Horrorscopes

The story

“Horrorscopes” is a TV series about Janice Rickter, a fortune teller and horoscope writer for a daily free San Francisco newspaper. Her misinterpretation of astrology has now spiralled out of control as she believes she’s being told to conduct nefarious tasks.

Production title: “Horrorscopes”

Writers: Hugo Lunny & Derek Buchanan

Genre: Dark Drama

Format: TV Show

Synopsis: Janice Rickter is a fortune teller and horoscope writer for a daily free San Francisco newspaper, but her astrological interpretations have spiraled out of control. Deluded and convinced that her predictions are more relevant than they actually are, Janice engages in a complex set of rituals and drinks excessively alone to enhance her communication with the stars.

What she tells her readers informs how they approach the city of San Francisco and how they lead their lives, but unfortunately, she’s not always leading them correctly or with their best selves in mind.

Logline: A fortune teller and horoscope writer for a daily newspaper becomes deluded about her interpretations and brings what she’s being told to fruition.

Tagline: Don’t pay attention to interpretation.

More Broken English productions:

Janice Rickter, once a bright-eyed UC Berkeley graduate with dreams of investigative journalism, now found herself entrenched in the world of astrology for a free San Francisco newspaper. Her knack for weaving words into cosmic advice turned her horoscopes into must-reads. But what started as a quirky job morphed into a consuming obsession.

Janice’s Mission District apartment was a chaotic shrine to astrology—charts, candles, crystals, and wine bottles cluttered every surface. Her rituals grew elaborate: lighting incense, chanting incantations, and drinking excessively to “enhance” her cosmic connection. The lines between reality and her astrological fantasies blurred, and she became convinced of her own prophetic powers.

Her predictions, once harmless, turned dangerously specific. “Avoid the Embarcadero on Thursday,” she advised, causing readers to cancel plans. “A chance encounter at Golden Gate Park will change your life,” sent others wandering the park for hours. Each accurate prediction fueled her delusion; each miss was rationalized away.

Janice’s influence grew, and San Franciscans clung to her every word. Friends and family, concerned about her obsession, drifted away, leaving her isolated. One stormy night, in a drunken trance, she wrote: “The stars foretell danger. Beware of the Marina district tomorrow.” Panic ensued, but nothing happened. Unfazed, Janice continued her dark prophecies, sowing fear and chaos.

The newspaper’s editor, initially thrilled by the spike in readership, grew alarmed by complaints and panicked readers. He visited Janice, finding her apartment in disarray and her eyes wild. Confronted about her predictions, Janice dismissed his concerns, insisting the stars didn’t lie. Desperate, the editor threatened to replace her if she didn’t tone down her columns. Reluctantly, she agreed, but soon predicted a massive earthquake, urging readers to evacuate.

When no quake occurred, outrage erupted. Janice’s credibility shattered, the newspaper faced legal action, and the editor fired her. Jobless and delusional, Janice retreated into her rituals, becoming a ghostly figure in the city, whispering her predictions to the wind.

San Francisco moved on, her readers found new guides, and the newspaper hired a grounded astrologer. Janice’s tale became a cautionary legend—”Horrorscopes”—a reminder of belief turning into delusion and the dangers of power.

One foggy night, Janice encountered a young woman, Emily, sobbing on a bench. Offering a tissue and a listening ear, Janice gave heartfelt advice without consulting the stars. Emily’s gratitude sparked a glimmer of clarity in Janice. Realizing she could help people through genuine connection, she sought help for her addiction, attended therapy, and rebuilt her life.

Janice found a new path as a counselor, using her experiences to guide others. She still gazed at the stars occasionally, but now, she saw them as distant lights reminding her of the vast universe and the importance of staying grounded. Her story of redemption transformed “Horrorscopes” from a tale of delusion to one of resilience and human strength.