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’s going to be on David Letterman on Wednesday so make sure you set your DVRs!

Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing the well-received thriller for a high-definition release in two months.

Starz/Anchor Bay Entertainment will bring ‘Not Forgotten‘ starring Simon Baker from ‘The Mentalist’ to Blu-ray on November 3.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements including an audio commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a theatrical trailer.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.98.

You can find the latest specs for ‘Not Forgotten’ linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it’s indexed under November 3.

Check out a first look at the THE MENTALIST Season 2 premiere airing Thursday, September 24 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The first episode is titled “Redemption”.

You wouldn’t know it from the nominations, but “The Mentalist” and “Fringe” were last season’s most watched first-year shows. Together, they garnered only two nominations.

Unlike last year, when newcomers lighted up the ceremonies, this year no first-season program cracked the coveted categories of outstanding drama or comedy series. (Voters did recognize “Mentalist” star Simon Baker with a nomination for lead actor in a drama series. “Fringe” was honored for its special effects.)

In the long tradition of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” snubs, the intense buzz around HBO’s supernatural series “True Blood” didn’t help this growing rookie hit about vampires. And Showtime’s “United States of Tara,” despite the cachet of being executive produced by Steven Spielberg, still managed only a lead acting nod for Toni Collette. (“Tara” has three other nominations — for casting, title design, theme music.)

Meanwhile, Starz’s “Party Down,” about a Hollywood catering crew, earned breathless raves from critics but was hampered by the fact that only critics watch the show. And the same goes for HBO’s raunchy “Eastbound & Down,” which doesn’t have big ratings but has a cult following online and with young guys — probably the same ones who put “Family Guy” into the running.

source: latimes.com

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]