Eight stars from the four major broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC – join together in new public service announcement that encourages viewers to tune in to an unprecedented week of television, October 19 -25, as part of EIF’s iParticipate national initiative to promote service and volunteering.

Simon Baker (CBS’ The Mentalist), Emily Deschanel (FOX’s Bones), Eva Longoria Parker(ABC’s Desperate Housewives), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (CBS’ The New Adventures of Old Christine), Masi Oka (NBC’s Heroes), Michael Strahan (FOX’s Brothers), Kate Walsh (ABC’s Private Practice), and Rainn Wilson (NBC’s The Office) are featured in the 30-second spot, which reinforces that great change begins with small choices and one decision to change leads to others. The spot ends by encouraging people to tune-in starting October 19 to find out how the networks are participating. The PSA was produced by filmmaker Jesse Dylan, with his agency FreeForm. It begins airing the week of September 28 on all four broadcast networks.

EIF is mobilizing the entire entertainment community around the ground-breaking, multi-year iParticipate campaign, which promotes a new way of thinking about service and seeks to persuade millions more Americans to volunteer regularly. As a centerpiece, the major broadcast networks and others will spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. More than 60 shows have signed up to participate. [Source]

I have added pictures of Simon visiting the Late Show With David Letterman!

Visiting the Late Show With David Letterman – 23rd September

We have added pictures of Simon at the Emmy Awards!

Emmy Awards – 20th September

Simon Baker (The Mentalist) – This Tasmanian devil has a killer smile that comes in handy when he plays the title character named Patrick Jane in The Mentalist. The blond actor – a Home and Away alumnus – got his big break in the United States when he took a minor but memorable role as a budding actor in L.A. Confidential. He went on to appear in the movies Red Planet (2000) and The Affair of the Necklace (2001) before landing the lead role in the TV series, The Guardian. His three-year stint on the show got him a Golden Globe nomination. Following that were gigs in The Ring Two (with fellow Aussie and pal, Naomi Watts), George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead, and The Devil Wears Prada. Baker, 40, a former bricklayer and a keen water sportsman, was attached to the short-lived series Smith, which featured Ray Liotta and Jonny Lee Miller. His part in Mentalist has tremendously raised his profile; he’s got two films lined up: Fair Game (with Watts in the lead again) and The Killer Inside Me (starring Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson). At the just-announced 61st Emmy nominee list, Baker is up for a best drama actor award. [source]

On CBS’ breakout hit “The Mentalist,” Simon Baker stars as a former fake psychic who lends his expertise to murder investigations. Not even a tarot card reader, however, might have been able to anticipate Baker’s status as one of the hottest faces in all of television.

The Australian-born thesp had previously appeared on the Eye series “The Guardian” and “Smith,” but didn’t pop in viewer minds until portraying Patrick Jane, a man whose bravado led to the murder of his wife and child by a mysterious serial killer known only as Red John. Despite his tragic past, Jane exhibits a lot of cheeky wit as he tracks down bad guys.

“He’s essentially a dark character, but instead of choosing to indulge in that dark torturous side, he has an optimistic take on life,” Baker explains. “From the pilot, the key to the character is that through his tragedy he has been freed. He’s not desperately hanging on to anything material and physical things, just living moment to moment. Read the rest of this entry »

THE Mentalist star Simon Baker was in good company at game two of the NBA Finals series in Los Angeles yesterday.

Baker and his son Harry sat courtside for the match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, with the Aussie star chatting to movie heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio at half-time.

Other celebrities catching the action courtside included singer Rihanna, actors Zac Efron, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, and musicians Sean “Diddy” Combs, will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, and Maroon 5′s Adam Levine.

Baker’s next project is The Killer Inside Me starring Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba and Casey Affleck.

Thanks to The Mentalist, he has become one of the most popular TV stars in the US.

An online viewer poll recently voted the crime drama as the best new show of 2009, and named it as having the sexiest cast.

TVSHOWSONDVD.COM have the release date for season one DVD of The Mentalist as September 22nd. They also have the DVD cover art. See it HERE!

I have added episode stills to the gallery from The Mentalist episodes 1×22 and 1×23.

1×22 – “Blood Brothers”

1×23 – “Red John’s Footsteps”

Simon was at the CBS Upfronts yesterday! We have added pictures to the gallery.

2009 CBS Upfront – 20th May