LOGLINE:
When the latest incarnation of American Idol rip-off shows sets up shop at the Arlington Theatre, the requisite cruel British judge finds himself in a panic after a series of near-miss attempts on his life. Police protection has been barely sufficient and now he's taking matters into his own hands to ward of his inevitable attacker, hiring Santa Barbara's most reliable psychic detective to protect him.

SYNOPSIS:
American Duos, Gus' favorite reality show, has come to Santa Barbara. Even better, its cantankerous host, Nigel St. Nigel has not only been receiving death threats and has already survived a couple of attempts on his life. He needs protection and does not trust the police. He needs someone who can anticipate his stalker's next move, yet can blend in and not attract attention. Shawn already has the perfect idea. He and Gus will become contestants on American Duos.

After Nigel is forced to praise their hideous singing audition in order to let them into the competition, a stage light falls and nearly kills him. Shawn and Gus soon realize that since everyone hates Nigel, everyone has motive and because an attempt on his life was made in several different cities, it must be someone who travels with the show and is there every week. They meet some of the other contestants: a great solo singer named Bevin, who sings both parts of his duo as his "hook," and a couple of cowboy brothers who seem more than a bit strange. Shawn suspects them all. Since chasing suspects is getting them nowhere, they go up to the catwalk to see if they can figure out why the light fell. Besides seeing Juliet dancing secretly dancing along with a contestant, that tactic hits a dead end as well. They go see Nigel at his trailer who tells them they need to vastly improve or he can't carry them through another round. Shawn sees an exposed electrical wire and some water nearby stops Nigel in his tracks, avoiding him getting electrocuted.

Now they are no longer able to keep Nigel's brushes with death a secret and the police have to become fully involved. Lassiter wants to interview everyone who was there, which means all the contestants, including Shawn and Gus. After Lassiter kicks them out of the interrogation room, they recruit Juliet to help them improve their act.

Lassiter moves on to question the other judges. The first is judge Zapato Dulce. Lassiter has no recollection of him as Nigel never lets him speak. The other, Emilina, hates Nigel, was previous arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, and is completely out of it almost all of the time. Lassiter takes a hard tack with her, which she ends up finding attractive.

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