Inside TV and Pop Culture with Liane Bonin Starr

Why the psychic hijinks of the 'Long Island Medium' could be hard to resist

Skeptics may still scoff, but the show cleverly bypasses some trickier elements

By Liane Bonin Starr Friday, Oct 14, 2011 6:35 PM

"Long Island Medium"

Credit: TLC

I've always considered myself a skeptic. I've written about con artistry, I know the basics of sleight of hand, and I'm all too familiar with the tricks so-called psychics use to read minds and "conjure" the dead. I've always figured that, if Houdini's spirit never returned to deliver that secret, agreed-upon phrase to his widow during one of her many seance attempts, it was probably a pretty good indication the master magician had been right about psychics and mediums all along -- they were no more magical than, well, magicians.

But that doesn't mean that a little part of me doesn't enjoy the concept. I've watched my fair share (okay, probably more than my fair share) of "Ghost Whisper" and "Medium." As fiction, the idea of a psychic changing lives (or solving crimes) is an engaging hook. Heck, I'm even game for watching "Celebrity Ghost Stories" and the occasional televised ghost hunt (though in that case, mostly to roll my eyes at the eager believers shrieking, "DID YOU HEAR THAT?" whenever a strong breeze moves through the room).

Still, it's hard for me to fully accept that I'm a little bit hooked on "Long Island Medium" (Sun. at 10 p.m. on TLC). Maybe it's Theresa Caputo's yappy, earnest personality, her obviously fake tan and bleached hair. She's so outrageously herself, prone to tears and enthusiastic hoots of excitement, she's hard to resist as a personality. When she says her job is her life, it's not so much that I believe her and her psychic skills -- it's that I want to.

On the show, Caputo goes about her daily life as a working mom, picking up her dry cleaning and stumbling upon people who just happen to have loved ones trying to send messages from the other side. It's a clever approach to creating a show around a psychic -- as she dispenses free (and spookily accurate) advice, it's hard to look for evidence of a charlatan. And she certainly seems to know her stuff -- while we can guess that producers play a role in picking her "accidental" discoveries, the casual quality of these meetings makes Caputo's skill as a psychic seem like something she can no more control or contain than her need to breathe. The show has wisely made reading seem like something she must do, even when her instincts suggest she shouldn't open her mouth.

Of course, there are many, many moments that activate my inner skeptic -- reduced to tears and anxiety when a dead little boy makes it desperately clear that Caputo must contact his mom immediately, the psychic finds the woman's information and gives her a call -- only to book her for an appointment in a week. Yes, passing along messages from the deceased is this woman's bread and butter, but it's hard to ignore that she might be making a buck by giving grieving people messages that are often generic (that person you're grieving? They love you, too!) or are possibly fiction.

Other times, Caputo's ability to pick up on "miraculous" truths about people just seems to be the work of cold reading (something most psychics are accused of at one time or another). She mentions butterflies as a key element to one woman -- who just happens to be wearing a butterfly bracelet around her wrist. In her group readings, it's not hard to find someone whose name starts with an L or an S, for example. What we don't see are the guesses that fall flat -- maybe Caputo and the visiting spirits are that good, or maybe the editors are.

All of that being said, Caputo's impossible not to like. She's bubbly, funny and seems totally sincere. My inner skeptic grumbles that the same can be said of almost every successful con artist, but for the purposes of a television show, I can put my skepticism on hold to simply enjoy a successful formula and an engaging star. I'd like to think that Caputo is checking in with the other side, even if a larger part of me says "not on your life." But hey, wherever the truth lies, "Long Island Medium" probably isn't any more fake than anything else on reality TV.

Liane Bonin Starr
Sr. Editor

Liane Bonin Starr is an author, screenwriter and former writer for EW.com. Her byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and a lot of other places. Her last book was called "a scandalously catty, guilty pleasure" by Jane magazine. Expect the same from Starr Raving.

