USA To End 'Psych' After Eight Seasons

USA will end its scripted comedy series Psych this March after an eight-season run, the network announced Wednesday.

The final episode of the series -- which stars James Roday and Dule Hill as detectives pretending to use psychic powers to solve crimes -- will air March 26, said network officials. The series finale will be followed by Psych After Show,” a one-hour live show featuring a Q&A with the entire cast and show creator, Steve Franks, said network officials. Psych's eight seasons matches dramedy show Monk for the longest running series in network history.

Psych averaged a series best 4.9 million viewers in its 2006 freshman season, but has experineced declining ratings in recent years. Season eight of  the series is currently averaging 1.7 million viewers, down from 2.5 million from season seven, according to Nielsen.

Psych has made an indelible imprint on the television landscape, with a unique brand of comedy,” said Chris McCumber, President of USA Network in a statement. “The final season celebrates the iconic characters that have made this show so beloved, and will be an exclamation point on the series’ incredible run.  And while the series will wrap in March somehow I don’t believe we’ve heard the last of Shawn and Gus.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.