PSYCH: AMERICAN DUOS {SECOND SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The second season premiere in this comedy/mystery series about a man whose acute observational skills convince others that he has psychic powers, allowing him to run a "psychic detective agency" in Santa Barbara with his best friend from childhood.
In this episode, a flashback scene from 1987 shows young Shawn berating little Gus for changing from a Billy Ocean getup into a Michael Jackson costume minutes before their talent show appearance. As Shawn is dressed as Tears for Fears member Roland Orzabal, he fears the judges won't like their revised act. Back in the present day, Gus and Shawn watch reality TV show "American Duos" as acerbic music judge Nigel St. Nigel excoriates the talent, then insults fellow judges Emilina Saffron and Zapato Dulce, as well as announcer Lester Beacon.
When called to the station, Shawn and Gus are shocked to meet Nigel, who says he has received death threats and wants to hire them to find the culprit. The twosome opts to go undercover as a pair of singers on the show. During their first audition, a heavy light structure falls on the judges' table, almost killing Nigel. However, Lester insists that it was merely an accident. Later, Jules tells the guys that their singing talent leads something to be desired, and that they'll have to "step it up." When talking with fellow participants about Nigel's vitriolic feedback to one and all, Gus realizes that the pool of suspects is wider than originally thought.
When going to Nigel's trailer for counsel, Gus and Shawn foil someone's elaborate scheme to get the judge electrocuted. Carlton is assigned to start a murder investigation of everyone on the set, starting with Zapato and Emilina. Meanwhile, realizing that they're starting to take the talent participation seriously, Gus and Shawn convince Jules to be their act's choreographer.
When touching base with Nigel that night, Shawn realizes that Nigel's food has been poisoned. Later, Carlton reports that the supper was drugged with narcotics matching Emilina's prescriptions. At the station, Emilina's drugged-out state nixes a quick confession, much to Carlton's dismay. However, she has an airtight alibi when a subsequent attempt is made on Nigel's life via a rigged-to-explode microwave -- leaving Emilina exonerated. Emilina adds that she hazily recalls someone taking drugs from her bag the previous night.
Gus and Shawn take Nigel to Henry's house to hide out, leading to increasingly contentious arguments between Henry and Nigel. Meanwhile, Emily finds an intruder in her dressing room, who injects a hypodermic that will make it seem as if she's overdosed. The next day, Karen tells Shawn and Gus that Emilina is in the hospital, clinging to life.
In Emilina's hotel room, Shawn finds a pendant belonging to contestant Bevin Rennie Llywellen, who Gus realizes has participated in every "American Duos" concert under a different guise. A photo of Bevin and Zapato makes Gus and Shawn realize that the judge is Bevin's "inside connection." Carlton and Jules subsequently apprehend Bevin. Meanwhile, Emilina corroborates Gus and Shawn's suspicions, after which they tell Nigel about Zapato's evil plans. Zapato admits his guilt, stating that Nigel's dominance on the show had made him "invisible."
Finally, Shawn takes part in the talent competition, resurrecting his old act as Roland Orzabal singing "Shout." He's joined by Gus's imitation of a moonwalking Michael Jackson -- sporting a "Thriller" jump suit, sparkly glove, white socks, and black penny loafers. Despite Gus and Shawn's efforts at authenticity, Nigel delivers a withering review of their act, suggesting that the now-dejected pair "euthanize themselves." Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: USA
- DATE: July 13, 2007 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:91811
- GENRE: Comedy; Drama, police/private detective
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Bonnie Hammer); Comedy; Drama, police/private detective
- SERIES RUN: USA - TV series, 2006-2014
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Chris Henze … Executive Producer
- Kelly Kulchak … Executive Producer
- Steve Franks … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer, Theme Music by
- Mel Damski … Co-Executive Producer
- Josh Bycel … Supervising Producer
- Gordon Mark … Producer
- Geoff Garrett … Associate Producer
- Saladin Patterson … Consulting Producer
- Terry Hutchenson … Visual Effects Producer
- John Landis … Director
- James Roday … Writer
- Adam Cohen … Music by
- John Robert Wood … Music by
- James Roday … Cast, Shawn Spencer
- Dule Hill … Cast, Burton "Gus" Guster
- Timothy Omundsen … Cast, Carlton Lassiter
- Maggie Lawson … Cast, Juliet "Jules" O'Hara
- Kirsten Nelson … Cast, Karen Vick
- Corbin Bernsen … Cast, Henry Spencer
- Tim Curry … Cast, Nigel St. Nigel
- Cristian de la Fuente … Cast, Zapato Dulce
- Gina Gerson … Cast, Emilina Saffron
- Sage Brocklebank … Cast, Buzz McNab
- Liam James … Cast, Young Shawn
- Carlos McCullers … Cast, Young Gus
- Peter Benson … Cast, Lester Beacon
- Scott Nicholas Perrie … Cast, Bevin Rennie Llywellen
- Ben Cotton … Cast, Chance Cade
- Richard Ardnt … Cast, Rance Cade
- Alison Mackay … Cast, Singer #1
- Minh Ly … Cast, Singer #5
- Alex Chu … Cast, Singer #6
- Kenyan Lewis … Cast, Singer #7
- Lilian Umurungi … Cast, Singer #8
- Jovanna Huguet … Cast, Singer #9
- Shay Kuebler … Cast, Dancer #1
- Kyle Vincente … Cast, Dancer #2