Writing and photos by Mary Perez

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

Many will call “Psych” the best modern-day Sherlock Holmes-esque adaptation, and you know that’s right.

Created by Steve Franks, “Psych” stars James Roday Rodriguez as cunning “psychic detective” Shawn Spencer and Dulé Hill as his smooth-talking, pharmaceutical rep best friend, Burton Guster. From a young age, Spencer learned crime-solving techniques from his father, Detective Henry Spencer, played by Corbin Bernsen. Shawn’s keen observational skills and sharp thinking give him an edge in solving crimes, but his lack of formal police training led him to call himself a psychic to avoid getting in trouble for his “unconventional” methods of discovering clues. The duo worked in Santa Barbara alongside the Santa Barbara police department, led by Maggie Lawson as Detective Juliet O’Hara, Timothy Omundson as Head Detective Carlton Lassiter, and Kirsten Nelson as SBPD Chief Vick. Recurring characters include Sage Brocklebank as endearing Detective Buzz McNab, Kurt Fuller as eccentric coroner Woodrow “Woody” Strode, and Cybill Shepherd as clever police psychologist Madeleine Spencer, Shawn’s mother. Fuller, though introduced in Season 4, was an instant fan-favorite for his quirky behaviors and humorous interactions, earning him the award for “Fans' Favorite Recurring Guest Star” after the series finale.

First airing in 2006, the series ran for eight seasons before concluding in 2014. Many of the actors also played a role in directing and producing episodes, but Steve Franks, Chris Henze, and Kelly Kulchak all produced nearly all of the show’s episodes. Andy Berman also played a large role in writing “Psych,” writing nearly as many episodes as Franks himself. Notable guest stars in the series include Jimmi Simpson (Mary Lightly), Phylicia Rashad (Winnie Guster), Kristy Swanson (Marlowe Vicellio), and Cary Elwes (Pierre Despereaux). It eventually earned three movie spin-offs, with the latest movie, “Psych 3: This is Gus,” airing in 2021. In 2014, the series won the People’s Choice Award for "Best Cable TV Comedy.”

There are numerous recurring themes throughout the series, which makes every rewatch a chance to spot something new. Pineapples are a notable element of “Psych,” as a pineapple appears in every episode. Catchphrases are also constantly utilized by characters, such as the classic “C’mon son,” “I’ve heard it both ways,” and “Suck it!” Additionally, the show has a multi-season trilogy, the Yin/Yang trilogy, as Shawn takes down a ruthless serial killer with a penchant for riddles. Starring Ally Sheedy, the trilogy showcases Shawn to the best of his abilities, as he quickly pieces together clues in an attempt to defeat the notorious “Mr. Yang.” Fans latched on to the franchise for its replayability, quoteable moments, and clever storylines.

In 2024, “Psych” fans rejoiced as the first-ever fan event for the show was announced to be held in Chicago. With opportunities to meet the cast, chat with fellow fans, and hear about the making of the show, many traveled from around the world to celebrate the franchise. An instant success, the avid fans of “Psych,” better known as PsychOs, followed the cast and crew to Philadelphia in 2024 for “psychOdelphia.” Hosted by Journey Events, the convention included an appearance by the legendary Curt Smith of Tears for Fears, a recurring guest on the series.

On May 23rd, I had the chance to attend my first-ever PsychCon in San Francisco, aptly titled “psychFANcisco.” The two-day affair was held in SF’s Marriott Marquis, kicked off by an optional welcome party on Friday evening. Fans from all over the world, including Cameroon and England, came to the Bay Area to honor the series for its 20th anniversary. Wearing a variety of costumes and pineapple-themed apparel, fans got to meet their fellow PsychOs, exchange handmade merch, and get autographs and photos with the stars themselves. I made a handful of bracelets myself, and I ended up getting to exchange goodies with fellow fans in the trading room. Various merchants, all of whom loved “Psych” themselves, set up booths around the convention area, selling original works, including stickers, keychains, and pendants.

