CSI, Laurence Fishburne
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation had a rocky season, and it's time for some course correction -- including a new wardrobe for Laurence Fishburne, CBS' entertainment president says.
"It wasn't just about losing [William Petersen]. That show went through monumental changes last season," acknowledges Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment.
At the network's fall-TV presentation for critics, Tassler enumerated the long-running show's many changes, including the departures of cast members Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan and the arrival of Laurence Fishburne's Dr. Raymond Langston. "Fans were unsure about where the show was going," Tassler says. "They wanted to see the group back together."
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Mariska Hargitay (SVU), Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds) and Laurence Fishburne (CSI)
Every week, senior editors Matt Webb Mitovich, Mickey O'Connor and Tim Molloy satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.
What's in store for Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson during the new season of SVU? — Crystal
MICKEY: Executive producer Neal Baer tells me the unofficial theme of Season 11 is "Benson and Stabler against the world." First all up in their grill is Wentworth Miller, who guest-stars as a cop with whom Benson will both clash... and make sexy eye contact! Next, Emmy winner Christine Lahti's ADA Sonya Paxton will be kickin' a-- and takin' names, which won't sit well for Stabler initially, and Benson ultimately.
I'm going crazy because there hasn't been any news on Criminal Minds. Please, tell me something about Hotch's future! — Francesca
MATT: You and many other Mega Buzz readers seem rather concerned about the gun that went off during Hotch's unexpected season-finale face-off with the serial killer known as the Reaper. Well, you should know that ...
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Laurence Fishburne, CSI
Remember all that talk last summer about Laurence Fishburne's CSI newcomer perhaps having something genetically in common with serial killers? Although the CBS procedural's producers subsequently backpedaled on such a far-out notion, Dr. Raymond Langston will start to reveal a darker side in upcoming episodes.
"There's going to be an episode where you get to see this 'aggressive tendency,'" Fishburne shares in the video Q&A below.
OK, but just how unsettling can this new side of Langston be? Says Fishburne with a chuckle, "With CSI, you can never worry about being too dark.... I'm anxious to see where it goes."
More in this Fishburne interview:
• Grissom may be gone, but is William Petersen's presence still felt on the set?
• To what question of mine did Fishburne respond, "Hell, no!"?
Watch and dicuss Fishburne's answers after the jump.
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Taylor Swift, CSI
How is CSI recovering from the loss of William Petersen's Gil Grissom? By giving country star Taylor Swift her acting debut, freeing new star Laurence Fishburne to find out more about his role, and promising Petersen's return as a guest.
Grissom's last episode — for a while at least — airs Thursday at 9 pm/ET on CBS. Then the ensemble drama will turn to Fishburne's brand-new CSI, Dr. Raymond Langston, as he learns to investigate — and Fishburne learns who his character is.
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Blake Lively, Aaron Eckhart, Laurence Fishburne
Another trio of stars is set to orbit the Golden Globes.
Gossip Girl's Blake Lively, CSI newbie Laurence Fishburne and The Dark Knight's Aaron Eckhart have been added as presenters for the January ceremony.
The three join a star-studded lineup that already includes ...
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Laurence Fishburne
After becoming the newest cast member of CBS' biggest hit show, Laurence Fishburne seems to want to settle down with the network.
The recently introduced CSI star has signed a first-look deal with CBS Paramount Network TV to develop new small-screen projects, Variety reports. As outlined in the pact, Fishburne ...
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Laurence Fishburne and William Petersen, CSI
They're the words no fan of CBS' top-rated procedural ever wanted (or expected) to hear from Grissom: "I'm going to leave CSI."
Yet that announcement comes within the first minutes of this week's episode, laying the foundation for William Petersen's exit as a series regular and in some part paving the way for a new arrival to the team: Ray Langston, a criminology professor/former research pathologist played by film vet Laurence Fishburne.
But before Fishburne hits your screen — and amid the undoubted cries of, "My Gil/Bill is not replaceable!" — just know these four things about the "transition of power" to come.
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William Petersen (CSI), Terry O'Quinn (Lost) and Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory)
Starting with this week's column, Matt Webb Mitovich and Mickey O'Connor welcome fellow senior editor Tim Molloy to the Mega mix. Every Wednesday, our troika of scoop-hunters will answer your questions! (To that end, send all queries to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.)
I will be sad when William Petersen leaves CSI, because I don't think he will be able to be replaced. I will watch the first week he is gone, but I don't think I will watch it after that. — Fox
MATT: Normally I turn a blind eye to Mega Buzz questions not phrased as such, but this topic begs addressing. Having sneak-peeked this Thursday's (super-creepy!) episode, in which Gil first shares his decision to leave CSI, I concur that yes, it is going to be very hard to say goodbye come Jan. 15. But I must put this out there: Give change a chance. After getting a feel for Laurence Fishburne's criminology prof, I'm curious ...
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Laurence Fishburne, CSI
Emmy award-winning and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne makes his CSI debut performance on this week's ninth episode as Professor Ray Langston. Grissom attends an out of the ordinary college seminar in which Professor Langston has a two-way video feed conference with the infamous "Dick & Jane" serial killer. There, a classroom packed with students is allowed to ask the murderer questions directly (definitely didn't have that in our syllabi back when we were in college).
Watch the vieo and weigh in after the jump.
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America Ferrera by Steve Granitz/ WireImage.com; Hayden Panettiere by Steve Granitz/ WireImage.com
Make way for more stars!ABC has announced the second wave of presenters for the Emmy Awards. America Ferrera, Laurence Fishburne, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hayden Panettiere, William Petersen and Vanessa Williams are the latest celebrities who will join in toasting television's finest at next month's ceremony."We are very pleased and honored to include these presenters to our already exciting list of talent for our telecast," Ken Ehrlich, executive producer, said. "As we reveal more presenters, the range of talent and personalities are sure to make the show a success."The sextet join the already announced ladies of Desperate Housewives, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Hugh Laurie and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.Fishburne and Petersen will present together. Fishburne has signed on to replace the departing Petersen on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation next season. What better place to pass the torch than at the Emmys?The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards air Sept. 21 on ABC. — Joyce Eng
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