Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds
Criminal-Minds.svg
Criminal Minds title card
Format Police procedural
Mystery
Drama
Thriller
Created by Jeff Davis
Starring Mandy Patinkin
Thomas Gibson
Lola Glaudini
Shemar Moore
Matthew Gray Gubler
A.J. Cook
Kirsten Vangsness
Paget Brewster
Joe Mantegna
Rachel Nichols
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 7
No. of episodes 162 (List of episodes)
Production
Running time 45 minutes
Production company(s) The Mark Gordon Company (2005–present)
Touchstone Television (2005–2007)
ABC Studios (2007–present)
Paramount Television (2005–2006)
CBS Paramount Television (2006–2009)
CBS Television Studios (2009–present)
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Picture format 1080i 16:9 (HDTV)
Audio format Dolby Digital 5.1
Original run September 22, 2005 (2005-09-22) – present
Chronology
Related shows Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011)
External links
Website
Production website

Criminal Minds is an American police procedural television program that premiered September 21, 2005, on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) based in Quantico, Virginia. The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.[1]Criminal Minds differs from many procedural dramas by focusing on the criminal rather than the crime itself. The show is produced by The Mark Gordon Company in association with CBS Television Studios and ABC Studios.

CBS announced in October 2009 that Legacy Interactive will develop a video game based on the show. The game will require players to examine crime scenes for clues to help solve murder mysteries. The interactive puzzle game was released in 2012 but did not feature any of the voices of the show's cast nor were the cast involved with the project.[2][3][4]

On March 14, 2012, CBS renewed Criminal Minds for an eighth season.[5]

Background

A scene from the filming of Season 6 of Criminal Minds.

When the series premiered in 2005, it featured FBI Agents Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), and the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). For Season 1, that team is composed of Agents Elle Greenaway (Lola Glaudini), Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, (A.J. Cook), and Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness). During Season 1, Vangsness was not in the regular cast, appearing instead as a guest star.

Casting has been volatile. In Season 2 (2006-07), Greenaway leaves after Episode 6 and is replaced in Episode 9 by Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), the daughter of an Ambassador (Kate Jackson). In Season 3 (2007-08), Gideon departs after Episode 2 and is replaced several episodes later by David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), a former FBI Agent and best-selling author. In Season 6 (2010-11), JJ leaves after Episode 2 and is replaced by Ashley Seaver (Rachel Nichols). Later in Season 6, Prentiss leaves the show; and Cook returns, as a Special Guest Star, to participate in Prentiss's final episode.

For Season 7 (2011-12), it was announced that Cook had signed a two-year contract to return as a series regular at the end of Season 6 and for the beginning of Season 7. It was also announced that Brewster would be returning as a series regular for Season 7.[6][7] In May 2011, CBS chose not to pick up Nichols' contract for a second season. Moore's and Gibson's contracts were both renewed, and their salaries were both raised. On February 15, 2012, Deadline.com announced that Paget Brewster would leave Criminal Minds at the end of Season 7.[8]

Characters

Character Portrayed by Job Title Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Aaron Hotchner Thomas Gibson Unit Chief / Senior Supervisory Special Agent Main
Derek Morgan Shemar Moore Supervisory Special Agent / Tactical Trainer Main
Jason Gideon Mandy Patinkin Senior Supervisory Special Agent Main
David Rossi Joe Mantegna Main
Elle Greenaway Lola Glaudini Supervisory Special Agent Main
Emily Prentiss Paget Brewster Main Main
Spencer Reid Matthew Gray Gubler Main
Jennifer Jareau AJ Cook Supervisory Special Agent / Former Communications Liaison Main Recurring Main
Penelope Garcia Kirsten Vangsness Technical Analyst / Communication Liaison Recurring Main
Ashley Seaver Rachel Nichols FBI Cadet Recurring Main

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Seven complete seasons of Criminal Minds have been aired, with the seventh season starting on September 21, 2011. As of May 16, 2012 (2012 -05-16), a total of 162 episodes have aired.

Season Episodes Originally aired DVD release date
Season premiere Season finale North America (R1) United Kingdom (R2) Australia (R4) Discs
1 22 September 22, 2005 (2005-09-22) May 10, 2006 (2006-05-10) November 28, 2006 (2006-11-28)[10] February 12, 2007 (2007-02-12)[11] November 3, 2007 (2007-11-03)[12] 6
2 23 September 20, 2006 (2006-09-20) May 16, 2007 (2007-05-16) October 2, 2007 (2007-10-02)[13] May 5, 2008 (2008-05-05)[14] April 1, 2008 (2008-04-01)[15] 6
3 20 September 26, 2007 (2007-09-26) May 21, 2008 (2008-05-21) September 16, 2008 (2008-09-16)[16] April 6, 2009 (2009-04-06)[17] March 18, 2009 (2009-03-18)[18] 5
4 26 September 24, 2008 (2008-09-24) May 20, 2009 (2009-05-20) September 8, 2009 (2009-09-08)[19] March 1, 2010 (2010-03-01)[20] March 9, 2010 (2010-03-09)[21] 7
5 23 September 23, 2009 (2009-09-23) May 26, 2010 (2010-05-26) September 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)[22] February 28, 2011 (2011-02-28) March 2, 2011 (2011-03-02) 6
6 24 September 22, 2010 (2010-09-22) May 18, 2011 (2011-05-18) September 6, 2011 (2011-09-06)[23] November 28, 2011[24] November 30, 2011[25] 6
7 24 September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)[26] May 16, 2012 (2012-05-16)[27] N/A N/A N/A N/A

