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It’s a case of good news/bad news for Criminal Minds fans, who had been rallying to keep co-stars A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster on the show. Brewster just closed a deal to return to the veteran CBS crime drama, and she will be in the majority of episodes next season. But I hear it will be her last season on the show. And Cook, whose option for next season was not picked up, will be gone after wrapping her character’s storyline in 2 episodes early in the season.
I hear Brewster’s pact is for “10 out of 13″, which means that, extrapolated over the 22-episode season, she will be in at least 17 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. Meanwhile, Cook this afternoon tweeted the news that she will be doing two final episodes of Criminal Minds next season. “Thanks for your undying support but it’s a done deal,” Cook wrote. “Excited for what’s next.” As planned, Criminal Minds will introduce a new female regular sometime next season.
UPDATE SATURDAY 1PM: Brewster today also took to Twitter to comment on the resolution, hinting that the fans’ campaign, including an online petition that has gathered more than 42,000 signatures, may have helped in keeping her on the show for so many episodes and bringing Cook back to get a resolution for her character. She also confirmed this will be her final season on Criminal Minds. “So how do I thank 42,309 people,” Brewster wrote. “It worked. Thank you for helping and supporting me and AJ.” She quickly followed up with another tweet: “I should clarify. I am immensely grateful. I’m still angry about AJ. I’m sad this is my last year.”
PREVIOUS: CBS’ ‘Criminal Minds’ Cuts Female Cast; A.J. Cook Could Make Brief ‘Minds’ Return
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In the season one, there were many times that Elle called Gideon dad. Whats their real relationship? Then how about Morgan and Penelope? Were they romantically involved?
I know a nursing home in Elgin, IL that’s gonna be very happy about this…
Is the character Adam on the last criminal minds episode the same guy that played in the movie twilight?
Yes. Jackson Rathbone played Adam/Amanda in the episode Conflicted, season 4, episode 20.
I am very sad that the part of JJ was not picked up. She has been there since the beginning and was an important part of the show. I am dumbfounded that CBS doesn’t see that.
I am somewhat happy that Prentis will be back for the majority of the shows.
I like this idea better – BOTH JJ and Prentis back FULL TIME!
CBS is making a big mistake. They will realize that no one can replace AJ on that show. She is so sweet & is an amazing actress. If they kill her character off they will regret it because they will want her back half way through the season.
Can’t we give Charlie “I do coke and beat women” Sheen a pay cut so that a responsible artist can keep entertaining us? Seems so ridiculous
ABC Studios does Criminal Minds, and Warner Bros. does 2.5 Men; they are the ones that pay Sheen.
You know what I think might happen? (And I’m praying it doesn’t…) Weren’t there rumors that Prentiss might go gay? What if this new female agent is her romantic foil? I am 100% pro-homosexuality, but NOT for Emily! I feel like that would ruin her character and turn the show away from what the core values are. I’m praying that this prediction is wrong.
OMG you are pro homosexuality but NOT for Emily??? That makes NO sense. Why are they getting rid of all the female characters? Get rid of Rosi or Hotch who never smiles.
Dont know if i can watch anymore. I love the show because of all of them!
Although I find it idiotic that that they would cut A.J. at all, I am glad she will get a chance to “wrap up” her story line (anybody remember any other actor just disappearing into the mist, insert here). It makes no sense to introduce a new female character. It was not broken, so there is no need to fix it. It is a case of trying to save money to line other people’s pockets, pure and simple. We all know T.V. makes less than Film, so to compensate bigger name actors, someone gets the short end of the stick. I pray that someone wakes up in time to see the error of their ways and gets A.J. back where she belongs and pays both A.J. and Paget what they truly deserve as great performers in a great emsemble show.
This is all about money.AJ Cook has been with the show since season one which means her salary climbed each year. She probably balked at a salary cut and it’s good bye JJ. They were very cold blooded about it then they turned to Brewster with the knowledge out there that Cook was gone. They strong armed her into less episodes which is less money.Let’s face it, it was either go along with it or join Cook in the unemployment line.
I pity the actress they bring in because she will get the backlash.
As for Prentiss, she will probably be used to test one or two character story ideas( ie the rumour that Prentiss will be gay), if they click she might be back and if they don’t she won’t.
Finally, what a shame that the almighty dollar is what it boils down to. Here’s hoping somebody hires AJ Cook and she gets the last laugh. Brewster may owe a big thank you to Cook because TPTB may have listened to the fans enough to save her job for a while yet even though they turned a deaf ear about AJ Cook herself. Sometimes being quiet, classy and talented doesn’t pay off.
As heart broken as i am to lose AJ, I’m at least glad that Paget got a better deal then originally proposed. I still think CBS is an idiot to let AJ go.
