Melina Kanakaredes Leaves CSI: NY

[GregNickRyanFan]

2) of five actors who've left, or are about to leave CBS this summer, Melina makes the fourth actress (and one actor who got himself some really bad press; at this point, I can't not wonder if, had Eddie Cibrian not gotten the bad press, it would've been him leaving and not Emily Procter or Eva LaRue). Yeah, I have no clue what the deal at CBS is right now, but my main wish is that CSI: NY was on any other network, because I'm thinking CBS fully deserves whatever backlash they get from this.

The bad press for Eddie Cibrian was present when he JOINED the show, so considering that, I really do not think that it was a factor in him being let go. I think he was let go a long time ago (since Adam returned and he initially was there to fill the void of Adam's departure and was not needed anymore in their mind once Adam returned) and the show runners didn't want to say anything until closer to September so as not to give away the cliffhanger (if that is indeed how Jesse Cardoza goes out)... however, once people started calling CBS sexist when they started releasing all these women, CBS themselves decided to release the info about Eddie so they could say "we're not sexist, we got rid of a guy too".

==

I'm not sure about the idea of Stella going missing. It could be interesting, but it could be frustrating as well.

 

[Desertwind]

I can't believe Melina is gone. I loved her character and I was always sure she and Mac would get together eventually. My sister is thinks it's a publicity stunt, but she got out mid-way season 5 so she doesn't really understand anymore. I am incredibly sad she is leaving but that doesn't mean I wont watch the show and, in my opinion(not to cause offence) I think anyone leaving for one character is stupid. this isn't the stella show(though that would be awesome) and I think as long as Mac, D/L, Flack or Adam and Sid are in it I can carry on watching. I will always be a proud CSI:NY fan. I wish Melina all the best and hope she does well

P.S. Give Anna a break, she is a brilliant actress and it isn't her fault her character has been forced on us a bit too much.

I have to agree with you on Anna, just because one star leaves, why bash her co-worker? she's darling, a great actress, and her relalationship with Danny awesome and their baby girl, so sweet. I'm glad she's at least still on the show:thumbsup:

 

[Maya316]

Yes, it's incredibly distasteful what his latest contract will see him paid. But. Believe it or not, early on in their negotiotiations, CBS lowballed him too (tho all things are relative of course). Early figures certainly weren't that high. What they currently value is the show. Sitcoms are cheap to make, and this one I'm guessing more than pays for itself in syndication and the like. What CBS wanted was a puzzle piece to solidify a line up that could stage a serious assault on a rival network. Sheen was gonna leave the show. The show was deemed to be that puzzle piece. It's not necessarily his value that's reflected in his salary.

I wouldn't think that a show's budget generally affect other shows' budgets, other than possible precedents and references for costing and scheduling. One getting budget X may not directly correlate with another's cuts. Shows' ratings can effect other shows' ratings though.

(I know I'm going slightly OT here, but I think it ties in)

I agree that it's 2.5 Men's worth, rather than Charlie Sheen's himself that's getting him the salary; I saw the rumors that last spring was supposed to be the last of Two and a Half Men, so if they wanted to keep it so badly I can see why they'd agree to such a huge salary (it's still a ridiculous figure, imo, especially when considering other leading actors on CBS, but I can see why they'd agree; 2.5 M is still fairly huge with the ratings).

What gets me is that CBS has kind of been a "crime-show" network for at least ten years, if not more, and Criminal Minds and all the CSIs (though perhaps not getting the same high ratings as before) have been among their strongest performing shows. Yeah, loyalty has zero place in network negotiations, but that's still beyond frustrating :lol: Not to mention, you'd think they'd want to preserve the longevity of their "safety-net" shows as much as possible -- "safety" in that, well-performing as 2.5 M and even Big Bang Theory might be, they aren't the kind of shows I can see performing that well for 10+ years -- and angering the fans of those shows isn't the best way to do that.

The bad press for Eddie Cibrian was present when he JOINED the show, so considering that, I really do not think that it was a factor in him being let go. I think he was let go a long time ago (since Adam returned and he initially was there to fill the void of Adam's departure and was not needed anymore in their mind once Adam returned) and the show runners didn't want to say anything until closer to September so as not to give away the cliffhanger (if that is indeed how Jesse Cardoza goes out)... however, once people started calling CBS sexist when they started releasing all these women, CBS themselves decided to release the info about Eddie so they could say "we're not sexist, we got rid of a guy too".

