CSI-They're back...

[mauchow]

After a week of saying they won't be back, they've negotiated a deal and now they'll be playing with Grisson again. I for one am glad to see this.

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK - Actors George Eads and Jorja Fox (news) will both be back on the job next week at "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" after learning a lesson in hardball network politics.

Photo
AP Photo



Eads reached an agreement Friday to return to television's most popular drama after he was fired for skipping work in what CBS believed was a contract dispute, CBS entertainment spokesman Chris Ender said.

He rejoins Jorja Fox, who came to her own agreement to come back on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Eads did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Friday.

The actors portray investigators Sara Sidle and Nick Stokes on the Las Vegas-based forensics drama. Actors in a successful Hollywood production angling for more money is a long-established Hollywood tradition.

But CBS boss Leslie Moonves, who said the actors' deals had already been renegotiated after two seasons, played tough. "There comes a point where we feel a contract is a contract," he said.

In a similar situation last year with "Everybody Loves Raymond" actor Brad Garrett, CBS kept him on the job and gave him more money.

Eads was hired back at his old salary, a reported $100,000 per episode, said an executive close to the production who requested anonymity. Ender would not comment on terms of the deal.

This week, Eads had essentially pleaded for his job by apologizing before a group of reporters. He said that he had overslept on the first day of filming for the new "CSI" season and wasn't trying to apply pressure.

"It's a big misunderstanding, straight up," Eads told the Television Critics Association on Wednesday. "I want all this to work out. 'CSI' is a part of who I am."

Both actors will be back at work next week, Ender said.

"We are thrilled that Jorja and George could work things out with CBS and return to the show," said series creator Jerry Bruckheimer.

[bbor]

I wonder how much of a pay cut they had to take to get back on the show.

[3ric]

Good news!

[Flasch186]

SAG must be going crazy right now.

[GrantDawg]

You know the sad thing? I think I would really like this show, but I have never watched a single episode. I was always a huge Law and Order fan (at least until they jumped the shark by hiring blonde), and this show looks interesting. I guess it was just because of the night it came on.

I guess the same could be said for Surviver. I'm a complete sucker for reality series, but I have only watched one episode of the "granddaddy" of them all. *shrugs*

[GrantDawg]

I wonder how much of a pay cut they had to take to get back on the show.
My guess is none. They didn't get a raise either, though.

[Eaglesfan27]

The original CSI is the best show on network TV in my opinion. I highly recommend taping it if you can't watch it on Thursday nights (that is what I usually do.)

[sterlingice]

The original CSI is the best show on network TV in my opinion. I highly recommend taping it if you can't watch it on Thursday nights (that is what I usually do.)
Ditto here on both accounts: I tape it and it is the best network show on tv.

SI

[sterlingice]

Dola, I've been following this story over at TWoP ever since it broke and, man, I just can't stand message board people some times.

First, half of the crowd took it personal that this happened ("how dare they think I, king of the world, message board poster who lives in his parent's basement, will watch the show if I can't follow my favorite character and make vague jokes about his sexuality or what not") and now they're getting sore arms patting themselves on the back ("yes, me, internet fan, saved the show singlehandedly by writing a generic two line email to CBS that will never be seen by anyone").

Thankfully, FOFC seems to be quite a bit better about this kind of stuff...

SI

[bbor]

Thank god CBS consulted me before making the ultimate decision on these 2 actors careers.

:D

[Glengoyne]

The original CSI is the best show on network TV in my opinion. I highly recommend taping it if you can't watch it on Thursday nights (that is what I usually do.)
Come on.

I mean I like it. but it is so out of line with reality, I can't take it seriously. I like some of the characters, like the guy who plays the boss. I think he pretty well makes the show, and is a good actor. I just don't think there is near enough there to call it the best show on TV, even network TV. I will give you that it is entertaining. I don't think quality is one of it's assetts.

[sterlingice]

Come on.

