4 chapters across the catalog
The hosts discuss a potential "shout-out" in the television show *The Mentalist*, where a character mentions "a dude named Ben." They speculate that a listener in the Writers Guild may have inserted the phrase as a nod to the podcast's recurring memes.
Pre-Crime Themes in Dexter and The Mentalist
Recent episodes of popular television shows "Dexter" and "The Mentalist" are noted for propagating police state themes. "Dexter" featured a "see something, say something" message with unusual audio cadence, while "The Mentalist" explored the concept of "pre-crime" and arresting individuals before they offend. These instances are viewed as examples of media being used to normalize surveillance and preventative policing.
California Bureau of Investigation and Badge Conditioning
A scene from the television show The Mentalist features characters identifying themselves as members of the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The hosts use this to discuss "badge conditioning," where the public is trained to comply with anyone presenting a badge, regardless of the agency's legitimacy. They note that many people are unaware the CBI is a real division of the California Department of Justice.
The Mentalist Television Show, Broadcast Interruptions and Viacom
A discussion of the CBS drama "The Mentalist" focuses on its premise of a psychic consultant working with the California Bureau of Investigation. Frustration is expressed over a fifteen-minute news interruption during a rerun of the show to cover Ted Kennedy's death. The interruption is attributed to corporate decisions at Viacom and criticized for disrupting family viewing.
