Gus:“You named your fake detective agency ‘Psych’? As in ‘got you’? Why didn't you just call it ‘Hey, we're fooling you and the police department; hope we don't make a mistake and somebody dies because of it.’" Shawn: “First of all, Gus, that name is entirely too long; it would never fit on the window. And secondly, the best way you convince people you're not lying to them is to tell them you are!” (“Psych (TV Series)”). One of the greatest comforts is comedy and its amazing ability to palliate tragic situations. This comedic comfort is seen in the American comedy series, Psych, that airs on USA Network. In this series, a man named Shawn Spencer (portrayed by James Roday) acts as a maven in solving crimes alongside his partner, Burton Guster …show more content…
(portrayed by Dulé Hill) that the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) often refer to for various cases. Shawn has amazing observational and deductive reasoning skills that allow him and Gus to solve the cases, but they have duped the SBPD into thinking that Shawn is a psychic, so he is able to perceive information that nobody else can. But besides acting as a source of entertainment, this show gives viewers a glimpse into the human condition through Steve Frank’s (the director) illustration of humanity’s inherent tendency to use comedy as a deflector of tragedy; an underlying theme that continues throughout the series. Steve Franks’ first biggest hit was the comedy film, Big Daddy starring Adam Sandler. After the success of another comedy detective series, Monk, Steve Franks decided to create Psych that would follow in its footsteps; he even formed a band known as The Friendly Indians to write the theme song, “I Know You Know” for Psych (“Steve Franks”). The two shows continued to be paired together, often airing around the same times and receiving much positive feedback. Steve Franks was a huge admirer of the detective shows, Moonlighting and Magnum P.I. which helped him create the main character of Psych- “a psychic detective who has no psychic abilities”(Bernstein). Now most might laugh at this preposterous statement and wonder exactly how this could work. The truth is Shawn would draw conclusions from information he gets using his highly perceptive observational skills. For example, if Shawn notices an address that he glances at from a police report, he would go to the address and investigate it. If he finds any evidence, he would go back to the SBPD and pretend to “psychically” see the evidence he previously found. The SBPD would then head to the address and see that Shawn was right about what he saw, thus making them believe he’s actually psychic. To put it in more defined terms, “He puts his fingers to his temples as if conjuring spirits, only to blurt out clues he's deduced by smart observation and a little digging around” (Filucci). This little gag is pretty ingenious and brings Shawn and Gus much success throughout the series. Every episode starts out with a flashback to Shawn and Gus’ childhood when Shawn’s dad, Henry (a police officer, portrayed by Corbin Bernsen) teaches them some sort of lesson that often entails Shawn using his observational skills in some way. It then flashes to present time when Shawn and Gus are trying to solve a case that involves them using what they were previously taught by Henry. As Shawn and Gus solve crimes, it is easy to see that there is a comedic aspect that plays into their line of work. Whenever Shawn has a “psychic” episode, he often exaggerates his “powers” by pretending to be possessed by the spirits of the deceased or that the dead are speaking with him. This often consists of Shawn imitating the voice of the dead person and speaking in a way that leads the SBPD to believe that the deceased is talking through Shawn. Though it may be insensitive of Shawn to act this way, his humor nonetheless lightens the gravity of the fact that there is a dead body in the room. It is hilarious how well Shawn is able to balance his comedic personality with the austerity of the police world as he often uses non-conventional techniques of solving crimes. His style can overtly be described as, “All of the law. None of the Order” (“Psych Taglines”). Many characters in the show are skeptical of Shawn’s psychic abilities especially Head Detective, Carlton Lassiter (portrayed by Timothy Omundson), but are nonetheless amazed by the results of his work. Though each episodes starts off with someone being murdered, kidnapped, or some other malfeasance, it is not the main focus of the show.
