Monday, July 16, 2007

CRIMINAL MINDS: PRESS RELEASE STATEMENTS

CRIMINAL MINDS: HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR:

STATEMENTS FROM ABC STUDIOS AND CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION, AND MANDY PATINKIN:

ON BEHALF OF ABC STUDIOS AND CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION:
Last week, Mandy Patinkin asked to be released from his role on Criminal Minds. We have honored this request, which was not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. His departure from the series will be explained to audiences in an episode to be filmed in the near future and broadcast early next season. We thank Mandy for helping to make Criminal Minds a strong and successful series, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. A new character will be added to the series for next season.

ON BEHALF OF MANDY PATINKIN:
Due to creative differences, Mandy has asked not to return to Criminal Minds this season. Mandy would like to thank the studios and network for releasing him from the series and he wishes the cast and crew continued success in all of their endeavors and looks forward to continuing to work with the Disney and CBS companies in other capacities in the future.

97 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am glad that both the network and Mandy have issued statements.

Neither of them contain as much information as we would all like to know, but that's life and we move on.

Criminal Minds Fan said...

Over the weekend I allowed everyone to say anything they wanted to say. A chance to vent. Today I am asking you to all take a deep breath and take the high road. We now have the official statements and I commend the diplomacy that was used in both statements.

Now is a time for peace and moving on. Now is a time for positive energy. When you woke up this morning yesterday became the past. We are now done with this situation and the future is ahead of us and it is bright.

Season three will be great.

Anonymous said...

I have confidence!

Anonymous said...

Kudos for the way ABC STUDIOS AND CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION handled this situation. Their statement was gracious and straight to the point.

Anonymous said...

I would have liked more meat on the bone but that is not what they do in their business. Cool with me. The show is going to remain great.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jill as usual for keeping us informed and for being accurate. I will follow your lead in this and be positive.

Anonymous said...

I have no idea what creative differences means but now it is over so lets let it be over. I wonder who they will sign to take over the new role.

Anonymous said...

A statement, a line drawn under the whole thing.

I'm doing my best to get caught up on S2, and really can't wait for S3.

thank you Jill for posting that
Jx

Anonymous said...

I am sorry but it still sucks. I think he did them a huge disservice.

Anonymous said...

A-0K, 10-4, 10-26...Thanks Jill, and now you need a BIG LONG, CUDDLED WITH YOUR PRECIOUS DOGGIES, NAP after the stress you have been under.

THANKS for keeping us updated as you became knowledgable.

Love ya,
JOYCE

Anonymous said...

I am glad about the statement being issued and would now guess we may see one from Mandy himself at some stage.but we move on and wish mandy the best.and I wish the CM team the same.I love the term creative differances , it covers a lot of things that is for sure.

Seat42F said...

I'm excited for the "new character to be added". I'm sure CBS will share more on this at their TCA and maybe even introduce the new cast member.. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 100% Jill. Let's move on and think about how great season three will be. With the writers, cast, and crew that work on this show, it can't be anything up fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jill for posting the statements. I agree with you, let's move on.

I'm not sure what to think about a new character but we will see who joins the team in season 3. I'm looking forward to it. :)

Kirsten said...

Season Three will be great. It still has the best writing on television. And Reid.

slashgirl said...

I agree with what Jill said. We've gotten the official word, both from CBS and from Mandy--and while it may not satisfy everyone's desire to know what happened, it is what we have been given.

Now that we know, as Jill said, it is time for moving on. Yes, some may need to take a moment and reflect upon what's happened, but the past is just that. And the future is wide open with possibilities...and I'm confident that everyone involved with CM will do their best to make that future as bright as possible for the show and it's fans.

As Jill said, season three is going to be great.

Anonymous said...

Live goes on. It is a tv show and a great one and it still is and I am also just going to take Jill's lead and let him go and look forward to seeing the amazing pictures I am sure she will take on her trip and season three.

Anonymous said...

I actually thought the statements were classy. They obviously agreed to not get in the mud and that is the way it should be. Classy network.

otontv said...

So finally we got the statement we've all waited for. It could be more precise indeed, but then again it's A STATEMENT and we should be happy about this, too.

Season three will be great anyhow!!
We still got the rest of the great cast and writers and producers and staff...

Jill, thanks so much for keeping us informed that quick.

CU sindee

Anonymous said...

