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

GENRE:  DRAMA, CRIME, MYSTERY

RATING:  To Be Announced

On the Web:  http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_mentalist/

Photos are available at www.cbspressexpress.com

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Press Contacts:

Cindy Marshall       818-655-1586     cindy.marshall@cbs.com

Stanka Luna          212-975-3869     sluna@cbs.com 

Photo Contacts:

Rudi Simpson        818-655-1545    rudi.simpson@cbs.com

Kathleen Prutting   212-975-8533    kprutting@cbs.com