Melina Kanakaredes Leaves CSI: NY

[Carolyn318]

This is one of those threads I just got to put my 2 cents in. I'm gonna divide this post into sections and give each section a title. NO, they will NOT be titled Section 1, Section 2 etc.

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.
If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right in front of him/right under his nose all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

Exit Melina. Enter Sela.
I have no problem with Sela Ward joining the show. I saw her in a few episodes of Once and Again. She's a good actress. I'd say as good as Melina. Unlike the lady who played Haylen Becall at the beginning of season 6, Sela doesn't have a slightly high-pitched, screechy voice.

Stella vs. Sela's Character.
I liked Stella immediately. Now new/replacement characters are a different story. Some examples.
Haylen Becall--I started out liking her but by her last episode I hated her.
CSI: Miami's Ryan Wolfe--I have liked Ryan since his very first scene back in season 3. I think if Jonathan/Ryan left, I would sit down and cry then smash the tv.
CSI: Miami's Dr. Tom Loman--I started out hating this guy. Now I like him even if he is a cheap/comical Sid Hammerback knock-off.
So you see, Sela's character is gonna have to pull a Ryan Wolfe. I'm gonna have to start out liking her and end up loving her much as Stella. Otherwise I'll be happy to see her leave like I was with Haylen.

Say "Hello" to the team.
Sometimes...ok 99% of the time I can kinda feel through the tv screen if 2 actors or 2 actresses or an actor and an actress have chemistry. I sure felt it between Eddie Cahill and Emmanuelle Vaguier as well as their characters Flack and Angell. I'm gonna be paying close attention to Sela's character's chemistry with the other members of the team. I hope she gets along with all of them as good as Stella does.

Faylinn's prediction.
I read on the first page of posts where Faylinn said:

I don't think this bodes well for the series - Friday nights without one of the major players? I wouldn't be surprised if season 7 was the last, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

I hate to say this but I agree with you, Faylinn.
I'm not sure CSI: NY has the legs to stand on to survive all these major changes. New night, new time, major actor-actress/character leaving, new actor-actress/character coming in. Now Vegas CSI and CSI: Miami might have the legs and the strength to withstand all those BIG changes but, I also hate to say this, I don't think CSI: NY does. Plus, if I'm not mistaken the other 2 CSI shows are always ahead of CSI: NY in the ratings. So, there's another hurdle to it withstanding all these changes.

Well, I've said everything I wanted to say.
So, please feel free to r q & d (read, quote and disagree).

 

[Ballettmaus]

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.
If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right under his nose/right in front of him all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

I'm with you on that... but it's too good to be true!!
They'll probably put Mac together with Sela Ward's character just out of spite. Though I think they then can go pack their bags straight away because a lot of people were already fed up with too much romance during the last season.

Faylinn's prediction.
I read on the first page of posts where Faylinn said:

I don't think this bodes well for the series - Friday nights without one of the major players? I wouldn't be surprised if season 7 was the last, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

I hate to say this but I agree with you, Faylinn.
I'm not sure CSI: NY has the legs to stand on to survive all these major changes. New night, new time, major actor-actress/character leaving, new actor-actress/character coming in. Now Vegas CSI and CSI: Miami might have the legs and the strength to withstand all those BIG changes but, I also hate to say this, I don't think CSI: NY does. Plus, if I'm not mistaken the other 2 CSI shows are always ahead of CSI: NY in the ratings. So, there's another hurdle to it withstanding all these changes.

But even CSI and CSI Miami had their troubles. After Peterson left, they had to bring back Sara because ratings were dropping, Riley wasn't fitting in well with the team, the second half of season 9 felt like a mess.
And Miami brought back Eric because the ratings were dropping. They though had the advantage of characters leaving and time slot changes being separate. I don't know how many viewers they lost during last season, but CSI NY already lost viewers, now they lost a character and have a new time slot, all at the same time.
I don't have any experience with US TV; if Friday nights really means that's it for a show. Though it certainly would make sense; movies are on and people are going out. If that is the case then things don't look promising for CSI NY. Especially if you look at the characters. Danny and Lindsay are married, Sela Ward and GS are both over 50. They're lacking the "coolness" of Miami and Vegas (the beach, the Casinos etc) While I prefer NY I can see why other people my age prefer Miami and Vegas - for the same reason spring break happens at Miami and not in NY.

