or


[09/08/08 - 09:58 AM]
CBS Harnesses the Power of Viral Video to Promote New Fall Drama "The Mentalist"
A leading U.K.-based psychologist has been tapped "to create three unique and innovative brain teaser videos that challenge viewers to test their powers of observation."
[via press release from CBS]

CBS HARNESSES THE POWER OF VIRAL VIDEO TO PROMOTE NEW FALL DRAMA "THE MENTALIST"

CBS Engages Leading U.K.-Based Psychologist to Create

Innovative Brain Teaser Videos For Online and On-Air Promotion of the Network's Upcoming New Drama "The Mentalist"

To promote the new fall drama series THE MENTALIST, the CBS Marketing Group has engaged a leading U.K.-based psychologist to create three unique and innovative brain teaser videos that challenge viewers to test their powers of observation.

THE MENTALIST stars Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant 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. Playing upon the show's theme, CBS has created three different video spots that test viewers' ability to be aware of everything that is happening in the videos, after being challenged to keep a count of a particular activity. Each video depicts a unique motif - a card game, a football game and a gathering of security guards - and challenges viewers to watch closely. (To see the mental awareness videos, go to: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_mentalist/)

Designed by internationally known researcher Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K., the illusions challenge the brain's instinctual methods of processing motion, form, color, and depth. The one-minute videos were meticulously orchestrated by Professor Wiseman and filmed on location in London, with on-camera narration provided by Simon Baker.

In mid-August, the "Mentalist Awareness Test" videos were posted on the top user-generated video content sites on the Web as well as across CBS Interactive's CBS Audience Network, with messaging driving users to cbs.com. The videos made their on-air debut on the Network, Friday, Sept. 5, during the CBS FALL PREVIEW SHOW (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT).

THE MENTALIST, which stars Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti, premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.





  [september 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· MENTALIST, THE (CBS)




[09/09/26 - 01:01 PM]
Star-Studded Lineup Set to Present at the 78th Emmy Awards, Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock
They'll join host Emmy Award-winning actor, director, producer and television icon Mariska Hargitay.
[09/09/26 - 12:09 PM]
ESPN to Exclusively Televise MLB Doubleheader on September 23 Featuring Matchups with Postseason Implications
Look for Cleveland Guardians/Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros/Seattle Mariners on said date.
[09/09/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 31
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Off Campus," "The Grand Tour," and "The Traitors" led all original series worldwide.
[09/09/26 - 11:51 AM]
BYUtv's "Big Stories" Returns for Fourth Season Featuring NFL Legends and Untold Stories from Across the Big 12
Each 7-to 10-minute episode will be available to stream for free alongside each game on the BYUtv app and at BYUtv.org.
[09/09/26 - 10:52 AM]
Lifetime Announces New Original Documentary "Kimora Lee: On Her Own" Premiering September 20
Model, businesswoman and mother, Kimora Lee, tells her story through candid interviews with her children, family, friends and collaborators to chronicle her extraordinary journey from one of Karl Lagerfeld's youngest Chanel models to the visionary behind Baby Phat.
[09/09/26 - 10:15 AM]
Michael Kelly Joins Season Three of the Paramount+ Hit Series "Landman"
Kelly will star as William Crockett, the leader of the largest oil management firm in the world.
[09/09/26 - 10:01 AM]
Host Jane Krakowski and New Bandleader Robin Thicke Set the Stage for an All-New Season of "Celebrity Name That Tune"
Ice-T and Tony Hawk face off in the season premiere on Monday, September 21.
[09/09/26 - 10:00 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" to Premiere 52nd Season Sept. 26 on NBC and Peacock
Jalen Brunson, Dakota Johnson, Shane Gillis, and Inde Navarrette are the first wave of hosts.
[09/09/26 - 10:00 AM]
Prime Video Announces 2026 New York Comic Con Programming
"Blade Runner 2099," "Bloodaxe," and "Helluva Boss" are the featured projects.
[09/09/26 - 09:19 AM]
Johnny Knoxville and the Gang Make One Final Raucous Return for "Jackass: Best and Last," Streaming on Paramount+ September 24
Grab your buddies, raise your glasses and experience the cinematic event that promises to be the last time you'll ever laugh this hard.
[09/09/26 - 09:16 AM]
New Dating Series Will Discover If Singles Can Fall in "Love at First Sight"
Do you believe you could see someone and know instantly that they're the one?
[09/09/26 - 09:07 AM]
Nirvana to Receive Video Vanguard Award During "2026 MTV Video Music Awards" Airing Live Sept. 27 on CBS
On this date in 1992 (9/9/92), Nirvana took to the "VMAs" stage for the first time - shaping music, culture and MTV forever.
[09/09/26 - 09:05 AM]
"Ghost Adventures" Returns with Chilling All-New Season - Wednesday, September 30 on Discovery Channel
Navigating abandoned frontier towns, centuries-old landmarks and historic estates, investigators Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Jay Wasley and Billy Tolley delve into the shadows of America's turbulent past in pursuit of restless dark forces wreaking havoc on the living.

[09/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: HBO Max Releases Trailer for "The Howard Stern Show"
Each week, Howard's SiriusXM show will be adapted into a streamable episode for HBO Max.
[09/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
USA Network's "The Rainmaker" Returns for Season 2 on Friday, October 16 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT
In 2025, "The Rainmaker" became USA Network's most-watched freshman series in seven years and finished the year as the #1 highest-rated new scripted TV series across all of cable.