Many times in chat the subject of the CBS Criminal Minds Website Page is brought up and highly criticized. Lets take some time and think of realistic ideas on how CBS could improve the Criminal Minds page. What do we want to see and what would make new viewers to the show excited to see on the site? :)
39 comments:
I would like to see longer descriptions of the upcoming episodes and some pictures of the stars.
It needs color. It is boring to look at. It needs more information and a more exciting format. Something interactive would be fun for us and newbies to the show would like it.
It seems silly, but I'd really like to see some desktop wallpapers and other media. Even a gallery of their promo photos would be fun!
I think that it is a great idea to have a wallpaper even if it the cast picture. Also I would like to updated bios on the stars and more info on the writers and crew members. The site should be as exciting as the show itself.
I agree that it needs more color, pictures and maybe clues to the next unsub would be good. Also, guest star info and pics.
This may not be the most diplomatic thing I've ever done (but then I'm not exactly renowned for my diplomatic skills) but the website for CSI Miami is really good (except they don't update the 'bios' for the characters). I'm not suggesting they copy it in toto, but maybe some of the elements. Some people may not like detailed descriptions of episodes (especially those who don't see them for months after original airing)but providing warnings are given, then it's up to individuals whether they read or not.
I also go along with leah, wallpaper and gallery would be fun.
There are some very computer-savvy people around here, how about they get together and do a mock up? Or maybe have a 'competition'?
*By the way, if anyone really hates the idea of looking at another show's website...I didn't say it!*
Um, this may be a little obvious, but... an episode guide? Kind of a must for a show's website. Wallpapers (I'm actually starting to make one right now), a few action shots, a few glamour shots, and maybe some favorite quotes from the show -- there are some serious contenders in that department. Maybe an interview transcript or two...
Love KV's blog, though! That is a definite plus.
I pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying. I mean, I definitely think this how has gained enough popularity that it would be worth their while to spruce it up, because people will certainly go look at it. It should be stimulating to look at and easy to navigate! That's all it takes.
I love the idea of an episode guide. That would be really good. I like the website for CSI. It has the feel of the show all over it. We need our CBS page to feel like our show. I think adding Kirsten's blog was a great idea. Maybe they could have a second blog in which random cast members could post. It would keep everyone guessing on who would be posting next. They could even get the writers to post and the crew. That would be really different and really interesting.
I would love to see more in depth bios and some more pictures. That alone would make me happy.
I agree with everything written above. I think the idea of wallpapers, photos and other media is a great idea. Perhaps putting up a few different ones each month would entice people back to the site.
As it is now, I rarely go to the official site because there isn't much relevant info on it (ep. guides for example). The info on it is quite general and once you've read it you don't really have a need to go back and read it again. Except for KV's blog of course.
Having a blog with an actress or a writer as they have now is brilliant and I hope they keep up with it.
Otherwise the website is pretty useless - minimal information and the page looks like it's done from some standard template CBS have.
Maybe they can present the episodes like case files just like jean suggested. Also if the website was the first to have info of future episodes and showing promos they would probably gain much more hits becuase that's what most folks are looking for.
The look should be somber, like the show.
If they would let me do it I would form a committee of fans to redesign the CM page but that isn't going to happen so here are my suggestions:
1. No more ads on top for other shows.
2. An episode list is a must. It is useful to those of us who are current and those overseas would be interested in what they have to look forward to.
3. Updated bios and pictures are a must.
4. We need some real interactive angle other than the video snippets. Maybe a two minute replay from the past episode or something like that.
5. Color. It is drab. I like the suggestion of a background.
6. Guest star information would be nice
I am sure I could think of more. Maybe later. :)
i think its cool site
Cast Pitures and some sort of media, like videos and wallpapers would be awesome.
And, now this is purely the cop side of me talking, it would be cool to see some basic information about profiling and the actual profiler's. Like stuff about the NCAVC and ViCAP programs,that nobody really knows much about. Even info of notorious killers and cases would be fun to see.
I just rambled over to CBS's CSI site and it is not only awesome but it has been redone since I looked at it about a year ago. I am not suggesting that the CM page be exactly like that but it is really nice. I realize CM has not been around as long as CSI but a change would be nice. Maybe they can surprise us all before season three starts.
I love the suggestion of a writers or crew blog. That would be awesome or how about a guest star blog. Every week the guest star can post something or since they film ahead they can write something out for the studio to post after their episode airs. I really like our ideas. A great show deserves a great site.
I would like to see a summary of past shows.
