Celebrity News
CBS’ Criminal Minds trimming female cast to save cash
[HMG] – In a move sure to cause howls of anguish from its legions of fans — all of them men — CBS has announced that the female cast of Criminal Minds will be a lot thinner next season.
Motivated — so they claim – by the need to cut costs, the suits at the Eye have dropped A. J. Cook, who plays Jennifer Jereau, and Paget Brewster [Emily Prentiss] will have a far smaller part in the upcoming sixth season.
Kristen Vangness’ role as Penelope Garcia, however, will remain unaffected.
Debuted in 2005, the critically acclaimed show is known for having a male-centric story, with the men getting most of the plots. So it should be no surprise that all the male leads – Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore and Matthew Gray Gubler – are due to return.
41-year old Paget is now being offered a contract that would keep her as a cast regular, but with far less screen-time. Deadline says 31-year old A. J. also has an offer from the network, but only to do guest spots to wrap her character’s story.
A. J. [Andrea Joy] has played Jennifer in 112 shows. Paget has done 83…And this is the pay-back. Personally, I’d say that sucks — what’s your review?…
I TOTALLY AGREE. A.J. and Paget bring a much greater dimension to CM than just a “boy-show” can deliver. CBS are idiots. I won’t be watching next season. I hope these ladies both go on to long fruitful careers WITHOUT CluelessBastardS!
The characters of JJ and Emily are intrical to this ensemble cast. They help balance the masculine and feminine needed to get inside a criminal’s mind. I’d like to say, as a female viewer, they will be greatly missed. I watch the show for the ladies–not only because I’m attracted to them but because they are strong believeable characters. It won’t matter if they bring in another female cast member, as the rumors suggest, too little too late. The only way to keep me watching CM at this point is to keep AJ, Paget, KV AND the new female character–four men and four women seems fair to me. Good luck to Paget and AJ in all that you do–please keep your fans informed of your future acting roles–we support you no matter what role you play! You’re both amazing actors! Break a Leg!!
I’m happy that they’re getting rid of A.J and cutting back on Paget, cuz that means more air time for the guys. And seriously, who doesn’t want to see more of Hotch, Reid and Morgan? It could possibly mean better story lines as well since they wont have to worry about fitting in all the characters into an episode and having them say something. Heck it could mean better parts for the guys as well since now the writers will be able to focus on better stories for them. Maybe even a love interest story line for Reid? And if the writing is better then an Emmy could be in t heir future. Plus I hated the fact that Reid didn’t get as much air time this season, which seriously pissed me off. Plus, all they need is Garcia for the comp stuff, Reid for all the mapping, Morgan for all the door busting and Hotch for all the leadership stuff. So I seriously think that this is a good move for the series and I am not at all worried.
Trinity must be a man because only a man would say something so lame. We need to keep our strong female leads because they add balance and depth to the show. If the writer’s would actually write storylines that these talented actresses could delve into, maybe they would be more valuable to CBS. Let’s face it though, this is purely financial and NOT creative. The men have been front & center with the ladies on board so why now? MONEY! CBS is known to cancel their shows before the 7th season i.e. Without a Trace and Cold Case. All for money reason but Criminal Minds brings in money to CBS. It’s just the old “boys club” mentality that makes the choices. Keep our ladies and write them a storyline too. I love me some Hotch and can watch Thomas Gibson all day but he isn’t the only character I love on Criminal Minds. Shame on you CBS.
I agree with Lisa, CBS is too stupid to see that Criminal Minds is their best show, probably one of the most profitable ones. If they need cutbacks, don’t ruin a show they are getting money from. The woman are just as important as the men on the show, and Criminal Minds won’t be the same without them. They are both men and woman in the REAL FBI, so it is only logical that there would be on a TV show about the FBI. Reid is my favorite character, but that doesn’t mean that JJ and Prentiss aren’t important! Also, they do need JJ and Prentiss to balance the team out. CBS has a great show, awesome character relationships, and amazing actors, why ruin that?
After 112 shows and now you want to cut the best character and actress that is wrong beyond everything
Save the Criminal Minds Ladies!! Sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?cmwomen
I’ve been a constant viewer since 2005 and survived the departure of Elle and Gideon- life goes on but CBS is going to have to step it up to keep everyone’s attention. Perhaps they are banking on the Criminal Minds spinoff with Forest Whitaker. We’ll see what the Fall brings
I really hope they don’t change any of the people on the show, they are bring a unique perspective to the show and they all feel like family, if they get rid of any of the people on the show I dont know if it will be the same.
Here we go again.I watch CBS 75% of the time,but if they screw-up CM I am done with them.