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{{Short description|Fictional character in the American television show Psych}} |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Gus (''Psych'')}} |
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Gus (''Psych'')}} |
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{{Infobox character |
{{Infobox character |
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| name = Gus |
| name = Gus |
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| series = Psych |
| series = [[Psych]] |
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| image = |
| image = Burton Guster.jpg |
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| image_size = 200px |
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| caption = [[Dulé Hill]] as Burton Guster |
| caption = [[Dulé Hill]] as Burton Guster |
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| first = "[[Pilot (Psych episode)|Pilot]]" |
| first = "[[Pilot (Psych episode)|Pilot]]" (''[[Psych]]''; 2006) |
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| last = |
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| last = |
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|title = See all |
|title = See all |
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|titlestyle = background:LightSteelBlue; text-align:center; |
|titlestyle = background:LightSteelBlue; text-align:center; |
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}} |
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[[Die Hard |
[[Die Hard]]er, Felicia Fancybottom, [[Space Oddity|Ground Control]], Matt, Bighead Burton, Fingers, Homeskillet, [[Eggo|Leggo My Eggo]], [[Ol' Dirty Bastard|Big Baby Burton]], Burton the Billowy Bear, Curtis, Blackstar, [[Chocolate]] [[Columbo (character)|Columbo]], Magic Head, Spellmaster, SuperSmeller or The SuperSniffer, Slicks, [[Peter Pan]]ic, Gus T.T. Showbiz, [[Ovaltine]] Jenkins, Schoonie "U-Turn" Singleton, Vernest Lambert Watkins, [[List of The Cosby Show characters#Recurring characters|Bud]] (from ''[[The Cosby Show]]''), Nick Nack, Bruton Gaster, [[Lavender]] Gooms, [[Lemongrass]] Gogulope, Squirts MacIntosh, Weepy Boy Santos, [[Stewart Lee]], Dr. Mc <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Khoesan]] [[Click consonant|tongue clicking sounds]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> Took, [[Greg Pratt|Dr. Pratt]], François, [[Galileo]] Humpkins, Gus "Silly-Pants" Jackson, Fearless Guster, Shmuel Cohen, [[Methuselah]] [[Honeysuckle]], Shutterfly Simmons, [[Patty Simcox]], Chesterfield [[McMillan & Wife|McMillan (and wife)]], Tan, Tangus, Ernesto Agapito Garces Conde de Abelar, Longbranch [[Pennywhistle]], [[Ebenezer Scrooge|Scrooge]] Jones, D'Andre Pride, [[Hummingbird]] [[Saltalamacchia]], Step-Anthony Wally Ali (Cat Stuck in a Tree), Dequan "[[Smallpox]]" Randolph, Trapezius Milkington, [[Hitch (film)|Hitch]], Note To Self, [[Sterling Cooper]], Burton "[[Oil Can Boyd|Oil Can]]" Guster, Hollabackatcha, [[Jazz Hands]], Gus Brown, John Slade, Detective Miles, Greg, [[Doughnut]] Holschtein, Ron Davis, Bob Adams, Harry Munroe, Rich Fingerland, Black Magic, Cheswick, [[Shawn Spencer|Shawn]], Shaggy Buddy Snap, Ghee Buttersnaps a.k.a. "The Heater", [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets|The Vault of Secrets]], Clementine Woolysocks, Pinky Guscatero, Guts, [[USS Constitution|Ol' Ironside]], Old Iron Stomach, [[Bruce Lee]], [[John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt|Jonathan Jacob Jingley-Smith]], [[Santonio Holmes]], [[Deon Richmond]], Gurton Buster, [[Chaz Bono]], Chocolate [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]], [[Cha Cha Slide|MC ClapYoHandz]], [[Sherlock Holmes|Sher-Black-Lock]], Mrs. Whittlebury, [[G-Force]], Roadrash, Mellowrush, [[Crankshaft (comic strip)|Crankshaft]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.|Sammy]], [[Joey Bishop]], Slick Fingers, [[Imhotep]] or "He Cometh in Peace," Control Alt Delete, Gootsy, The Guster, [[Carlos the Jackal|The Jackal]], [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]], [[Yasmine Bleeth]], Killerbee, [[Black and White Lodge|Lodge Blackman]], Mission Figs, [[Top Gun|Sundown]], The Black Goose, Original G-String a.k.a. Crowd Pleasah, Button, Braxton, Buster, [[Video Killed the Radio Star|Radio Star]], [[Sanjay Gupta|Gus Jay Gupta]], [[Don Cheadle|Don Cheadle, Jr.]], Chezwick, Watson Williams, [[Benedict Arnold|Benedict]] [[Arnold Jackson (character)|Arnold Jackson]], Engel Woods, Suggs, [[Boogie Nights|Eddie Adams from Torrance]], Brutal Hustler, Lumpkin (Name Never Completed), [[Benicio Del Toro|Felatio Del Toro]], Tin Tummy, Sh'Dynasty, Carrington, Satchel Gizmo, Gurn Blandstein, [[Immaculate Conception]], [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill Uvrights]], Cinderella, [[Jonas Gustavsson]], Blue Ivy [[Jay-Z|Carter]], [[Vijay Amritraj]], [[Django Unchained]], [[Darryl Philbin|Darryl]], Burton Trout, Bad News Marvin Barnes, [[Lil Wayne]], [[Mongkut|King Mongkut]], Trending Ontwitter, Satchel Gizmo, A Player Named Gus, [[Mr. Roboto|Domo Arigato]]<!