Will "The Mentalist" Rise Above Psych’s Shadow?
Will CBS’s new Fall series, The Mentalist, be the answer to USA Network’s 
popular series, Psych? The Mentalist stars Simon Baker (The Devil Wears Prada, The Guardian) as Patrick Jane, a consultant to the CBI (California Bureau of Investigation) with a serious knack for solving crimes, using super observation skills.
Interestingly, he had pretended to be a psychic for a number of years, but admits the pretension and is known for not following the rules. His supervisor and team seem to waver between having a distaste for his flamboyant style and an appreciation of his knack of solving cases.
The talented Robin Tunney (Prison Break, Hollywoodland) stars as tough Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon, Jane’s unit leader. The cast is rounded out by Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, and Amanda Righetti (K-Ville, Return To House On Haunted Hill), as a rookie member of the team.
In Psych, the main character, Shawn Spencer, not only continues the ruse of being a psychic, but he has a partner, and their antics lead to some very funny moments. I was never a fan of Psych, mainly because of the amount of comedy, but I do think The Mentalist has a chance to rise to the top. The Mentalist will air on Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on CBS on the Fall.
Image via Morguefile
39 Comments
i definately don’t like the fact that the Mentalist is so similar to Psych. Sure, Psych sounds like it is based more on comedy than really cracking a case, but the Mentalist just seems like the plot is an exact copy.
I definitely agree with Kim. Th plot seems like a rip-off of Psych and I definitely won’t watch The Mentalist. So, not I don’t think it’ll rise above it…
What a ripoff of Psych! Get an origninal idea! And Psych is an amazing show.
Having seen the pilot, I can safely say it’s not a Psych rip-off and shows a lot of promise.
Total rip-off. It may be a completely different show but it’s OBVIOUS that the concept was stolen from Psych.
Wow how creative Its not like Psych cause this guy stopped pretending to be Psychic. Even if this show turns out to be great, I’ll never watch it.
What will the networks clone next. The Closer, Monk….Cable is so much more superior to Most but not all network shows. They must have kids in grade school write the scripts.
Look at what NBC does to Medium and puts those horrible reality shows on. That should tell you networks are the place where “Kids go Wild”.
“I was never a fan of Psych, mainly because of the amount of comedy” Admitting this is pretty much like Psych without the comedy? Maybe a little more “mature”?
It never occurred to me there are people who don’t like a good laugh.
COMPLETE rip-off of Psych. That’s pretty pathetic. I hope this show doesn’t make it past the 1st season. And Joyce…it sounds like you work for CBS, because anyone who’s seen Psych should see this show for what it is; a lazy attempt at further diluting the market for quirky detective shows by stealing another show’s basic premise.
When I saw the advert for the Mentalist, I was disgusted by the blatent and unapologetic rip off of Psych. I will not be watching this trash.
I’m glad others share my sentiments.
I really dis-approve of this show. It’s definitely a rip-off of psych, i don’t care what the pilot is like, it had taken the plot away from psych. I’m not going to watch this.
I thought i was the only one who was detested this show. Very glad that there are people behind me.
I really appreciate the witty sarcasm in Psych. After reading the premise of the show, I can say that it’s not one I will be watching. Get an original idea CBS.
I’m sorry, but when you use Psych as a spring board, with or out without comedy, then it seriously makes me degrade the show already before even watching it.
For that matter I refuse too-but I understand if others people don’t mind or like it, I just refuse to consider it’s existence. It’s just a copy of Psych-the only copy right diffrences are no comedy, and Lasse is replaced with a chick. (Apprently Patrick has a female cop on his butt about his antics-that is SO Carlton Lassiter.)
I know it’s just a tv show but STILL, something about it seems wrong.
…James Roday totally pawns Simon Baker. (IMO!!)
Chris, I have to agree with you about James.
