more spin-off casting news

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

Just came across this article. I don't know how reputable a source they are but...

From the National Ledger

A WOMAN'S PLACE: With casting under way for the "Criminal Minds" spin-off, we've learned they've created an FBI director who is female -- which, as you surely know, has never happened in real life. This one is named Beth Griffith. She's in her 50s, impressive both in her handling of law enforcement and politics, and may become a recurring character on the show.

Strauss 2.0? Not to be a negative Nelly but I'm still not feeling the spin-off. I know some have raised the question of how the fandom could be so negative toward it, but other than being created by a show we already love, is any of what has been released really intriguing anyone?

I'm sure if there is a way of wow-ing this, the execs of CM should be fully capable but I personally would have much rather something already having occurred on an episode sparked a spin-off than being forced to create one. That's how this all seems to me: Forced. What say you?

Comments

[pink-siamese.livejournal.com]

I personally would have much rather something already having occurred on an episode sparked a spin-off than being forced to create one.

Yes. This.

I can understand how doing it this way may have been impossible, but I would prefer to see a spin-off with at least a couple characters I was familiar with (like maybe another team, with Kevin in Garcia's role---for example).

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

*nods vehemently* My only guess is that the reason for this is the spin-off being supposedly an entirely different beast from CM a la NCIS from JAG.

Though I have to wonder... Was NCIS created in advance the way this spin-off is being made or was it created after the characters already appeared on JAG? I don't follow either show so I have no idea but something is telling me it wasn't. Which leaves me with the feeling that CBS is just looking at CM like a cash cow. Grr.

[pink-siamese.livejournal.com]

I think they're going to introduce the new characters in a future CM episode, but that doesn't feel like a spin-off to me. It feels like the kind of forced introduction that happens at a family reunion.

As for NCIS/JAG, I have no idea. The only crossover I know anything about is Private Practice, which was built around a character from Grey's Anatomy. That's how I always understood a "spinoff" to work, but maybe I'm wrong.

[fursona.livejournal.com]

Not a bad idea regarding Kevin. I like his character. :)

[pink-siamese.livejournal.com]

I like him too. :)

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

The Kevin idea is really cool. I'd like to see than.

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

*that

(grr)

[pink-siamese.livejournal.com]

If I'd been the one to come up with a spin-off, I would've proposed something like that. But...you know. These people don't care what I think.

I'm not keen on the whole "let's write an episode to introduce a new team and then let's spin-off the new team that nobody knows." Spin-offs, when they're true spin-offs, capitalize on putting familiar characters in new situations. If, for example, Morgan got promoted and led his own team (with Kevin in the tech analyst role, natch!)---now that would be some hot spin-off action.

It's pretty weak to call this a spin-off.

[scarimor.livejournal.com]

I say note the difference between a spin-off and a franchise, because the references to a "spin-off" make me wonder... like do they mean it?

ETA: Doh! It just occured to me that some people may not know the difference. Apologies. Read 3rd and 4th paragraphs here (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4164935/) for a quick explanation.

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

Agreed. All that is being released is very confusing. As I exchanged above with pink_siamese, this isn't sounding so 'spin-off' to me. In addition to a spin-off being something that should have occurred from existing characters, I believe this is more the work of CBS than a creation from the CM writers/execs we all know and love.

[silver_sun]

Depends on how they do it. I don't particular want Strauss 2, but if we get somebody like M (as played by Judi Dench) in the Bond films them I say bring it on.

I wonder if there will be something nearer the end of the current series that sets up the idea of the this other team. Maybe tying it in with the end then of season cliffhanger (because that seems to be what we get at the end of each series) might be something that they'd do, as it would help get them an audience straight away.

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

From what has been released (see the casting news on Forest Whitaker (http://community.livejournal.com/criminalxminds/1029953.html)), the introduction of spin-off characters is during an episode to be aired in the spring.

[muzzy-olorea.livejournal.com]

I personally think it's all comes down to the characters in the spinoff and more importantly the casting and the team chemistry, so I guess I'm reserving judgement until I see a couple episodes.

NCIS:LA has been a hit ratings wise but personally I find the show lacks the spark because the team/cast has little chemistry.

[gargoule.livejournal.com]

the NCIS:LA team on a whole is, as you said, little chemistry. individually, I love them but it's almost like some of the team interactions is forced.
i loved it when they brought Abby in for a couple episodes but that's just me being an Abby fan.

[fursona.livejournal.com]

None of this sounds really great, I agree, but all we're getting regarding the characters are vague skeletons that, let's face it, seem fairly cliche. But think about it: if we were just learning about the original CM characters and given just as much, would we find them interesting? If we knew nothing about them aside from what we read in early press releases, would we have a similar response?

idk I'm continuing to reserve judgment.

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

I agree. I bet the casting calls and character descriptions for the original show were probably just as skeletal and not all that exciting.

[cloudzrshibby.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm still not on board with this. I might end up watching just because. And the fact that Forest Whitaker is gonna be on it makes me slightly more interested.

But over all, I'm not a fan of spin-offs and I can't say I like any spin-offs CBS has created.

[coffeeem.livejournal.com]

My expectations of a show come from the writing staff--the people who originate the characters, plots, and themes. So far all the writers I"ve seen associated with this show are people whose work I respect and enjoy.

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

I don't feel any negativity towards the spin-off. I'll give it a chance.

And I'm not particularly worried by the casting calls and character descriptions. I mean, it might stay all the same, or the finished product could be entirely different. Criminal Minds probably went through alot of changes originally as well. I think it was on one Matthew Gray Gublers journal entries on his web page, he talked about being cast with Lola, Shemar, Thomas, and Mandy. They eventually added in the characters of JJ and Garcia. They even changed the name from Quantico. If anything all of this stuff is a blue print. When they bring in the actual actors and do test screenings, some of it is bound to change. What looks flat and forced on paper could be fleshed out and evolved with a great actor. Or like Kirsten and Matthew, the new actors could add a bit of their own stuff to their characters which could give those characters a spin.