My bad -- but I could've sworn I'd read somewhere that they had a big storyline planned for Jesse in S9. In retrospect, I suppose that big storyline could be his leaving...

 

[pretty_in_pink]

Wow. Wow. I personally did not see this coming, at all. Damn. :scream: Honestly, I figured Gary Sinise would be the first to leave from the cast we have now, just because he's more of a film/stage actor and maybe he would tire of playing the same character for years...but Melina? It's a shame, considering Stella is/was the strongest female presence on the show. I honestly can't see this being solely about money, unless they were talking an extreme pay cut, which makes no sense whatsoever (then again, CBS hasn't been making much sense, especially after the Criminal Minds disaster...still not over that, tyvm! ), considering there were places were cuts could have been made that would be much more logical (for example, getting rid of Anna Belknap ).

I just hope that whoever replaces Stella will be a good actress (and that the character won't be static and one dimensional *LindsayMonroe*), and that the showrunners will take this as an opportunity to turn a new leaf in the show and get it back to what it was in it's earlier seasons. And of course, I hope for the best for Melina.

 

[Desertwind]

Usually $$$$ talks but on one star who pulled in $600,000 per episode was William Petersen, & he still left the show, so some care about the buckos and some don't~On our Vegas/CSI Marg gets $390,000 per ep. and 2nd is Laurence Fishburne $350,000 who knows why, star power and ratings.:wtf:

 

[pretty_in_pink]

Oops, accidentally double-posted (or something). Sorry, haven't posted on here in a while. Delete if needed.

 

[Ballettmaus]

Usually $$$$ talks but on one star who pulled in $600,000 per episode was William Petersen, & he still left the show, so some care about the buckos and some don't~On our Vegas/CSI Marg gets $390,000 per ep. and 2nd is Laurence Fishburne $350,000 who knows why, star power and ratings.:wtf:

600,000?? Wow. Compared to that the NY actors are really working for free
It's still a lot of money. I'd be glad to make what Melina made per episode (said to be 200,000) per year... even half of it would be nice.

 

[~Sarah~]

I think I read on Forbes that Gary Sinise was making $250K and that Melina was pulling in $200K an episode. I would assume the other actors on the show make less than Gary.

I read that David Caruso also got $200K/episode, while William Petersen was making $500K/episode.

Although, I have also read that Sinise was making $120-150K and Caruso was making $375K.

 

[FlackFan01]

I thought I read in one of the posts that the timeslot has changed for the fall. When will it air when it returns in September?

 

[Lori K.]

For Melina not to come back for 1 episode to give Stella a proper exit seems a little strange and, to me at least would suggest motives other than just spending time with her kids.

I'm with you on that Poppet! Melina LOVES Stella she would not just drop the character by the wayside, if nothing else closer for herself as well. She is also faithful to her fans and would not be so flippent about leaving.

Shame. I don't believe it's a family reason. You want to stay with your children when they are very little, not when they go to school. Besides she would definitely be back for a closure(I understand, at this point it's not certain). Something tells me that it was not as amicable as CBS is trying to make it look. You can tell they are trying to cut costs(remember Sara from CSI, Adam from CSI Miami) and actors feel they deserve a payrise after faithful few years with a show, not a cut.
Well, last year I was the same distrought by the news that Adam Rodriguez is leaving and my favourite ship is broken - but look where we are now! So it may all still end well.

I think I read somewhere that it was not ruled out that she would not come back for a final scene. Also what was up with Adam? I dont watch miami why did he leave and is he back and gone for how long?

And I'm so beyond shocked that they've already
hired someone else...

A pretty stupid move seems like an insult to Melina AND her fans!

I have also written an email to CBS, I think MK deserves the support, even if it's not going to change anything, I felt like CBS should know who they let go... or probably slowly pushed out.

Can you post the address? If not PM me Melina deserves the support because the statement they gave is pure hoey!

It's just a show in one way, in another way, those characters are also inspiring to some people and Stella, I think, was the most inspiring of them all.

The hard work and effort of the actors and actresses make it more then a show and that is Great talent.

I know it's only TV and that I'm really trying to combat the amount of time I spend on the internet and TV, but the news of this has just ruined this day for me.

