"Friends" co-creator ventures into paranormal

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The co-creator of "Friends" is making her first foray into reality television with "Gifted," a Fox pilot set in the world of psychics.

The project, on which Marta Kauffman will serve as an executive producer, will test the skills of people who believe they have psychic abilities -- such as reading Tarot cards and communicating with spirits -- to determine the most gifted one.

"Gifted" stems from Kauffman's genuine curiosity about the paranormal, which became deeper after her parents died. In her purse, she always carries a pendulum used by many to get "yes or no" answers to any question.

"I have always been fascinated about what we can't see and the gifts that people have that enable them to do incredible things," said Kauffman, an admitted reality-TV skeptic. "And I have always wanted to know if there is a way to quantify people's ability."

Kauffman will executive produce with reality veteran J.D. Roth, whose credits include hits "Beauty and the Geek" and "The Biggest Loser." They are scouting locations this week, with production on "Gifted" slated to begin next week.

If the project goes to series, the idea is for a panel of experts to narrow down the field of participants and to have the finalists possibly living under the same roof.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter