Don't front. You know you love Criminal Minds. What started as kind of a rip-off of CSI has turned into one of the most highly rated television shows on CBS...that no one actually admits to watching but me. However, I know you fellow fans are out there because roughly 13 million people watch the show every week.
True, the show is kind of hard to follow at times and it literally took me four years to figure out what an "unsub" was, I love their continued quest to track down every serial killer, rapist and kidnapper that happens to terrorize a different city in American at the same time every Wednesday. So let's cut the crap and all start admitting that we love it. Here are nine reasons to love those crazy kids from the Behavioral Crime Unit.
1. It's Always Warm.
Feeling chilly? Then tune into Criminal Minds! Because no matter where the BAU is called to it's always warm and none of them will be wearing coats... ever. They could be called to Boise, Idaho in the middle of November and the entire cast will be rocking short sleeves or button ups.
2. Mandy Patinkin Hates Violence.
After the season two finale, Mandy Patinkin left the cast of Criminal Minds because he considered the series to be too violent. He can now be seen in the epically popular series Homeland... Which isn't violent at all... Hmmm...
3. You can play Six Degrees of Separation with Amber Tamblyn.
Joe Mantegna was featured on the hit series Joan of Arcadia with Tamblyn.
Shemar Moore announced Susan Lucci winning the Daytime Emmy in 1999. Lucci starred on All My Children with Sarah Michelle Gellar who appeared in The Grudge 2 with Tamblyn. Both Mandy Patinkin and Thomas Gibson appeared on Chicago Hope, which also starred Carla Gugino who was in Snake Eyes with Nicolas Cage who is featured in the upcoming movie The Croods with Ryan Reynolds who is married to Blake Lively who was in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with Ambery Tamblyn.
Matthew Gray Gubler was in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou with Owen Wilson who was in Wedding Crashers with Kathryn Joosten who was on Joan of Arcadia with Amber Tamblyn.
A.J. Cook was in The Virgin Suicides with Josh Hartnett who was in The Faculty with Selma Hayek who was on Ugly Betty with America Ferrera who co-starred in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with Amber Tamblyn.
It's a fun game. Try playing it next time you watch Criminal Minds.
4. Doppelgangers abound.
Did you know they had the nerve to not renew the fabulous A.J. Cook's contract at one point? Meanwhile, how hot is she? And that's coming from a gay man. They replaced her with Rachel Nichols, who was not only a dead ringer for Cook (and if you weren't paying close attention, you'd think was Cook anyway), but was also kicked out of bed by Samantha on Sex and the City after her ill-fated attempt at having a threesome. Rachel Nichols was, coincidentally enough, in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 with, you guessed it, Amber Tamblyn. See what a fun game that is.
5. The current members of the BAU have collectively helped in catching every serial killer in the past three decades.
No matter where they are or how long ago it was, either Aaron Hotchner or David Rossi have tracked a well known serial killer, either together or separately. It's not uncommon to hear references to criminals of the past, whom they helped catch in various states across this great land of ours. Meanwhile, neither actor is above throwing on a bad wig for a "flashback segment" either.
6. Turns out, Dawson Leery and Malcolm from Malcolm in the Middle are both creepy as hell.
Both James Van Der Beek and Frankie Muniz have guest-starred on Criminal Minds as serial killers, who are guaranteed to not only scare the crap out of you, but force you to all but forget their wholesome '90s images.
7. Shemar Moore is the sexiest black man alive.
He turned heads on The Young and the Restless, but for some reason on Criminal Minds Moore solidifies his position as the sexiest black man alive. It must have something to do with the fact that he is either always chasing after a bad guy or kicking the crap out of a serial killer. Either way, he's sure to get your blood boiling.
8. Everyone Loves a Jeanne Tripplehorn Appearance.
You know you do! We forgive you for Waterworld, Jeanne, and fully embrace your post-Big Love appearances on Criminal Minds.
9. It's chock full of Broadway vets cameos.
If you're a fan of the theater, there are a ton of Broadway vets who pop up occasionally on Criminal Minds including, Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson who appears regularly as Erin Strauss, Tony Award winner Keith Carradine made several appearances as psychopathic killer Frank Breitkopf and Dan Lauria who had a critically acclaimed turn on the Great White Way in Lombardi appeared as General Lee Whitworth in the series' fourth season just to name a few.
Criminal Minds is amazing, but don't take my word for it -- see for yourself. New episodes of Criminal Minds air every Wednesday at 9pm EST/ 8pm EST on CBS.