-- <ref Cite Season 7, Episode 5: "100 Clues"> -->, [[Denzel Washington|Denzel Diggs Underwood Morris Chestnut Washington]], John Pon, Dale, Eric Chin, [[Virgil Tibbs|Mr. Tibbs]]<!-- <ref Season 8, Episode 5: "Cog Blocked"> --> <!-- Add new aliases ahead of the reference please--><ref name=usa>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/theshow/characterprofiles/gus/index.html|title=BURTON 'GUS' GUSTER|publisher=[[USA Network]]|access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref><!--Previous reference supports "The SuperSniffer", "MagicHead", "Spellmaster", and "Weepy Boy Santos"--><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/video/fullep/|title=Dual Spires enhanced|publisher=[[USA Network]]|access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/113/1137771p1.html|title=PSYCH: "Dual Spires" Review|last=Krakow|first=Jonah|date=December 2, 2010|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref>{{hidden end}} |
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| lbl21 = Abilities |
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| data21 = * High Intellect |
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| abilities = |
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*High Intellect |
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| spouse = |
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| significant_other = Selene |
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*Skilled driver |
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| spouse = None</small><br></small> |
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| significant other = Rachael <small> |
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| children = |
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| relatives = |
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}} |
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'''Burton "Gus" Guster''' is a |
'''Burton''' "'''Gus'''" '''Guster''' is a fictional character on the [[USA Network]] television comedy ''[[Psych]]'' and the sequel [[Psych (film series)|film series of the same name]] played by American actor [[Dulé Hill]]. He functions as the "[[straight man]]" for [[Shawn Spencer]]'s antics, and provides sobering advice, helpful knowledge, steady support, and friendship. |
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although in reality the opposite is true, and often cries, sometimes due to "sympathy" and other times when Shawn is insensitive to his feelings. It is believed that Gus was named after a relative of [[Steve Franks]], the technical producer of the show, Burton Franks.<ref>ending sequence, Psych "The Polarizing Express" Season 5 Ep. 14</ref> |
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==Fictional biography== |
==Fictional biography== |
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Gus, born sometime in December 1978, has been [[Shawn Spencer]]'s best friend since childhood. Together they co-own the detective agency "Psych". Gus attended Pomona College. Gus tends to be strait-laced and more cautious. He is the "[[Dr. Watson|Watson]]" sidekick and has a crucial role in the cases the two solve. Gus is often shown to be academically advanced and knowledgeable on various things, particularly math and science; his experience with pharmaceutical sales aids Shawn in his investigations frequently.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Burkhalter |first=Janée |date=2022-08-03 |title='Gus, don't be the comma in Earth, Wind & Fire' |journal=Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=30–45 |doi=10.31273/eirj.v9i3.869 |issn=2053-9665|doi-access=free }}</ref> Unlike the Watson-style sidekick, Gus is not often stupefied by Shawn's crime-solving capabilities, and he often doubts how Shawn comes to some of his conclusions. While Shawn is the "superman detective", he does not see himself as above Gus.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Leone |first=Eden |date=2012-09-01 |title=The Mystifying Rationale of Psychic Detection |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1284085661 |journal=Clues: A Journal of Detection |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=89–96 |doi=10.3172/clu.30.2.89 |issn=0742-4248|id={{ProQuest|1284085661}} }}</ref> |
