact that my fiancee Erica was in the show). The play has been a treat to perform, and I've fully enjoyed my role.
It's nice that I'll actually miss doing the show. That hasn't happened in a while.
It's nice.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Mulling, not unlike cider.
I sure do write a lot.
I'm not boasting, I just feel the need to state that fact. Mostly because I'm losing track of what I've been writing. With the Coaster's now every two weeks, that thankfully gives me some leeway - but I've still found some difficulty in writing new material.
I've been cranking it out, but I still don't have time to really refine much. In fact, I haven't had time to refine anything - which means my stand-up material has to be great on the first shot. But for it to be great, it needs to be refined. Eeeeeesh.
I've been doing this long enough that I know enough tricks to get the audience on my side, whether or not they're laughing. I have to remind myself of this fairly often, as repeating material has become a no-no. Partly audience fatigue, and partly some weird challenge I've set on myself.
The comedy scene in Whitehorse has to manage a ridiculous balancing act. We need to maintain a pretty high level of laughs for the audience, on a regular basis, or we will be quickly dismissed. Once we lose an audience member - they generally don't come back. I try not to let it affect me too much, but no other part of the Arts scene has to deal with this.
I've been to Whitewater Wednesdays, a local jam session for musicians to get up and play whatever they like. And I've seen a lot of crap music there, but the audience at least fakes support.
I've bitched about this so many times to myself - I'm like a broken record - a broken Yes albulm no less.
Don't get me wrong, I've come to udnerstand why our audiences are so mercurial. A lot of the time I don't blame them. At our comedy open mics, quite often people were treated to over 20 minutes of floundering. It's painful to watch. Sympathy can only go so far. Anyone on stage should be able to realize that if after a loooooong space of dead air - it might be time to pack in your stage time.
I've seen members of our wee roster do the same material over and over again. While I understand some people may have not heard some of it, repeating the same bits for over two years...that'll lose flavour with a lot of folks.
But really, what the fuck do I know? I'm not a professional in the sense that I make a living out of comedy. Am I funny? Yes. Am I a leader. Fuck no.
I've had enough experience performing in improv, sketches and stand-up that I know I'm a good comedian. But that sure as hell doesn't make me feel comfortable judging other people's material. Especially as we all come from different senses of humour.
And there's always an audience for something - no matter how small.
And small is what we're dealing with - Whitehorse is a small town.
We're still soldering on though. We've built a comedy scene, and it seems to be growing.
I've always known that no matter how funny you may be, there's always someone funnier out there. And there has been some complancency with some of the comics. Some weird, "Well no one else is doing it", kind of sentiment that brings a ridiculous arrogance and laziness.
Already, we've have four new performers to the open mics who have material that is on par with what us regulars are doing, and even surpassing some. That's certainly given me more of a drive, mostly from excitement that there are other people interested in keeping a comedy scene alive.
And this will also pull in the audience, as they'll get to see new faces, new material, new angles.
It's the shot in the arm we've been waiting for.
Who knows, I'm just talking out loud here. And writing a lot.
I'm not boasting, I just feel the need to state that fact. Mostly because I'm losing track of what I've been writing. With the Coaster's now every two weeks, that thankfully gives me some leeway - but I've still found some difficulty in writing new material.
I've been cranking it out, but I still don't have time to really refine much. In fact, I haven't had time to refine anything - which means my stand-up material has to be great on the first shot. But for it to be great, it needs to be refined. Eeeeeesh.
I've been doing this long enough that I know enough tricks to get the audience on my side, whether or not they're laughing. I have to remind myself of this fairly often, as repeating material has become a no-no. Partly audience fatigue, and partly some weird challenge I've set on myself.
The comedy scene in Whitehorse has to manage a ridiculous balancing act. We need to maintain a pretty high level of laughs for the audience, on a regular basis, or we will be quickly dismissed. Once we lose an audience member - they generally don't come back. I try not to let it affect me too much, but no other part of the Arts scene has to deal with this.
