‘CSI:’ Loses Its Head CSI
Here’s the WTF? of the day … fans of CSI: will be very bummed (and most probably as shocked as I am) to learn that Entertainment Weekly is reporting that William Petersen, the actor who plays lead CSI Gil Grissom, has decided to “say goodbye” to the show and step down as the main man on the show. Petersen is reportedly staying on as an executive producer on the show and will reprise the role of Gil Grissom “whenever CBS asks” but after this season’s 10th ep, he will no longer be a regular castmember on the show:
CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn has confirmed exclusively to Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello that William Petersen (Gil Grissom) will be gone by midseason! And not “off too do a play” gone like he was back in 2006. No, this season’s 10th episode will be his last as a full-time series regular. “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.” Neither does Petersen. In fact, in an exclusive interview conducted last Friday, the eight-year CSI vet seemed almost reluctant to characterize his departure as, um, a departure. Citing both his ongoing role as an executive producer AND his intention to return on occasion as a (very special) guest star, he said, “I’m in a great place in terms of knowing that I’ll be more free to make choices. And I’m responsible enough to not do it in a way that would hurt [the show]. I want it to work for the writers, I want it to work for the cast, and, MOST importantly, I want it to work for the audience,” he added. “I don’t want them to abandon the show.” In the meantime, Mendelsohn is plotting one hell of a send-off for her leading man. The events of last season’s finale — specifically the death of Gary Dourdan’s Warrick — will push Grissom to the breaking point. “The easiest way to describe Grissom is ‘in crisis,’” Petersen told me. “As a man. As a scientist. As a teacher. As a middle-aged person who has been very successful at what he’s done… [he] wonders, ‘What’s the point?” Helping Grissom through the crisis will be his true love, Sara, played by Jorja Fox, who is returning for multiple episodes, starting with the season premiere. “I wouldn’t want to say exactly what we’re going do — I want people to watch, certainly,” he chuckled. “But Sara is involved… It’s often darkest just before the dawn.” And lest anyone read any hidden meaning into that statement, the actor reiterated, “For me, it’s a really good situation. I don’t want the audience to think it’s NOT… [It isn't] like there’s something going on, like ‘Petersen’s unhappy,’ ’cause it’s not true. It’s quite the contrary” … Executive producer Carol Mendelsohn also says that her team was anything but blindsided by the upcoming departure of William Petersen. “We do have a plan,” she says … “We’re not saying whether or not Warrick lives or dies,” hedges Mendelsohn, “but we WILL say the the premiere may be the last time our loyal fans see the entire original CSI cast together.”
Wow! This is a huge shocking change to an already very solid, very popular TV series. I was really bummed when Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) left the show last season (but am relieved that she is coming back for “multiple episodes”) and was surprised that they decided to kill off Gary Dourdan’s character (Warrick Brown) in the season finale (no matter what they won’t say, Warwick got Peaced the Spork Out) but this Peterson leaving CSI: thing is madness. He is the crux of the show … I can’t imagine any other character stepping in to take Gil Grissolm’s place. This is a risky move … I hope it plays out well. I love this show and would hate to have it turn to garbage by replacing half the cast with new folks who may possibly ruin the show. Thankfully hottie George Eads (Nick Stokes) is still on the show … if he leaves, I’m out.
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Tags: 'CSI:', Entertainment Weekly Magazine, William Petersen
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:43 am
“Grissom” was/is one of the biggest reasons I watch the shoe, le sigh, I don’t even know how it’ll continue without him. Such a staple!
July 15th, 2008 at 9:53 am
This is kind of depressing. I always said no matter who they get rid of, as long as they keep Grissom then I’ll watch. I honestly can’t see the show lasting without him, but who knows, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
July 15th, 2008 at 10:14 am
thats like getting rid of horatio on csi miami… the shows nothing without them!!
July 15th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Grissom is a wonderful character and the main reason I got into CSI: in the first place… I’ll have to see how it is without him around each week - the jury’s still out for me, but I’ll give the show a chance.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Noooooooo! WTF??
*blinks*
NOOOOOOO!
July 15th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Now I’m completely bummed. Eff Horatio or Lieutenant Dan, but please keep Grissom!
July 15th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOO he’s the reason I watch the show!!!! If they get rid of him it’ll be just another forensics show . . . it would be the same to watch CSI NY or Miami.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Well, that’s it for CSI. I don’t think Marg and her ever changing lip-line will be able to keep it all together for very long. So sad.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I’m with Winona on this one. Grissom is the hook for me.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
so bummed :( i’ve been a faithful viewer through all the years and have really enjoyed watching the cast interact. yes, i know they’re acting… but i always felt that they meshed well and worked soooo well together. i was bummed when sara left, but now that grissom’s leaving… i don’t know if i’ll be able to stay faithful.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I knew this was coming…I heard rumours about it last season…but it still bums me out. Grissom is the greatest! He’s my television hero.
I’m anxious and nervous to see how they’re going to manage after losing so many of their main cast members.
Personally, my favourite is Eric Szmanda as Greg Sanders. If HE leaves, then I’M out.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
This sucks… :(
July 16th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I could take the Sara character leaving, personally I was never impressed with her anyway. My main characters were Gary Dourdan, William Petersen, and George Eads. I have to honestly say that with the first two gone it will be easy enough for me to walk away from it. I don’t like any of the other CSI shows so I’m done. It gives me time to do something else, like read.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:03 am
“He is the crux of the show … I can’t imagine any other character stepping in to take Gil Grissolm’s place.” I’m completelly agree with that frase……..sad sad news
July 16th, 2008 at 5:41 am
CSI is my favorite show! This news is upsetting, i totally agree with you Trent.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
[...] to describe Grissom is ‘in crisis,’” Petersen told me. “As a man. As a scientist. … credit : [...]
July 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
[...] ‘CSI:’ Loses Its Head CSI… and was surprised that they decided to kill off Gary Dourdan’s character (Warrick Brown) in the season finale (no matter what they won’t say, Warwick got Peaced the Spork Out) but this Peterson leaving CSI: thing is madness. … [...]
July 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am
[...] ‘CSI:’ Loses Its Head CSII was really bummed when Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) left the show last season (but am relieved that she is coming back for “multiple episodes”) and was surprised that they decided to kill off Gary Dourdan’s character (Warrick Brown) in the … [...]
July 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
well dis is just the worst news a csi fan cane get coz as alot of ppl av z grissom is one of the main reasons y ppl watch csi also 4 the fun of guessing hu done wot but he and sara were the reason i watched the show so it is lyk NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:03 am
I wont watch CSI LV with out Gil =’( It just wont be the same