Care to help a noobie with a question?

[krisssl]

It's pretty obvious when some of the 'so called' mediums resort to cold reading in order to bamboozle their public into believing they have paranormal ability. Even the most devout believers can be made more skeptical once the technique has been explained to them.
We've all seen the charlatans in action, but there's one alleged psychic medium who is currently defying all my attempts to see how he 'does it'.

I'm referring to Colin Fry.

Now I'm sure that his methods have been discussed ad-nauseum on here, and I apologise if I am going over old ground, but please give a noobie a break here and indulge me for a minute.

How does he do it? How does he come up with such obscure facts about people that (at least on the evidence of the tv show) don't appear to be a result of cold reading?

I realise that the programmes are edited to show him in a good light, and I presume that the less successful readings don't make it to air, but he does pluck the most bizarre facts about people seemingly from thin air.

I would love to hear your opinions of how he is able to be so convincing.

Once again I apologise if this is just going over old ground... but hey, I'm new around here

[Meercat]

With the exception of John "Douchebag" Edward, its very difficult to judge a 'Medium' by watching their own tv program. As you rightly say, there is editing involved, there is also the possibility of prior knowledge of his 'clients', we have no idea if he has had time to research his guests a little before the show. I personally despise the man, having seen his efforts on "Psychic Private Eyes", playing with peoples emotions for nothing more than ratings and self promotion. This man is about in touch with dead people as I am with the Buzz Lightyear. Not forgetting of course, and how can we, the famous "trumpet incident".

[exile]

I agree.

IMO he is just a very good actor and reader of people. The more you find out about him the more you disbelieve!

[krisssl]

Thanks for the quick replies guys

I have to admit that Colin Fry is new to me. I hadn't heard of him until a year or so ago when I started to watch his Sixth Sense show on tv.
Having had all my childhood illusions about the paranormal shattered as more and more of these 'psychics' get exposed for what they truly are, I have to admit to being impressed with what I'd seen of Colin Fry..... that is until I came across this website ;D

I had no idea about the trumpet episode (I do now though after reading the link on here somewhere) and I have to say I'm absolutely stunned that he had the balls to carry on doing his psychic stuff after such an embarrassing episode.

Being of a certain age, I can remember when Uri Geller first appeared on the scene and I was totally convinced by people such as him and Lyall Watson. I bought into the whole Von Daniken malarky too so perhaps I was a bit too gullible for my own good ;D
Anyway, over the years I have had all my beliefs shaken as more and more of these frauds get exposed and consequently I've become a hardened skeptic. This is why I was puzzled as to why I couldn't understand how Colin Fry seemed to be so genuine. Obviously I shall have to do more research into this fella as it seems I am waaaaay behind the rest of you with regards to Mr Fry and his antics.

Thanks again

[exile]

Good to meet you krisssl.

I remember being totally sucked in by Uri Geller, but I think at that time there weren't that many people who didn't believe or if they didn't their voice wasn't strong enough!

Colin Fry was one that puzzled me too. Until I saw the photo of him with ectoplasm wrapped around his head!! That just did it for me.

[Mr. Jon Donnis]

Watch his TV show, then watch him live, or on that Three mediums tour.
MASSIVE difference, Colin is a cold reader, but his TV show is MASSIVELY edited in his favour.

[Deleted]

I've seen his "stage"-d show krisssl, and it was so poor that I actually left at half-time...

Those tv shows must be edited to death.

[hellyp]

Can someone please describe the trumpet incident? I'd like to know what this is about.

[angelic]

I saw Colin Fry at our local Spiritualist Church many times before he appeared on TV. I always had mixed feelings about his ability as a medium. I also witnessed his "trance mediumship" where he chanelled his spirit guide MAGNUS....
This is such an easy thing to fake, and I was never convinced that what Colin was doing was for real.
Therefore when he started to appear on TV, I was amazed at how accurate his readings seemed to be, and soon realized that as previously stated, his TV shows were highly edited.
Colin is an accomplished cold reader in my opinion and has spent many years perfecting his craft.
At the latest stage show that I attended Colin spent the first part of the show defending his mediumship and inviting people in the audience to leave if they had differing opinions to his own.
To be honest it was very embarrasing, and I would never attend one of his stage shows again.
At least with Derek Acorah and Tony Stockwell, (whatever your opinions of their actual mediumship abilities) an evening at one of their shows is always entertaining.

Angelic

[eminel]

I've heard that with CFs programme, it takes 5 hours to do and thats just for the first half.

