Laurence Fishburne joins CSI cast

[Candlelight]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4661523a1860.html

Stage and screen star Laurence Fishburne's last turn as a series regular on network television was the role of Cowboy Curtis on the 1980s kids show Pee-wee's Playhouse.
So the acclaimed actor - better known for playing dark, brooding characters - says he looks forward to his new TV gig as a forensics investigator with disturbing tendencies on the hit CBS detective drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Not that he had ever seen the series before his first meeting with the show's executive producers, Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar.
"I felt a little stupid and embarrassed that I hadn't watched the show prior to having a meeting with them," Fishburne, 47, acknowledged in a conference call with reporters for the announcement that he is joining the show's cast.
"But I'm happy to say that the episodes that they sent me to look at were really, really engaging and really wonderful, and kind of dark and moody, like a lot of the work that I've actually been involved in," he added. "So I'm very excited."

I look forward to it, although I think the show has jumped the shark already.

[gh4chiefs]

Nothing against Fishburne, but CSI ain't CSI without Grissom.

[PsychoPere]

This is a waste of Fishburne's talent.

[Harvey]

PsychoPere wrote:

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This is a waste of Fishburne's talent.

What I was going to say, although movies like 21 aren't exactly a good use of his talent, either. When was the last time he had a part in something great? Mystic River?

[gblews]

PsychoPere wrote:

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This is a waste of Fishburne's talent.

You might be right about this, but I suspect it won't matter, because he will lift that show, the writing, and his fellow actors. I'm quite tempted to watch, and CSI is definitely not my cup of tea.

[ladyheather69]

Well, I like him too, but also think that CSI isn't CSI without Grissom. and if the writers are smart, then this will be the last season. It just doesn't work without the people that made it, ya know?

[Candlelight]

Event Horizon!

Sorry...

[Dream]

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

*takes off sunglasses*

*YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[nx1701g]

I've been pretty much convinced he'd get the role since his name was listed in the rumors. I'm happy with it.

[Starbreaker]

I think he's officially the last person on earth to watch an episode of CSI.

[Aragorn]

He's had quite a few turkeys lately. Small roles in mainstream movies no one saw, and lead roles in movies that went straight-to-DVD. Of the rumored names (Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, etc.), Fishburne was hurting (not financially) the most.

[MyCylon]

I still have a hard time imagining CSI without Grissom but I'm certainly interested in seeing what they'll do with Fishburne.

[Mutenroshi]

Hey Larry, aren't you supposed to take care of the Alchemist instead?
Go back to work!

[God Magnus]

Dream wrote:

---

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

*takes off sunglasses*

*YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I could SO see something like that in my head. There would have to be a dramatic pause between "You" and the "have to see it.." of course.

Seriously, I'm happy with this casting choice. He can definitely serve as a strong lead and the series is also bringing in at least one other new character I believe. It will be a true test of the show's formula as to how well it will do from here out.

[doubleohfive]

Dream wrote:

---

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

*takes off sunglasses*

*YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"