The View July 8th Recap: Special Paranormal Themed Episode
Today’s July 8th episode of The View was a special “Paranormal Themed” episode. Joy Behar said that Barbara Walters looked like a gondola driver because of her black and white striped shirt and a red kerchief around her neck.
Sherri Shepherd believes in angels and spirits, but not “woooo” ghosts. Whoopi Goldberg said she believes there is “more to the world than this” and has seen things that she can’t explain. She lives in an old farmhouse and sees things. She wants to believe that deceased people will come and talk to her if they want to. She said that is why her movie Ghost worked. Barbara pointed out that Whoopi won an Oscar for the film and they showed a clip from the movie. Whoopi chuckled when Barbara labeled the clip “vintage” (it is from 1990).
Whoopi did not research mediums to do the role, saying “I am not that deep.” She knew playing a phony psychic would be easy because you can pretend anything. The hardest part of the role was to not see Patrick Swayze who would be right there. Whoopi is not open to speaking with the dead in real life. Elisabeth told her she could get her own hot line and people would be calling her up. Elisabeth doesn’t believe in ghosts being right there, but do believe that people might have unresolved issues with the dead which “haunts” them. Sherri said that one night she was in a bad part of town waiting for a bus and several men were harassing her. An old homeless sat by her and kept her company until the bus came. She thanked him and tried to offer him money and he said no and that he had stabbed someone a few weeks prior. Sherri never saw the homeless man again and thinks that he was an angel there to protect her.
Whoopi then said that there is a video on YouTube that claims to show an “actual ghost.” They then showed the clip, which showed a serene pond scene and then all of a sudden a cartoon ghost appeared with a scream. Sherri jumped out of her chair.
Medium James Van Praagh appeared on the show. He has a book called Ghosts Among Us. Barbara admitted that she is skeptical and said that everyone wants to believe in an afterlife, but have had to take it on faith. Van Praagh said that everyone is intuitive, but some people are great at it, like others are great pianists. Joy and Barbara asked a question at the same time and he said they were worse than dead people. He believes that you will have a “life review” after you die and you will have an afterlife based on how you lived.
Van Praagh does not choose who to talk to, they come to him. He said we are a spirit having a physical experience, not the other way around. He said that people can develop this ability and he teaches seminars to help people develop their intuition. He said that Heath Ledger showed up two weeks after his death and said that he screwed up and thought of his daughter and then disappeared. He said that Ledger knew people who knew Van Praagh and that is why he showed up at his house.
He is a religious man and his religion is love. He said that God is energy and bigger than we all believe. He believes in angels and spirits. He “specializes in dead,” but does have some ability to know things before they happen. He saw two ghosts around Britney Spears. A ghost is someone who hasn’t yet passed into the light. One was a tall man with tattoos and a beard and a short one on her other side. Sherri said the first one sounds like Kevin Federline and Joy said the other one sounds like Danny DeVito. He said you have to be careful of attachments like those ghosts.
Whoopi said that she had to smudge the mask that Sherri gave her yesterday with sage to get rid of any bad energy that the person who carved it may have had. Elisabeth said that hers is sitting in her office unsmudged.
Van Praagh then spoke to some people from the audience who he selected earlier to do a reading on them. He knew their name and where they were from only. The first woman said that he got a lot of things right about her sister who died of cancer. The second woman’s reading was about her father and a nephew.
Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes from the show Ghost Hunters also appeared on the show. They are plumbers by trade, but hunt ghosts at night. Wilson said having plumbing experience helps to tell if a noise in a house is just a noisy pipe. They go into a home with the idea that they will be able to disprove the paranormal explanation. Hawes said that a human haunting is someone trying to contact you by saying your name or moving an object. The inhuman haunting is everything that never walked the world. A paranormal event is something above the normal of something we are used to, like an object moving, but haunting is something like a ghost.
Most reports of paranormal activity is at night, which is why they do their investigations then. Elisabeth said that it might be when people are more freaked out. They also said it is when most people are home. The scariest investigation they did was when a old lady invited them into her home and then forgot that she had done so and came after them thinking they were intruders. They don’t charge people for their services. He said that anyone can do it, but you need to be careful and have your wits about you.
