TV Review: Psych - American Duos

Last summer, USA premiered a new series, which followed the already super-successful detective show, ‘Monk.’ ‘Psych’ is a good match for ‘Monk’ as both shows involve mystery-solving and center on characters with uncommon personality quirks. This summer both shows will return. While ‘Monk’ prepares to embark upon its sixth season, ‘Psych’ will return for a second season this July with an episode titled “American Duos.” If you don’t want to read some mild spoilers about the episode, read no further!

In the season premiere, Shawn and Gus are called in to go undercover and to figure out who is trying to kill Nigel St. Nigel. Just who is Nigel St. Nigel? He’s one of the three judges on the fictional reality competition, ‘American Duos.’ ‘Duos’ is an obvious knock-off of ‘American Idol,’ complete with a British judge, a hilarious Paula Abdul clone (played by Gina Gershon) and some other guy. Tim Curry plays Nigel, the man who’s in need of a psychic because someone keeps trying to kill him. Curry practically impersonates Simon Cowell throughout the episode, being sure to include as many metaphors and euphemisms in any given conversation as he possibly can.

In order for Gus and Shawn to stay close to Nigel without blowing their cover, they decide to audition for the show. Earlier in the episode we see a flashback of the two as youngsters working on their talent show act. It appears that in addition to Shawn’s amazing observational skills, he can also carry a tune. Watching these two plow through their hilariously awful ‘American Duos’ audition is virtually indescribable so I wont bother trying. Plus I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Between Gershon’s exaggerated portrayal of Abdul, Curry’s version of Cowell and Gus and Shawn’s sweet performance skills, the first episode of the second season of ‘Psych’ brings a lot of laughs. Anyone who loves to hate ‘American Idol’ will definitely get a kick out of this episode.

Like ‘Monk,’ ‘Psych’ isn’t really a serialized series so even if you haven’t seen an episode of the show, you’ll still be able to enjoy it.

’Psych’ returns to USA on Friday, July 13 at 10 p.m.

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