Psych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks for USA Network.[1] The series stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills"[2] and impressive eidetic memory allow him to convince people that he solves cases with his psychic abilities. The program also stars Dulé Hill as Shawn's intelligent best friend and reluctant partner Burton "Gus" Guster, as well as Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's father Henry, a former detective with the Santa Barbara Police Department.[3]

Psych
Genre
Created bySteve Franks
Starring
Opening theme"I Know You Know"
by The Friendly Indians
Ending theme"I Know You Know"
by The Friendly Indians
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes120 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Andy Berman
  • Gordon Mark
  • James Roday
  • Dulé Hill
  • Tim Meltreger
  • Tracey Jeffrey
Production locationsWhite Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkUSA Network
ReleaseJuly 7, 2006 (2006-07-07) –
March 26, 2014 (2014-03-26)
Related

Psych premiered on July 7, 2006, following the fifth-season premiere of Monk, and continued to be paired with the series until Monk's conclusion on December 4, 2009. During the second season, an animated segment titled "The Big Adventures of Little Shawn and Gus" was added to the series. Psych was the highest-rated US basic cable television premiere of 2006.[4] USA Network renewed the series for an eighth season on December 19, 2012, to include eight episodes, and ordered two more episodes on June 25, 2013, bringing the episode order to ten.[5][6] On February 5, 2014, USA Network confirmed that the eighth season of Psych would be its last, with the series finale airing on March 26, 2014.[7]

Psych: The Movie, a two-hour television film, aired on USA Network on December 7, 2017, launching the Psych film series,[8] with Franks' hope being to make five more Psych movies following Psych: The Movie.[9] On February 14, 2019, it was announced Psych: The Movie 2 was greenlit and set to premiere in late 2019, for which the main cast would return, but the premiere thereof was subsequently delayed to 2020, with the film renamed Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, and released on NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock, July 15, 2020, the day the service officially launched.[10][11][12] On May 13, 2021, Peacock announced a third film, Psych 3: This Is Gus, which premiered on November 18, 2021.[13][14] Three further Psych films are in development.[9]

Overview

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Most episodes begin with a cold open in the form of a flashback to Shawn and Gus' childhoods. The flashbacks usually involve Shawn and Gus being taught a lesson by a young Henry Spencer (Shawn's father) (Corbin Bernsen), who wishes that his son would follow in his footsteps and become a law enforcement officer. These lessons often play a role for the climax of the episode. As a child, Shawn was taught by Henry to hone his powers of observation and deduction, often using games and challenges to test him. Each flashback also sets the theme for the episode.

Shawn originally becomes known as a psychic when, after calling in tips on dozens of crimes covered on the news which help the police to close the case, the police become suspicious of his knowledge, theorizing that such knowledge could only come from the "inside" and unwilling to believe that it is merely Shawn having honed his observational skills. To avoid being sent to jail, Shawn uses those skills to convince the police that he is psychic; though the interim police chief warns Shawn that if his "powers" are fake, he will be prosecuted. With no choice but to keep up the act, and having proven himself an effective aid to the police in solving crimes, he establishes a psychic detective agency, Psych, and becomes an outside consultant to the police. Pretending to have psychic powers allows him to engage in strange and comic behavior as he turns real clues into hunches and otherworldly visitations. He enjoys teasing lifelong friend Burton Guster (Gus), a pharmaceutical sales representative, about Gus' eclectic interests as they drive around in a blue Toyota Echo nicknamed "The Blueberry"[15] solving crimes.

Head detective Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), playfully nicknamed "Lassie" by Shawn and Gus, quietly comes to respect Shawn's crime-solving skills despite doubting his psychic abilities; Lassiter is constantly exasperated by Shawn keeping investigations ongoing and/or infuriated by Shawn's antics. However, junior detective Juliet "Jules" O'Hara (Maggie Lawson) and Chief Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson) are far less antagonistic – with O'Hara expressing belief in Shawn's abilities while Vick is mum on the subject – and usually willing to give Shawn the leeway he needs to solve cases. Henry and Shawn have a difficult relationship, but despite this, Henry reluctantly helps Shawn on various occasions.

