August 18, 2008
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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.
August 5, 2008
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The upcoming CBS police drama The Mentalist revolves around a former faux-psychic, played by Simon Baker, who now works as a consultant for crime investigators, using his sharp observational skills to solve serious crimes. This may sound like a new idea, but The Amazing Kreskin thinks otherwise.
Wait—the Amazing Kreskin who? Born George Joseph Kresge, Jr., he is a mentalist who is known for his television performances in the 1970s, and later, in his appearances on Late Night with David Letterman in the late 1980s. He still does live performances, staging his mind-reading acts across the nation. He also appears on CNN to give his New Year's Day predictions for the coming year.
August 1, 2008
As early as now, critics are already predicting that the CBS series The Mentalist will prove to be a major force to reckon with come fall. While pleased at the positive reactions, The Mentalist's lead actor Simon Baker admitted being hesitant to do the series.
The Australian actor is no doubt happy now that he decided to agree to the project. However, he had to overcome some initial doubts, mainly because his stint on The Guardian, another CBS series which aired from 2001 to 2004, left him utterly exhausted.
July 24, 2008
Though I was only in Los Angeles for four days of panel sessions at the Television Critics Association press tour, it was enough to glimpse the utter insanity that is the event. Days are packed with session after session as more than 100 TV critics ask questions to the new stars and showrunners as well as network executives.
Some panels aren't quite as packed as others, which makes it easy to notice TV critic biases. Getting the press to ask questions to The Real Housewives of Atlanta was like pulling teeth. However, if you stick around long enough you're bound to get a few hilariously off-the-cuff quotes. Culled from four days and more than 30 panels, I present my 10 favorite quotes from my time at this year's press tour.
July 18, 2008
Today was my first day at the Television Critics Association summer press tour as an official TCA member. Arriving at the massive ballroom at the Beverly Hilton, it's a tad intimidating to see about 200 fellow TV critics (nearly all lit by the glow of their laptops) facing the stage where the new shows will attempt to explain why we should care about them.
I'll be here in Los Angeles for the next five days covering all the hot panels, attending the swanky parties and set visits, and reporting back on what happens when TV critics and stars collide.
May 28, 2008
BuddyTV is looking at the 17 new shows the major networks will premiere this Fall to see which ones are worth getting excited about and which ones we have low expectations for.
Show Description: Simon Baker stars as Patrick Jane, a star detective for the California Bureau of Investigation. He is known for his remarkable ability to solve crimes with his incredible insight, but also tends to mislead and get on the nerves of his co-workers and investigative team.