Ok.  The rumors are getting louder that TM may be getting picked up by a smaller cable network.  TNT or USA, maybe?  We all know that these networks will have a significantly lower budget to work with and if this deal goes thru' there will be a big slash in cost to keep this show in line.  Obviously, this was in the works all last year when the word came down that Van Pelt and Rigsby were leaving the show.  If this contract actually happens I'm starting to wonder what a Season 7 would be like.  Will Cho be there?  My guess is ...probably not.  Abbott and Fischer?  Depends on what they earn per episode.  And the BIG QUESTION MARK.......WHAT HAPPENS WITH LISBON?   Tunney may not make as much $$ as Baker but I'm betting she made a sh*tload season 6.  Will a cable network match it?  The last 2-3 articles I've read from Heller and Tunney were very cryptic regarding the finale.  At one point Tunney states  (I'm paraphrasing) "It's all about Patrick Jane and what he wants so it really doesn't matter what I want."  I read that as --- they get together because RT has never been a big fan of a romantic relationship between the two.  Then in a Heller quote (again, paraphrasing) "The season finale is a romantic ending. We wrap it up so it can go either way."   How I am reading this is.... maybe Lisbon gets on the plane and leaves.  Season 7 (if there is one) could be Jane going to get her (if the cable networks want to pay her salary) or The Mentalist 3.0....Jane in Austin all alone and starting over.  

My questions to you is:  Will you watch if there is no Lisbon?  No Cho?  Do you think TM will move to a cable station?  If so, how many viewers will follow?  Will it be enough to stay afloat 1 more season?