 

[Lori K.]

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.

If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right under his nose/right in front of him all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

Exit Melina. Enter Sela.
I have no problem with Sela Ward joining the show. I saw her in a few episodes of Once and Again. She's a good actress. I'd say as good as Melina. Unlike the lady who played Haylen Becall at the beginning of season 6, Sela doesn't have a slightly high-pitched, screechy voice.

Stella vs. Sela's Character.
I liked Stella immediately. Now new/replacement characters are a different story. Some examples.
Haylen Becall--I started out liking her but by her last episode I hated her.
CSI: Miami's Ryan Wolfe--I have liked Ryan since his very first scene back season 3. I think if Jonathan/Ryan left, I would sit down and cry then smash the tv.
CSI: Miami's Dr. Tom Loman--I started out hating this guy. Now I like him even if he is a cheap/comical Sid Hammerback knock-off.
So you see, Sela's character is gonna have to pull a Ryan Wolfe. I'm gonna have to start out liking her and end up loving her much as Stella. Otherwise I'll be happy to see her leave like I was with Haylen.

Say "Hello" to the team.
Sometimes...ok 99% of the time I can kinda feel through the tv screen if 2 actors or 2 actresses or an actor and an actress have chemistry. I sure felt it between Eddie Cahill and Emmanuelle Vaguier as well as their characters Flack and Angell. I'm gonna be paying close attention to Sela's character's chemistry with the other members of the team. I hope she gets along with all of them as good as Stella does.

Faylinn's prediction.
I read on the first page of posts where Faylinn said:

Quote:
I don't think this bodes well for the series - Friday nights without one of the major players? I wouldn't be surprised if season 7 was the last, but I hope I'm proven wrong.
I hate to say this but I agree with you, Faylinn.
I'm not sure CSI: NY has the legs to stand on to survive all these major changes. New night, new time, major actor-actress/character leaving, new actor-actress/character coming in. Now Vegas CSI and CSI: Miami might have the legs and the strength to withstand all those BIG changes but, I also hate to say this, I don't think CSI: NY does. Plus, if I'm not mistaken the other 2 CSI shows are always ahead of CSI: NY in the ratings. So, there's another hurdle to it withstanding all these changes.

Well said!:thumbsup:
I asked on another thread about Eric Delko leaving and coming back and this it what was told to me:

he didn't get in negotiations what he wanted so they left without negotiating - just like that. Not even trying to make a deal. They wanted to kill him off, but Ann Donahue supported him and they made him star in 10 episodes of the season, giving him a slow exit. However, fans organised a petition on a Twitter and Facebook and CBS agreed to negotiate with him again. They made a deal and he is back!

Now I'm not a rebel rouser per se well maybe a little :lol: but
maybe this is worth a shot? nothing againest Sela but I would much rather keep the core together.

 

[wildcat]

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.
If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right under his nose/right in front of him all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

:thumbsup: Oh, THAT would be nice - I just can imagine all the spectrum of emotions GS could express. It could be great and it would be a real challenge even for him without Stella being there and without any additional scenes together, but he surely can do this! :drool:
Unfortunately, I don't believe TPTB will have enough imagination, love for characters or guts to go there.

Exit Melina. Enter Sela.
I have no problem with Sela Ward joining the show.

Oh, no problem with the actress herself - that is except the fact that she is looking like a cross between Peyton and Aubrey and all three of them are like sisters. :lol:

The problem is that she is NOT Stella. She won't be able to replace Stella. And I don't want her or anybody else for that matter to even try to replace Stella. :evil:

I asked on another thread about Eric Delko leaving and coming back and this it what was told to me:

he didn't get in negotiations what he wanted so they left without negotiating - just like that. Not even trying to make a deal. They wanted to kill him off, but Ann Donahue supported him and they made him star in 10 episodes of the season, giving him a slow exit. However, fans organised a petition on a Twitter and Facebook and CBS agreed to negotiate with him again. They made a deal and he is back!

Now I'm not a rebel rouser per se well maybe a little :lol: but
maybe this is worth a shot? nothing againest Sela but I would much rather keep the core together.

Lori, thank you so much! You are a fighter! :luvlove::beer: And I hope that you'll be an inspiration for all those who desperately want to see Stella back.

