After a staggering average of 16.1 million viewers, the CBS procedural The Mentalist was recently picked up for a full season following its previous order for six new episodes.  Back then, fans and observers were actually wondering the apprehension for a full-season order in light of the show's outstanding performance, especially for a new season.  The Mentalist has been seen as a more than able company with another hit procedural for CBS, NCIS.  And with the two on the network's Tuesday line-up, it has become virtually unbeatable.  Similarly, The Mentalist has emerged on top of its 9pm timeslot.

The Mentalist is an hour-long procedural drama that centers on Golden Globe nominee Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation.  Jane has very keen skills of observation, whose skill for cracking mysterious cases is well appreciated by his team.  Despite being somewhat of a loose cannon at times, Jane impresses the rest of the Bureau with his excellent work

Baker, 39, who is currently better known for his roles on The Guardian and The Devil Wears Prada, tells USA Today that he just wants to enjoy and have fun with his role on The Mentalist.  According to him, he has spent too many years taking himself too seriously and now that he found a character whom he can play with, he'll do just that.

"I used to want to move people and let people identify with me as an actor, you know?  But with this show, I just want to entertain people.  I just want to have a good time.  I just needed to lighten up a little bit and have fun with it, stop taking myself so seriously.  By all means, take the work seriously, but have fun doing it.  And laugh at yourself.  It's been somewhat liberating."


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: USA Today, The Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of Warner Bros)