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| Adding fresh blood to a long running series: TV veteran Ted Danson joins CSI. Images: CBS PARAMOUNT. |
Despite its strong popularity of ten years and beyond in the mountain climes of US television ratings, my own personal and regular viewing commitment to CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION- creator Anthony Zuiker's Las Vegas-based, intriguing blend of mystery, drama, mild quirky comedy and forensic sciences (which would soon become a TV juggernaut on launch and spawn two further series spin-offs)- started to wander around about mid-season six, my feelings being that the show had begun showing creaky strains of writing fatigue/mild complacency, and suffering from a bad case of what shall we do next? problem-solving behind the scenes with the oncoming departure of the show's charismatic lead character, Gil Grissom, as played by popular film actor William Petersen (who would also co-produce the series along with Cynthia Chvatal). Laurence Fishburne, a fine and dedicated actor of strong standing and respected clout in Hollywood, would try to fill in the hole left by the departed Peterson for several seasons in his likable performance as Criminologist turned forensic scientist Ray Langton, but it would ultimately prove tough-going. As the years of rock solid ratings slightly dropped for it maker CBS/PARAMOUNT, the Langston character failed to totally win the hearts and minds of an audience clearly missing Grissom. I also think that this problem was down to the the series writers not quite getting a firm grip on the Langston character and his true directional place and worth in the series-especially with Marg Helgenberger's character of Catherine Willows-once second-in-command to Grissom, now taking a deserved spot as team leader. Fishburne's sad departure after two seasons, however, would prove to be be TV's loss but ultimately cinemas (re)gain. No disrespect to CSI fans or Miss Helgenberger, but I have to be honest in saying that I thought Fishburne was too good for the series to not be its firm lead.
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| In his first assignment, D. B. Russell (Danson) joins Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) and Stokes (George Eads) on a murder within a subway car. |
Now, as the series continues into its current twelfth series, CSI thankfully seems to have hit a creative high note once again, as the new character of Crime Lab boss D. B. Russell, played by popular Golden Globe/Emmy winning TV actor Ted Danson, best known worldwide as the likable rogue bar man and skirt chaser of Boston bar CHEERS- Sam Malone- and as the egotistical, seedy and selfish businessman/millionaire of DAMAGES, Arthur Frobisher, makes his occasionally quirky new mark, comfortably settling in to the series as an individual and as part of the shows ensemble cast whilst also importantly maintaining and garnering continued loyal viewer appreciation. It seems that the shows network and behind the seasons team decision to have a popular, recognisable TV name as the new series lead has not gone unrewarded as CSI remains steadily strong in the ratings race despite a new time/day slot States-side.
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| Happy death-day! Another gruesome, bloody murder to be investigated... |
First look: Danson in CSI: Ted Danson on CSI first-look video preview | Inside TV | EW.com
CSI: Season 12 Promo #5 - Mystery Solved - YouTube
Sadly, as one door opens another closes as series long-term lead Helgenbenger, playing red-headed beauty Catherine Willows since the shows start in 1999, has finally decided to hang up her lab coat and quit the series with this season, so as to pursue other successful acting roles in film and on the stage (though future occasional episode cameos on CSI have not been ruled out). I'm sure both Marg's and CSI fans in general worldwide will join me in congratulating her for her dedicated work on the show and wish her success for the future. Intriguingly filling in the slot left by Helgenberger comes the news that Academy Award nominated actress Elizabeth Shue, previously used to the Vegas high and lows whilst playing a stripper in the critically acclaimed movie LEAVING LAS VEGAS, will be joining the series as an experienced but volatile lab scientist who, having now controlled her anger management issues, has to get her life back together working within a team and with its equally new leader Russell, a man of whom she has previously had an antagonistic relationship with several years earlier in Seattle. Sparks will surely fly whilst the corpses pile up!
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| The new look CSI team walk the Vegas crime-scene strip! |
With such intriguing new additions to the series, alongside a hopefully more refreshed and sparky team of writers/behind the scenes talent, I'm actually looking forward to sitting down to watch the return of CSI once it officially reaches British shores-aka channel FIVE-early next year....
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