Having Paget/Emily for 17 episodes is not ideal but at least I do not have to deal with losing both of my beloved girls at one time! I will support Paget, becasue I love her. I will follow Aj where ever she goes for the same reason. Some show is going to incredibly lucky to get her. AJ Cook will land on her feet, of that I have no doubt at all! The new actress has some big shoes to fill, and I feel sorry for her. Not the best situation to come into for her.
I’ll miss Emily and JJ interactions but I’ll alwyas have reruns!
Better than expected by certainly far from the best outcome. Damn you CBS!!! I still can’t figure out why you need to “refresh” something that is anything but stale. I have never watched a show that I will watch over and over in reruns……………because every episode is so new. We will miss you terribly A.J. I sincerely hope you find a new home that is a kick-ass show and then you can really thumb your nose at the dorks at CBS that couldn’t find there butts with 2 hands. I wish you all the very best in the future and believe, girl, you will be sorely missed by all. Remember, we Canadians are made of strong stuff. You will do great no matter what you do.
Judi Ward, Canada
CM is dead to me. I said I wouldn’t watch if AJ Cook and Paget Brewster weren’t full time actors on CM and I meant it. CBS, you suck!
CM is(was) my favorite show. Dumping a good character like JJ is crass, but messing with my favorite actress Paget is unacceptable to me. I don’t believe that 10 of 13 is a ‘win’ cuz I don’t believe we were ever told at all what her epi reduction would be. I like most of the cast but will not watch anymore new cm epis nor any CBS anything. A.) it’s the principle of the thing and b.) the show is ruined for me. I hope Paget uses her extra time to make a movie and make a ton of money.
For better or worse, it is all about the money. The producers of these hour-long dramas are under tremendous pressure to keep their costs down. The pressure comes from the very top from Moonves and Mr. Redstone, believe me. So, they replace Ms. Cook with someone who will make a small fraction of what Ms. Cook was making. It’s all about making the shows profitable. These show make a mint in the long run. Ever channel surf on weekends? You’ll see Joe or Mandy on half a dozen stations. Same out of the country. I am down here in the Cayman Islands and you’ll see one of the CBS hour-long dramas on some channel practically all the time.
With any luck, A.J. will land on another CBS drama, as she’s very talented.
I agree. I’m sure Ed Bennero and his writers didn’t want to drop AJ and reduce Paget’s episode count, but Tassler and Moonves ordered them to cut costs.
LOOK WHAT THEY DID THO HARRY SMITH AND THE REST OF THE CBS EARLY SHOW!!! THEY HAD NO WARNING TO FIND NEW JOBS. JULIE CHEN CAME OUT ON TOP BECAUSE OF WHO SHE IS MARRIED TO BUT THE REST DID NOT. HOW COULD THEY DO THAT TO HARRY AND THE REST???? CBS YOU STINK BIG TIME. BRING A.J. COOK AND PAGET BREWSTER BACK NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such a huge disappointment. I really hope that the ‘wrap up’ of JJ’s character isn’t ‘she wants to stay at home and be a mommy’. That would be *so* incredibly out of character for her, but probably is the best thing the writers can come up with. Blah.
And I cannot imagine what excuses they’ll give for Prentiss not being there – I truly predict a rapid decline of watchability of this show. Which sucks for the other characters/actors that we love so much, but when ‘refreshing’ a show means dumping fan favorites for extremely lame reasons, there can just be nothing good to come.
At least we’ll always have reruns.
Ms. Cook, you will be very much missed!
“I really hope that the ‘wrap up’ of JJ’s character isn’t ’she wants to stay at home and be a mommy’”
Ugh–seriously. The writers made it plain with JJ that she loves her work and her kid, so her going off to just be a mommy would make no sense. As well, how would she and Will raise a kid on one salary?
Wow you “shut up” @Herb Finn. No one’s forcing you to read the comments. Comments must hit the truth to cause such a childish rant. Btw, CM was never the same after “Mandy” was gone. Now there’s a bad after taste about this show and CBS, despite crumbs now being tossed around at the women. The other comment’s right – they’ll probably bring in a minority two-fer. This show feels over
IMO, the show improved after Patinkin and Glaudini left. Didn’t watch the show because I disliked them so much. Started watching after Patinkin left; I’ve always liked Mantegna. Brewster’s great too. But come on, folks, things change. Instead of declaring not to watch, why not give it a chance? If you don’t like it, THEN give it up. I agree that Herb Finn’s post was “a childish rant”; how on earth did he get so far into a comment session if he hates it all? But he does have a point: I wonder how many CM fans declared that they wouldn’t watch the show anymore when Patinkin and/or Glaudini left, only to find that they like Mantegna and Brewster? But I agree that J.J. is unique among the characters, as she has a different role to play on the team—an important role. Dumb idea to lose her character.