At least now we know what's going on. I wish Mandy the best of luck in whatever he does next and I know the cast and crew of the show will make the abscense of his character work to their advantage. I'll continue to keep everyone involved in my prayers. Season 3 will be the best one yet!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting these Jill. I do feel better now that it is over but, and please don't be mad at me for saying this, I would like to know that Mr. Bernero is okay. He is so kind to us.

Anonymous said...

I like the statement by ABC Studios. It showed class and restraint and it was professional. Credit to them for maintaining a positive attitude and for the show itself. I would also like to hear from Mr. Bernero also.

I sent you many emails from my group. I hope that you received them and thank you for offering to deliver them for us.

Kris said...

I'm glad all partied released a statment. It gives a little bit of closure and now we can look forward to an awesome season 3!!

Anonymous said...

Good riddance then. Season Three is going to be wonderful. We are still watching Season Two. Thank you for the information.

Anonymous said...

Can we still vent on the other thread because I still have some things I would like to say?

My full faith is in this crew and I look forward to bigger and better things from them during season three.

Anonymous said...

Take pictures of the cast and crew when you are there in a few weeks and hug Mr. Bernero for us and then I will be happy. But as you say it is over now. No more drama. That is a good thing. I think most of us will just feel better when you get back and report that everything is well on the set.

Anonymous said...

They used a lot of nice word to say pretty much what we already knew.
I am glad the Patinkin camp finally came out with a statement, would have been nice a week ago.
Creative differences... isn't that what the US has with Iraq right now?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the information. A closed chapter now as far as I am concerned. Not forgiven but closed. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Alright. Very interested to see the new character. Thanks for posting Jill.

Lee

Anonymous said...

I would have lost all respect for CBS, ABC and Paramount if they had released anything other than what they released. It was the right thing to do and they took it and did it. Well done in my book. I don't need to smell the trash. They cleaned up the problem and let us know. Thank you to all of them from all of us.

Nita said...

Resolved, accepted and now time to move on to brighter future of our favorite show! Cannot wait for season 3; more of our special favorite moments by the best writers in the world, awesome directors/producers, fantastic crew and incredible and unbeatable cast!!!
Thank you Jill for all you do!Peace and love to you all:)

Anonymous said...

You said in an earlier post that today is a new day. Wow, how right you were. They will find someone great, although I wish they would wait, and the show will continue to be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

This has been a roller coaster week. A really bumpy ride for the fans but now it ends. I need to know how to join the chats. Could someone please assist me with that?

Anonymous said...

The statements are clean and done. So on to season three but I join with everyone else in asking to hear from Mr. Bernero that he is satisfied and okay. I also want to see lots of pictures from this new trip and my email is on its way. Thank you for all you do for us. You give us your time and you keep us informed. I appreciate the friendships I have made in the group and I love all of you. Season Three is going to rock.

Anonymous said...

Once again thanks for the getting us the info Jill! I for one am looking forward to a great Season 3 and can't wait to see what they have in store for Dr. Spencer Reid!

Anonymous said...

wilma wrote:

This has been a roller coaster week. A really bumpy ride for the fans but now it ends. I need to know how to join the chats. Could someone please assist me with that?

Email me at: slashgirl (at) gmail (dot) com and I will let you know!

Anonymous said...

Greetings to you from Norway. We love the show here and this blog. We thank you all.

Anonymous said...

If they had announced that Shemar was leaving I would have needed medical attention. No sweat losing Patinkin. He can creative difference himself straight out the door and the show will go on.

Anonymous said...

I came late to the show so your trip has me so excited. I have carefully written out emails for all of them. I think I got every writer, producer and cast member that you have listed on the message board. I am thrilled with this. I am sorry things did not work out with Mandy but okay.

Anonymous said...

I will hold my tongue but you know how I feel about all of this. CBS is a class act. You tell us that all the time. I see you are right. The statements were classy.

Anonymous said...

You want positive energy today. That is asking for alot but since you never ask us for anything and you do so much for all of us, I will give this a shot.

It sucks. It just does but once the season starts it will suck less. Personally I would rather him not come back for another episode. I would rather they just take his CM chair to the dumpster and move on.

I don't think I did a good job with being positive. I am sorry but I tried. If you come back with a smiling picture of Mr. Bernero I will promise to do better at being less bitter.

Anonymous said...

Nobody has asked yet today if you are okay. Are you really okay?

Anonymous said...

