Reflexology on
Television Type of program Date/Program/Description Drama Pre-1988, Fall Guy, Action, "It's
called reflexology. You ought to try it sometime. It works,"
says Lee Majors' stunt man character as he works on the feet
of a foot sore fellow hiker. Drama Pre-1988, Magnum PI,
Action/detective show, The character Higgins uses a foot
work "technique I learned in Burma" to successfully bring
around an unconscious baseball player who has been beaned by
the ball. Drama Pre-1988, The A-Team, Action,
"Here, let me show you something I learned in the discos of
New York," says an A-Team member to a foot sore hiking
companion as he rubs her tired feet. Drama 1989, Another World, Soap opera,
Husband and wife characters work on each others feet as
background for a conversation. Drama 1990, Dallas, Soap opera, Bobby
Ewing, works on the feet of his girlfriend,
April. Drama 1991, Star Trek, The Second
Generation, Science fiction, Telepathic character Deanna
Troy has her feet rubbed by a suitor during a romantic
interlude. Drama 1991, Columbo, Detective show, In
an episode titled "Caution, Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your
Health," "The smug host of a TV crime show played by George
Hamilton, kills his rival and throws up a smoke screen to
Lt. Columbo, played by Peter Falk." Columbo is showed
discussing his hair cut with a make-up man. On the wall of
the make-up trailer is a foot and hand reflexology
chart. Drama 1992, Murder She Wrote, Murder
mystery, Woman asks if male character in a cast wants his
feet rubbed after he complains about a cramp in his leg. She
comments, "Maybe I can help you relax" as she works on his
feet. His wife walks into the room and interrupts the
scene. Drama 1992, Sweating Bullets, Detective
program, Female character receiving a massage comments on
the foot work portion saying, "My right foot is
jealous." Drama 1996, Star Trek Voyager, Science
fiction, The story is about a particular species that mates
only once in life. As the ship passes through a certain
area, a woman aboard the ship of that species has to couple
and she has to decide if she will couple with a man not of
her species but who she has a relationship with. Part of the
ritual is that one of her parents must work on her feet. By
massaging the feet, a hormonal change in the body is caused,
enabling the woman to conceive. Drama 1996, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,
Dr. Quinn's feet are rubbed by her husband in a scene
opening the program with an Old West theme. Drama 1996, Second Noah, A child whose
feet are being rubbed asks for the parent to play "this
little piggy" with the toes Drama 1996, The Pretender, The premiere
of the series shows the genius main character who assumes
identities to help people. In this episode he is
"pretending" to be a doctor. The doctor tells his patient,
No surgery (for constipation). I'm going to try something
else." The patient says, "You're no doctor. You're human.
Later in the show the doctor is seen drawing o the patient's
foot. He remark's "Laughter's very good medicine and so's
reflexology." He instructs the nurse, "I want you to rub
these marks." Drama 1996, Profiler, "My feet are
killing me. Will you rub them?" asks a foot-sore waitress of
her friend. "Later," he promises. Drama 1996, Sisters, Foot working
scene. News 1984, 20/20, Connecticut
reflexologist Jennifer Botwick is interviewed by Hugh
Downs News 1988, Aging, CNN, News, The
reflexology services of Florida spa reflexologist Raymond
Beck are showed as a part of senior citizens' anti-aging
efforts. News 1988, USA Today, Syndicated,
News, Anatomical Chart Company owner Marshall Cordell is
showed trying on a pair of reflexology socks as part of a
program segment about Halloween. News 1988, Good Morning America, ABC,
Interviewer Joan London visits a Florida health spa and
samples the service so spa reflexologist Jinnah Emamdee as
part of her week-long spa visit. News 1989, Sunday Today, NBC, New York
reflexologist Irene Anker works on the feet of the show's
weatherman. An on-camera interview with a satisfied client
is presented. News 1991, Canadian Television, "Study
of the Trend of the Public Moving from Medicine to
Alternative Therapies," Reflexology is mentioned as one of
four alternative health modalities the public is seeking in
growing numbers. News 1993, CBS News, A travelogue
segment includes a mention of the availability of
reflexology services at a Vermont spa. News 1992, Good Morning America, ABC,
Reflexology is mentioned in the "Touching" segment of a week
long series about alternative healing presented by an M. D.
