NEW YORK — Cyndi Lauper says she downplays a psychic she portrayed on Thursday’s season five premiere of Fox’s “Bones.”

That means no flamboyant fashions or clothing with a celestial theme.

“I didn’t think she should look like Rhoda from the ’70s,” jokes Lauper, referring to the TV character made famous by Valerie Harper.

The singer and occasional actress plays Avalon Harmonia, a medium who leads stars Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz to a crime scene and then becomes a suspect.

“I can read tarot cards but I do it with an instruction manual,” jokes Lauper.

The 56-year-old says she enjoyed working on the show because she’s a fan of detective stories and enjoys picking up on a character’s speech.

“When I sing it’s all about rhythm. In acting there’s rhythm in the dialogue. Everyone has rhythm of speech and I like to find the rhythm of a character.”

She may enjoy acting, but seeing herself on screen is another story.

“No matter how I try to lose myself (in character) there I am,” explains Lauper.

Still, viewers may see more of Lauper on the show in the future. Lauper says her story line is left open for a possible return.

“Bones” follows an FBI agent (Boreanaz) and a forensic anthropologist (Deschanel) who are paired up to solve crimes.