Psych premiered in 2006 and is currently airing on USA. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a sleuth who pretends to be a psychic so he can consult with the police and use his heightened observational ability to solve cases. With best friend Burton “Gus” Guster, played by Dule Hill, the two set up a consulting company to peddle Shawn's psychic abilities. Corbin Bernsen rounds out the cast as Shawn's former-cop father, who we see in flashbacks teaching a young Shawn to hone his observational skills. They most often work with the police chief and two other detectives – Lassiter and Juliet, with whom they often compete when on cases.
Psych, as the name implies, is a lighthearted show in keeping with USA's brand. Each episode showcases a mystery, usually a murder investigation. The focus is not on the family's grief, but the hi-jinks that ensue as Shawn and straight-man Gus continue to fool the cops into thinking Shawn is psychic while also solving the case. Juliet is inclined to belief while Lassiter is a hard-boiled skeptic who cannot be convinced. The most humorous exchanges are between Shawn and Lassiter as Shawn finds no end of fun in poking at Lassiter while Lassiter is incensed that Shawn continues to be right.
The cast shines, especially James Roday, who prances around, shamelessly milking the act for all it's worth. Performances can be a little outlandish, but it's all with a tongue-in-cheek sense of fun that permeates Psych, making it an enjoyable ride.
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