It was noted that many insurance companies pay for clients'
acupuncture sessions but not things like reflexology and
acupressure. News 1992, Living Well, CNBC, A
reflexologist and his client are interviewed. A doctor whose
opinion is asked comments that since acupuncture and
reflexology have been around for so long, maybe there is
something to them. News 1992, NBC Sunday Night News, A
segment about alternative therapies includes a mention of
reflexology and video of reflexology work. Dr. Joe Jacobs,
head of the National Institute of Health's alternative
health study, is interviewed in the following
segment. News 1994, CBS Good Morning,
Reflexologist Bill Flocco is interviewed and details are
cited of the Flocco/Oleson PMS study of
reflexology. News 1993, CNN News, A Sharper Image
manager reports that massage tools are selling well this
Christmas season. A customer trying a vibrating foot
massager says, "If you want to get me something for
Christmas, get me this." CNN News, A local Chicago
television segment including Larry Clemmons is picked up by
CNN and included in a discussion of Los Angeles
reflexologist Bill Flocco's PMS study which was printed in
the December issue of the Medical Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology. News commentary 1993, Paul Harvey News, National
radio news, As one of his news items, Paul Harvey mentions
that a study has found reflexology to help menstrual
problems. News 1994, CBS Good Morning,
Reflexologist Bill Flocco is interviewed and details are
cited of the Flocco/Oleson PMS study of
reflexology. News 1994, CNN News, A foot working
scene from the movie "Dear Diary" is pictured in the review
of the movie. Italian director Nani Moretti won the 1994
Cannes film festival prize for best director with his
Italian-titled "Cara Diario" (Dear Diary). It is the first
of Moretti's eight films to be distributed
internationally. News 1994, NBC Nightly News with Tom
Brokaw, A segment of an on-going series "America Close-Up,"
describes how Americans are "Cashing in on Stressing Out,"
Owner Bill Zanker is interviewed about his new "Great
American Back-Rubs" salons. ("Great American Foot Rub,"
reflexology salons, are reported to be on the way.) It is
noted that there are now 4 million Americans who practice
yoga - an increase of double from 1991. Jane Fonda's "Yoga"
video was the third best-selling of all US video sales last
year. In the early 90's, stress relief methods became a
trend at spas around the country. An example of these, foot
massage, is shown being offered at an Austin spa and a New
York spa. Some 60, 000 Americans are noted to practice
various stress reducing practices at rates that range from
$30 per hour to $100 per hour. It is reported that cosmetics
companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Origins is
specifically mentioned. "Stress-reducing gadgets" are
reported to be big sellers currently. News 1995, Good Morning America, A
"Great American Foot Rub" parlor is profiled. The practicing
reflexologist trained in massage for a year. News 1995, Saturday News, CNN,
Ten-minute segment on reflexology includes interview with ND
/ reflexologist Helen McFee. Mention of ARCB certification
requirements. Work on hands, work with children and others
is shown. A client comments that the reflexologist listens
to you. One client reports that a reflexologist had helped
where five doctors had not. News 1996, ABC Nightly News, A story
about the use of alternative therapies in a hospital setting
includes mention of reflexology. A cardiovascular surgeon,
Dr. Oz, of Columbia University Hospital in New York,
includes alternative therapies in his surgery cases. He
states that when I get positive outcomes and its safe, what
right do you have to stop me? A surgery patient is followed
through his hospitalization. Therapeutic touch is shown
being applied. It is then mentioned that the patient has
also received reflexology in preparation for the operation.
"An ancient healing art for balancing chi." News 1996, Turning Point, ABC, News.
Alternative health is the topic. A patient is followed
through the program at the Complementary Cardiac Care Unit
at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. Reflexology is mentioned
as one of the ten therapies being studied. Hugh Downs voice
over video, "Twenty-four hours before he goes under the
scalpel, Joe begins taking every treatment they offer,
beginning with reflexology. Reflexologists claim that it's a
treatment used in ancient Egypt. Specific points on the feet
are connected by energy pathways to the internal organs."
