EXCLUSIVE Australia's 'Human Lie Detector' Steve Van Aperen reveals why the Stan Original Series Poker Face gets deception detection spot on
A former police officer turned deception expert - known as Australia's 'Human Lie Detector' - has revealed why the Stan Original Series Poker Face gets the science of lie detection remarkably right.
Steve Van Aperen, a keynote speaker who specialises in the psychology behind liars, told Daily Mail Australia that Poker Face, which stars Natasha Lyonne as a woman who can instantly spot a lie, earns his professional tick of approval.
'There's a lot of validated science behind it. That is, loss of eye contact, concealment and masking. They obviously had experts in it who trained the actors,' Steve began.
'A lot of the things I saw, so far as evasion and blocking, are very consistent with what happens in the real world. It's quite well written.'
He said he was particularly impressed that Lyonne's character, Charlie Cale, used real-world techniques to spot deception.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'She asks the right questions, she's like a modern-day Columbo!'
Steve added that he admired how the character always trusted her gut instinct - a key factor when it comes to detecting dishonesty.
'You know how you meet someone and think they are full of it? Where does that come from? What is it about human nature that makes us like that?' he said.
'It is all about psychology, understanding why people do what they do.'
He also believes Poker Face can serve as a useful guide for viewers looking to sharpen their own lie-spotting skills, thanks in large part to the observant nature of Lyonne's character.
'You will get an understanding of if you ask somebody a question and they don't answer it, that's a red flag,' he said.
'Are they engaging in behaviours where they are objecting rather than denying? This is quite well done on the show based on my experience working on homicide cases.'
In the Stan series, Lyonne plays Charlie Cale, a casino worker with an uncanny ability to detect lies.
Each episode sees her interacting with a range of characters - many of whom are trying to deceive her - and she relies on a mix of body language, verbal clues and gut instinct to uncover the truth.
Steve finished by saying he was very impressed by one aspect of the show, which got the science behind lie detection accurate.
'One of the first things I teach people - and we see this in the show - is that a good interviewer asks the right questions,' he said.
'If your question is not clear from both sides it allows a deceptive person room to wriggle out.'
The American crime-comedy show features an all-star cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chloë Sevigny, Adrien Brody, Nick Nolte and Australian actress Danielle Macdonald.
It is perfect viewing for fans of other Stan crime comedies such as Good Cop/Bad Cop.
Cailah Scobie, Stan's Chief Content Officer, revealed in 2023 that the streaming service devised a strategy to commission premium international projects to attract a wider audience.
After the success of its Aussie shows The Tourist and Wolf Like Me, Stan is now in a position to create more high-quality content to be broadcast outside of Australia.
All ten episodes of Poker Face series one and the first four episodes of series two are available to stream now only Stan, with a new episode being released every Thursday until July 10.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fashion fans are all saying the same thing about bizarre 'distressed' jeans on sale for £40
A pair of jeans that retails at £40 (AU$59.99) has taken the internet by storm - for all the wrong reasons. The 'distressed' jeans, on sale at Australian clothing brand Cotton On, are available in different shades of blue denim but feature the same washed-out dirty look. However, fashion lovers have taken issue with the design of the jeans and say that, rather than looking 'washed out', the trousers instead look like they have been stained with human faeces. Shoppers went into a frenzy when TikToker Adele, who goes by @adelesspammo, posted the clip, racking up a staggering 1.7 million views and tens of thousands of likes. She stumbled upon the jeans while out shopping and immediately took a video, which she captioned: 'What was Cotton On thinking?' The clip shows the pair of blue jeans on a display in-store, stained with suspicious-looking brown dye down the front and back. Adele wrote: 'Someone had an accident', and hundreds of commenters were similarly taken aback by the offbeat styling. The jeans, pictured here as they are advertised online, seem to look more offensive in person, according to commenters One person joked: 'No way people who design stuff like this have a job and I don't.' And another said: 'Yes, because we absolutely want to look like we just had explosive diarrhoea in our jeans…' Many noted the sloppy design choice, which they did not think warranted the £40 price tag. 