I'm going with Fursona. Right now where looking at a skeleton. I'm going to reserve full judgement for the entire body.

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

*we're looking at

What is with my spelling today? I must not have gotten enough sleep last night. Geez. haha

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

lol, Don't worry too much about the spelling (although I'd be the exact same way! =P).

If you'd like to take a look at the original casting, I found some of them (http://community.livejournal.com/criminalxminds/1029953.html?thread=8384833#t8384833). I personally found them a lot more interesting than what has been released for the spin-off characters. Not to mention, a lot more original.

I've given it a little more thought and I think my main dislike lies in the heavy feeling of 'CBS cashing in on a good thing' rather than a creation spun from the show we all love. I definitely won't miss the episode that they spin off from, and have every intention of giving it a fair shake. But from what has been released so far? It doesn't remotely resemble a CM predecessor to me.

[venomlaced.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I mean I think it's not cool that they're doing it to cash in, but it's showbiz and all that.

I mean, we may get something really good out of it, we may not. Nobody is gonna know until they watch. If I don't like it I won't continue. It might be downright atrocious. But I think it would be cool if they did manage something as awesome as the original. But I also don't think they should do a carbon copy of criminal minds either.

[bbt-criminal.livejournal.com]

I'm ambivalent about the whole thing, being suspicious of spin-offs in general. After the CSI fiascos (yes, they are! Clone your own characters much?) I haven't got much hope, despite the good job Mr. Wolf and the Law & Order people have done.

I hope they realize that if they poach anyone from the current cast, I will stop watching all together. Well, they can take Strauss. Or Kevin. But the team must be left alone. Do you hear me, CBS? Leave the BAU intact!

[gershwhen.livejournal.com]

Can I just second this HUGELY!! Don't be screwing up our team chemistry.

[sourfacekitty.livejournal.com]

The only reason I feel put-off by the idea of a spin-off is that I feel there is only one Criminal Minds. I don't like that it will be like how there are so many CSI's on television. The reason I fell in love with this show is because it's different than the other crime shows.

I don't know; I just don't like it.

[a3voice.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'll indulge in the spin off. All the ones I wanna see are already a team, I agree with sourfacekitty but I will check it out. I just don't think it will change my opinion.

[iamtheliquorr.livejournal.com]

I personally would have much rather something already having occurred on an episode sparked a spin-off than being forced to create one.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. Most spinoffs I've enjoyed centered around a character that the original took some time to develop and get its audience to invest in (e.g. Buffy/Angel, Doctor Who/Torchwood, Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice). So when the spinoff started up, the transition felt smoother and more organic. I don't think one or two episodes to introduce these spinoff characters are enough, personally. Like you said, it feels forced.

I'm not interested in the spinoff b/c I don't really care about these people and going by the descriptions we have thus far, they sound essentially like clones of existing CM characters with some of the traits switched around. The premise doesn't intrigue me that much, either. That said, however, I agree with other commenters above me that I really wouldn't want them to filch from the current cast. Everyone has such great chemistry and the cast is one of the main reasons I love CM so much. A spinoff featuring a departed character, like Elle or Gideon, or even the Kevin idea the first comment mentioned, would've been better, and would've probably hooked more CM fans.

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

Beautifully said! You took the words right out of my mouth.

I will give them a chance because I won't miss a CM episode. But as far as I know, that is all the episode the spin-off characters will get. If they don't sell me on the concept there then the time slot better be when I have absolutely nothing else to watch before I'll give it a second thought. I'll never say never because I did find myself enjoying shows that I never thought I would.

[rambleinblue.livejournal.com]

You know....my biggest issue with the spinoff is the general description of it .. a BAU team that works outside the rules...does something like that really exist ?? The one thing I like about the original is that it is based on something real....there really is a BAU....but is there really a rogue BAU ??

[artistic-angle.livejournal.com]

Well I guess you can do a spin off the sensible way (already introduced and developed characters getting their own show) or CBS's way. (CSI spin offs, NCIS LA, now CM).

I'll admit though, from what I read and heard, it sounds so... far removed from CM that it's almost like people talking about any other show that's being developed. Except, this is getting a start IN an ep of CM. Which I guess would be FINE because if they don't want to mess with CM's original characters, I can just happily go on ignoring this new show-in-development and simply not watch while sticking to CM happily ever after.

But who knows, I'll reserve judgment til I see their ep. But one thing is sure, I'm usually not fond of a bunch of characters being introduced and all of their personality traits being right in your face, when you KNOW writers just want you to like them and pay attention to them badly.

Anyway, with this I already gave this spin off more thought than I think it will be worth. I'll see how it works out or if I'll be eating my words or not.

[dakotamystic.livejournal.com]

I remember when the negative buzz when it was announced the CSI was going to have a spin off. I wasn't pleased but I suspended my judgement until watching the episode that introduced the Miami cast. I wasn't disappointed and I'm hoping that I'm not disappointed in the CM spin off. If the writers can make as far removed from the original, I think it has a good chance of success.

When I read that Forest Whitaker was close to signing a deal to appear in the new show, my interest really piqued. It's rare that Academy Award Winners appear in TV shows so I can only think that this spin off is just as good as the original.

[dragonladyk.livejournal.com]

I've noticed a lot of originals tend to go downhill when the producers get a new show. I do not want this to happen to CM. Call it a hundred bitten, twice shy.

DragonLady