IMDb > "The Mentalist" (2008)

"The Mentalist" (2008) More at IMDbPro »TV series 2008-????

Photos (see all 130 | slideshow) Videos (see all 90 NEW)
"The Mentalist" (2008): :  -- A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police.
"The Mentalist" (2008): :  -- A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police.
"The Mentalist" (2008): :  -- A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police.
"The Mentalist" (2008): :  -- A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police.
"The Mentalist" (2008): :  -- A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police.

Overview

User Rating:
(awaiting 5 votes)
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Creator:
Bruno Heller
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Mentalist on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 full episode list
Release Date:
September 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Mystery more
Plot:
A mentalist turned private investigator uses his skills to help the police. full summary
Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(205 articles)
TNT Nabs Syndication Rights to 'The Mentalist'
 (From BuzzFocus.com. 6 November 2009, 8:58 AM, PST)

TNT Acquires Off-Net Rights to 'Mentalist'
 (From The Wrap. 6 November 2009, 7:10 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Similar premise to Psych. Psych = Comedy; Mentalist = Drama more (37 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 6 of 16)

Simon Baker ... Patrick Jane (30 episodes, 2008-2009)

Robin Tunney ... Teresa Lisbon (30 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tim Kang ... Kimball Cho (30 episodes, 2008-2009)
Owain Yeoman ... Wayne Rigsby (29 episodes, 2008-2009)

Amanda Righetti ... Grace Van Pelt (29 episodes, 2008-2009)

Gregory Itzin ... Virgil Minelli (11 episodes, 2008-2009)
more

Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:60 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Glendale, California, USA more

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "The Jay Leno Show: (#1.23)" (2009) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
63 out of 87 people found the following comment useful.
Similar premise to Psych. Psych = Comedy; Mentalist = Drama, 26 September 2008
8/10
Author: chartresspires from United States

"The Mentalist" is very similar to "Psych" in that the lead character is trained to spot minute details, and through these observations he solves crimes. Where Shawn Spencer of "Psych" pretends to be a psychic private investigator while assisting the Santa Barbara police, Patrick Jane is a person who used to pretend to be a psychic (to achieve fame and wealth), but is now using his abilities as a private investigator to help the police. His motivation for assisting the police is made apparent in the pilot episode.

It is from here that the two premises diverge. "Psych" uses its premise to present a brilliant comedy where the interactions between the characters place the overall mystery and its solving in a secondary role (clues are highlighted on the screen to assist the viewer, for example). "The Mentalist" goes in the direction of the CSI-type crime drama. The story is serious and the clues are intentionally obscure for the viewer. Perhaps the most humorous element of the pilot is the veiled reference to USA's Adrian Monk of "Monk." A crime scene investigator with obvious anti-social behaviors wanders about the room making hand gestures while describing the minutia of the crime scene (a la Adrian Monk).

Is "The Mentalist" a good series and worth watching? If you like crime dramas, then certainly. If you would like a dramatic interpretation of "Psych," then the show is for you. If you are angered by a show borrowing themes and premises from your favorite show, then probably not. After all, Shawn Spencer is simply another character in a long list of characters with exceptional observational abilities (Sherlock Holmes and Columbo are but two which come to mind).

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (37 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The Mentalist" (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Show Needs more Van Pelt Storylines? attentionspike
Jane and Van Pelt? ic_kewl
Status Quo is god *Spoilers for Red Badge and Black Gold Red Blood* Matrixfan_13
Jane Was Lucky He Wasn't Bent Over a Table? attentionspike
Who is the dad ? movieman125
Who was that guy? sorceresskimberly
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Wonderland Tightrope Shadow of a Doubt Suspect Zero Body Double
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Episode guide Full cast and crew Company credits
External reviews News articles IMDb TV section
IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.

You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button