I am absolutely convinced that if there were some disagreements - they can be resolved and if there were some some other choices/commitments on Melina's side, compromises can be found. Of course, provided that CBS is made to hear and understand that any replacement, however good it is, is not good enough for millions of fans. :devil:

For Lori K and anyone else who might like to write to CBS:

http://www.cbs.com/info/user_service...lobal_form.php

Thanks again I have gone to the website and have written my disappointment and hoping maybe others will as well ....

I done this too and I also hope that if we can at least try to bring Stella back or convince TPTB not to kill off the character (let's be realistic ) and see how it develops, it's worth trying.

 

[Lori K.]

There has been a facebook account created for Melina Kanakaredes!:thumbsup:
Thanks to whom ever set it up:thumbsup:
If you are so inclined go and support Melina!!!

 

[Geeno]

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.
If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right under his nose/right in front of him all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

I love this idea! :thumbsup: Very good story line!

I also have no problem with Sela Ward. So far, there are lots of good reviews about her. My problems is the fan base. It looks she has but does she have enough young fan base to save the show? No offense but in this industry, only the viewers 18-49 years old seem to matter. Without enough numbers on that demo, the show is done. Too bad I don't have Nielsen box. :lol:

 

[Ghawazee]

I done this too and I also hope that if we can at least try to bring Stella back or convince TPTB not to kill off the character (let's be realistic ) and see how it develops, it's worth trying

I think to kill off Stella would be a HUGE mistake. Aiden's departure was proved to be one and the same i can say if they get rid of Stella, SPECIALLY if they get rid of Stella.
Characters are important to people. And Stella's loss wouldn't be something possible to cope with so easily

 

[Geeno]

Hi Ghawazee, are you okay? Mac/Stella isn't over yet, hopefully. Don't give up!

 

[Ghawazee]

I am ok Geeno thanks for asking. Btw i adore your new avatar!

 

[BauerAlmeida]

I don't think we should just dump all the blames on CBS, after all, they didn't force Melina to leave, they didn't just abruptly cut her off from her contract or not even negotiate like they did with the whole Criminal Minds situation when they toss AJ off the cast list and reduced Paget's screentime. Melina chose to make her exit, and as sad and horrible as that sounds, it was her choice to make, no one forced her hand.

As for the talk of pay cuts and less hours, that's not just CBS making fuss, it's happening on a lot of the big shows on the networks. Money is hard to come by in these economic times, so sometimes actors will have to make some sacrifices on their payment, which to be really blunt and honest, they still get paid a lot than the actual people who do these dangerous and investigative jobs, it just so happens that sometimes actors don't want to take a pay cut and choose to leave, and that is fine too, that is their choice, but I find that sometimes blaming the TV networks isn't really all that fair. They aren't always the bad guys. And from the statements released, it seems that the network is more than open to have Melina back if she chooses to, it would just be that they can't always pay her the money she wants for her work. But that's the entertainment industry for you, it's not fair, but something you learn to get use to.

I am sad that Melina/Stella will not be around, she is a great actress and a great character, but I think Sela Ward will be a good successor. And hopefully once the anger fades for the fans, they will see it too.

NY's last season wasn't very good, but who knows, maybe the new season will bring it back to its glory. Shows have surprised us before, maybe NY will do that.

Let's just all keep a happy and open mind, bad things happen in life, but life goes on.

 

[Ballettmaus]

I asked on another thread about Eric Delko leaving and coming back and this it what was told to me:

he didn't get in negotiations what he wanted so they left without negotiating - just like that. Not even trying to make a deal. They wanted to kill him off, but Ann Donahue supported him and they made him star in 10 episodes of the season, giving him a slow exit. However, fans organised a petition on a Twitter and Facebook and CBS agreed to negotiate with him again. They made a deal and he is back!

Now I'm not a rebel rouser per se well maybe a little :lol: but
maybe this is worth a shot? nothing againest Sela but I would much rather keep the core together.

I'd be definitely with you on that
Stella's just Stella and no matter who, she could never be replaced.

Delko was set up to leave the show though, the cliffhanger was about him, so I guess the circumstances were different.