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Gus has been [[Shawn Spencer]]'s best friend since childhood, and co-owns the detective agency "Psych" with him, after Shawn was able to forge Gus' name on the lease. Gus tends to be straight-laced and more cautious, although he has been friends with Shawn for long enough that he understands that Shawn cannot be stopped once his mind has been made up. Shawn will often make up silly aliases for Gus while working a case. Gus has stated that he is not used to being introduced by his real name. |
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Despite both Shawn and Gus coming to rational conclusions from observable evidence, both occasionally indulge in supernatural explanations for crimes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Penner |first=Bradley M. |date=2020 |title=An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God's Perspective in a Pluralistic World, Tawa J.Anderson, W. MichaelClark, and David K.Naugle, IVP, 2017 ({{text|ISBN}} 978-0-8308-5123-2), x + 358 pp., hb $35 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rirt.13769 |journal=Reviews in Religion & Theology |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=171–173 |doi=10.1111/rirt.13769 |s2cid=225950449 |issn=1350-7303}}</ref> |
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Gus is often shown to be academically advanced. As a child, he applied for and was accepted into the Meitner School for gifted students; however, his parents turned down the placement, later telling Gus that it was too far to drive.<ref>''[[Psych]]'', Episode 2.07: "If You're So Smart, Then Why Are You Dead?" Original airdate: August 24, 2007.</ref> In middle school, he was involved in spelling bees until 1989, when he lost a competition by accepting covert advice from Shawn on the spelling of "[[wikt:aggiornamento|aggiornamento]]." He continues to follow the American Spelling Bee meticulously, and tapes the yearly championship.<ref name="Spellingg">''Psych'', Episode 1.02: "Spellingg Bee". Original airdate: July 14, 2006.</ref> He was also voted ''most likely to succeed'' in high school and is upset that he has not done more in life. However, after helping Shawn solve a murder, he realizes that he leads a very productive life and he's happy with what he has done. Guster also attended [[Pomona College]] (class of 1998<ref>''[[Psych]]'', Episode 7.05: "100 Clues" Original airdate: March 27, 2013.</ref>), something he shows off in multiple episodes. |
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Gus's parents, Bill and Winnie Guster, are shown to be overly protective of their son and still regard him as a child who needs looking after. They long disapproved of his friendship with Shawn, whom they regarded as a bad influence. After Shawn and Gus solve a murder for which Bill and Winnie had been wrongfully arrested, they mellow towards Shawn and admit that perhaps they do not need to baby Gus so much. (However, immediately after Gus leaves, they offer Shawn cash with a stern order to look after their son).<ref name="Gus' Dad" /> A brother has been referenced in Gus' blog on the official USA Network website, but received no mention in the show.<ref>[http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/blogs/gus26.html Meet the Gusters]. ''USA Network''. Retrieved on Jan. 6, 2008.</ref> In the deleted scenes for "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" on the Season 2 DVD, Gus's mom mentions a brother who lives in Connecticut. In the episode "Christmas Joy", Gus' family comes to town for the holidays, including Gus' sister Joy, who shares a mutual attraction with Shawn. |
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Janée Burkhalter characterizes Gus as a lonely Black nerd, or "[[blerd]]", and various references to [[African-American culture|Black culture]] or Black identity appear in the show, such as his acapella group "Blackapella" and hobby of tap dancing. In terms of his "nerd" identity, Gus demonstrates extensive knowledge on a wide variety of subjects and studies, as well as adhering to grammatical rules and showing interest in nerdy media. Burkhalter acknowledges that Gus differs from various nerd tropes or stereotypes in that he is often romantically involved and does not always act or dress as a nerd.<ref name=":0" /> |
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Thornton notes that Gus is also typically the only major Black character for most episodes. The episodes that do, however, feature major Black characters often focus on Gus's friends or family. Thornton also notes that, despite being the sidekick, it is a role that Gus is sometimes reluctant to fulfill, which is a comedic aspect of the show.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Thornton |first=Davi Johnson |date=2011 |title=Psych's Comedic Tale of Black–White Friendship and the Lighthearted Affect of "Post-Race" America |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15295036.2010.518621 |journal=Critical Studies in Media Communication |volume=28 |issue=5 |pages=424–449 |doi=10.1080/15295036.2010.518621 |s2cid=143587580 |issn=1529-5036}}</ref> |
