Cast and crew from The Mentalist will be appearing on a panel at The Paley Center For Media's "PaleyFest '09" on Friday April 17th, 2009.

7:00 pm PT
Cinerama Dome at ArcLight Hollywood

IN PERSON
Simon Baker, “Patrick Jane”
Bruno Heller, Creator/Executive Producer
Tim Kang, “Kimball Cho”
Chris Long, Coexecutive Producer/Director
Amanda Righetti, “Grace Van Pelt”
Robin Tunney, “Teresa Lisbon”
Owain Yeoman, “Wayne Rigsby”
Additional panelists to be announced.

Buy Tickets to this event:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=1014394&pl=paley

Time permitting, questions asked online will be submitted to the panelists. If you have a question, post it here:
http://www.paleycenter.org/paleyfest09-the-mentalist

Tags: Appearances, Simon Baker, Tim Kang, Amanda Righetti, Robin Tunney, Owain Yeoman, The Mentalist

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE'S SEXIEST MAN
ET Online

"Patrick Dempsey had the distinction of being TV Guide magazine's sexiest man on TV two years in row. This year he has been replaced -- and ET knows by whom!
It must be in the hair because both Patrick and TV Guide magazine's new sexiest man on TV -- "The Mentalist" star Simon Baker -- share something in common -- a mop of unruly locks.
Also, neither man takes the title seriously. Simon says, "My wife said to me this morning, 'I could take a photo of you right now and they might take that title away from you.' I said, 'That is the kind of encouragement I need as I go off to do a photo shoot about having to be sexy.'""

Full Article:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/71850/


Tim Kang; From ART to CBS - with a hit
By Sarah Rodman
boston.com

"Q. You've done a lot of episodic guest-starring stuff but now you're a regular on the biggest, and pretty much only, hit of the new season. Of course you were hoping for success, but does the experience match what you were expecting?

A. I just looked at it one script at a time. And that's how I approach every script that comes our way: How can I do this specific thing this week the best I can? Beyond that, whatever comes our way is icing on the cake. I think we got some pretty decent notices for "Mother Courage," for example, and that was a blessing. We didn't expect anything. All we did was try to work together and come up with some good ideas and the reception we got was great. It's out in the world now and you can't control it anyway so why worry about it?"

Full Article:
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/02/22/from_art_to_cbs___with_a_hit/


Ecollywood: Simon Baker’s mysterious use for newspaper
By Gerri Miller
Mother Nature Network

"Although he speaks with an American accent on The Mentalist, Simon Baker is from Australia, where he grew up green on the island of Tasmania. “In Australia we’re pretty conscious of it, always have been. It’s always surprised me, the amount of household rubbish that each house in my neighborhood puts out every week here, whereas in Australia you get one rubbish bin and one for recycling. There’s a bit more consumption in America.” Baker does his part in his adopted home by growing vegetables, driving a Prius and making use of yesterday’s news. “We wrap our Christmas presents in newspaper,” he says. “We’re a very conscious family.”"

Full Article:
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/ecollywood/stories/ecollywood-simon-bakers-mysterious-use-for-newspaper


Head-to-head with ‘The Mentalist’
By Bill Brioux
TV Guide Canada

"Executive producer Bruno Heller, who previously worked on the big-budget HBO series Rome, says the beauty of Patrick Jane is that he’s “a dark character whose heroism is not in muscles or action but in being positive in life despite what he does and the tragedy that he’s faced with. He’s positive, so simply on that level, he’s a good role model.”

It takes a special actor to pull that off, says Heller. “What Simon brings to it,” he says, “is a combination of great, Cary Grant-ish charm, but underlying it is real steel and menace.” Keeping it light and dark at the same time is “really, really difficult to do as an actor,” says Heller. “It takes a lot of discipline and work and skill.”

Baker says that when he was developing the character, he often thought of “a very dear friend” who used to tell the actor when he was down, “Let your smile be your umbrella.” Baker says it was just “a little old adage that he had. And I thought about that a lot when I was playing around with the character.”"