I think if they keep her alive, it would be a first step. They could give her Sinclair's position, that could be interesting

 

[Elwood21]

Melina/Stella leaving and the Mac/Stella ship.
If the TPTB could do this right: I would love to see Mac suddenly realize, now that Stella is gone, how he really feels about her. That his feelings for her are more than just friend, pal, confidante, co-worker. That he has romantic/lover feelings for her. Have the realization hit him like a ton of bricks falling on him. I would love to see Mac realize there's been another Claire right under his nose/right in front of him all this time but he's been too busy or too blind to realize it till now.

And ever on it goes :lol:. And again, to each their own .

I understand the sentiment. Personally, even as an exit, that's not a route I'd like to see the show take. Still feels like it would be cliche and somehow undermining what the show's been about for the past six seasons. That's not an insult to the characters, or their relationship, however any one of us may choose to read it, that's simply a comment about how I see the nature of the show.

It's not Castle. It's not Bones. Both those shows are great. But they do overtly play on a different dynamic. One that NY never has.

Besides. Playing along within the realm, perhaps Mac already knows how he feels about her. That she's not Claire. That she's been a great work-partner, a great friend and confidant within a unique relationship. That where ever she goes, (unless killed off), will likely continue to be. Nuthin wrong with that in my books.

I think GS, and indeed the whole cast, could get some powerful and memorable moments from all this regardless. An extraneously tacked on romantic sentiment is not a necessary component to provide such.

I'm gonna be paying close attention to Sela's character's chemistry with the other members of the team. I hope she gets along with all of them as good as Stella does.

So do I.

I'm not sure CSI: NY has the legs to stand on to survive all these major changes. New night, new time, major actor-actress/character leaving, new actor-actress/character coming in. Now Vegas CSI and CSI: Miami might have the legs and the strength to withstand all those BIG changes but, I also hate to say this, I don't think CSI: NY does.

If the network thinks this show is valuable in the schedule somewhere, it'll continue on. If not, it won't.

I agree there is some cause for concern for the show with the shift in time slot. But I think the changes coming up in S7 do hold the possiblitiy of making the show better. The audience may be smaller, simply because it's a Friday slot. Doesn't mean it won't find any viewers at all. Doesn't mean the show won't necessarily improve. Who knows. Will hafta wait and see.

They'll probably put Mac together with Sela Ward's character just out of spite. Though I think they then can go pack their bags straight away because a lot of people were already fed up with too much romance during the last season.

dear gad I hope not :lol:. And no, I was not fed up with too much romance during the last season.

I was fed up with DL again. They were not the supersaturated mess they were in S5, but still not engaging to me. I was not fed up with Adam and Stella, nor with Mac and Aubrey. Hard to call either of the latter two outright romances anyways, with perhaps ten minutes in totality devoted to them :lol:. However one feels about Peyton as a character, Point of View was primarily about the case, and not swamped dwelling on the past between them, present though it was. I didn't have a problem with the ep, or rather, any issues I did have didn't necessarily stem from the nature of their interaction. As for Hawkes, his rumoured storyline hasn't happened yet. And I'm not averse to it coming to fruition. Flack? Besides barhopping, not an issue last season.

Do I think the show could further improve upon the sharpness and balance of personal material, of all kinds (family, injury, loss, romance, etc), to case material on a general show level? Absolutely. Do I think it should be excluded altogether? No, not at all.

Should the show be so "spiteful," I would be fed up for the same reason as with regards to DL, and any Mac & Stella: I do not think the show would do well in putting main characters together. Plain and simple.

I have the happy feeling I will be spared that.

But even CSI and CSI Miami had their troubles.

And some would also say that, after some rough ground, that both shows actually improved in their most recent seasons. NY could do the same. It's also possible some people will tune in because they're curious about the changes, and not drop the show outright because of them. Hopefully people give it a shot.

Unfortunately, I don't believe TPTB will have enough imagination, love for characters or guts to go there.

It's also possible that TPTB will have enough imagination, love for the characters, and guts not to go there.

The problem is that she is NOT Stella. She won't be able to replace Stella. And I don't want her or anybody else for that matter to even try to replace Stella. :evil:

I hope they just let Ward's character be her own character, not a replacement, but a new team member. However that transition takes place. I wouldn't like the notion that Stella was replaced so much as had a successor to her position.

Thanks again I have gone to the website and have written my disappointment and hoping maybe others will as well ....

