Culture 3 min read By Morgan Griffin
Ken Estin and Banachek Bring Psychic Fraud Comedy to Taipei and AFM
Showrunner of "Taxi" and "Cheers" Ken Estin and mentalist Banachek presented Psychic Predators, a paranormal dramatic comedy that Organic Media Group brought to the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei, and will next take to the American Film Market.
Ken Estin, an Emmy-winning showrunner known for his work on the series "Taxi" and "Cheers," together with mentalist-illusionist Banachek, is bringing a new project to the international market: the paranormal dramatic comedy Psychic Predators. The series was first shown at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei, and its next stop will be the American Film Market, one of the leading platforms for selling film and television content.
The project was presented by Organic Media Group (OMG). The central theme of the series is psychic fraud, that is, schemes in which "psychics" pass off tricks as genuine supernatural abilities in order to gain money and the trust of their victims. The genre combines a criminal intrigue with comedy, and the plot is built around the world of those who profit from people's belief in the paranormal.
Banachek, a well-known mentalist, plays himself in the series. His participation gives the project professional credibility: he has long been engaged in exposing pseudo-psychics and studying the methods used by charlatans. The character thus draws on the real experience of a person who knows the inner workings of the "supernatural" industry well.
The choice of the Taiwan Creative Content Fest as the first venue reflects the growing interest of the Asian market in international series and co-productions. The festival takes place in Taipei and serves as a platform for producers to present creative projects to buyers from different countries. The move to the American Film Market, which traditionally gathers distributors, producers and media companies from around the world, will allow the project to reach a wider audience of industry professionals.
Estin's work on "Taxi" and "Cheers" earned him recognition in American television comedy, and his involvement in the new project draws attention to the paranormal comedy genre. Psychic Predators combines the showrunner's experience with Banachek's expertise, and this combination, according to its creators, is meant to make the story both funny and believable.
It is not yet known when the series will air, which platform or channel will acquire it, or how many episodes it will include. These details are not disclosed in the presented information.
Source: variety.com
4