Full Article:
http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/Headtohead+with+The+Mentalist/Interviews/Features/Articles/090209_the_mentalist_BB.htm?isfa=1


The Mentalist's Amanda Righetti Preps for Love Triangle
by Mickey O'Connor
TV Guide

"TVGuide.com: Did you have any idea that The Mentalist would be a hit?
Amanda Righetti: No, I don't think you ever know going in. I've done a lot of shows that didn't do well. You have to go in with a 50-50 take on it. If it goes well, fantastic. Hope for the best and plan for the worst. I thought [The Mentalist] was clever and different from other procedural shows. The wittiness was interesting. At the table read, when Simon and the whole cast were there, it really started to come together for me.

TVGuide.com: What did the producers tell you about Van Pelt going in? She had a juicy expository speech in the pilot.
Righetti: I actually had conversations with [co-executive producers] Bruno Heller and David Nutter. We spoke a lot about where she came from and her naivete playing into Jane's hands. She comes from a small town, and has a few brothers. She was a beat cop, so this reassignment is new and exciting for her. As the show goes on, a little bit of that backstory will be revealed."

Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mentalist-Amanda-Righetti-1002701.aspx


'THE MENTALIST''S ROBIN TUNNEY TALKS ABOUT HER SEXY CO-STAR
ET Online

""The Mentalist" is the No. 1 new series of the fall 2008 season, but series star Robin Tunney recalls that just days before the show premiered, she and Simon Baker were really worried about whether or not viewers would tune in.
"Simon and I were the most nervous because we had been through it before," she tells ET. "We were telling guest stars, 'You have to watch the show.' We were trying to do a grass roots thing. We were paranoid. What if we put it out there and nobody liked it? We really wanted it [to succeed] because we were having such a good time together.""

Full Article:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/01/70141/


Simon Baker and The Mentalist Try to Maintain Perfection
By Tim Molloy
TV Guide

"All is right in the perfect world of The Mentalist.

On the show's set, on a crisp, sunny day in Los Angeles, everyone is smiling. The stars are smiling, the public relations people are smiling, and the reporters shuttled in from their hotel to eat donuts and talk to the cast are smiling. But no one smiles brighter than Simon Baker.

The star of the CBS hit is about as handsome as a person can be. His hair is wavy but unfussy, his eyes seem kind, his teeth form perfect lines. When he smiles, you want to root for him because his smile contains such a mix of mischief and humility. "

Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mentalist-Simon-Baker-1002141.aspx


The Mentalist: We Visit The Set (And Simon Baker!)
By Susan Young
film.com

"On the Warner Bros. set of The Mentalist, Baker is relaxed and comfortable talking to the small group of reporters gathered on his home turf. It's quite a departure from a few years ago, when Baker starred in another CBS drama, The Guardian. Then, he came across as resentful and angry, much like the repressed and depressed character he played.

"[The Guardian] was a harder show emotionally; playing such a depressed character did rub off on me," Baker says in his native Aussie accent. "I never thought I'd be the kind of actor who would be affected by the role that I'm playing, but playing it day in and day out, it does, yeah. But [Patrick Jane] is such a fun character."

Baker says The Mentalist is all about entertainment."

Full Article:
http://www.film.com/tv/the-mentalist/story/mentalist-we-visit-set-simon/25586050


OK! Interview: Simon Baker
OK! Magazine

"OK!: Do you have a secret talent?

I’m pretty good at gardening. It consumes my time, and it feels like I’m doing something constructive.

OK!: Are you into male grooming?

No, I just clean my teeth!

OK!: What do you miss most about Australia?

The physical beauty of the area where I grew up. And I miss my close friends. I miss trivial things too... like meat pie!"

Full Article:
http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/11274


Mystery of serial killer on "The Mentalist" won't be solved until the end
By Hal Boedeker
Orlando Sentinel

"Crime procedurals are booming for CBS. Baker attributed the trend to a desire in society.

"We are in a time where people sort of look for closure," the star said. "With a procedural show, you do get closure at the end of the episode."