Behind the scenes pictures like you have been posting would be great. I have loved them on this blog and they would be nice on the cbs one.
Exclusive interviews that are current with all the stars and writers would be really interesting to newbies and to all of us long timers.
I would love to see a House, M.D. type site with facts about the themes addressed in the show, quotes, and music in the show. More little video interviews would be great.
All of your ideas are great, but I'd like to see a few things:
1. Updated interviews with the cast. These are still the original interviews from before the show even began.
2. That "Profiler Quiz" was okay when it first came out, but they need something else interactive - a trivia game or a match the unsub to the correct episode game.
3. Kirsten's blog is great - but should be more regular.
4. More videos - outtakes would be a fan pleaser!
I do think we should all remember that the show is still considered a baby show. It is only in its second year. That being said it is time for some serious work on the webpage. There are tons of new fans since the Super Bowl and the network site would be the logical first place for them to go for information. We want them to have a great experience there and then come here and play with us!
I agree with everything everybody has said especially the media part about behind the scenes stuff of episodes?
It needs video, even if it's just the promos. I agree with bennett.kelly's comment that the House M.D. site is great at all the little extras. Wallpaper would be fab too- right now, the only wallpaper I have is from the House site, besides my own CM collage. Kirsten's blog is so much fun. If only she weren't so busy... I love everyone named Kirsten, because it's my name, too, and we have to stick together. We all know what it's like to be called Christine all our lives.
I would like wallpaper, episode lists, maybe a list of quotes. And maybe details of when CM is being shown in other countries as well as the US.
And something more interactive as well. The BBC "Life on Mars" website has characters you can download to your desktop etc.
nebula
On a 'silly' tangent, the Dr Who website is great - everything you could possibly want and games as well - if you log on to the BBC one.
I'm sure CM could do one even better.
I think the quotes idea is great! It would be cool if there was a randomly-changing quote (one of the ones used in the episodes) on the very front page. (And maybe a 'submit your favorite quote and if we use it we'll send you an official t-shirt' place?)
ANYTHING interactive would be good. Virtual tour of Gideon's office would rock. Games, trivia quizzes, anything.
Definitely an episode guide, with a list of all the guest stars. and absolutely the promos; teaser pics wouldn't be bad, either.
LINKS to reviews, articles, etc, and to "real" investigative sites, as suggested, and to the cast's sites (like Mandy's official concert site.)Oh, and a listing of music from eps and link to where we can buy it. (Yeah, pimp Amazon!)
A feedback/forum deal would be awesome, but a major PIA to keep the spam off ...
Wayyyyyyy more pictures. And news about what the cast and crew is doing not directly show-related, like their charity events and awards shows.
This is one of the plainest sites I've ever seen, and except for the addition of Kirsten's blog (yayyyyyyy!!!!!!!) it hasn't been updated in forever. This was okay when they were just airing the pilot and didn't know if it would be picked up, but the show is now top-15 and the official website is way lame.
Seriously, I think they ought to just hire Jill to run it for them.
Thanks Lin! I would volunteer but I am sure they will do an exceptional job of fixing it on their own. Everyone involved with the show are highly creative people with much more talent than I have. :)
More videos would be good. Other shows I watch have deleted/extended scenes and bonus blooper or gag videos clips on their sites. I'd like to see a complete episode guide for current and past seasons. A basic schedule would also be good, especially if it shows a month or two in advance.
I think everyone had such good ideas. Nothing really left to say other than I am new to the show and I would have liked more basic information about it when I checked out the website. I ended up having to google Criminal Minds and that is how I found this blog. I love your blog and I thank you for always keeping us informed and having a place for us to have so much fun.
Ditto to all prior suggestions. I would also like to see upcoming events for cast members listed in their bios. I LOVED the idea of having another blog rotated to any CM cast/staff member. Like other CBS/network shows, have a video of last week's episode.
Lastly, get in more CM merchandize. A cup, a shirt, a somethin'! Maybe some kooky pen's that Garcia might use. Of course I'm biased, but anything with Morgan's image on it would sell like hotcakes!
I have to agree with everyone and Marissa makes a great point. I would buy a tshirt and some other products related to the show if they were for sale.
http://www.livingtv.co.uk/criminalminds/
You can buy CM related things at the CBS store and here is the link to that:
http://store.cbs.com/section.php?sid=639
Characters - profiled!
The website needs help. It is boring. We have a great show and it deserves a fun website.
they definitely need to have more episode info and whatnot over there. I still think they need to add CM to innertube, too.
jacqui
criminal minds needs more matthew episodes.
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