Watched The Mentalist last night.
I think this is the first time I’ve made it all the way through an episode. Not because the show’s bad or anything, it’s just because, for some reason, I seem to be really tired on Tuesday nights (I blame the mid-day spin class). I watch the first five minutes and then wake up to see who did it, hope to catch one more glimpse of Patrick Jane and then decide I don’t care because I’ve missed the whole episode anyway.
It’s actually a pretty good television show. It’s got some interesting writing. And Simon Baker does a commendable job with the material and the character. The creators are relying on some formulaes, such as the guy who knows all because he’s a genius and possesses skills that give him insight where no normal human being could find them. He also has a deep wound (something about the death of a wife and child, but like I said, I missed it while I snored dozed on the couch). There’s also the tough as nails but pretty woman cop who doesn’t understand being womanly and feels like her authority isn’t recognized as much as it would be if she were a man.
But I don’t care, because frankly, he’s just so pretty (in a manly kind of way). To be truthful, I watch just to watch him. Come on, look at him…
<sigh>
Look at how his eyes crinkle in a devastating way when he smiles. And he has a way of finding everything just ever so slightly amusing and speaking in a low whispery voice that means if you were actually in a room with him instead of watching him on the box you’d have to lean in to hear him.
Just <sigh>
I predict that The Mentalist will succeed longer than Lie to Me simply because I would way rather look at Simon Baker than Tim Roth. Am I alone in this? I think not. Okay, ya, Tim Roth is a fantastic character actor, yada, yada, yada. On a Tuesday night, I don’t know that I want something quite so gritty and estimable.
Need I say more?
Now, someone needs to put Simon Baker and Hugh Jackman in a movie together to make a perfect storm of Australian hunkdom. Perhaps a remake of The Philadelphia Story with Cate Blanchett playing the Katherine Hepburn character (but not as Katherine Hepburn this time), just to make it an all-Australian cast. I’d pay money to see that.
What do you think?
Tentative Equinox North
Tentative Equinox 
I think I need to watch it, that’s what I think.
Thank goodness for the cute cableguy that installed my HDTV last week.
The only question that remains….does the Mentalist air on an HD channel? Because I’m thinkin’ crinkly eyes might play out quite nicely in HD. Yes?
It plays on CBS. Is that an HD channel?
Oh, I think he’ll play quite nicely in high definition.
Now, I’m jealous. I want HDTV tooooooo.
Actually I have a thing for Tim Roth. He’s cool as hell and a far better actor. Lie To Me is ok.
I also have that thing for Tim Roth. I enjoy character and genius…he is both. Maybe they can both remain on the air for the sake of allowing for two types to enjoy.
@ Kelly. To each their own. I too usually prefer the better actors and guys who don’t look like you’ve won them in a raffle. Really. I do.
But for Simon Baker, Hugh Jackman, ooh and Paul Gross, I am prepared to exceptions.
I love both actors and I love both shows. Have you been watching the episodes after you wrote the article?
For me, Lie to Me is slightly better!
I’ve kept up with The Mentalist, but only managed one episode of Lie to Me. I actually didn’t mind the Tim Roth character, although I thought he was working it a little hard. However, I find Kelli Williams irritating so I just didn’t go back.
Tim Roth is THE MAN, are you nuts?? Yeah, I’d rather look at Tim every week, thank you.
Simon Baker is a very fine actor. I didn’t know it or think it until I saw the superb job he does on The Mentalist. It’s a rare combo of truly stunning good looks and talent but he has it. Tim Roth is a good actor too and I’m sure plenty of people find him sexy. He kind of annoyed me though when he said ‘Alan Rickman has had ‘some success’ with his portrayal of Snape’ = total understatement