Petersen & Tassler Discuss Damages-Benefits Of Spin-Offs

[CSI Files]

<font color=yellow>William Petersen</font> (Gil Grissom) told the Chicago Tribune why he was so against the creation of CSI: Miami and its spin-off CSI: New York.

"I thought the Miami version came too soon and that we should have taken the time to make it something different," he said. "It was just an attempt to duplicate. But Crossing Jordan came out a year after us, and <font color=yellow>Jerry Bruckheimer</font> knew there would be others. 'Why should we let them steal our audience?' he asked. I understand the move from a business sense, and the profits have been astronomical."

Though Petersen sees the creation of Miami and New York as a decision born out of greed, the actor mostly resents the loss of CSI crew members to the spin-offs. "They pulled our show apart. <font color=yellow>Anthony [Zuiker</font>, CSI creator] is now with CSI: NY full time. We have to fight to keep our writers, producers, even our best postproduction people. I wish they'd just make our show better."

CBS Entertainment president <font color=yellow>Nina Tassler</font>, however, sees things from a different perspective. "I can appreciate Billy Petersen's concerns about the CSI spin-offs, but what we learned from launching them is quite the opposite," she said. "Each spin-off has had its own identity and still reinforced the brand."

"The original CSI grew stronger once the spin-offs became entrenched. Like any good franchise, when there's a great story to be told, viewers can't get enough. As for the writers, successful series attract the best in the business," Tassler added.

Petersen's concern over the spin-offs might be short lived. Last year, the actor revealed his ongoing health problems had caused him to ask for fewer hours on the set of CSI, resulting in less screen time for Gil Grissom. This year, the actor said fans may soon have to say goodbye to the bug man for good. "The first three or four [seasons], I was dying. It was an excessive amount of stress. We were working nights and days. Nobody slept, and I developed heart problems."

"The show can go on without me, and probably will, but I want to come back to act in Chicago," he continued. "My wife and I just bought a condo downtown, and I want to do theater."

Visit the Chicago Tribune to read the rest of the article.<center></center>

 

[allmaple]

grissom cant go!! i think it could be very risky to the show if he leaves i hope that doesnt happen as long as the show is still on (which is hopefully forever )

 

[cath4gil]

I can understand how Billy feels, and his health is more important than the show, but CSI wouldn't feel right without Grissom

 

[Mandis]

I understand Billy, but he can't quit!

 

[midnight_tiptoes]

Whatever. He says that every year, and he's still around. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Tinkerbell]

If Billy does leave it would be a shame, but like he said the show will probably survive without him. I wouldn't be shocked. However I do disagree with the CSI Spins, both CSI Miami & NY are totally different I’m my opinion and really have their own identity. I think the producers and also the writers did an excellent job with them both in regards to not cloning CSI LV.

 

[BabaOReilly]

I can't help but agree with him on both fronts, and the idea that spinoffs have made the franchise stronger is ridiculous. Strong stories have made it stronger. While I honestly don't have anything against the other shows (although I rarely watch them), it was greed pure and simple which got them made. Nothing else.

And if he's concerned about his health, then the decision to leave is a smart one. He'd be missed, but life goes on.

 

[vegaslights]

For some reason, I don't think to believe this. When I met Billy in 2004, I asked one of the production crew members about Billy leaving the show, as it had been reported in many articles/TV Shows. The member of the show said it partial true,partial not. He wants to leave the show, but instead of leaving, he has asked for fewer hours on the set. So Billy leaving the show right now is a really doubtful right now.

 

[Finch]

Yes, it is doubtful that he will leave anytime soon, but when it comes to that day, CSI will never be the same. CSI without Grissom is like Horatio without red hair.

 

[myfuturecsi]

I never liked the idea of spinoff because I think they did lose a lot of good writers to the other series. But the show has gone on and has been at the top of the ratings for a long time.

I do think the show will go on without Billy, it will be a different show, but a good show nonetheless, Gum Drops was a prime example of that because George Eads did an amazing job and the others stepped up to the plate beautifully!

 

[AlyssaluvsDanny]

I wish they'd just make our show better."

And Billy talks about the spinoffs being greedy??

Buddy, you have the #1 show in America and Miami has been out for four seasons and NY is on it's second season, so the original must still be doing something right.

 

[vegaslights]

I really don't think it's a matter of greed, rather more of a perspective.

 

[Colonel Worf]

I seriously doubt he's going to be calling it quits.. and I do wish he would quit knocking the spin-offs. It's really annoying.

 

[Daquien]

IMO the spin-offs weren't a good idea,not because I think they're bad,they're really good,but because it's as having your favourite dish at all hours,you end fed up of it.

I'd also miss the old Grissom of the first seasons,he was charismatic,a nerd with the others,a genious,always surprising.Now he looks as anyone else in the team.