echoes of Pynchon: communication with the dead

[Doug Millison]

http://www.tvinsite.com/broadcastingcable/53386.htm
John Edward scraps terrorist victims seance plan
Broadcasting & Cable
10/25/01 6:45:00 PM

The one thing John Edward definitely crossed over was the line and the
'psychic' has shelved plans for a series of Crossing Over With John Edward
episodes focusing on people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Studios USA Domestic Television said Thursday that it is retreating from
the plan to air the segment on broadcast syndication and cable's Sci Fi
Channel.

Citing 'a reaction that none of us expected,' the company's president,
Steve Rosenberg, said that while some segments for the shows have already
been taped, they will not be broadcast.

The shows, tentatively scheduled for November sweeps, would have featured
psychic John Edward purporting to communicate the messages of victims of
the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks to their surviving family
members.

After the story broke in Broadcasting & Cable Wednesday night, Edwards got
a new vision, one of reporters flooding Studios USA with inquiries.

All the attention, 'seemed a little crazy,' says Rosenberg, 'But we have
too good a show to do something that might offend people.'

Rosenberg said there had never been a firm decision on how or when the
segments would air. He reiterated that victims' families were the ones
asking to get the shows made.

In fact, he said, many families affected by the tragedy have gone to see
Edward privately for readings.

Rosenberg cited one woman who said it was the happiest she'd been since
Sept. 11.

Several CBS stations carrying the show, including WCBS-TV New York,
apparently knew the WTC-themed shows were being developed.

But industry executive said they didn't realize Studios USA might be close
to committing to them.

Insiders say CBS station executives contacted Studios USA Thursday about
the series.

But CBS station executives contacted for this story say that it was
ultimately Studios USA's decision to pull the plug.