The show is able to draw viewers’ attention away from that with its plethora of allusions, anecdotes, wit, etc. Viewers are constantly satisfied as “each episode is delicately laced with wise-cracked asides and pop culture references; some of them obscure and others just plain silly and obvious” (Wiegand). These elements are what give the show its vivacity as the writers are never afraid to reflect an exorbitant style in their script alongside the suspense and mystery that comes with finding a killer. Psych has come to be known as “a show that celebrates delicious dialogue and, in its way, is one of the wittiest shows on TV” (Wiegand). The show is also brimming with dynamic duos that help appeal to viewers’ sense of pathos. The most obvious duo is Shawn and Gus. They have undeniable on-screen chemistry that give viewers a feeling of comradery even as Shawn often jokes around with Gus about his somewhat nerdy ways. Another duo is Detective Carlton Lassiter and Detective Juliet O’Hara (portrayed by Maggie Lawson). Though they don’t openly express their appreciation for one another, they always have each others’ backs when things get tough. It is funny to see how Juliet’s sweet and loving nature can balance alongside Carlton’s bitter and irritable attitude. This is something viewers can relate to as most people don’t always express how much people truly mean to them until they are placed in a troublesome
situation. It is undeniable that the comedy of Psych brings much joy to viewers, but it doesn’t obscure the fact that the tragic side is there as well. Throughout the show, it is lucidly shown that “the tricky relationship between Shawn and his father adds emotional depth to an otherwise lighthearted show” (Fillucci). It is clear that Shawn doesn’t see his dad in the best light as most of their conversations involve one getting mad at the other; however, their not-so-perfect relationship helps add a realness to the show that demonstrates how tragedy isn’t always seen because comedy is there to deflect it. Comedy is a comfort that Shawn often uses as he thoroughly enjoys acting extravagantly to convince people of his psychic abilities. It is perhaps what keeps him from thinking about how his family fell apart after his parents divorced, an aspect of the show that many can relate to. Psych is an American television series that went on for 8 seasons. Those seasons were filled with love, laughter, and pure entertainment. Amidst the tragedy of people being murdered, there was comedy to extenuate the blow. This is seen as Shawn uses his “psychic” abilities-often composed of embellished actions-to solve cases where the murder suspect is not always clear. Shawn’s balance of his extroverted personality with the sternness of the law is what helps create the seemingly odd pairing of comedy and tragedy; this seemingly odd pairing of genres is what gives Psych its individuality. Though the show has recently ended, its legacy will live on as one of the wittiest, funniest shows in history.
Dr. Strangelove is a 1964 black comedy satire film about nuclear war between the USSR and the USA. It has received many awards including #26 on the American Film Institute’s top 100 movies list and a 99% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film begins with General Jack D. Ripper putting his base on high alert and ordering his bomber wing to preemptively drop nuclear bombs onto the Soviet Union. His second in command, Mandrake, tries to stop him after finding out the Pentagon ordered nothing and finds out that Ripper is insane in thinking the Soviets are trying to poison the American water supply. The Pentagon finds out and tries to stop it but they could not find the three digit code in time to stop the planes. General Turgidson recommends
The article was written a couple years before Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister. The Author focuses on Justin’s liberal attitudes, especially regarding a hot topic such as the legalization of marijuana. He comes across as a “hero for the people” type of politician. The author of the article skims over a variety of topics concerning what Justin spoke of in Calgary. It is a very short story, but I think that the writer got his point across on the subject of Trudeau’s progressive views, mainly when it comes to marijuana.
In the article The Onion the satire being made criticizes how easily it is for people to believe in an advertised product even though it may be false. The purpose of the writers use of diction, exaggeration, and sarcasm is to make it clear as to how manipulative people have become believing in any products shown in ridiculous advertisement. In this specific article it targets the way an advertisement uses exaggerated stories such as Helene’s or Geoff DeAngelis in order to try to create a connection to an everyday person. Moreover the way they make themselves more credible by their use of a credible source such as the doctors. In total the way an advertisement builds itself to make themselves seem credible to sell their product.
Psychology has always fascinated me. Learning about classical conditioning (Ivan Pavlov), personality the id, ego, and superego (Sigmund Freud), was all interesting subjects in my high school introduction to psychology class. Although psychology was my first love, it lay dormant for years until I decided to return for my master’s degree. Choosing clinical psychology with a specialization in forensics was an easy decision since I love psychology and learning about the law of our country and the United Kingdom. Which fueled one of my favorite past times watching old and new television shows like Perry Mason, The Good Wife on CBS, Law and Order/Special Victims Unit on NBC, Damages, and Silk on Netflix. Television shows are not my
The movie Psycho was created in 1960, and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This film has many meaningful moments behind it, which all lead up to a shocking yet interesting twist for an ending. Many clips corresponded well with Bill Nichols thoughts, and opinions on how “Every movie is a Documentary.” By comparing both the Nichols reading, and the film Psycho, it is easy to see that this film is a wish-fulfillment documentary. This film shows what could be a scary reality in many people’s lives. It gives us examples of what could be our deepest nightmares and dreads, influences an opinion over people who have multiple personalities, and even feeds some people’s interests.
The setting of the movie compared to the setting in the book makes Planet of the Apes one of the greatest satires. In the movie, the setting takes place on earth in the future where apes deny and are afraid of the past, whereas the setting in the book is on a different planet where apes are civilized and technologically advanced, and the humans were primitive creatures. The orangutans in the movie prevent what happened to the humans from happening to the apes. Orangutans, such as Zaius went to great work as destroying the cave where the evidence of the humans reigned is revealed and removing Landen’s memory. In the book civilization of humans on Earth is equal to and may even surpass the civilization of the apes on Sorror. The point of view in the book is through Ulysees’ mind. He is clam and patient. Taylor in the movie is an impatient angry man who is never satisfied and is outraged by the fact that apes are running the planet and have locked him up. In the movie Taylor is a misanthrope who is hot-tempered and not respectful to the apes. He calls them "Bloody Baboons!" Taylor left Earth to find a better place and ended up where he started. In the book, Ulysee is kind and respectful towards the apes, and he was granted citizenship to their civilization and begins to assign apes human features. Ulysee was granted citizenship because of the speech he made before them. He gave that speech with respect and loyalty towards the apes for acceptance. The tones in the boo...
