Comments on: The Return of the Revenge of Witches on Reality Television

By: syren

syren — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:49:00 +0000

I did manage to catch the last half of the show. I was too busy bathing my son and putting him to bed to see the first half. It all seemed very shallow to me – no depth or “meat” to it. For me, the show gave the impression the people participating were irrelevant next to what they did and this aspect did not please me. I think I agree with Morning Angel. I won’t be going out of my way to watch it again.

By: astarrymist

astarrymist — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:25:00 +0000

Hi Jason, I’m not sure if you’ve ever blogged about this, but there was a Lifetime series called “America’s Psychic Challenge” that seems very similar in premise to the “One.” http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/americas-psychic-challengeI did not think the show did anything positive for the pagan community. The winner seemed to be the New Age Christian sort, but what really bothered me was the lady was so concerned about the runner-up, a practitioner of Voodoo, because she wanted to present to the public the idea the psychics were light-loving and not dark or creepy. While wanting the public to understand that psychic does not equal evil, she perpetuated other stereotypes instead. The “See? Some of us aren’t evil, but these others are” attitude doesn’t inform the unaware of the beauty of our diversity and also keeps alive the black and white idea that good and evil are at odds.

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:05:00 +0000

Ms. Demarco,You responded to almost nothing in the actual post. Jason is talking about how another reality TV show that exploits the term, “witch” (which they do in their promo materials for the show) is going to affect the entire religious community. I can only agree with his sentiments and ask you how you have come to the opinion that it will not be exploitive and harmful not only to those of Pagan faith but to those who are sorely misunderstood in this world due to having psychic gifts? The rest of it – griping that the number of books you’ve published wasn’t just right, etc – sounds petty and silly. The tone of your entire response is knee-jerk and insecure. Again, I would like to hear a clear response from you on what your intentions are in doing this show and if you really think it can have a positive effect on public perception of psychics and people of Pagan faiths. If you are just doing it to increase your own fame or income, that is your choice, but I would hope you believe there is more purpose in what you are doing than that.

By: Morning Angel

Morning Angel — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:04:00 +0000

Two words: exploitation and sensationalism.

By: Jason Pitzl-Waters

Jason Pitzl-Waters — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:44:00 +0000

“I wouldnt knock you without at least meeting you or contacting you or reading your work or watching the show.”Please explain how I “knocked” you? I certainly heaped plenty of scorn on the vile reality television industry, but I don’t remember writing any personal attacks on you. Unless being skeptical of “The One” is somehow construed as a personal affront. Heck, I even said your role is a “step up” for Pagans in reality television.“no not two books but four”I said you wrote two books “for Llewellyn”. Which is accurate, at least according to Llewellyn’s web site. Though I’m not sure exactly how many books you authored has to do with the topic at hand. I never questioned whether you were experienced enough to be a panel judge.“I do everything I can to be a good ambassador for not only those with this kind of ability but of the Wiccans who do and I am very sad that you have chosen to go down such an intolerant path. We should stick together not bag each other. Dont you have someone more deserving to pick on?”With all due respect Ms. Demarco, but the only thing I’m “intolerant” of is the dehumanizing reality television industry. Which has used the modern Pagan community as a cheap source for entertainment on several occasions. Any positive portrayal of our faiths in this medium has been a fluke, not the norm, and I hold strong reservations that anyone can overcome the sensationalism and tawdry thrills of the genre. I’m concerned that you feel I’m “picking” on you or being “intolerant” by expressing skepticism that “The One” will rise above its genre and positively portray Pagans. I’m also somewhat dismayed that you would even use the term “intolerant” in regards to commentary on a television program.As for “sticking together”, I have been rather tireless in sticking up for modern Pagans all over the world. It is through this work that I have come to the fair conclusion that reality television is harmful to our family of faiths. Will “The One” be different? Perhaps. But it will have to prove itself, and it certainly can’t expect the avid support of any Pagan who has witnessed how Pagans have been treated by the medium. I don’t live in Australia, but I have regular readers who do. So I’ll await their word on if this show is somehow different. Best to you, good luck with your career. – Jason

By: An Unknown Philosopher

An Unknown Philosopher — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:34:00 +0000

Thank you Stacey for sharing your side of the story. We are all well aware of how the media will chose to portray anything that is outside of the ‘social norms’ that media outlets and our institutions seem so determined to enforce upon us.I personally find the concept of the show offensive; but that goes for most of the content on commercial television. Whomever was picked in that role of “metaphysical expert” in my opinion was already going to be “investigated” by media as to their “credentials” – and anything exploitable by the media was surely going to be exploited, unfortunately that seems to be the nature of the beast.Peace Profound.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:11:00 +0000

Hey,Im Stacey Demarco. I dont know who the hell you are either, but I wouldnt knock you without at least meeting you or contacting you or reading your work or watching the show. I am billed on the show as a Metaphysical Expert not a Witch. The role I have on the show is to explain and offer expert commentary on what the psychics are doing and as I have been a respected author, writer and lecturer on metaphysics internationally for over a decade on these subjects (no not two books but four)I think they made a darn good choice! I just happen to be a witch too. This is not a show about religion, but about psychic ability. I am careful to make that point.It just happens that some of us are witches. As you would also know, being a witch is something that does attract media attention so its no wonder that the media has picked up on this. I do everything I can to be a good ambassador for not only those with this kind of ability but of the Wiccans who do and I am very sad that you have chosen to go down such an intolerant path. We should stick together not bag each other. Dont you have someone more deserving to pick on?