Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds cast and crew was back at work yesterday, the first show to resume production after the end of the writers strike. Seven new episodes are expected to be appended to the short third season. More good news: CM got renewed for next year, so we have a lot of new stuff to look forward to.

Good news…new episodes of CM will start on April 2…not too much longer to wait! Last night, Dexter made its CBS debut. I wonder if it lived up to all its controversy. It’s a good show - a lot of poeple are saying it’s not appropriate for networks and young viewers and blah blah blah. First of all, it aired at ten at night…not a prime kid viewing time slot. My opinion on it is that if you don’t think it’s appropriate, turn the channel, read a book, or go to bed. No one is forcing you to watch it. There is an opinion piece in the Statesman Journal about how many children (from 2-11) watch shows like CSI, and now Dexter, even though they are on at ten o’clock at night. I have to wonder why this is CBS’s problem. There are very few reasons why your two year old, or eleven year old for that matter, should be up watching tv at ten. Although, I do have to admit, my two year old daughter was up that late last night because of a late afternoon nap. But she was reading her Dr. Suess books, not watching Dexter.

What did you think of Dexter? Is the level of violence a lot more pronounced than Criminal Minds or CSI?

Last night, CBS reaired “True Night.” This CM episode stars Frankie Muniz as a comic book artist who is involved with the investigation of a series of murders. I liked this episode a lot - it was one of my favorites of season three. For a full recap, check out TV.com.

This episode seems very different to me than other CM ones. It focuses more on Frankie Muniz’s character instead of the profilers. In fact, they seem to play a very small role in the episode. But it’s still very strong. It’s heartbreaking all the way through.

USA Today has an article about shows resuming their production schedules soon. Here’s a quote from the article:

Ed Bernero, executive producer of CBS’ Criminal Minds, says the show won’t need to start from scratch; it already has story lines approved and drafts written from before the strike. “For us, it’ll kind of be like we went home on a Friday and came back Monday, and we’re up and running. We should be shooting by mid-next week.”

And this from City News:

Some shows had scripts in development when the halt came in November. They have a distinct advantage. One, like “Criminal Minds” was almost ready to go with two stories before the plug was pulled. “We didn’t have to break down our sets,” explains co-executive producer Chris Mundy. “We’re luckier than most.”

This is good news - maybe the wait for new episodes won’t be too too long. Some shows didn’t fare so well and won’t be back this season, if ever. But at least we’ll be seeing new stuff from Criminal Minds. USA Today also has an article about what will happen after the strike ends officially.

There is some good news for the rest of the tv season. Mercury News.com is reporting that as the WGA strike nears its end, we might expect new episodes of our favorite shows this season. Here’s the excerpt for CBS. For other networks, click here to read the whole story.

CBS

“Cane”: Has aired its last episode.

“Cold Case”: Four to six new episodes by season’s end.

“Criminal Minds”: Four to seven new episodes in late April and May.

“CSI”: Four to seven new episodes by late May.

“CSI: Miami”: Ditto.

“CSI: N.Y.”: Ditto.

“Ghost Whisperer”: Will return with new episodes but the number is yet to be determined.

“How I Met Your Mother”: Returns in March with five to seven episodes.

“Jericho”: Returns Tuesday with seven new episodes. If it clicks with viewers, it may be back.

“Moonlight”: Won’t return this season but may be back in September.

“NCIS”: Will probably air only three or four new episodes in May.

“Rules of Engagement”: To be announced.

“Shark”: Status still being determined.

“The Big Bang Theory”: Back in March. Number of episodes still to be determined.

“The New Adventures of Old Christine”: Future is much in doubt.

“The Unit”: Status still being determined.

“Two And A Half Men”: Returns in March with five to seven episodes.

“Without A Trace”: Back in April with four to seven new episodes.

Hopefully, this won’t change and we’ll see some more new stuff for Criminal Minds season three.

