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« Ausiello Report
Exclusive: Gary Dourdan Leaving CSI!
Gary Dourdan by Andrew MacPherson/CBS
With all the attention focused on William Petersen's successful contract negotiations, this ginormous scoopbit nearly slipped right by: Sources confirm to me exclusively that original CSIer Gary Dourdan — whose contract is also set to expire next month — is leaving the show. Although a precise timeframe is not known, CSI's May 15 season finale could serve as Warrick's swan song.
Regarding Dourdan's exit, a CBS spokesperson says, "We can't confirm or deny this information."
This is the second major departure to rock CSI this season. As anyone with a pulse and/or access to TVGuide.com knows, Jorja Fox made her final appearance as Sara in November. The good news: Marg Helgenberger and George Eads are expected to follow Petersen's lead and re-up with the show.
Meanwhile, CSI execs aren't wasting any time searching for Dourdan's replacement. I'm told producers have put out a casting call for a new male series regular in his late twenties to early thirties to play Ray Santoro, a "handsome, smart and athletic" CSI who transfers from Henderson to join the graveyard shift at the Las Vegas crime lab.
OK, CSI fans: Are you sad to see Dourdan/Warrick go? And in terms of the potential impact to the show, is this less than, equal to or greater than Fox's exit last fall? Too shocked to process it all? Splash some cold Snapple on your face and start discussing!
Related:
• Use our Online Video Guide to watch full episodes of CSI.
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Apr 14, 2008 2:33 PM
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Well in my opinion his departure will hurt the show more than Jorga Fox's did. His character has led a very troubled existence and has interacted with the other cast members more than Sara Sidle did.
Obviously though, Dourdan's fanbase is not nealy as psycho-protective of Warrick as the Sara Siddle Psycho's were to her!
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Apr 14, 2008 2:41 PM
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I don't miss boring Sara in the least but I 'll miss him!! I'll miss his quiet sexy presence.
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Apr 14, 2008 2:45 PM
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Warrick will be missed, he's so darn sexy!!! I'll miss him much more than Sara, he interacted so well with other characters, especially Nick and Kathrine.
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Apr 14, 2008 2:58 PM
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I am shocked by this news. On the other hand his character has not gotten much attention so I don't blame him. I just hope Eric is staying since as usual he is the only one not mentioned.
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Apr 14, 2008 2:59 PM
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I quit watching soon after Jorja left. In part because she was my favourite character, and also because I'm sick of the show altogether. It's such a bore. This season I started fast forwarding almost everything in all the episodes, so I decided it's not worth wasting my time.
As for Gary leaving, Warrick was my least favourite character, and I think he's a really bad actor, he has no expression, just bleh. So not a great loss.
The show is past its prime already. Although as long as people like watching boring stuff with no character development and poor actors, I guess it'll go on.
I really enjoyed the episodes they did last year focusing on the lab rats, so when they do another one I'll watch. But for now it's off my list of must see tv.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:03 PM
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I am SO bummed Gary is leaving the show. I love the story lines and all but cmon, I watch the show for William and Gary, in that order! And when they have a storyline together, I'm a happy girl. For me, his leaving will have a bigger impact than when Jorja left. I like the Gris/Sara story line but I always thought she was a little "off". He is incredibly easy on the eyes and what a pair of eyes he has! He will be missed!
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Apr 14, 2008 3:03 PM
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Doesn't bother me any. For me, the show is more about Grissom and Cathering than anyone else. If we can keep these two, I'm fine.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:03 PM
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I can't believe Gary Dourdan is leaving CSI!!!!! I am COMPLETELY SHOCKED & extremely sorry to see him go!!! He was most definitely one of the top reasons I tuned in every week!!!! I will really miss seeing him but I hope this means even bigger & better things for him in the future!!!!
Good luck Mr.Dourdan & God Bless.
A forever fan in Wilmington, DE
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Apr 14, 2008 3:03 PM
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OMG! I did not see this coming. I'm totally shocked. Gary, I'm gonna miss ya. Good luck.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:07 PM
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I will most certainly miss him...and worry that this is the start of the demise of CSI. I don't blame him for leaving though, he rarely gets gritty storylines and his "marriage" was just kind of thrown in and then taken away haphazardly.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:10 PM
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TOTALLY shocked!!! Didn't see this one coming. Wonder if TPTB knew this beforehand--Warrick's sudden drinking and popping pills (which came from NOWHERE), could be explained away to make more sense now...
IMHO, he was a good supervisor when Gris was out of town, etc.
~Sangeeta
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Apr 14, 2008 3:12 PM
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You know, I am sad to see him leave CSI but I cannot wait to see him in whatever he decides to do next!
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Apr 14, 2008 3:14 PM
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I'll miss Gary. He's a good actor. The show should have teamed him w/Marg's character Catherine a long time ago. They'd have been a lot more interesting (& hot) then Grissom & Sara. As for Sara, who cares? I haven't missed her at all! Too boring & bland.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:18 PM
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Jorja's exit was nearly the last straw for me with CSI,and now Dourdan.....it's time to retire this series,really.I was a huge fan for years,but the whole franchise (all 3 CSI's) has become quite boring and predictable.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:18 PM
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