Characters

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Main

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The main cast of Psych (L–R): Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen, James Roday, Kirsten Nelson, Dulé Hill, and Timothy Omundson.

Recurring

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Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
115July 7, 2006 (2006-07-07)March 2, 2007 (2007-03-02)USA
216July 13, 2007 (2007-07-13)February 15, 2008 (2008-02-15)
316July 18, 2008 (2008-07-18)February 20, 2009 (2009-02-20)
416August 7, 2009 (2009-08-07)March 10, 2010 (2010-03-10)
516July 14, 2010 (2010-07-14)December 22, 2010 (2010-12-22)
616October 12, 2011 (2011-10-12)April 11, 2012 (2012-04-11)
714February 27, 2013 (2013-02-27)May 29, 2013 (2013-05-29)
Psych: The MusicalDecember 15, 2013 (2013-12-15)
810January 8, 2014 (2014-01-08)March 26, 2014 (2014-03-26)
Psych: The MovieDecember 7, 2017 (2017-12-07)
Psych 2: Lassie Come HomeJuly 15, 2020 (2020-07-15)Peacock
Psych 3: This Is GusNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)

Production

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The show uses White Rock, British Columbia, Canada for its Santa Barbara, California setting.[16]

Casting

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Anne Dudek's character was written out of the series after the character generated a negative test audience reaction with Lassiter due to their relationship. Maggie Lawson was cast as Juliet O'Hara to serve as a replacement.[17][18]

Theme song

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The theme song for Psych is "I Know You Know" by The Friendly Indians, series creator Steve Franks's band. Some episodes in seasons three through eight use an extended version of "I Know You Know" consisting of the first verse and the chorus,[19] but most episodes use a shortened version consisting of mostly the chorus. In some episodes, the theme song is changed, usually as a tie-in to the theme of the episode to come.

Variations of the theme song include:

  • A Christmas-themed version in the Chrismas episodes, "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" (2x10), "Christmas Joy" (3x09), and "The Polarizing Express" (5x14)
  • A Spanish-sung version in "Lights, Camera... Homicidio" (2x13) and "No Country for Two Old Men" (7x04)
  • A Bollywood-themed version sung in Hindi for "Bollywood Homicide" (4x06)
  • An a cappella version performed by Boyz II Men in the episodes revolving around Gus' a cappella group, "High Top Fade-Out" (4x07) and "Let's Doo-Wop It Again" (6x13)
  • A version recorded by Curt Smith for "Shawn 2.0" (5x08)
  • A version sung by Julee Cruise in the Twin Peaks-inspired episode, "Dual Spires" (5x12)
  • A superhero-themed version in "The Amazing Psych-Man & Tap-Man, Issue 2" (6x04)
  • A The Shining-inspired version for "Heeeeere's Lassie" (6x11)

Pineapple

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In the "pilot", Roday improvised by picking up a pineapple and saying, "Should I slice this up for the road?" Since then, pineapples have appeared in every episode as a running gag, whether just one in the background or the actual mention of it. It is Shawn's go-to housewarming gift. The pineapple is a major marketing point for items related to the show on the USA website.[20] Fan movements, such as fan-made websites, have also been dedicated to finding a pineapple or pineapple-related object in each episode.[21]

Series finale aftershow

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Following the series finale on March 26, 2014, USA Network aired a live aftershow entitled "Psych After Pshow." The hour-long special was hosted by Kevin Pereira and featured series stars and creator/executive producer Steve Franks.[22]

