'CSI' Producers Take Look At Kinkiest Side Of Vegas

CSI Files

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The airing of "Pirates Of The Third Reich" tomorrow night marks a yearly tradition for CSI: the team's return to the darkest side of Las Vegas.

Every year the show tends to deliver an episode (or two) that has everyone talking and this one promises to be it. But the stories told in these episodes are not as out there as most people may think - they show a side of this famous city that really does exist. "It goes back to Vegas, where the show is set. In Vegas, anything goes," executive producer <font color=yellow>Carol Mendelsohn</font> said, adding that "Pirates of the Third Reich" is, "one of our more out-there episodes."

It also goes back to writer <font color=yellow>Jerry Stahl</font>, who is responsible for the most shocking episodes: "Fur and Loathing," "Ch-Ch-Changes," and "King Baby," and most notably, the creation of Lady Heather. Stahl also penned down tomorrow's episode. "He's completely perverse," said <font color=yellow>William Petersen</font> (Gil Grissom). "There's no place Jerry won't go. There's nothing Jerry won't look at."

Stahl isn't scared to go all out and show a side of the United States most people like to overlook. His book Permanent Midnight tells the story of his heroin addiction. "He introduces Americans to worlds that they wouldn't normally see," said supervising producer <font color=yellow>Richard Lewis</font>, who directed tomorrow night's episode. "It's always a little darker and edgier when Jerry writes."

This has gotten the show a bad reputation with family oriented groups, especially the Parents Television Council, who has placed CSI in its list of worst family oriented television shows. The PTC claims these plots are irrelevant to a good story. "They go into a depth of detail that I think is unnecessary for a show about forensic investigations," said PTC member <font color=yellow>Melissa Caldwell</font>.

These episodes may have some parents turning their televisions off an hour earlier than usual, but the numbers prove fans can't get enough of them. When CSI delves into the kinkiest worlds, its ratings go through the roof. "We try to think, 'What would our fans like to see? What would be a thrill ride?'" added Mendelsohn. "Our job is to make them want to come back next week, to create a great hour. That's the guidepost to everything we do."

It's also the writers' job to look into these sub-cultures and tell a good story, with richly developed characters and credible plots, and CSI is known for hitting the mark each time. One of the show's most famous characters, Lady Heather, has shown a depth and range of complexity as that of a main character's. "She was a multidimensional person who hadn't been seen, a dominatrix who was much more evolved — enigmatic and empowered," said <font color=yellow>Melinda Clarke</font>, who plays the famous dominatrix.

Lady Heather returns tomorrow night to deliver another emotional punch to Grissom's life and to yet again introduce CSI into a world it has never seen before. In the end Petersen isn't afraid to take Grissom to these worlds, "I just don't want it to be gratuitous."

"Pirates Of The Third Reich" airs tomorrow night at 9/8c on CBS. Visit USA Today to read the original article.<center></center>
 
I love Jerry Stahl's writing. He's so creative and always adds a nice twist to the plots. Looking forward to tomorrow's writing!
 
Again, let me just say... Who the hell ever thought CSI would be a family show anyway? How many crime dramas are? :rolleyes:
 
Again, let me just say... Who the hell ever thought CSI would be a family show anyway? How many crime dramas are? :rolleyes:
I never once thought CSI is a family show. I mean, since when did a crime/drama/mystery/suspense series/movie become a family show/movie?! :confused: Certain TV shows/series, like food, is an acquired taste for the viewer. Some kids who are interested in science and forensic science might take a liking to the show simply because it shows in-depth analysis of certain cases.

I love Jerry Stahl's writing. He's so creative and always adds a nice twist to the plots.
Its these types of twists and turns that makes viewers stayed glued to their TV screens wanting to see the whole story unfold. Plus CSI producers, directors, writers & actors delivers the story in a stylish -- sometimes outlandish way, but hey, ces't la vie.
 
I don't know why PTC gets so much publicity. They are just a very small but loud group without any real popular support. They admit that their evaluations are based on the opinions of three or four people who are staff members.
They get all this attention because the media feel obliged to try to present a "balanced view" of things, even if it means exaggerating the importance of a tiny bunch of neo-Puritan busybodies. This isn't a true view of the nation's opinions. Look at the ratings.
I resent that they think they know what is best for all, that anyone who disagrees with them is a bad parent. Even more, I am appalled that the media are such cowards that they try to protect themselves by giving these wackos national standing.
margburger
 
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