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Exclusive: William Petersen Uncovers New CSI Deal

080331csi_petersen.jpg
William Petersen by Robert Voets/CBS
The evidence is in and it's irrefutable: Grissom will remain on the CSI beat for at least one more season — albeit with an asterisk.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that William Petersen — whose pact with the show was set to expire in May — has agreed to stick around through the 2008-09 TV season. Although the specifics of his new deal were not disclosed, a CSI insider tells me it's both lucrative (read: reportedly 600K per episode, up from 500K) and brimming with "out" clauses (read: the asterisk I spoke of earlier).

In fact, Petersen already has his first "out" lined up: This fall, the actor will return to the stage in Conor McPherson's A Dublin Carol, which kicks off a six-week run in his hometown of Chicago in mid-November. As you'll recall, Petersen missed four episodes of CSI in early 2007 to headline a Rhode Island production of Dublin Carol. Shakespearean thesp Liev Schreiber stepped in to fill the Grissom void, only to get shot to death in his final episode.

So, CSI worshippers: Are you relieved Petersen didn't follow in the footsteps of his ex-leading lady Jorja Fox and up and quit the show? Yes? No? Indifferent? Also, should producers once again look to the theater world for Petersen's replacement, got any suggestions? Roger Bart? Cheyenne Jackson? Christine Ebersole? Mary Poppins? Post any/all casting tips below, and don't be afraid to think outside the box!

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Posted by Michael Ausiello
Mar 31, 2008 5:43 PM
I think you mean Roger Bart. I don't really see the editor in chief of Variety acting. I'm sure he'd agree we'd much rather see his nephew on screen, just not as that 'desperate' pharmacist again.
Posted by wootang28
Mar 31, 2008 5:52 PM
wootang28: Point taken. Although we probably shouldn't rule out Peter just yet. It's very early in the casting process.
Posted by Michael Ausiello
Mar 31, 2008 5:58 PM
I am glad.. to me, Grissom is the main character of this show.

It is a shame that they killed Liev off.. he would have been interesting to bring back for more shows. When they brought him on it felt like the started so many possibilities with his character and then left it all unfinished. :p

I don't really know who the other guys are but no one will really be able to fill William Petersen's shoes. (IMO)
Posted by indy500
Mar 31, 2008 6:15 PM
If they want to bring the youth back into "CSI" then Cheyenne would be BRILLIANT casting.

Personally, I'd love to see Harvey Fierstein heading up the team. If not, how about Rosie O'?
Posted by RadioTV2
Mar 31, 2008 6:38 PM
Personally, I think it's a great idea for Peterson to have the freedom to do some other stuff while remaining with the show. He may stay with the show longer if he's got the ability to do some other projects occasionally.

And I love the idea of Harvey Fierstein. Omigosh, that would rock.
Posted by debwalsh
Mar 31, 2008 6:50 PM
CSI wouldn't be the same without Grissom. I'm glad he's here to stay.
Posted by robinepowell
Mar 31, 2008 6:51 PM
Although he's no Peterson, (our original profiler in the Hannibal Lector series), Liev certainly did well in filling in for Grissom. His style and unique way of thinking was a welcomed addition, for not all forensic profilers think the way Grissom does. Alas, Liev's character was only touched on, rather than thoroughly tapped and explored, before being shot dead. Perhaps the execs can find someone more similar to Liev than to Grissom when replacing Peterson for any number of episodes while he is on the stage?
Posted by chriscuster
Mar 31, 2008 7:01 PM
it would be great if they're able to cast an actor of the calibre of liev schreiber every time petersen takes a break from the show. i imagine a lot of film actors would be happy to join a hit show for a month or two to bump up their notoriety with the general public, and such casting would give the shows credibility with talent as well as critics. i think someone like chiwetel ejiofor could do some really interesting work in a limited role on CSI.
Posted by Verbal584
Mar 31, 2008 7:07 PM
While I'm glad William Peterson is sticking around for another year, I'm looking forward to the episodes when he is gone. I loved the Leiv Schreiber arc last year. The change in tone and the relationships between the CSIs was great even if the ending was a little unfulfilling. Hopefully they do as good of a job this time as they did last.
Posted by Holly
Mar 31, 2008 7:12 PM
Don't forget the dastardly Deadwood duo, Ian McShane or Timothy Olyphant. Either would be terrific as short-term CSI leads.
Posted by Marcus Dixon
Mar 31, 2008 7:22 PM
That's GrisAWEsome!!!!!!!!:)
Posted by Mr. Furley
Mar 31, 2008 7:51 PM
One - CSI ain't CSI without Gris. It just ain't. Now, for those replacement players:

Angela Bassett - come on, just to see her and Catherine go at it would be worth the price of admission.

Tommy Lee Jones
Wendell Pierce (from The Wire - The Bunk would get them in line...)
David Soul (you said "don't be afraid to think outside the box")
Lena Olin

or in a rare casting coup....

Kyra Sedgewick.

That would be very interesting indeed...
Posted by williamjc
Mar 31, 2008 8:04 PM
I guess I should be happy but without Jorja Fox I really don't care anymore. Now if she were to come back I'd be a happy fan again.
Posted by csifan
Mar 31, 2008 8:05 PM
I am happy that he is staying...The show wouldn't be the same without him. I really wish Jorja Fox would come back...I miss her in the show...Grissom and Sidle were so good for each other. But at least he is staying for now. If he were to leave the show I probably would give up watching it cuz it would suck.
Posted by lilbear78
Mar 31, 2008 8:13 PM
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