'So, you're telling me I could have accidentally slipped in mud, put my jeans on that pile, and got money for it,' wrote one incredulous user. Commenters joked that the jeans were 'pre s**t-in' so that lucky wearers don't have to go to the trouble of doing it themselves. One said: 'PRE POOPED JEANS!!! I've been looking for something like this for so long, because it gets sooooo tiring having to do it myself for every outfit.' And another wrote: 'To be fair, walking around with actual s**t on your jeans would be pretty uncomfortable, so this is a better option.' Eagle-eyed fashion fans noticed that the unusual jeans are likely a 'dupe' or an imitation of a similar pair by luxury fashion house Acne Studios. The original 'distressed' jeans are sold by Acne for a whopping £600, and feature similar brown shading around the knees. One mother wrote: 'As if I would be paying money for that when my kids can do that to my clothes and furniture for free.' However, many observed that the version of the jeans advertised online appear much less offensive, and it is the in-person colouring which took them by surprise. 'The worst part is they look completely different online and actually nice. I was shocked when I saw them in the store,' one person commented. Even a former Cotton On employee weighed in, saying: 'I used to work at Cotton On and spent every shift trying not to laugh at some of the s**t we were selling.' One user wrote: 'When I say I want jeans that look a bit dirty this is NOT what I mean.' It seems even would-be customers looking for a more relaxed and dishevelled look are not a fan of Cotton On's latest venture. Fashion Stylist Donny Galella told that such imitations are cropping up more frequently in the fashion world. Incredulous fashion fans rushed to the comments to express their shock at the offbeat design 'Acne is definitely one of the world's hottest brands,' he said. 'And we are living in dupe culture world.' 'But given the cost of living crisis, many people don't have a spare $1400 laying around for a dirty looking pair of jeans, especially for a "trend" style pair of jeans that will have a short shelf life.' FEMAIL has contacted Cotton On for comment.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Troubled footy player set to be handed career lifeline after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn
Taylan May is reportedly on the cusp of being offered a deal to join up with a new NRL club and could return to play over the next month. The 23-year-old former Penrith Panthers player is, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, could resurrect his NRL career with the Wests Tigers. The move would see him join up with his older brother Terrell May. May was indefinitely stood down by Penrith under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy in May of last year, with the club later announcing that he'd be leaving the side by mutual agreement. His exit came after he had faced serious accusations relating to an incident in April 2024 at a home in Werrington, with May being charged with domestic violence offences. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear of harm and two counts of contravening an AVO. The charges were later withdrawn. Peter V'landys later confirmed that May could return to play following the dismissal of the charges but the former Penrith player, who made his debut in 2021, delayed any such comeback. The winger had checked into a mental health clinic earlier this year to focus on his well-being. In May, he broke his silence on admitting himself to the facility to Channel 9, stating that he felt like he was 'a whole different person now.' He also added that he could play as early as 'next week', dismissing claims that he would not be a risk to other clubs in the NRL. Now, The Sydney Morning Herald writes that the winger 'underwent a medical exam' at the Tigers on monday. The rugby league player is also understood to have snubbed a train-and-trial offer from the Rabbitohs having visited the club two weeks ago. However, the outlet adds that sources close to the deal say the footy player was drawn to the prospect of playing alongside his older brother Terrell at the Tigers. It comes as Sam Burgess had also reportedly attempted to coax May to join Super League club Warrington. But the former Penrith player has made it clear that he is set on staying in Australia so that he can play alongside his brother. 'I'll just put it out there, I honestly wanna play with my brother,' he recently told Channel 9. 'He has spoken about that in the media and it will be a dream come true, not just for us but for my family. Playing with him would light a bigger fire inside me.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Viewers celebrate the end of The Project as show is officially cancelled and hosts bid their loyal fans farewell: 'Good riddance'