Related Searches: Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo

Newt

I hate all con artists and Theresa Caputo is certainly one of them.
October 17, 2011 at 12:46PM EST Reply to Comment
Sally

I love her show! I read that she has a two year waiting list. That's great for her! But I feel bad for people having to wait that long.
I recommend Justin Terry. Even though he is only 23 years old he is an amazing psychic medium. Here is his website:
justinterrymedium. com
October 17, 2011 at 6:01PM EST Reply to Comment
- Peggy If you haven't heard of Maureen Hancock and her postcards from Heaven and her book the Medium Next Door you are missing something. She's the real thing. Her website is maureenhancock.com She also had a pilot on the Style network. I really hope it gets picked up. Much better than Long Island.
  October 18, 2011 at 11:03AM EST
Nette10

I love Theresa!!! She is so genuine!!! I really would have dismissed the whole idea of anyone having an experience with the dead until I did myself. After my mother died I had 2 encounters & my sister was with me & she did not see what I saw. I have never had another encounter since that day. when my father died my son & I were at the gravesite, before he was lowered down. My son & I felt a big gust of wind for a few seconds & no one else did. He was really freaked out. He was 24 years old!
October 23, 2011 at 1:26PM EST Reply to Comment
- louis stop feeding into the con artists. You should be embarressed.
  October 28, 2011 at 11:19AM EST
Star

Dear Theresa I am unable to find a way to contact you, so I hope that this finds you...First of all my name is Starlette Rose i am from Kentucky. I know that you hear alot of things from people all the time wanting you to talk w/ them about things around them...I am looking for some advice or answer for my daughter..We were in a car wreck a little over a week ago. I dont have to tell you how horrible those are. What I will say is that my daughter should have never servived that wreck. All the damage to my veichcle is on the side of the car where she was sitting.. We never get into our car w/out putting our seat belts. were she was sitting the seat belt once straped in is hard to realease.. We both felt a presence in that car that night even the young lady that was w/us say that she knows someone or something was there..I guess my thing is that Night I was visited by a spirit and I was told by this spirt it just wasn't our time to go, but since that night some realy strange things have been happening to her. I just need someone to explain to me so I can help her to understand what could be going on.. Please I am in need of answers.. I am not asking for a reading I am just asking for an explaination to these strang things.. I am a firm believer in our God the heavenly father..So if you can just point me in the direction that someone spiritual may have the answers or explain it to us I would so appreciate any information.. I hope to hear from someone or even you for any help..Thank you starlette Rose in Kentucky.Once again Thank you!!!!!
October 28, 2011 at 12:02PM EST Reply to Comment
- Sam Bryant Please don't take this the wrong way, but re-read the article. This is not Theresa's website. She will probably never see this. Have you considered going to Theresa's actually website and not the website of an article written by someone who doesn't believe in what she's doing?
  
  I see why you believe in that woman if you're that easily confused.
  November 5, 2011 at 4:04PM EST
- Sabrina Hello , starlette rose if you would like to contact me at ssjschaffren863@gmail.com I would be more than happy to help you. But ! hun I am NOT Theresa....., But I can help you in a couple of diff... ways. So I do hope to hear from you soon. Sabrina
  November 29, 2011 at 7:47PM EST
Aggie

I love her. She is a kind caring person and I wish I could visist with her. She's a sweetheart.
November 2, 2011 at 8:58PM EST Reply to Comment
- Kathyc I agree Aggie. She brings a lot of comfort to alot of people.
  May 7, 2012 at 12:04AM EST
james randi

The show is scripted and edited. It is 100 percent fake. Never let yourself be diverted to what you wish to believe
March 16, 2012 at 11:02AM EST Reply to Comment
- Raziel Totally agree. Randi, as always, you have the voice of reason to weed out these frauds.
  March 18, 2012 at 10:57PM EST
- jenna Hoping to find feedback from you somewhere Mr. Randi. thanks for weighing in.
  April 9, 2012 at 12:18AM EST
JC

And yet another psychic who wouldn't be willing to take tests to prove their ability. Yes, they actually have tests (NO ONE has passed them yet).

