I'm enjoying it very much - and am trying to buy the box set because it's very frustrating only getting to see one episode a week when I know that it's all done and dusted.

Fran, do you know, did it all end abruptly at the end of Season 3 or did they know it was finishing and end it off properly?

I expect you're hoping for a simple Yes / No answer to your question, but I'm afraid its not that simple

There had been differences of opinion between CBS and David Hollander about the direction the show should take. Although it got good viewer numbers, consistently winning its timeslot, it wasn't performing particularly well in the 18-49 demographic, which seems to be important in the US because its prized by advertisers (Don't get me started on this, I don't understand the logic of it at all if indeed there is any logic. )

DH wasn't prepared to change the show to appeal to a younger audience, and midway through Season 3 CBS announced that it was on the bubble i.e. its future hadn't been decided and was in doubt. I've often wondered if they did this to put pressure on DH to tow the line, but if so it backfired. DH was angry and communications broke down further, to the extent that he didn't attend an event where he would have had an opportunity to fight for the show.

Despite this, I think most people directly involved still felt that because of its good ratings it would get renewed. However, DH wrote Antarctica with a view to providing an acceptable finale if necessary.

Filming had finished and Simon was working on his hiatus movie The Ring2, when he was told about the cancellation, and he signed up for Land of the Dead soon afterwards. To be honest, I don't think Simon was that disappointed about it being cancelled. He has since said that the character of Nick was affecting him and getting him down. He also had a punishing schedule - at an event which he couldn't attend because he was working, Dabney Coleman made the comment "they work him like a dog".

It was certainly a few years before Simon was prepared to consider a TV role again, and when he did return it was in Smith which as an ensemble cast, would have had considerably less pressure of work and responsibility. I think that to sign up for The Mentalist, he must have really loved the script and also had an immediate rapport with Bruno Heller, to feel that working on the show would be an enjoyable experience.

I don't understand the prized 'youth' market either, it's my experience that it's the 50+ people who have
the most disposable cash - certainly amongst all my friends, we were as poor as church mice when we were
younger.

I'm not surprised at Dabney's comment, I've seen the interview (Jimmy Kimmel?) where Simon is asked about TG and says 'it's a slog' and then quickly makes a more positive comment.

The character of Nick - and the tough storylines - must've been very draining, month after month.

Thank goodness TM came along - I know film careers are prized but I really appreciate good telly and TM has given me something to really look forward to (the last time that happened it was ER).

Someone once explained to me that the 'prized youth' market is about brand loyalty. Advertisers believe that if they get you young, you stick with them. This was probably true once upon a time, but I don't think its true these days - everybody nowadays is looking for a bargain, including me.

I guess I have some brand loyalty - I favour a particular make of car and a couple of makes of TV's - but mostly I'm a free spirit where brands are concerned.

[Dr Green was lovely, one of my favourites - Dr Carter was even lovelier ]

I think it's terrible that advertising has the power to end a TV programme.

Long live the BBC!

And Nick has told his father that he is leaving to go to a rival firm.

It really is a very enjoyable watch.

I enjoy Simon's performance in TG very much. Such repressed emotion. Fascinating.

I agree about it being fascinating. I was instantly fascinated - and I still am

I assume you're referring to the kiss on the cheek while Nick was dozing. At this point I decided that Lulu was a bit of a bitch - leading Nick on then shutting him out. I did try to see things from her perspective after that, but never quite succeeded.

Yes Fran, that's the scene. It was a rotten thing for her to do wasn't it?