Robin Tunney, who plays agent Teresa Lisbon, agreed. "Osama bin Laden, they didn't find him, whereas procedurals, we would have gotten him, right?" she said.

"Next season," Heller said.

I asked Heller how he describes the relationship between Patrick Jane and Teresa Lisbon.

"Jane is a rule-breaker, and Robin is playing someone who is all about the rules, has to be," Heller said. "So there's an underlying dramatic tension there that drives that side of their relationship. On the other hand, they respect and love each other."

What would Heller say to viewers who read more into that relationship or see more potential in it?

"That's nice," he said. "I think seeing it and reading it as opposed to having it is the fun bit."

Full Article:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/01/serial-killer-o.html

Tags: Articles, Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Amanda Righetti, Tim Kang, The Mentalist

Sixteen photos taken at the The Mentalist Television Critics Association press tour session on Thursday, January 16, 2009 at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA have been added to the "Misc" section of The Mentalist Photo Gallery. These include photos of Series star Owain Yeoman (Wayne Rigsby), series star Amanda Righetti (Grace Van Pelt), Executive Producer Bruno Heller, series star Simon Baker (Patrick Jane), series star Robin Tunney (Teresa Lisbon) and series star Tim Kang (Kimball Cho) among others.

Tags: Photos, Appearances, Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Owain Yeoman, Tim Kang, Amanda Righetti, CBS, The Mentalist

Amanda Righetti: 'I am Skeptical of Psychics'
Posted by Jarett Wieselman
New York Post

"PopWrap: With all the procedurals out there, what was your initial attraction to "The Mentalist?"
Amanda Righetti: It was sort of like the anti-procedural, procedural. I think most of all it was the role because it was so unlike anything else I've ever done on television. Grace's completely opposite of what I'm usually cast for and to be able to have fun with something different is really attractive.

PW: And I love that in just a handful of episodes, you guys were able to create a real fun dynamic between the CBI team.
Amanda: I think it helps that we're like that when the cameras aren't rolling as well. We definitely have a lot of that dynamic off camera as well. It's a really fun working environment."

Full Article:
http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/01/amanda_righetti.html


The Mentalist: Owain Yeoman Teases New Episodes
By Mickey O'Connor
TV Guide

"Welsh actor Owain Yeoman is, surprisingly, not sick of answering "the accent" question. In fact, he loves it when people think he's American. As "jock cop" Wayne Rigsby on CBS' The Mentalist (Tuesdays, 9 pm/ET), Yeoman is responsible for a lot of the drama's lighter moments, as he gorges himself on whatever food is available and stumbles sweetly in his attempts to woo a fellow agent. Yeoman spoke to TVGuide.com about Rigsby's future romantic prospects, precisely which accent he's aiming for and why his answers to our questions will be way better than Tim Kang's."

Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mentalist-Owain-Yeoman-1001283.aspx


'Mentalist,' '24' star chats about hit shows
By Kathy Hanrahan
WRAL

"From Fox’s “24” to the new CBS hit “The Mentalist,” actor Gregory Itzin has a knack for butting heads with unique main characters. On “24,” Itzin’s President Charles Logan tried to frame lead character Jack Bauer for the death of former President David Palmer. His “Mentalist” character, Virgil Minelli, is engaged in a battle to get his employee California Bureau of Investigations Agent Teresa Lisbon to control consultant Patrick Jane, who has a habit of going rogue."

Full Article:
http://www.wral.com/entertainment/blogpost/4254451/


CBS Is First Advertiser To Run Ad On Front Page Of New York Times
By Claire Atkinson
Broadcasting & Cable

"Rather than touting a particular show, however, CBS chose to run a brand campaign promoting the network’s many successful series including: CSI, Two and A Half Men, The Mentalist, 60 Minutes, as well as its football coverage."

Full Article:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6626347.html


Celebs (including Simon Baker) Call Obama 'Best Gift of 2008'
Webcastr




In Step With Simon Baker
By James Brady
Parade

"I first got to know Baker when he was doing the powerful legal drama The Guardian. Since then, he’s been busy appearing in films such as The Devil Wears Prada. “That was a happy experience,” he told me of the movie. “I came in, did a couple of takes here, a couple of takes there.”