And that prize of a MILLION dollars to ANYONE that can PROVE anything supernatural exists...why hasn't the Long Island Medium collected it? That's right, The "Learning" Channel will actually pay out - no proof needed,lol.
March 23, 2012 at 9:12AM EST Reply to Comment
- Bec215 The thing is, it's not like a telephone call... It's a matter of interpretation and that can lead to missed clues or errors. If you've never experienced the phenomenon and you're determined to be a skeptic, nothing will convince you. But I've had personal experiences and so have many people I know, but you're afraid to talk about it. A friend was woken by her grandmother, and she started screaming because her grandmother was in Iran at the time, and her sister woke and also saw the grandmother, who then disappeared. They learned the next day she had died overnight. Two people witnessed it, but you skeptics will chalk it up to hallucination before you'd give up your preconceived beliefs, so why do you even still read these articles if you're so sure? ;-)
  March 24, 2012 at 9:18AM EST
- Dave BEC215, we skeptics are trying to educate people on the practices of scam artists. You might think that visiting a psychic is harmless, but they are giving advice that could be taken the wrong way or that could influence you to make decisions based on what they say and not on reality. Let's put it this way, it is EXTREMELY frustrating to present concrete evidence proving that psychic readings can be duplicated by anyone with a little practice, but still have people believe anyway and then expound on the greatness of these con artists. A co-worker once went to a psychic that told her that her problems were the cause of a "demonic possession" and that her baby could die if she didn't have an exorcism...one which would cost $1000. Don't tell me. THAT psychic was a fake, but all the others are real. If you have no problem with being conned out of your life's fortunes then hey, by all means, go see a psychic. If you want to cope with the death of a family member, see a medical professional or join a support group. Far less harm can come of that.
  April 6, 2012 at 2:35AM EST
- Dr. H. Harrod If Theresa were the real deal I can tell you that Oprah or others would have had her on their show. IF she were that pyshcic and could talk to the dead, I promise you that she wouldn't spend her time doing a reality show to gain more "believers". It's a "REALITY SHOW" people. I can't believe how many fall for this. It's just entertainment and that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.
  April 27, 2012 at 2:05PM EST
soundsliketh

Everything about this woman is fake. Her hair, her tan, and her ability to talk to the dead.

Funny how she claims to be talking to the dead yet the dead seem to talk in cryptic clues and murmurings of very broad and general things...

My favorite statement so far: (Talking to a 30 something lady) "Did your son pass when he was young"?
March 25, 2012 at 11:46PM EST Reply to Comment
- Jonny Yeah, this fuckin cunt is playing peoples emotions for her own gain. Shitty, and she will burn in hell.
  March 26, 2012 at 2:09AM EST
- tim Yep....she is scum. I was watching Live with Kelly and she was a guest. I have never been so disgusted in all of my life. Totally disgusted.
  June 27, 2012 at 11:10AM EST
m1020us

I love sceptics....They are afraid that this is actually real and that they will look stupid. They are even calling people names because they believe in the afterlife.
April 4, 2012 at 11:03AM EST Reply to Comment
- Dave Actually, we're not afraid at all. We know it's not real. I personally wouldn't call you names though if you believed, other than perhaps you're gullible in believing. Actually, it's really not your fault. Our brains, as a survival mechanism, have been wired to infer that danger is imminent based on only bits of data. "I'm not sure if that was a hungry lion in my peripheral vision, but I'll infer that it was anyway and act so I don't get eaten if he is, in fact, there." Since we are wired to make these types of mental connections, generalized questions about family members or whatever seem supernatural when we connect the dots and make a confirmation to the "psychic." You honestly owe it to yourself to at least do a Google search on "cold reading" and check a couple websites. Some even have instructions on how to perform cold readings. If you read up on it and still believe, well it's your choice. I personally prefer facts over fiction.
  April 6, 2012 at 2:52AM EST
Tia

If she's for real the spirits ahould be able to answer more complicated questions such as; what is it like in Heavesn, what does God look like? All we hear is that 'your father is so proud of you' or 'he doesn't want you to blame yourself'. etc. COME ON, if you die and there is a life after those would seem like trivial things.The big picture would command a much deeper and more profound comment!!!
April 6, 2012 at 6:58PM EST Reply to Comment
sidney

