CRIMINAL MINDS WELCOMES BACK PAGET BREWSTER AND A.J. COOK, BUT BIDS FAREWELL TO RACHEL NICHOLS

 
Released by Miss TV Girl

Criminal Minds continues to play musical chairs with its cast.  The the successful CBS series has decided to welcome back Paget Brewster and A.J. Cook for season seven as series regulars.  Now this bit of casting news leaves recently promoted to series regular Rachel Nichols out of job.  BUMMER!!  Meanwhile co-star Thomas Gibson still doesn't have a deal, negotiations are ongoing, maybe if his negotiations go the way of Chris Meloni (Law & Oder: SVU), the series can invite Rachel Nichols back. 
 
At this point I don't really care, I have watched "Criminal Minds" from day one and continued to watch even after the very talented Mandy Patinkin left after season two. Six years of doom and gloom is enough, I found myself dreading to watch the series.  Also, I don't know if it is just me, but  the characters have become so depressing and  the cases are so much more violent. Its just not fun tuning in to watch every week.

"CRIMINAL MINDS" SPIN-OFF TO PREMIERE NEXT SEASON

Released by Adam Bryant/TV Guide

CBS is prepping a Criminal Minds spinoff for next season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The new series will be created by Minds executive producers Ed Bernero and Chris Mundy.

Mundy will write the script for the spinoff, which will appear as an episode of Minds in the spring, a la NCIS-NCIS: Los Angeles last season. Details are still sparse, but the new show is expected to feature a new team of FBI agents, not existing characters.

CBS has been successful at this in the past. CSI begat two heavily watched spin-offs, and NCIS: Los Angeles was this season's highest-rated debut for a new drama.

The Criminal Minds spinoff was discussed in 2008, but CBS focused its energy on NCIS: Los Angeles. Minds returned strong this season, winning the night with 15.8 million viewers and its best rating ever in the coveted 18-to-49 demographic.

D.B. SWEENEY JOINS "CRIMNAL MINDS"FOR SIX EPISODES

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Criminal Minds has tapped D.B. Sweeney for a six-episode arc, confirms exec producer Ed Bernero. He’ll play a U.S. Marshal who’s brought in to help with a big case that arcs through the first part of the season,” Bernero reveals. “He’s a contemporary of our team and knows several members of our team really well.”