James Roday and Dulé Hill star in USA's original series "Psych." Photo/USA

By Jeremy D. Bonfiglio
MyTVHatesMe.com

“Psych” stars James Roday and Dulé Hill are happy for Simon Baker and his hit series “The Mentalist.” No, they are. Really.

“I’ve seen the show and I don’t see anything similar about it,” Hill says, referring to CBS’ successful copycat drama that stars Baker as a former TV “psychic” who uses his observational powers to solve crimes. “I think it’s completely innovative.”

Roday’s laughter spoils Hill’s perfect straight-man delivery.

“Look, the fact that someone saw something in our show that was worth reproducing on a much larger scale — I don’t know, I think it’s kind of cool,” Roday says. “I mean there’s no point in trying to pretend like (“The Mentalist”) wasn’t influenced by us. But look at every show on television. It’s derivative of another show that came before it. It was only a matter of time. So all you ‘Mentalist’ fans, it’s OK. Have fun watching your show, but don’t be in denial.”

Roday plays Shawn Spencer, TV’s original fake psychic, on USA’s cult comedy series, “Psych,” which continues its third season Friday, Jan. 9 (10 p.m. EST). Shawn’s gift for noticing the tiniest of details has made him the Santa Barbara, Calif., police department’s resident crime-solving guru alongside Hill’s Burton “Gus” Guster, Shawn’s best friend and reluctant partner.

Despite the similarity in premise, “Psych’s” appeal is based largely on what “The Mentalist” is not. The storylines are not all that complicated and there’s nothing edgy or dark about USA’s police procedural. That simplicity paired with superior writing and a cast that also includes Corbin Bernsen as Shawn’s retired cop father Henry, Maggie Lawson as Det. Juliet O’Hara and Timothy Omundson as Det. Carlton Lassiter, has made “Psych” the cable network’s most-watched series.

Unlike many shows that seem to lose momentum as time goes on, “Psych’s” third season has been widely touted as its best to date.

“I think as the seasons have gone on more and more we just find our footing,” Hill says. “And after trying things and seeing what works and doesn’t work, we’ve kind of fallen more into our groove. … The longer you do it the more you can kind of refine a process.”

Roday credits the writing team, which he is also a part of, for giving Shawn’s character a little more substance this season, including storylines about his mother (guest star Cybil Shepherd) and a past indiscretion with his best friend’s sister.

“I think we sort of gave ourselves a mandate of ‘Hey, let’s see if we can start earning our comedy a little bit more,’” Roday says. “That means giving each episode more of an emotional spine, mixing in some drama, giving our actors and our cast the opportunity to flex some different muscles.”

That doesn’t mean “Psych” is about to turn into a drama anytime soon (The Friday, Jan. 9 episode has Shawn and Gus investigating the possible murder of Shabby the Sea Lion). It does, however, open the possibility of a more serious romantic entanglement for Shawn as the series continues. Roday says Rachael Leigh Cook has signed on to reprise her role as Shawn’s former love interest, and the on-screen romantic chemistry between Shawn and Juliet will continue. He adds that if he made a list of Shawn’s Top 5 prospects they would both “be in there.”

“We might throw you a couple of curveballs along the way, too,” he says. “You know, we want Shawn to be as Greg Brady-ish as humanly possible.”

The one thing “Psych” fans can continue to count on as the series returns are the pop culture riffs that have become a show staple, thanks in part to Roday and creator Steve Franks’ obsession with all things ’80s.

“It’s basically just a free-for-all,” Roday says. “Like what’s the most obscure thing you can come up with that you can remember that was cool for two seconds and put it out there.”

“I would say like 83.2 percent of the time I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Hill adds. “I have to get the explanation afterwards. But on scene I act like I know exactly what he’s talking about.”

In addition to the usual repartee, the second half of the season also will include a Roday-penned homage to ’80s slasher films titled “Tuesday the 17th.” It’s just another example of how unique “Psych’s” blend of mystery, banter, wit and nostalgia is to television. It’s something, Roday says, that has been reinforced by fans who comment on the show, even if they still only refer to him as “Shawn” when they stop him.

“You just realize ‘Wow, you don’t just exist in a bubble up there,’” Roday says. “It’s actually reaching someone and they don’t think you totally suck.”