Release

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Syndication

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In July 2011, Ion Television announced that Psych would become part of its 2012 broadcast in syndication.[23] During 2012, reruns of the show mostly ran on Saturdays as a marathon. In 2013, Ion Television announced the acquisition option pick-up of season seven of Psych. It no longer airs on Ion Television. The deal with NBC Universal Cable & New Media Distribution adds all 16 new episodes of season seven to Ion's existing library of seasons one–six of Psych and includes rights to future seasons.[24] As of January 2023, Psych started airing on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Home media

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Title Ep # Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The Complete First Season 15 June 26, 2007 April 24, 2008 April 30, 2008
The Complete Second Season 16 July 8, 2008 June 7, 2010 March 3, 2010
The Complete Third Season 16 July 21, 2009 February 21, 2011 March 2, 2011
The Complete Fourth Season 16 July 13, 2010 July 18, 2011 August 22, 2012
The Complete Fifth Season 16 May 31, 2011 May 21, 2012 September 5, 2013
The Psych-O-Ween Collection 4 September 11, 2012[25] TBA TBA
The Complete Sixth Season 16 October 16, 2012 July 26, 2013 August 14, 2014
The Complete Seventh Season 14 October 8, 2013 July 11, 2016 TBA
Psych: The Musical 4 December 17, 2013[26] TBA TBA
The Eighth and Final Season 10 April 1, 2014[27] TBA TBA
The Complete Series 120 October 7, 2014[28] TBA TBA
The Complete Collection 120, 1 Movie July 3, 2018[29] TBA TBA
The Complete Collection (Blu-ray version) 120, 3 Movies October 17, 2023[30] TBA TBA

Reception

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Ratings

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Psych scored a 4.51 rating and an average of 6.1 million total viewers at its premiere, which made it the highest-rated scripted series premiere on basic cable in 2006 in all key demographics (households, P18-49, P25-54, and total viewers), according to a USA Network press release, quoted from the Futon Critic.[4]

Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes Premiered Ended TV season
Date Premiere
Viewers
(in millions)
Date Finale
Viewers
(in millions)
1 Friday 10:00 pm (July 7, 2006 – February 20, 2009) 15
July 7, 2006
6.06[31]
March 2, 2007
4.48[32] 2006–2007
2 16
July 13, 2007
4.33[33]
February 15, 2008
4.70[34] 2007–2008
3 16
July 18, 2008
4.89[35]
February 20, 2009
4.83[36] 2008–2009
4
Friday 10:00 pm (August 7, 2009 – October 16, 2009)
Wednesday 10:00 pm (January 27, 2010 – March 10, 2010)
16
August 7, 2009
3.98[37]
March 10, 2010
2.95[38] 2009–2010
5
Wednesday 10:00 pm (July 14, 2010 – May 29, 2013)[b]
16
July 14, 2010
3.69[39]
December 22, 2010
2.90[40] 2010
6 16
October 12, 2011
3.00[41]
April 11, 2012
2.71[42] 2011–2012
7 14
February 27, 2013
2.94[43]
May 29, 2013[b]
2.18[44] 2013
8
Wednesday 9:00 pm (January 8, 2014 – March 26, 2014)
10
January 8, 2014
2.28[45]
March 26, 2014
1.93[46] 2014

Rotten Tomatoes gave the first three seasons of the series an overall 89% "fresh" rating.[47]

Nominations and awards

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Psych was the winner of the Independent Investigations Group Annual Award for "Excellence in Entertainment" for advancing the cause of science and exposing superstition. Accepting for Psych was staff writer Daniel Hsia.[48][49] James Roday Rodriguez was nominated for the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Actor – TV Series Musical or Comedy.[50] Rodriguez was also nominated for the 2009 Ewwy Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. Psych was nominated for its first Emmy Award in 2010 in the category Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for the episode "Mr. Yin Presents...".[51] Adam Cohen and John Robert Wood were the composers for this episode. Psych was nominated for its second Emmy Award in 2012 in the category "Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media" for their interactive game "HashTag Killer". In 2012 and 2013, Psych was nominated for the People's Choice Award for "Best Cable TV Comedy". In 2014, Psych won the People's Choice Award for "Best Cable TV Comedy" in its last nomination.

