People Choice Awards 2011!

Voting Begins Today to Pick Nominees for 'People's Choice Awards' 2011

Lets get our favorite TV show some well deserve recognition! You can vote for Criminal Minds as best Crime Drama and add any of the actors/actress as best TV Crime Fighter and more! Just remember Vote, vote, VOTE!!

Favorite TV Actor in a Drama

Favorite TV Actress in a Drama

Favorite TV Crime Drama

Favorite TV Crime Fighter

Criminal Minds - Paget Brewster Signs A Deal

According to Deadline Hollywood . . . [Paget] Brewster just closed a deal to return to the veteran CBS crime drama, and she will be in almost every episode next season.

It goes on to say . . . Brewster's pact is for "10 out of 13", which means that, extrapolated over the 22-episode season, she will be in the majority of episodes. The actress had been approached to continue as a regular on the show but for a reduced number of episodes; now the reduction seems to be pretty small.

Check here for the entire article:

http://http//www.deadline.com/2010/06/criminal-minds-update-paget-brewster-inks-deal-to-go-back-a-j-cook-will-make-brief-return/

Now they didn't teach us ratios in math class in medieval England, but we believe that if we extrapolate 10 episodes out of 13 episodes to the 22 episode season, it means that Paget will likely be in 17 (or 16.9230769) of those 22 episodes.

Criminal Minds, Indeed: Greedy CBS Execs Axe Cook, Slash Brewster

We at Criminal Minds Round table came accross this interesting article about CBS written by Mitch Calloway for Associated Content. Here are a few excerpts

Does CBS genuinely believe that Cook and Brewster haven't earned raises, if that is in fact the impetus of these moves? Are network executives under the impression that, because they've successfully replaced key characters in the past (Glaudini's Elle Greenway in 2006, Mandy Patinkin's Jason Gideon following the 2007 season), they'll be able to do it whenever the mood strikes them? Are they of the opinion that while Moore, Gibson, Gubler, and Mantegna are vital to the show's success, they can just plug any pretty girl into the cast at any time and audiences will accept her? Do they believe that Vangsness' Penelope Garcia, who does most of her crime-fighting behind a computer keyboard, is more integral to the day-to-day operations of the fictional BAU than two field agents who are frequently in the direct line of fire? Or do they just believe that the wisecracking, plus-sized Garcia is more accessible to female viewers in Middle America than the petite J.J. or the somewhat vampish Prentiss?

Whatever the case, their handling of this situation has been nothing short of criminal. To release the talented Cook during summer hiatus is to write her out without even bothering to give the actress or her character a send-off worthy of someone who's given so much to the show and its loyal viewers for half a decade. Downgrading the hard-working Brewster to little more than a glorified guest star is basically telling her and her fans that her contributions to the program were never as important or impactful as those of her co-stars, past and present. In short, CBS's treatment of Cook and Brewster is as disrespectful as it is illogical. Not to mention more than a little sexist...

...With so much programming available to viewers in the era of digital cable and satellite TV, is it wise for a network with nowhere left to go but down to start dumping some of its most popular on-air performers? This seems more like the sort of addle-brained decision-making that keeps NBC at the bottom of the heap than the savvy, crowd-pleasing policies that took CBS to the top. If the network brain trust doesn't quickly rethink their positions on two of primetime TV's strongest, sexiest, most popular female characters and keep Cook and Brewster around, the next victim to meet a cruel fate on Wednesday nights will be the show's ratings.


To read more go to : http://bit.ly/bhYEdD

The 'Save The CM Ladies Day' This Friday!

This Friday, the Criminal Minds Round Table Knights and Ladies will participate in the 'Save The CM Ladies Day'. Call and Fax Nina Tassler!

And the Award Goes To...

WTF Award: Goes to CBS, for suddenly dropping A.J. Cook from Criminal Minds and reducing Paget Brewster's episodes in order to cut costs. This leaves the show with just one female lead, so now CBS looks cheap and sexist! Why would they want to alienate fans of a show that's done so well in the ratings that it's getting a spin off in the midseason? Why is it they can't pay A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster's salaries but have no qualms when it comes to shelling out $2 million an episode for a guy who has had two of his cars stolen and driven off a cliff in one year and that is the least of his problems? Why wouldn't they at least give the cast a heads-up about all of this so they weren't stuck issuing shocked and pissed off statements through their Twitter accounts? It makes no sense to me at all.

