EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Jane would have a good feeling about this: I hear The Mentalist star Simon Baker is finalizing a new deal with the series producer Warner Bros Television that would net him more than $30 million for his services on the CBS drama, including money he is currently paid. Under the pact, I hear Baker would add one additional year to his current six-year contract and would get an additional piece of the show's backend. The Mentalist was sold in off-network syndication in November 2009 in a rich deal with TNT that is fetching Warner Bros. $2.2 million-$2.3 million an episode. As part of the new deal with Warner Bros. TV, Baker will also get a producer credit on the show beginning in Season 5.
The Mentalist launched as the top new series of the 2008-09 season. For the past 2 seasons, it has been airing on Thursday at 10 PM as one of very few dramas that perform solidly in the 10 PM hour dominated by DVR viewing. Season to date, The Mentalist has averaged 16 million viewers and a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49, down 6% and 15% from last year, respectively. The series, in which Baker stars as Patrick Jane, an unorthodox consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation, ranks as one of most DVR-ed programs on TV, regularly adding some 3 million extra viewers from playback viewing.
Source: Deadline


Good for him, I guess,
ReplyDeleteIt strikes me that CBS is basically saying that The Mentalist will lasts at least until season 7, when actually this season its ratings hasn't been very much phenomenal, going under the 3.0 in the Adults 18-49 share, more than a few times.
ReplyDeleteCha-Ching!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for him :)
ReplyDeleteHuh...I don't think the show is THAT good, but if they want to throw money at him then go right ahead. I'd be happy in his shoes. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the Mentalist but for 7 seasons??? Vampire Diaries,yes but not the Mentalist-it isn´t that good...;(
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the rest of the cast got a new deal too. It's really the work of a fantastic ensemble that makes me enjoy the show.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Love this show :D Just hope it doesn't fall into the trap of stale atmsophere like House, Monk and Castle did.
ReplyDeleteBetter Baker than Sheen.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I watch "The Mentalist" mainly because of Baker. With all due respect to the rest of the cast,
ReplyDeletethere would be no show without Simon. Way to go Simon! You deserve it.
I do believe a huge part of the show's appeal is Baker's acting (well, and charm and looks, too) and if Warner Bros. is willing to pay, it is because he deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI hope at least Tunney gets a good deal too, because imo their partnership works wonderfully. I can't really imagine the show, or Jane, without Lisbon.
Well, if Tunney gets a good deal, she should finally start act better because her Lisbon is getting really hard to watch. I mean, I love Jane/Lisbon attachement, but what is wrong with her?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who doesn't think The Mentalist is phenomenal just has no taste. I was hooked on Simon Baker before it started, but ever since the very first episode I've been a goner. It is my wish that it goes on forever but Bruno Heller would probably run out of things to write after a while. :0(
ReplyDeleteWhen It first started I joined the Simon Baker (Wetpaint) website and I knew it would be on for at least 7 seasons but I can dream can't I?
ReplyDeleteThere's no show without Simon neither Robin IMO, so they better get a good deal for her too. BTW, I love all the cast and their chemistry, that's why I watch this show. Baker is great, but he wouldn't do it alone.
ReplyDeleteIt's times like these I wish I was Simon Baker :P
ReplyDeleteMore money for Simon and more episodes for The Mentalist fans. I just hope people would not get bored watching him for seven seasons.
ReplyDeleteI recall one of the writers saying "ask again in season 7" when asked who Red John was. So, I guess The Mentalist has always been a 7-year project.
ReplyDeleteWell, that maybe the plan of the producers, but not always the plans go as they're supposed to. Ask FlashForward's producers... lol
ReplyDeleteI agree. Baker and Tunney are fantastic and both great actors (so is the rest of the cast).
ReplyDeleteyeah :D
ReplyDeleteMonk, I'll grant you, and maybe House, but Castle? That show's only half-way through it's third season. Not sure that's the parallel you're looking for. (Either way, I don't see it as having staled at all, but that's a topic for another place.)
ReplyDeleteI do hope the Mentalist stays strong, though. There was a bit of lag, late last season, but they seem to have found their footing again.
I just hope they dont drag out discovering who Red John is till season 7. Its a great storyline but 7 years would be a long time.
ReplyDeleteare there gonna be seven seasons of the mentalist???
ReplyDeleteand are jane and lisbon gonna kiss????
ReplyDelete