Mentalist & Eleventh Hour: New On CBS

CBS put out the official word on its new line-up with more information about two shows that fall slightly over the scifi line. 

The Mentalist stars Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, a detective 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.  Jane has a celebrity following as a psychic but to his fellow detectives he admits that’s just a sham. 

But I have questions!  Does Jane really have paranormal powers?  Is TV ready for another male character named Jane (spelling aside)?  And what kind of paranormal powers does director David Nutter posses that 99% of his shows go on to be a success?  The answers to these and other questions will be revealed when The Mentalist airs Tuesdays at 9:00 starting this fall.

Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS 2008

Eleventh Hour is based on the British miniseries by science-fiction writer Stephen Gallagher but the CBS write up makes it sound more Numb3rs than X-Files.  Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the series follows Dr. Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell, “The Illusionist”), a brilliant biophysicist and special science advisor to the government, as he investigates scientific crises and oddities. His jurisdiction is absolute and Hood is dogged in his pursuit of those who would abuse and misuse scientific discoveries and breakthroughs for their own gain. His passion and crusade is to protect the substance of science from those with nefarious motives.  He is called in at the eleventh hour and he represents the last line of defense.  The series will air on Thursdays at 10.

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2008

Are they scifi?  Or just two clever twists on the old police procedural?  Or maybe they’re both!