The Amazing Kreskin predicts!
Amazing Kreskin foresees 'innovative' reality show coming to Canada in 2007
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 | 5:39 PM ET
Canadian Press: VICTORIA AHEARN
TORONTO (CP) - Famed mentalist the Amazing Kreskin predicts an "innovative" development will take place on the Canadian broadcasting front this year - a homegrown reality show that will influence programming south of the border.
"It will not take place in Toronto, it will not take place in Vancouver, but I think it's going to break a record as far as reality shows go in this country and could be carried in the States," Kreskin, 72, said in a rambling, nearly two-hour long interview Tuesday.
Could Kreskin, the world renowned illusionist whose annual prophecies sometimes come to fruition, be referring to rumours that the "Survivor" franchise may move north?
Or perhaps he's touching on the CBC's plans to air the talent competition "Triple Sensation" during the fall/winter season.
Whatever the case, this reality show is unlike anything currently on the air, said Kreskin, whose former TV series, "The Amazing World of Kreskin," was filmed in Ottawa and aired for six and a half years in the 1970s. A DVD box set featuring best moments from the show was released in March.
"It's not going to be a family living together and all this.... I think some of it's going to be outdoors and for some reason I think that cars are going to play a major role in this show," said Kreskin, born George Joseph Kresge, Jr. in Montclair, N.J. and known for his horn-rimmed eyeglasses.
"And I can't figure out, quite put together, what the show is going to be dealing with but I think it's going to be rather innovative and may be a lesson to the people in the States to stop these trying shows where all people are doing is swearing at each other and then going to bed."
The psychology major, who claims to be able to read people's thoughts, has been offering up New Year's predictions for more than a decade.
His thoughts touch on topics ranging from politics to business to celebrities and fashion. And while some have merit - in early 2001, he declared on CNN that there could be a disaster involving four airlines that September - others are more "frivolous" or "sarcastic," like the suggestion that Paris Hilton will not win an Academy Award in the next 72 years.
Kreskin doesn't call himself a psychic. He says he makes his predictions like a weather reader - based on conditions.
But once in a while he strikes gold, like in May 2004, when he accurately predicted former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin would win a minority government in the federal election with 135 seats that June.
Kreskin's making no such predictions these days though, saying Canada's political scene is "pretty quiet."
The entertainer, who vows never to retire, wraps up a cross-Canada tour with a handful of dates in southern Ontario.
He is scheduled to perform his card tricks, stunts and thought-reading sessions at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday. His last Canadian date is May 4 in Mississauga, Ont.
His 14th book, "Mental Power is Real," will be released this spring in Canada.
I remember watching his show on TV when I was a kid...
Could this be real?
Which is more likely, a reality-TV program that's actually interesting or at least innovative or Paris Hilton winning an Academy Award?
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 | 5:39 PM ET
Canadian Press: VICTORIA AHEARN
TORONTO (CP) - Famed mentalist the Amazing Kreskin predicts an "innovative" development will take place on the Canadian broadcasting front this year - a homegrown reality show that will influence programming south of the border.
"It will not take place in Toronto, it will not take place in Vancouver, but I think it's going to break a record as far as reality shows go in this country and could be carried in the States," Kreskin, 72, said in a rambling, nearly two-hour long interview Tuesday.
Could Kreskin, the world renowned illusionist whose annual prophecies sometimes come to fruition, be referring to rumours that the "Survivor" franchise may move north?
Or perhaps he's touching on the CBC's plans to air the talent competition "Triple Sensation" during the fall/winter season.
Whatever the case, this reality show is unlike anything currently on the air, said Kreskin, whose former TV series, "The Amazing World of Kreskin," was filmed in Ottawa and aired for six and a half years in the 1970s. A DVD box set featuring best moments from the show was released in March.
"It's not going to be a family living together and all this.... I think some of it's going to be outdoors and for some reason I think that cars are going to play a major role in this show," said Kreskin, born George Joseph Kresge, Jr. in Montclair, N.J. and known for his horn-rimmed eyeglasses.
"And I can't figure out, quite put together, what the show is going to be dealing with but I think it's going to be rather innovative and may be a lesson to the people in the States to stop these trying shows where all people are doing is swearing at each other and then going to bed."
The psychology major, who claims to be able to read people's thoughts, has been offering up New Year's predictions for more than a decade.
His thoughts touch on topics ranging from politics to business to celebrities and fashion. And while some have merit - in early 2001, he declared on CNN that there could be a disaster involving four airlines that September - others are more "frivolous" or "sarcastic," like the suggestion that Paris Hilton will not win an Academy Award in the next 72 years.
Kreskin doesn't call himself a psychic. He says he makes his predictions like a weather reader - based on conditions.
But once in a while he strikes gold, like in May 2004, when he accurately predicted former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin would win a minority government in the federal election with 135 seats that June.
Kreskin's making no such predictions these days though, saying Canada's political scene is "pretty quiet."
The entertainer, who vows never to retire, wraps up a cross-Canada tour with a handful of dates in southern Ontario.
He is scheduled to perform his card tricks, stunts and thought-reading sessions at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday. His last Canadian date is May 4 in Mississauga, Ont.
His 14th book, "Mental Power is Real," will be released this spring in Canada.
I remember watching his show on TV when I was a kid...
Could this be real?
Which is more likely, a reality-TV program that's actually interesting or at least innovative or Paris Hilton winning an Academy Award?