Last month, CBS renewed most of TV shows from the 2013-14 season. One series that was conspicuously missing from the list was The Mentalist. Does this mean that the show has been cancelled or, could it still return for a seventh season?
Starring Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, and Amanda Righetti, The Mentalist debuted in 2008 and was an immediate hit for the network, drawing an average of a 3.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 16.94 million viewers. The second season dropped to a still healthy 3.4 in the demo and 15.35 million. Unfortunately, The Mentalist has continued to lose viewers each subsequent year.
In 2012, the network opted to do what they’ve done in the past with other declining established shows — they sent The Mentalist to the Sundays at 10pm timeslot. Because of frequent sports-related overruns, numerous episodes of The Mentalist haven’t started until well after 10pm, making it a challenge for even the most devoted fans to watch it.
Last season, the show’s ratings fell to a 1.7 demo rating with 9.5 million viewers, a far cry from the show’s early seasons. It easily could have been cancelled but CBS renewed the series instead.
This season, the numbers have gotten even worse. The 18 episodes that have aired thus far have averaged a 1.5 in the demo and 9.21 million viewers. The show is expensive to produce and is bringing in less advertising revenue so it’s certainly in danger of being cancelled once again.
Because CBS already renewed most of their other shows, there’s not much space left for new hour shows — and the network certainly needs some of those next season. Both of their new dramas this season — Hostages and Intelligence — were ratings failures and are certain to be cancelled.
On the positive side, Warner Bros Television, which produces The Mentalist, has incentive to keep Simon Baker and company on the air. They have a lucrative $2+ million per episode deal with TNT and the series also brings in a lot of cash from overseas markets.
They are likely offering CBS a financial break if they take on another season but, according to Deadline, Warner Bros is also shopping the series to other outlets. ABC, who’s also been struggling to establish new dramas, is said to be interested. Cable channels might also be a possibility but they have less cash to spend. It will likely all come down to what kind of deal Warner puts together.
Fans of the show will have to wait to see what happens but at least they have a strong ally in the studio for also wanting the show to come back for a seven season.
What do you think? Do you think The Mentalist should be cancelled or renewed for a seventh season? Is it time for this show to end? Would you follow it to another network or cable channel?
Mentalist is a favorite. Like the FBI idea. Keep this show on …please
I hope it gets renewed, but by some other network. CBS has been abusing the show by putting it on Sunday nights, so maybe on another network it would get a better time slot and the ratings would go up.
I will follow ‘The Mentalist’ wherever it goes: it is beautifully crafted, superbly written and acted. 58 million people can’t be wrong. It is unclear to me why CBS ditched it in the Sunday night death zone time slot. (Well, I guess it is clear: money.) Despite very little promotion by CBS, ridiculously late and unreliable start times, a lousy (in terms of numbers) lead=in and weeks of sports and other preemptions, ‘The Mentalist’ puts up pretty decent numbers. Tell me what other show could? Give it a decent home and it will do MUCH better. As for the reboot,… Read more »
Wake up people! “Things that don’t change … die …”
Rigsby and VanPelt are gone, this show’s new format has amazing potential ….
And this show is NOT just for old people … my daughter is 26 (active duty Navy) and watched all 5 episodes on cd while she was on the USS Truman in the Persian Gulf. Now she is back home and is eagerly awaiting Sunday nights new episode…..
Figure that demographic out CBS!!!
The Mentalist definitely should be renewed. I would follow it, whatever network it goes to. So would its 58 Million (astounding number) viewers worldwide! The show didn’t win the Golden Nymph at the Monte Carlo Television this past summer for nothing. The category? Most Watched Dramatic Series IN THE WORLD! CBS is an idiot for how they’ve screwed with TM. Just. An. Idiot.
Yeah it brings to mind CBS’ “Murder She Wrote” screw up.
CBS did another stupid blunder. Anyone remember the “Murder She Wrote” fiasco? Have sports on Sundays but leave the good shows for another night of the week. If Warner Brothers moves “The Mentalist” to another network, I would definitely watch it-as long as they didn’t schedule it dependent on sports. I want some closure and maybe all it has is one more year, but at least give us that. OK, Van Pelt and Rigsby have moved on, but have them do a guest spot every once in a while.
Yes, please keep it and PLEASE go back to the original cast and the CBI group.
Unfortunately, Amanda Righetti was the one who wanted to leave.It was not the show’s bosses that made that decision. I hope that, if the show continues, she will do the occasional guest appearance.
They need to keep it going. But they need to reinforce the CBI and bring back Rigsby and Van Pelt, it would be nice to see more of Cho too. I also like the head of the FBI, he’s turned out to be interesting. It just wouldn’t be the same without the loveable and frustrating Patrick Jane on.
Unfortunately, Amanda Righetti was the one who wanted to leave.It was not the show’s bosses that made that decision. I hope that, if the show continues, she will do the occasional guest appearance.
The actors playing Rigsby and Van Pelt opted not to sign new contracts. Therefore, whether or not the show returns, Wayne and Grace will be gone. Cho seems to be a fifth wheel without a partner to play off and his is such an interesting character he does need more screen time.
I’m waiting for my ghost to come back.
ha ha ha ha ha good one! 🙂
When the show abruptly changed direction, it threw a curve ball to its fans. I agree the Red John storyline lasted far too long but the transition was just too drastic. That said, I still enjoy the show and will continue to watch it whenever and wherever it is telecast.
The problem is the changes, we liked it when they were with the CBI with all the main characters, don’t like the new cast or the direction it has taken. Jane is not as interesting as he was before, the way he tricked the bad guy’s and catch them, now he is boring and we miss Grace and Rigby, it has just lost everything that made it a good show to watch, except for that Red John crap went on to long. Booooorrring!
I’ll follow The Mentalist as long as it’s on, which ever network shows it. I love the Patrick Jane character and he’s getting his Mojo back in the last few episodes after the traumatic conclusion of the Red John story. Hope the show has at least a few more years, preferebly not on Sunday night on a station broadcasting Sunday sports events! But even later is better than never.
Please don’t camel the Mentalist
Keep the show. I love it now that we got past the Red John Junk. I would also help if you went back to the previous scenario and not the FBI.
Absolutely, “The Mentalist” should be renewed, whether on CBS or any other channel & of course, I’d follow it anywhere. If it’s put on a cable channel, then it should be shown a few times per night or at various times during the following week so that people can definitely see it when they’re ready, if they’re busy for the initial viewing.