I cant believe how much this news has consumed me! I'm like a "crackhead" needing every moment of forum news hoping along the way it is just a bad dream and not the Melina finale. Heck Elwood made me late for my workout! All is well now though, got to work off some frustration and back firmly ensconced in my leather waiting for the news that Carmine is leaving the show because he is trying to juggle two wives.:lol:

Really a sad and heartbreaking thing to read and digest. This day has just been ruined by this.

Yes on a more sober note your right and it is ruining alot of peoples days mine included. It seems laughter is not the best medicine here.

It's always been a bottom line network, and a hardline network. No matter who you are. Anyone else recall the strike? They were the first network to threaten legal action against showrunners to try and push execs back to work on shows in whatever capacities it could muscle. CBS isn't above plying their typical practices in negotiating with anyone. One of their absolute most watched shows, NCIS just went thru a very long, drawn out re-signing of those within the core group who were up. Word is the network seriously lowballed early offers. Big Bang Theory? Outright laughter greeted their initial demands for an up in pay.

And that about sums it up they are cold, calculating and cruel and not only will they lose viewers over CSINY but I for one tuned in for Criminal Minds and CSI because of CSINY. There goes three hours of CBS viewing for this fan unless of course they come to there senses and see the error of there way. A round for all of them...Please pass the Hemlock.

 

[Top41]

I think anyone leaving for one character is stupid.
+

P.S. Give Anna a break, she is a brilliant actress and it isn't her fault her character has been forced on us a bit too much.

You are entitled to your opinion, but others are as well. Calling people "stupid" over their decision to leave won't endear you to anyone here. Please remember, to each their own. Same goes on the opinion of Anna Belknap's acting skills.

I have to agree with you on Anna, just because one star leaves, why bash her co-worker?

Lay off on the "bashing" accusations as well. Thanks.

 

[Geeno]

^Me too! I started to watch a lot of CBS shows because of CSI: NY. I think of all existing CBS crime shows, NY seems to be the most underrated. For many it's just there. They don't give it a chance because they assume NY is another typical crime show. Yes it is but it has its own signature.

It is really an insult to Melina/Stella and us fans what just happened. It seems CBS made a contract in which Melina had no choice but to turn it down. It's so suspicious. Melina loves promoting Stella and CSI: NY then suddenly this?

 

[PerfectAnomaly]

I still don't get all of the negative comments about CBS. It's not obvious that CBS forced her to leave. As of now everything we know for sure is that she chose not to renew her contract. Why that is has not been stated for sure.

 

[Top41]

I still don't get all of the negative comments about CBS. It's not obvious that CBS forced her to leave. As of now everything we know for sure is that she chose not to renew her contract. Why that is has not been stated for sure.

Well... yes and no. On one hand, actors' contracts for series television are generally for six years, so basically Melina's chosen to not renew her contract. No one can blame her for wanting to walk away for six years--putting six years of your life into anything is a long time. On the other hand... I doubt that "she was asked to take a pay cut" thing came out of nowhere. Given the other women let go/put on reduced contracts on CBS shows, it seems pretty likely that that was the case. The other female regular on CSI: NY, Anna Belknap, was clearly on a reduced contract this season. I think it's impossible to ignore the precedent--and that's coming from CBS, not the writers or showrunners.

 

[CSI Cupcake]

i just lost an entire post. @#$%%^^.

I have been away for a while and just signed in because it's about time for these kinds of announcements to start surfacing. Can't say I'm all upset about it. Most of you know that Stella was not my favorite character. I think she was just about done this last season. And I was never in favor of the pairing with Mac on any other level but warm close friends/family. I'm SO glad to be done with the Greekness of Stellamou. I also didn't like the dynamic between Stella and Lindsay so am glad that is over too.

Sela Ward is a wonderful addition, imo, and I'm excited to see what she will bring to the show. I think it will be a breath of fresh air for the team. I'm wondering if she will be taking on the supervisory role or if they will take another tack with her charachter. I am hoping she won't be a supervisor since I always thought she and Mac overlapped way too much with their interactions with the team.

As for Melina not filming an exit for Stella in S7 (think that's what I read...she's not going to be in S7 at all) it sounds like there wasn't a whole lot of negotiating going on there.

Overall, I'm glad for the shake up and hope that whatever they do next brings back some of the sparkle the show has lost.