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William Peterson Leaving ‘CSI’ For Now

William Peterson, Gary Dourdan Jorja Fox Leave CSI

Actor William Peterson is leaving the acclaimed TV show ‘CSI’ after eight years starring as Gil Grissom on the CBS hit. The decision seems mutual by both parties but not extremely permanent. He will leave sometime towards the middle of the upcoming 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.”

Neither does Petersen. In fact, in an exclusive interview conducted on July 11, 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].

The show will survive but will face a challenge in maintaining its ratings dominance with Peterson’s depature coupled with those of Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan.

CBS has to be concerned about that, too. Although no one expects ratings to nosedive when Petersen leaves, the network’s top-rated show is staring down its biggest challenge ever. His sorta swan song, coupled with Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan’s exits last season, brings to three the number of original cast members CSI will have lost in a year’s time.

Peterson has made so much money off of this franchise that it is hard to believe that he will stay away from it too long. He probably wants to devote his time to other projects or perhaps even a movie. He could retire now and live the high life off of the ‘CSI’ residuals for the rest of his life. I say he is back sometime in 2010 on a more regular basis.

Actress Lauren Lee Smith, from The L Word, has been added to the upcoming season of ‘CSI’.

UPDATE: Laurence Fishburne Possibly Joining ‘CSI’ Cast


Posted under Celebrities, T.V.

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12 comments:

  1. Gravatar
    Reba Allen | August 12th, 2008 19:20

    If William Peterson (Grissom) leaves the show, I will stop watching. He IS CSI. It was bad enough that Warrick (Gary Dourdan) was killed off because of his inability to stay away from drugs in his off the screen life. He was a great actor and very sexy. He will be missed badly. But the show will survive without him. Sara was getting boring and will not be missed. But Grissom leaving will spell murder for the show. I enjoy the rest of the investigators, but I don’t think their presence can keep the ratings up. There have been too many actors leaving in such a short time, I don’t think the viewers will accept much more, especially Grissom leaving. Why does a hit show always do this? It’s a hit because of the way it is, not because of what it could be. It is going to be a hard decision for me, but I may end up watching Grey’s Anatomy again. Please don’t leave Mr. Peterson, I kinda got a crush on you.

     
  2. Gravatar
    Susan | August 18th, 2008 11:28

    I liked the story line with Sarah & Grissom… wanted more of it. But I too will probably lose interest when Peterson leaves unless they come up with another truely gripping character. I respect his need for change or wahtever his reasons are but am nonetheless dissapointed.

     
  3. Gravatar
    David | August 18th, 2008 12:15

    I too will be finished with CSI, without Petersen, the show is mediocre at best.
    He made it what it became. #1, now watch it plummet.

     
  4. Gravatar
    TJ | August 18th, 2008 15:51

    With Fishburne coming on board, it could be just as interesting… I’m willing to give it a shot and not pass judgement beforehand.

     
  5. Gravatar
    Gloria | August 18th, 2008 15:58

    If Petersen is a co-producer of the show, he won’t be for long, because
    without his role on the show the ratings will plummet to the point
    that it will be discontinued next season, mark my words, also with-
    out Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan the show will be totally boring, just
    like a lot of the other Forensic Scene shows presently on TV. The
    constant implications of Grissom and Sarah Sidle being romantically
    involved kept the show interesting. I too will no longer be watching
    the show.

     
  6. Gravatar
    melba | August 19th, 2008 11:56

    with william peterson leaving the show , i too will no longer be watching the show. this makes me sad as i have never missed an episode. gil grissom is the glue that holds the team together.
    i sorry but i am not a fan of lawrence fishburn and i think he will be a very poor substitute for
    william peterson. its also a shame the show had to lose gary dourdan i reallly liked his character.
    i think the hire-ups have really screwed up big time this time. never fix something that
    aint broke. this show will no longer be around in 2010.

     
  7. Gravatar
    Fred | August 22nd, 2008 11:51

    This is a very sad day for a lot of fans. My girlfriend is loyal fan and only time will tell if she remains dedicated to the series.

     
  8. Gravatar
    Fred | August 22nd, 2008 11:54

    My girlfriend just loves Gil Grissom and is very saddened by this news. Time will tell if she remains a dedicated fan. She’d really like for him t stay.

     
  9. Gravatar
    Angela | August 22nd, 2008 12:24

    I love William Peterson. Please Gil don’t leave the show. I have watched CSI forever. Every Thursday night at 9pm EST I have a date with Gil. I look forward to it. I will be so sad if he leaves. Nothing comes between me and my Thursday night CSI. I really need you guys to rethink this. Please!!!!!!!!!!! NO ONE could possibly be a bigger fan than me. I even watch the reruns. Who does that? ME ME ME

     
  10. Gravatar
    amelia | September 1st, 2008 18:11

    If petersen is ON we’re ON TOO - if not… we’re OFF.

     
  11. Gravatar
    Bob Ford | October 4th, 2008 18:56

    I agree with many others. If, Gil Grissom (William Petersen) leaves CSI, then I will stop watching, espicall if the intended replacement if Lawrence Fishborne. The entire CSI series revolves around the CSI leader(Grissom). Too bad it was such a great series, with two other spin-offs.

     
  12. Gravatar
    Seba y Car | November 4th, 2008 19:07

    GRISSOM RULES!!!

     

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