Spin-off

The spin-off debuted February 16, 2011, on CBS[28] but was cancelled after a short thirteen episode season, due to low ratings.[29]

Critical reception

Despite the first two seasons receiving largely positive reviews, subsequent reviews have ranged from mixed to negative. The show holds a Metacritic score of 42/100 as of May 11th, 2012.[30]

Dorothy Rabinowitz said, in her review for the Wall Street Journal that "From the evidence of the first few episodes, Criminal Minds may be a hit, and deservedly" and gave particular praise to both Matthew Gubler and Mandy's performance.[31]

The New York Times was less than positive, saying "The problem with "Criminal Minds" is its many confusing maladies, applied to too many characters" and felt that "as a result, the cast seems like a spilled trunk of broken toys, with which the audience - and perhaps the creators - may quickly become bored."[32]

The Chicago Tribune reviewer, Sid Smith, felt that the show "May well be worth a look" though he too criticized the "confusing plots and characters."[33]

PopMatters panned the show, saying the show seemed to "confuses critical thinking with supernatural abilities" criticized the "stereotypical characters". The Los Angeles Times gave a similar review.[34] Despite such, both the reviewers also gave praise to Patinkin and Gubler's performance.[35]

American ratings

Broadcast

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Criminal Minds.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps.
Season Episodes Timeslot (EST) Original Airing Rank Viewers
(in millions)
Season premiere Season finale TV season
1 22 Wednesday 9:00 P.M. September 22, 2005 May 10, 2006 2005–06 #28 12.63[36]
2 23 September 20, 2006 May 16, 2007 2006–07 #24 14.05[37]
3 20 September 26, 2007 May 21, 2008 2007–08 #24 12.78[38]
4 26 September 24, 2008 May 20, 2009 2008–09 #11 14.95[39]
5 23 September 23, 2009 May 26, 2010 2009–10 #16 13.70[40]
6 24 September 22, 2010 May 18, 2011 2010–11 #10 14.11[41]
7 24 September 21, 2011 May 16, 2012 2011–12 #15 13.20[42]

DVR

The show ranked number nine in DVR playback (2.35 million viewers), according to Nielsen prime DVR lift data from 9/22/08 - 11/23/08.[44]

For the week of October 10, 2010, Criminal Minds ranked sixth in DVR playback (2.40 million viewers), and seventh in the demo playback (1.0 demo) according to Nielsen prime DVR lift data.[45]

Syndication

The series is in syndication on A&E Network and ION Television.[46]