[lowrider]

hellyp said:

Can someone please describe the trumpet incident? I'd like to know what this is about.

Broadly speaking CF was conducting a sceance and when the lights were switched on it is alleged he was holding a spirit trumpet that was supposed to be floating in mid air.
Do a search on google ,there is plenty more on the matter.
make your own mind up.

[thursfield]

as with all the others that have been shown to be cold reading or just blatently actors, they obviously make a very very very good living at it, if they didnt they wouldnt so it. you only have to look at the amount of what you might call outside activities some of them like cf have, even in other countries, to see that as far as what you might call financial rewards are concerned they are making a nice little living from it (if youll forgive the pun), so no wonder they have the nerve to continue even in the face of overwhelming critics when displaying such cold reading that sometimes even a child could see.

so long as certain individuals or groups support them they shall continue with their TRADE..if people dont go to their shows etc believe me you would in all likelyhood soon see their numbers dwindle.

[hellyp]

Thanks, LR

[Amaris]

Can anyone remember his appearance on an MH live, his personality was completely different from the "calming" person he seems to be on Sixth Sense, he was like an excited precocious child trying to get in on the act but spouting c**p! At least Derek tried to act the part he was expected to play
I felt embarrassed for Mr Fry... well more cringing really

edited to say ...... welcome krisssl enjoy the forum

[krisssl]

amaris said:

edited to say ...... welcome krisssl enjoy the forum

Thanks amaris
This place has been a revelation for me, it's such a pleasure to have found so many people who have similar views to myself.

I think I'm gonna like it around here

[kevwan182]

Hey krisssl. It is kinda good round here. Its a real eye-opener.

I think if you go back to the main site and look at the old bp archive link on the left, you will find loads on colin fry (and all other mediums)

A lot of it has transcripts of readings, and then comments on how they are using cold reading, or other methods to appear to be psychic. This helped me a lot when I first found this site.

It's really amazing how you can then watch even a heavily edited version of 6ixth Sense, and see what he's really doing. BE WARNED: You never look at it in the same way again!

Take it easy dude,

[krisssl]

kevwan182 said:

Hey krisssl. It is kinda good round here. Its a real eye-opener.

I think if you go back to the main site and look at the old bp archive link on the left, you will find loads on colin fry (and all other mediums)

A lot of it has transcripts of readings, and then comments on how they are using cold reading, or other methods to appear to be psychic. This helped me a lot when I first found this site.

Thanks for that kevwam
I've done as you said and had my eyes opened to Mr Fry's technique. It's kinda sad in a way 'cos the guy was really impressing me and I've had those impressions ruined now ;D

kevwan182 said:

It's really amazing how you can then watch even a heavily edited version of 6ixth Sense, and see what he's really doing. BE WARNED: You never look at it in the same way again!

I know exactly what you mean
I'm still amazed at his programme but now I'm more impressed by the skills of the editing team than by his alleged psychic abilities ;D

You're absolutely right, I don't view the programme the same way anymore - in fact it's probably more entertaining now as I try to see his cold reading techniques in action rather than sit back and fall for his patter and smarmy manipulation.

Cheers mate

[mook]

The cold readings are so obvious and thats why i cant watch any of the programmes anymore.

[hellyp]

I've seen his programme a few times, and laughed at the way he repeats what the audience member has just sad to him, claiming that the spirit has just told him this info. eg.

Colin: I've got this lady with me, and she's showing me a box with some old photos in. Does that mean anythig to you, my love?

Audience member: Could be my auntie, she kept a whole load of photos under her bed.

Colin: She's laughin at me now, and she's saying 'I kept those photos under my bed for years'. And did your auntie have a special picture in there? She's showing me a special picture.

Audience member:...well she had one of me on my first bike...

Colin: Yeah, cos that's what she's showin me. She's sayin she used to get out that photo and look at it, the one with you on your new bike, and she used to laugh cos you looked so happy, my love. Does that make sense? Her energy's moving away from me now, my love, but she's leaving her love with you. And she says to tell you that she's all right, and she does like the colour of your kitchen.

[seagull69]

Hello I'm a newbie. I also became interested in mediums after watching Colin Frys TV show.

I have seen him twice live now. Once on his own and once with tony Stockwell. I personaly thought he was very good. I also think he comes across as a genuine person who is trying to help people deal with their grief. I too would like to know how he does it. I am familiar with cold reading but sometimes he gets it spot on. I consider myself as an open minded Skeptic.