NBC announced today that Criss Angel (Mindfreak) and Uri Geller (just a freak) will be appearing in a new reality show this fall tentatively titled “Phenomenon.”
The show is “a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist.”
I didn’t know there was a first great mentalist.
The series, based on a successful Israeli version judged and monitored by Geller which achieved a historical record-breaking viewing audience, tests 10 hopeful mentalists who must compete each week to demonstrate a wide spectrum of mystifying talents on a panel of weekly celebrity guests who participate along with a studio audience. Geller and Angel will assess the contestants and offer their unfiltered opinions. Ultimately, the winner’s fate will be determined by the viewers at home.
NBC Co-chairman Ben Silverman was asked about his decision:
Why go with the controversial Uri Geller? “We had goosebumps watching [the Israel version],” says Silverman.
The Israeli version, called “The Successor,” came under fire when magicians said there were no mental powers being exhibited. Instead, it was all (*gasp*) “tricks and stunts.”
Since mental powers have never been shown to exist, and I doubt we’re about to see them for the first time, I wonder how the judges are going to rate the contestants…
Just watch for the fine print in the show’s closing credits that states the show is for entertainment value only and not meant to be taken seriously.
Of course, the show will inevitably become a hit… because America is full of gullible morons.
Incidentally, James Randi has debunked Geller on multiple occasions.
[tags]atheist, atheism, NBC, Chris Angel, Mindfreak, Uri Geller, Phenomenon, Ben Silverman, The Successor, James Randi[/tags]
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