"We are very excited to tell you all that Joe Mantegna is officially joining the cast of Criminal Minds. Thanks for hanging with us, everyone. Ed Bernero"
]]>The statement, which is posted on the Criminal Minds Fanatic Blog, reads:
There have been some rumors about Harvey Keitel
joining the show but ultimately, I don't think it's
going to work out (and if I thought it was I would
have already told you all). However, we should have
some news before the week is out about an exciting
addition to the team. When a deal is closed, you will
all be the second people I tell (after the cast and
crew of course). Love you all and again, thanks for
all the support and patience as we work through this.
Ed
]]>His statement on Criminal Minds Fanatic is as follows:
"Dear CM Friends:
Just to keep you all in the loop, there is talk going around that Geena Davis may be the replacement actor. This is not true. She was someone we talked about but we aren't going that way. Still nothing solid to report. We are working our way through some pretty interesting people and we'll let you know as soon as something is definite.
Everyone is doing fine and we are all looking forward now to the future. Thanks again for all the kind words.
Ed Bernero"
]]>ON BEHALF OF MANDY PATINKIN:
Due to creative differences, Mandy has asked not to return to Criminal Minds this season. Mandy would like to thank the studios and network for releasing him from the series and he wishes the cast and crew continued success in all of their endeavors and looks forward to continuing to work with the Disney and CBS companies in other capacities in the future.
"There have been several reports recently in the media about the Mandy Patinkin situation on Criminal Minds. Firstly, they are true -- Mr. Patinkin has left the show. What's troubling to us though, is that the reports tend to suggest or hint that the Producers, the Studios or CBS have something to do with what has happened. Phrases like 'maybe cooler heads will prevail...' and the like have been used. Let me make this clear: this is not about a contract renegotiation, this is not about money, this is not about something Mr. Patinkin asked for that wasn't provided -- in fact, everyone involved in the show has for two years bent over backward to give him anything he wanted.
Mr. Patinkin told the show, the studios and the network the he was returning right up to the day before we started shooting the first episode and then simply did not show up. He also has not contacted anyone within the show (producers, cast, crew) to explain why he isn't returning. Even to this moment, we have no word from him. He gave us no advance notice that anything was wrong, no oppurtunity to find a way to make the loss of this character work, no indication that we should be looking for someone else, no warning that we might have to rewrite the first seven scripts (which is how far ahead we try to work) without the central character in them. None. Zero. He was not, as some media reports have indicated, written 'lightly' in our first episode, in fact, it was quite the opposite. Because of the construct of the first episode story, he was actually in the center of that episode. He left us completely in the proverbial lurch.
As loyal fans of the show, we think you all deserve an explanation and I wish I had a better one to give you. The most amazing writing staff in television is working very hard to find a way to make this work and we will find a way to give you the organic, dramatic experience you expect from CM.
If I have new news I will provide it and if there are questions you have, Jill [of the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog] will provide a way to get the questions to us at the show and we will do our best to answer. If you hear a rumor, please ask us. I remain touched and humbled by the support you have all shown the show.
Thank you so much --
Ed Bernero"
According to TVGuide.com, Patinkin will return for one episode to bring some conclusion to his storyline.
Simon Mirren, executive producer and writer of Criminal Minds, believes that's one of the reasons people enjoy Criminal Minds. "It's about us. It's about what we do," he said.
Mirren has written some of the best Criminal Minds episodes to date. Most notably he has scribed The Fox (a serial killer takes families hostages and lives with them as the father figure), Riding the Lightning (when Gideon realizes the woman in a serial killer couple is innocent, yet she won't admit it), and No Way Out (Gideon versus a serial killer in a diner - will Gideon save a cop and let the killer go?).
Click here to read the rest of Executive Producer Simon Mirren Takes Us Behind-the-Scenes on Criminal Minds
]]>"They're like an old married couple."
No, Thomas Gibson who plays Aaron Hotchner on Criminal Minds is not referring to his character's relationship with wife Haley.
In fact, Gibson is referring to Hotch's relationship with Jason Gideon, played by Mandy Patinkin. Gideon and Hotch are like father figures to the rest of the BAU Team on Criminal Minds, and professional peers to one another, Gibson said.
Click here to read the rest of Thomas Gibson Profiles Aaron Hotchner on Criminal Minds
]]>Criminal Minds is a dark show. A great, fascinating, and smart show. But, a dark show. And without Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia providing some light in that darkness, the show wouldn't be nearly as fantastic as it is.
"I think she provides a certain kind of levity that nobody knew the show was going to need because no one knew it'd be a nightmare," Vangsness said of her character on the show. "She's so slick and so smart and such a geek rock star."
Click here to read the rest of Kirsten Vangsness Brings Levity to Criminal Minds as Penelope Garcia
]]>When you think of someone on Criminal Minds kicking down doors, reenacting crime scenes, and of course being super manly and hot, Shemar Moore, who plays Agent Morgan, immediately comes to mind.
Other than the fact that Moore and Morgan are both quite attractive men, Moore said, "Morgan is the biggest stretch of a character from my personality that I've portrayed."
Click here to read the rest of Criminal Minds' Shemar Moore Breaks Down Agent Morgan
]]>Please leave a comment if you have any questions for Thomas, and I'll make sure to ask him!
Thanks!
]]>New Reid or Old Reid? That is the question.
"I like the fact that in just two years, from the pilot to Ashes to Dust, it's not the same guy," Matthew Gray Gubler commented on his character's transition.
When Criminal Minds began, Dr. Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Gray Gubler, was a cute, quirky, somewhat oblivious genius. Ever since "the Super Bowl episodes," The Big Game and Revelations, when Reid was held hostage, tortured, and injected with drugs, Reid's temperament has changed. He's become feisty, more reserved, and perhaps addicted to drugs. "In the first episode I'm like Macaulay Culkin. I'm so young. Now I look really old and decrepit," Gubler joked. (Actually, the one thing that's remained the same is he's still cute.)
Click here to read the rest of Matthew Gray Gubler Talks About Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds
]]>"You really feel like 'I'm an FBI agent!' You're like a cowboy or a superhero or something."
That's how Paget Brewster describes playing the role of Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds. Truly one of the funniest people I've ever spoken with, you'd think Prentiss was a comedian and not a serious FBI agent. (Shows how good of an actress Brewster is!)
Click here to read the rest of Paget Brewster Feels like a Superhero on Criminal Minds
]]>I couldn't sleep last night. Every single sound I heard had me convinced that the killer* was in my house. I wish I was kidding, but really, that's what Criminal Minds did to me. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't watch Criminal Minds. In fact, I'm saying quite the opposite. You need to watch Criminal Minds. It's so good that it permeates your life. And, if you're not absurdly paranoid like I apparently am, you'll experience an extremely thought provoking and intriguing hour and be able to sleep at night.
Click here to read the rest of You Need to Watch Criminal Minds
]]>I have a confession to make. I am often late to work because I need to watch the first few moments each morning of Dawson's Creek on TBS.
I have also never watched Criminal Minds. But when I heard that James Van Der Beek would be guest starring as a serial killer, I had to watch. I sat down on my couch with my sister (an avid Criminal Minds viewer) and I smugly said to her, "I don't care if he's a serial killer. He'll always be Dawson Leery."
Click here to read the rest of Dawson Leery Uses Criminal Minds to Become James Van Der Beek
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