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Exclusive: CSI Boss Vows Jorja Fox is "Coming Back"
Jorja Fox by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
Now that Jorja Fox has officially confirmed the worst kept secret in the TV biz — she's ditching CSI next month after seven years in the forensics lab — we can start to focus on more important things in life. Like, you know, her return to the show! In her only interview, CSI's top gun, Carol Mendelsohn, weighs in on the circumstances surrounding Fox's exit, responds to published reports that she considered killing her off, previews tonight's big marriage proposal, and utters the words grieving fans have been dying to hear: Sara Sidle will be back.
Are you bummed that something couldn't be worked out to keep Jorja around?
Carol Mendelsohn: I am very bummed. You know, it's been something we've been facing for a while now [so] I've given it a lot of thought. When Jorja expressed her desire to move on — even though I would have loved nothing more than to have had her here for Season 8 and Season 9 and on — you [react] as you would in any family: You love the person and respect them and want them to be happy and fulfilled. If this was the very end for Sara Sidle on CSI, I don't think I could have handled the last few months. But it's not. Jorja was always No. 6 on our call sheet. We're retiring No. 6, so it's there for Jorja when she comes back.
She's definitely returning?
Mendelsohn: Yes. You can count on it.
This season?
Mendelsohn: That I can't say. But the fans will not have seen the last of Sara Sidle. Nor will Grissom.
Would you describe her departure as a mutual decision?
Mendelsohn: No. It was, in the end, Jorja's decision. And we accept it. I think sometimes the fans don't really understand that the writers are fans of the show, too. And we love Sara Sidle. We love writing for Sara Sidle. And, as an actor, it doesn't get better than Jorja. She's phenomenal. So, yeah, it's heartbreaking [for me], as well as for the cast and the crew. I'm almost tearing up now because it's very hard to say goodbye, even if it's [just] goodbye for now.
Did you know she was leaving before you shot the season finale last April?
Mendelsohn: Yes. I didn't have a definitive date, but yes.
There were reports that the original plan was to kill her off in the finale, but Jorja refused to show up to work and shoot her death scene. Is that true?
Mendelsohn: No… I don't, as a fan or a writer, embrace killing off characters — especially when you see this outpouring that we have gotten from the fans in support of keeping Jorja and Sara on the show; it has just been mind-boggling. [We] owe the fans so much and I don't think killing off Sara Sidle would have ever been a way to pay a satisfactory ending for Sara.
So what kind of send-off are you giving her?
Mendelsohn: I’m not telling you. [Laughs]
C'mon.
Mendelsohn: As the season unfolds through November, there is a character arc threaded through the episodes for Sara Sidle. And it is something that will build and build and build until the episode in which she departs, sometime in November.
Can you shed any light on the final scene, like who's in it with her?
Mendelsohn: Jorja is in it with Jorja.
She's by herself?
Mendelsohn: Yes.
What do you make of the intensity of the fan reaction to Jorja's exit?
Mendelsohn: It has been astounding. It's incredible how creative our fans are. We got two cases of chocolate covered insects with the message "CSI without Sara bugs us." We got a bouquet of red, pink and white balloons with Hershey kisses and the message was, "Don't break our hearts, keep Jorja Fox on CSI." We got two large cases of Lifesavers with the message, "You were Sara's lifesaver, now be ours, keep Jorja Fox on CSI." They've been sending money in from all over the world [as part of the] Dollars for Sense campaign. One woman named Kim West from Northern Ireland, she and her friends sent in 60 pound notes, and she wrote a four page letter. It's just been overwhelming how many people love Jorja.
Did you go back to her and beg her to reconsider?
Mendelsohn: I had done everything that I could. But in the end, I respect Jorja. This is something that she wanted to do, and I would never stand in her way. She's coming back at some point anyway.
How long before Grissom is ready to move on?
Mendelsohn: Oh my God. I don't think that Gil Grissom is the kind of guy that moves on quickly. I was thinking about how Gil Grissom thinks about time, and there's an Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore, who said, "The butterfly counts not months, but moments." I think Grissom thinks about time that way. I wouldn't count on Gil Grissom moving on.
What about a little fling here and there?
Mendelsohn: Well, you know, gosh, I don't think of Grissom as a flingy kind of guy. Of course, there is Lady Heather... Grissom's family is the team, and moving forward, you know, that's what Grissom will focus on. His team. His family.
Speaking of Lady Heather, will she be back this season?
Mendelsohn: You know what? We haven't really talked about it. [But the door is] always open. We love Melinda Clarke.
What can you tell me about tonight's episode — specifically the marriage proposal?
Mendelsohn: It's very CSI-style. David Rambo wrote the scene and he and Jackie Hoyt wrote the episode. We have been talking for months about how to do this. And, originally at the beginning of the season, we had a plan to take Grissom and Sara back to San Francisco, because, as we all know, that's where they first met. And then last week, Grissom found this beehive and it just occurred to us what the scene should be, and I love it. I love it. And again, there are many, many more scenes between them in the last few episodes and they're all terrific.
