CSI Episodic Ted Danson Jorja Fox - H 2013
Monty Brinton/CBSCBS is keeping CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on lockdown.
The network renewed the long-running procedural for a 14th season Wednesday, extending the contracts for stars Ted Danson, Elisabeth Shue and a slew of other castmembers. Danson’s deal is for two years, which would keep him aboard the drama should it return for a 15th season.
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“CSI is synonymous with CBS, and we are so proud of the series’ creative and commercial legacy and its continued success on our network,” CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said in a statement announcing the news. “The writers and producers have done an amazing job evolving CSI, reinventing the show around an incredible leading man in Ted Danson, the acclaimed Elisabeth Shue and our beloved and talented core of original castmembers.”
George Eads, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert David Hall, Wallace Langham, Elisabeth Harnois, David Berman and Jon Wellner also will return to CBS Television Studios procedural from Carol Mendelsohn.
In its 13th season, CSI regularly wins its Wednesdays at 10 p.m. slot in total viewers (averaging 11.85 million), the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic (2.9) and adults 25-54 (3.8). The global property also recently earned the International TV Audience Award as the most-watched show in the world for the third year running and fifth time in seven years.
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“CSI is one of the top global franchises and is seen in almost every country in the world,” CBS Television Studios president David Stapf said. “It defined feature television and its whodunnit storytelling captured audiences since the day it premiered. We are fortunate to have had Carol Mendelsohn’s creative vision at the helm since the inception, as well as the talents of her partner Don McGill. The addition of Ted Danson has infused new energy into the series, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with its continued worldwide success.”
Jerry Bruckheimer, Mendelsohn, Anthony Zuiker, McGill, Jonathan Littman, Louis Milito, Ann Donahue, Cindy Chvatal and former CSI star William Petersen serve as exec producers on the drama for CBS Television Studios, Entertainment AB Funding in assistance with Jerry Bruckheimer Television.
CSI joins the network’s previously renewed procedural NCIS, which was picked up for an 11th season in February. Other series locked up at CBS for the 2013-14 season are broadcast’s top comedy, The Big Bang Theory, and Monday staple How I Met Your Mother, which will end its run next season. The fate of CSI spinoff CSI: NY remains in limbo. CSI: Miami was canceled last year.
Danson joined the series in 2011, replacing Laurence Fishburne as the new team leader. Fishburne spent two and a half seasons with the procedural, boarding as a replacement for original star Petersen, who exited in December 2008. Shue joined in November 2011, replacing Marg Helgenberger.
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