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« Ausiello Report

Thelma, Batman Not Criminal-Minded: Who's Left to Replace Mandy?

070807mandy.jpg
Mandy Patinkin by Michael Desmond/Touchstone Television
It's official. Doris Roberts and I are the only two remaining showbiz "names" that haven't been approached about replacing Mandy Patinkin on Criminal Minds.

Early on, you'll recall, Oscar winner Geena Davis was considered to be the front-runner to get the job. But she took a pass, according to my spy, because she wasn't keen on "the nature of the show." (Funny — she didn't seem to have a problem with "the nature" of the Geena Davis Show, and that was god-awful.) Michael Keaton nixed the gig, too, presumably because he wasn't ready to do TV full-time.

And they're just the tip of the iceberg. To give you some idea of just how wide a net the show's producers are casting, I've listed some celebs that are under consideration below, with a few key letters asterisked out to protect their anonymity. Of course, if Shemar Moore wants to blab their identities, too, who am I to shush him?

Among the stars who've been approached and took a pass:

**b ***k*n*
J*** **t**ow
Si****ne* **av*r

Among the new leading candidates are:

*arv*y Ke***l
****** *****e

So, guesses? The first three are so obvious, they're a gimme. But the last two... Yep, I'd wager to say you have as big a challenge on your hands as Minds' producers do. Good luck!


Posted by Michael Ausiello
Aug 7, 2007 11:18 AM
I know he's not one of your asterisks - but what about SpyDaddy ?
Posted by LisaMBri
Aug 7, 2007 11:21 AM
I've got Bob Hoskins and Sigourney Weaver.

Still working on the rest.
Posted by somethingreal81
Aug 7, 2007 12:10 PM
I would have a very hard time watching Criminal Minds with John Lithgow.

I'm still getting over losing Lola Glaudini.
Posted by SupahStah
Aug 7, 2007 12:18 PM
PS: Victor Garber would be a GREAT idea!!!
Posted by SupahStah
Aug 7, 2007 12:19 PM
Is the 4th one Warren Beatty?
Posted by somethingreal81
Aug 7, 2007 12:30 PM
john lithgow
Posted by mick jagger
Aug 7, 2007 12:36 PM
A list of people I think could fill the role:

Steven Culp
Miguel Ferrer (if he wasn't on Bionic Woman)
James Brolin (if they're looking for someone on the older side)
Jamey Sheridan
Charles S. Dutton
Steve Harris (welcome return to television)
Bobby Cannavale
Posted by tg1789
Aug 7, 2007 12:39 PM
Victor Garber is a great idea!

I love Steve Harris and wow - Charles Dutton would be great.

How about Enrico Colantoni - I would love to see Keith Mars make a comeback!
Posted by Ranger99
Aug 7, 2007 1:48 PM
I would actually tune into that show if Enrico or Victor were on it. I love both of them!
Posted by tkangaroo
Aug 7, 2007 2:11 PM
May I suggest Kathy Baker? She's ridiculously talented, and I love the idea of a woman leading the team.
Posted by jeffofhearts
Aug 7, 2007 2:17 PM
Wow, I can't believe they asked Bob Hoskins. LOVE him. But he's way too good for that show. Maybe they were looking for House/Hugh Laurie, part 2, where you cast a talented Brit who can play irrascible and your ratings go through the roof? Weird, though.

I have no idea who the hard ones are. Warren Beatty is a funny idea, though.

I'd like to see Ed Asner (if they asked Bob Hoskins, why not Ed Asner?) or Steven Webber, both of whom were awesome on that awful Sunset Strip show, or Ken Howard, who's done lots of things and is always good, or Courtney B. Vance, who was always fine and pretty much unheralded on L&O:SVU.

Or how about hiring Tony Geary away from General Hospital? Like Mandy Patinkin, he can play crazy well, plus he'd bring loads of buzz.

Oooh -- I've got it! Gregory Harrison. Looks fabulous, can act, can sing... Yeah, let's go with Gregory Harrison.
Posted by jujube11
Aug 7, 2007 2:17 PM
Kathy Baker? What about Kathy Bates?
Posted by jujube11
Aug 7, 2007 2:18 PM
OK, OK....how come I can do crossword puzzles, in pen mind you, and I can't ever get the darn asterisked hints? Is something lacking in my diet? Am I vitamin deficient?
Posted by Lizzie5160
Aug 7, 2007 2:28 PM
Another one not on your list, but an interesting thought... David James Elliott...
Posted by xcatch
Aug 7, 2007 3:47 PM
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