‘Monk,‘ Psych’ return Friday

By Casey Gillis

Published: July 16, 2008

USA Network, with its “Characters Welcome” mantra, is really where it’s at this summer.

The fabulous “Burn Notice” returned last week, and I’m still digging “In Plain Sight,” which premiered in June.

Two more series are back on the network’s schedule as of Friday: Monk (9 p.m.) and Psych (10 p.m.).

“Monk,” now in its seventh season, begins by dealing with a real-life tragedy: the death of actor Stanley Kamel, who played Monk’s beloved therapist, Dr. Charles Kroger.

When the episode begins, Kroger has died of a heart attack off-screen, and Monk, an obsessive-compulsive who desperately needs stability, isn’t handling his death very well.

Enter Dr. Neven Bell, one in a long line of shrinks Monk has tried out — and rejected, for one quirky reason or another — since Kroger’s death.

Hector Elizondo plays Bell, and you really can’t get much better than him, can you? I’ve loved Elizondo since he taught Julia Roberts which fork was the salad fork in “Pretty Woman,” and that affection only grew when he starred in the late, great “Chicago Hope.”

He’s a wonderful addition to the cast.

“Psych” also boasts a big-name guest star this season, its third: Cybill Shepherd, who plays Shawn’s mother and who didn’t really impress in the premiere. But she’s signed on for multiple episodes, so perhaps things will get better with time.

Always impressive and beyond entertaining are James Roday and Dule Hill, who play best pals Shawn and Gus. Watching their hilarious interactions, you really get the sense that these two just have a blast together.

The premiere has them at odds after Gus’ boss forbids him to continue working for Psych, he and Shawn’s phony psychic detective agency.

The show continues to be a fun ride, but is also getting a little serious this season as it delves into the often-troubled relationship between Shawn and his father (a perfectly deadpan Corbin Bernsen). The two have been getting along lately, but the return of Shawn’s mother, whom he hasn’t seen in three years, throws everything into a tailspin.

Both series and their quirky characters are certainly welcome on my TV anytime.