In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer fully explicates the cultural standard known as courtesy through satire. In the fourteenth century, courtesy embodied sophistication and an education in English international culture. The legends of chivalric knights, conversing in the language of courtly love, matured during this later medieval period. Chaucer himself matured in the King's Court, as is revealed in his cultural status, but he also retained an anecdotal humor about courtesy. One must only peruse his Tales to discern these sentiments, for Chaucer’s view of courtesy can seem shocking and, all together, obscene at times, it’s the similarity of the differences that make Chaucer’s tales superior. An example of this can be seen through Nicholas’ attempt at “courting” Alison versus Arcita and Palamon’s endeavors at courting Emily. Nicholas' anxious and lewd behavior, in conjunction with his explicit sexual connotation, demonstrates Chaucer’s more farcical side; where as, the manner in which Arcita and Palamon court Emily can seem more satirical. In the Miller's Tale, Chaucer juxtaposes courtly love with animalistic lust, while in the Knight’s tale, the subject of chivalry is held with much higher regard, and used as a florid, glorious attribute. These numerous references provide the reader with a remarkably rich image of the culture and class structure of late fourteenth century England.
Mad Magazine, The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live. In our society, satire is among the most prevalent of comedic forms. This was not always true, for before the 18th century, satire was not a fully developed form. Satire, however, rose out of necessity; writers and artists needed a way to ambiguously criticize their governments, their churches, and their aristocrats. By the 18th century, satire was hugely popular. Satire as an art form has its roots in the classics, especially in the Roman Horace's Satires. Satire as it was originally proposed was a form of literature using sarcasm, irony, and wit, to bring about a change in society, but in the eighteenth century Voltaire, Jonathan Swift and William Hogarth expanded satire to include politics, as well as art. The political climate of the time was one of tension. Any criticism of government would bring harsh punishments, sometimes exile or death. In order to voice opinions without fear of punishment, malcontented writers turned to Satire. Voltaire's Candide and Swift's Modest Proposal are two examples of this new genre. By creating a fictional world modeled after the world he hated, Voltaire was able to attack scientists, and theologians with impunity. Jonathan Swift created many fictional worlds in his great work, Gulliver's Travels, where he constantly drew parallels to the English government.
‘The Walking Dead’ Season 7, Spoilers: Did Negan kill Daryl? New footage hints at ominous end for fan-favorite
One of the biggest traits of psychopath serial killer is their inability to empathize with human feelings. There is no generic profile for psychopath serial killer. Serial killers differ in many ways, including their motivations for killing and their behavior at the crime scene. They will use people for excitement, to build self-esteem. In the movie the behavioral science doctor mentions that Dr. Lecter ate a nurse’s tongue and during the ordeal his pulse rate never raised above eighty-five, which is usually a pulse pate of a regular person that is resting. The calmness he displays is a shallow emotional response, as well as lacking empathy or remorse.
experiences schizoid identity episodes, which is obvious all around the arrangement. Dexter appears to see himself as 'sincerely divi...
Psychodynamic therapy, focuses on unconscious mind and how past experiences, inner thoughts, fears, and emotions The main goal of psychodynamic therapy is for clients to be self-aware of the past and how it effects who they are in the present. This type of therapy focuses on the underlying problems and emotions that influenced the client’s behavior. (Psych Central, 2016)
In the United States, there are certain inalienable rights granted to all. As the Declaration of Independence of the original thirteen colonies states, "among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."(Jefferson, 1787, Declaration of Ind., Pg. 1) These rights are not "special rights." While the U.S. government cannot hold back upon these rights, it does have the power to ratify and enforce laws that will enable or restrict its citizens' use of them.
Then, his reputation as “Spooky” in his investigations undermines his authority as well as the writers of the show (really you couldn’t come up with a better nickname than Spooky?). Similarly, Scully simply is the the diversity pick, the woman of the show, but more often is portrayed as the damsel in distress. Due to her lack of character development, I find it hard to empathize with her when she becomes threatened by some supernatural force because it is a recurrent arc and frankly, I just don’t care if she gets abducted or killed. She has no personality. In regard to the episode “Squeeze,” I thought it did not represent the series well since it did not contain any aspect of the overarching theme of aliens and it was not as intense or scary as other episodes. In fact, I do not even believe that the episode was well-written because it practically ripped off Steven King’s It; Tooms hides in the drains, comes out after long time lapses, and eats people- it seems a bit familiar, doesn’t it? Although, It’s mysterious origins and clown facade make the original story more interesting than
Satire is defined as “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues” (Oxford). The best satirical writers can make the readers believe that an idea is “logical and practical.” This is seen in great abundance in Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World. Through his writing, Huxley uses satire to effectively point out the flaws of society at the time. Even though Brave New World was written in 1931, the satirical points Huxley makes are still relevant in today’s world.