PATRICK JANE AND THE CBI TEAM INVESTIGATE THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUTHENTIC SANTAS AFTER ONE SANTA IS FOUND MURDERED, ON A REBROADCAST OF "THE MENTALIST," THURSDAY, DEC. 22

Pruitt Taylor Vince ("Deadwood") Guest Stars as J.J. LaRoche, an Investigator with the Professional Standards Unit

Gregory Itzin ("24") Returns as Retired CBI Director Vincent Minelli

"Jolly Red Elf" - The CBI pursues two lines of investigation when a Santa is murdered: Patrick Jane goes undercover in an AA group; and Rigsby and Van Pelt question members of an authentic Santa society. Meanwhile, following the demise of a person in custody at the CBI, J.J. LaRoche (guest star Pruitt Taylor Vince) is brought in to question the team when it appears to be an inside job, on a rebroadcast of THE MENTALIST, Thursday, Dec. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Gregory Itzin ("24") returns as retired CBI Director Vincent Minelli. (Originally broadcast 12/9/10.)

SERIES REGULARS

Simon Baker (Patrick Jane)
Robin Tunney (Teresa Lisbon)
Tim Kang (Kendall Cho)
Owain Yeoman (Wayne Rigsby)
Amanda Righetti (Grace Van Pelt)

GUEST CAST

Aunjanue Ellis (Madeleine Hightower)
Pruitt Taylor Vince (J.J. LaRoche)
Marisa Bernal (Lailah)
Megan Gallagher (May)
Gregory Itzin (Vincent Minelli)
Biff Wiff (Bernard Ripple)
Angela Gots (Roxy)
Peter Xifo (Santa Bob)
Matt Cates (Santa Tony)
David Alan Basche (Dr. Jack Wilder)
Todd Jeffries (First Officer)
Sarah Adina (Female Manager)

WRITTEN BY: Daniel Cerone

DIRECTED BY: John Showalter

RATING: To Be Announced