More than 600 Boston University students and “Psych” fans cheered on television stars James Roday and Dul? Hill as they promoted their show on Tuesday at Jacob Sleeper Auditorium.
The actors, who were on a four-day College Tour, screened a new episode airing on Nov. 10 and answered questions from audience members.
“It’s good to come back and hang out with the fans for a little bit,” Hill said in an interview with The Daily Free Press. “Obviously the show wouldn’t be around and wouldn’t be doing so well if people weren’t supporting us. It’s good to come and interact and spread the love a little bit.”
The show’s co-executive producer and writer, Andy Berman, who also toured with the cast members, explained the show’s demographic primarily consists of college students.
“This is kind of a love fest for the show,” he said. “Our hardcore cult fans are at colleges.”
“Pysch,” which is a comedy-drama-mystery show on USA Network, follows Shawn (played by Roday), who is hired by the police after tricking them into thinking he has psychic powers, and his best friend Gus (played by Hill).
Roday cited his and Hill’s characters’ sometimes immature antics as the main reason for the show’s popularity among college students.
“It’s the kind of show where you can be wasted and still enjoy it,” he said. “[Our characters] are less mature than the average college student.”
However, the characters’ alleged lack of intelligence didn’t stop their fans from adoring the actors.
In a game of truth or dare between the guests and attendees, one audience member dared both Roday and Hill to give her a hug, an act to which they consented.
Hill said although he and Roday did not know each other before filming, they immediately held each other in mutual respect, which helped them develop their chemistry on and off screen.
“[The chemistry] has always come really easy for us,” Roday said. “And I think that’s sort of why the show works. We got lucky, and that’s what you see on screen. It’s as much fun on set as it looks like it would be.”
The show has made many transformations since the beginning of the series, Roday said.
“It never ceases to amaze me when I catch an episode from the first season or see part of the pilot, where we’ve started and where we’ve come,” Roday said. “Somewhere along the line we became this hybrid cult show that just started doing whatever we wanted.”
The evening ended with an enthusiastic sing-along of the show’s theme song and an iPad giveaway.
Hill said he hoped the show will run for another two seasons.
“As long as [the fans] keep loving us, we’ll do it,” he said.
The event was hosted by Hillel House to promote Hanukkah and their Latkapalooza on Dec. 1.
College of Communication sophomore Stephen McVerry, a fan of the show since its first season, said he was disconcerted by a few changes he’s noticed in the show’s progression.
“I feel like [the show] has lost a little bit of its flair since the beginning,” he said. “I’m kind of hoping that it gets a little of that back.”
However, other students in attendance generally expressed their fandom by citing their love for the two television stars.
“I love Gus and Shawn,” said College of Arts and Sciences freshman Lauren Luckenbaugh. “They’re the most adorable two actors and the funniest people.”
“They’re a great duo,” added CAS sophomore Christine Gamble. “They definitely play off each other very well.”
“I’m a longtime fan of the show so this was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done,” said CAS freshman Emily Sullivan. “It was really neat to be able to see the episode before everyone else did and I’m going to have a really hard time not spoiling it for people who haven’t.”
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