The Real Reason This Criminal Minds Casting Director Was Fired
With 15 seasons and 323 episodes, "Criminal Minds" has provided a platform for many actors to appear on the show. Some very famous names have appeared alongside the BAU regulars. This includes Michelle Trachtenberg, Jason Alexander, Aaron Paul, Aubrey Plaza, James van Der Beek, the late Luke Perry, and of course, Jane Lynch recurring as Spencer Reid's mother, Diana.
Just like the revolving door of guest stars on several "Law and Order" shows, many actors dreaming of stardom begin their careers on crime procedurals like "Criminal Minds." For these aspiring talents, casting directors hold a lot of power, and can make or break the chance of success. Unfortunately, casting directors may not always wield their power wisely, and they can use their influence for their own personal gain.
Such is the case with Scott David, the original casting director for "Criminal Minds," who turned out to be engaging in some shady practices that cost him his job. Here's what led to his firing from the show.
Scott David's workshops were "pay to play" scams
In 2016, The Hollywood Reporter published an explosive investigation into Hollywood acting workshops. Basically, these were "pay to play" scams, where struggling actors would pay to attend a workshop hosted by David (or one of many other casting directors investigated). This would make the actors more likely to secure auditions, forcing performers to spend money just for the hopes of snagging a role on a hit show like "Criminal Minds." The day after the report was published, "Criminal Minds" production company Touchstone Television fired David.
Prior to THR's report, David was a contentious figure in the television casting community for years, simultaneously working on the CBS procedural while owning The Actors Link, the source of his "pay to play." Some argue that paid networking opportunities are simply an unavoidable cost of the business and a great way to advance your career, while others decry them as predatory practices (as revealed by THR).
Regardless, David's business practices were considered too much of a liability for Touchstone. After his departure, casting opportunities are hopefully more equitable for "Criminal Minds" hopeless, and more actors have a shot at adding the series to their headshots.