Does anyone know whether VDO has re-signed his contract to go another season yet? I haven't heard anything, and that always worries me. VDOVault, do you know?

I thought he re-signed for season 9 a while ago......Please let me know if I am incorrect, but I thought that happened before the writers' strike.

Oh I sure hope he has. CI without Bobby?...they might as well cancel the show. I hope VDOvault posts soon and lets us know. *crosses fingers and thinking good thoughts*

I'm pretty sure he and Erbe signed on for Season 8 but they are still working out the details of the contract.

The only official personnel changes I am aware of are Jeff Goldblum coming on to replace Chris Noth and that the new showrunner for CI decision has not yet been finalized.

I do not believe that the rest of CI's cast want to leave...I have heard ZERO such talk official or rumor from my sources. And I think Jryan has it right...official announcements on cast renewals are pending (there are always small details to be worked out in contracts).

When I know something, you'll know something.

The Vault
PS CI fans are making a great showing in the charity auctions that Jill the Criminal Minds Fanatic is running...pat yourselves on the backs

Thanks for the info, Vault.
Cana't wait to hear who will be the show-runner.

I have a feeling that the other actors, not counting Jeff Goldblum because we know that he has already signed on for Season 8, have probably already re-upped but they are not announcing it yet. The reason I say this is because supposedly USA is going to start showing season 8 episodes in October (I remember reading that somewhere), basically meaning that the actors are going to have an extremely short hiatus, if any. It is the only way that they can do that and still have a few episodes in the can, as they call it. I think that USA is waiting for the right time to announce that they have re-signed all the actors. I would not be surprised if you don't hear anything until the very last episode of season 7, which ironically enough is now a Goren/Eames episode, instead of the usual Logan/Wheeler episode. Plus USA is running a mini-marathon of all Goren/Eames episodes from season 7 on the same day as the season finale. This leads me to believe that one of two things is going to happen. Either the season finale is a cliffhanger or a two part episode, or something major happens at the end of the episode, such as one of the main characters getting killed. I really don't think it is the last part because VDO Vault has said that they have not heard anything in regards to actors wanting to leave the show, and VDO himself recently stated that he wasn't going anywhere. So it is likely going to be a two-part episode or a cliffhanger.

According to my sources, the target date to start production on CI Season 8 is mid August...as in a couple of very short weeks away. Which is why the stalemate between SAG & the AMPTP worries me...that would be the first and most likely event to throw off production.

The Vault

Do you know, Vault, if they've finished filming for the final ep of the season, "Frame?" I'm concerned that the lack of negotiations could mess with the plot. Say they can't get a deal, and Goren and Eames are suspended within the show. You know? Is that possible?

They are filming that episode right now...I think either today or tomorrow is their last day of filming.

I don't think that SAG will do anything rash before July 26th...that's the date of their next national board meeting (they will be talking about what has gone on in the negotiations and also getting petitions to run in SAG's board of directors elections which I think are being held September 19th). So I think we'll get all of Season 7 done and in the can without any worries. (can I get an amen or a thousand here? )

And I think that the AMPTP and its member companies will behave themselves for the next 48 hours or so (fingers crossed here)...the TCA press tour is not quite finished and it would not look good to do something hasty to the actors while all the TV Critics are still out in LA and can ask them pesky questions.

I will start worrying about CI more specifically once that July 26th date has come and gone. But no I don't think that the SAG negotiations will affect plotting CI (that's mostly up to the writers). It really only affects the actors shooting schedule.

That said I have no idea if 'Frame' is being conceived as a cliffhanger. I do not discuss what is in upcoming episodes with the writers and I don't read those breakdowns of the roles or script pages that get posted to The Reel. (I like being surprised about the episodes and lately I don't have time to read The Reel anyway ...maybe someday that will change).

The Vault

Thanks Vault!!!!

Thank you, Vault!!

Wow Vault.....you have a wealth of information. Can I ask what is probably a stupid question? Are you part of the crew on the show or do you just have a way to get inside information? If I'm too nosy, just ignore me.

