By Jon Donnis
Fake psychics and fraudulent mediums have been a goldmine for television storytelling, creating plenty of hilarious and dramatic moments as their schemes slowly unravel. Whether they are bumbling con artists or slick manipulators, these characters thrive on deception, using clever tricks and theatrical flair to convince others of their supernatural abilities. The real magic happens when their lies come crashing down, leaving behind chaos, comedy, or even the occasional heartfelt revelation. Let's take a closer look at some of TV's most memorable phoney psychics and the episodes where they almost got away with it.
In Psych (2006-2014), Shawn Spencer builds an entire career on his fake psychic abilities. In reality, Shawn is just hyper-observant, with a photographic memory and razor-sharp attention to detail. In the pilot episode, "Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece" (S1, E2), Shawn pretends to have visions to solve a high-profile theft, fooling the Santa Barbara Police Department into hiring him as a consultant. The show thrives on the comedic tension of Shawn maintaining the ruse, especially as his best friend Gus constantly worries about being caught. The beauty of Psych is that Shawn's deception comes from a good place, he genuinely wants to help people, even if he has to flail around and pretend to receive divine visions to do it.
Frasier (1993-2004) also pokes fun at fake psychics in "The Friend" (S5, E16). When Daphne's friend, a self-proclaimed psychic named Bonnie, claims to see the future, Frasier can't resist trying to disprove her powers. The episode brilliantly showcases Frasier's arrogance as he becomes increasingly frustrated by Bonnie's vague predictions coming true through sheer coincidence. The more he tries to expose her, the more ridiculous he looks, culminating in an embarrassing confrontation at his radio station. It's classic Frasier, a mix of highbrow intellectualism crashing headfirst into petty squabbles.
In Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021), the precinct deals with a fraudster in "Bad Beat" (S5, E8). A psychic named Dan "The Man" claims to have information about a case, but Jake Peralta quickly sees through the act. The episode leans into the absurdity of Dan's vague "visions", with Jake setting up increasingly elaborate traps to catch him out. In true Brooklyn Nine-Nine fashion, the situation escalates to ridiculous proportions, including a fake séance and a ghost-hunting stakeout. It's a perfect example of the show's playful energy, turning the fake psychic trope into a full-blown farce.
Even more serious shows have explored the theme. The Mentalist (2008-2015) revolves entirely around the idea of exposing fraudulent mediums. Patrick Jane, a former con artist who pretended to communicate with the dead, now works with the CBI to catch criminals. The pilot episode introduces Jane's past as a fake psychic, revealing that his deception inadvertently made his family a target for the serial killer Red John. Jane spends the series using his old cold-reading tricks to outsmart killers, carrying the weight of his past mistakes as he tries to make amends. It's a darker exploration of the damage fake psychics can cause, adding emotional depth to the usual con-artist storyline.
Even Supernatural (2005-2020) couldn't resist playing with the concept in "The Mentalists" (S7, E7). The Winchester brothers investigate a town full of self-proclaimed mediums, only to discover that one of them is accidentally channeling real spirits. The episode is a clever twist on the fake psychic trope, blending supernatural horror with the comedy of watching scammers freak out when they realise they are way out of their depth.
Fake psychics make for brilliant television because they walk the line between villainy and vulnerability. Their deception can cause harm, but there is often an underlying desperation driving their lies. Whether they are attention-seekers, opportunists, or people just trying to make a living, these characters remind us of the human desire for answers and connection. Watching them get caught out is satisfying, but the best shows leave room for a little empathy too. After all, while fake psychics might not have real powers, their stories still have a way of pulling viewers in.
