Jeers: NBC's Non-Phenomenon

Phenomenon contestant, Eran Raven by Hopper Stone/NBC Photo

Jeers to NBC for the inaccurately titled Phenomenon — they should've called it "Fiasco." It's hard to pick the most ridiculous moment from the show's premiere, in which four mentalists (or something) performed feats so underwhelming, even the live studio audience didn't know when to applaud. But if you put a gun to my head (and I was wishing someone had while I was watching it), I'd have to go with the "Russian Roulette" game, in which Eran (assisted by "celebrity" Carmen Electra) fired nail guns at his temple while paramedics — and his mother! — looked on, in case he killed himself on live TV. I felt like I was seeing Paddy Chayefsky's Network come to life, except I was the one who was mad as hell. And I'm not going to take it anymore. Anybody else with me, people?

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Phenomenon

Posted by

Bruce Fretts

Oct 25, 2007 6:32 AM

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I loved it. I was absorbed by every minute of suspense.
Posted by whennow Oct 25, 2007 10:24 AM Report Abuse

Underwhelming? So, you could do those tricks?? Make people feel touch without touching them? Play russian roulette with a nail gun? I thought the show was great. The only thing I didn't like was criss angel's criticism, because he is the WORST at doing camera tricks and editing and using stooges and pretending like it's magic.
Posted by Denirogator Oct 25, 2007 11:36 AM Report Abuse

This is why I don't like to read a review before I actually see the show. I DVR'd it and was looking forward to what it had to offer (a nail gun to the head sounds interesting), but now...?
Posted by Three2001 Oct 25, 2007 11:39 AM Report Abuse

Phenomenon? Not even close! More like forgot-it-was-on as I drifted off to sleep. I've seen better stuff on the streets of New York and LA.
Posted by nayslayer99 Oct 25, 2007 11:41 AM Report Abuse

I really liked it. It's different. I'm tired of stuff like American Idol, the Bachelor and America's Got Talent. I can't wait for next week.
Posted by slravani Oct 25, 2007 11:50 AM Report Abuse

What I couldn't get past is how easily each of these 'tricks' could have been fixed. I'm supposed to believe that this guy never spoke to Carmen Electra before the show just because I'm told he didn't? Real magic shows are filled with audience plants, why wouldn't this be?

With the nail gun I would imagine there was some sort of sound he was listening for as she went through, which is why she went from her right to left. Would he have been able to figure it out if she went in some random order?

And what was with guy with the trap? He shows us how a trap can break a pencil, then throws it away and never shows us if the new trap can do the same?

I was looking forward to this show and it was bad.

Posted by jbraun83

Oct 25, 2007 12:09 PM

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Well, I have to say that I find Criss Angel to be pretty damn creepy. Actually, I find all those faux magicians pretty creepy. So I avoided it.
Posted by Hoggle Oct 25, 2007 12:11 PM Report Abuse

Another ridiculous moment: When host Tim Vincent claimed "a majority" of viewers had received Uri Geller's mental message that he was thinking of a star out of five possible shapes, when in fact only 28 percent of viewers picked the star--and 27 percent picked the circle! 72 percent of people didn't get the message--that's a majority!
Posted by Bruce Fretts Oct 25, 2007 12:15 PM Report Abuse

I wasn't foolish enough to waste my time watching it. Ha ha ha ha ha.
Posted by grrandram Oct 25, 2007 12:52 PM Report Abuse

Still beats the hell out of Pushing up Daises
Posted by hmcgee1 Oct 25, 2007 1:14 PM Report Abuse

The Uri Geller thing was indeed pretty bogus. I picked the star...but not because I received any message, but just because it took him awhile to do his drawing. So I figured it couldn't be a cirlce or cross or wavy line or box, because you can draw those in a second.

But the show was entertaining. I like something different and it's fun to figure out how they are doing it. You do kind of have to take the celebrities words for it that they are not in on it. The Ross guy's reactions certainly seemed authentic. I doubt he's that good an actor.

Posted by Denirogator

Oct 25, 2007 1:23 PM

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1. what was up racheal hunter's @$$??? she didn't smile practically all night. 2. ross is too fruity for me 3. why did 4 have to compete last night, and 6 next time?? not fair balancing for those eliminated. 4. i wish uri would have teleported a chinese star in my skull so i didn't have to watch the whole show.
Posted by jjkltltlt Oct 25, 2007 1:40 PM Report Abuse

Here's my problem with this terrible show: Doesn't NBC remember that Johnny Carson publicly debunked Uri Geller on the Tonight Show in the 70's? This fraud has been around for decades and the fact that NBC is treating his presence as the crowing achievement of the network is kinda disgusting.
Posted by mrgnexus Oct 25, 2007 2:11 PM Report Abuse

i watched the first five minutes, and then changed channels. it was the least stimulating thing i've ever watched.
Posted by pinkdrama Oct 25, 2007 2:15 PM Report Abuse

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