The Talking Show (Tarot Reading)

​

(Photos below). This was maybe around 96 or 97. Whenever it was, I had amusingly long hair.

'The Talking Show' was a short-lived series made by Open Media productions for Channel 4. It was hosted by Sandi Toksvig and just explored various aspects of how we all communicate with one another. 

 

They asked me to give a 'test conditions' demonstration of cold reading. For this particular demonstration, they wanted me to be a tarot card reader.

​

The production team chose the two people I gave readings to. I had no say in this and didn't know anything about either of the people I gave readings to. The first was a woman called Sue or Susie. I gave her a tarot reading lasting about 24 1/2 minutes.

After I'd given the reading, I went away and Sandi Toksvig interviewed Susie to ask for her reactions. Sandi was careful not to ask any leading questions. I had agreed with the production team that this item would be broadcast whatever the client said, good or bad.

​

There is a full transcript of the reading itself, and Sandi's interview with Susie, in 'The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading'. Susie said she was surprised and pleasantly impressed by how specific the reading was.

On the same day, I also gave a reading to another young woman chosen by the producers. About ten minutes into the reading, there was a technical fault to do with a light fitting or something. The producers decided to abandon that reading so I never got to finish it.

​

I probably have the video for this somewhere, on VHS or DVD. However, I'd need signficant tech help to transfer it and present it online and it might be tricky for copyright reasons.

​

​