The next topic was called “Answering the Skeptics” and featured Lloyd Auerbach from the Office of Paranormal Investigations. He said there is evidence that ghosts exist, but no concrete proof. He said that more people believe in an afterlife than believe in ghosts, but studies of people believing in ghosts ranges from 38% to 60-something %. He said that people report seeing three-dimensional spirits and not wavy spirits. Joy said that Van Praagh said that people in the afterlife are skinny because they don’t eat and said it was something to look forward to. Auerbach has felt presences and has seen objects moving. He said that anyone can learn to be psychic, but not necessarily a psychic. He agrees with Van Praagh that we all have instinct and intuition.
Joy asked Auerbach believes that Van Praagh really talks to the dead. He said that we can all talk to the dead, but it is the hearing that is the problem. Then she asked about why Heath Ledger would go to Van Praagh and not his press agent. Auerbach said that like in Ghost (which the writer used Auerbach’s book as research for), the spirit goes to who can hear them (I think that is what he said there was a lot of talking over each other). Joy said that Van Praagh said that George Carlin would not speak to him because Carlin was not a “believer” in life. Auerbach worked with a family who had a ghost in their home and the son could talk to him. He believes that the dead stick around and do talk to us.
The View, paranormal, ghosts, Ghost Hunters, psychic, James Van Praagh, Grant Wilson, Jason Hawes, Ghost, Patrick Swayze, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd
July 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I am sorry I missed this one! Thanks Winnie, I had a few chuckles from your write-up. I do look forward to your efforts, as I won’t watch the show anymore.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I forgot to ask you all in my recap to let me know your thoughts on mediums and ghosts.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:22 am
And it just got sadder…. This kind of Paranormal/ghost themed show is much more suited for Maury Povich or Montel Williams. I turned it off when they played the fake ghost video. Even my older mother who is not very computer literate, had saw this video online before.
About you question Winnie, I don’t believe in ghosts or psychics. I just feel they really take advantage of people and are all about trying to get money. I mentioned Montel above… He always used to have Slyvia Brown on his show. A 911 widow asked Slyvia what happened to her husband who was a WTC responder. (Slyvia didn’t know this upfront) Bluntly Slyvia said he died in water, look in the water. The widow looked stunned realizing she was a total crock.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
During the first reading I realized it was my mother talking to me. I’m positive this happened. Did anyone else have this experience?
July 8th, 2008 at 11:24 am
CHeryle,
THe problems with readings, is that mot of them are not specific enough and they mention letters and common illness’s. I dont really believe for where the mediums charge alot of money. If you truly have a gift, your conscience would not allow you to charge money. I do understand you have to eat so their is a conflict. I believe somewhat but not sure how much I do. On the A&E channel they also have shows with children who are phychic and a research team who investigates paranormal disturbances. They are interesting to watch but still leave me skeptic.
I’m just saying…..
July 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Aileeny, just out of curiousity, why do you end each post with “I’m just saying”? Is it something I missed?
July 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I loved todays show. I love Jason and Grant and VanProgh. In fact, did I mention; I love the show. I watch Ghost Hunters every week and think they do a super job. I wish Van Progh were on more often.
Keep up the good work girls. Kudos to you all.
Mari
July 8th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I believe it is true what the guests were
saying about the Angels and Spirits. I to
have Physical Experiences with the spirit
world. I was a Nurse with Hospice,who
take care of the Death and Dying people who
are terminally Ill. I was with them when they were Dying, and experienced some of the Beauitful things they were seeing in the spirit world. I am a very senistive and caring person, who uses common sense when it comes to seeing people reach up to take hold someones and call their name. Thats only some of what I have seen and heard. I was going to write a book about what I have exper
ienced with my Patients but decided againest
putting my won derful memories in a book. You have to have a great deal of FAITH.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
an angel that stabbed someone a few weeks earlier?? NO THANKS. Dumb story Sherri
July 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Nancy,
How extraordinary that you have that gift and that you were able to combine it with your job.
A book would be a wonderful thing for the loved ones sitting at the bedside, especially to understand when the patient starts calling to deceased relatives.
Thanks for sharing…
July 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Nancy, thanks so much for sharing. I was lucky to be with my dad as he passed away. He sat up and reached up toward the sky with one hand with his eyes wide open and laid back and he was gone. I like to believe that my younger brother who passed away suddenly and tragically 4 years prior came back to take my dad to heaven.