Having been herself a practing attorney in entertainment law, (I speak on the phone with her fairly regularly), she has a way to get inside information. Unfortunately, that sometimes means she gets sworn to secrecy and can't come here and give us all the answers we so desperately desire......I know she bangs her head against the wall quite a bit lately, too. We all do....

Can't really say much more than what I've already said, but I hope what I've said helps.

I read in a UK based article (not sure if it's posted here) that Jeff Goldblum's first day on LOCI was yesterday, July 21st. So either he taped a cameo for "Frame" or he was at the Pier for other reasons (fittings, pre-production session).

It would be fantastic if he showed up at MC during a G/E episode, to be introduced to Goren & Eames as a new member of the squad who doesn't have a partner yet?

I have heard through my own grapevine that Goldblum is making about $100,000 less than Vincent makes & what Noth did make per episode. I can't verify that, I'm afraid. But if it's true, it doesn't help VDO in his negotiations, does it?

I know this is the wrong topic but, DonnaJo where have you been? Glad you're back!

How sweet you are! I was "locked out" like many others. Finally figured out how to return. Glad to be back!

Missed ya! Cluck is mia too!

I see. Well, that explains alot. Yeah, I understand the head banging comment. It's awful when you know something and you want to give it up but you can't. Thanks for the info!

I can answer that...it's not confidential and it's not a stupid question.

Since November of last year, I worked as a fan liason for Fans For The WGA (link here: http://community.livejournal.com/whywewatchljcom/ it's a LiveJournal community) during the WGA strike. What happened with fan liasons was (ideally) we were put in touch with one or more writers (ideally at least one from each of our shows) to get the word out about the WGA's issues. I am actually in touch from time to time with writers other than those on the CI staff (and in fact corresponded with some of the other writers of other shows and films before hooking up with Team CI). So this is primarily where I get my information about CI from...just the occasional email exchanges with the CI writers.

The founder of Fans For The WGA (Pen the 'House' fan) recently graduated from college and has moved on to work for the Democratic Party up in Maine. It is a term of Pen's contract of employment that she's not allowed to speak to the press on any issue (which would include the labor issues regarding SAG) so realizing that the actors were about to go through their turn with the other side of the negotiating table, the AMPTP, and that our shows might not be safe from more labor turmoil, and that Pen could not work on the latest round of entertainment labor issues, I set up another LiveJournal community: Why We Watch
http://community.livejournal.com/whywewatchljcom/

I am fortunate to have some of the other fan liasons from other shows from the old FFWGA helping me out with this. And I have been working with actors (no one from CI though, sorry) on helping the actors get a decent deal preferably without a strike or a lockout. AFTRA's deal to me is inadequate to the task so I support SAG in their efforts to get a better deal

And for what it's worth, I am politically independent, belonging to no party. But I do think the actors are right in this case, so just as I supported the writers I support the actors.

FYI WhyWeWatch also still supports the WGA in some of their other issues. One thing they want to do is make sure that reality shows and game shows allow the people who work for them to join unions (so that they'll be decently paid and not have to work overtime for free or not get their meal breaks, the latter two points being against various labor laws). So it will be around for some time to come.

Hope this answers your questions

The Vault

flashymom I think I'm gonna have to hire you as my PR spokesperson/assistant and accountant

Seriously though I apologize for not replying here sooner...had to send pins and other VDO goodies to Jill for the charity auctions at: http://criminalmindscharityblog.blogspot.com/

Plus I snuck out for my $3.99 lunch at my favorite local Mexican restaurant (they do one every Tuesday...mmmm...chicken fajitas)

The Vault

Hey VDOVault,

you are a great wealth of information. Thank you sooo much. If the actors do go on strike, like you I'll be on the side of the actors. I hope it doesn't come down to a strike but, if so I'll be supporting them.

