Psych, Now in Its Fourth Season on USA Network, Delivers the Laughs!

Psych is a hit show on USA Network which airs Friday nights. Though it has already started its 4th Season, there are still many fans to claim out there. Those who already follow the antics of Santa Barbara's Psychic Detectives are enthralled. Psych is funny, smart and.... funny. The tag line reads "Fake Psychics, Real Detectives". This tells you a bit of the premise, but Mentalist fans, don't get confused. Psych is on a totally different plane. It gives the 30-somethings some nostalgia and gives everyone much-needed laughs.

Each episode begins with a flash-back of Shawn and Gus 20 years ago, learning some lesson from Shawn's police officer father. Shawn has been "trained" since early childhood to observe things that other people might miss. He has a natural ability for it, but lacks one thing: Maturity. Shawn is forever a kid at heart! That is what we love about him. He and his best friend Gus have managed to convince the Santa Barbara Police Department that Shawn has psychic abilities. Not everyone believes him, but he does seem to get the job done; driving everyone crazy along the way!

Constant references to the eighties pepper each episode, keeping it light and fun. There are sometimes serious cases, but the writers of Psych definitely keep it amusing. James Roday and Dule Hill are masters of their craft, interacting as if they've actually been best friends their whole lives. At times it is almost slapstick. The supporting cast does their job to a tee, reluctantly following Shawn's clues, no matter how outrageous they may seem.

There is romance, in a way. Shawn has a crush on Juliet O'Hara (Maggie Lawson), the more compassionate of her and her partner, the team that works often with the psychics. Though she doesn't show it, his charm and wit is alluring and at times you will notice that she can't help but smile at some comment Shawn makes. Inappropriately amusing as he is, along with his partner, Gus, he keeps things rolling. Gus is the one with the common sense, the one with a "day job", money and car. He gets pulled into crazy situations with his best friend, complaining the entire time.

Shawn's father, Henry (expertly played by Corbin Bernsen), now retired from the police force, often gets recruited to give fatherly advice when the duo run into a road block. He seems to have little patience with his son, but it is noticeable that he is proud of his achievements. Henry has the same observant skills, which may be why his former partner, now Police Chief Vick (Kirsten Nelson), gives Shawn so much lee-way. She sees the same skills, even if she doesn't quite believe they are of a psychic nature.

As for the biggest skeptic on the squad, Carlton Lassiter (Tim Omundson) would like nothing better than to debunk Spencer and get on with the business of solving crimes in his own way: with guns blazing. Lassiter (or "Lassie" to Shawn) is a no-nonsense cop who does things by the book, wants to be Chief of Police and loves his fire-arms. He will never admit willingly that he has been able to use their help (unless, of course, he's been accused of murder!) - "Lassie did a bad bad thing".

This show is full of fun romps, silly sayings and non-stop entertainment. Mentalist fans will find that the similarities in the shows are few, so don't worry! Just sit back and enjoy the antics of this lovable cast! And stick around for the final credits and enjoy a "Psych-Out", their version of bloopers.

Enjoy Psych on USA. Characters Welcome.