References

  1. ^ NCAVC homepage
  2. ^ "Criminal Minds Game Blog" (Press release). November 1, 2011. http://www.criminalmindsgame.com. 
  3. ^ "CBS Consumer Products Announces Eight New Video Games Based on Popular TV Shows" (Press release). CBS Interactive. October 29, 2009. http://games.ign.com/articles/104/1041583p1.html. 
  4. ^ "Interview: Thomas Gibson". ShaveMagazine.com. http://www.shavemagazine.com/entertainment/Interview-Thomas-Gibson. Retrieved 2012-05-10. 
  5. ^ Gorman, Bill (March 14, 2012). "CBS Renews 18 Shows: 'The Good Wife,' 'Blue Bloods,' '2 Broke Girls,' 'The Mentalist,' 'Mike & Molly' & Many More". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/14/cbs-renews-18-shows-the-good-wife-blue-bloods-2-broke-girls-the-mentalist-mike-molly-many-more/124487/. Retrieved March 14, 2012. 
  6. ^ JJ Is Back! AJ Cook Inks 2-Year Deal To Return To 'Criminal Minds'
  7. ^ It's Official: Criminal Minds Welcomes Back Paget Brewster, Bids Farewell to Rachel Nichols
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 15, 2012). "Paget Brewster To Leave 'Criminal Minds'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/paget-brewster-criminal-minds-leaving-cbs-drama/. Retrieved February 15, 2012. 
  9. ^ "An Interview with Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds)". http://tvdramas.about.com/od/criminalminds/a/matgraygubint.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-26. 
  10. ^ ASIN B000ION72Q, Criminal Minds - The First Season
  11. ^ ASIN B000M2E7G4, Criminal Minds - Season 1 Complete
  12. ^ "Criminal Minds - The 1st Season". EzyDVD. http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/803591. Retrieved March 19, 2010. 
  13. ^ ASIN B000SQFC40, Criminal Minds - The Second Season
  14. ^ ASIN B0012RA9AQ, Criminal Minds - Season 2 Complete
  15. ^ "Criminal Minds - The 2nd Season". EzyDVD. http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/797846. Retrieved March 19, 2010. 
  16. ^ ASIN B001AI776G, Criminal Minds: Season 3
  17. ^ ASIN B001NN415I, Criminal Minds - Season 3 Complete
  18. ^ "Criminal Minds - Season 3". EzyDVD. http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/804107. Retrieved March 19, 2010. 
  19. ^ ASIN B001G0MFKQ, Criminal Minds: The Complete Fourth Season
  20. ^ ASIN B002TG39YC, Criminal Minds Season 4
  21. ^ "Criminal Minds - Season 4". EzyDVD. http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/810656. Retrieved March 19, 2010. 
  22. ^ ASIN B003TFAJ18, Criminal Minds: The Complete Fifth Season
  23. ^ ASIN B003R0MEZ4, Criminal Minds: The Complete Sixth Season
  24. ^ ASIN B004JHXWD2, Criminal Minds Season 6 [DVD]
  25. ^ Lambert, David (June 20, 2011). "Criminal Minds - 'The 6th Season' DVDs Announced by CBS/Paramount: Date, Cost, Packaging **UPDATE: DVD Supplements**". TVShowsOnDVD.com. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Criminal-Minds-Season-6/15545. Retrieved January 19, 2012. 
  26. ^ Seidman, Robert (June 29, 2011). "CBS Announces Fall 2011 Premiere Dates". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/29/cbs-announces-fall-2011-premiere-dates/96883/. Retrieved June 29, 2011. 
  27. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 22, 2012). "CBS Announces Season Finale Dates and Storylines". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/22/cbs-announces-season-finale-dates-and-storylines/125592/. Retrieved March 22, 2012. 
  28. ^ Nellie Andreeva (May 17, 2010). "CBS Picks Up 'Criminal Minds' Spinoff To Series". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/cbs-picks-up-criminal-minds-spinoff-to-series/. Retrieved May 17, 2010. 
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 17, 2011). "CBS renews 'CSI:NY', cancels 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/cbs-renews-csi-ny-cancels-criminal-minds-suspect-behavior/. Retrieved May 17, 2011. 
  30. ^ Critic Reviews for Criminal Minds Season 1 at Metacritic
  31. ^ Circle of Genius - WSJ.com
  32. ^ "On the Case, a Crack Team of Tic-Ridden F.B.I. Agents"
  33. ^ Topic Galleries - chicagotribune.com[verification needed]
  34. ^ McNamara, Mary. "TV Review: 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior' Goes with Its Gut." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 18 May 2012.
  35. ^ Criminal Minds < PopMatters
  36. ^ "ABC Television Network 2005–2006 Primetime Ranking Report". (May 31, 2006). ABC Medianet. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  37. ^ "ABC Television Network 2006–2007 Primetime Ranking Report". (May 30, 2007). ABC Medianet. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  38. ^ "ABC Television Network 2007–2008 Primetime Ranking Report". (May 28, 2008). ABC Medianet. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  39. ^ "ABC Television Network 2008–2009 Primetime Ranking Report". (June 2, 2009). ABC Medianet. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  40. ^ "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV by the Numbers. 2010-06-16. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336. Retrieved 2010-07-29. 
  41. ^ "2010-11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages". TV by the Numbers. June 1, 2011. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
  42. ^ Gormam, Bill (May 25, 2012). "Complete List Of 2011-12 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'American Idol,' 'NCIS' & 'Dancing With The Stars'". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/complete-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-ncis-dancing-with-the-stars/135785/. Retrieved May 25, 2012. 
  43. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 6, 2007. http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=020607_05. Retrieved March 15, 2010. 
  44. ^ "Breaking News - Cbs Number One Live - And In Playback". TheFutonCritic.com. 2010-06-29. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=12/10/08&id=20081210cbs01. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  45. ^ Gorman, Bill (2010-11-01). "Live+7 DVR Ratings: Grey's Anatomy, Fringe, The Mentalist Top Week's Rankings". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/11/01/live7-dvr-ratings-greys-anatomy-fringe-the-mentalist-top-weeks-rankings/70322. Retrieved 2011-02-25. 
  46. ^ Mediaweek.com

External links


Preceded by
Grey's Anatomy
2006
Criminal Minds
Super Bowl lead-out program
2007
Succeeded by
House
2008