USA's Psych is a great example of a series with a cult following, but its fans wouldn't be as loyal as they are to this day if it weren't for the series' incredible cast of eclectic characters. Fake-psychic detective Shawn Spencer and his best friend and partner Burton Guster have one of the best friendships in television history, and they're also two of the most compelling co-leads in any cable drama.
But the interesting characters don't stop at the top of the cast list. From Chief Karen Vick to Coroner Woody Strode and even recurring criminal Pierre Despereaux, Psych boasts a full roster of irreverent characters who are all smartly written with iconic quotes that perfectly tell their stories.
Mary Lightly: "I Might Be Loopy On Too Much String Cheese Right Now, But I Think I Just Realized Something."
When Mary Lightly first arrives in the series, it's easy for the characters and viewers alike to believe that there's something criminal about him. Mary is one of Psych's weirdest characters, boasting an endless list of quirks including an obsessive knowledge of all things Mr. Yang, a boiling hatred of actor Chad Michael Murray, and a refusal to ever wear shorts.
But in addition to being quirky beyond measure, Mary is also one of the most intelligent characters on Psych. He is an invaluable asset in multiple investigations, providing key insights into Mr. Yang cases and also forming real, meaningful friendships with Shawn and Gus both.
Pierre Despereaux: "Somebody Call For An Art Thief?"
Without question, Cary Elwes' Pierre Despereaux is one of Psych's most memorable criminals. The world-famous art thief is incredibly charismatic and charming, but also absolutely full of himself. He manages to both hold everyone's attention any time he is in the room, but also get away with the perfect escapes without a trace.
Beyond being good at what he does, Despereaux also loves to have fun with what he does as well as with those who are pursuing him. His friendly rivalry and rapport with Shawn and Gus make his real intentions hard to read at times, but also add further layers of complexity to his already nuanced personality.
Buzz McNab: "The Doctors Say I Have A Severe Concussion, But I Fine Feel!"
Not every character in a show can be a genius. The lovable but dim Buzz McNab is definitely what newer viewers would consider a "himbo," a tall and cute young man who is relatively unassuming and stupid in an endearing way. Buzz always means well and always tries his best to contribute to investigations, but he often gets into trouble more than he helps.
Even when he is routinely scolded by superiors, Buzz never loses sight of his sunny disposition. And even when he is severely injured, including a possible concussion, he tries to comfort others by unwittingly claiming, "I fine feel!"
Woody Strode: "I Can't Die. I Have 43 Twitter Followers Who Depend On Me. Oh, And I Have A Daughter."
Psych had already settled into a comfortable routine by the time Assistant Coroner Woody Strode joined the cast in season 4. It's safe to say that Woody shook things up from the moment he arrived, especially when it comes to his signature sense of uncomfortable and creepy humor.
Woody is shown as having a maybe too keen interest in the world of forensic science, and he's often depicted as being a little detached from reality. Woody has many hilarious quotes in Psych, but this particular moment highlights both his skewed prioritization of the superficial over the serious, as well as his childlike need for validation via social media.
Karen Vick: "Can't He Ever Just Tell Us To Arrest Someone?"
As the head of the Santa Barbara Police Department, Chief Karen Vick oversees all of the shenanigans that unfold in every case. When Shawn and Gus cause investigations to get a little bit too silly, Chief Vick doesn't hesitate to rein them in to the best of her ability.
She tries her best to be no-nonsense at all times, but it's also clear that she has a soft spot for the fake psychic detective deep down. Her exasperation with her team often boils down to fondness and a desire to see her detectives be the best they can be, which makes her a great leader.
Henry Spencer: "Don't Be An Idiot. I'm Not One Of Your Fans. I Barely Even Like You."
Henry Spencer is almost always depicted in an antagonistic way across all eight seasons of Psych. As Shawn's father and a former detective himself, Henry has no patience for his son's less than conventional career path and makes his opinions known loudly and often.
Even when Shawn occasionally comes to Henry for help, Henry relishes in making the efforts at connecting into an arduous experience. His gruff exterior is rarely ever penetrated. In the rare moments where his softer side is revealed, Henry quickly does all he can to move on from any potential for overly emotional scenes.
Juliet O'Hara: "I Am Smart, And I Am Fun, And I Am Almost Always In A Good Mood, Damn It!"
As the main female character of Psych, Juliet receives a considerable amount of focus in the series, even if she receives less development than some characters. Juliet constantly tries to make herself seem tougher than she really is. She is also often concerned with making sure others in her field perceive her as likable, even though she is not one of Psych's most likable characters.
Even though she fails to see through Shawn's long con for most of the series, Juliet is nevertheless gifted as a detective. Much of her success as a detective comes from her mixture of intelligence and vulnerability, but she is also occasionally volatile and quick-tempered.
Carlton Lassiter: "I'd Rather Shower With A Bear."
Carlton Lassiter prides himself on being an old-fashioned man's man. He is tough and rough around the edges, and he has no time at all for any of Shawn's psychic investigations and Gus's bizarre behaviors. He is set in his ways and hates change just as much as he hates squirrels.
Throughout the series, he frequently expresses his displeasure at everyday friendly scenarios by observing how he would rather be doing something terrible or painful instead, like showering with a bear. It might take a long time for Lassiter to begin to open up to people, but he does soften considerably once he falls in love, marries, and becomes a father.
Burton Guster: "You Heard About Pluto? That's Messed Up, Right?"
Though Gus may be Shawn's sidekick and partner in crime, in many ways his personality is far more defined and exaggerated than Shawn's. Gus is a proud nerd and a lover of all things comic books, singing competitions, and anything buttery or sugary he can eat. Gus also boasts an impressive list of nicknames and aliases, which adds a hilarious layer of mystery to his character.
Gus is also undeniably a romantic, but he is very seldom shown as having any real level fo skill in the dating world. His idea of flirting consists of asking women about Pluto's demotion from being a planet. Further, Gus is also a complete scaredy-cat, getting overwhelmed on crime scenes and dates alike.
Shawn Spencer: "I Can't Help Being A Gorgeous Fiend. It's Just The Card I Drew."
Shawn Spencer is a walking contradiction of a character. He's overly confident and charismatic, but profoundly insecure and afraid of commitment. He's not a psychic, but he's almost supernaturally good at everything he does. He's incredibly snarky and witty, but his sense of humor is seldom understood by anyone other than his best friend Gus.
All of these contradictions and complexities make for an incredibly interesting main character. Shawn Spencer might be an unconventional hero of a series, but due to his investigative talents, his endless knowledge of an impressive array of topics, and his occasionally self-sabotaging kindness, he winds up feeling especially endearing, even with all of the cockiness.