I do think there are people that do have a gift, and I think they are not charging major fees.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Those are beautiful stories. I too have a personal experience:
I do believe we are all on a spiritual journey, and that we are not alone. As a child, I would often have foretelling dreams: Strange short dreams which would become snippets of my future. I would get goose bumps when a ‘scene’ that I had dreamt would unfold before my eyes. But those abilities faded with adulthood and adult responsibilities. That is, until one day, 3 years ago. I was having a very stressful first pregnancy and felt very alone. I was napping mid-day and awoke to find a women kneeling over me, praying – right next to my head! I allowed my eyes to drift upward, noticing her grandmotherly appearance and peasant-like dress. She reminded me of my beloved grandmother, but, it wasn’t her; my grandmother was much smaller. As I continued to search upward (ever so still for fear of scaring her away), I suddenly snapped my eyes shut just as I was to gaze upon her face, thinking, “My God! I am about to look into the eyes of an angel!” And I couldn’t. I closed my eyes tightly for a brief moment, and then peaked again, looking for the hem of her dress. But she was gone. She was very real, not misty or transparent, but still I felt she was spiritual, not physical. I lay there and wept a little, for what she had left was an overwhelming sense of serenity and clarity. I suddenly felt that my child would be protected. And he has been. He too has his own angels – if you will. I know many mothers report seeing their newborn babies light-up and smile intently at ‘no one.’ My infant son would often become very animated, wiggling and reaching and trying to control his arms as he smiled affectionately and with great focus on something directly in front of him. I would watch from the other side of the room feeling privileged to witness this exchange. This would occur a month or two before he ever smiled for me.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I just watched the clip of them interviewing that medium at the beginning and could not believe how much they spoke over each other. That poor man must have gotten dizzy twisting his head back and forth to answer their rapid-fire questions. It was like a session of speed dating. Ask as many questions in 5 minutes as you can, cut off the answer and ask another. Some they asked and didn’t even give him time to answer and they were on to another one. He even grabbed Whoopi’s hand and sympathized with what she must put up with.
Winnie, you asked what we all believe.
I’m undecided. I know it sounds goofy, but one thought I have is if people have ghosts, do ants and flies?
People always say that other people have ghosts and dogs have ghosts, these are things we have an emotional attachment to. Do pigs? Do cows? When they get butchered, do they come back in the spirit world because they have unfinished business? If not, why humans but not other creatures?
I also don’t believe in the bible at all or God as preached about in churches.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Thanks Winnie,
I didn’t see the show, but feel I would have at least been interested in hearing the guest.
I do not believe in ghost. (angels yes, ghost no).
Mediums, I believe that there are people with a heightened intuition, and sort of a sixth sense. I don’t believe that someone can talk to someone who has passed away.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
# 8 Kelly,
Thank you for sharing. I worked in a Nursing Center for some years, and i have also witnessed some things similar to what you described.
# 12 Kelly,
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed your story. I do believe in angels, and feel you are so lucky to have experienced what seems to be a visit from one.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
The View has finally become a parody of itself. The rapid firing of questions left me all tense and bunched-up. Thank God for commercial break or I might have rolled into a ball. I think the Quote-of-the-Year belongs to James Van Praagh and his admonition to the ladies (and EH), “You’re all worse than dead people!” AAAAgreed.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for the recaps Winnie. They are better than the shows themselves, which I still watch.
About believing…I think there are things we can’t explain or don’t yet understand - whether ghosts or angels or afterlife. To me this means, it could be possible. Remember when it was believed the earth was flat? I am sort of a skeptic, but had an interesting reading after my brother killed himself. All I told the man was that I was there to see if anyone came through for me. He had never met me and didn’t know anything about me. He told me things about my brother that no one could know. (And I didn’t tell him about my brother beforehand, or even that I wanted contact from him.) He didn’t ask me any questions, so as to lead me into an answer. I just sat there, going, “uh huh” for everything he said, so he didn’t know if he was on target or not. I found it comforting, but I am still a bit skeptical. I want to believe my brother was in contact, but then again, who can really know.
Interesting topic.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Sandy, what makes you believe in angels but not ghosts?
Kelly, I didn’t watch the whole show, but it was really bad during that medium interview. I would much rather them have fewer questions to ask than to have to see the guest speak really fast to try to get an answer in and to be cut off all the time and to have his head yanking back and forth like he had to in order to try to keep up with them. Did they even care about his answers?