What have our favorite tv profilers been doing during the WGA strike?
Shemar Moore is helping celebrate Black History Month at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. He will make a guest appearance tonight at the Annual Black History Month Culture Show. Carleton University also hosted Angela Davis this month to discuss black history as someone who had participated in it. Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and is a political activist who used to be associated with the Black Panthers. She is infamous for her arrest and trial for the murder of Judge Harold Haley. Eventually she was acquitted. Her arrival on campus brought a lot of controversy. Shemar Moore is a less controversial subject, but his appearance will help bring focus to Black History Month. (Oh, and he was also one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men.)

Joe Mantegna will be a presenter for Sunday night’s Grammy awards. This one is a live show with performers and presenters, unlike the press conference style Golden Globes. Some acts include Beyonce and Tina Turner, Fergie with John Legend, Rihanna, Josh Groban with Andrea Bocelli, Feist, Foo Fighters with John Paul Jones, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige.

Kirsten Vangsness appears in the movie, In My Sleep. Matthew Gray Gubler also hit the big screen with an updated Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Hopefully, we’ll see them all in new episodes soon!

The Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that the strike seems to be in its last stages and writers may be going back to work soon. Here’s an excerpt from the article: for the whole thing, click on the link above.

CBS

Scripted shows arriving soon: “Jericho” returns with seven episodes Tuesday. A cleaned-up version of Showtime’s “Dexter” debuts Feb. 17. Shows that will probably go back into production: “The Big Bang Theory,” all three “CSIs,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds” and “Two and a Half Men” are all likely to return with new episodes this season. “Cold Case,” “Without a Trace,” “Numbers” and “Ghost Whisperer” may also resume production. Some episodes may air this season.

Criminal Minds held its own against mammoth American Idol. On Wednesday, Fox won both the eight and nine o’clock timespots with Idol and Moment of Truth. CBS came in second for the night with reruns of Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY, which was first in the ten o’clock time slot.

Criminal Minds scored in the top ten in Canada’s weekly ratings. Check those out here.

Some good news about the strike: it seems like it’s winding down and that there just needs to be some agreement on some last details, Variety reported Thursday afternoon. Writers will get back to work, but the television season is probably over for the year. Hopefully, new episodes will be back by fall?? I’m not sure when we can expect anything new other than reality shows. And once the novelty of watching people take lie detector tests in front of loved ones wears off, there really isn’t much going on. So, hopefully the strike is winding down and the end is in sight.

Even with reruns, Criminal Minds and CSI:NY are pulling in viewers. CSI:NY was the first among total viewers, though Lost got the coveted adult ratings. I like to take partial credit for this. Because I write this blog, my sister started watching Criminal Minds - she doesn’t mind reruns; they’re new to her.

Last night, CBS reaird “Seven Seconds,” which is about the missing child in the mall. This is one of my favorites from season three. I thought it was the most suspenseful, and you definately can’t get any more vile and disgusting villains than that. TV.com has a very good summary if you missed it - though we might be seeing it again in the near future with all the reruns.

Once again, Criminal Minds did great in Canada, placing third in the past week’s ratings. Here’s a look at the rest of the top ten:

1 “American Idol”
2 “American Idol”
3 “Criminal Minds”
4 “CSI New York”
5 “CTV Evening News”
6 “CSI”
7 “Law and Order”
8 “Without a Trace”
9 “Law and Order: SVU”
10 “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted - I’m sorry. My excuse is that I just found out I am pregnant and I’m tired all the time. Plus, I have a two year old to take care of. Plus, there’s a strike and not much to write about. Plus, I’m still irritated because I think my comments are still being spammed!
Anyway, I’m back and reengergized to write about Criminal Minds.

In some strike-related news, informal talks have been occurring between the writers and some studios. According to 411 Mania, writers from Weeds and Mad Men are already back at work after having struck a deal with Lionsgate. The WGA also issued a waiver for the Grammy’s - so monologues and such are to be written by union members. They’re hoping to get a waiver for the Oscars as well, so there isn’t another press conference style show like the Golden Globes.

