Last Friday intrepid TV Squad reporter Isabelle Carreau posted an item about Criminal Minds lead Mandy Patinkin not returning to the CBS drama. Now it has been confirmed by both ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television that Patinkin is definitely not returning to the program for the new season.
In press releases sent to the hugely palatial TV Squad offices both ABC and CBS stated that Mandy left the show due to "creative differences" and not because of contract renegotiations or salary disputes. As Isabelle reported in an update to her post Patinkin will return for one episode early next season that will explain his departure from the series. In the meantime, a new character will be added to Criminal Minds to fill his spot.
Having never seen an episode of the show I cannot say whether this will be good or bad for the program; you can tell me that in the comments section. However, what I can say is this all seems very familiar when it comes to Patinkin. Back in the 1990's Mandy left another CBS drama, Chicago Hope, after only one season. The reason, he said, was to spend more time with his family, which to many people meant that he had issues with the way the show was going.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
7-17-2007 @ 8:54AM
Tobey Cook said...
I'd never seen Criminal minds, but this does mean one thing - that we might get Rube back for the Dead Like Me Direct-to-DVD movie.
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7-17-2007 @ 8:55AM
Rob Walley said...
Unfortunately, Patinkin joining any show is a blessing and a curse. He elevates any show he's on to must-see status and ensures the show's quick decline because he never sticks with anything! It's frustrating to get into a show like Criminal Minds only to abandon it so quickly. I probably will not watch next season and I hope I'm smart enough to avoid Patinkin's next show altogether. He's very good, but just not worth all of this.
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7-17-2007 @ 9:12AM
WhizGidget said...
What a shame... It's going to take one heck of an actor to fill the void he's going to leave. It's not that he was the focus or the catalyst for the episodes, just that he had a certain presence, a vibe, that only he has.
Good luck to them with casting the replacement, and good luck to the show in carrying on. I'll watch with the replacement - but only if they can bring something to the table that's worth the time.
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7-17-2007 @ 9:32AM
bd said...
I heard he only joined the show because he heard one of the producers had six fingers on his right hand. Now that he knows this to be untrue, he must searching.
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7-17-2007 @ 9:47AM
Rich Keller said...
Stanley Tucci is otherwise occupied at the moment with a new role on ER.
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7-17-2007 @ 9:49AM
Renee said...
I can't say I watch the show because of Mandy Patinkin, but he does bring a certain something to it. If they brought in someone like Stanley Tucci, that'd be great. I'll still give it a try and see how it goes, regardless.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:04AM
yaksplat said...
He should go back to playing Inigo Montoya.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:12AM
eric f said...
Criminal Minds is an excellent show, with a great cast. It will be weird without mandy, but it'll survive.
Lucky you, Richard, you have a new show to get addicted to...
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7-17-2007 @ 10:21AM
pocketaces said...
That's the end of watching Criminal Minds for me. Patinkin has a history of doing this and I probably won't watch anymore of his shows. Any network would be crazy to hire him again for any role. When he left Chicago Hope, he said it was to spend time with his family. I guess he's trying to teach his kids that loyalty to fellow workers is not important--nice lesson for them to learn. The "creative differences" could probably be resolved if CBS added some creative zeroes to his paycheck.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:24AM
kenm said...
He's a great actor but he needs a show like Dead Like Me to really shine. His character on Criminal Minds was never given much to do or say and was always very subdued and morose. I started watching Dead Like Me after having seen the first season of Criminal Minds and the difference is stark - Rube is such a great and unique character whereas Gideon is kind of dark and brilliant but also kind of boring. He needs to be on a show that showcases his talent more.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:29AM
L'Emmerdeur said...
Why is anybody surprised by this? I'm sure Criminal Minds is a good show, but let's face it, it really is another cookie-cutter Law & Order & Crime Scene & Cold Case & It Never Ends. Patinkin is a bit too offbeat for that, but offbeat doesn't pay the rent quite as well. One season of sucha show is enough to bore him to tears, I'm sure.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:33AM
KMF said...
Yeah I think it's over for me with Criminal Minds. The cast is good and all, but really Gideon was the glue. everyone else is pretty non-descript, roles just about anyone could play. Spencer and Garcia aren't enough to keep me watching.
I don't know if it's true or not but someone at another site commented that Patinkin suffers from Bi-polarism and as a result has bouts that cause him to leave work. It seems plausible this is the case as I've battled with the disorder myself. I don't think it's been a case of him being a spoiled actor with no work ethic as some have suggested. Being bi-polar can really mess with a person's life depending on the degree. Mine is now liveable, but I have a friend on medicine cabinet full of meds just to keep her going to work everyday.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:43AM
lankyguy said...
I don't know anything about him being Bi-polar, but he does have a long history of Diva-like behavior.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:48AM
Rich Keller said...
Let's just say for the moment that he does have bi-polar disorder. If it is affecting him that much then he should consider taking on roles that aren't as prominent as the ones he has taken on television shows in the past. In both Criminal Minds and Chicago Hope he had leading roles. When he left CH the tone of the show changed. The same thing will probably happen on Criminal Minds as well.
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7-17-2007 @ 10:53AM
Chris said...
Stanley Tuccci or Gena Rowlands would be my picks for replacement.
Chris
http://www.chrisandjackie.com
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7-17-2007 @ 10:53AM
Jake said...
Anything that hurts a procedural is fine with me! Long live Lost and Heroes! Down with procedurals!
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7-17-2007 @ 11:08AM
Chuck said...
I'll miss Mandy.... and the show.
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7-17-2007 @ 11:08AM
Lisdog said...
I like procedurals but Criminal Minds is too slow and morose. It just never seemed to find it's pacing and there is very little chemistry between cast members. The whole show seems phoned in.
I love Patinkins quirkiness. Best of luck Mandy!
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7-17-2007 @ 11:30AM
Elizabeth said...
I'll miss the sense of drama that Mandy brought, but I think another well writen charatcter could fill his shoes. It would be nice to see a woman....Gena Davis or even an b/c/d list actor....gabriel macht that has screen presence and would have the same type of personality as Gideon would be good.
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7-17-2007 @ 11:38AM
TomB said...
Here's a link to a CM official fan site/blog. Ed Bernero, the show runner/creator, posted a message about his departure.
Apparently he just didn't show up for the first day of taping. He gave them no notice at all, and they had already written the first seven episodes of the new season. It was extremely unprofessional behavior.
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