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While in Mexico on Spring Break in 1997, Gus met Mira Gaffney and married her on a drunken binge. He broke off the relationship soon afterward, and the two lost contact until 2008, when the marriage was annulled in anticipation of Mira's upcoming wedding.<ref>''Psych'', Episode 2.11: "There's Something About Mira". Original airdate: January 11, 2008.</ref> He also has an uncle named "Burton Guster", nicknamed "Burt" for short. Gus was baptized by his mother after his uncle, so the older is upset that he goes by the name "Gus" and not "Burton". Ever since Mira, Gus has a reputation for being attracted to crazy women. |
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Gus worked in pharmaceutical sales, where he made $48,000 a year. With his vast knowledge of drugs, he helps solve cases by identifying poisons and other drugs used in crimes. He also tried to gain clients while they are interviewing doctors in a case. |
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As part of his day job, Gus drives a company car—a bright blue subcompact hatchback, which Shawn and Gus (mostly Shawn) call the "Psych Mobile" or the "Blueberry". It's a 2004 Toyota Echo hatchback,<ref>http://screenbid.auctionserver.net/view-auctions/catalog/id/10/lot/1052/</ref> which is actually inaccurate for a show set in California, as the USA only got the sedan and coupe models of the Echo<ref>[[Toyota Vitz#North America]]</ref> (the show was filmed in Canada, a market that did get the hatch). In the [[Psych (season 8)|season 8]] episode "Cog Blocked," the "Blueberry" was completely destroyed, which proved fortuitous as Gus quit his job at the end of the episode. |
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Gus is an assumed Catholic. Although he rarely discusses matters of religion, it is confirmed he believes in demonic possessions, exorcisms, and that the third wise man was black and named Balthazar. He seems to regularly attend or at least be fairly comfortable with the practice of confession. |
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Gus has a very refined sense of smell and has nicknamed his nose "the Super Sniffer".<ref name="Spellingg" /> He is able to recognize the base component of a perfume by smelling it and can perform the same trick with food. The talent seems to be hereditary, as it has been displayed by both of his parents, and has led to the uncovering of crucial evidence in several cases.<ref name="Gus' Dad">''Psych'', Episode 2.10: "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy". Original airdate: December 7, 2007.</ref> He has been shown to have a [[Necrophobia|fear of dead people]], having run away from a scene where a dead person is present on more than one occasion. He has showed the dislike of seeing blood on occasions. He is also well-versed in high-tech locks or safes, as demonstrated by his ability to crack an electronic lock on his first try. |
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Gus was described in the serial killer Mr. Yang's book as "laughing on the outside, crying on the inside. The fastidious wrinkle in the brow of Psych". Yang also wrote that Gus has "skin of pure cocoa velvetiness" and stated she would like to "use that skin to make children's dolls". |
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Gus is also an experienced [[tap dance]]r, as seen in "Feet Don't Kill Me Now", and was a member of an [[a cappella]] group in college, as seen in "High Top Fade-Out". Several episodes reference Gus's keen interest in astronomy and his particular fondness for the (dwarf) planet [[Pluto]]; he uses "[[Pluto#Classification|Did you hear about Pluto]]? That's messed up, right?" as a pick-up line, which Shawn often mocks. While usually the voice of reason, Gus does have some beliefs that even Shawn thinks are crazy (such as his insistence that Michael Jackson faked his death with help from Lisa Marie Presley). |
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He is often compared to Rudy Huxtable's friend Bud on [[The Cosby Show]], with many people looking at him and asking if he played the character on "The Cosby Show". Bringing it up constantly is meant to be ironic because Dule Hill not only looks like Bud, he also had a role on the spinoff "[[Cosby]]", playing a character named Marcus in one episode.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} |
