Farewell, Mandy: So, after about a week of rumors that Mandy Patinkin was leaving (or was fired from) the CBS megahit "Criminal Minds," CBS finally issued a press release on Monday stating that, yes, Patinkin "asked to be released from his role on Criminal Minds." CBS further assured reporters that his departure "was not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. " Rather, Team Patinkin cites the old "creative differences" as the reason for his hasty exit.
Now, I'm a Patinkin fan from way back, but, I have to say I'm a bit nonplussed by the way the Mand-ster treats the TV series he's been on. If you'll recall, he also left the CBS series "Chicago Hope" after a couple of seasons. Now, unlike on "Hope," Patinkin wasn't the central focus of "Minds" (yes, I know "Hope" was supposed to be an ensemble, too, but come on -- the show was never the same without Patinkin's egotistical wackjob Jeffrey Geiger).
The show will likely survive without him. But I worry that Patinkin is establishing a less than enviable reputation for himself.
"The Apprentice" Rehired: Sadly, for all those who voted in my "Cancel One Show" poll, another disturbing rumor was proven true this week. The Donald Trump series "The Apprentice" -- which Connecticut Post readers picked as the show they'd most like to see canceled -- was rescued from cancellation. A "celebrity" version will debut at mid-season on NBC. Yes, because I was thinking that all "The Apprentice" needed to become a better show was a bunch of B-listers. Good move NBC.
News of the Odd: This one isn't depressing, but it is a little strange. Apparently, Trump isn't the only one that NBC has rescued from the TV dung heap. The network announced today that embattled former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington will appear in a 5-episode arc on NBC's new sci-fi drama "The Bionic Woman." I'm sure we all knew that Washington wold bounce back from his "Grey's" scandal, in which he allegedly used a homophobic slur against co-star TR Knight. But we didn't think it would happen so fast.
That NBC -- always championing the underdog.
Well, that's it for now, but I'll have tons more tidbits in my TV Notes column, which appears on Thursdays, next to the TV listings.
Check it out.