The Project is officially cancelled and the show's hosts said an emotional farewell to their loyal views on Monday as the current affairs series enters its final weeks. But not everyone was sad to see it go, with several viewers commenting on The Project's official account after the announcement was made. Many relished the axing, with one person commenting: 'Very good news! Finally. Time to get real jobs!' Another said: 'We all can't wait. This has been long overdue. Woke f***s you all are!' One more chimed in: 'No one will miss you. Your show sucked. Left wing propaganda. Australia is better off without you. You wasted 16 years of everyone's lives.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Terrible show good riddance' someone else posted while another wrote, 'Good riddance to a junk TV show'. 'Thank goodness it's finally going!' yet one more said while someone else commented, 'Why can't it finish tonight'. 'Long overdue' insisted one viewer with someone else saying, 'I'm actually surprised you lasted this long'. Others were saddened by the news with one fan saying, 'Was a great program... Though Waleed you should run for PM also go on a show where we can hear you show your electric guitar skills'. 'Love you ALL!' another commented while someone else posted, 'This is sad. I'll miss you'. The Project was officially axed after 16 years on Monday - with right-wing media personality Steve Price blasting the show's axing. Network 10 announced the news first and hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Steve Price and Sam Taunton shared their thoughts on their sacking in the opening minutes of Monday's show. Surprisingly, it was Price, a regular conservative voice on a show often considered left-wing, who was the most torn up about the cancellation. But not everyone was sad to see it go, with several viewers commenting on The Project's official account after the announcement was made. Many relished the axing, with one person commenting: 'Very good news! Finally. Time to get real jobs!' Others were saddened by the news with one fan saying, 'Was a great program... Though Waleed you should run for PM' 'This is the best crew of people I worked with. I was 55 when I started here. I'm now 70. That's 15 years. 'How an old fat guy like me can survive, I don't know,' he said. Price said the show would leave Melbourne - the city it airs from - poorer, with staff and artists left unable to talk about their products 'anywhere else'. 'I'll miss it. I don't know what I'll do on Monday nights,' he admitted. Price did not mince words when he shared his additional thoughts in a column for the Herald Sun on Monday night. He slammed viewers who are gleefully 'dancing on the grave' of the 'woke' series amid its cancellation. 'Those ignorant people doing the 'glad they got sacked' dance over the cancellation called the show woke and leftie – hello, I am the exact opposite of that description – and have been there from almost the start' Price wrote. 'Show me that sort of political balance on any ABC TV show – you can't.' Price concluded: 'Melbourne and Australia has lost something unique this week – a live TV show with passion, courage, humour and a heart. It's sad.' There were no tears from the cast on Monday night, but there were some laughs - with Taunton joking that the 'big news about the show' was 'fantastic'. 'I think I got the tone wrong... We should take this off air!' he joked, to guffaws from his co-stars. Waleed then took over in much more serious tone, telling viewers: 'After 16 years and nearly 4500 episodes, The Project will be no more.' Sarah emotionally reflected on her journey with the beleaguered current affairs series, recalling she first appeared in a comedy segment hosted by former The Project star Dave Hughes. 'My first appearance on this show was as a Dave Hughes funny!' she said to laughter from her co-stars. 'I fell over during a media scrum outside court, but I am so grateful that I got to sit on this desk and play TV with all of you.' She continued: 'It has been such a fun thing to do, but it is the people who make a show and The Project isn't just the people on this desk, it is the cast and crew behind the scenes. 'They're the real stars. I'm talking, producers, editors and cameramen and women and the floor crew, the people in the control room, the director and the hair and make-up team, all of them who work their guts out every night, six nights a week to get us on air.' Waleed also took a moment to thank the show's loyal viewers over the years. 'A huge shout-out to our viewers as well. This isn't goodbye, we will see you again more over the next few weeks, but I know and everyone who has worked on the show know these are the best viewers in Australia' she said. 'It has been a privilege to serve you.' Waleed additionally confirmed: 'Our last show will be on June 27 and we will have a cracker.' Network 10 was first to announce the news on social media on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support, and announced the show's replacement in a statement. Hosts Aly, Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Taunton will continue his guest appearances on various other Ten shows. The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Carrie Bickmore left her seat as host, has aired nearly 4,500 episodes to date and will wrap in three weeks following speculation it will be replaced with a current affairs program. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16. Ten announced the news on social media with a statement that said: 'For nearly 16 years, The Project has been Australia's destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle. 'Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27. 