Hi Vault,
Question for you. Now that the July 26th deadline has come and gone and SAG has basically come out and said that they are not going to strike, but are going to wait for the upcoming elections in mid-September, is there still concern about production of CI and is there any word about the re-signing of VDO, Kathryn Erbe, Julianne Nicholson, and Eric Bogosian? Since you posted that production is supposed to start in around mid-August (which was confirmed via several sources including Variety, although you were more specific as to when in August it happens) I would imagine that an announcement would have to come relatively quickly. Have you heard anything?

Hi LOCIfan1978

As far as a strike goes the last Logan Wheeler episode is shooting right now and is scheduled to wrap on August 1st. So it looks like we'll get all the way finished with Season 7 and with no more interruptions. Hooray! One thing I really wanted to see happen looks like it will happen.

I hadn't heard the formal announcement of the renewal of the actors contracts but I am pretty sure it is a done deal.

There may be a little slippage in the date in August when production restarts for Season 8 but what I had heard is that they want to be working starting in mid August. Shooting would start sometime in September (it does take some time to write scripts, plot out locations etc

The Vault

Thanks for the update Vault. I really appreciate it. I imagine that an announcement about the actors re-signing is on the horizon, especially since you mentioned that no one, absolutely no one, has mentioned or has a desire to leave. I read in the reports that they mention lensing is supposed to start in mid-August for the show. Do you know exactly what the term lensing means?

Vault, I'm a certified paralegal with 25 years of experience...You hiring?? I live near NYC!

Vault,
I know I've asked the same question before about this topic, but what exactly is going on with the re-signing of all the actors for season 8. I recently read what was written about the new writers/show runners for LOCI and in reading between the lines in the article, they basically confirmed that Julianne Nicholson and Eric Bogosian have re-signed, but they make no mention of VDO and Kathryn Erbe renewing their contracts. I would think it to be a formality since the talk is all about the fact that one of the writers is going to script Goren/Eames episodes, and one is going to script Wheeler/Yet-to-be name partner, episodes. When can we expect to hear a formal announcement? Got any incite?

Is it possible that when VDO and KE signed last year, they signed multi year contracts, and their contracts are not at issue?

If not, at this late date, if either of these principal actors were not going to be around for a season 8, it would be all over, everywhere. I personally don't believe either actor would walk away and leave the show in the lurch at the last minute. I realize I don't know either of them, but I know both of them - the integrity and ethics both infuse their characters with, I believe is a reflection on themselves.

Just because there hasn't been a formal announcement, doesn't mean they haven't re-signed. There is an article in the upcoming issue of TV guide listing the salaries of television actors. Both Vincent and Kathryn's (along with Jeff Goldblums are revealed) I doubt they would do that if they hadn't re-signed. Add the numerous articles about the new showrunners and which one will work with Vincent and Jeff, I think it's pretty obvious they've worked out a new contract.

I would like to think and hope that they have a new contract signed, but at the same time, nothing is official until it is official. I mean look at what happened with Chris Noth. He just out of the blue said I'm done, like what one or two episodes before wrapping up the season. I am sure they are re-signed but an announcement would be nice because I have seen things in the industry where at the last second they say nope, a show has not been renewed or someone is not returning to said show, etc. I doubt that is the case here because as VDO Vault has pointed out there has been no rumors that anyone wants to leave. BTW, exactly how much do our favorite beloved actors VDO, Kathryn Erbe, and Jeff Goldblum make per episode? I am just curious.

I'll have to look at the article again because I didn't see VDO listed. But Jeff was listed at $250,000 and Kathryn at $200,000 per episode. Which made me go...Hmmm........Why is Jeff getting more than Kathryn?

Oh, I don't know that Noth's departure was out of the blue. It was out of the blue to us, but the people who run the show might have known for months. They just don't TELL us anything. I'm not worried about Vincent and Kate for next season. Now that they are doing every other eppy so they're not run ragged, both of them appreciate work that keeps them home with their young children, not off on location 10 months of the year.




