With ratings for CSI sliding a bit this past season and some fans still preferring William Petersen’s Grissom over Laurence Fishburne’s Ray Langston, how is CBS addressing this problem?
By giving Fishburne a “wardrobe makeover.”
That’s what Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, said to the Television Critics Assoc. at its summer press tour today. She said research showed viewers “wanted to see him more comfortable in his clothes.”
Really? I guess she was joking. I also doubt that’s why CSI is also bringing back Jorja Fox for six episodes. Seems like CSI die-hards just aren’t that into Ray Langston yet.
What do you think? Would you watch CSI more if they gave Fishburne/Langston spiffier duds, or are you still just missing Gil?
For more: CBS Executive Session
They should not have killed off Liev’s character. He would have made a Grissom replacement. I like Laurence Fishburne but I hate his character. Why did they have to make him a “newbie” in the field. Couldn’t they have made his character a semi-retired CSI who Grissom convinced to return to work. Kinda like Joe Mantegna’s character in Criminal Minds.
I like that premise, but it worked perfectly with Criminal Minds, but Rossi came with a backstory, and CSI: is not really designed to have a character show up with a backstory.
I thought Langston was just fine in season nine.
I’m not all that excited about Jorja Fox being back, either. [Not a fan of stunt casting and, despite the fact that she was - emphasis on 'was' - a regular, that's what this is.]
I enjoyed Laurence Fishburne last season on CSI and am looking forward to the next season. I do wonder why they didn’t make him a retired or maybe a disenchanted with forensics guy that would have been a lead character rather than a newbie. I miss Warrick and don’t want to see Sara Sidle back at all. She was drab and needy and whiny in the last season she was on and will drag the show down!
I never cared for Laurence Fishburne. I don’t hate him, just not a fan. And I don’t like the character at all. Giving him a wardrobe makeover is not going to change my dislike for the guy.
Grissom was the reason I like the “Vegas” CSI and not the others. Have lost interest in it since Warrick and Grissom are gone. I like Jorja Fox alright, but not missing that character as much as Gil. Clothes don’t make the man.
Agree!
Totally agree -I miss Jorja – and over here in Europe we still have Grissom, he is the main reason I am watching CSI!
I didn’t think it was possible but I liked Langdon BETTER than I liked Grissom and I started watching CSI more often in-season, rather than in reruns. I think the show is now more about the team rather than about one person.
bring back the old and get the new out he has not the talent or the smooth way that made the old show not watching it now really need the old guy he was great this new guy stinks
No talent? Are you aware how acclaimed Laurence Fishburne is as an actor on stage and screen? If you don’t care for him, that’s cool, but to say the amazing Fishburne has no talent makes you look like an idiot or worse.
I lost interest in the show seasons ago. I agree that bringing Fishburne in as a newbie was a bad idea. They should have brought him in as a strict replacement for Grisson. I think it might be time to let the show die.
I love Fishburne in this role, and I love that they made him a newbie rather than a seasoned veteran. It’s given a fresh view to the show, having one of the central characters be someone who’s learning the ropes rather than being a super-genius who knows exactly what technique to use for everything.
please bring back Gil
It’s just not the same without Petersen, my wife and I used to be regular viewers, now we don’t watch it at all. I just think Fishburn fits the role.
if the people smoked pot on CSI the rating would sky rocket@!
BRING BACK GRISSOM!!!!
I think Laurence does a great job. I like his role. I miss Warrick too but it was time for some of the characters to move on. It always seemed to me that Gil was going to move on sooner or later. I think they have a good core again. Newbie Fishburne with the old characters.
I am disappointed that Warrick and Grissom are gone, and am still getting warmed up to Langston. I am just happy that CSI Vegas didn’t get the boot like many of the other shows did. Keep the episodes coming!!!