Reflexologist: "All the tension just leaves the body." Hugh
Downs voice over: "They massage the points they say are
connected to the his heart. And then, for the first time in
his life, the skeptical football coach doing yoga."
(Transcript) News 1996, Good Morning America, ABC,
A week-long series about alternative health going mainstream
includes a mention of reflexology provided as part of the
complementary cardiac care at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital
in New York City News 1996, Dateline, NBC, Reflexology
is mentioned in a segment about alternative
health. Talk 1988, Sonja Friedman Live, CNN,
Reflexology author Laura Norman is interviewed about her
newly published book, Feet First. Talk 1989, Home, ABC, Reflexology
author Laura Norman is interviewed about her newly published
book, Feet First. Talk 1990, Regis and Kathie Lee, Talk
show, When Guest Billie Joel brings up a kidney stone health
problem, host Regis Philbin comments that he hopes the
singer can find a reflexologist as he did to help with the
same problem. Talk 1990, The Phylicia Rashad Show,
Talk show, Syndicated, "You're not lucky enough to be
married to someone who'll rub your feet at
night." Talk 1991, The Tonight Show
Anniversary Special, NBC, A Tonight Show anniversary special
includes a program segment from a 1973 program with a foot
reader working and commenting on Johnny Carson's
feet. Talk 1992, Home Show, Syndicated,
Reflexologist Coral Locke appears to talk about her recovery
from M. S. using reflexology. Talk 1993, Joan Rivers' Gossip!
Gossip! Gossip!, Syndicated, Gillian McKean of "Healthline
Across America" starts her report about celebrities who use
alternative therapies with a report on reflexology. Michael
Jackson and Whitney Houston are reported to seek the
services of a reflexologist. A stuffed foot pillow serves as
a model for the reporter as she demonstrates which parts of
the foot Michael Jackson had worked for his recent throat
and sinus problems. A red plastic foot roller is used to
show what Jackson uses on his feet. Talk 1993, McLaughlin, CNBC (business
channel), Talk show, In a program about homeopathy and
alternative medicine, reflexology is mentioned five times
and pictured twice. Actress Shirley MacLaine states that she
thinks homeopathy is the best of all alternative medicines
including reflexology and massage. Primary guest Dr. Linda
Johnston, when asked specifically about reflexology, states
that she finds it a valid practice. Footage of New York
reflexologist Irene Ankner working on feet, originally aired
on the NBC program Sunday Today on Feb. 19, 1989, is shown
twice. Talk 1994, The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno, Jay Leno works on the feet of pregnant guest for three
or four minutes. She comments he's pretty good at that. They
go on to talk about other things while he works. Another
guest arrives, takes a foot and starts working too. The
scene is pictured throughout the day to promote the
program. Talk 1996, Oprah, Guest Steve Martin
talks about his new movie "Sgt. Bilko." Co-stars Dan Ackroyd
and Phil Hartman appear. When asked why the other two say
such positive things about him, Hartman says, "In Steve's
case, it's the constant foot massages." 1996, Oprah, A male student from
a romance class given by relationship counselor Beverly
DiAngelo is advised to use a foot rub as part of a romantic
evening with his wife. Talk 1996, Jimmy J. and Tammy Faye,
Reflexologists, Muff and Bobbi Warren of San Diego, CA are
interviewed and demonstrate reflexology. Talk 1996, Family and Home, CBN,
Reflexologist Bill Flocco is interviewed. Style 1988, Life-styles of the Rich and
Famous with Robin Leach, Reflexology services are provided
to Robin Leach as part of a luxury service at a Beverly
Hills salon. Style 1993, House of Style, The show's
hostess, super-model Cindy Crawford, accompanies members of
the cast of the television program "Seinfeld" to a Los
Angeles spa for a session of stress reduction. Actress Julia
Louis-Dreyfus is pictured having reflexology applied to her
feet by reflexologist David Rude. Sports 1988 Winter Olympics, ABC,
"Reflexology" services are provided to the Russian pairs
skaters by the team trainer in a program segment comparing
