TV Talk Discussion Group

Topic: Changes at CSI this fall

The new Entertainment Weekly reports these changes at the original "CSI" series this fall...

Sara will return for a few episodes (other sources say it's the first 3).

William Peterson's Grissom will leave after 10 episodes.  The character will leave because Grissom is "in crisis., As a man, as a scientist, as a teacher".  Whatever that may be.  While Grissom and Sara may not ride off into the sunset together, Sara "is involved".  Somewhere down the line, we will see the return of Lady Heather.  Grissom may still appear from time to time, however.  William Friedkin will direct the upcoming 200th episode of the series, and Grissom will be around for that.

With Grissom, Sara and Warrick Brown out, they are making full-fledged regulars out of Liz Vassey (lab assistant Wendy) and David Berman (assistant coroner David Phillips). 

New to the cast will be Lauren Lee Smith(Lara Perkins on "The L Word") first appearing in the 3rd episode. And a new CSI, a male professor with a genetic quirk(naturally) will be added later in the fall.  While he's not necessarily Grissom's replacement, as supervisor, he'll seem that way because of "the caliber of actor being sought for the role".  The top names on the shortlist?  Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Laurence Fishburne.  I kid you not.

I personally prefer the original "CSI" over it's other incarnations.  That said, it's become more pedestrian viewing for me.  If nothing else is on, I might watch it, but don't feel it necessary to see every episode.  Maybe all these changes will help.  Frankly, many of the episodes just seem like the actors are phoning it in.  Hopefully this will shake things up a bit.  I really like Liz Vassey, so that's good.  I hope the new guy is John Malkovich.  Too bad they killed off Liev Shrieber...he would have been great to return.

For what it's worth....

I agree with everyone who said they won't watch without William Peterson. He is the most appealing person on this show and even though I was never a big Sara fan I did like her with Grissom. I also really liked Warrick. In my opinion they could get rid of David Caruso on CSI Miami and I would not care. I like Gary Sinise on CSI NY though and would hate to see him gone.

Somebody mentioned the cast changes on Criminal Minds and while I like Paget Brewster and never cared about Elle that much I did like Mandy Patinkin a lot more than Joe Montegna.

When Peterson leaves I will be gone also. My three favorite charactors are (was) Warrick Grissom and Sara. I can't believe this is happening to my favorite show. I can't stand the idea of Fishborn or Malkovich on the show. I really don't think the show will be able to survive without Peterson/ Grissom. When he does leave I hope he and Sara do ride off into the sunset together. I have been watching since the very first show. Thursdays will never be the same for me again.

Replies: (list all replies)

I couldn't disagree more! The show can thrive w/new characters. There is no reason why it has to die just because a few of the original performers aren't there. Liz Vassey, for example, has been on the show, as a recurring character, for yrs! It isn't as though WP is leaving the show all together. He is staying on behind the scenes & coming back for the occasional episode here & there. The show didn't die when he took time off to do theater. It shouldn't die now either. eom

I disagree Grissom is the heart and soulof the show. CSI without Grissom will be a shadow of its self. Yeah the show may stay on a few more year but it will never be the same. I will only be watching when WP is on. In my opinion Fishburn or Malkovich could never play a charactor thet could ever make me care about them like WP. I do believ that Kurt Russell could play a charactor I could care about but without SARA, GRISSOM OR WARRICK I won't be watching EOM ...HAMCAT

HAMCAT: There have been lots of shows on tv, in primetime, that lost original players over the run. I felt as you do, but was often pleasantly surprised (when it was done well) w/new, fresh faces. It opens the door to new storylines, new characters & expands on the original premise in a good way. One of the more recent examples was Criminal Minds. Personally, I prefer the show without Mandy Patinkin & the character of Elle. Both characters are gone & the 'replacement' characters are far more believeable & interesting to me. Just think of what would have been lost in the L&O franchise if they had limited, particularly the original Law & Order, to the original casts! The same went for Cagney & Lacy. Sharon Gless wasn't the original partner on the series, but she is always thought of as THE Chris Cagney! Soaps wouldn't exist if they were limited to only the original players, w/no recasts or new characters on the canvas! A lot of people think of Erika Slezak, for example, as THE Viki, when she was a recast. The same w/Robin Strasser as Dorian. She didn't originate the role. I'm more than happy to give a new actor a chance to make him/herself at home & embrace the changes. eom

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Posted by: cantturnaway
Date posted: Mon Jul 21 11:06:44 2008
Message:
I heard the news that William Peterson was leaving and made my decision to not watch anymore. I absolutely love the original CSI but I also absolutely love the original cast. I have to admit I have a huge grown up crush on Grissom and just don't think I can watch the show without him. His character brought that special something to the show. He was tough yet sensitive and so funny.

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I Totaly agree with you. I have been captivated with Grissom from day 1. My husband knows that Gill Grissom is the only man I would ever leave him for LOL. It's a good thing Grissom is not a real person EOM... HAMCAT

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Posted by: Rosebud1
Date posted: Sun Jul 20 20:21:32 2008
Message:
It would be nice if they could get Fishburne.  In keeping w/their soap opera alum record, w/all the CSI shows. 

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