CBS is showing a lot of faith in The Mentalist.
Following the drama's first season success, the network will move it into competitive territory in the fall, airing the Simon Baker-led show at 10 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thomas Jane will go up against Private Practice and Jay Leno next season.
As for the rest of CBS' new schedule, follow this article's jump for complete listings.
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Fans of The Mentalist can look forward to an investigation that leads Patrick Jane closer to Red John on tonight's first season finale.
But viewers should not expect the episode to end with a cliffhanger.
"Cliffhangers can be problematic," co-executive producer Ashley Gable said to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in in a phone interview last month. "They can be gimmicky. I think what [series creator] Bruno Heller has done is the right move to tantalize the audience but give the audience a little satisfaction. We're learning more things about Red John... and going deeper into that mythology."
The Mentalist has already been picked up by CBS for a second season.
CBS has released an in-depth look at a number of its upcoming season finales.
What's set to go down on your favorite Eye network sitcom or drama? Read on to find out...
COLD CASE
Season finale date(s): May 3, May 10
Synopsis: Pearl Jam will actually be heard throughout the finale to this sixth season. In the two-parter, Rush and the team delve into the 2005 murder of the first female cadet of a local military school who didn't live beyond her first semester. Friday Night Lights' Jesse Plemons guest stars.
THE BIG BANG THEORY
Season finale date(s): May 11
Synopsis: As he prepares for a long-term science expedition, Leonard reconsiders his feelings for Penny.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE
Season finale date(s): May 13
Synopsis: Christine learns some startling news about New Christine's father (Scott Bakula).
GARY UNMARRIED
Season finale date(s): May 13
Synopsis: Gary and Allison's frustrating personal lives lead them back into the bedroom. Over and over and over.
As the first season of The Mentalist comes to a close, fans of the number-one new series on TV want to know:
Will Patrick Jane capture Red John over the next few weeks?
Simply put: no, he won't.
But show creator Bruno Heller told E! Online that Alicia Witt guest stars in the season finale (with a "brilliant, moving and profound performance") as a "woman who has had a relationship with Red John."
The CBI discovers this fact during the course of its investigation of the serial killer that took out Jane's family.
"They hope she's going to be the key to finding Red John," said Heller. "It turns out... that she can't."
Alicia Witt will be guest-starring on the season finale of The Mentalist.
The former Law & Order: Criminal Intent actress will portray Rosalind Harker. According to Entertainment Weekly, she's a gorgeous piano player that used to date Red John, the man that killed Patrick Jane's wife and child.
Expect a major twist to take place related to this character.
Is Red John really coming back to The Mentalist?
According to leaked information regarding the show's 21st episode - titled "Red John's Footsteps" - an array of bloody smiley faces begin appearing around town, following the kidnapping of twin sisters.
Might this truly be Patrick Jane's nemesis? Or could it be another copycat? We'll have to tune in and find out.
The (very successful) first season of The Mentalist is winding down.
What can fans look forward to on the upcoming finale? According to executive producer Chris Long, the show will revisit the mystery surrounding who killed Patrick's wife and child.
Moreover, Long told Entertainment Weekly that "something happens at the end of [the episode] that will change the way you look at Patrick."
Cue the suspenseful music!
Don't worry, fans of The Mentalist.
Your favorite new show returns to the air with a new episode on March 17.
A week later, viewers will be treated to an installment titled "Carnelian, Inc." During the hour, the CBI investigates a case that involves the personnel director of Carnelian, Inc. He plummets to his death at Jane's feet during a skydiving exercise.
Click on the following four photos for an early look at the episode:
The Mentalist returns with a new episode on March 17.
In the meantime, let's hope scoop on the show from star Amanda Righetti - who plays Grace Van Pelt - will hold over anxious fans.
"They are planning to play a lot with the budding relationship between Grace and Wayne. But it is always two steps forward and four steps back in terms of my character’s love life," the actress told Entertainment Weekly.
As for Patrick Jane, seen above with Grace? Righetti said:
"One episode that we recently shot has a case where he is temporarily blind. That was a lot of fun to shoot. Without giving away too much, Simon [Baker] plays it to the hilt."
Amanda Righetti stars on The Mentalist as rookie investigator Grace Van Pelt.
The beautiful actress spoke to TV Guide this week about her expectations for the show, along with the characters she portrays on it.
TVGuide.com: Did you have any idea that The Mentalist would be a hit?
Amanda Righetti: No, I don't think you ever know going in. I've done a lot of shows that didn't do well. You have to go in with a 50-50 take on it. If it goes well, fantastic. Hope for the best and plan for the worst. I thought [The Mentalist] was clever and different from other procedural shows. The wittiness was interesting. At the table read, when Simon and the whole cast were there, it really started to come together for me.
TVGuide.com: What is Van Pelt's role on the team?
Righetti: As the moral center, the jokes about the dead bodies don't go over well with her. She can be very serious in that way. Because she's a rookie and stuck in the office, she's also the computer nerd of the group. But really, she's still finding her feet within the team, learning the ropes and how peoples' personalities differ. There are times when she walks on eggshells and others when she takes a bold step forward. Two steps forward, two steps back...
TVGuide.com: What does Van Pelt think of Patrick Jane?
Righetti: I think Van Pelt is intrigued and amused by him. But because Patrick is the lead of the group, we all — Lisbon included — look at him with mystery: How did you know that? How are you coming to these conclusions?
