-How many seasons do you think it has left and why?
At the rate it's going, I'm not sure. I'm starting to give it up for dead since finding out they're going to recycle "Spring Break". I'd say if they can't make the stories more varied, go ahead and give it up now.
-Do you feel CSI:Miami has gotten tired or rejuvenated itself?
Sadly, I think the "glory years" (S1-S3, and maybe a little of S4) are long gone, and they ain't coming back. I had high hopes when I watched Out of Time, and to be fair, they HAVE had some excellent ones this year--Out of Time, Die By the Sword, Dishonor, Hostile Takeover--but they're getting to be few and far between. They insist pretty much on using the same characters again and again, while totally ignoring some good talent.
Personally, I'm wondering whether tptb have major ADD. Seems like they keep just dropping storylines and starting new (or recycled) ones.
-If you feel that it's tired/doesn't have much steam left, do you think the writing is to blame? The acting? Society's ever-changing interests or other?
Largely, I think it's a combination of the writing and the set design. For the most part, the show is turning into the Jessie, Walter, Eric and Calleigh Show. Yes, they have a large cast, but they could actually work this to their advantage if they wanted to. Look at Vegas--Some episodes are of the CSI's, while the labrats are the key characters in others. They could have a ton of new, varied, and interesting storylines if they just use all the talent they have at their disposal. I'm pretty sure Wes Ramsey and Christopher Redman could carry a show.
As for the set design and the wardrobe, those loud, bright, fancy-schmancy sets and screaming colors are just too annoying. In the early years, everyone was a little more muted and down-to-earth. And trust me; if your show is good, you won't need to rely on an abundant supply of cleavage or packages to keep an audience!
As far as society's expectations, I think that's just the problem. In this world of moral relativity, we WANT characters that have depth. We WANT characters that are loyal, smart, honorable, and don't let petty bickering get in the way of things. Society hasn't changed in this regard; in fact we seem to need it more than ever. Entertainment is meant to be an escape from the real world, not an extension of it. Hollywood's golden years were when America was being crushed by the Great Depression and World War II. In RL today we have to deal with job losses, failing banks, cheating spouses, corruption, snarky kids, aging parents. In the early years of the show, we could tune in and enjoy handsome wisecracking Delko and that boyish grin, Speed's and Frank's smart-alechyness, Calleigh's expertise, and Ryan's sweetness. Above all, Horatio was going to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves. We could laugh at Horatio and Rick Stetler headbutting. Dan Cooper was a chunkhead, but he was the best at what he did. We could smile at Horatio's and Yelina's "eye sex." But when it came to solving the case and catching the bad guys, they were committed to doing the job. The characters were consistent and predictable, and well done. But for reasons unknown, tptb strayed from the formula. Characters like Tyler, Calleigh's dad, and Madison just disappeared. Characters that remained became inconsistent. There were relationships between characters in the first years, but the relationships flowed with the rest of the show, rather than the rest of the show being forced to fit the relationship. In the early years, Miami was an escape from RL, but sadly it's now become an extension of it.
Another thing that attracted me to the show was the attention to detail. The characters used so many different things at their disposal in an effort to solve the crime. Now it's so sloppy as to not even be comical. A guy in lockup still has his cell phone (Resurrection); a high-end SUV (Point of Impact) has no airbags; Calleigh no longer uses hearing or eye protection in the ballistics lab (Down to the Wire).
-When the show ends someday - because it probably will
-, do you think TPTB will decide to end it and tie everything up (or not tie much up, lol) or do you think the network will give it the axe?
Don't know.
-How long do you feel is an appropriate amount of time for a show like CSI:Miami to run?
MASH ran for 13 seasons. How long did The Simpsons run? I guess as long as fans keep coming back.
