Comic-Con 2010 Psych Press Room: Finding the Pineapple

Psych, one of USA Network’s signature shows, has delighted audiences since the summer of 2006 thanks to its clever blend of comedy, romance, ’80s references, and murder.  Poptimal.com was recently invited to participate in a press room round table after the show’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con.  Be sure to check out the videos below to hear stars James Roday, Timothy Omundson, and Maggie Lawson discuss the show in their own words.  In no particular order, here are 10 things I learned from the cast and producers of Psych:

1. In addition to directing this season’s Christmas episode, a “twisted version of It’s a Wonderful Life,” the versatile Roday will be co-writing a big Twin Peaks–themed episode.  He could not be happier, as that is his “favorite show of all time.” Although no one has been cast yet, they hope to get as many stars of Twin Peaks on as possible.  It will be accessible to those who did not watch the show, but will include inside jokes for die-hard fans (producer Kelly Kulchak promises that there will be pie).

Chris Henze, Kelly Kulchak, Timothy Omundson, Dulé Hill, Kirsten Nelson, Steve Franks, Maggie Lawson, James Roday, and Corbin Bernsen

2. Upcoming guest stars include Curt Smith (Tears for Fears), William Devane, Carl Weathers, Nestor Carbonell, Franka Potente, Jean Smart, and Chi McBride.  Dream guest stars include Billy Zane, David Bowie, Lucy Lawless (who Omundson says “kicks ass”), and Val Kilmer (Real Genius is creator/executive producer Steve Franks’ favorite movie). There are also plans to feature Cary Elwes’ suave Despereaux in the winter premiere if their schedules align.

3. While everyone agrees that Dulé Hill is the biggest foodie on the set, Franks is also obsessed about food and would like to host a Food Network show after Psych is over.  He loves asking people where they are from and telling them his favorite restaurant in the area.  Unsurprisingly, he and the others have eaten a lot of pineapples since the show began.

4. Franks states that all our questions about Mr. Yang (Ally Sheedy) will be answered later this season, directly after the Twin Peaks homage.  It will be the finale of that story arc and will not be as dark as the previous episode, “Mr. Yin Presents.”  Roday is co-writing the episode, which he calls the Return of the Jedi part of the trilogy.

5. Lawson is very afraid of heights, so she did not have to pretend to be scared when she was strapped high up on a clock tower for the last season finale.  Omundson says that although she was petrified, she did not accept a drink until after they were done filming, the mark of a true professional.

6. Always the jokester, Omundson claims that being on the show is like working in the salt mines, the coal mines, and lumber jacking combined.  After showing off his tap dancing chops this season, he now hopes that Lassiter gets to do the Merengue while Lawson wants to see him on Match.com.

7. There are no plans at the moment to see Chief Vick’s baby or husband this season.  In fact, Kirsten Nelson does not even know the baby’s name and is occasionally confused when there is a new picture of her “husband” placed in the office.

8. According to Hill, most of the show’s witty, pop culture-infused dialogue is scripted, although they occasionally get to riff and add “cherries on top.”

9. Corbin Bernsen likes that Henry is working at the police station again because he can “get in Shawn’s face” more now.  He does, however, want to get out of the shirts and ties. Unfortunately for Henry, there is no romance planned for him in the near future.  It amuses Bernsen when Henry is stuck with “monumental women” who are out of his league. When he is not shooting Psych, Bernsen works on a movie a year, including 25 Hill, which he directed, starred in, and wrote.

10. The dynamic duo of Shawn and Gus are like two halves of creator Franks’ personality.

Timothy Omundson and Maggie Lawson discuss their characters, Lawson’s fear of heights, and Omundson’s role as an enabler:

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James Roday talks about his contributions to this season of Psych:

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Psych airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on USA.

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Photographs and videos courtesy of Ayang and Poptimal.com