The first day opened with a welcome message from the show creators, followed by “The Hills: How Many Pants in the Room,” a panel with Dulé Hill and his wife, Jazymn Simon, who plays Selene, Gus’s partner, in the “Psych” movies. The duo answered questions devised by show creator Andy Berman, many of which centered around their relationship. It was clear from their interactions that their marriage, though not without its moments, is incredibly fun and well-matched, which lent itself to their on-screen relationship. The questions ranged from simple questions about their catchphrase as a couple (“You and me, lock and key”) to more “Psych”-centric hypotheticals, such as which characters they would invite to a dinner party at their house (both concluded that Juliet and Chief Vick would be great choices, but Shawn would be up for debate). They also mentioned that the thing Hill and Rodriguez brought over from their on-screen friendship was the playful bickering, and the pair remained good friends after the series ended.

The next panel was “Inspirations Part 1: Twin Peaks & The Birth of Dual Spires.” Featuring Sherilyn Fenn (Maudette Hornsby), Dana Ashbrook (Robert Barker), and Ray Wise (Father Westley), they were joined by Rodriguez, Franks, and Henze to discuss the iconic episode. One of my favorite episodes of the series, I was excited to see the addition of this discussion to the weekend. Opening with a few silly stories from Rodriguez and Ashbrook about the Playboy mansion, the crew shared that this episode was particularly ambitious because they had to travel from their usual shooting locations in Vancouver to Britannia Beach for their fictional town of Dual Spires. Taking inspiration from cast-favorite “Twin Peaks,” there were numerous references strategically scattered throughout the episode, including Hornsby’s love of cherry Coke, a nod to Audrey Horne’s cherry trick. While some fans initially were longtime “Twin Peaks” fans, the panel admitted that many fans were introduced to the older series after watching “Psych,” or vice versa.

Rodriguez shared that he was a big “Twin Peaks” fan and was so amazed by what the show was able to accomplish: “As a human on this planet, I discovered it as a young freshman in high school, and I could not believe what was happening on my tiny, little, shitty hand-me-down TV and that they were getting away with it on broadcast television. But as I watched, I said, ‘Okay, if this counts as art, then maybe there’s a place for me in this crazy ecosystem of entertainment. It was incredibly inspiring, and I started asking Steve if we could do a ‘Twin Peaks’ episode pretty early, probably Season 2. Once we knew we were doing it, it became about ‘Okay, how do we get as many of the original cast as we possibly can and give them all something that they think would be fun to do? Who’s the right director?” That was an easy one because my boy, Matt Shakman, is also a huge ‘Twin Peaks’ fan, so that was an easy phone call.”

The “Twin Peaks” panel discussing the “Dual Spires” episode.

On the final scene, Rodriguez explained that the unsettling nature of the diner and the overall town of Dual Spires is intentional: “It maybe starts to skew a little dark as well because we just didn't care at that point, and we really wanted to go for it… You know, you're looking at the frame of a small town [and] what actually goes on behind closed doors. That was sort of the bedrock of ‘Twin Peaks.’ It's idyllic; the waterfall, the trees, everything's so beautiful, and then what's really happening in that town. I think anything that you got out of that last scene is exactly what we intended.” Wise then added: “David [Lynch] always said, ‘In small towns, everybody has a secret that they don't tell anyone else, even their loved ones, that they go to their grave with.’”

The issue with many TV shows is their inability to create new storylines and evolve characters through multiple seasons and arcs. However, “Psych” has never had that issue; in fact, the crew shared that their team was rare in the sense that nobody wanted to leave to work on different projects because they were constantly doing new things and playing with themes in each episode. Each week was a new adventure, and they never did the same story or concept twice. At the end of Season 1, the writers experimented with the idea of referencing other works by playing around with “Sorority Row” for “Scary Sherry.” After fans devoured the episode, they began testing more homages in later seasons, starting Season 2 with “American Duos,” a play on “American Idol.” Other notable references include Clue (“100 Clues”), “The Shining” (“Heeeeere'S Lassie!”), “The Bachelorette” (“Shawn And The Real Girl”), and “The Exorcist” (“The Devil's In The Details... And The Upstairs Bedroom”). Some weeks, the cast would come in and shoot a dinosaur episode (“Sixty Five Million Years Off”), while other weeks would center around an Old West-themed tourist town (“High Noon-Ish”).

