'Criminal Minds': A.J. Cook may return -- briefly

[riffjim4069]

Source

"Criminal Minds" may not be completely done with A.J. Cook, but if the actress does return to the series, it won't be for long.

News broke last week that the CBS crime drama was paring down its cast for the coming season, letting Cook go and possibly reducing the number of episodes in which Paget Brewster appears. The show may also introduce a new female character during the 2010-11 season.

"Minds" fans, to say the least, were not thrilled with the news of Cook's departure. "And programs wonder why they lose their audience," "This is bull!!!" and "I've already started an anti-new character page" were among the comments to Zap2it about the moves.

Despite the negative reaction, CBS and the show's producers aren't backing off the decision, which they've said was a way to "refresh" the show going into its sixth season. However, Deadline Hollywood reports that executive producer Ed Bernero is considering having Cook guest-star in an episode in the fall to put a cap on her character JJ's story.

Brewster, meanwhile, is still talking with CBS about cutting her number of episodes, Deadline says. She would remain a cast regular.

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[riffjim4069]

Criminal Minds to become Criminal Studs?

Bad move in my opinion...

Source[/URL

The Internet is abuzz with the news that CBS is looking closely at undercutting its hit show, "Criminal Minds", by eliminating two of the three female cast members. Per the network, it's all part of a cost cutting move being directed at all ensemble shows.

What this means for the cast of the hit drama series is that A.J. Cook's "J.J. Jareau" won't be gathering the team together anymore to introduce the current depravity of the week, though there is a chance that she could be asked to return a few times to wrap up her character's story. Since Jareau is a new mother, odds are she quits such a stressful and demanding job to focus on her child.

Then there is Paget Brewster's Emily Prentiss, who is a full fledged member of the BDU team. CBS has reportedly asked Brewster to accept a reduced role on the show, which could mean either fewer investigations in which she participates or an altered role where she's more in the office than out. Per CBS, she might retain her regular status if she accepts.

[URL="http://www.dtvusaforum.com/content/163-criminal-minds-become-criminal-studs.html"]Full Story

 

[Jimmy 440]

They are trying to fix something that is not broke.It's a big mistake paring the cast down like that.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Agreed. Dumb moves.

 

[riffjim4069]

+3 and there is a lot of uproar about it. It certainly can't be about saving a few dollars because the show has excellent ratings.

 

[TNGTony]

It's bean counters doing what bean counters do. If show costs X and has expected revenues Y we make $Z. We can make MORE money if we cut cost to X-cost of two popular characters!

In reality, short term gain, long term loss... as the show may lose audience and be canceled!

 

[riffjim4069]

It's definitely a long-term loss considering they will lose a percentage of the take-it or leave-it audience who will flip the channel because the show doesn't have enough eye-candy (for the guys) or feeling-types (for the ladies). Then again, if the show suffers they can just renew contracts or bring in others.

 

[raoul5788]

It's definitely a long-term loss considering they will lose a percentage of the take-it or leave-it audience who will flip the channel because the show doesn't have enough eye-candy (for the guys) or feeling-types (for the ladies). Then again, if the show suffers they can just renew contracts or bring in others.

I don't think I'd describe Emily Prentiss as the "feeling-types"! She's pretty damn tuff!

 

[raoul5788]

I sent an email expressing my displeasure with their plans. I suggest you all do, too. Here is the link:http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

 

[riffjim4069]

I don't think I'd describe Emily Prentiss as the "feeling-types"! She's pretty damn tuff!

JJ certainly has a softer side, but I've seen Prentiss express "empathy" and even shed tears and, as Tom Hands once said, "There there's no crying in the BAU."

Still I like both JJ and Prentiss and the show will suffer without them.

 

[hoophead]

JJ is one of the reason I have watched CM since the beginning.
(Hair style seems to change from one epi. to the next)

 

[riffjim4069]

I just think the show has a really good cast of characters right now. The only change I would make is to bring back Gideon...but that's never going to happen.

 

[Grandpa J]

Sometimes there is no choice such as if a actor wants to leave. But messing with a winning combination for the sake of a few dollars is not a good idea. Getting a likable cast that people want to watch is hard enough but then to cut back/out two of the winning players is petty dumb. In my opinion it will hurt the show in the long run.

Perhaps CBS feels it has enough episodes for syndication so it does not care if the show ends. This, in my opinion again, is why network TV is losing audiences.