All mediums are frauds.
April 12, 2012 at 8:38PM EST Reply to Comment
Andy H

Literally this woman takes advantage of grieving people by lying to them about their dead loved ones. Absolutely dispicable.
April 29, 2012 at 11:23PM EST Reply to Comment
- Mike I don't think she is lying. I think she is intuitive and gets/senses the info from the people she is talking to and not the deceased person. I've never heard her say anything that the person she is talking to did not know, and on occasion it is something that the person she is talking to knows, but not that the deceased person would know. Then there are the little “gimmicks” like seeing a certain time on a clock regularly. People look at clocks 100s of times a day, if you put significance on a certain time that is the one you will give special notice to, the rest of the time it is just the time. Also when she says, did you think you saw him recently? ("yes, I followed him for 4 blocks") I heard her say to someone, "he wants you to know that was him" BS, it is rare to talk to anyone who has lost someone, especially in unexpected deaths, to not see someone that reminds them of their deceased. It's not them, it's just a remembrance. I think she means well, isn't trying to trick anyone, gets the info/impressions from the people she talks to and not from the deceased. If it gives them some peace and she makes some coin, so what.
  May 21, 2012 at 10:08AM EST
Tina Stubbs

Write a comment...i really need.a reading ts been almost 11 years since I lost my mom and I know she is trying to tell.me.something through dreams and im not getting it ...Im in bad heslth and I dont know if thats what her message is or...p about simething else ...but I feel her.smell her and almost hear her....please please give me a reading I dont care what you charge shes trying to talk to me please consider it .ThankYou .Tina Stubbs 509_366_8300
April 30, 2012 at 12:17AM EST Reply to Comment
- Jake Wow, are you thick? Does this look like her site? If so then you don't need a psychic but maybe glasses. Now I know who she's getting 200$ sessions from...
  May 26, 2012 at 6:50PM EST
barbara

some of these comments are from nuts why would you use swear words and say stupid things. judgement does not belong to you so commenting on her burning in hell is idiotic and shows the level of your intelligence and word growth.
October 1, 2012 at 12:05AM EST Reply to Comment
Lindsay

Medium? More like an XXL these days.
October 2, 2012 at 4:03AM EST Reply to Comment
MikeA

It's simply a cold reading. As a magician it's been part of my act for years. If it was real, they why do all these supposed mediums ask the very same questions and follow the very same sequence as us magicians when doing a cold reading? You would think a real connection with the dead would vary from the illusion perpetrated by magicians (and fakes) for hundreds of years. Of course the Long Island medium has a little more going for her in that her show is taped and edited, so you only see the hits and not the misses. On tonight's show she's in a store buying hair spray and combs and all of a sudden says "someone's mother died." Then she introduces herself to the group of other patrons at the store and sure enough, she hits on a young girl who's boss died and was like a mother to her. What you probably didn't see was the medium going to a number of different stores and cycling through the same act until she finally got a hit. Even then a person who was "like a mother" to another person was as close as she could come. My wife and daughter eat this up, even though they've seen me perform similar illusions. Barnum was right, there's a sucker born every minute.
October 7, 2012 at 8:44PM EST Reply to Comment
- Silvana Have to say I almost bought into her story. But on a second thought, why does she neer talk about God, afterlife and how it is...based on her readings EVERYONE is in a good place, and want their loved ones to move forward. Seriously? Every reading has one key point that makes you think she's the real deal, then she moves onto the same speech she gives everyone... Bla bla bla...BUT if this woman gives peace of mind to a woman who's child died, who are we to say that's stupid? Even if it's not real , if she can make people believe her story and by doing that they can improve their quality of life ...why not?
  November 21, 2012 at 2:58PM EST
dom the mover

its amazing for someone that supposely speaks to the dead, never speaks to jesus, or talks about what cozmic corridor and how the pecking order is, and the realm from which these people are coming from, and whats expected when you pass. it's really too vague, and can be dismissed so easily. we need something profound.
December 12, 2012 at 10:37AM EST Reply to Comment
dom the mover

its amazing for someone that supposely speaks to the dead, never speaks to jesus, or talks about what cozmic corridor and how the pecking order is, and the realm from which these people are coming from, and whats expected when you pass. it's really too vague, and can be dismissed so easily. we need something profound.
December 12, 2012 at 10:37AM EST Reply to Comment
BobLove42

Well it sounds like someone closer to her is finally blowing the whistle. this site claims to have the testimony with evidence and video and interviews showing Theresa Caputo is a fake.....

http://www.longislandmediumfake.com
May 14, 2013 at 2:01PM EST Reply to Comment

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Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Newt I hate all con artists and Theresa Caputo is certainly one of them.

