NEW HANDS ON DECK: 'CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION' SEASON TWELVE

Ted Danson and Elisabeth Shue in the new season of CSI. Images: CBS.

We've already showcased the premiere appearance of Ted Danson as DB Russell, the new lead star of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (finally arriving on the UK's FIVE channel from next Tuesday 13th March) in a previous feature (VIVA LAS VEGAS! TED DANSON'S NEW REIGN ON "CSI" | KOOL TV), but here's some additional episodic stills introducing the arrival of another anticipated name actor to the series: the lovely Elisabeth Shue, taking over from Marg Helgenberger's departing Catherine Willows, as Julie (Finn) Finlay, the volatile but dedicated forensics expert, and once co-worker to Russell in Seattle, making her first appearance in the show, then bonding with the Las Vegas based team in her own unique way, within the episode Seeing Red.

New look titles: CSI Las Vegas - Season 12 Intro {w/ Elisabeth Shue} - YouTube

Building better work bonds: Julie and DB in the episode Stealing Home.

In the crime lab with Julie and Greg (Eric Szmanda) in the episode Seeing Red.

He died with his red shoes on! Another case for Nick (George Eads), Julie and DB in the episode Stealing Home.

New girls on the block: Morgan Brody (Elizabeth Harnois) and Julie in Trends with Benefits.

Greg and Morgan are on the case in the episode Bittersweet.

The team pool their formidable resources in Seeing Red.

For the first time in ages, this fresh new look to the long-running, still in the top ten US ratings list series (which also include young blond newcomer Elizabeth Harnois's addition to the swelling cast ranks in the season premiere episode, as Morgan Brody) actually has me want to start watching the show again after several much needed years away from it. Fingers crossed that this regenerative, creative shot in the arm, which I think the series really does need at this time, actually works well for the shows writers and producers as the CSI TV legend continues...

VIVA LAS VEGAS! TED DANSON'S NEW REIGN ON "CSI"

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.

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.

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!

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....

KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: "24"/ "GALACTICA"s KATEE SACKHOFF

Life beyond GALACTICA has never been better for the foxy Katee Sackhoff. Image: ULIKE.

Back in 2003 when popular ex-STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION writer Ronald D. Moore announced his bold plans for a darker, post 9/11 re-imagined version of the hit seventies sci-fi classic BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, originally created by Glen A. Larson, its loyal fans were already dubious about the way the show would be adapted for a new audience, and their fears were subsequently worsened when he announced that the popular lead character of the cigar smoking, crack shot pilot and womaniser Starbuck, previously immortalised by Dirk Benedict, would now be re-vamped and change gender to become a woman. This was shock horror news, and fans were not happy. Not happy at all! And their anger was soon certainly expressed worldwide by the fan communities, and even Benedict himself (who had turned down a cameo opportunity, presumably as a different role, to appear in the new show) thought the move to be a little bit too political correct. Fortunately, the re-imagined BATTLESTAR GALACTICA would go on to be a big success with many critics (who didn't like the original series but liked this one) and general audiences (many of whom had never actually seen the original show anyway), and won over many old fans by the end of the pilot and into its first year. As for the actress who would play the part of Starbuck, the name of her fighter pilot call-sign, when her real name in the series was Kara Thrace, that would be the lovely actress Katee Sackhoff who, in casting gold, soon blew pretty much all the naysayers away once she appeared on screen in the series pilot two parter. Even with Moore's re-working, this was still pretty much the same Starbuck we knew from before (there was the gambling, the cigar smoking, the cool, often fearless Viper fighter pilot with the occasional death wish!, and the sexual aspects to the role now reversed) but there was also a little bit more vulnerability and a lot more anger and hatred of senior command staff (especially the on-and off drunk Colonel Tigh (a great new take on the part as played by Michael Hogan), some of the rival pilots, and conflicts with Captain Apollo (Jamie Bamber) who, prior to their reunion on the Galactica post the destruction of their colony worlds, loved her despite her doomed relationship with his his late brother Zak, killed in a training error because she let him pass his flight exam when she knew he wasn't ready. Over four seasons, Starbuck would grow beyond those early episodes to become a very complex character and one you'd either love or hate by the revelations involving her in the shows final two years, but one thing was for certain, Katee Sackhoff, already a TV veteran with a starting film career, was a star in the making beyond GALACTICA, with her striking features and presence-full eyes, and would go on to an even more promising career playing in a variety of roles in hit shows like NIP/TUCK (as the wild and wonderful Dr. Theodora Rowe), Jamie Sommers rival, Sarah Corvus, in the short lived re-make of THE BIONIC WOMAN, as Dana Walsh, the CTU technician with a relationship problem and a secret past in the final season of 24, showing her comedic side in THE BIG BANG THEORY, and, more recently, making two appearances in the US icon show CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION playing the smart and fiery Detective Frankie Reed (her second episode is on the UK's FIVE channel tonight at 9pm). And, beyond all that, look out for her return to the sci-fi universe in an upcoming episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS (of which she has just recently recorded her voice role), playing what she promises will be a very cool character for the fans to enjoy!

Warrior woman! As Starbuck in the modern BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Image: UNIVERSAL/SYFY

On the run! As CTU operative Dana Walsh in 24. Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX.

Ready for action. As Detective Frankie Reed in CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. Image: CBS/PARAMOUNT.

Easily crossing all genres beyond playing Starbuck, it looks like the skies are certainly not the limit for this fine actress!