William Petersen Leaves CSI

[Turd Ferguson]

This show's still on? Shit.

 

[Candlelight]

The show jumped a shark so long ago they're up to jumping whales now.

 

[Captain Craig]

I'm sensing that CSI may not be with us for much longer.

Oh well, it had a real good run.

Will the TV-philes treat this as a L&O or ER cast change and accept it or an X-Files type change and abandon ship?

 

[Starbreaker]

Well, considering 75% of TalkCSI just watches because of the "hot guys" and the shipping, I think there's enough male bodies to carry the show for an infinite number of seasons.

 

[smeos]

CSI deserves to die a peasant's death.

 

[bigdaddy]

The could just cancel the show and start nother spinoff with anyone who might be left.

 

[wamdue]

The could just cancel the show and start nother spinoff with anyone who might be left.

yes a Catherine spin-off based elsewhere could work

 

[Aragorn]

Andy Garcia was offered CSI: NY. I wonder if they'll try to go after him again for Vegas.

 

[nx1701g]

I'm sensing that CSI may not be with us for much longer.

Oh well, it had a real good run.

Will the TV-philes treat this as a L&O or ER cast change and accept it or an X-Files type change and abandon ship?

Good question.

 

[tenmei]

Didn't they bring in Liv Schreiber as a temporary replacement for Grissom last year? Is it possible they could grab him for a permanent spot - that is if Schreiber isn't doing much?

 

[Jack Bauer]

Didn't they bring in Liv Schreiber as a temporary replacement for Grissom last year? Is it possible they could grab him for a permanent spot - that is if Schreiber isn't doing much?

Spoiler: ^^^

That would be hard to pull off considering that his character died.

 

[tenmei]

Oh, right. I didn't actually see the episode! Lol.

 

[MyCylon]

I'd heard that he wanted to leave some time ago. It's a real shame. I really like the character of Grissom.

 

[IDIC]

If you are worried about the future of CSI, I would say dont. I think it could survive any of the main characters leaving if it gets some equally engaging characters to fill in.

*Jorja Fox will be back for "multiple" episodes, beginning with September's season premiere -- an hour that will also feature an appearance by Gary Dourdan's Warrick, who was seemingly shot to death in last May's finale. "We're not saying whether or not Warrick lives or dies," hedges Mendelsohn, "but we will say that the premiere may be the last time our loyal fans see the entire original CSI cast together." * Previously-announced addition Lauren Lee Smith (The L Word) joins the cast in the third episode as new CSI Riley Adams. "She will come in to ostensibly replace Sara Sidle," says Mendelsohn. "She has a very distinct personality... a very wry sense of humor. She doesn't take herself too seriously." Adds Shankar: "This is a person who, unlike the rest of our gang, has not had Grissom as a mentor. So there's a very different relationship between Riley and Grissom."
* Another new CSI, this time a male, will be brought in later this fall, but "he will not appear on the landscape as a CSI to begin with," teases Mendelsohn. "He's a professor with background in pathology. He will appear when Grissom is investigating what will be a two-part case. He will help Grissom and the team bring the perpetrator to justice, and then this character will stay around and ultimately become a CSI." And although Mendelsohn says the new guy (who will possess a very rare genetic abnormality) will "not necessarily [replace Grissom as] supervisor," he'll inevitably be branded Petersen's replacement -- if for no other reason than the caliber of actor being sought for the role: Kurt Russell, Laurence Fishburne and John Malkovich are said to be at the top of CBS' wish list. Of the three, Mendelsohn would only confirm that Malkovich was approached, adding that "scheduling conflicts" had quickly taken him out of the running.
* Current cast members Liz Vassey (lab rat Wendy) and David Berman (coroner David) have been upped to full-fledged series regulars. Wallace Langham's Hodges, meanwhile, will become more prominent.
* Arguably the drama's most infamous serial menace to date, the Miniature Killer, "will come back for an episode," Mendelsohn reveals. "Grissom will cross paths with her."
* Finally, the show will celebrate its landmark 200th episode this spring with a blockbuster installment helmed once again by Petersen's good friend (and To Live and Die in L.A. director) William Friedkin. Is it fair to assume that this could be the episode in which Petersen debuts as a very special CSI guest star? "Billy will definitely be on the set for Mr. Friedkin's episode -- whether it's behind the camera or in front of the camera is TBD," Mendelsohn teases. "I don't think you'll be able to keep him away once he's back in L.A."

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/07/exclusive-csi-b.html

 

[BenRoethig]

He's not so much leaving as transitioning to a producer. His character will become more of a recurring role.

 

[Jack Bauer]

As long as they bring in good actors and interesting characters as replacments it should be ok. I like that Liz Vassey () is now a series regular.

 

[jkladis]

Petersen has checked out, while I.....am checking in.

Yeahhhhhhhh!!!

 

[archeryguy1701]

^

Well, I have no interest in watching CSI anymore. I liked Sarah and Warrick, but I can get over them leaving. However, I'm not a happy camper over Petersen. Grisson was CSI, so combining him with the other departures, I don't care any more.

 

[Roger Wilco]

The show jumped a shark so long ago they're up to jumping whales now.

Well, there certainly have been many shark-jumping moments, but imo the show has been consistently interesting and well written. I would miss it.

 

[Kimi3013]

delete, missed the second page..