Journey Events asked PsychOs to send in videos and messages about what they loved about the show, and their responses were played between panels. The sentiment echoed throughout was that the show provided fans with an amazing community, led by a phenomenal cast that truly loved what they did. There was a wide range of locations represented, from residents of the Bay to fans across the globe. Many also remarked that the show got them through difficult times and always made them laugh, no matter how many times they watched it. Additionally, the cast and crew shared exclusive photos from their years of shooting, giving attendees a special look at behind-the-scenes moments from the series.

Fuller and Bernsen test their “Psych” knowledge versus the fans.

After a break for lunch, fans came back to test Kurt Fuller and Corbin Bernsen on their “Psych” knowledge, and both members were stumped on some of the deep cuts presented by the fans (not many could guess how many actors, excluding Rodriguez, played Shawn)! They tried their luck in guessing what oil Gus rubbed on his head in “Black & Tan: A Crime of Fashion,” the name of Gus’s replacement car in “Santabarbaratown 2,” and the name Henry used while undercover in “The Old and the Restless.” Fuller admitted that he hadn’t seen some of the earlier episodes, as his character was first introduced in Season 4, but he still made a few good guesses on some of the questions, including correctly guessing who said the very first words of the show. Both had witty remarks about one another’s characters, and fans laughed along through a lightning round of guessing quotes from Woody and Henry.

Following that was a special panel from Omundson and Lawson entitled “Panelling the Shit Out of It,” focusing on their “Psych”-themed podcast, “The Psychologists Are In.” Moderated by Steve Franks, the discussion was one of the most emotional panels of the weekend, as Omundson described the impact of the podcast following his stroke in 2017. He recounts that the podcast, which was launched in November 2021, played a pivotal role in aiding in his recovery: “This podcast has played such a massive part in accelerating my recovery. Speaking-wise, just to sit down for an hour, and speak extemporaneously for 45 minutes of that, let alone remembering things, some things'd like to discuss are crystal clear, and others are not. It was terrifying, but because I knew that [Maggie was] on the other side of the microphone and [was] always gonna catch me if I fell, I cannot emphasize how much this podcast has helped me.”

They also described the experience of being part of “Psych” and how the podcast has helped them to relive those moments and recall the process of making the show. Lawson shared, “It’s not something that just passed by… No, we lived and felt and explored, and we were a family in Vancouver for eight years together. We knew very early on how lucky and special this was, whatever this was, that you don’t rush this. We lived through so much of it; we were so present for it!” Even after twenty years since the first episodes, the cast still remembers being on set and the things they experienced, both while shooting and in their personal lives.

The duo later discussed their characters’ developments through the end of the series, as they both went on to begin new chapters of their lives. Franks asked Lawson about her thoughts on Juliet’s impromptu wedding in the “Psych” movie, wondering if the spontaneous ceremony was something she thought her character would have wanted. Lawson admitted that she thought it was very on-character for Juliet, although there was one notable absence that would have completed the scene: “I don’t think Juliet really thought about that, probably that much, knowing Juliet… The spontaneity of it and how natural it was in the moment, the only thing missing was [Carlton]. I think the wedding was perfect. So those two things at the same time, it wasn’t because he wasn’t there, but that is exactly how I think Juliet would have loved for it to go down, like, ‘We’re doing this right now. My people are here. Let’s go.’” Omundson confessed he also wished his character were present: “I remember watching it, especially having a pain that lacerated [that] I wasn’t her best man, her best person.” Overall, Lawson acknowledged that her character also missed the birth of Lassiter’s baby, so it was fitting that they both missed an important event in one another’s lives.

“First Timers” was the next panel of the afternoon, featuring Rodriguez, Franks, Berman, and Nelson, all of whom got their directorial debuts during the series. Nelson’s debut came in the emotional Season 8 episode, “1967: A Psych Odyssey,” which also marked her character’s departure from the SBPD. In the previous panel, Lawson and Omundson both agreed that the episode was the most emotionally difficult to film, and the “First Timers” panel echoed the same sentiment. Nelson remarked that one of the best things the crew did for that episode was utilizing two cameras in capturing Lassiter and Juliet’s goodbyes, effectively memorializing that tear-filled moment. She confessed that she expected the crew to give her a bottle episode, but she was so grateful to be part of a team that allows them to try these new things in a safe environment and feel comfortable with doing things that may be a little weird.