For more from Mendelsohn — including scoop on which CSI couple will fill the Sara/Grissom void and her hopes (and fears) regarding the looming contract talks with the rest of the cast — come back tomorrow for Part Two of my interview. In the meantime, post your reaction to Part One in the comments section below!
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Oct 17, 2007 11:07 PM
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There are so many people who don't give a rat's ass whether Jorja Fox is on CSI or not. I'm so sick of this crap! I haven't watched in nearly a year just because I'm sick of it. She wants to go - Good Luck! Be careful of the door on the way out!
Damn, I was gonna watch again....after she's gone. I put her right up there with Terrill Owens - another petulant grand stander! I think this just shows how professional William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger really are. As the STARS of the show, I'm sure they're sick of it too!
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Oct 17, 2007 11:41 PM
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Something tells me a certain "No Talent Diva" shot off her mouth when she wasn't suppose to.This is really getting boring. First CBS airs that stupid promo for this week which doesn't even show a glimpse of the case. Now we have to deal with she said/she said. This just wreaks of "Damage Control"
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Oct 17, 2007 11:53 PM
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Thanks for a great interview. It's nice that Ms. Mendelsohn holds Jorja Fox in such high regard and that she appreciates the support shown to Ms. Fox.
And thanks for finally addressing all those silly baseless rumors about Ms. Fox refusing to show up to film a scene for the finale last year. It's nice to finally hear someone from the show actually put that nasty rumor business to rest. Didn't happen. Nope. Not at all.
I am very saddened that my favorite actress and character will soon be gone from CSI, but I'm even more hopeful now to see her return to the show...and Grissom.
Looking forward to reading Part Two.
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Oct 18, 2007 12:32 AM
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I don't think I can maintain my interest in CSI when Sara leaves, but I hope I can rebuild it if/when she returns. Sara Sidle is a great character, Jorja Fox is an amazing actress, and CSI really needs her. As for Grissom moving on? Even the idea is ridiculous so I will not comment on it.
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Oct 18, 2007 12:39 AM
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Actually, Carol did NOT refute the rumor that Jorja refused to show up to shoot a scene. She just said there was no death scene (which we now know is true). Hmmmm.
Anyway, can we please stop this crap once and for all? Sara needs to go and stay gone. I think it's hilarious that her final scene will be solo. Can't wait to see it. I hope it's as ridiculous and hoot-worthy as her traipse through the desert was. Bonus points if they fit in an extended private pity party like the one at the end of the second episode. The whole CSI night shift team should be line dancing or playing volleyball in the distance, as she bravely turns and leaves them behind.
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Oct 18, 2007 12:41 AM
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Oh Carol, thank god! I was so close to hating you. But leave my GSR intact and I'm a happy camper! Glad to see our campaign efforts mentioned, by name no less AND specific gifts! I think the THREE plane flyovers of the studio was great but I think the wedding cake, well, took the cake! Sorry to see those not mentioned. I love "Sara" and I support Jorja. Glad to see the doors not being slammed shut!
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Oct 18, 2007 12:42 AM
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It is nice to hear that the writers adore Jorja as much as we do. We all will miss her and hope that she will DEFINITELY be back like you say she will.
There really can't be a true CSI without Sara Sidle....and I hope you are implying there is a happy ending Carol, or we might just have to send you some more choc. bugs!=)
Thanks to David Rambo for our special GSR moment!
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Oct 18, 2007 12:48 AM
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Thank you to all things Holy. There IS a God! Sounds like CM really got a kick out of our heartfelt campaign. I'm so glad they know how much Sara means to all of us and I'm so relieved she'll be returning and that Grissom who DOES have the heart of a poet, will NOT be moving on from his one true love. THANK YOU
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Oct 18, 2007 12:49 AM
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Oh and I love the whole part about the 'couple replacing GSR' LOL. Some people who want just the crime stories just started sobbing.
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Oct 18, 2007 12:51 AM
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I'm so glad to hear the door is being left open for Jorja to return. She's my second favorite CSI & I would hate to think of never seeing her work a case again. And as a Dollars for Sense supporter, thanks CM. Hope you liked the cake
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Oct 18, 2007 12:56 AM
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I guess Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, and Paul Guilfoyle must already have left the show without us noticing because Carol Mendelssohn never mentions them -- nor the issue that this is a CRIME INVESTIGATION SHOW, not a soap opera.
And no. We do not need any replacement couple. We've been through enough crap.
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Oct 18, 2007 1:03 AM
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Wow, That's the best news I've heard this week. I love Sara Sidle, and was very very disappointed to hear that she will leave. If there is hope that she will return, then there is hope I will watch CSI again. Thank you for this interview.
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Oct 18, 2007 1:07 AM
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Come on Carol, are you only saying this because you don't want us to send you more balloons? hehe! Cause that pic of you with them was priceless!
I hope this character "arc" means Grissom and Sara still stay together. If so I will consider watching CSI after Jorja Fox leaves.
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Oct 18, 2007 1:15 AM
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Michael,
Is this all real, or is it like with Alias in their final season when Michael Vartan "quit" the show because he wanted to move on to other things, and the storyline wrapped up his character, but really, that was all just a big ruse to get publicity for the season?
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Oct 18, 2007 1:18 AM
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