I done this too and I also hope that if we can at least try to bring Stella back or convince TPTB not to kill off the character (let's be realistic ) and see how it develops, it's worth trying.

I think it would be very hard to take if the show killed off the character. I hope they do leave it more open ended, and have her moving on.

As for supporting Melina. Whatever the circumstances, she herself opted out of returning to the show. Whatever the reasons for her choice, I'll support her for it. I'll support her future projects. I'd support her guesting on the show. Wouldn't presume to push for something she's already decided to pass on.

I hope at some point we will have an occasion where MK returns for an appearance on the show, and that if that happens, the scenario they write up is really good, does right by both her character and the show.

 

[~Sarah~]

I done this too and I also hope that if we can at least try to bring Stella back or convince TPTB not to kill off the character (let's be realistic ) and see how it develops, it's worth trying

I think to kill off Stella would be a HUGE mistake. Aiden's departure was proved to be one and the same i can say if they get rid of Stella, SPECIALLY if they get rid of Stella.
Characters are important to people. And Stella's loss whouldn't be something possible to cope so easily

Aiden's departure was different though. She did a couple episodes at the beginning of Season 2, and Mac fired her. She didn't drop off the map after Season 1 aired, she was properly written out of the show. Her murder later on made sense, to me. Vanessa probably wasn't going to return to the show, and Aiden was obviously obsessed with catching DJ Pratt.

We have no idea what they plan to write to get rid of Stella. I think we'll have to wait until the end of the month/August when the spoilers start showing up to see what they plan to do.

 

[PerfectAnomaly]

I done this too and I also hope that if we can at least try to bring Stella back or convince TPTB not to kill off the character (let's be realistic ) and see how it develops, it's worth trying

I think to kill off Stella would be a HUGE mistake. Aiden's departure was proved to be one and the same i can say if they get rid of Stella, SPECIALLY if they get rid of Stella.
Characters are important to people. And Stella's loss whouldn't be something possible to cope so easily

Aiden's departure was different though. She did a couple episodes at the beginning of Season 2, and Mac fired her. She didn't drop off the map after Season 1 aired, she was properly written out of the show. Her murder later on made sense, to me. Vanessa probably wasn't going to return to the show, and Aiden was obviously obsessed with catching DJ Pratt.

We have no idea what they plan to write to get rid of Stella. I think we'll have to wait until the end of the month/August when the spoilers start showing up to see what they plan to do.

I agree that Aiden was a completely different case and can't be compared to Stella leaving. I just don't see how anything short of her being killed off will make any sense considering Melina won't be appearing in any S7 episodes. I suppose you could have her go missing, but with no set up - like Aiden being set up to die by the hand of DJ Pratt - that really wouldn't make sense either. I'm very curious to see how they do handle it, though.

 

[Ballettmaus]

Do I think the show could further improve upon the sharpness and balance of personal material, of all kinds (family, injury, loss, romance, etc), to case material on a general show level? Absolutely. Do I think it should be excluded altogether? No, not at all.

Oh, I didn't mean that there was too much romance, just that many people felt the love triangle didn't belong in CSI NY. They had said more about it than they in the end made of, however, other than bringing Mac closure with Peyton, there was no reason for her and neither was there need for Aubrey as in being crucial to any episode at all.

I liked the more personal aspect the show took, how the characters had deeper relationships and personalities than the other CSI shows. It's one of the reasons why I'm as upset about MK leaving as I am because of the complexity of her character. It's not time for her to go, so to say. Besides the fact that I'm afraid they won't give her the exit she deserves because she'd be difficult to write out given her dedication to the job and love for NY. If she went to Greece or took a leave of absence or whatever related into that direction would have to be set up for her character because it wouldn't make sense to be a spontaneous decision.

Also, the show often failed to truly stick with the character they created and played yo-yo with some of them.

And some would also say that, after some rough ground, that both shows actually improved in their most recent seasons. NY could do the same. It's also possible some people will tune in because they're curious about the changes, and not drop the show outright because of them. Hopefully people give it a shot.

Well, Miami improved due to the return of Delko, as far as Vegas is concerned, I don't know if it improved but I'd think they were glad to get Fox back on the show.
Miami is still moving to Sundays.

Lori K. There actually is a petition on twitter already. Don't know about facebook.