Berman got his turn in the director’s chair with “Dead Man Walking,” which starred a real polar bear. After learning that Vancouver housed a trained polar bear named Agee, Berman decided to create an episode with the bear, including a scene shot in the “Psych” office. Hill was the most reluctant about working with the animal, as the crew recounted the experience of explaining the bear’s appearance and how the string working as a live wire in the episode was really what happened! He also shared that he learned a lot about the animals while shooting, as the meerkat they used could only shoot during the day and could turn aggressive once the sun went down, cutting down the time they could use for that scene.

Before directing “Shawn (and Gus) of the Dead,” Steve Franks didn’t realize he could also direct the show himself. Taking inspiration from his trips to the museum with his newborn child, who is now as old as the show and studying film in college, Franks decided to make an episode that utilized a museum as its location. Lastly, while also the star of the show, Rodriguez took on a directorial role with “Tuesday the 17th,” his spin on the “Slasher” franchise. An avid fan of all of the “Slasher” movies, he wanted to give his own take on “Friday the 13th” with a frightening episode, centered around Shawn and Gus’s childhood summer camp. He later went on to co-write 16 episodes and direct eight, as well as all three movies.

After a shorter break for lunch, fans lined up outside the theater to get good seats for Saturday’s special event, a casting and live table read of a newly-written script. With Omundson playing the casting director, fans got a kick out of the cast and crew reading one another’s lines in their “auditions.” The crew took on different roles, such as Simon and Lawson playing Gus and Shawn. The audience exploded with laughter after a propeller hat-wearing Simpson tested his abilities as young Shawn alongside Bernsen as Henry Spencer, as well as uproarious applause for Fuller playing Shawn imitating Juliet in their initial meeting

The playbill for the evening’s interactive program.

They then transitioned into a live table read of a “Psync” episode, changing the story a bit to avoid losing potential work with NBC Universal in the future. With many comedic lines and perfect delivery, the cast brought the house down with an acoustic performance of the show’s theme, various plot twists, and even a handful of “Blue Bloods” references. The episode centered around writer Andy Berman’s mysterious disappearance, and let’s just say “Psync” was just as gold as “Psych.” After all, who could’ve seen that twist ending?

After the performance, fans stuck around to sing along to some of their favorite “Psych” songs and engage in an interactive version of the show. Although there were some technical difficulties initially, dedicated PsychOs stayed for the whole presentation, ready with their designated prop bags. Fans posed in front of the fan-made backdrops around the area and chatted about the show while the event crew worked through the issues. During certain moments, the crowd participated in the show, whether it be through engaging with props, following hand signals, or finishing the phrases.

After my first year attending, I think this was a great celebration of the show and all of the various aspects that keep fans wanting more, even twenty years later. From referencing countless classic films and shows to creating ad-libs that still make us laugh with every rewatch, there’s a magic in what Steve Franks created and how the cast and crew brought it to life. Every character is dynamic and realistic, whether it be through their inspiring work ethic, hilarious mishaps, complex backstories, or even their hidden talents. Although I was unable to attend the whole weekend, I still enjoyed getting to meet up with my fellow PsychOs, hear from the show’s creators themselves, and get a sneak peek at what goes on behind the scenes of the show.

Fans indulged in the “Psych”-themed menu at the Marriott Marquis’s in-house B55 Craft House & Restaurant, scanned pineapple QR codes and counted hats around the venue, and participated in games between sets. Attendees sang along to their favorite ‘80s hits, such as “Shout” by Tears for Fears and “Take on Me” by a-Ha, both of which were featured in “Psych” episodes. Journey Events put together a great weekend, full of engaging panels, opportunities to connect with fellow PsychOs, and so many memorable moments, and I look forward to seeing where they’ll take next year’s convention.

PsychOs Take Over San Francisco for Show's 20th Anniversary

kinda cool since 2019