Entertainment Extra - Your source for on screen entertainment from the Logansport Pharos-Tribune
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2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Sarah Passingham TV Media S ome investigators just have the knack when it comes to seeing the missing piece in con- founding investigations. In "The Irrational," a brand-new crime procedural premiering Monday, Sept. 25, on NBC, Prof. Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin, "The Flash") is pulled from the world of academia to lend his highly sought-after expertise to virtually unsolvable cases. "The Irrational" is based on the popular book "Predictably Irrational" by author Dan Ariely, about the theories behind deci- sion-making and rational thought. The series drops Mercer into active investigations in dire need of a fresh perspective. With law enforcement and investiga- tors at a loss for tying suspects and motives to shocking crimes, the professor joins the team to lead them down his unique path of discovery. In its series description, NBC notes that Mercer's "insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior lead him and the team on a series of intense, unexpected journeys to solve illogical puzzles and perplexing mysteries." In the official trailer for the series, Mercer is seen very much at home at the front of a lecture hall, teaching one of his psychol- ogy intro courses before he meets a little bit of resistance when he encounters law enforce- ment. An investigator asks him if he's the "science guy," leading Mercer to quip, "That's Bill Nye. I'm actually the behavioral sci- ences guy." His sense of humor shows itself again when his the- oretical approaches are gently questioned before he remarks, "Gravity was just a theory at one point." What are the methods behind Mercer's breakthrough analysis of these high-profile, dead-end cases? Well, the trailer gives a glimpse into the theories he uses to shed light on where investiga- tive trails have gone cold. Mercer shoots off a few choice $10 phrases like "predictable irratio- nality," "paradoxical persuasion," "attentional blindness" and "bereavement sex" as some of the things knocking around his head as he takes a new look at tough cases. While Mercer is increasingly pulled away from his academic work as he successfully aids fed- eral investigations, he does make sure to keep two of his best and brightest graduate students in the loop. Molly Kunz ("Chicago Fire") stars as Phoebe, a protégé of Mercer's who enthusiastically follows in her professor's foot- steps, both literally and figura- tively. Arash DeMaxi ("Partner Track") is Owen, another one of Mercer's students who gets pulled into his new side gig. "The Irrational" also stars Maahra Hill ("Delilah") as FBI agent Marisa, Mercer's main contact and partner in these investigations. Travina Springer ("Ms. Marvel") is Kylie, Mercer's sister and current roommate. While the pair are close siblings, Kylie is more of a free spirit than Mercer, who uses his own cre- ativity to shake up bureaucra- cies. Soma Chhaya ("The Breadwinner," 2017) stars as Jasmine and Ella Cannon ("iZombie") is Lila. This isn't Martin's first rodeo when it comes to the world of TV crime procedurals. He is probably best known for his eight-season run as Det. Ed Green on "Law & Order," of course popping up in the main series' many spinoffs over the years. "Law & Order" is notorious for its cases being ripped from the headlines, and perhaps the close relationship the series had with true crime was part of what motivated Martin's move years after he wrapped on the prolific crime drama. In 2022, Martin began hosting the seventh season of "How It Really Happened," an HLN series that delves into horrific murders and their investigations. Martin told People last August, "I never thought of myself as a host, real- ly, of anything. I rather enjoy being able to hide myself in a character. But this was such a cool project." He added, "It's amazing to be part of something where you're literally on the pulse of what's actually happen- ing. These mysteries aren't solved, so they're continuously being investigated." "The Irrational" debuts follow- ing the singing competition series "The Voice" on NBC and joins the new series "Found," the network's second new original series premiering this fall. Another procedural, "Found" fol- lows a crisis management team that focuses on finding missing people. With most networks rely- ing on non-scripted series amid the ongoing WGA and SAG- AFTRA strikes, NBC's new script- ed dramas will be some of the fall's lone non-competition or reality offerings. Don't miss the series premiere of NBC's brand-new crime drama, "The Irrational," debuting Monday, Sept. 25. Schwering Realty 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Jesse L. Martin , Molly Kunz and Arash DeMaxi in "The Irrational" 'The Irrational' takes an unexpected approach to investigating crime Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Sage & Tonic 2 x 2"