Watching CSI

Not  much happening on the CSI front during the summer but we do have the franchise premiere dates.  In the meantime enjoy the reruns fans.

Sept. 21: CSI: Miami
Sept 23: CSI:NY
Sept. 24: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

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THE CSIs INVESTIGATE A STRING OF MURDERS LINKED TO A POKER SCAM INVOLVING VALUABLE CHIPS FROM A CLOSED CASINO, ON THE NINTH SEASON FINALE OF “CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,” THURSDAY, MAY 14

Cynthia Watros (”Lost”) and Gerald McRaney (”Jericho”) Guest Star As Two Of the Suspects Involved In The Poker Scam

“All In” - A cache of missing chips from a closed down casino turn up in Vegas and a string of murders follow, leading Langston to use deadly force for the first time in his career as a CSI, on the ninth season finale of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, May 14 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

Dr. Raymond Langston: Laurence Fishburne
Catherine Willows: Marg Helgenberger
Nick Stokes: George Eads
Captain Jim Brass: Paul Guilfoyle
Greg Sanders: Eric Szmanda
Dr. Robbins: Robert David Hall
David Phillips: David Berman
Hodges: Wallace Langham
Wendy Simms: Liz Vassey
Riley Adams: Lauren Lee Smith

GUEST CAST:

Barbie Aubrey: Cynthia Watros
Eli Schindler: Gerald McRaney
Conrad Ecklie: Marc Vann
Mandy Webster: Sheeri Rappaport
Bruno Curtis: Mark Pellegrino
Huston Dobbs: Brian Oerly
Walter Ellis: Andrew Rothenberg
Clayton Ferris: Peter Breitmayer
Paramedic: Wayne Wilderson
Nurse Belinda: Shelli Bergh
Landscaper: Carlos Moreno Jr.
Counter Boy: Dusty Sorg
Patron #1: Larry Udy
Patron #2: Conny Van Dyke
Paula Francis: Paula Francis

TELEPLAY BY: Evan Dunsky & Richard Catalani

STORY BY: Naren Shankar, one of the series’ executive producers, & Phillip Schenkler

DIRECTED BY: Paris Barclay

RATING: To Be Announced

THE CSI TEAM INVESTIGATES A BRUTAL MOTORCYCLE GANG MURDER AT A BIKER BAR, ON “CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,” THURSDAY, MAY 7

“Hog Heaven” - The CSIs are on the case when a member of a motorcycle gang is murdered at a local biker bar, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, May 7 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

Dr. Raymond Langston: Laurence Fishburne
Catherine Willows: Marg Helgenberger
Nick Stokes: George Eads
Captain Jim Brass: Paul Guilfoyle
Greg Sanders: Eric Szmanda
Dr. Robbins: Robert David Hall
David Phillips: David Berman
Hodges: Wallace Langham
Wendy Simms: Liz Vassey
Riley Adams: Lauren Lee Smith

GUEST CAST:

Conrad Ecklie: Marc Vann
Archie Johnson: Archie Kao
Mandy Webster: Sheeri Rappaport
Officer Mitchell: Larry Mitchell
Det. Sam Vega: Geoffrey Rivas
Badger: Andy Mackenzie
Joey Niagra/Jack Nettles: Jamie McBride
Judge Death: Lorin McCraley
Jackass: Joe Reitman
Tonya Charles: Bonnie Root
Rita Nettles: Ally Walker
Smitty: Kevin Thomas
Rudy Ronnie: Gene Blevins
Teddy Floyd: Brian Allen
Lot Attendant: Jernard Burks
Hooper: Tim Sitarz
Desk Officer: Joseph Patrick Kelly
Lead Righteous Dog: VJ Foster
Officer Lawrence: Jason Sweat

WRITTEN BY: David Rambo

DIRECTED BY: Louis Milito, one of the series’ co-executive producers

RATING: TV14-DLV

Looks like the rumors a true.  A CSI movie is definitely in development.  Here’s what William Petersen said about the proposed movie:

“It’s about finding the right story, there has got to be a real reason to do it.  I can understand people are a little trepidatious because of the franchise around the world and how well it’s doing.  Usually people leave it till a series has finished - they did that with The X-Files and Sex And The City. But it’s about finding the right story.  There has got to be a real reason to do it. You don’t just do it because you want to make money; you do it because there’s a story that can’t be told on TV and needs to be told from CSI’s perspective and the audience wants it.  And we can’t wait for CSI to end or Grissom will be about 90.”

No word on a release date.  What do you think about a CSI movie?