I was shocked to look on this site today and read the press release, and the other information. I had no idea. It's not just actors that make a show, or just writers. It's a collaborative effort. I believe that the writers of CM will adapt successfully to this change, and I look forward to the upcoming season.

Anonymous said...

I agree. The show is the hundreds of people involved. I wish MP well and I am glad that he is not ill. I really am genuinely happy about that but the only true stars here are Mr. Bernero, CBS, Paramount and ABC Studios. They have handled this mess like the professionals they are and they deserve our thanks and our sincerest best wishes. They have mine.

Anonymous said...

Season Three will be great. Thank goodness this is over with once and for all. I will keep the rest of my feelings to myself.

Anonymous said...

I know it's been said before, but I hope they'll give us a little time to get used to the idea before they introduce a new character. It's in the past, I'm ready to move on, but I think the wound's still a little stingy for everybody involved. We'd be good with the existing characters for a few eps.

Anonymous said...

Would someone please answer a question for a newbie. Why is Disney listed in Mandy's statement? I am sorry if that is a dumb question.

Anonymous said...

I look forward to the new season and the new character. Of course we will give that person the "going over" just like we always do ; ). Now that is getting back to normal!! lol

Lisa said...

First of all I would like to say a huge Thankyou to Jill for your tireless work on keeping us all updated, you are truly appriciated by all, and I am sending you a big hug, because I think everyone involved in this needs a big hug:)

I'm truly shocked about this news, and will miss Mandy greatly, but I am impressed on how well this situation was handeled by Mr. Bernero and CBS, who must be very hurt and confussed at this moment. This level of maturity reflects why this show is going to strive on and continue to give us the highest level of entertainment. My hat goes of to all of the producers, writers, and all those involved on bringing everything to the table for us!

As for the brilliant cast of CM, I am looking foward to seeing all of your amazing talents shine on in the 3rd season, you are all wonderful!!

Thanks to everyone

Elizabeth said...

I am glad that we have got these statements now.

Now, I'm going to be all excited about Season Three.

Anonymous said...

Robbie
This past May, Touchstone Television became "ABC Television" which is owned by Disney.

Anonymous said...

I really have to shake my heads at those people that think MP's leaving will ruin the show. I have to believe they have never watched the show or they are fans of the big "R" who hates our show. Gideon was a great character. I agree with that but there are so many other great characters on the show. I won't say I am not saddened that this happened but it did and I think we are very lucky to have Mr. Bernero leading the way towards our new season. He has never let us down before. He remained loyal and above reproach this weekend by issueing his statement and he is leading the march now. My money is on him. I don't have lots of money but it the principle. So season three can't come quick enough for me. Jill, give them hugs a plenty for all of us.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Sherlockette! We love Disney in this house.

Anonymous said...

I hope they find a wonderful replacement. Our job needs to be taking the show from being a top twenty show and moving it up to a top ten show.

Anonymous said...

My lone concern is how TPTB treat Jason Gideon. He is a hero. Not because of his great mind or courage, but because he so often looked the devil in the eye and still held on to his humanity. Please, please, please do not send him the way of Elle. Gideon deserves better no matter what or what not Mandy has done.

Anonymous said...

It is sad that Mr. Patinkin has left, however, the show is and still will be amazing! Everyone may think it is the end for criminal minds, however, the writing is so amazing that they will make it work. I am looking forward to the best season, yet, season 3!!!!! Can't wait.

Anonymous said...

Why has my earlier comment been removed?

MKK

Anonymous said...

Ken: I really do agree with you. I am hoping that his exit will be quick and dignified. Not for MP's sake but for the sake of the show.

Maybe he goes back to teaching profiling or something like that. No matter what my current is towards MP I want the show to maintain its level of excellence.

Anonymous said...

All the remaining characters and actors are phenomenal. The writers are stellar. The crew makes the show the technical gem that it it is. The producers, er, produce (lead?).

I just hope they wait a little while before replacing Gideon, and I vote for a strong woman character.

Season 3 will rock!

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to season three. It will be different with out Mandy, but I know without a shadow of a doubut, that it will still be great! How many more days to the season premiere?????

lisaw918 said...

Not what I was waiting for. It's all basically S.O.P., response to the media. I can accept the fact that they're not going to tell us why he left, but I think it's a pretty sad way to treat the people who admire the show, cast and crew very much -- and without whom Criminal Minds wouldn't have a reason for being. Personal grievances are none of our business, of course, but CM business as weighty as this is. I didn't say much of anything before because I thought it was probably something much worse than 'creative differences.' I'm glad it isn't, but I think the show losing its main character deserves something a bit more explicit.

