Massive Morning Reads Breakdown: Something For Everyone

The folks at "Criminal Minds" tell the New York Times that Joe Mantegna is a fantastic replacement for Mandy Patinkin, and the show will be better than ever, and Mantegna was the one they were really serious about offering the part, despite all those reports about Geena Davis and others. Uh huh. ... GMMR mulls bloggers as an avenue for TV publicity. ... Ramblings Of A TV Whore mulls early release of pilots on the Internet, in light of the fact that we won't be seeing "Pushing Daisies" online before the premiere. ... TV Squad breaks down last night's "Damages." ... Televisionista offers up some "Private Practice" spoilers and even better pictures. ... Ausiello sez former "ER" doc Michael Michele will pay a visit to "House" in an episode involving the, gulp, CIA. ... Jerry Lewis sez he's sorry for making a "fag "joke on the MDA telethon. Tut, tut. Maybe time to retire, there, Jer. ... In a move sure to please the soon-to-strike writer's guild and screen actor's guild, HBO has bought the rights to a film shot entirely in Second Life. ... CBS continues to back "Kid Nation," thought there are more bumps in the road, especially lost advertising, according to AdAge.  ... Zac Efron denies a salary dispute over "High School Musical 3." ... Stereogum says The Shins are the latest to record a version of "Little Boxes" for the "Weeds" opening credits, and has a link to a stream. ...