Lauren Lee Smith managed to slip one by the press. She and beau photographer Erik Steingroever married on April 4. Only family and close friends attended the small ceremony and reception was in Cultus Lake, Canada which is about 70 miles outside of Vancouver. (Smith is Canadian.)

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HODGES AND WENDY BECOME INVOLVED IN A MURDER INVESTIGATION AT A SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION, ON “CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,” THURSDAY, APRIL 16

Kate Vernon (”Battlestar Galactica”) Guest Stars As Dr. Penelope Russell

“A Space Oddity” - When Hodges and Wendy run into each other at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows, they end up investigating the murder of one of their beloved actors, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, April 16 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Kate Vernon (”Battlestar Galactica”) guest stars as Dr. Penelope Russell.

SERIES REGULARS:

Dr. Raymond Langston: Laurence Fishburne
Catherine Willows: Marg Helgenberger
Nick Stokes: George Eads
Captain Jim Brass: Paul Guilfoyle
Greg Sanders: Eric Szmanda
Dr. Robbins: Robert David Hall
David Phillips: David Berman
Hodges: Wallace Langham
Wendy Simms: Liz Vassey
Riley Adams: Lauren Lee Smith

RECURRING CAST:

Archie Johnson: Archie Kao
Henry Andrews: Jon Wellner
Mandy Webster: Sheeri Rappaport

GUEST CAST:

Dr. Penelope Russell: Kate Vernon
Melinda Carver: Jaime Ray Newman
Risa Varness: Liza Weil
Steuben Lorenz: Michael Welch
Lionel Rose: Patrick Bristow
Jonathan Danson: Reg Rogers
Commander Artemis Bishop: Josh Coxx
Mrs. Rose: Judy Jean Berns
Ronald D. Moore: Ronald D. Moore
Yeoman Malloy: Michelle Belegrin
William: Karl Herlinger
Ensign Garth: Bradford Tatum
Collectibles Dealer: Randy Lowell
Yeoman Sally Malloy (1960): Christine Scott Bennett
Gorth (1960): Matthew Willig

TELEPLAY BY: David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, formerly staff writers on “Battlestar Galactica”

STORY BY: Naren Shankar, one of the series’ executive producers

DIRECTED BY: Michael Nankin

RATING: To Be Announced

According to Forbes, CSI is on one TV’s most lucrative shows. Based on research by TNS Media Intelligence, CSI makes $2.1 million per 30 minute segment by charging $201,000 for a 30 second ad. After all the super secret number crunching, the show averages $4.2 million per airing.

“It’s not necessarily just eyeballs that advertisers are buying here,” Ed Gentner, senior vice president of video investment activation at MediaVest said. “It’s the right eyeballs.”

I do find it strange that CSI Miami didn’t make the list. It’s one of the most popular shows in the world. Maybe salaries and location shoots hurt it’s ranking?

For a complete list of the top 15 money makers click below.

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As part of an extensive interview with TV Guide, director William Friedkin said he thinks that Jorja Fox will return to the show. Friedkin, who directed CSI’s 200th episode, is a longtime friend of William Petersen and previously directed the December 2007 CSI episodes Cockroaches. Check out the excerpt where he talks about Jorja:

I think he’ll do a few [more episodes] as he said he would. I think if they can craft some special stories for him… I think Jorja [Fox] will as well. But it was really a pleasure to work with the other guys. I love working with Marg [Helgenberger] and Paul [Guilfoyle] and George [Eads], Eric [Szmanda]. Liz Vassey I think is underused on that show. I think she’s wonderful. I’ll tell you, I’ve been on feature films where the actors aren’t as prepared as they are on that show.

I’d heard a few internet rumors that William Petersen was in Cannes but I couldn’t pinpoint why. Turns out he’s appearing at the MIPTV conference in the French city. It’s a venue for selling, buying, financing and distributing media internationally. Billy was there promoting CSI and to present at the International Digital Emmy Awards (IDEA). I think Billy looks good with the all white hair. They never let it go completely white on the show because it was too hard to shoot.  He’s even lost a few pounds.  Jorja looks great as well. After working those long hours for years, it looks like leaving the show has been good for them.  I know we miss them but I’m glad they’re enjoying their lives.

Enjoy the photos. We’ve got tons.

Jorja Fox and Marg Helgenburger glammed it up for the 2009 Genesis Awards. The Genesis Awards, sponsored by the Humane Society,  honors media for raising awareness about animal issues.  This year’s honorees included the Oprah Winfrey Show “for throwing its spotlight on puppy mills, dogfighting and factory farming.”

Jorja Fox and Reed Scott presented the Award for TV news magazine.   20/20 won for Elephant PTSD.  Marg presented the Dramatic Series award which went to Grey’s Anatomy for Life During Wartime, For a complete list of honors you can click after the pics.

