“Criminal Minds” ratings have been doing pretty well since it premiered in September 2005 with the original cast of Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Mandy Patinkin, Lola Gaudini, Kirsten Vangsness, Matthew Gray Gubler, AJ Cook and Paget Brewster. However, when the producers started doing the cast rotation (terminating and replacing), fans also started to lose their interest in watching the show. Adding more insult to a potential injury, the producers fired Gibson in August 2016 following an alleged altercation with a writer in one of the episodes that the actor was directing.
As a result, some die-hard fans started a massive Twitter hashtag #NoHotchNoWatch, which has hit a milestone this month.
The massive boycott
When Thomas Gibson was fired in “Criminal Minds,” fans tried to file a petition in an attempt to get him back in the show. Over on Twitter, they started the hashtag #NoHotchNoWatch to deliver a message to the producers and showrunners that the show is losing viewers after Gibson’s termination. His character as Special Supervisory Agent Aaron Hotchner captured the hearts of so many fans around the world. He lacked wit and humor but this is one thing that people loved about him because, behind his serious aura, his determination to defend the people from the criminals is solid.
Fans badly wanted him back in “Criminal Minds” but the producers remained firm with their decision despite the show’s declining ratings since Gibson’s exit. The actor immediately apologized and explained that the disagreement stemmed from his creative differences with the writer. However, the producers were firm and hired other actors instead to replace Gibson.
Damon Gupton was eventually hired and played the role of Special Agent Stephen Walker. Unfortunately, he is another casualty of the show’s cast rotation and Daniel Henney is coming in to replace him in Season 13.
Hey Folks. Here is UPDATED Poster of all of you wonderful folks who've supported #NoHotchNoWatch
— Phoenix Rising (@bnbreilly) August 11, 2017
Let the world Know! #WeAreStillStanding pic.twitter.com/00TBcZ8Iuv
This is a real Chief #ThomasGibsonStillStanding #NoHotchNoWatch pic.twitter.com/Ethc8GIw5w
— IreGibby Stürtz🇦🇷 (@irevivis) August 17, 2017
With fall season on the horizon, will still not watch CM unless they bring back @ImThomasGibson! Reruns it is! #NoHotchNoWatch
— Dr. Cheryl (@cherylewhitten) August 14, 2017
#NoHotchNoWatch turns one
On Twitter, fans celebrate year one for not watching “Criminal Minds” since Thomas Gibson’s departure from the show.
Fans also created the hashtag #WeAreStillStanding to celebrate the milestone that #NoHotchNoWatch has reached. These fans that stopped watching the show are the major reasons why the ratings are declining. According to TV Series Finale, the show’s ratings in Season 12 dropped more than 17 percent overall and roughly 23 percent in demographic compared to Season 11. Shemar Moore’s exit also made an impact on the show’s ratings and fans quitting the show are clearly the people behind the declining ratings.
“Criminal Minds” Season 13 returns on September 27 at 10 PM EST on CBS. We will provide more updates about the show in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to Blasting News!
