Psych is Hilarious

This blog could easily devolve into nothing but TV talk, but I've cut waaay back lately so hopefully that doesn't happen. At any rate, one show I still make time to watch (recorded by Vista Media Center of course) is Psych. Psych may very well be one of the best shows on tv, that's not on HBO (which I refuse to pay $12 a month for, so only hear abut through other people). To summarize: Psych is Hilarious.

Psych is the story of Shawn Spencer and his lifelong buddy Burton Guster as they solve crimes for the Santa Barbara police department - psychically. Ok, not really because Psychic powers don't exist. You see, Shawn has an overbearing ex-cop father, played by Corbin Bernsen (yeah the L.A. Law dude) who used to make Shawn run memory drills as a kid. For example, from the first episode, he would make Shawn close his eyes in a restaurant and recount to him the number of people wearing hats and their descriptions. The upshot is that child abuse has yielded Shawn keen powers of observation.

Shawn is pretty much good for nothing as he's spent his entire life rebelling against his father's regimentation. That's hilarious in and of itself as his best friend, Burton Guster, is completely and totally regimented. Gus loves order, Shawn loves chaos. Hilarity ensues.

Through a series of mishaps best understood by watching episode one, Shawn and Gus end up as consultants for the police. You see, Shawn has an amazing ability to decipher their cases, but he doesn't really want to be a cop (I think he already failed out of the police academy). How to work on police cases, but not be a cop. How about being a private detective? Good, but it could be better. Aha! Be a psychic detective! Take one heap of observation, stir in some moaning and "I have a vision" talk and BAM: you're a psychic.

To kick it up a notch, start an agency. What to call your Fake Psychic Detective Agency. Call it Psych. If you're not smiling right now, your use of slang predates 1983.

I've really enjoyed this show. The first episode was probably the best of season 1, but they've stepped it up considerably in season 2 (which is surprising). I've had several laugh out loud moments.

Where else can you get dialog like this:

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(after Gus reveals a childhood exploit of which Shawn was heretofore unaware as they stroll down a pier)

Gus: Face it Shawn, I am and always will be "that good".

(our duo proceeds to knock their fists together - a variation on the high-five for you pre-1983ers)

Gus: That's why my friends in school use to call me "The G".

Shawn (chuckling): That's funny, I thought they called you "Big Head Burton".

(Gus angrily grabs Shawn's arm and stops walking)

Gus: Don't you ever say that name. I know it was you that started that.

Shawn: I'm sorry Gus. I have a knack for alliteration. I'm a slave to it. Besides, how many words start with "B", really?

Gus (looking incredulous): About a thousand. How 'bout "Bold", "Black", "Beautiful".

Shawn: Who's gonna call you "Black Burton"?

Gus: You get my point, Shawn.

Shawn: Alright. I'll tell you what. I'm gonna buy you an ice cream, and we're going to discuss some new, fresh-to-death nicknames.

(Shawn kneels down and pulls out cash from the Velcro pocket on his KangaROOS sneakers.)

Shawn: How 'bout "Burton: The Billowy Bear"

(Gus snatches the cash from Shawn and heads off - presumably to enjoy some tasty ice cream.)
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One of my favorite aspects of the show are the "Psych Outs" at the end. More than bloopers, it's usually the cast joshing around. A good one recently was Shawn and Gus, fighting for their lives, treading water in the ocean, singing "Caribbean Queen" by Billy Ocean.

Psych just had it's season finale. New episodes being in January. I'm sure reruns will still come on USA network Friday nights at 8 or 9 (ah, the beauty of Media Center; who watches tv live??). You can check out the Psych overview. I've got another episode queued up.