That casual Aussie attitude carries over to his starring role on The Mentalist, in which Baker plays Patrick Jane, a onetime showbiz psychic turned nonconforming sleuth. So far, the show has been one of the standout successes of the past season. “It’s a good outlet for me,” he said. “In this economic climate, we’re lucky. I signed for five years.”

Baker’s been living in the United States for 13 years. Knowing how fiercely Aussies love their own country, I off-handedly asked him, “Any interest in becoming an American?” Simon stopped talking, stared at me, and said, “Funny you mention it.” Then he dropped this unexpected news: “The morning after your election in November, I said to my wife Rebecca, ‘You know, I’m thinking about becoming an American,’ and then she said that she felt the same way. "

Full Article:
http://www.parade.com/celebrity/2009/01/simon-baker.html


Old Perceptions Die Hard for Flourishing CBS
By Lisa de Moraes
The Washington Post

"CBS's "The Mentalist" is the season's only new series that can be called a bona fide hit. And it's the only newbie on any network performing better in its time slot than the show it replaced. The drama series, which stars Simon Baker as a former made-for-TV psychic who now uses his super powers of observation to help cops solve heinous murder cases, attracted more than 19 million viewers to its most recent original episode -- CBS's largest audience for a regularly scheduled program on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. in nearly 14 years."

Full Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122801876.html?hpid=topnews


Reading the minds of the men behind 'The Mentalist'
By Emily Yahr
Savannah Morning News

"BAKER SAYS: I love con-men characters in film. It's such a joy to be able to play one, when you don't necessarily know when you're telling the truth or lying, but at the same time you like the character.

The fact that Patrick Jane was a fraud and entertainer and showbiz man, that informs his whole outfit, the look. Initially, he was a little more razzle-dazzle. And we played against that because I wanted that to be more in his persona. So the suits are all worn, and my shoes are really worn out. The idea was to show he hadn't bought any suits since the tragic incident with his wife and child. At that moment, he gave up on the physical appearance."

Full Article:
http://savannahnow.com/node/643119


PSYCHIC FRIEND: HOW SIMON BAKER BECAME TV'S HOTTEST NEW STAR ON 'THE MENTALIST'
NY Post

""He's a very handsome man," admits Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment and the top programmer at the network. "What we've had the chance to observe over the years with him is extraordinary.""

Full Article:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12212008/tv/psychic_friend_145014.htm


Tim Kang Teases New Mentalist Episodes
By Mickey O'Connor
TV Guide

"TVGuide.com: What did they tell you about Cho going in?
Kang: Bruno fleshed it out a little bit, but also gave me enough room to contribute my own ideas to imprint on the character. Just from reading the script or seeing what Cho says to his teammates or whatever, you get an idea of his demeanor or style, which is a testament to Bruno's writing. It was crystal clear to me from Day 1. I don't necessarily know where we're going to go from here, but at least I got something to sink my teeth into, which was great.

TVGuide.com: Do you personally believe in this form of heightened perception that Patrick Jane practices? Does Cho?
Kang: I believe there are people out there who have powers of observation that are greater than my own. To the extent that Patrick Jane does it, Simon has told me some stuff about his research, and it sounds amazing. I think Cho absolutely believes in this power or talent. I think that he likes to look at it as a talent for picking these things out when everyone else misses them. There's no resentment or animosity because Jane gets the job done."

Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mentalist-Tim-Kang-1000922.aspx


A cop show with a reformed fake psychic -- it was in the stars
Maria Kubacki
The Ottawa Citizen

"It's a psychic show and a police procedural, all in one convenient package. One-stop watching: who has the time to commit to both Ghost Whisperer and CSI, or Medium and Law & Order?
No wonder The Mentalist emerged as the one real success in a season littered with faltering favourites (Heroes) and promising new shows that just didn't manage to get off the ground (My Own Worst Enemy)."

Full Article:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=f03432d6-7906-4034-b784-53c4610d4f49

Tags: Articles, Simon Baker, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti, The Mentalist