I've been to Whitewater Wednesdays, a local jam session for musicians to get up and play whatever they like. And I've seen a lot of crap music there, but the audience at least fakes support.
I've bitched about this so many times to myself - I'm like a broken record - a broken Yes albulm no less.
Don't get me wrong, I've come to udnerstand why our audiences are so mercurial. A lot of the time I don't blame them. At our comedy open mics, quite often people were treated to over 20 minutes of floundering. It's painful to watch. Sympathy can only go so far. Anyone on stage should be able to realize that if after a loooooong space of dead air - it might be time to pack in your stage time.
I've seen members of our wee roster do the same material over and over again. While I understand some people may have not heard some of it, repeating the same bits for over two years...that'll lose flavour with a lot of folks.
But really, what the fuck do I know? I'm not a professional in the sense that I make a living out of comedy. Am I funny? Yes. Am I a leader. Fuck no.
I've had enough experience performing in improv, sketches and stand-up that I know I'm a good comedian. But that sure as hell doesn't make me feel comfortable judging other people's material. Especially as we all come from different senses of humour.
And there's always an audience for something - no matter how small.
And small is what we're dealing with - Whitehorse is a small town.
We're still soldering on though. We've built a comedy scene, and it seems to be growing.
I've always known that no matter how funny you may be, there's always someone funnier out there. And there has been some complancency with some of the comics. Some weird, "Well no one else is doing it", kind of sentiment that brings a ridiculous arrogance and laziness.
Already, we've have four new performers to the open mics who have material that is on par with what us regulars are doing, and even surpassing some. That's certainly given me more of a drive, mostly from excitement that there are other people interested in keeping a comedy scene alive.
And this will also pull in the audience, as they'll get to see new faces, new material, new angles.
It's the shot in the arm we've been waiting for.
Who knows, I'm just talking out loud here. And writing a lot.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sketch: Six Quick Sketches
These are meant to be presented one after the other in quick succession.
Six Quick sketches
1. The meeting
(Two mobsters are sitting down at a table. One has his back to the audience, while the other, the “Boss”, is staring intently at the other.)
Boss: This is an unfortunate time in our House. I’ve been looking at the books Johnny. And they tell me story, I don’t think I wanted to hear. Can you imagine my surprise when I discovered what you were doing with the business Johnny? Can you imagine what I felt? Do you know what it’s like to be stabbed in the back Johnny? It certainly isn’t pleasant. Johnny, you are family, and I love you – You always remembered every special occaision – Even when –
(suddenly a waiter comes in clapping a steady rhythm)
Waiter: (singing while clapping)
Hey! Oh – I heard a little bird, and it whispered in my ear,
That some little guy has aged another year,
Well we looked to the north,
And we looked to the south,
And we found the Birthday Boy sitting right here!
(The waiter continues (improv) to sing, dance and clap around the Boss who fumes silently. The waiter puts a party hat on his head, finishes the song, and strolls out. There is silence for a long moment.)
Boss: You had to come to the fucking Olive Garden didn’t you?
2. The bench
(Two old men are silently sitting on a bench, staring off into the distance. After a long pause one slowly turns to the other.)
Old Man: Do you think we’re still relevant?
3. Science mini
(Two guys are sitting on a “couch”, looking absolutely bored. A man in a lab coat suddenly appears.)
Man in coat: Is this how you spend your weekends?
Guys: SIGH
Man in coat: I spent years of study to come up with my formula for fun success.
(He pulls out a bag of Doritos and a bag of weed, then throws it to the guys.)
Guys: Yaaaaaaay!
Man in coat: My name is Chet Rankin – I’m a party scientist.
4. Doctor
(A man is sitting in a chair looking nervous, while a doctor goes through charts.)
Doctor: Well, I’m afraid I have some very bad news.
Man: Oh no, Doctor, am I going to be okay?
Doctor: Well son, I need you to be brave for me.
Man: Okay.
Doctor: Can you be brave for me?
Man: Yes, please tell me.
Doctor: (stifling giggles) Well, it seems (snicker) you have….Butt cancer!
