Come Jan. 15, television's most popular show, CSI, will lose its beloved character Gil Grissom. But why would William Petersen leave his starring role on a hit show that averages 21.3 million viewers a week? A character that made him one of the highest paid actors on television?
"The reason I'm leaving is because ...
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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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Since sultry dominatrix Lady Heather first appeared on CSI in 2001, she's been no stranger to peril. She's seen her employees and daughter murdered, and nearly got herself killed by a customer living out his morbid fantasies. Each time, Grissom (William Petersen) has come to her rescue, raising viewers' hopes that the unlikely pair — whose chemistry is strong enough to spark a brush fire — will finally stop dancing around each other and pull out the whips. But when Melinda Clarke returns on November 6, their roles are reversed. Get ready for Heather to save Grissom.
"She's in a good place now where she's made some changes in her life," Clarke says. "And we won't necessarily see ...
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For eight seasons CSI (returning Thursday, Oct. 9 at 9 pm/ET, CBS) has seen more than its share of stabbings, shootings, stranglings and poisonings. But the real crime is what's about to happen this year: The longtime hit's star, William Petersen, is about to exit the series. Word came this summer that his character, Gil Grissom, will be replaced by a new CSI, played by Laurence Fishburne. As the countdown begins for Petersen's last 10 episodes, we sat down with him and longtime costar Marg Helgenberger (who plays colleague Catherine Willows) to reminisce about their days together and ponder their futures apart.
TV Guide: What would you like to see happen in your last scene together?
William Petersen: We finally have sex? Believe me, it's been brewing all along. For me, anyway.
Marg Helgenberger: Catherine would love to have a roll in the sack with Grissom!
Petersen and Helgenberger drop some clues about Grissom's exit, a possible CSI movie and much more after the jump!
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Hugh Laurie is getting a huge raise: The star of House is set to become one of the highest paid actors on network TV.Laurie, who has played the Vicodin-popping curmudgeon Dr. Gregory House for four seasons, has signed a new deal that will pay him around $400,000 an episode, confirms The Hollywood Reporter. The Brit's deal also includes another year on the show (going through the year 2011), and a producing credit.House is currently Fox's highest rated drama, and Laurie's pitch-perfect snarky performance has earned him two Golden Globes and three Emmy nominations, including one this year. He joins the ranks of such sky-high earners as Kiefer Sutherland (who earns close to $500,000 per episode) of 24 and CSI's departing William Petersen ($600,000). Do you think Hugh Laurie is worth the money? — Erin FoxRelated• Hugh Laurie Talks about the New Season of House• Use Our Online Video Guide to Watch Hugh Laurie as House
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