Other media

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Novels

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William Rabkin has written and published five novels based on the series. The novels are written in third-person narrative style. Additionally, Chad Gervich (Small Screen, Big Picture) has published a crime-fighting guide based on methods presented in the show.

Author Title ISBN Publication date
William Rabkin A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read 0-451-22635-6 January 6, 2009
Mind Over Magic 0-451-22744-1 July 7, 2009
The Call of the Mild 0-451-22876-6 January 5, 2010
A Fatal Frame of Mind 0-451-23159-7 August 3, 2010
Mind-Altering Murder 0-451-23252-6 February 1, 2011
Chad Gervich Psych's Guide to Crime Fighting for the Totally Unqualified 1-455-51286-9 May 7, 2013

Film series

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Once production on the original series wrapped, series creator Steve Franks had the idea to bring the Psych universe back in film form later on. On May 8, 2017, USA Network announced Psych: The Movie, a two-hour TV film to air December 7, 2017.[52] All the original main cast would return for the film, directed by series creator Steve Franks and co-written by Franks and series star, James Roday Rodriguez. The first sequel, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, was released on NBCUniversal's new streaming service, Peacock, on July 15, 2020.[53] A third film, Psych 3: This Is Gus, followed on November 18, 2021.[14] Three further Psych films are in development[9] with the script for Psych 4 reportedly complete.[54]

Podcast

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The Psychologists Are In: A Psych Rewatch

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Launched in November 2021, Maggie Lawson and Timothy Omundson have hosted a weekly rewatch podcast of the series and films. Episodes include plot recaps and behind-the-scenes memories from the two hosts. The series also features interviews with cast members, guest stars, and crew members, including writers, directors, and series creator Steve Franks.[55]

Notes

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  1. ^ In the pilot episode Dudek was billed fourth in the order of credits.
  2. ^ a b The episode "Psych: The Musical" aired as a special two-hour event at 9:00 pm Eastern on December 15, 2013, outside of the seventh season's primary run.