Russian and American training methods. The Russian skaters
win the gold medal. Sports 1990, The 1990 World Figure
Skating Championships, CBS, A female skater, who goes on to
win, is showed having her feet worked. Beauty 1990, Miss USA Pageant, CBS,
Carol Gist, Miss Michigan, states that she believes in
"holistic health and foot reflexology for maintenance"
shortly before she is crowned Miss USA. Exercise 1993, Body by Jake, ESPN,
Reflexologist Billie J. Scott of Las Vegas, Nevada is
featured in a six minute segment about
reflexology. Real-life 1990, Top Cops, CBS, Exemplary
policeman being profiled to his wife who is filling a
prescription, "You'll feel better. I'll take you home and
give you a foot rub." Consumer 1991, Steals and Deals, CNBC/FNN,
A special segment of the regular program about vacation
destinations includes the New Age Spa in the Hampshire
Mountains. The cost is $450 to $900 per 5 day session
depending upon the extras. "Some like shiatsu and
reflexology that cost $50 a session." Consumer 1992, Steals and Deals, CNBC, The
Japanese-made electric roller by Best Care was spotted when
the cable business channel program profiled Yaohan Plaza, a
Japanese shopping center across the Hudson river from New
York in Edgewater, New Jersey. The Best Care roller is
pictured on display at the Japanese health food store,
"Super Health" at the shopping center. The reporter comments
that "Here's something you'll never find in an American
store." Video 1992, Americas's Favorite Home
Videos, ABC, A cat is shown coseying up to a Taiwanese
electric foot roller in one segment of the home video
program. Education 1992, Secrets of Machines,
Discovery Channel, An episode about washing machines
includes a discussion of servo-mechanisms including one
inside "The Chiropodist" in England. A bare foot is inserted
into a machine and the mechanical life-size figure of a
woman bends over and tickles the foot. Infomercial 1994, Retired basketball player
Bill Walton talks about how much reflexology helped him with
a foot problem. Travel 1992, Rough Guide, PBS, Travel
show, Travel segment about Taiwan includes a foot working
scene as part of a visit to a relaxation parlor in
Taiwan. Entertainment 1996, Entertainment Extra, NBC,
It is reported that reflexology is being used before dental
surgery in New York. Work on feet is pictured as the
individual sits in a dental chair. The patient comments that
it was more like fun than dentistry. Biography 1996, Biography, Arts &
Entertainment Channel, During a biographical program about
Cleopatra, it is stated that Roman emperor Octavian noted
Mark Anthony's "pathetic enslavement to her" -- he even
massaged her feet at dinner parties. Game 1989, Jeopardy, CBS, Game show,
"reflexology" is listed as an answer under a "Massage"
category. Game 1990, Love Connection,
Syndicated, Game show contestants are asked, "What do you do
like to do on a date?" One contestant responds, "I like to
massage feet. I think more people should know about
it." Game 1991, 1992, Supermarket Sweeps,
Lifetime Network, Game show, A Vitec Foot Massager with a
"reflexology plate" is a prize offered to contestants who
appear on the program. Game 1992, Shop Till You Drop,
Lifetime Network, Game Show, The Pinnacle Foot Massager is a
prize for contestants on the game show. "Relax those
tortured tootsies with a Foot Massager." Game 1992, You Bet Your Life,
Syndicated, Game show, Chicago reflexologist Larry Clemmons
appears on the game show hosted by Bill Cosby. He describes
his profession as reflexologist and talks about the subject
a little. Game 1995, Singled Out, MTV,
Contestant Denise Whatley is asked what qualities she is
seeking in the date she will be choosing on the program. She
says, "He has to be honest and he has to rub my
feet.'" Game 1997, The Big Date, USA,
Contestants compete for "the big date" by answering
questions. The question is asked, "What would you do on the
beach to please him (the prospective date)? One contestant
replies, "I'd have him take his shoes off and give him
reflexology." She is asked, "Are you a reflexologist?" She
responds, "Yes, I'm taking classes." Later in the show, one
contestant responds, "I'd want a reflexologist." when asked
what he would want in a date.
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