Last Friday, I watched “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” I love trying to get the lyrics correct on this game show, but usually, I record it and fast forward through the unnecessary dialogue that occurs. I mean really, did Monty Hall have to do contestant family reunions to get ratings? Would Chuck Woolery have stalled like Howie Mandel does? No.
But, this past week was a special charity episode featuring illusionists Penn &Teller. I’ve written about Penn & Teller before because they are not only amazing illusionists, but also hilarious. Because of this, I decided to watch the entire show. Penn Jillette told host Wayne Brady that they were playing for the James Randi Educational Foundation. When he said that, I wondered just how many viewers knew who James Randi was.
If you know anything about Penn & Teller, you know they are very adamant about the fact that what they do are illusions, not some supernatural force or “magic.” This stance was instilled in Penn along ago when he became disenchanted with mystical magicians. At age 18, he saw illusionist James Randi and the two have enjoyed a long friendship every since.
Who is James Randi? James Randi, who went by the stage name of The Amazing Randi (tongue-in-cheek of course), is a scientific skeptic. He is now best known for challenging those who make paranormal, supernatural, and occult claims. That is, Randi is a debunker. One of Randi’s more famous challenges was against Uri Geller, who claimed he could bend objects with his mind.
(This file, by José Ramírez, is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License)
Randi’s foundation has offered one million dollars to anyone that can demonstrate a paranormal or supernatural occurrence under conditions of which both parties approve. In this offer alone, Randi is trying to prove that unless circumstances are just so, those that claim to have experienced paranormal activity or had paranormal experiences are hesitant to participate. And, so far, he is right – the million dollars is still intact. A similar offer was made by Houdini, who was also intent on exposing psychic frauds. Randi is discontinuing the offer on March 6, 2010.
Randi’s educational foundation holds annual TAM meetings (The Amazing Meeting), which includes scientists, skeptics, and other freethinkers. The foundation also awards critical thinking scholarships to college students.
Next time you are watching a game show and celebrities are playing for charity – look that charity up! It will make you more knowledgeable and may even be something to which you wish to donate.