July 8th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
It was really bad - and what about the Patrick Swayze ghost comment: “Patrick Swayze was a ghost.” “Not now.” “Then.” Was it Whoopi who lead that comment? If it was, something is wrong with her – really. She seems to be coming unglued.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I liked today’s guests though I’m not really a fan of James Von Praugh…feel that he might be making stuff up. I liked the other man and enjoyed hearing that the 12 yr old boy did talk to the ghost (and did for a year). I believe in spirits, angels and the life after. Like Babara said “it’s faith”. When she was a young kid, my niece saw a figure of a young man on my parents stairs. The way she described him it sounded like he might have been my young brother who was killed in a car wreck years before. I had some strange things occur several years ago after my husband died..things that he might have done while on earth. Too long a story to talk about here but I do believe that angels are on earth with us.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Too many hosts on the sofa. Like two many cooks in the kitchen.
When traveling in England I passed a colorful gypsy wagon with a little old lady stirring a pot over a campfire. Her large horse grazing nearby. There was a sign about fortune telling or palm reading. I drove down the road a piece and turned around to go back and see her. Something I would never have thought of doing.
After chatting we went into her lovely compact wagon and she told me my near future. At the time, it didn’t seem to be about me at the time or even possible. All she said happened within six months. She never asked me any questions and hardly looked at me as she laid it out. After she was finished she encouraged me to ask her any questions. She asked me for no money but I gave her some just for the joy of getting to experience her in her tiny wagon.
I don’t think I believe in the dead returning. I have seen dying relatives speak to or talk about deceased relatives as if they had just seen or talked to them.
So perhaps the dead were not coming back but the dying were on both sides so to speak. If I can believe that the dying can be on both sides I guess I can believe an intuitive can sense feelings on both sides. Anything is possible.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
About James Von Pragh, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen did a movie about him a few years ago. I remember Ted and Mary’s interview and how they said they tested him with several of their friends and were amazed at his accuracy. They felt better about doing the movie after they saw his capabilities in action.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I think its really funny how people who don’t believe. Feel the need to go out of there way to justify their beliefs. I think Barbara was almost rude to James. Why did She have him on her show anyway if she wasn’t going to be open minded.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I have read every single comment and have enjoyed the honesty and thoughtfulness of every post. STILL I am curious as to what Winnie’s paranormal experiences or life-forming philosophies may be??? Please Winnie?
July 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
# 18 shannonP.
I always try to answer a question, if I can.
Why I believe in angels, and not ghost, is more feeling, opinion, and a little faith perhaps, than anything else.
It may be I want to believe that angels do come to the aid and comfort of someone. I have read and heard countless stories over the years like Kelly’s, May’s. Stories where someone was in a perilous situation, and some type of miracle occurred, or some type of being or spirit was there to help them, or guide them.
So I believe in angels.
I don’t really believe in ghost, as a person, or spirit, who is stuck between 2 worlds. That may be more of a faith reasoning than anything else.
I do however believe that there is paranormal phenomena that I, and or we, don’t know that much about. I find the subject fascinating, interesting, and am very open to learning, and listening to others thoughts and opinions.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
wow….don’t watch much anymore..and today’s show is why. Pathetic.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I really liked this show
July 9th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Thanks for answering Sandy:-)
I didn’t know if it was a religious thing or just your own beliefs. I know a lot of people that only believe in whatever the bible tells them they can believe in. And I don’t know the bibles whole take on angels and ghosts.
I know you hear about if you are open to it, ghosts will visit you. I’ve watched too many horror movies to be open to it. I freak out at the thought of turning around to find some ghost there.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I have to say I really can’t stand Barbara anymore! She was so rude to James, “he sees dead people” she repeated over and over! I just want to tie her hands behind her back and put tape over her mouth! LOL I am not interested in anything she has to say-all her stories are so over the top. Luckily I tape the show and fast forward everytime she talks.
One positive note- they didn’t mention that stupid book at least.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
It was BARBARA who said the “Patrick Swayne as a ghost, not now, then”. I was astounded as to her lack of couth. I got a shiver when she said that….no one else reacted thank god. But she should think before she opens her mouth.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Kelly: I have not had any personal experiences, but I do believe in the paranormal to some extent. I have trouble with people like Van Praagh and John Edward, though, because their methods seem a little like a carnival barker to me.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
June says:
“One positive note- they didn’t mention that stupid book at least.”
Shhhll, don’t jinx it! lol