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William Petersen Plans to Exit CSI
William Petersen by Robert Voets/CBS
I think I hear CSI fans everywhere screaming. We teased casting changes for the CBS drama in a recent Mega Minute, and alas, those changes include William Petersen, whose recently signed contract only guarantees his appearance until the upcoming season's 10th episode, a rep for CBS confirms, following a report from EW's Ausiello.
Petersen isn't gone for good, though. He will be staying on as an executive producer, and has agreed to make special appearances throughout the remaining run of the series. This marks the third original cast member to leave the show, following Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan's departures last season.
Producers, however, promise a memorable exit for Grissom (including Fox's return next season for a multi-episode, Grissom-Sidle arc) and some exciting changes in the show's future. "We're out to add new characters to the show, and the show will change as a result," said exec producer Carol Mendehlson. "But that's a good thing."
So, how do you feel about Petersen's choice to become only a part-timer? — Adam Bryant
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Jul 15, 2008 12:00 PM
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This does not please me at all! But if it's what WP wants, then who are we to whine about it. At least we CSI viewers aren't losing him totally. Occasional appearances are better than none at all.
Perhaps Grissom will become Lady Heather's love slave and never want to leave her lair. 
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Jul 15, 2008 12:36 PM
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Totally depressed. It seems that no one understands that it isn't the different stories each week that makes a show like this it is the repetition of the characters and Grissom is the largest in CSI Vegas. Just very disappointed. 1 loyal viewer gone.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:00 PM
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my heart has just completely broken.
grissom-isms will surely be missed.
maybe grissom and sara marry eachother and that is why they are leaving!
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Jul 15, 2008 1:17 PM
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I found I wasn't missing William Petersen during the Keppler/Liev Schreiber arc. Find another compelling and/or popular actor, I think fans will come around. I'm thinking Scott Bacula and Michael Keaton, but there are plenty others that could jump in.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:25 PM
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Count me in as NOT BEING PLEASED by this news, or decision. I seem to recall Petersen inking a deal that would ensure he'd be on for another 3 years? Or am I mistaken?
HE is the reason I tune in. Truth to tell, after the first three seasons, I ff'd all scenes, except for those with Gil, Nick and Warrick. WAAAAAA!!!!
~Sangeeta
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Jul 15, 2008 1:25 PM
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This will be the end of CSI unfortunately and they know that. By Carol Mendelson saying "this is a good thing", only shows how clueless they really are at CBS. You don't really have much going for you right now CBS, maybe you'd better do something about it now.
So what will unstable Catherine head up the dept.?
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Jul 15, 2008 1:25 PM
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William Petersen has said from the beginning that he didn't want to stay on the show long. It's true that he does a good job portraying his character but really people...he doesn't write the script nor did he develope the show, someone else did and the writers can still go about creating someone just as interesting!! Frankly most people didn't know who he was before this show.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:27 PM
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NOW YOU WILL KNOW HOW MOONLIGHT FANS FEEL ABOUT LOOSING ALEX O'LOUGHLIN TO WATCH EVERY WEEK. 
AYLA
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Jul 15, 2008 1:35 PM
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I agree with Sangeeta. I'm all for WP looking for more work, wanting to do his own thing but weren't we told he had at LEAST a full season ahead with this contract?
Damn.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:36 PM
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Grissom is the rock on that show. He holds the characters together. That being said though, I will give the show a chance with new characters. There are serious changes coming up though with Warrick gone too. I'll see how it shakes out.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:37 PM
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While this is sad news, it is not unexpected. And quite frankly, I think it is time. I just hope they do end the show after this upcoming season and not let the show wander into an ER future.
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Jul 15, 2008 1:39 PM
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I've been a fan of CSI since the beginning, and a large part of that was the character of Grissom. The other characters were fine and I enjoyed watching them, but they were just types that we've seen on dozens of other crime shows. But Grissom brought a unique combination of intellect and heart that you don't find elsewhere (something that is sadly missing on CSI Miami and NY).
It's the writers that make the show what it is, but I'm afraid that without the character of Grissom, the show will lose its unique qualities. I don't want the producers to bring in a "Grissom clone", but at the same time, I hope they keep the unique point of view that Grissom brings to the show, because that's what makes the show different from the umpteenth Law and Order clone.
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Jul 15, 2008 2:17 PM
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Wow...I'll really miss Billy Petersen, but I can't blame him for leaving. He had a pretty good career in movies before taking on CSI, and is probably itching to spread his creative wings again. The CSI franchise may turn out to be like ER, and will survive despite major cast changes.
If they're going to bring Sara back, they should also bring Lady Heather back before Grissom leaves. I thought they had way better chemistry.
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Jul 15, 2008 2:36 PM
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! CSI is comming 2 an end with out an original cast!!! THEY SHOULD STAY NOT LEAVE AND MAKE UPCOMMING APPEARENCES!!!!!!!! I Feel 
rite NOW!!!
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Jul 15, 2008 2:57 PM
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