More on “Criminal Minds” Dropping AJ Cook; New Character Coming?
While initial indications were that the decision to end AJ Cook’s run as a series regular on “Criminal Minds” was motivated in finances, reports are now identifying the call as a creative one.
According to Deadline, which first speculated on the financial aspect of the move, the decision was a creative call made to “refresh a veteran drama series.” A new female character is expected to join the show as a replacement during the upcoming sixth season.
News broke Monday that CBS’ veteran hit “Criminal Minds” was trimming the female portion of its cast, dropping AJ Cook from the show and, though not removing her series regular billing, scaling back Paget Brewster’s role.
I realise different shows have different budgets but surely CBS is the one to allocate which show gets what budget. If they can afford to give Charlie Sheen millions & spend a lot of money on a spin-off with a star I assume is also extremely expensive in these difficult financial times, why hasn’t CBS been able to allocate sufficient funds to maintain a stellar cast integral to the success of a consistently top show?
It seems to me this decision speaks volumes of the beliefs and attitudes of CBS rather than being an understandable business decision based on the current financial climate.
CBS seems to believe that they can save money by firing AJ Cook and reducing the number of episodes Paget Brewster appears in and still have a top show. They believe established strong female characters played by talented actresses are expendable. After all there are four male characters on the show that have not been fired or offered only part time employment.
When faced with the initial backlash from viewers/fans of Criminal Minds they rushed out a correction that this decision was not financial but was for “creative reasons” in order to “refresh a veteran drama”. I believe CBS were also trying to refute the other bone of contention that their decision was sexist by announcing they would be adding a new regular female cast member to Criminal Minds.
I do not believe CBS has successfully refuted either claim.
Replacing AJ Cook with another regular female cast member for “creative reasons”could be seen as reasonable in terms of CBS’ statement, regardless of whether you personally agree with the decision. However not when you also take into account what basically amounts to the demotion of Paget Brewster. How does having Paget Brewster in only some of the episodes “refresh” the show? How is that not a financial decision considering the only benefit (that I can see) is it would save them money? A new regular and a part time Paget Brewster still amounts to less money being spent and the impression that CBS believes female characters are less important than their male counter parts. That CBS sees the female characters are either expendable, interchangeable or only required some of the time. At least that is the impression I get.
I would also like to say what are the odds that this new regular female cast member will be younger and cheaper than AJ Cook? I hope I am wrong but if I’m not how exactly does CBS believe this statement refutes the claims that this decision is not financial and sexist?
Assuming Criminal Minds is profitable given the ratings success & DVD sales why should the cast and crew have to take pay cuts for their successful hard work if the execs haven’t? Why should the cast of a successful show have to work for less when millions is being thrown at Charlie Sheen? Why isn’t working hard & being successful not enough to justify their salaries and continued employment? Is it really necessary to make cuts on a show as successful as Criminal Minds? Or is it as simple as CBS believing they can make these cuts and the only consequence will be bigger profits for them on an already successful show
There are a few things I would love to know the facts and figures of. How does Criminal Minds compare to other CBS shows for ratings and revenue? Is Criminal Minds currently profitable? Is any of this affected by the amount of ad revenue each show can generate? Have the CBS execs taken a pay cut during these difficult financial times?
how to ruin a great .program,a better way to save money top management take a pay cut after all they would not notice it. so to sum it up stop ruining great programs think of the viewers and not your own pay packets
Why brake up the team A J Cook has gotten better as the series went on .Why bring in someone new ? This show is rated high because of the characters playing great together Great writing and great directing different locations are also very good. Please keep AJ Cook with this team for the duration of the series trust me and millions of other LOYAL FANS it will work We don’t need some new actor not for this show
I thoroughly enjoy Criminal Minds and am thinking that the execs at CBS should take pay cuts they force on cast members of shows. I am very sad about the firing of A J Cook and the fleecing of Paget Brewster. They gave the show some human element because of the fact that they are females. I also love the quirky Kirsten Vangness’ character Penelope Garcia. I hope they don’t ruin the show too much or they will have people stop watching it. We will just have to wait and see.
If the showing is working, why change it. I have stopped watching many shows once they change it up. Please stop the insanity. Now that Law and Order is gone, I was counting on this show to fill the hole. Please leave it alone.