Anonymous said...

anon/MKK asked:

Why has my earlier comment been removed?

It was removed because Jill clearly asked in her comment to this thread that we move on and that we "take the high road". Your post was not in that vein.

If you want to vent about the content of the press releases, there's a post to do that on (the statement from EB post). Feel free to vent there.

Stacy

Anonymous said...

Actually, I can respect this reason much more than contractual differences (read $). As fond as we are of these characters there is no one closer to them than the actors who play them. I can understand an actor being unwilling to take a character who is dear to him in a direction he finds uncharacteristic. If an actor can't believe in it he's not going to pull it off anyway.
Certainly the controversy is in method, not the reason.

lisaw918 said...

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to say thank you, Jill, for keeping after the most current information for us; it's appreciated.

Anonymous said...

I liked him, and will miss him on the show. but still can't wait for season 3 over here (whenever that'll be)

I dont know how the american tv networks work but eh, I know CM is on cbs, what's abc got to do with it.

Anonymous said...

I thought the releases were well done. Very well done. I think if anyone was expecting to find out the facts of every detail of what went down they were dreaming and why do we really need to know anyway. It will all be great in season three and that is all that matters.

Anonymous said...

I can actually understand creative differences, esp. if MP believed strongly that his character was moving in the wrong direction. He could have handled it better, but again, we don't know what the real story is there, either.

I wish him well in his new endeavors and look forward FERVENTLY to the new season. CM rules! (And Reid and Garcia need lots of air time.)

Anonymous said...

I am glad the matter is finally closed and the cast and crew can back to normal.

Anonymous said...

We are still in season two so we are okay even if they can't start on time. I love the show.

Anonymous said...

You took your earlier post down. Why?

frogdawn said...

Viva la Season 3!

I am mourning Gideon already. I hope he leaves on a good note, sad maybe, but good. And I am waiting patiently (sort of) for my heart to be wrenched, my mind to be bamboozled (until I watch the episode a few times - "ah ha! Now I get it!"), for more Morgan/Garcia banter - like a bright daisy popping up suddenly amidst the bodies and fear, for inspiration from strong un-petty female cast, and maybe, dream of dreams, for Reid to fall into another swimming pool . . .

Anonymous said...

PLEASE NOTE: We would ask that no one post any links to tvguide.com. We will NOT be endorsing that site.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Bleah. Fye upon them.

respectanimals said...

While neither of these statements really tells us much, they do address the most important concern I had, that being that Mandy has indeed left the show and has no intention of coming back after the one episode to explain his character leaving. Their responding to the rumors that the media has written recently is really all that we were owed, in my opinion. I think we were all just a bit spoiled by Ed Bernero’s willingness to open up to us fan’s, and were hoping that the studio and Mandy would do the same. None of them were obligated to tell us any of the details however.

With regard to CMs future, I will try to think positive Jill, but I’m just not ready to be a cheerleader for Season Three yet. I think what Mandy did was terribly unprofessional, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jason Gideon is my favorite character and the main reason that I watch the show. I still have every intention of giving the writers a chance though and seeing what they can come up with. I’m afraid that an open mind is all I can hope to offer at this point however.

As for Mandy himself, regardless of why he did this or the way he did it, if this is what he felt he needed to do, then I support his decision and frankly it’s really not my place to judge him (although I imagine his coworkers have a few choice words to describe him right now). Speaking from my totally selfish perspective however, I have become a huge fan of his, so I certainly hope he finds another acting project soon. I will definitely miss having the chance to watch him on a weekly basis, especially playing a character that I like so much.

MacCrow said...

Call Grissom! I want a crossover!!!

Anonymous said...

LOL at the part about Mandy continuing in future endevours with CSB, yah right, like they would take that chance again.

Hey Mandy guess what, you are an actor, you are not the creator of the show, you are not the director and you are not the producer. Your job is to act what others have created.

I say that as someone with a BA and teaching credential in theater arts.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking that Mandy might want to concentrate more on his singing than his acting, at least for the time being. He seems really into it right now.

Anonymous said...

