Estin, Banachek Launch Psychic Fraud Series
The showrunner from 'Cheers' joins the mentalist to lead a new dramatic comedy that debunks paranormal claims through undercover television.
By Alina Carter ·
Audiences expecting a standard reality television program about psychics will instead find a scripted dramatic comedy that examines how belief is exploited for profit. The series, titled Psychic Predators, features mentalist Banachek in a leading role and is set to premiere at upcoming industry markets.
Organic Media Group, an entertainment company with offices in Los Angeles, Taipei, and Brisbane, revealed the project at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei. The company is also taking the series to the American Film Market. The production is a collaboration between two-time Emmy winner Ken Estin and series creator Steve Chicorel.
Estin, known for his work on Taxi and Cheers, signed on after reading the pilot episode, The Voice of God. He will serve as showrunner alongside Chicorel, who is also an executive producer. If the network commissions the season, Estin will oversee the writing process. Chicorel noted that Estin brings a balance of humor and pathos that is essential for the show's tone.
In the premise, Banachek plays a famous mentalist who admits his feats are tricks. He goes undercover with a magician skilled in disguise and an FBI agent. The team works for TRN, a fictional reality network, to catch fake psychics in the act. The producers describe the format as a blend of Mission Impossible and Curb Your Enthusiasm, set within the high-stakes environment of unscripted television.
The narrative draws on Banachek's real-life experience in paranormal research. He was mentored by James Randi and participated in Project Alpha when he was 18. In that experiment, Banachek posed as a psychic to expose flaws in scientific testing methods. He also helped Randi unmask televangelist Peter Popoff, who used a hidden earpiece to relay messages from God. The pilot dramatizes a similar con, while future episodes will target pseudoscience and cult leaders.
Chicorel and Banachek plan to consult other top magicians for the production. These experts will help explain how impossible feats are achieved, a concept similar to Houdini's work debunking mediums. The show operates on the principle of accepting extraordinary claims while demanding solid evidence. This approach allows the drama to explore the psychology of belief without mocking the believers.
Chicorel stated that Estin's experience with legendary series brings a sharpness to the writing. Estin agreed, adding that comedy allows audiences to lower their defenses and hear important messages about why people believe. The show aims to expose uncomfortable truths about the magic of belief and the exploitation that follows.
Organic Media Group was co-founded by Chicorel and Kelly Mi Li. Mi Li is an executive producer and star of Netflix's Bling Empire and hosts Stir the Pot. The pair's previous scripted work includes Cypher, a drama series made for Roku. The company is currently seeking partners at the American Film Market to move the project forward.