Also, the Parents Television Group is protesting CBS’s adoption of Showtime’s Dexter. The PTG apparently sent a formal letter to the network, which took issue with the main character being a serial killer. The next step, presumably, is to go after the sponsers of the show. This makes no sense to me: the show will probably be on at ten, maybe nine, on Sunday nights. Any child who is up at ten on Sunday night needs better parenting, not friendlier television. And adults up at ten are capable of turning the channel if they object to the show. The writer of 411 Mania article, Al Norton, compared it to the Sopranos. Tony was the main character, but you didn’t necessarily think he was the hero or a great guy. It’s about seeing the grey spaces between good and bad. Dexter is a good show - but don’t let your little kids watch it.

Wanita - Thank you for your comment. Shemar Moore has a myspace page, which has a lot of info and places for you to leave comments.

So that was the last new episode for a while. How was it? I thought it was good, maybe not the best ever but pretty good. The story was interesting - I liked how they connected David Rossi with the ambitious young field agent because of her ambition. The story was about the contents of a storage unit that are auctioned off. Inside, there are disturbing writings and pictures, so the buyers call the police. A field agent in Philadelphia calls the BAU, and Rossi goes to take a look and see if help from his team is warranted. He says there is no evidence of actual crimes, but changes his mind when the field agent produces hair she said was found in the unit. The team comes to Pennsylvania. As they’re working on the case, bodies start piling up, and the agent becomes more and more enthralled with being on camera. At one point she even shows AJ a list of nicknames she made for the killer (AC/DC Killer being my favorite). She gives an unauthorized press conference, which not only angers Hotch and the team, but also the killer. The agent becomes part of the killer’s plan when she’s kidnapped, along with a friend of hers. The team saves her in time, but the friend doesn’t make it. Then, as she is leaving the hospital, she sees a group of reporters and walks right towards them. Rossi is seen walking in the background, looking at her. She hasn’t learned from her encounter with the serial killer, and is only out to further her career. Rossi says she was him twenty years ago.

I liked the connection between them. Overall, the story was good. A few things that I didn’t like: first, they magically get a name and address in a matter of minutes. Garcia is good, but it’s a little unrealistic. Also, there was not much development for the killer. Mother left, bad home, kills people. Not a very dynamic character. He just seems weak compared to past villains. Then, one more thing I thought was odd. Garcia is on the phone with Derek and telling him the only thing that kept her going when she got shot was knowing the pain would be over soon, she’d get better. These women, she says, don’t have that. They are tortured and they know it’s not going to end. Then, abruptly, on to business. It just seemed like an important thing for her to say, but it was made to seem like a little chit chat. I realize that she was talking to him while waiting for information, but I think it could have been played a little better.

Anyway, this is the last new episode - from here, I guess there will be more reruns, game shows, and reality shows.

Tonight, Criminal Minds will air new episode, “Limelight.” The team has to profile the contents of a storage unit that has evidence of a serial killer. This is the last new episode for CM, so make sure to tune in.
The writers’ strike is showing no sign of ending soon, but the WGA is saying they’ll resume negotiations with the networks.

In non-CM news, Dexter is coming to CBS in February. It’s going to be edited down for acceptable network language and violence level. It really is a great show - interesting, so at least there will be something new (kind of, if you haven’t watched it on Showtime).

In even more non-CM news, the comment filter that we have is undergoing some treatment. It’s been filtering the good comments out as spam, so they’re working on that. In the meantime, I do appreciate your comments - keep writing - don’t give up!

“Limelight” isn’t on until next week. Sometimes the art of reading the details escapes me. I was mad when Comanche Moon was on instead! I just went to bed instead! So, sorry one more time. It will be on January 23, at nine o’clock on CBS.

American Idol’s seventh season premiered last night - they’re at the stage where they audition all the freaks in the entire country. Tuesday’s two hour show will be followed up by another two hours tonight. If you’re already in need of a break from all the talent America has to offer, don’t worry. Criminal Minds is on CBS at nine. “Limelight” has the team investigating the contents of a storage unit which contains evidence of a serial killer. This is the last new episode for season three, and maybe the last for a while…make sure to check it out.
All hell is breaking loose with the WGA strike - writers’ contracts being terminated, production on new fall shows not taking place. I think we’re in for a lot more gameshows.