Source: http://www.ugo.com/tv/the-week-in-tv-world-cup?cmpid=sm_add_ugo

The New Criminal Minds?

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.

Fans are angry at the news, many promising to bolt at the concept of an all male team that would consist of Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore, and Matthew Gray Gubler. If CBS follows through on their plans, the only female regular who would come through the cuts unscathed is Kirsten Vangsness who plays the quirky computer guru, Garcia.

The male stars aren't happy about the decision, either, and have been twittering their displeasure and shock at the announcement. The series has survived character changes in the past,most notably when Mandy Patinkin quit the series, weary of its dark, haunting themes. With competition heating up from the other networks, it remains to be seen if they can survive this cannibalism of its female cast.


Source: http://www.dtvusaforum.com/content/163-criminal-minds-become-criminal-studs.html


Please sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/cmwomen/petition.html

Call Nina Tassler's office and tell her what you think about AJ Cook's and Paget Brewster's unfair treatmentt: 818-655-1400

The International Press Picks Up The News About CBS's Unfair Treatment of AJ Cook and Paget Brewster

Here are some articles from the international press:

French Press where Criminal Minds is the # 1 tv show: http://series-tv.premiere.fr/News-Series/Esprits-criminels-le-depart-d-A-J--Cook-cree-la-polemique/%28gid%29/2349708

http://fr.news.yahoo.com/51/20100617/ten-esprits-criminels-deux-actrices-sur-0111c6b.html

From the British Press: http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/news/a228895/criminal-minds-stars-slam-aj-cook-axe.html

From the Brazilian Press: http://pipocamoderna.virgula.uol.com.br/?p=32240

More to come later!

MSN 'Criminal Minds' fans protest Cook's exit

Fans of hit TV show "Criminal Minds" have launched an online campaign to have castmember A.J. Cook reinstated after network bosses decided not to renew her contract for another season.

The actress has reportedly been axed from the crime drama after five years, with a source telling TVGuide.com she has been dropped for "creative reasons".

But devotees are not happy about her exit and more than 12,000 fans have signed a petition calling for executives at CBS to reverse the decision.

Cook has now thanked fans for their devotion with a post on her Twitter.com page, writing, "Your kind words and support have made me feel wanted and loved!"

Cook's castmate Paget Brewster has also addressed the controversy.

In a post on her Twitter.com blog, she writes, "'Creative reasons' has been an executive bulls**t excuse for DECADES. It IS financial. AJ is a dreamboat. And yes, I am hurt, too."

source http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=506430

Please sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/cmwomen/petition.html

Call Nina Tassler's office and tell her what you think about AJ Cook's and Paget Brewster's unfair treatmentt: 818-655-1400

Call Nina Tassler and tell her what you think!

Call Nina Tassler's office and tell her what you think about AJ Cook's and Paget Brewster's unfair treatmentt: 818-655-1400

Deadline Hollywood 'Fans, Co-stars Back Criminal Minds Actresses'

From Deadline Hollywood:

The controversy over CBS’ decision not to pick up Criminal Minds co-star A.J. Cook for next season and to reduce the episode load of another female cast member, Paget Brewster, is not blowing over as fans’ campaign to reinstate them is growing. An online petition in their support has garnered 15,500 signatures, with the number rapidly growing. Among those who have signed it are Criminal Minds co-star Kirsten Vangsness, who is returning full-time next season, as well as Kevin Pollack and Paul Tompkins.

Several other Criminal Minds cast members have voiced their opinion via Twitter. Brewster was the most blunt, taking an issue with the network’s description of its reasons for the casting changes as "creative." ""Creative Reasons" has been an Executive Bullshit excuse for DECADES,” she wrote. “It IS financial. AJ is a dreamboat. And yes, I am hurt, too.”

Here is Thomas Gibson’s tweet: “To say we're all mystified and disappointed is an understatement...” Cook, who had been silent since I broke the story on Monday, sent out a thank-you Tweet today: “Your kind words and support have made me feel wanted and loved!” Meanwhile, fans are also emailing CBS executives and have called CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler.


http://www.deadline.com/2010/06/fans-co-stars-back-minds-actresses/

Link to the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/cmwomen/petition.html

Criminal Minds - Let's Coordinate Our Efforts

We are joining with other Criminal Minds fan groups to get CBS to keep AJ Cook and Paget Brewster as full-time actors on Criminal Minds.