Psych has such an amazing and loyal fanbase no one will stand for such a blatant and pathetic ripoff. I watched the pilot and tried not to puke because of the lack of soul in the show but whenever pysch comes on i dont move from my seat until ive watched it more than once, once to get the plot, and every time after that to pick up the incredibly hilarious moments i may have missed. the mentalist sounds like a name that shawn makes fun of not being able to get in the pilot of psych. if cbs wants to step up maybe they should consider trying to get a truly amazing show (psych) on its network and try to get the word out to more people, because everyone deserves to laugh as much as i do.
oh and yeah
simon baker couldnt hold james’ jockstrap (if i may use a sports metaphor)
Such a rip off… And about the comedy thing- someone needs to chill the heck out. One of the reasons I LOVE Psych is because it has so much witty humor in it, as opposed the IQ killing crap that fills other shows. I’m a teen, and it’s nearly impossible to find an appealing show that doesn’t compose of dirty and/or stupid humor. My mom and I can watch Psych with my sister in the room and not feel guilty (any mature references are veiled enough that they go right over her head).
haha sean mentions the mentalist this week in the episode
It not only rips off Psych… it rips off Monk in that he’s out there looking for his wife’s (and daughter’s) killer.
Saying the Mentalist is a rip off of Psych is like saying Scrubs is a rip off of ER.
Ideas get copied all the time. If you like this type of show, you should watch both. Personally, I dislike hospital-based shows (ER, Scrubs, Gray’s Anatomy, etc.), But I wouldn’t mind watching more shows of the Mentalist and Psych, type concepts: Which are both somewhat of a “rip off” of James Randi and Banacek (real people). And I want more X-files rip offs like Fringe, too!
I guess we all like what we like. I found myself loving the now canceled series, “Moonlight”, but I knew I liked it because I was a fan of “Angel” for so long.
When I first heard of “The Mentalist” I was disgusted. I don’t care how good of a show it turns out to be, it shows complete lack of creativity for stealing the ideas of “Psych”. I don’t like it when people try to make money off of other people’s original ideas.
Psych is supposed to be funny. That’s why I love it. It is so refreshing to see something that is funny and still has drama. For those of you who prefer Mentalist you should try watching Psych now. The pilot episode was like the beginning years; Psych has grown so much over time. Mentalist totally ripped Psych off. The guy may have stopped being a psychic, but he still pretended in the beginning. What if Shawn was going to admit that he isn’t a psychic at some time would he then be copying Mentalist? Psych was here first and should be the only pyschic show!
Mentalist is a rip off just like all the other shows. Mental is a rip off of House, scrubs and ER. If the show that their copying gets cancelled then by all means copy it, but at least wait till the series is over. Like Jim said you can watch both shows but the fact that Mentalist is getting more viewers and higher ratings is terrible. Mentalist is just on at a better time; it’s not a better show. Mentalist sickens me because it has more viewers, better ratings, and stole the emmy nomination. Psych is the better show and deserves so much more. People should watch Psych. Like Kristy said, during the pilot episode it was just starting off now Psych has grown and adapted to get more viewers while keeping the ones it has. PSYCH ROCKS!
Psych is way better. My whole family loves the show. I tried watching the Mentalist once but I had to turn it because it got to BORING. Humor is what keeps the fans. Like John said Mentalist just has a better time. Psych had cooler actors, funnier people, and a way better story line.
PSYCH ROCKS! MENTALIST CAN GO EAT SOCKS!
PSYCH ROCKS! MENTALIST STINKS!
GO PSYCH!
BOO MENTALIST!
Refering to the question “will the mentalist rise above psychs shadow” I think not. In number of viewers maybe, but Psych’s shadow still covers Mentalist by a mile. Psych has many loyal viewers and I will always watch it. Psych doesn’t deserve to lose that nomination or have fewer viewers. Psych may have a few less viewers but that’s just because it hasn’t been discovered yet.
The 4th season opener is not the first time they have taken a swing at The Mentalist. I believe there were one or two punch lines in Season 2/3. (No pun intended) I have never seen an episode of Mentalist therefore I cannot say for sure how I feel about it, but what I do know is that Psych has a HUGE fan following and I for one am a part of it. You can tell how die-hard we are just from reading any of our responses on all of these internet posts and reviews. Any one who puts the show down tends to receive an immense amount of tongue lashing. I am not sure USA even realizes how big of a following this show has. Mentalist may receive awards, but that show is not loved by its viewers as much as those of us who watch Psych; and suffice to say The Mentalist will not be around as long. (USA better not make me eat my words on that statement.) And for such a ridiculous idea for a show, ONLY a comedy would make it this much fun to watch. This is the only TV show that has caused me to literally laugh out loud more than once, and on every single episode! Cheers Psych creators, cast and crew. Job well done.
