PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: MEDIA AS ENTERTAINMENT: INSIDE CRIMINAL MINDS {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's Media as Entertainment events. Held at The Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening honors "Criminal Minds," a drama series about a team of "profilers" from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, all of whom track criminals by anticipating their actions. Rebecca Faez, director of administration of The Paley Center in Los Angeles, offers opening comments before introducing moderator Alynda Wheat, senior editor for Entertainment Weekly. After telling about the show's history, Wheat introduces the "Criminal Minds" episode "Masterpiece," which is screened in its entirety. (For episode synopsis and credits, see "Criminal Minds: Masterpiece," ACCNUM 100608.)
After the screening, Wheat introduces the panelists: executive producers Edward Allen Bernero and Deborah Spera, and cast members Joe Montegna (David Rossi); Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss); Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner); Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan); Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia); A.J. Cook (Jennifer Jareau); and Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid.)
The panelists touch on such topics as: why TV procedurals are experiencing such popularity; celebrities like Jason Alexander, Frankie Muniz, and Wil Wheaton that became "guest star" serial killers to change their image; the genesis for the show's "twisted" storylines; if the tales of killers have led to paranoia among the cast and crew; if the actors are "freaked" by the show's grim plots; the input of technical advisers on the show; what it was like for Brewster and Montegna to join the cast in, respectively, the show's second and third season; how a camaraderie developed among the cast; the controversy caused by the season-three cliffhanger; and fans' reactions to the high incidence of inside jokes in the scripts.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: why so many actors from TV's now-cancelled "Third Watch" have appeared on the show; if mentioning the names of real-life killers in scripts glorifies the criminals; why so many of the actors' quirks are mirrored in their characters; and how Cook's real-life pregnancy "rocked" the show.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 17, 2008 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:43:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:93344
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Faez … Host
- Alynda Wheat … Moderator
- Joe Montegna … Panelist
- Thomas Gibson … Panelist
- Paget Brewster … Panelist
- Shemar Moore … Panelist
- Kirsten Vangsness … Panelist
- A.J. Cook … Panelist
- Matthew Gray Gubler … Panelist
- Edward Allen Bernero … Panelist
- Deborah Spera … Panelist
- Jason Alexander
- Frankie Muniz
- Wil Wheaton