References

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  1. ^ "About | Psych". ION Television. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  2. ^ Season 1, episode 11: "My heightened observational skills are considered a gift by many many people, but I'm here to tell you, they can be a burden."
  3. ^ Atkin, Hillary (March 26, 2013). "'Psych's' James Roday, Dule Hill Savor Series' Creative Freedom". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Psych Debuts As This Year's Most-watched New Show in Basic Cable". The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Seidman, Robert (December 19, 2012). "'Psych' Renewed for an 8th Season by USA". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 22, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  6. ^ "'Psych' Gets Order For Two More Episodes, One To Be Determined By Fans". Deadline. June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  7. ^ Bibel, Sara (February 5, 2014). "'Psych' Canceled by USA After 8 Seasons; Series Finale to Air March 26". Zap2it. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  8. ^ Psych_USA [@Psych_USA] (October 7, 2017). "Grab your pineapple and mark your calendars! #PsychTheMovie is coming to @USA_Network on DECEMBER 7!" (Tweet). Retrieved September 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ a b c MacDonald, Lindsay (December 7, 2017). "Yes, the Psych Movie Sequel Will Be All About John Cena". TV Guide. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  10. ^ USA Network (February 14, 2019). "Psych: The Movie 2 Is Coming to USA Network Later This Year!". USA Network.
  11. ^ Andy Swift (September 17, 2019). "Psych Movie Sequel Gets a Doggone Cute New Title, Later Premiere Date Now on Peacock Streaming Service". TVLine.
  12. ^ "Psych 2 to Premiere in July, Among First Wave of Peacock Streaming Originals". TVLine. May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  13. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 13, 2021). "Psych 3: This Is Gus a Go at Peacock; Threequel to Feature Wedding, Birth of 'Baby Guster,' Random Pineapple(s)". TVLine. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Webb Mitovich, Matt (October 9, 2021). "Psych 3 Movie Threequel Gets Premiere Date, Trailer That Questions Existence of a 'Peacock' Streaming Service". TVLine. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  15. ^ Barrett, Annie (July 21, 2010). "'Psych': Dulé Hill answers your questions, Part 1". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Filming locations for "Psych" (2006)". imdb.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  17. ^ Raymond, Nicholas (April 8, 2020). "Psych: Why Anne Dudek's Character Was Replaced After The Pilot". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Agard, Chancellor (July 7, 2016). "Psych 10th anniversary: Creator, stars share memories from pilot". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  19. ^ A later version of the song performed by The Friendly Indians revealed a second verse that was not used at any point during the course of the show.
  20. ^ "Comedy Television Series and Mystery TV Show – Psych TV Series – USA Network – What's with the Pineapple? – USA Network". Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  21. ^ "Psych Pineapple | where is the pineapple in every episode of Psych?".
  22. ^ 'Psych' Series Finale Airs Next Week on USA
  23. ^ "ION Media Networks | Press Releases". Ionmedianetworks.com. July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  24. ^ "ION Media Networks | Press Releases". Ionmedianetworks.com. July 1, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
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  27. ^ Lambert, David (January 14, 2014). "Psych – 'The Complete 8th Season' Announced: Date, Correct Price, Extras, Package". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  28. ^ Lambert, David (July 15, 2014). "Psych – We Predict 'The Complete Series' DVD Set to Arrive This Fall". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  29. ^ "Psych: The Complete Collection". www.amazon.com. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  30. ^ "Psych: The Complete Collection". www.amazon.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Kissel, Rick (July 12, 2006). "Talent skeins boost nets". Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. OCLC 60626272. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  32. ^ "Wrestling in Top Spot in Cable Ratings". Associated Press. March 9, 2007. OCLC 464378787. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  33. ^ Kissel, Rick (July 18, 2007). "'Bee' sings for NBC: but Fox keeps up streak". OCLC 60626272. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  34. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 20, 2008). "Top Cable Shows Through Feb 11–17: SpongeBob vs. Lebron?". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  35. ^ Seidman, Robert (July 22, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings Cable TV Top 20: Home Run Hit for ESPN". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  36. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 24, 2009). "WWE RAW, The Closer and Monk lead weekly cable viewing". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  37. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 11, 2009). "iCarly, Burn Notice, The Closer, Royal Pains, WWE RAW and Monk top week's cable shows". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  38. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 11, 2010). "Psych Ends Season on a So-So Note". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  39. ^ Gorman, Bill (July 15, 2010). "Wednesday Cable: Hot In Cleveland Steady; Tosh.0, Top Chef, ESPY Awards, Psych Premiere Ratings & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  40. ^ Gorman, Bill (December 26, 2010). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: Mythbusters, Top Chef, Psych, Meet the Browns, WWE Tribute To The Troops & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  41. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 13, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Rises; 'American Horror Story' Falls; + Brewers/Cards NLCS, 'Psych' Premiere, 'Ghost Hunters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  42. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 12, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Wins Night, 'Psych', 'America's Best Dance Crew', 'House Hunters', 'Restaurant Stakeout', 'Duck Dynasty' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  43. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 28, 2013). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Dominates Night + 'Psych', 'Top Chef', 'The Daily Show', NBA Basketball & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
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  46. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 27, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Duck Dynasty' Finale Tops Night + NBA Basketball, 'Psych', 'Workaholics' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  47. ^ Psych, Fandango. Retrieved Jun 06, 2024.
  48. ^ "IIG – 08/09/2007 Press Release". Iigwest.com. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  49. ^ "The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. August 21, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
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  53. ^ w Network (February 14, 2019). "Psych: The Movie 2 Is Coming to USA Network Later This Year!". USA Network.
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  55. ^ Ivie, Devon (August 9, 2023). "Maggie Lawson, Psych's Visionary Rewatcher". Vulture. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
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