Do You Think That Your Opinion Matters To Anyone In TV Land?
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
United States
February 17, 2007 9:12am CST
Specifically, I am speaking about Criminal Minds. It is one of my favorite TV programs and one that I never want to miss. I refuse to book a Tupperware party when it is on - I want to see it at the proper time - not recorded, I want it and I want it NOW!With that said, I was so disappointed this season when they started it out with Dr. Reid in those horrid geeky glasses. What were they all about? I may be old, but I am not dead. It's quite okay for men to gawk at young women and I really think it's quite okay for women to leer at young men.
I watched for the first 2 episodes of the season and realized that not only had they put the stupid glasses on him, they had cut his hair really short and I was so disliking of it.
After the third episode, I got online and pulled up CBS. I wrote an email to them about it and begged them to please take them off him.
After the fourth episode, I did the same.
After the fifth episode, he was only wearing them for part of the show, but he was all "squinty eyed" when he was reading. I wrote again and said that he could wear glasses if he need them for goodness sakes, but just put some classy glasses on him - and, by the way, could they possibly give Penelope a little more air time?I know this is going to sound crazy; but has anyone noticed that he no longer wears glasses, his hair has lengthened, and Penelope has actually traveled to a crime scene with the group. Is is possible that one person could have this much influence or do you think that many people wrote with the very same complaints? Regardless, I am sort of freaking out that the requests were honored.~Donna
10 people like this
23 responses
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
17 Feb 07
well good for you ,it must have helped a lot because they have been changing things.I would bet a lot of other caring watchers has written in too...I think it is wonderful to write in and let them know your likes and dislikes,and yes i do believe that they take the viewers suggestions under consideration,after all the viewers are the ones that keep the show on the air...Oh don,t freak just be happy that you have made a difference,it would be nice if there were a lot more people like you....Ellen
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Slick, It is great to know that consumers actually do have a say in something. Thank you for your comments ~Donna
2 people like this
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
18 Feb 07
It's funny I should see this discussion, because I just watched Criminal Minds for the first time this past week! Someone told me I should watch it, that I'd like it. I generally avoid any shows with an FBI or forensic theme, since I spend too much time griping and groaning and pointing out how things are *really* done to enjoy a show. And a show on profilers? FBI criminal profiling is what I went to school for!
But I was looking for something to watch, and I saw it was on, so I felt I'd give it a try. And I was very pleasantly surprised! I've been trying to get my hands on the first season now!
As for the folks in TV land.... I know the producers and writers of House pay attention to the fans. They often include little fan in-jokes in the dialogue, and nods to the fans and things that have been discussion in fan forums. I doubt they're the only ones! :D
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
18 Feb 07
MissK, I am so happy that you like Criminal Minds. I love the fact that it is not the meaningless drivel of the CSIs. (Please don't shoot me CSI fans! I do like CSI Miami!).
And, as for House! I love that man! I love Cutty! I love everything and everyone on the program. He is so incredibly flawed. I really loved it last week when Cutty's new boyfriend pointed out the possibility that she might actually like House.
One more thing that I might add: More than anything, as an old raging feminist, I am one of the first to get irked and angry at blatant sexist remarks; but when House looks at Cutty's chest and talks about her "girls", all I can do is laugh like a total idiot. What is it about that man? ~Donna
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
17 Feb 07
I've only watched Criminal Minds a couple of times. It conflicts with L&O:CI here, but I do like it. I was just commenting to my husband last week how geeky the glasses were and wondered why they changed him to look like that. He said, "Because he is a geek." That's a man for you!
If the producers or writers change anything due to fan demand it would have to be a lot of fans to make that kind of impact, unless of course the actor saw himself on screen and said, "Oh my gawd, that looks awful!" and demanded a change himself. Or maybe his mother got on his case. LOL!
Now with email being so much easier to write people (and costs nothing), we should all be expressing our point of view. And the shows are probably getting overwhelmed too. Some websites have actually crashed due to viewer response. I suppose I should start writing and complaining (especially about L&O:CI withe Goren's schedule being reduced). I just never seem to think of going to a show's website unless I'm looking for something in particular (like who is that new cast member?) or voting on a reality show.
We need to uses our voices, now that they are more available for us to use.
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
You can always tape Criminal Minds - we tape Law and Order ~Donna
1 person likes this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
17 Feb 07
I have never watched that show I must give it a try. Not that I need more favorite shows to fit into my schedule.
I would think that they do listen if it's a larger part of their audience. I don't think one person has any pull. But I'm sure they had lots of complaints. Plus you have to remember that if you watched the 3rd episode the 4th one would likely be taped already so it would take a few to catch up and make the changes.
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Cool, yes, if you like crime without frivolity and a program that puts you on the edge of your seat this one is for you. It is not a CSI type show but oh, so much better ~Donna
2 people like this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I think that if we give them enough feedback they have to take us seriously. But I've never emailed anyone about Criminal Minds, even though I do watch it every week.
I did notice that Penelope went with them to their crime scene recently. I thought it was kind of weird, but in a good way.
