James Randi, renowned investigator of psychic and miraculous claims, made a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on March 11, 1987. Randi, who had previously written the book “The Faith Healers,” was introduced as the “amazing Randy.” The audience erupted in applause as he took the stage.
Carson started the conversation by joking about Randi’s appearance on a show about magician Houdini. Randi shared an unexpected turn of events that landed him in the hospital. He had planned to perform the Houdini milk can trick but didn’t anticipate the outcome. Young Thug named Dean Gunderson stepped in last minute and successfully completed the death-defying stunt, saving the show.
Moving on to the present moment, Randi revealed a little stunt that yogis have been doing for years. He explained that the trick had even been published in the National Enquirer, indicating its validity.
Two nurses joined Randi on stage to help demonstrate the stunt. They were introduced as Joan and Pam. With a sense of excitement in the air, Randi instructed the nurses to take his pulse. But there was a twist. He asked them to conduct his pulse beat with their fingers, as if they were leading an orchestra. Two band members, Ed and Pete, were tasked with observing the nurses’ movements and providing musical accompaniment on the drums and guitar.
As soon as the demonstration began, the room filled with suspenseful music. The audience watched eagerly as Randi’s pulse seemingly stopped and then restarted. The nurses were amazed, and confusion engulfed the room. Was it magic? Was it a genuine supernatural phenomenon? Randi swiftly debunked the apparent mystery. He explained that the stunt was an old trick found on the back of cornflake boxes. By positioning his arms in a specific way, he could temporarily stop the circulation in one arm, creating the illusion of an irregular heartbeat.
During his hospital stay, Randi shared that he had even attempted the trick on a nurse who was new to the job. Her reaction emphasized the power of suggestion and the ease with which people can be deceived.
Carson seized the opportunity to segue into a discussion about the growing phenomenon of channeling. Randi voiced skepticism, mentioning that it was particularly rampant in California. He cited personalities such as Shirley MacLaine, who supported these practices. Randi believed that while MacLaine was sincere, she had been deceived. He compared modern spiritualism to the old practice of sitting in the dark and playing “The Rock of Ages” during seances. The spiritualists of today, according to Randi, simply had a new platform to present their claims, but there was no way to prove or disprove their legitimacy.
The segment concluded with applause and the promise of more entertainment to come. James Randi‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was yet another fascinating and thought-provoking moment on the legendary talk show.
Overall, this episode brought together the excitement of magic and skepticism of the supernatural. James Randi‘s ability to captivate the audience with his demonstrations and insightful commentary made for an engaging and lively episode of The Tonight Show.
Originally aired on November 3, 1987