'To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help families across Australia, worked on the show or just liked a social post. Thank you. 'This show is not possible without all of you. See you tonight (and the next 3 weeks) for The Project.' Host Harris also spoke about the cancellation and her subsequent exit from the network. 'There aren't many jobs where you get to tell very human stories, and interview politicians and celebrities all while having a laugh – or ugly crying – in front of a live studio audience every night,' Harris told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'I've had a blast, [but] it's time for me to take a breath and spend some time with my boys. Keep an eye out for my OnlyFans page!' she then joked. Aly also released a statement, saying: 'The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done. Network 10 was first to announce the news on social media on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support, and announced the show's replacement in a statement. Pictured L to R: Sam Taunton, Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, and Georgie Tunny 'In some ways it looks more conventional now than it used to because it led the way. 'It showed you could bring dry stories to life for an audience that might otherwise have ignored them.' Viewers flocked to the comments of Ten's social media page to share their dismay. 'Thanks for all your support and honest opinions on topics!' one person wrote. 'Sad to see you guys going!' another said, as someone else commented: 'That's so sad, I always watched it!' 'Where will I watch my news now!? Only place that delivers news with humanity and care. Will miss you guys!! I wish you all the best for the future,' added a fourth. Yet another user wrote: 'So sad, as I love watching your program each week.' 'I've thoroughly loved this show,' one fan commented. Network Ten has announced that another news program will be replacing The Project. 'Network 10 will be introducing a revised early evening program schedule later this month,' a spokesperson said. 'At the core of the changes will be an expansion of Network 10's successful news coverage, with the launch of a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week to complement 10's one-hour 5pm local news bulletins. 'This reflects the successful growth in audiences to Network 10 local news bulletins and coverage. Our focus continues to be on serving our free-to-air audiences with more of the content they are increasingly watching. 'Deal or No Deal will move to the new time of 7pm. 'As a result of the changes, The Project will air for the last time on Friday, June 27, ending an incredible run of almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes.' Recently poached Seven journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace are expected to host the new evening program, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The new show will be overseen by broadcast news vice president Martin White, with the title and official launch date expected to be announced within the next week. Network president Beverley McGarvey informed staff of the decision to axe The Project in a meeting at the program's Melbourne headquarters on Monday. The Project first aired in July 2009, then known as The 7PM Project, and exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success. It first began as a half-hour program but soon transitioned into one-hour episodes as its popularity increased. It boasted a rotating panel with stars like Aly, Harris, Georgie Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, Sam Taunton and Susie Youssef. Shot mostly at Network Ten's studios in The Como Centre in South Yarra, Melbourne, The Project was known for reporting on current affairs with a comedic spin. It has won several accolades of its nearly 16 years, including 11 Logie Awards - two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Aly and former host Carrie Bickmore. However, viewership began to dwindle in recent years, with Daily Mail Australia reporting in March the show was under review and set to get the axe. The prime-time current affairs show failed to crack the top ten of most-watched programs at the time, with its best night attracting 945,000 total viewers. Meanwhile, just last week, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally. This is in stark contrast to The Project's competitors - Seven and Nine News - which routinely attracted more than 2 million viewers to their 6pm bulletins. 'The Project has delivered enormous value to Ten over the years,' one senior industry figure told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'It was very 'on brand' for the network, it punched above its weight with younger demographics, and it was a terrific vehicle for cross-promoting Ten's other shows.' 'But one of the most important jobs of early evening programming is to deliver decent lead-in audiences to the next show.' The source went on to say 'if there aren't enough viewers in the early evening, it makes it that much harder for those 7.30pm programs to succeed'.
