Despite the massive and almost immediate backlash that followed, CBS is sticking to its decision to cut AJ Cook and drastically reduce the episodes of Paget Brewster on
Criminal Minds,
Deadline.com reports.
'Criminal Minds' Cast Shakeup: Cook Out, Brewster Episodes CutCook, who plays JJ on the CBS show, will make a return on the show in the fall to possibly wrap up her five-season-long storyline and give her character a "proper exit." Her return stint, however, promises to be mighty brief. How brief, you say? One episode.
Other than this, there are no other developments on the
Criminal Minds cast shakeup. Cook, 31, has been largely silent throughout the furor, save for a tweet in Wednesday thanking the fans of the show.
"Your kind words and support have made me feel wanted and loved! I love my castmates more then I can say, but they already know that. Thanks!"
According to reports, while Cook's contract had not been picked up, Brewster remains in discussion with CBS as to the nitty-gritty of keeping her as a regular but reducing her episode count.
But it can get awkward in the boardroom, as the actress who plays Emily Prentiss had been very
vocal about what she thought of the CBS decision. She had slammed its "creative reasons" line as pure "executive bullsh-t" and admitted that she was "hurt" by the development.
Aside from the petition list, fans who didn't like the cast cut (like, almost everyone) have launched the
"Folders N' Lipstick Campaign" enjoining fans to "bombard CBS with decorated manila folders and lipstick in protest."
The items should be sent to:
Ms Nina Tassler (CBS Entertainment Head)
4024 Radford Ave.
Studio City, CA 91604
Apparently, this is the same place where
Jericho fans sent the infamous peanuts that resurrected the canceled series.
(Image courtesy of CBS)