I’m still very anger. Paget’s reduced screen time is not acceptable. Even 2 seconds is not tolerable ! About AJ, to me they could never give her a proper exit. It just doesn’t exist because she simply don’t deserve that, like Paget.
I feel anxious for the show. I’m not enthusiastic either. I wish season 5 could last forever. All of this is unfair, ungrateful and insulting. This cast is gold, it didn’t need changes, things were perfect as they were. It’s truly a non sense.
I already feel bad the actress will will come during the sixth season, things are going to be super rude for her. I already feel she will be rejected, and all of this is her fault. Not that I blame anybody. CBS is ruining this show, Criminal Minds is such a great thing, shame on them.
They pay sick money for that mess Charlie Sheen and that boring guy on CSI and cut costs by under paying women and using them as cheap labor. Ironically they couldn’t get away with it without female viewers. Women who watch these shows are supporting pay discrimination. Just don’t watch. Watch female-lead or gender-parity shows, Medium, Good Wife and shows on other networks
I have to say I agree with you. I’m so sick of CBS giving Sheen getting everything in the world and then firing beautiful, talented actresses off of a successful show. I’m changing the channel.
I am going to miss JJ so much. I just hope they arent thinking of “sexing up” the cast by bringing on some young playboy wannabe type. CM has a huge female following due to it’s several sexy male actors. What do you bet that CBS is trying to lure more male fans in with a sexy new female agent.
Yes.
I feel bad for the new actress, because I think she’ll be joining under much more difficult circumstances than other new cast members. But, from my experience with cast changes on shows (some where the changes were seen as unfair as this one) no character is universally disliked or liked. I can see some people deciding to at least have an open mind just out of disagreement with the people who hate her sight unseen. For my part, I can’t say I’ll hate the character until I see her. I hate the reason for her, because I like JJ. But, I can’t say how I’ll feel about her one way or the other until I see what kind of character she is and how they handle writing her in.
I agree with you. I am sorry to see JJ go, but I will keep an open mind about the new female character they will introduce. Many people were wary about Elle’s replacement when Lola left, and Emily was a great character. I hope the new character meshes well with the current cast, and I don’t hate the new character, because that will just mean suck ass writing.
Well, crap. Paget Brewster just tweeted that to thank the fans and to say that things worked in her case. Except she added another tweet saying that season 6 is her last year. Aside from hating that we are losing two characters (just one later than the other) I’m wondering how come no article mentioned that Paget Brewster wasn’t staying beyond next season? They knew the percentage of her episodes, but they were unable to get the news that she was leaving after next season? Sheesh, just when I think I’ve gotten all the bad news and can process things based on that info, they hit me with something else.
So if there are any other surprises or changes that people in the business know about, could you people please be forthcoming? I’d rather get as many of my hits at one time as possible, rather than have them dolled out a smack at a time.
Apparently this is Paget’s last season, as she stated on twitter.
“CM was never the same after “Mandy” was gone.” I agree with this completely. The show improved dramatically at that point. And it would have improved again if only they’d dropped Shemar instead of AJ.
Totally agree, Ian, about Shemar. I figured I was probably the only one who thought that. Honestly I wouldn’t miss him at all. Sorry Shemar.
I don’t understand the Mandy love either. It’s been what? 3 seasons now.
I suspect that one of the reasons for the Mandy love was Reid. they set up this notion that Gideon spotted the young man, recruited him for the BAU (maybe even pulled strings to get him into the FBI despite age requirements and the whole mental disorder is genetic issue) and was a sort of second father to the good doctor. That is something that they didn’t even try to replace. We had the whole ‘big brother’ thing with Morgan (especially the ‘i can pick on him cause i’m his brother but you better back off’ side of it) from day one and it has stuck. but the father/son vibe wasn’t shoved onto Rossi (a good move). and that vibe worked for a lot of folks. they hate to see it go.
I, too, agree about Shemar. There is a complexity about the other characters and their personalities and back-stories that makes them so great. The Morgan character, however, has become a one-note tune. My fave characters: Reid and Hotch.
Totally agree about Shemar…not much depth…just muscle and “eye candy” for women who go for that sort of thing !!! I will miss A.J. VERY MUCH and wish her ALL the best.!!!!!!
These are such stupid decisions. Why screw with a successful show??? I WILL not watch the spin off and I feel sorry for any actress that they bring in, b/c most fans will fee loyalty to AJ, especially considering how shabbily they treated her. I have to say, this messes up the show for me b/c a huge part of the show is all about what a family this team is, but I guess family doesn’t stick together.