Sally I love her show! I read that she has a two year waiting list. That's great for her! But I feel bad for people having to wait that long. I recommend Justin Terry. Even though he is only 23 years old he is an amazing psychic medium. Here is his website: justinterrymedium. com

Peggy If you haven't heard of Maureen Hancock and her postcards from Heaven and her book the Medium Next Door you are missing something. She's the real thing. Her website is maureenhancock.com She also had a pilot on the Style network. I really hope it gets picked up. Much better than Long Island.

louis stop feeding into the con artists. You should be embarressed.

Sabrina Hello , starlette rose if you would like to contact me at ssjschaffren863@gmail.com I would be more than happy to help you. But ! hun I am NOT Theresa....., But I can help you in a couple of diff... ways. So I do hope to hear from you soon. Sabrina

Aggie I love her. She is a kind caring person and I wish I could visist with her. She's a sweetheart.

Kathyc I agree Aggie. She brings a lot of comfort to alot of people.

james randi The show is scripted and edited. It is 100 percent fake. Never let yourself be diverted to what you wish to believe

Raziel Totally agree. Randi, as always, you have the voice of reason to weed out these frauds.

jenna Hoping to find feedback from you somewhere Mr. Randi. thanks for weighing in.

Jonny Yeah, this fuckin cunt is playing peoples emotions for her own gain. Shitty, and she will burn in hell.

tim Yep....she is scum. I was watching Live with Kelly and she was a guest. I have never been so disgusted in all of my life. Totally disgusted.

m1020us I love sceptics....They are afraid that this is actually real and that they will look stupid. They are even calling people names because they believe in the afterlife.

sidney All mediums are frauds.

Andy H Literally this woman takes advantage of grieving people by lying to them about their dead loved ones. Absolutely dispicable.

Jake Wow, are you thick? Does this look like her site? If so then you don't need a psychic but maybe glasses. Now I know who she's getting 200$ sessions from...

barbara some of these comments are from nuts why would you use swear words and say stupid things. judgement does not belong to you so commenting on her burning in hell is idiotic and shows the level of your intelligence and word growth.

Lindsay Medium? More like an XXL these days.

BobLove42 Well it sounds like someone closer to her is finally blowing the whistle. this site claims to have the testimony with evidence and video and interviews showing Theresa Caputo is a fake..... http://www.longislandmediumfake.com

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Newt

I hate all con artists and Theresa Caputo is certainly one of them.

Sally

I love her show! I read that she has a two year waiting list. That's great for her! But I feel bad for people having to wait that long.
I recommend Justin Terry. Even though he is only 23 years old he is an amazing psychic medium. Here is his website:
justinterrymedium. com

Aggie

I love her. She is a kind caring person and I wish I could visist with her. She's a sweetheart.

james randi

The show is scripted and edited. It is 100 percent fake. Never let yourself be diverted to what you wish to believe

m1020us

I love sceptics....They are afraid that this is actually real and that they will look stupid. They are even calling people names because they believe in the afterlife.

sidney

All mediums are frauds.

Andy H

Literally this woman takes advantage of grieving people by lying to them about their dead loved ones. Absolutely dispicable.

barbara

some of these comments are from nuts why would you use swear words and say stupid things. judgement does not belong to you so commenting on her burning in hell is idiotic and shows the level of your intelligence and word growth.

Lindsay

Medium? More like an XXL these days.

BobLove42

Well it sounds like someone closer to her is finally blowing the whistle. this site claims to have the testimony with evidence and video and interviews showing Theresa Caputo is a fake.....

http://www.longislandmediumfake.com

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