I mean I like it. but it is so out of line with reality, I can't take it seriously. I like some of the characters, like the guy who plays the boss. I think he pretty well makes the show, and is a good actor. I just don't think there is near enough there to call it the best show on TV, even network TV. I will give you that it is entertaining. I don't think quality is one of it's assetts. Does a show have to be perfectly realistic to be entertaining, even for a show based in "the real world" (as opposed to, say, a sci-fi show where it's ability to create a new and fantastic world can be some of its appeal)? I'm not particularly bad at going to movies and saying "oh, that's not realistic" (I was raised on James Bond physics) as bad plots and bad characters will turn me off a lot more to a show than a bit of literary license with the facts. But, even I'll be annoyed if something really uncharacteristic happens and that rarely happens in CSI. I'm genuinely curious as to what people think are the "best shows on tv" nowadays as there is significantly less scripted stuff that is high profile and well done.

SI

[daedalus]

Woohoo! Colour me happy.

[daedalus]

I wonder how much of a pay cut they had to take to get back on the show.From what I've read, all the supporting cast (Nick, Sara, Warrick, Brass) were offered a small raise. If he comes back at his "old salary" then that's probably what he's missing out on.

[sovereignstar]

Welcome back, Miss Fox!

http://www.spookyweb.de/csi/bilder/csi05_013.jpg

[sterlingice]

From what I've read, all the supporting cast (Nick, Sara, Warrick, Brass) were offered a small raise. If he comes back at his "old salary" then that's probably what he's missing out on.
Yeah, from what I read, it was a 20% raise across the board for all of them (i.e. Eads and Fox supposedly were offered raises from $100K per ep to $120K per ep) but the two that had the contract dispute will no longer get that. Still, it's all rumors so who knows the real story.

My favorite rumors from the story were that Dourdan was the only main character to show up on the first day of taping because Peterson and Helgenberger both stayed home as a sign of support to Fox. I can see it now, Dourdan: "Guys? Guys? Where is everyone? Hah! I get to do CSI: Warrick"

If that was true, I was kindof hoping that next year's season premiere would be "New CSI" where Warrick, Greg, and Brass are the ones solving everything ;)

SI

[Kodos]

You know the sad thing? I think I would really like this show, but I have never watched a single episode. I was always a huge Law and Order fan (at least until they jumped the shark by hiring blonde), and this show looks interesting. I guess it was just because of the night it came on.

I guess the same could be said for Surviver. I'm a complete sucker for reality series, but I have only watched one episode of the "granddaddy" of them all. *shrugs*

If you are a sucker for reality programs, you really should watch Survivor. It is far and away the best of the bunch. It's my favorite show on TV, barring NFL broadcasts of course. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Come on.

I mean I like it. but it is so out of line with reality, I can't take it seriously. I like some of the characters, like the guy who plays the boss. I think he pretty well makes the show, and is a good actor. I just don't think there is near enough there to call it the best show on TV, even network TV. I will give you that it is entertaining. I don't think quality is one of it's assetts.

I'm not recommending it as a show on how to become a Crime Scene Investigator or an expert in medical procedure or anything of the sort. However, I think William Peterson (Grissom)is an excellent actor, and I think the supporting cast does their jobs very well. I find the storylines often take unique interesting turns that are believable (if sometimes far fetched - they don't totally break the bounds of possibility.)

I'm curious, what would you list as the best show on network TV? Also, would you have a different answer if I asked what is the most entertaining show on network TV? I watch TV for entertainment, so the most entertaining is the best show IMHO.

[Karim]

I'm genuinely curious as to what people think are the "best shows on tv" nowadays as there is significantly less scripted stuff that is high profile and well done.
My favourites are CSI, 24 and Alias. One of my all-time favourite series is Millennium which thankfully has finally come out on DVD.

[Karim]

Welcome back, Miss Fox!

http://www.spookyweb.de/csi/bilder/csi05_013.jpg
Gotta love hot lesbians...

