TNT Secures The Mentalist Syndication Rights

TNT has acquired exclusive syndication rights to The Mentalist from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, commencing in 2012. Currently in its second season on CBS, The Mentalist has emerged as one of the hottest shows on broadcast television. The top-rated series was the #1 new program of the 2008-2009 television season among total viewers and households and won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New Drama.

The Mentalist will join a TNT lineup that includes many hit acquired series, along with network originals such as The Closer, Saving Grace, Hawthorne, Leverage and the upcoming Men of a Certain Age. TNT also recently picked up Warner Bros. Television's Southland.

"The Mentalist is a terrific show that will be an ideal fit for TNT's already strong lineup," said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "The early success of the series also indicates The Mentalist has a great future."

"Everyone recognized early on that The Mentalist was an A-tier drama, the kind of program that would have a profoundly positive effect on its cable licensee," said Ken Werner, president, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. "As a result, the demand for the off-network rights began almost immediately following its debut on CBS last fall and has steadily increased as the show blossomed into a true broadcast hit."

In addition to being a commercial hit, The Mentalist is critically acclaimed, with the Television Critics Association nominating the series as Outstanding New Program of the Year. The Washington Post said star Simon Baker was "such a sly and commanding presence that he holds your attention in every scene," while USA Today praised the show as "well-cast, well-written," and Entertainment Weekly declared it "a fun, fast-paced treat."

The Mentalist stars Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor-sharp skills of observation.

Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits were feigned. Jane's role in cracking a series of tough, high-profile cases is greatly valued by his fellow agents. No-nonsense Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney - Prison Break) openly resists having Jane in her unit and alternates between reluctantly acknowledging Jane's usefulness and blasting him for his theatrics, narcissism and dangerous lack of boundaries.

Lisbon's team includes agents Kimball Cho (Tim Kang - Third Watch), Wayne Rigsby (Owain Yeoman - Generation Kill) and rookie member Grace Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti - The O.C.), who all think Jane's a loose cannon but admire his charm and knack for clearing cases.

The Mentalist is from Warner Bros. Television and is executive-produced by Bruno Heller (Rome) and Chris Long (Gilmore Girls).