Criminal Activity: Criminal Minds is cutting its female cast, reportedly because of financial restraints, as it heads into its sixth season. Series regular A.J. Cook will not return, and co-star Paget Brewster will be bumped down to a reduced number of episodes (Brewster is currently negotiating with the network.) Only “fan favorite†Kristen Vangsness, who plays “quirky nerd goddess†Penelope Garcia, will return as a full-time female cast member, which we suppose makes her survival a real-life version of Revenge of the Nerds, or something. [Deadline]
The Real McCoy: “Billionaire†singer Travie McCoy will be taking Nicki Minaj’s place as the opener on Rihanna and Ke$ha’s Last Girl on Earth tour this summer. Hopefully things won’t be too awkward between McCoy and Rihanna, who is famously BFFs with McCoy’s famous ex. [Idolator]
Passion Play: Trey Songz will be embarking on the Passion, Pain & Pleasure tour across the U.S. this summer. Named after his upcoming album, the tour will begin August 6 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and end in New York City on September 17. He will be joined by opener Monica — and without Brandy around, looks like the boy is hers. [MTV]
Seeing Red: John Logan, whose Red won best play at the Tonys Sunday night, will again be teaming up with Eddie Redmayne, who won the Tony for best featured actor for the play. Redmayne is in talks to play the lead in the drama pilot for HBO’s A Miraculous Year, which was written by Logan and will be directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Other actors in talks to join the Broadway-themed project include Norbert Leo Butz, Hope Davis, Frank Langella, and Patti LuPone. If only Broadway had the buzz currently maintained by Broadway TV shows, then it’d be in great shape. [Deadline]
Hope Floats: ABC has completely gutted the cast of the drama Edgar Floats. The network ordered six scripts of the series last month after it missed the cut for the upfronts. But now ABC has dropped essentially all of the original cast members, including Tom Cavanagh (Ed), Alicia Witt, and Derek Webster, and will recast every part. The only actor from the pilot that will remain is Robert Patrick (The Unit), who has seemingly won this game of TV pilot Survivor by default. [Deadline]
Cox In for Kennedy: Mekia Cox (90210) has been cast in the upcoming J.J. Abrams spy drama Undercovers for ABC. Cox will be replacing Jessica Parker Kennedy in the role of Lizzy, the female lead’s older sister who has no idea her family is involved with the CIA. Be patient, Mekia; we’re guessing you’ll find out right about the time November Sweeps rolls through. [HR]