The USA Network’s Successful Original Programs

The USA Network has had an amazing run of innovative programs that continue to draw viewers. Here are just a few:*I want to acknowledge IMDB.com as a source in this article*

Monk: This show about a detective with obsessive-compulsive issues had heart and comedic moments. The title character Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) had a compelling backstory as a man driven to figure out who killed his wife. With the help of the police, he closed their cases while piecing together the solution to his own personal mission. Lasting 8 seasons, it wrapped up all the loose ends and left the viewer and Monk with a sense of peace.

Psych: Rejected by NBC, USA first aired this comedy/drama in 2006 and has since developed a decent following. In this show, buddies Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and Burton “Gus” Guster (Dule Hill) assist the Santa Barbara Police Department in solving cases-usually with humorous results. It is now in its 7^th season and has the creative team behind it that develops a product that will keep fans watching through at least an already planned 8^th season.

Necessary Roughness: A slightly newer entrant to the USA line-up, this show is just starting to gain notice. Callie Thorne is Dani Santino, a psychotherapist who is reevaluating her life after a divorce. She becomes famous  for her work  after agreeing to assist the local football team, the New York Hawks, rehabilitate the psyche of their star player-Terrence King(Mehcad Brooks). Along the way, she takes on the responsibilities that come with the job along with dealing with the team staff-which includes Matt Donnally (Marc Lucas) and Nico Careles (Scott Cohen).

Royal Pains:  Added to the line-up in recent years, Royal Pains is a dramedy (drama/comedy) that blends a great story and an excellent cast. After a medical misstep causes him his high profile position, Dr. Hank Lawson (Mark Feurstein) is persuaded by his brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo) to go the Hamptons. There, he becomes a doctor to Long Island’s rich and vacationing population. Along with other members of his medical team-HankMed, he keeps up with his work and his attempt at a personal life. 

White Collar:  This show is another reason USA network has an overall devoted audience. The case-solving pair of FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and reformed “con man” Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) have memorable scenes that come across so well on television. Other members of the amazing cast are Neal’s confidante Mozzie (Willie Garson) and Peter’s wife Elizabeth Burke (Tiffani Thiessen). This show is essentially about Neal helping the FBI solve their white collar cases while trying to not revert back to his old tricks.

These are just a few shows that have done well. There are numerous others: Suits, Covert Affairs, In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, and the upcoming new series Graceland. I just wanted to give a sampling of what makes USA Network quality television.