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Marg Helgenberger filed a petition to divorce husband Alan Rosenberger on a Tuesday in Los Angeles court.  The couple, separated for over four months, married in 1989 after meeting on the set of Ryan’s Hope.

“After 19 years of marriage, Marg and Alan have decided to take some time apart,” a rep said after the couple announced their separation. “They love and respect each other and remain committed to their family.”

Marg cited irreconcilable differences as cause for the filing. She’s requesting spousal support and asking that she and Alan split attorney’s fees.   Alan appeared on CSI twice, once in 2005 and the second time in 2007. He played a sleazy attorney that had a thing for Catherine. He currently serves as SAG president.

It’s rare that they a Hollywood marriage lasts so long. Lets all keep a good thought for Alan and Marg.

Remember the kid that stole our heart in 80’s blockbuster? Looks like he’s all grown up. Henry Thomas is set to appear on CSI as a convicted killer serving a life sentence. The May sweeps episode looks at Catherine’s early days a as a CSI.

The 38-year-old actor plays a convict Catherine  investigated during her first solo case. Thomas’ character questions the findings after nearly 20 years to study up on forensics. I checked out Thomas’ IMBD profile and he’s worked steadily, if not famously, since his role in the groundbreaking film.

If memory serves me correctly we’ve  had at least one episode that showed Catherine as a very young woman.

I wonder if this ep will feature any Grissom references. Maybe Catherine talks to him on the phone.  They could use his voice for flashbacks and present day.

CSI’s newest cast member is the center of tomorrow’s night’s tension fraught episode. We learn a great deal about  Riley Ryan after she’s taken hostage during an investigation.

“They’ve played with this whole idea of her being mysterious and always telling a different story about her background, which I like and which keeps the character very open,” Lauren Lee Smith said during an onset interview.

“Every episode I get, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is what they’re doing with her.’ It keeps it more interesting for me personally not to know too much in advance.”

Smith landed the role after a pilot she’d worked on wasn’t picked up. “I’m very lucky. I don’t know how it all came about. I sort of blinked and suddenly I’m here and living in L.A. on the No. 1 TV show. I just feel very, very blessed.”

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Taylor Swift makes an appearance on CSI tonight.  That’s a good thing for the young singer because she’s a huge fan.

“I am obsessed with the show. I have seen every episode every season,” Taylor told ET.

She was not prepared for how tough playing a dead body is. “I’ve watched the show for so long, but in the beginning when you see the dead bodies you don’t realize that those are people that are sitting really still and holding their breath and having their eyes in one direction, because they’re so good.”

The episode centers around three muders that occured in one hotel over the course of a year.  Nick Stokes is the lead investigator.  “The story is this girl is a victim of circumstances,” says Taylor while shooting the episode. “She has this lack of self-esteem, which is why she feels she needs to change into a different person to be loved.”

NICK PIECES TOGETHER THREE SEPARATE CASES THAT OCCURRED AT THE SAME MOTEL DURING THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR, ON “CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,” THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Taylor Swift, The Best-Selling Musical Artist of 2008, Guest Stars As Haley Jones

“Turn, Turn, Turn” - When the CSIs are called to a murder scene at a familiar motel, Nick is thrown for a loop as he pieces together three separate murder investigations that all took place at the same establishment over the course of a year, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, March 5 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Taylor Swift guest stars as Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs the seedy Vegas motel.

SERIES REGULARS:

Dr. Raymond Langston: Laurence Fishburne
Catherine Willows: Marg Helgenberger
Nick Stokes: George Eads
Captain Jim Brass: Paul Guilfoyle
Greg Sanders: Eric Szmanda
Dr. Robbins: Robert David Hall
David Phillips: David Berman
Hodges: Wallace Langham
Wendy Simms: Liz Vassey
Riley Adams: Lauren Lee Smith

RECURRING CAST:

Archie Johnson: Archie Kao

GUEST CAST:

Haley Jones: Taylor Swift
Det. Vartann: Alex Carter
Mandy Webster: Sheeri Rappaport
Henry Andrews: Jon Wellner
Larry Mitchell: Larry Mitchell
Bree Lindale: Alessandra Torresani
Wiry Man: Stephen Heath
Mark Jones: Geoffrey Blake
Nicole Jones: Lisa Darr
Zack Fenish: Colton James
Gavin Fenish: John D’Aquino
Dave Henkel: Michael Trevino
Dale Durney: Kirk Bovill
Mrs. Leigh Lindale: Suzanne Friedline
Old Man: Dave Florek
Frank Carrow: Fredric Lehne