by Renee' Palmer

Created on: February 27, 2008

USA network launched officially in September, 1977, though the network was not named USA until 1980. Since then, the company has struggled to gain popularity. But recently, the network has hit it big. With several shows that are grabbing the attention of viewers everywhere, USA Network is certainly becoming one of the most watched cable/satellite channels. And these shows certainly go along with the "Characters Welcome" slogan for the network.

POPULAR SHOWS:

Monk
Adrian Monk, played by none other than Tony Shalhoub, is a detective who has a few issues... well... a lot of issues. Monk has a bad case of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and almost every phobia known to mankind. He once was a detective working for the San Francisco PD, until his wife was killed by a car bomb. Due to a nervous breakdown, and not being able to know how to take care of himself, Monk was discharged from the police department. Three years later, Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) was brought in to take care of him. Soon, he was able to start helping the police, using his amazing abilities to solve the most mind boggling cases. His OCD and phobias however, cause many problems for him, and inevitably lead to some very awkward situations.

Despite this though, he is able to keep going with the help of the Captain of the police department, and former college, Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine). Monk also sees therapist, Dr. Charles Kroger (Stanley Kamel), every week to help to get through his compulsions, and stop blaming himself for Trudy's death.

In 2005, his assistant Sharona left, leaving him without an assistant. But soon, he was able to hire Natalie Teeger (played by Traylor Howard), who fits in a lot better for the show.

This show is very captivating. I never miss an episode. Tony Shalhoub has brought home many awards for his role, including a Golden Globe, and 3 Emmy's. If it is not already, this show should definitely be on your "watch" list.

Psych
This has to be one of the funniest shows on cable/satellite television today. Shawn Spencer (James Roday), plays a very observant sleuth, who conned the Santa Barbara Police Department into thinking he is a psychic, and that his abilities can help solve cases. His father (played by Corbin Bernsen), who used to be a detective for the department, started early teaching Shawn how to catch every detail around him. Because of this, Shawn catches things that the police department never would have figured out, therefore "verifying" the "fact" that he is psychic.

His partner, and lifelong best friend, Burton Guster, nicknamed 'Gus', though reluctant, has helped Shawn. The two has created a "Psychic Detective Agency", called, what else, "Psych". The two work to solve cases, using Shawn's detective abilities, and Gus's reasoning. In the meantime, the show delivers the best one liners I've ever heard in my life, and is sure to leave you rolling on the floor laughing. If you have not already started watching the show, you definitely need to.

Other shows
Other shows on USA include Burn Notice, which just started last year, and stars Jeffery Donovan.

Law and Order: Criminal Intent became an original series for the network in October 2007, but returned quickly to its original spot on NBC, due to lack of ratings.

WWE Raw, is also on USA, and certainly contains some characters.

In Plain Sight is due to premier on the network this year, and looks promising.

USA also shows 're-runs' of House, Law and Order: SVU and CI, and also shows some great movies.

USA Network is great. It is the only Cable channel I keep on all the time. Try it out! I'm sure you'll love it!

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