CBS Faces the Press and Punts: No Details on Mandy Patinkin or Mark Harmon, But Lots of Jericho

She's got one hit series where the star blew off the first day of work and then quit, stranding a crew of 200 writers, producers, actors and crew members. She's got another series where the star demanded -- successfully -- that the network get rid of the guy who created the show to keep HIM from walking.

But any TV critics who thought CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler was going to say anything substantive about Mandy Patinkin's puzzling departure from Criminal Minds or Mark Harmon's powerplay to remove producer Don Bellisario from the staff of NCIS, they were sorely disappointed Wednesday.

"I don't want to be a pain, but I really hope Mandy will address this situation in the future," said Tassler, who referred to Patinkin's decision as the result of "personal issues." When a critic pointed out that CBS cited the often-used "creative differences" in its press release Monday, Tassler noted: "Creative differences is a euphemism for personal issues."

Wonder if she realizes she just used a euphemism to explain a euphemism?

All she would say is that Patinkin will appear in the second Criminal Minds episode. Since network officials didn't seem to have any idea he was planning to leave until he failed to show for a read-through of the season's first script, I expect there's a lot of rewriting going on in the halls of the Eye Network.

She also declined to comment on a TMZ.com report that CSI co-star Gary Dourdan attacked a photographer for the celebrity-oriented Web site, chasing him through Hollywood while the injured shooter's cameras captured it all. Of course, it's posted here. 

Aside from the diva questions, Tassler didn't have much to reveal. Film director Tony Scott (Top Gun) will direct the first new episodes of Numb3rs; the net's new series mostly debut the week of Sept. 23.

And there's the nuts.

Noting that fans of revived post-apocalyptic drama Jericho sent thousands of pounds of nuts to CBS to rescue the series -- sparking 50,000 emails to the network, including about 7,000 to her alone -- Tassler joked in an exasperated tone about the salesman in a camera shop and her own doctor sending emails and handing her bags of nuts.

"We've said to the fans, you've got to be our Jericho Rangers -- you've got to get more people to watch the show," said Tassler, noting that Jericho star Skeet Ulrich personally called all the show's cast members when CBS reversed its decision to cancel the show, allowing the network to pull the production crew back together in 48 hours. "(In the protest) you saw a huge segment of the population who felt they weren't being counted."

Indeed, the Jericho response has been massive; ads in industry trade papers, emails, bags of nuts and even a deluge of emails sent to critics at TCA, urging them to cover the show (more on that tomorrow). Tassler was surprised at the detailed fan conversations on the Internet about the show, and commercial ratings figures from Nielsen Media Research revealed Jericho was the show with the highest viewership of ads.

Which left me wondering: How did CBS miss all these signs to cancel the show in the first place? And instead of acting irritated with the fan response, shouldn't they be thanking the audience for saving them from their own mistaken decision?

"If people are engaged and they're upset about something and they're motivated, I think we're doing our jobs," said Tassler, who hasn't yet picked a date for the return of Jericho's seven new episodes. "You want an audience to care as much as these people care."

Guess they haven't gotten the message yet.    

Comments

[mpbnice]

It's amazing how CBS set up the elaborate website for Jericho and then missed those who used it! Hopefully they've learned from their mistake.

[Jane]

I sure hope they count us this time and quit relying on Nielsen.
Thanks for the article.

[Kay]

This is wonderful to read, thank you for all the "Jericho" information. The dedication of the cast and crew equals that of the viewers, and illustrates why this show is worth fighting for.

[Debby Balcer]

Great article. Sounds like an interesting time at CBS. Can't wait to see Jericho in the fall, sounds like CBS is ready to embrace the fans. Thanks for covering this story.

[Jodi]

Thanks for the tasty tidbits about Jericho. I am enjoying the reruns, indulging in the official website and many of the fansites, and am anxious for the new episodes to come. Count me in as a devoted and long-term fan of a great TV series.

[Linda]

Thank you for this article. We are watching Jericho, CBS. We might not be the Neilson family but we hope we are being counted. This seems to be an upbeat story, so thank you for covering it. A story that brings good news for Jericho is the greatest.

[PhillyPhan]

Thank you so much for covering Jericho. It seems the more they explain, the more the questions pop up. How could they not pay attention to the website they created? Hope that changes. Looking forward to the new Season.

[Eric Deggans]

Thanks so much for all the viewership and nice comments. The short answer to some of your questions is that the people designing and implementing the Web site arent the people who make the decision to cancel the series.

I have a feeling they will play closer attention in the future...

[Sonya]

Thanks for the excellent article. You hit on something I hadn't thought about. Amidst all of the divas and attention seekers, the stars of Jericho have separated themselves by being both humble and gracious. If you get a chance, check out their posts on the CBS site. CBS should try to hang on to these great actors for as long as they can!

[Jayhawkgirl]

Thanks for the great article on Jericho, it is very much appreciated : )

[Denise]

As one of those who campaigned for the return of Jericho and continues to promote the show every chance I get, I'd lke to sincerely thank Ms. Tassler and CBS for the opportunity.

[Sigmagoose]

It is amazing the power of the internet! CBS we have forgiven you, now listen to your viewers and take into account other forms of viewing. We wait patiently for more Jericho!

[Gale]

Thank you for this article. Jericho is truly a great show, well worth saving. I'm glad CBS and all networks realize they need to start looking beyond the Nielsen boxes to count the true number of viewers.

[Valerie]

I will always be proud of being one of those who brought back Jericho. That so many were willing to work for a second season shows that the shows how positive the show's message is, despite the bombs. Its about the strength of family and home in the face of the unthinkable, a very good message in this age of stars throwing tantrums.

I thank CBS and Ms. Tassler for bringing it back. I also ask that CBS utilize all the means of measuring viewership beyond the neilsons so that the full audience can be counted.

[judist63]

As always, another great article. My love for the return of Jericho and deep and sincere appreciation is overshadowed by the departure of Mandy from Criminal Minds. I adore his character and will miss him badly on the show. And who knew Mark Harmon had the power to control NCIS writers? Thanks again for the wonderfully written and very informative article.

[emmyssuck]

The emmys have snubbed the fans of Jericho, and so, I will NOT be watching on Emmy night.

Great article -- and Skeet is a class act through and through. I never would have thought that Mark Harmon would be a diva. Who knew?