Television Reviews -
Psych: Navigation

• CSM Reviews <--
• Adult Reviews
• Kid Reviews

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this detective comedy/drama, while funny and lighthearted, depicts dead bodies and some violent action. The main character (who has a tendency to act impulsively and selfishly, though he usually has a good ulterior motive) also pursues women eagerly, but it usually takes the form of flirting and verbal come-ons over groping sessions (though there is some making out occasionally). Overall, teens will probably find the main character and the show compelling and amusing.

Families can discuss observational skills. How many details can teens recall about a room they just entered or a person they just met? What can you do to improve your observation skills? Is being able to recall small details a fun process, or a drag? What jobs could you get with highly attuned observation and memory abilities?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

In PSYCH, Shawn Spencer (James Roday) uses his amazing observational abilities to solve crimes and has a lot of fun in the process. After years of being a happy-go-lucky guy without an ounce of ambition, Shawn winds up helping the police department solve crimes. The catch? They think he's a psychic.

Roday, who works a likeable Ben Stiller vibe, is hilariously goofy as a fake psychic. He puts his fingers to his temples as if conjuring spirits, only to blurt out clues he's deduced by smart observation and a little digging around. Shawn's charm and good humor aid him in his constant pursuit of women, which he pulls off jauntily and without being sleazy.

Shawn has somewhat reluctant help from his childhood friend Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill from The West Wing), with whom he runs a private psychic detective agency. Shawn and Gus engage in clever banter (which is usually chock full of obscure pop culture references) and have a constant push-pull relationship, since Shawn has talked Gus into one too many wild rides in the past.

In the background is Shawn's father, Henry (Corbin Bernsen), an ex-cop and stern taskmaster who helped Shawn hone his abilities as a child. Father and son are now mostly estranged, and their tricky relationship adds emotional depth to an otherwise light-hearted show.

Fans of the comedy detective series Monk will find Psych right in line with their taste. Fans might also like Veronica Mars, another clever detective show with a comedic edge.

Rate It!

Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Lots of flirting (mostly Sean hitting on attractive women) and occasional making out. References to "sleeping together." Overall, it's pretty innocent, though.
Violence Each show investigates a crime. Dead bodies with some blood (usually very little) are shown, and brief violence with weapons is depicted. But this isn't a major element of the show -- it's more about getting to the bottom of the mystery.
Language Not too frequent, but words include "damn," "bastard," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior The show's premise is based on a deception -- that the main character is psychic. But Sean, although he often comes across as selfish (a trait played up for humor), genuinely wants to help people, and he provides an example of someone putting smarts to good use. Some cops are depicted as stubborn and dim-witted. The main character's sidekick is the only African-American in an otherwise white cast. Sean's dad takes a "tough love" approach to child-rearing in some flashback sequences.
	Commercialism The main character drives a Toyota -- a pretty obvious product placement. Other brands show up and are mentioned by name, including Dunkin Donuts.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Some social drinking in the periphery.

Rate It Now

OR