I'm not sure how CSI will survive after news from EW that William Peterson will be leaving his role as Grissom. All the hoopla about his contract earlier this year evidently didn't include the small print that he would be leaving by the middle of this season.
"Billy is leaving," confirms the show's executive producer, Carol Mendelsohn. "But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don't think you've seen the last of Gil Grissom."
While it's interesting that he will remain as an executive producer, it does nothing to alleviate the disappointment, and I'm sure, departure of a huge number of fans when he leaves. The 10th episode this season will be his last as a regular in the series.
Peterson has confirmed that he probably will occasionally return in temporary roles, but it may not be enough to save the investigative drama.
Playing a big part in the departure of Grissom will be the return of Sara, played by Jorja Fox, who will be a major part of the drama. Does that mean marriage? Something else? Peterson was coy enough to hint there will be something, while leaving the rest for us to wonder about.
After the death of Gary Dourdan's character last season, it does give the sense that the series is slowly dying as well, even though it remains a blockbuster for CBS (NYSE: CBS-A).
The key to ongoing success will be how successfully they make the transition (if they can), and who the newcomers replacing the characters will be. It's been rare for a dramatic show like this to lose major characters like it has and continue to remain popular.
Do you think this is the beginning of the end for CSI? Talk among yourselves.
OMG,
I can't believe it! I can't wait to see the storyline when Jorja returns, but I think the show will struggle from now on.
At least he'll be returning from time to time ;-)
Posted by: Sally | July 15, 2008 11:41 PM | Permalink to Comment