[GrantDawg]

If you are a sucker for reality programs, you really should watch Survivor. It is far and away the best of the bunch. It's my favorite show on TV, barring NFL broadcasts of course. :)
There just something about it to me that is off-putting. I can't put a finger on what it is, but I just can't generate a desire to watch it.

I'm definitely interested in CSI:New York, and will probably tape that regularly. I might start catching the original (it is not like it would be hard. I have a tivo-type device), but I think the two stars they have coming on the NY version may make that the best acted show on television.

[Glengoyne]

I guess my thing is the whole thing is out of whack with reality. DNA results come back in minutes. Crime scene Investigators are doing interviews and playing detective. I know they are obviously taking liberties to make the show interesting, and it is interesting. I just think they take it so far, and sometimes they have really odd story lines. Story lines that seem to only serve as comedy relief. I watch the show, but have never considered it "serious". I too agree that Peterson is great. I just can't imagine anyone but him getting an award of any sort.

As for what I think are the best shows on TV. Hmm
I'd say the West Wing has been great, though this year it suffered a bit. I think Everybody Loves Raymond is one of the best comedies in years. 24 was pretty good TV the first season. It suffered from a bit of incredulity in it's second season as well. edit to add that I enjoy the Law and Order Franshise as well.

[Suicane75]

I watched 1 episode of CSI and I gran that 1 episode is not enough to make form a real strong overview of the show but heres my experience with it.

Friend 1: Dude, you have to watch CSI, it's the best show on TV.
Me: Eh
Freind 2: Man, you really should watch this show, if I know you you'll love it.
Me: Hmmm, maybe.
Friend 1: You still havn't watched CSI yet? You don't know what you're missing.
Me: Alright, i'll give it a shot.
CSI: 45 Minutes of crazy ass detectiving and weird ass tests and extensive, out there blood work and hair samples and the main guy brooding and figuring out which angle the gun was shot from and which victim it hit first and deliberate and pain staking thought processes and crime scene re-enactment, and then some dude came back with FINGERPRINTS that proved their theory. Essentialy they could have done nothing and just waited for the FINGERPRINTS.
Me: I miss Homicide.

[Schedule Junkie]

My favorite rumors from the story were that Dourdan was the only main character to show up on the first day of taping because Peterson and Helgenberger both stayed home as a sign of support to Fox. Hmmm, given that William Peterson is one of the executive producers of the show, I would find that unlikely. But perhaps his acting side overcame his producer's side...

$100,000 per episode x 22 episodes per season = $2,200,000 per year. Add to that the fact that each episode is shot in 8 or 9 days, so you're only working 176-194 days out of the year. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't think I'd be complaining too much.

[Ksyrup]

Welcome back, Miss Fox!

http://www.spookyweb.de/csi/bilder/csi05_013.jpg
I'm sorry, but this chick is a Zellweger to me. The funny thing is, I thought this chick was Jennifer Garner for the longest time. I never watched Alias, I just saw shots of her from commercials. Then when I realized it wasn't her, I figured she was Garner's older, uglier sister.

[sovereignstar]

I guess I just kind of like her in that TV's Number One Watched Show type of way or...

nm..I got nothing.

[sterlingice]

Hmmm, given that William Peterson is one of the executive producers of the show, I would find that unlikely. But perhaps his acting side overcame his producer's side...

$100,000 per episode x 22 episodes per season = $2,200,000 per year. Add to that the fact that each episode is shot in 8 or 9 days, so you're only working 176-194 days out of the year. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't think I'd be complaining too much.
Yeah, but it's the same song and dance as when athletes strike for more money.

SI

[Ksyrup]

This whole scenario was kinda interesting. I'm glad they're back, but as I heard the news last week, I laughed at it. Really, as far as storylines go, Fox was the one who couldn't be let go, based on the bizarre relationship Sara has with Gil - but that role could have fairly easily been recast. Eads' character was about as replaceable as a L&O detective. He had absolutely no negotiating points.

Note to actors - when your show has been franchised 3 times over, that doesn't make you indispensible to the original show, that just means there are 3 times the number of people who play the same role you do, which makes you readily replaceable.