Man: Oh no! This is horrible, Butt Cancer!!
(The doctor is laughing hard now.)
Man: Hey, wait a sec, there’s no such thing as butt cancer!
Doctor: Ha! I got you!
Man: Oh doctor! You’re so wacky!
Doctor: I know, hahahahahahahaha.
(Both start laughing for a little while.)
Doctor: Ahhh, yes. Actually you have Lou Gherig’s.
(The man stops laughing and looks stunned.)
Doctor: Butt Cancer – Ha!
5. Newsboy
(2 men are sitting on a park bench, minding each others business. A 1930’s newsboy walks on and starts hawking his papers.)
Newsboy: X-tree! X-tree! Read all about it! The guy over there on the park bench is a complete asshole, treats other people like shit, is a complete mysoginist, hates foreigners, owns Nazi memorabilia, and never washes his hands after he urinates – from his incredible small penis! Read all about it!
(One man has been listening intently and is completely horrified.)
Man: This is a complete outrage! How dare you say such terrible things! You have no idea who I am, how dare you! HOW DARE YOU! Give me one of those.
(The boy throws him one and runs away.)
Man: (as he opens the paper and reads) Why I ought to call the police. I should call the police and register a complaint! This is horrible! This is utter slander! This is – (suddenly noticing) Oh.
(He passes the paper to the person next to him.)
Man: This is about you. (pause) Asshole.
6. Boxy
(Jesus wanders onto the stage, talking to others in the wings.)
Jesus: I’ll be right back guys, I just need to commune with my Allmighty Father to perform the next miracle. Then it’s party time!
(Jesus takes a nervous look around, before reaching under his robes and pulling out a box of wine. He goes and starts pouring it into glasses. Suddenly, another man walks in.)
Judas: Dude, what’s taking so lo-
Jesus (trying desperately to hide the evidence): Hey Judas! Buddy! What are you doing back here? I’m communing with God and I –
Judas: (disapproving) Dude…
Six Quick sketches
1. The meeting
(Two mobsters are sitting down at a table. One has his back to the audience, while the other, the “Boss”, is staring intently at the other.)
Boss: This is an unfortunate time in our House. I’ve been looking at the books Johnny. And they tell me story, I don’t think I wanted to hear. Can you imagine my surprise when I discovered what you were doing with the business Johnny? Can you imagine what I felt? Do you know what it’s like to be stabbed in the back Johnny? It certainly isn’t pleasant. Johnny, you are family, and I love you – You always remembered every special occaision – Even when –
(suddenly a waiter comes in clapping a steady rhythm)
Waiter: (singing while clapping)
Hey! Oh – I heard a little bird, and it whispered in my ear,
That some little guy has aged another year,
Well we looked to the north,
And we looked to the south,
And we found the Birthday Boy sitting right here!
(The waiter continues (improv) to sing, dance and clap around the Boss who fumes silently. The waiter puts a party hat on his head, finishes the song, and strolls out. There is silence for a long moment.)
Boss: You had to come to the fucking Olive Garden didn’t you?
2. The bench
(Two old men are silently sitting on a bench, staring off into the distance. After a long pause one slowly turns to the other.)
Old Man: Do you think we’re still relevant?
3. Science mini
(Two guys are sitting on a “couch”, looking absolutely bored. A man in a lab coat suddenly appears.)
Man in coat: Is this how you spend your weekends?
Guys: SIGH
Man in coat: I spent years of study to come up with my formula for fun success.
(He pulls out a bag of Doritos and a bag of weed, then throws it to the guys.)
Guys: Yaaaaaaay!
Man in coat: My name is Chet Rankin – I’m a party scientist.
4. Doctor
(A man is sitting in a chair looking nervous, while a doctor goes through charts.)
Doctor: Well, I’m afraid I have some very bad news.
Man: Oh no, Doctor, am I going to be okay?
Doctor: Well son, I need you to be brave for me.
Man: Okay.
Doctor: Can you be brave for me?