Criminal Minds is my favorite show on TV. I love all the characters (although Reid is my favorite!)...I'm sorry to see Patinkin leave...but glad to know that there is some kind of closure. I have complete faith and confidence in the show growing and moving on! I am sooo looking forward to season 3 and any new character(s) that might be introduced. Every character's complexity and depth (+ of course great story lines) are amazing. :)

Anonymous said...

The first word that comes to my mind is honor. I think Disney, CBS, ABC, Mr. Bernero and whatever other alphabets I left out showed true honor and integrity. We are all smart enough to know that none of this could have been pretty. It had to be a mess but they did the work and worked it out and they took care of business. There statement is brief and straight to the point and the word that comes to mind is honorable.

Anonymous said...

I find this to be unsettling but change is always cause for some unrest. Change can be a good thing. Jill sent me an email yesterday and reminded me of that. She adored this man with all her heart and still reminded me that "change can take you to places you can't even imagine and brings with it promise of bigger and greater things". I hope it is alright to quote you or please delete. I am going to hope that she is right because I am very attached to the show. She said we should trust the writers and that I can understand. It will come for me in time that Gideon leaving is okay. I love Hotchner too and I love the stories.

Anonymous said...

I am up early today. Stopped to say hi to everyone and I watched a few repeats last night. I feel so much better. We are going to have an even better show. Things will get even better.

Anonymous said...

I just found out today! I've just started really getting i nto the show and now will have to get used to someone else. lol I guess if he is happy that's all that really matters. =)

Anonymous said...

The part that I like about the releases is that it is the period at the end of a sentence. We heard the truth from Mr. Bernero and all we were waiting for was someone to say that it was done and finished. That is what we got today. The period at the end of the sentence.

I loved Gideon. He was a great character but so is Morgan and Hotchner. And of course our sweetie Matthew. We have strong male characters on the show. I am hoping the void will be filled with more Garcia. And JJ needs more screen time. That is written everytime we talk about A.J.

It is sad but people come and go out of your real life all the time and this is just a tv show. The best tv show but still a tv show. They will find ways of entertaining us in the new season.

Anonymous said...

We never did find out the secret of why he wore two wedding rings. That kinda sucks. I am going to miss him but I missed Lola too and I got over it and I will get over this. Easy to do when you have no other choose. lol.

xoxoxoxoxo to all.

Anonymous said...

There is no turning back now so I guess we just love the rest of them more and get over it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reopening the Ed thread for venting. I'm not done yet.

Anonymous said...

Okay so it is over. Moving on now.

Anonymous said...

So, in the recent statement on TV Guide, the producer asked for suggestions for replacements. Stanley Tucci? Any replacement on any show that has entrenched characters is always very tough - but I think he might be a decent option...

Anonymous said...

TV Guide is also one of the sites that for days on end reported this was about money and that he was going to be fired. I won't be going there. No way.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Mandy will now be available to do the MOVIE of Dead Like Me-- just announced!

That would be great!

Anonymous said...

Over is over and this is over. Everyone can know go to their separate corners and put their lives back together. Closure helps. I wish him no ill but I would have liked to see him apologize with a bit more honesty and apology.

Anonymous said...

I absolutley agree DNY LOVES CRIMINAL MINDS, season three will still be great despite what has happened in this situation! I think that a new character will bring a new aspect to the show and I hope that we as faithful fans will still tune in because of their love for the show! On the other hand...I am kinda interested in what the writers are going to come up with to explain the absence of agent gideon!

Anonymous said...

"Creative differences" means I am a big baby and I am not going to tell you.

dearlydead said...

Wishing MP everything he deserves.
-DD
P.S.Thank you, Shemar ;)

Anonymous said...

I would have prefered for more of an explanation from Mandy but at least he's finally released a statement.

Anonymous said...

According to CNN:

Patinkin had been scheduled to take part in the TV critics' meeting as part of a July 11 PBS panel on an upcoming film, "The Jewish Americans." He was absent from the session, and the film's producer said it was because of illness.

Don't know if this is true or not..

Its really too bad. He was really good on the show. I will miss him greatly.

Even though he's still gone, it sucks yes, but one this is a given he's still a fabulous actor.

Anonymous said...

Still feel slightly miffed that Mandy left the crew of CM high and dry, but with the statements now out there (even though I would love more info!) I say a line has been drawn, and it's time to get excited for the new character! I just hope it doesn't turn out as another Prentiss type line...

Have a huge cuddle from us Jill, and shame on the press for hassling you. I say sick the police on 'em, lol! *hug*