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Although early in the series Gus is reluctant to get involved in Shawn's capers, [[James Roday]] (who portrays Shawn) says he feels the partnership has developed into a much more equal one, with Gus taking a larger role in their cases as opposed to constantly being "[dragged] around by the collar against his will".<ref>Roday, James. [http://video.usanetwork.com/player/?id=131043 Video Interview: Shawn's Evolution]. ''USA Network''. Retrieved on Dec. 23, 2007.</ref> Actor [[Dulé Hill]] says that Gus has become more relaxed as the show has progressed and more capable of standing his ground against Shawn: "I think in the pilot he was more of a receiver, and he gives it back a little bit more now." The change in his clothing is reflective of his more relaxed approach. |
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In a cross-promotional ad for ''[[Monk (TV series)|Monk]]'' featuring several characters from shows on USA, Gus corrects Shawn after he calls Monk, "his sidekick." In the [[Lee Goldberg]] novel ''[[Mr. Monk Goes to Germany]]'', it is mentioned that Gus (although not referred to by name) has met [[Natalie Teeger]]. This is implied when Natalie mentions that the group of detectives' sidekicks she regularly meets with sometimes has other such sidekicks as guests, one of which is mentioned to be a man who is sidekick to a false psychic (a clear allusion to Gus). |
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In a cross-promotional ad with ''[[Royal Pains]]'', Gus tries to hard-sell Hank Lawson on becoming Hank's pharmaceutical rep in a bathroom to the point of creeping Hank out. |
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In a cross-promotional ad with ''[[White Collar (TV series)|White Collar]]'', he is trying to find out what [[Neal Caffrey]] does for the [[FBI]]. After a few questions that are answered by Burke, Neal reveals that he had Gus' wallet, causing Gus not to want to "hang out with you guys anymore." |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Guster, Burton}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guster, Burton}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:American male characters in television]] |
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[[Category:Fictional American detectives]] |
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[[Category:Fictional private investigators]] |
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[[Category:Psych characters]] |
[[Category:Psych characters]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:African-American characters in films]] |
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[[Category:Fictional characters from Santa Barbara, California]] |
[[Category:Fictional characters from Santa Barbara, California]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2006]] |
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[[Category:African-American characters in television]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:45, 13 November 2024
| Gus | |
|---|---|
| Psych character | |
 Dulé Hill as Burton Guster | |
| First appearance | "Pilot" (Psych; 2006) |
| Created by | Steve Franks and Andy Berman |
| Portrayed by | Dulé Hill Isaah Brown (Young Gus: Season 1) Carlos McCullers II (Young Gus: Seasons 2-present) |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Each time the character is introduced, a different alias is used. See all
Die Harder, Felicia Fancybottom, Ground Control, Matt, Bighead Burton, Fingers, Homeskillet, Leggo My Eggo, Big Baby Burton, Burton the Billowy Bear, Curtis, Blackstar, Chocolate Columbo, Magic Head, Spellmaster, SuperSmeller or The SuperSniffer, Slicks, Peter Panic, Gus T.T. Showbiz, Ovaltine Jenkins, Schoonie "U-Turn" Singleton, Vernest Lambert Watkins, Bud (from The Cosby Show), Nick Nack, Bruton Gaster, Lavender Gooms, Lemongrass Gogulope, Squirts MacIntosh, Weepy Boy Santos, Stewart Lee, Dr. Mc [Khoesan tongue clicking sounds] Took, Dr. Pratt, François, Galileo Humpkins, Gus "Silly-Pants" Jackson, Fearless Guster, Shmuel Cohen, Methuselah Honeysuckle, Shutterfly Simmons, Patty Simcox, Chesterfield McMillan (and wife), Tan, Tangus, Ernesto Agapito Garces Conde de Abelar, Longbranch Pennywhistle, Scrooge Jones, D'Andre Pride, Hummingbird Saltalamacchia, Step-Anthony Wally Ali (Cat Stuck in a Tree), Dequan "Smallpox" Randolph, Trapezius Milkington, Hitch, Note To Self, Sterling Cooper, Burton "Oil Can" Guster, Hollabackatcha, Jazz Hands, Gus Brown, John Slade, Detective Miles, Greg, Doughnut Holschtein, Ron Davis, Bob Adams, Harry Munroe, Rich Fingerland, Black Magic, Cheswick, Shawn, Shaggy Buddy Snap, Ghee Buttersnaps a.k.a. "The Heater", The Vault of Secrets, Clementine Woolysocks, Pinky Guscatero, Guts, Ol' Ironside, Old Iron Stomach, Bruce Lee, Jonathan Jacob Jingley-Smith, Santonio Holmes, Deon Richmond, Gurton Buster, Chaz Bono, Chocolate Einstein, MC ClapYoHandz, Sher-Black-Lock, Mrs. Whittlebury, G-Force, Roadrash, Mellowrush, Crankshaft, Sammy, Joey