Man: Yes, please tell me.
Doctor: (stifling giggles) Well, it seems (snicker) you have….Butt cancer!
Man: Oh no! This is horrible, Butt Cancer!!
(The doctor is laughing hard now.)
Man: Hey, wait a sec, there’s no such thing as butt cancer!
Doctor: Ha! I got you!
Man: Oh doctor! You’re so wacky!
Doctor: I know, hahahahahahahaha.
(Both start laughing for a little while.)
Doctor: Ahhh, yes. Actually you have Lou Gherig’s.
(The man stops laughing and looks stunned.)
Doctor: Butt Cancer – Ha!
5. Newsboy
(2 men are sitting on a park bench, minding each others business. A 1930’s newsboy walks on and starts hawking his papers.)
Newsboy: X-tree! X-tree! Read all about it! The guy over there on the park bench is a complete asshole, treats other people like shit, is a complete mysoginist, hates foreigners, owns Nazi memorabilia, and never washes his hands after he urinates – from his incredible small penis! Read all about it!
(One man has been listening intently and is completely horrified.)
Man: This is a complete outrage! How dare you say such terrible things! You have no idea who I am, how dare you! HOW DARE YOU! Give me one of those.
(The boy throws him one and runs away.)
Man: (as he opens the paper and reads) Why I ought to call the police. I should call the police and register a complaint! This is horrible! This is utter slander! This is – (suddenly noticing) Oh.
(He passes the paper to the person next to him.)
Man: This is about you. (pause) Asshole.
6. Boxy
(Jesus wanders onto the stage, talking to others in the wings.)
Jesus: I’ll be right back guys, I just need to commune with my Allmighty Father to perform the next miracle. Then it’s party time!
(Jesus takes a nervous look around, before reaching under his robes and pulling out a box of wine. He goes and starts pouring it into glasses. Suddenly, another man walks in.)
Judas: Dude, what’s taking so lo-
Jesus (trying desperately to hide the evidence): Hey Judas! Buddy! What are you doing back here? I’m communing with God and I –
Judas: (disapproving) Dude…
What's Up Column: Pseudo-science Jackpot
There are potential millionaires among us.
And I’m not speaking of the huddled masses elbowing each other to get to the 6/49 ticket window. I’m speaking of folks who may lay claim to possessing paranormal or psychic powers.
Now, I’m almost positive there are folks who have a deck of pretty coloured cards in a drawer somewhere, perhaps even a dusty Ouija board (right underneath Scattergories) in a closet. This naturally leads me to believe that some of these people who do own these esoteric items, might claim to be able to efficiently use them.
I’ve also personally seen the energy manipulation known as Reiki in action. Think of it as a modern laying on hands.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any holistic arts, cause hey, who wouldn’t want a gentle aura stroke now and then. I’m just saying that I happen to know there are a lot of people in the Yukon who work and play in outside of the ordinary areas.
I’m also saying there’s a big cash prize out there waiting for those practitioners of the pseudo-science.
The James Randi Educational Foundation wants you to put money where your mantra is!
James Randi is a personal hero of mine. He was an accomplished illusionist who decided to use his legerdemain skills for a nobler purpose. Randi became a specialist (of sorts) in debunking people who claimed to have psychic powers.
One of my favourite Randi moments was on the Johnny Carson show. Johnny’s special guest that evening was Uri Geller. Uri Geller earned his celebrity striped most notably for his psychokinetic skills.
He bent spoons – with his mind. (Everybody needs a gimmick right?)
Geller was to appear on the show and do a few demonstrations of his incredible powers. Carson, a bit of a skeptic and amateur magician, consulted with Randi on how he should handle Geller’s appearance on his show. Randi’s only advice was to make sure all the tools that Geller would use for his demonstration be props that Carson’s people had selected, and to not let Geller’s people any where near the items. Perhaps not so shockingly, Geller told Carson he couldn’t perform, because he didn’t feel strong enough.
The whole thing is on YouTube.