Now don't hit me for this, I love Kate and I love Eames. But Jeff G is, yanno, a star. Kate is a really good lead sidekick. That's the way it goes.

When the actors were asking for a raise last year, thought I read Erbe, Noth and D'Onofrio were getting $350,000 per episode. The only one under Goldblum's scale would be Nicholson.

I'll have to look when I get home. I thought that's what I remembered reading, but never trust my memory!

I don't comment very often but curiousity has got the better of me here

Why on earth would Dick Wolf be talking about new show runners for Vincent and Kate, if Vincent and Kate were not going to be there? I'm not expecting any 'grand announcement' that they have new contracts, based purely on a theory that the only story would be if they had NOT signed. If that was the case, I'm sure we'd have heard by now, USA would probably not have decided to go ahead with an 8th year - my personal opinion is the show could not, and would not, survive without Vincent D'Onofrio and Katherine Erbe - and Dick Wolf wouldn't be making statements in the press about which show runners are working with which team. He'd look really stupid if it was announced now that Vincent and Kate were not returning; and I don't think Dick Wolf is a 'stupid' sort of person

Chris Noth is the one who has left, and considering the speed with which Jeff Goldblum was announced as his replacement, I'd imagine (though I have no insider knowledge of course) that they knew Chris's contract was up and he was not planning on staying. There doesn't seem to be any evidence anywhere that Vincent and Kate are not going to be back - quite the contrary - so I'm looking forward to the end of season 7 and the start of season 8 - WITH Vincent and Kate

Well said, Insomniac!

I kind of thought that the USA Network press release of a few days ago mentioning the new showrunner teams and the Season 8 start date along with which actors will have which showrunners working for them establishes that only Chris Noth has not re-signed. So unless something really freakish happens over the next several weeks I expect D'Onofrio, Erbe, Bogosian, and Nicholson to return to work in a while (probably sometime in September).

As far as salaries are concerned, that is something I don't have any information about. I have heard all the same rumors the rest of you have (the usual sources are Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and I guess TV Guide although I rarely read TV Guide even online). The range I have heard varies from actor to actor and goes from $200,000 - under $350,000 an episode. But that's not a question I would ever ask to the people who might know because unless I'm planning on going into acting and becoming a member of the recognizable list of actors and actresses it's really none of my business. It's also not a question I would want to be asked myself no matter what I was working on (it's kind of personal, don't you think?).

The only actor salaries I am currently concerned with are the minimum (or scale) salaries union actors in SAG (and AFTRA) make. The numbers I have seen here are pretty low, especially if a given actor or actress works sporadically (as most do) and the scale numbers serve as a floor...they protect the majority of union members (think of scale as their minimum entry-level wage) and allow the minority of popular and desirable 'name' actors and actresses a starting point from which they negotiate upwards.

And you would be surprised at how many talented and experienced actors and actresses with names you have heard have been told they need to work for 'scale plus ten' or the union minimum plus 10% to be paid to their agents. Rapidly going are the days when talented and experienced actors and actresses with names you know have 'quotes' or amounts they are paid above the absolute minimum 'scale plus ten' and the actors like the top of the A list who get paid as much as $20 million a film plus a percentage of the boxoffice take before deduction of any expenses (called 'the gross').

If something isn't done about this now, well the future of the industry looks really bleak. And you can kiss the acting 'middle class' (which included experienced character actors) goodbye just like the general American middle class seems to be either falling towards poverty or in a very few lucky circumstances zooming towards wildly rich.

The Vault

Vault, ITA. Salaries are nobody's business IMO. The middle class is disappearing on Long Island that's for sure. It will be the rich and those who serve them in about 10 years if things don't change. We live in a strange time.

I hope the middle class actors and the middle class hang on!

Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but last I heard, VDO at least is on a yearly contract. He signs by the year. He said it was the best job he had, working every other week, and as long as they wanted him he was going to stay. It allowed him to film movies and stay in NYC with his family.