It is commendable how lightly Psych has taken this blatant plagiarism. I have enjoyed watching ‘Sean’s’ remarks about the Mentalist this season. This issue should have been brought to an attorney, though I suppose each show is targeting a different market.
As for the analogy between Psych:Mentalist::Scrubs:ER, this comparison is far too broad to hold any merit. It isn’t a matter of “more than one detective show” or “more than on hospital show.” Certainly these concepts should not be expected to hold exclusivity. But when a show is based upond a single, unique and non-obvious “hook,” such as a detective who pretends to be psychic, this is something that must be protected. CBS has shown that money and corporate power cannot buy creative, but will certainly destroy it.
I meant “creativity”
I love how Psych always jokes that the mentalist is a blatant copy.
In a way, The Mentalist is just a more serious, waaaaaay less funny/original copy of Psych.
I LOVE YOU JAMES RODAY :3
I think its funny how EVERY single person here has downed the mentalist and praised psych.
First of all ide like to say, i LOVE psych..
but that doesnt mean the mentalist cant be a good show? lol
I do watch Psych and the Mentalist. They are similar in some respects, and the overall theme is most likely a rip off, but they are actually pretty different shows imo. Mentalist is a little more like CSI, with some added humor, while Jane uses hypnotism or something to solve the case. Psych is just a complete non-stop laugh fest!
Just because the Mentalist is a kinda copy off psych doesnt mean it isnt a good show and you shouldnt watch it, ive seen every episode. Its not like they are in the same time slot. If they WERE in the same time slot, then watching Psych over Mentalist is a no brainer, but since they arent im not sure why this is such a heated debate.
(PS) I also LOVE the stabs at Mentalist from Psych this season
well i think what really bothers people is the fact that the mentalist not only stole the plot and basic outline of psych, but it also broadcasts on a bigger network therefor recieve more viewers and even nominations! its this undeserved attention for a show with no creativety and less dynamic then psych.
psych deserves more recognition!
psych is one of the funniest shows ive ever seen. i make everyone i know that hasnt seen it watch a marathon with me. i think what makes psych so good is its comedy, it gives a lot of people who dont like dramas a good cop/mystery show to watch. saying a show is better because it is a drama makes no sense to me….shawn from psych is def more perceptive and the plot of each episode is much better. the mentalist takes monk’s personal history (murdered wife, perceptive man working for cops bc he want to find out who did it) puts it will hugh lories personality on house (an arrogant, cold, smart ass) and the plot of psych. now, this doesnt mean i wont watch it if its on…..what it means is that if the mentalist gets nom for emmys, psych should get nominated for double. and yes, psych does deserve more recognition. NBC OWNS USA NETWORK! THEY SHOULD PROMOTE THE SHOW MORE ON THEIR CHANNEL!
A quirky dude uses his unique talents for perception and notice to detail to solve crimes for the local police department while pretending to be a psychic. That is a completely original idea. It deserves a genre all its own! It doesn’t matter that the Mentalist has a changed a few details, it’s the same concept. The Mentalist tries to be bigger than Psych, but in truth even a better time slot and bigger network can bring the Mentalist out of Psych’s long shadow.
I wouldn’t be surprised if next season the Mentalist had a “Find the Pomegranate” in every episode.
P.S
Please notice my awesome, psych-inspired name.
I agree!!!!! Psych rocks
) Mentalist may or may not be a decent show – I have absolutely NO intention of checking it out, purely on principle. I don’t like the fact that, in the words of my fellow fans, the so-called creators totally ripped off the work of Psych’s creators (that had their idea for several years). And, yeah, their only way to separate themselves from Psych is to replace Lassie with a fem-Lassie (or did they just blend Lassie and Jules?) and make him “admit” he wasn’t a psychic? How very creative….ick.