Now, again, let me say I’m not trying to make light of anyone’s paranormal abilities. Whether they exist or not isn’t my point.
My point is that if you can prove they exist to the James Randi Educational Foundation, they’ll give you a million dollars.
Seriously.
The million dollar challenge has been around for a good while. And the rules for the challenge are fairly straightforward.
James Randi, through the JREF, will pay One Million Dollars (US even!) to any person who can demonstrate any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability under satisfactory observing conditions.
These tests are designed through a third party, and are to be self-evident. As in, if you claim you can levitate – dust the ceiling fan while you’re up there.
Randi even allows you to negotiate not just what powers will be demonstrated, but also the limits of the demonstration and what will constitute a positive or negative result.
Sure doesn’t get more straightforward than that does it?
Well, the challenge hasn’t gone unanswered, but so far no one is a million dollars richer. Feel free to browse the applicant forums on the JREF website. It’s a morass of hilarity from people who claim to talk to the dead or others who engage in weather manipulation.
So Yukon, with all your dabblers in the mystic and arcane, who will step up to the challenge? The forms are on-line and the cheque is in the mail.
And I’m not speaking of the huddled masses elbowing each other to get to the 6/49 ticket window. I’m speaking of folks who may lay claim to possessing paranormal or psychic powers.
Now, I’m almost positive there are folks who have a deck of pretty coloured cards in a drawer somewhere, perhaps even a dusty Ouija board (right underneath Scattergories) in a closet. This naturally leads me to believe that some of these people who do own these esoteric items, might claim to be able to efficiently use them.
I’ve also personally seen the energy manipulation known as Reiki in action. Think of it as a modern laying on hands.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any holistic arts, cause hey, who wouldn’t want a gentle aura stroke now and then. I’m just saying that I happen to know there are a lot of people in the Yukon who work and play in outside of the ordinary areas.
I’m also saying there’s a big cash prize out there waiting for those practitioners of the pseudo-science.
The James Randi Educational Foundation wants you to put money where your mantra is!
James Randi is a personal hero of mine. He was an accomplished illusionist who decided to use his legerdemain skills for a nobler purpose. Randi became a specialist (of sorts) in debunking people who claimed to have psychic powers.
One of my favourite Randi moments was on the Johnny Carson show. Johnny’s special guest that evening was Uri Geller. Uri Geller earned his celebrity striped most notably for his psychokinetic skills.
He bent spoons – with his mind. (Everybody needs a gimmick right?)
Geller was to appear on the show and do a few demonstrations of his incredible powers. Carson, a bit of a skeptic and amateur magician, consulted with Randi on how he should handle Geller’s appearance on his show. Randi’s only advice was to make sure all the tools that Geller would use for his demonstration be props that Carson’s people had selected, and to not let Geller’s people any where near the items. Perhaps not so shockingly, Geller told Carson he couldn’t perform, because he didn’t feel strong enough.
The whole thing is on YouTube.
Now, again, let me say I’m not trying to make light of anyone’s paranormal abilities. Whether they exist or not isn’t my point.
My point is that if you can prove they exist to the James Randi Educational Foundation, they’ll give you a million dollars.
Seriously.
The million dollar challenge has been around for a good while. And the rules for the challenge are fairly straightforward.
James Randi, through the JREF, will pay One Million Dollars (US even!) to any person who can demonstrate any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability under satisfactory observing conditions.
These tests are designed through a third party, and are to be self-evident. As in, if you claim you can levitate – dust the ceiling fan while you’re up there.
Randi even allows you to negotiate not just what powers will be demonstrated, but also the limits of the demonstration and what will constitute a positive or negative result.
Sure doesn’t get more straightforward than that does it?
Well, the challenge hasn’t gone unanswered, but so far no one is a million dollars richer. Feel free to browse the applicant forums on the JREF website. It’s a morass of hilarity from people who claim to talk to the dead or others who engage in weather manipulation.
So Yukon, with all your dabblers in the mystic and arcane, who will step up to the challenge? The forms are on-line and the cheque is in the mail.
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