My Weekly Wonders: Psych

I contemplated which TV show I would use for this week's weekly wonder. Over break I watched a lot of shows that I would gladly talk about, but there is one in particular that I think is worth mentioning. I think I've biefly mentioned Psych on this blog. It's a show on USA that I love watching and actually has a pretty large fan base. It's probably the most famous show on the network, and is definitely the longest running.
 
So what is Psych all about? How is it doing so well? It's based around a fake psychic, Shawn Spencer, who uses his keen detective skills that his father drilled into him as a child, and works for the Santa Barbara police department.  From there, comedy takes over. His wild psychic visions and one-liners galore make the show goofy but witty at the same time. I think that's why I enjoy it so much.

He has a best friend, Gus, who accompanies him on all the cases, and for the most part keeps him in line. There's also the two main detectives that they work with, Lassiter or "Lassie" and Julia or "Jules."  Also, as the seasons have progressed Shawn's father has become more involved. As an ex-cop, Shawn's dad (who I never can remember that name of because we only here him called "dad" or Mr. Spencer) has a role of making sure Shawn doesn't get himself into trouble. He is also kind of like a coordinator (hired last season) for Shawn and Gus at the police station. He decides whether the duo can work on a case or not.

This is kind of important because only his dad and Gus know that Shawn isn't really psychic. Yes, that's right. Everyone else in the department and in the community for that matter thinks he really is psychic. It's actually pretty believable. Shawn will fake a "vision" and say something that everyone else totally did not see coming. It's pretty much how the show works. And a majority of the time it's right. So over the years the station has gradually believed him, even the chief.  There is one conflict with this ultimate secret that Shawn is keeping... Julia is dating him. How hard would it to keep this big secret from your own girlfriend, who works with you!? I think pretty hard. Especially when in the beginning of this season, Shawn was accused of not being psychic and had to go under the lie detector.  But, of course, after all the suspension he *spoiler* knew how to lie under one.  Another trick from the policeman father. 

In summary, Psych may not be some fancy NBC comedy with emmy nominations left and right, but it's still really funny and actually has a good mystery/story. It's kind of like a modern Monk, minus the obsessive compulsive disorder and plus the fake psychic-ness... you get the idea. Interested in watching it? It's on at 9pm on Wednesdays on the wonderful channel USA. Check it out sometime!