What do you need a shotgun mic for? Are you actually producing a show?

Ask your sound mixer tag along with you to a rental house. Explain what kind of show you are working on and request some advise. Mostly rental houses will let you test drive the equipment and with a sound mixer tagging along he should be able to give you good reviews about the kwality. I'm guessing if your working on a show you need to go to a rental house anyway.

Also wouldn't be a bad idea to contact this guy. Tell him you have absolutely no idea how to capture that sweet sound and whether he can give you any pointers.