There are two fabulous new shows that I have not had a chance to discuss here with all of you. I had planned to share my thoughts on both Psych and Brotherhood last week, but this whole lack of Internet thing sort of got in the way. You really can’t pick two more different shows to talk about in one edition, but both shows do have something in common: quality. Psych follows the silly antics of a fake psychic as he uses his ability (read incredibly photographic memory) to help the local police department solve various crimes. 
Meanwhile, Brotherhood follows the corrupt antics of two Irish- American brothers – one a local politician and the other a career criminal – as they both work to take control of their Providence, Rhode Island neighborhood known as The Hill. Psych will make you laugh out loud while Brotherhood will move you and leave you feeling a little conflicted over which brother is “good” and which is “bad.” Both shows will give you a quality hour of television filled with excellent writing, performances and stories.
USA network uses the slogan “Characters Welcome” to advertise its original programming, and there isn’t a better way to describe the charming comedy Psych. This show is loaded with characters that will keep you coming back week after week, despite the show’s silly premise and case-of-the-week. Of course, the silliness is another part of this show’s charm. The show centers around Shawn (James Roday), a do-nothing former cop’s son who finds his mission in life as a police psychic. The only problem is, he has no real psychic abilities, just an impressive photographic memory courtesy of his father. Shawn uses his attention to detail and ability to remember such details to fool the cops into believing that he solves their cases through psychic abilities. As with all good buddy comedies, Shawn has help from his best friend Gus (The West Wing’s Dule Hill), who serves as the voice of reason to Shawn's crazy antics. The cases that the two solve range from murder to a missing engagement ring, but the resolution is always silly in a “And I would have gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for you cops and your psychic”/ Scooby Doo kind of way. Roday is excellent as the fake psychic who named his fake detective agency “Psych,” which prompts Gus to say astonished, “You named your fake detective agency ‘Psych?’ As in gotcha?” But the show’s best line comes during tonight’s new episode involving an apparent suicide. The always serious lead detective tells Shawn that there are no witnesses because it was a suicide to which Shawn responds, “I’m going to question that cat…as soon as he stops licking himself.” Cut to the cat licking his nether regions and viewers everywhere laughing at another well played silly antic in the world of Psych. Psych airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. on USA network.
On the opposite end of the television spectrum, we have another excellent new show, Brotherhood. The series, about two brothers – one a politician and the other a criminal – fighting for control of their Providence neighborhood, will make you question what constitutes “good” and “bad.” Tommy may appear to be the “good” brother at first. He’s a successful local politician with a wife (the excellent Annabeth Gish) and family who regularly attends his mother’s weekly meals after church. Michael is the career criminal who had been missing for years and finally returns to a welcoming and forgiving mother Prodigal Son style. The irony to the show is, both brothers are working toward the same goal and both use unsavory tactics to achieve it. Tommy uses under-the-table deals with the local mafia and other seedy groups to get legislation passed that will lead to bettering the neighborhood he has sworn to protect, while Michael uses murder and other unlawful tactics to do the same. And just when you think you’re safer rooting for Tommy because his approach seems to be the lesser of the two evils, the show blindsides you with an intense scene involving Michael that leaves you wondering if you may be rooting for the wrong brother. Or maybe it’s better to just root for both of these brothers who, despite their shady methods, have good intentions at heart. That’s the beauty of Brotherhood, it doesn’t provide any easy answers, just many difficult questions. Brotherhood airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on Showtime.FRIDAY FUN: SUMMER STYLE
It’s trivia question time!
Q: Which CSI: Miami star went to East Carolina University?
If you would like to take a stab at it, leave me a comment. I'll reveal the answer in Monday's edition.
QUICK CUTS
*Since I have such limited access to the Internet, I won’t be covering all of the day’s top television news stories until I get my Internet hooked up. Be sure to click over to PassTheRemote.net to get all of the latest news.
That’s all for today. Be sure to tune in Monday for thoughts on Sunday’s new episode of The 4400. Plus, find out which TV shows on headed to DVD next week!
To get more television coverage, including the network's new fall schedules and a complete archive of the best of Pass the Remote with a photo gallery featuring pictures from the set of Veronica Mars, click on over to PassTheRemote.net.
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