By the mid 1990's, Cronin teamed up with writing partner Gary Auerbach to form Mindless Entertainment, creating a variety of programs including The X Show, America's Most Smartest Model, Extreme Dodgeball, and Beat the Geeks. Shortly after Auerbach left, the company was joined in 2004 with 51 Pictures to become 51 Minds Entertainment, which in 2008 was bought by Endemol USA.