For exclusive on-set videos and hot features on the new TV season, check out BuddyTV's Fall 2008 Preview.

Network: CBS

Premiere: Tuesday, September 23, 9pm

Cast: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Amanda Righetti, Owain Yeoman, Tim Kang

Premise: Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane, a private consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation.  He enjoyed a past of semi-fame as a psychic, but has now admitted that his paranormal abilities were faked.  Jane does, however, have the ability to solve high-profile crimes with his unparalleled observational skills.  Jane is a useful tool for the CBI, but also a major pain.  He lacks protocol, is needlessly theatric and a total narcissist.

The Mentalist bears a striking resemblance to the USA Network's comedy Psych, about a fake psychic who works with police to solve crimes using his keen observational skills.  The Mentalist will be a more serious affair.  We know this because it's on CBS, and CBS loves to give audiences pitch-black police procedurals.  If the previews are any indication, however, The Mentalist will have a more prevalent sense of humor than CSI, thanks to its smart-alecky main character.

The Mentalist is simply the next in line of TV series vaguely inspired by the success of FOX's House.  An enigmatic leading man solving things in atypical ways.  Like NBC's Life.  Or CBS's other new procedural The Eleventh Hour. 

Simon Baker has a certain charm, and has been flirting with stardom for some time, having appeared in a variety and films and TV shows in recent years.  Baker hasn't yet caught on as a household name.  As The Mentalist, Baker might just find that fame, but at the cost of a feature film career, at least for now.  Since The Mentalist is a CBS procedural, expect it to be successful.  It's amazing that CBS can keep churning these suckers out.  I guess you have to stay with what works.  Though CBS is the least ambitious network in prime time, you can't argue with the ratings. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)