I apparently don't pay enough attention to the way Reid looks, though. I hadn't really noticed his hair getting longer. Wasn't it always long before this season? Or maybe I just don't remember! I don't find him especially good looking so maybe that is why I don't notice these things.
It's cool that you got everything you want. I guess I should starting writing in too, when I see something that I want to happen.
2 people like this
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
18 Feb 07
That's great kitchen, about Old Christine. I know exactly what you mean about the "boob" thing. LOL
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I also wrote about The Old Adventures of The New Christine (maybe that's backwards) and asked if their was a standard number of times that her "boobs" had to be referred to on the show? I only watched it 3 times and each time made me gag harder than the next.
I really wish they would put a comedy on after Two and A Half Men that is as good as it is. ~Donna
2 people like this
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Well, I'm glad they made the changes you asked for! I do think all shows listen to the fans to a certain extent. You were probably one of many that wrote in with the same complaint. If you were the only one, then your emails must have been quite convincing (:
One time I emailed the Oprah show about a show idea. A couple months later it was on. I'm pretty sure they used my idea, as it was an obscure one (I said it would be cool to have Issac Mizrahi do makeovers using only items from Target). I was so excited when it came on!
If I were you, I would email CBS one more time and ask them to do something totally off the wall with Criminal Minds. If they do it, then they ARE listening to you (:
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
18 Feb 07
What a great idea! I think that I already have done that though. After I continuously harassed them over the glasses, it was next that I asked for Penelope to become more visible.
I love what you did with Oprah! Now you can sing a rousing round of "I've Got The Power!. ~Donna
@tendaheart2002 (495)
• United States
17 Feb 07
You never know I think the power of the consumer is often overlooked by they laymen. It is also possible that enough people wrote in regarding the same stuff and so the producers decided to make it happen. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to watch any episodes just yet.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I hope that it was a lot of people seeing the same thing and asking for the same changes. ~Donna
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I'm a huge Criminal Minds fan too but I actually thought Spenc was a sexy bugger with the old fashionish geeky glasses LOL but I dont like his hair all short I must admit...I absolutely love Garcia too...she is FABULOUS! and next to Reid she's my fav character (they're actually tied for first wiht me LOL)
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
19 Feb 07
LOL oh and have you ever seen his (Matthew Gray Gubler) web page?? I just love it myself cause its so simple and just normal rather than what pretty much everyone else in the free world has out there LOL
http://www.matthewgraygubler.com/
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
31 Mar 07
What a hottie! Crap, he's right up there with Johnny Depp now!
1 person likes this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
17 Feb 07
Yes I think that our opinion does matter where we watch television and if we like the way they look at the time but some of them change dramatically and they do not look nice at all. I love watching different criminal shows that they put on our television but some of the actors they change a lot as well and I do not like them when they do this, as some of them look completely different and not nice at all.
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Well Kathy, when you see this happening, come to me and we will go to the network together and demand a change! ~Donna
1 person likes this
@chaygylmommy (2470)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I, too, LOVE this show! And, yes, I love Penelope. She is a great character! I am sure that ONE person did not change, but ONE person combined with others sure can. This why they say every vote counts, ya know. I am glad you emailed those things, though. Who knows? You're email may have been the one that actually got them to change it all around.
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Yes!!! You make me want to get up and sing, "I've got the Power!" with a loud, thumping drum beat behind me ~Donna
1 person likes this
@fpd1955 (2074)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Criminal Minds is a great show.It just keeps getting better. And yes, networks do listen to people. How many shows have been removed from the air because some group of people thought it was inappropriate. Touched By An Angel is one such show. Certain people complained of their use of "God" in every show. Thus, it was removed from the air.
1 person likes this
@prttynpnkw83 (444)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Well i think that is totally cool that your requests were honored and i do think they take everyones advice that they get and try to use it to the best of their ability. They want to make the show watchable for everyones enjoyment. But i did like the geeky classes on him they were endeering
1 person likes this
@ArysMom (32)
• Canada
8 May 07
Wooooooohoooo you go Girl!
- Actully I really like Dr.Reid... he is my Geek On, lol. I love his character, the ugly sweaters, that book bag and they way he stumbles on his words. lol.
-Penelope is awesome and yes I caught her on the show when she was at a crime scene.
-This is really one of my favorites shows and I just never miss it...
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Donna the voice of the people has obviously spoken.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Feb 07
I was so delighted that Lost was moved to 10:00 so I could watch Criminal Minds at 9:00. We watched the first episode and got hooked. The problem was Lost was on at the same time and we love Lost.
I guess it was a good thing that you wrote CBS about your ideas. Maybe I should do the same with CBS moving CSI NY to the 10:00 slot on Wednesday. I have to get my LOST fix and it is on at the same time now. Never a dull moment.
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I think that's really cool! I would say a bunch of people probably sent emails in. I do think our opinion matters in TV land. Us Charmed fans was sucessful in bring the show back one more year so that they could give the show and the characters a proper ending. Also Nick Lachae's character was short lived because the fans didn't like it (or him). I think if they're a lot of people listening - they fix the 'problem'. If not the ratings will dwindle.
I'm glad you got the change you desired :) Go kitchenwitchoftupper!!!
1 person likes this