Please post your comments on the Criminal Minds Fanatic Blog and check there for more information about what is going on at:

http://www.criminalmindsfanatic.blogspot.com/

Also, check out this link for all the Twitter Groups that have been started to support AJ Cook and Paget Brewster:

http://wesupportajandpaget.yolasite.com/

Voice your complaints to CBS!

Please make a complaint to CBS about not renewing AJ Cook's contract and reducing Paget Brewster's presence on the show next season. Go to: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php and voice your opinion!

We at CMRT stand with our cast, we want our ENTIRE cast to come back next season!

Keep AJ Cook and Paget Brewster Petition

Albert L. Ortega / PR photos

A petition was started to convince CBS to keep AJ Cook on the show and not to cut back Paget Brewster's involvement with Criminal Minds. Please take a stand against this outrageous decision by CBS and sign the petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/cmwomen/petition.html

What is CBS thinking?

In the category of 'What is CBS thinking?'

From Deadline Hollywood:


EXCLUSIVE: CBS’ Season 7 of its successful crime drama Criminal Minds is trimming the female portion of its cast for what I hear are financial reasons. I'm told the option of series regular A.J. Cook has not been picked up and co-star Paget Brewster is being made an offer to stay for only a reduced number of episodes next season, leaving fan favorite Kristen Vangsness as the only remaining full-time female cast member. I hear negotiations are underway with Brewster for a new deal that would keep her on the show. If she agrees, she will continue to be formally a regular but won't appear in every episode. Talks are also ongoing with Cook to possibly appear in several episodes next season to wrap her character Jennifer Jereau’s storyline.

Among the broadcast networks, CBS has been one of the most vocal about trying to rein in series costs, especially on its longer-running, more expensive dramas with large ensemble casts. Criminal Minds, which is produced by ABC Studios, CBS Studios and the Mark Gordon Co., has had seven regulars as part of its core cast. Staying on are Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler and Vangsness. With the exception of Vangsness’ quirky nerd godess Penelope Garcia, which has developed a strong following, the series has largely been perceived as a male-centered ensemble, with the boys getting most of the action.

Cook has been on the show since the first episode, joining after the pilot in 2005. Paget Brewster came on board nine episodes into Season 2, replacing original cast member Lola Glaudini. But aside from the Glaudini-Brewster switch and the forced replacement of original lead Mandy Patinkin with Mantegna following Patinkin's abrupt exit after Season 2, the cast on Criminal Minds has been pretty stable, with Gibson, Moore and Vangness all onboard since the pilot.

This past season, Criminal Minds spawned a spinoff, which has been picked up to series for midseason by CBS. That series, starring Forest Whitaker, is adding a new female regular cast member.


http://www.deadline.com/2010/06/cbs-criminal-minds-trims-cast/


Why mess with a winning formula? Why would CBS even think of changing a cast that works so well together and that the fans love?

We at Criminal Minds Round Table are baffled, angry and VERY unhappy at this news!

Larry goes behind the scenes of 'Criminal Minds'

(CBS 8) - If there's one dichotomy I've discovered during my sojourn to Hollywood, it's that the more serious the show, the funnier the actors. Step onto the set of "Criminal Minds" and you'll encounter a first-class cast of cut-ups.




To watch the interview please go to http://www.cbs8.com/global/story.asp?s=12511720

Happy Birthday to Criminal Minds' own Paget Brewster

Criminal Minds Round Table would like to wish the lovely Paget Brewster a Very Happy Birthday on March 10th. Enjoy your special day, Paget!!

Criminal Minds: Paget Brewster says "I'm really good at self-protection, but not so good at dating."

The following article about Paget Brewster appreared today in The Daily Telegraph, a news organization in Australia. In it, she describes the scary situation that led her to be facinated with the subject matter that Criminal Minds deals with. It also gives us a little insight, including her self-depricating take on dating, to the wonderful actress that brings Emily Prentiss to our television sets.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/tv/criminal-minds-paget-brewster-admits-she-is-the-worst-dater-always-picking-the-wrong-guy/story-e6frexlr-1225833596961

CRIMINAL MINDS: Esprits Criminels

Paget Brewster shows reporters from La Folie Des Series US the set of Criminal Minds - or Esprits Criminels - during the filming of Retaliation.

We know that Emily Prentiss speaks several languages and Paget is deft at bringing those skills to our screens. Here Paget speaks French and conducts a tour of the bullpen, the BAU round table room, and the jet.