Psych - The best comedy you're (probably) not watching!

I'll start with a review that I think pretty much sums this show up - "The best under-the-radar comedy".

That's pretty much Psych in a nutshell.

Now, I'm from Israel. I don't know how popular the USA network is, by itself or compared to other channels. Maybe in comparison, a lot of people watch Psych. But that's not how I understand it. It airs on Wednesday nights. I think that's a good day. When most shows usually start out in week days and are then "sent to die" in the weekend when the ratings go down, Psych did the opposite. It started out on Fridays, and got bumped up to Wednesdays.

It's series premiere averaged 6.1 Millions viewers, and it was the highest rated scripted series premiere on basic cable in 2006. But I'm gonna stop with the ratings angle, 'cause again, I'm not expert about it, and this could mean nothing.

So here's a summary of of the show for those of you who never heard of it, or heard bits and pieces:

Shawn Spencer (James Roday) is a hyper-observant guy, with eidetic memory. After he's arrested when one of his anonymous tips is believed by the cops to be inside information, he convinces them he knew it because he's a psychic, and uses his gifts to "prove" it. They let him go, and he decides to open a Private Investigators agency along with his childhood friend, Burton "Gus" Guster (Dule' Hill), posing as a psychic.

Other characters are Shawn's father, Henry (Corbin Bernsen), a former cop who wanted Shawn to become a cop too. Shawn often comes to his father for advice about cases, and he can also be seen in flashbacks, when he tried to prepare little Shawn to become a cop.

Detective Carlton Lassiter (Timoth Omundson), the cop that arrests Shawn, is skeptic about his abilities. He works at the Santa Barbara police station, along with his partner, Juliet O'hara (Maggie Lawson), who Shawn is very fond of. There is also Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson), the police Chief.

That's basically what you need to know. The show has only few continuing storylines, as most episodes are "case of the week" style. There's no problem jumping into the show, but of course it's better if you watch it from the beginning.

Now, I've watched a few episodes of many popular comedies, like Two and a Half Men, 30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, etc. While some were funnier than others, I enjoy Psych more than all of them. And why was it so great? Here are a few reasons:

1) It perfectly combines a cop show with a comedy. Most cop shows take themselves seriously...Not this one. It's extremely fun to watch. Silly, but in the best way possible. It manages to show a good, interesting case and investigation, but does it in a way that makes you grin all the time.

2) The main leads- It's hard to believe that Roday and Hill aren't really childhood friends. Their chemistry is so natural, you'd think they know each other since kindergarden. Their communication, either verbal or physical, is the crown jewel of the show, and they make one of the best pairs on television.

3) The other main leads- Timothy Omundson is also fun to watch, playing the serious, sarcastic, sick-of-it-all Lassiter. Sometimes his attitude seems a little extreme, but he plays it out so well, it looks natural.

Maggie Lawson is also great. She can display a cute, charming Juliet at times, but when things get rough, she can also be one bad-ass chick. Her romantic tension with Roday is practically perfect (Maybe because they're a couple in real life too. And yes, they met on the set.)

4) Guest stars- Being an under-the-radar comedy, you might expect Psych to bring in mostly anonymous guest stars, with a familiar face once in a while. BUT the show is frequently visited by big names that could easily make an awesome movie cast. With guests like Judd Nelson, Cary Elwes, Peter Weller, Ally Sheedy and more, you know you're in good hands.

5) References- As kids growing up in the eighties, Shawn and Gus frequently makes 80's references concerning the case. But don't worry, fellow 90's people, there are more modern references too. And they're being fired in a crazy rate. Didn't get one? Then you'll get the next one, coming 2 minutes later.

These are just the main things out of many that makes this show a rare treat. It may seem childish, but people of all ages will find something to love. And as long as this article makes at least one person a new Psych fan, my job here is done.

5 Seasons of Psych have aired, with an upcoming 6th season (Premiere date is still unknown). Try catching some reruns, or better yet, buy the DVDs. The money is worth it, to the last cent.