Bishop, Slick Fingers, Imhotep or "He Cometh in Peace," Control Alt Delete, Gootsy, The Guster, The Jackal, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Yasmine Bleeth, Killerbee, Lodge Blackman, Mission Figs, Sundown, The Black Goose, Original G-String a.k.a. Crowd Pleasah, Button, Braxton, Buster, Radio Star, Gus Jay Gupta, Don Cheadle, Jr., Chezwick, Watson Williams, Benedict Arnold Jackson, Engel Woods, Suggs, Eddie Adams from Torrance, Brutal Hustler, Lumpkin (Name Never Completed), Felatio Del Toro, Tin Tummy, Sh'Dynasty, Carrington, Satchel Gizmo, Gurn Blandstein, Immaculate Conception, Bill Uvrights, Cinderella, Jonas Gustavsson, Blue Ivy Carter, Vijay Amritraj, Django Unchained, Darryl, Burton Trout, Bad News Marvin Barnes, Lil Wayne, King Mongkut, Trending Ontwitter, Satchel Gizmo, A Player Named Gus, Domo Arigato, Denzel Diggs Underwood Morris Chestnut Washington, John Pon, Dale, Eric Chin, Mr. Tibbs [1][2][3] |
| Nickname | Gus |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Pharmaceutical sales rep, moonlighting as private detective |
| Family | Bill Guster (father) Winnie Guster (mother) Burton (uncle) Joy Guster (sister) |
| Significant other | Selene |
| Abilities |
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Burton "Gus" Guster is a fictional character on the USA Network television comedy Psych and the sequel film series of the same name played by American actor Dulé Hill. He functions as the "straight man" for Shawn Spencer's antics, and provides sobering advice, helpful knowledge, steady support, and friendship.
Fictional biography
[edit]Gus, born sometime in December 1978, has been Shawn Spencer's best friend since childhood. Together they co-own the detective agency "Psych". Gus attended Pomona College. Gus tends to be strait-laced and more cautious. He is the "Watson" sidekick and has a crucial role in the cases the two solve. Gus is often shown to be academically advanced and knowledgeable on various things, particularly math and science; his experience with pharmaceutical sales aids Shawn in his investigations frequently.[4] Unlike the Watson-style sidekick, Gus is not often stupefied by Shawn's crime-solving capabilities, and he often doubts how Shawn comes to some of his conclusions. While Shawn is the "superman detective", he does not see himself as above Gus.[5]
Despite both Shawn and Gus coming to rational conclusions from observable evidence, both occasionally indulge in supernatural explanations for crimes.[6]
Characterization
[edit]Janée Burkhalter characterizes Gus as a lonely Black nerd, or "blerd", and various references to Black culture or Black identity appear in the show, such as his acapella group "Blackapella" and hobby of tap dancing. In terms of his "nerd" identity, Gus demonstrates extensive knowledge on a wide variety of subjects and studies, as well as adhering to grammatical rules and showing interest in nerdy media. Burkhalter acknowledges that Gus differs from various nerd tropes or stereotypes in that he is often romantically involved and does not always act or dress as a nerd.[4]
Thornton notes that Gus is also typically the only major Black character for most episodes. The episodes that do, however, feature major Black characters often focus on Gus's friends or family. Thornton also notes that, despite being the sidekick, it is a role that Gus is sometimes reluctant to fulfill, which is a comedic aspect of the show.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "BURTON 'GUS' GUSTER". USA Network. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ "Dual Spires enhanced". USA Network. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ Krakow, Jonah (December 2, 2010). "PSYCH: "Dual Spires" Review". IGN. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ a b Burkhalter, Janée (2022-08-03). "'Gus, don't be the comma in Earth, Wind & Fire'". Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal. 9 (3): 30–45. doi:10.31273/eirj.v9i3.869. ISSN 2053-9665.
- ^ Leone, Eden (2012-09-01). "The Mystifying Rationale of Psychic Detection". Clues: A Journal of Detection. 30 (2): 89–96. doi:10.3172/clu.30.2.89. ISSN 0742-4248. ProQuest 1284085661.
- ^ Penner, Bradley M. (2020). "An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God's Perspective in a Pluralistic World, Tawa J.Anderson, W. MichaelClark, and David K.Naugle, IVP, 2017 (ISBN 978-0-8308-5123-2), x + 358 pp., hb $35". Reviews in Religion & Theology. 27 (2): 171–173. doi:10.1111/rirt.13769. ISSN 1350-7303. S2CID 225950449.
- ^ Thornton, Davi Johnson (2011). "Psych's Comedic Tale of Black–White Friendship and the Lighthearted Affect of "Post-Race" America". Critical Studies in Media Communication. 28 (5): 424–449. doi:10.1080/15295036.2010.518621. ISSN 1529-5036. S2CID 143587580.