Chip Coffey wins Pigasus award

[Carolyn]

James Randi (famed magician and skeptic) has awarded Chip Coffey a 2009 Pigusus Award. (Get it: "when pigs fly"?)

I agree with James Randi that Chip Coffey's motives are less than noble when it comes to the show "Psychic Kids".  While I believe there are some people with genuine psychic abilities, I believe there are much more so that do not.  I think if these families and Mr. Coffey were truly interested in what was best for these "psychic" children's well-being, they would address it in a personal manner, not with a TV show.   Chip Coffey's theatrics might be great for TV and the gullible, but are detrimental to any credible paranormal research and investigating.

Last year a friend of mine was involved with coordinating a paranormal investigation with some "celebrities".  Unlike the other people, Chip's idea of participating in the investigation was sitting on his a$$ and signing autographs. 

So I agree with James Randi on this one. 

 

[Admin]

I agree with you 200%, I never have cared for Chip and don't think he is even a very good actor, as it's corny.

[Carolyn]

I had the mis fortune of dealing with him in person.   You can PM me for details.  I don't have any respect for those who manipulate people's grief for profit.

[Admin]

I'm sorry you had to deal with him, I know I wouldn't care to. Do you think he has ANY psychic abilities?  Or do you think he needs mental help?

[Carolyn]

I didn't see any evidence of genuine psychic powers.  I did see classic textbook cold reading. He required the name of the person they wanted to contact, the relationship to them and how many years ago they passed on.   He used humor and charisma to charm the audience.  He also used textbook "covering" techniques:
Chip:  "it was quick"
Family:  "No, they were ill for a long time"
Chip:  "I know that, I meant when he finally decided to go, it was quick" (He pulled this one twice)
Another covering technique after he gave some info:
Family: "no, that doesn't sound like them"
Chip:  "Oh honey, he's saying YOU just don't know the OTHER side of the story"

He also had to remind the audience a few times how much he charges for a phone reading ($500).   Personally, I saw more EGO than ESP. 

[Admin]

$500? Wow gives me more reason's not to like him.