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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.
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I do hope they have a good plot worked out. Honestly, the Red John storyline is awesome, but for 7 seasons?
only the very naive can only watch it via CBS website or via iTunes.
Think about what you are saying – if millions of people DVR the show (digitize it) you dont really think some of them dont also upload those digitized episodes ?
This would explain why there are many thousands of uploadeed episodes and some with native language overdubs.
Might want to get out of the house once in awhile.
I think that Baker deserves every dime. The success of this show is mainly due to Simon. He is the main reason that I watch it. With all due respect to the other cast members, I like
them all, but Simon owns this show. JMO!!!
Deals like this are self-destructive to the entertainment industry as costs in general to create scripted programming are on the rise even with the economy in trouble. Really, what is Simon Baker going to do with $30? You’ll probably read about him in tabloids with some kind of substance abuse problem as fame and money go to his head with this crazy deal. This deal just opens the door for more TV stars to make unnecessary demands and there will be fewer scripted shows on TV because they’ll cost too much money to produce.
Great for Simon. Of course a lot of the success is due to him but with all respect I doubt it would be as successful if this was a single man show. I enjoy this show because of the fantastic cast and their chemistry and for me it would be equally bad if someone other than Simon would leave the show. I can’t imagine the show or Jane without Lisbon. Their partnership is something so refreshing and different in days where producers think they need to pair up the leads *coughBonescoughCastle*.
Robin should get a good deal too. She’s an amazing and natural actress and plays her character with so much debt.
I just hope the show actually goes on for that long. Who knows what happens in 2 years? Imo they can’ stretch the RJ story arc longer than for 5 seasons. I love it but it’s already getting a bit ridiculous here and there.
Also
I meant “depth” of course *lol*. sry not native
Did you see him in Sex and Death 101? pew….
He always reminds me of Billy Bush.
The show is a huge primetime network TV hit in the UK on Channel 5.
I bet they pay a huge amount per episode to run it just after its US showing, which all helps pay Simon Baker.
Not bad since he was a gay actor/stash rent boy who had his throat cut in LA Confidential!
But he has a great ensemble cast to help him out.
Bring back Leslie Hope!
I may not be a very good judge of acting, but I think Simon’s good looks and The Mentalist audience are fogging otherwise mediocre talent. His audacious take capitilizes on a trendy and well edited detective series.
Simon Baker is a very good actor….I don’t think any role he has played really brings out his true potential…..but I must say I do enjoy his role in The Mentalist but The Guardian had real drama in it…that is when he caught our attention Hope he gets to do more good films. In interviews he comes across as a really down to earth man….happy in his success….his wife is lovely, ch ildren are beautiful. Not the least egotistical and with a good sense of humor about himself.
Great show, great actor, great ensemble of actors to back him up.
What’s there not to like!:) Add his smile & WOW!!
The Mentalist is one of my favorite shows. I got a DVR mostly because I did not want to miss a show. I do not usually stay up late enough for 10pm shows. I like The Guardian, but enjoy The Mentalist more. Simon Baker is worth every penny. There are actors who make much more than he does.