Patinkin gets 'Criminal' extension

Mandy Patinkin's exit from "Criminal Minds" will stretch a bit longer than originally anticipated.

Last month, CBS Entertainment prexy Nina Tassler said Patinkin would appear in one episode of the show in order to tie up loose ends. Now it turns out that Patinkin will actually pop up in two episodes of the show -- the Sept. 26 season premiere and the next week's seg.

The extra dose of Patinkin comes even though Patinkin spent just one day on the "Minds" set shooting his scenes. Producers constructed a storyline in such a way that his scenes will play out over two episodes, giving CBS an extra dose of promotional firepower.

Joe Mantegna is filling the vacancy left by Patinkin's exit.

Source: Variety