I also heard that Marg Helgenberger had signed to appear in only a few episodes next season. I also understood that much of the cast as yet to resign for a new season raising some serious concerns..

With Fishburne out and Helgenberger taking a reduced role (the two major leads in the show), I think it would be time to pack it in.

 

Sam Waterston and Jill Hennessy aren't doing anything.

It would be a marriage of two giant franchises:

CSI: L&O


:grin:

 

Or there's whole casts available from "Detroit 1-8-7" and "Chicago Code."

 

He was good,but not terribly exciting.I was thinking Dennis Farina.He was in a 70s crime show set in Vegas.The name escapes me at the moment !
I enjoyed seeing Louise Lombard back on the show in one of it's final shows last season !

 

That's great news ! He stunk at that role . He plays a better bad guy .

 

I must be in the minority here, but I actually liked Laurence Fishburn on CSI. That said, I didn't particularly care for his character. He never really fit, IMO. I'm not sad to see him go. But I agree - with him and Marg Helgenburger leaving the show, who's left? I know the show centers around the team and not necessarily one CSI, but they had William Peterson, and then to a lesser extent Fishburn, to sort of be the center of the CSi universe - and I don't think any of the other characters can slide into that focal role.

 

He was good,but not terribly exciting.I was thinking Dennis Farina.He was in a 70s crime show set in Vegas.The name escapes me at the moment !

Crime Story. I loved that show.

- Merg

 

That's great news ! He stunk at that role . He plays a better bad guy .

The biggest thing I disliked with his character was how a supposed level 1 CSI was dishing out orders (including at times to his supervisor) and knew more about forensics at times then those with higher grades.

 

I must be in the minority here, but I actually liked Laurence Fishburn on CSI. That said, I didn't particularly care for his character. He never really fit, IMO. I'm not sad to see him go. But I agree - with him and Marg Helgenburger leaving the show, who's left? I know the show centers around the team and not necessarily one CSI, but they had William Peterson, and then to a lesser extent Fishburn, to sort of be the center of the CSi universe - and I don't think any of the other characters can slide into that focal role.

I have to agree with you that it will be hard for any of the other characters to slide in to that center.
Maybe producers can talk Peterson in returning for one final season..

 

The biggest thing I disliked with his character was how a supposed level 1 CSI was dishing out orders (including at times to his supervisor) and knew more about forensics at times then those with higher grades.

I agree... that was always one of the things I had trouble reconciling about his character. He came on as a rookie with no experience in his first episode, and after a few episodes, he was an "expert".

here is an interesting opinion on some of the possibilities to replace Fishburne in the "lead" role.

I think I could be OK with Jimmy Smits. Of course, I hear Charlie Sheen is looking for work, too. :eek2:

 

It's interesting to see that George Eads is the popular choice. I'd have to go along with that. His portrayal of Nick Stokes is one of a maturing leader.

 

It's interesting to see that George Eads is the popular choice. I'd have to go along with that. His portrayal of Nick Stokes is one of a maturing leader.

I like George Eads, and I like his character. I'm not 100% sold that he's ready to be "the man"... More so the character than the actor. Nick Stokes still feels just a little immature to me.

I like the older, more mature leaders.. Grissom was that. Catherine was to a degree. (I think Catherine coupled with Langston was an "ok" substitute for Grissom.) Mac Taylor on CSI NY. Gibbs on NCIS. You get the picture what sort of central character I prefer. I'm not sure Nick Stokes is able to fill that role, for me, anyway.

 

here is an interesting opinion on some of the possibilities to replace Fishburne in the "lead" role.

That Inside TV all men list including Jimmy Smits, Chris Meloni, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Hawke, and Terry O'Quinn is interesting. The problem with Smits is he seems to be the kiss of death for shows. O'Quinn would be a good choice as beyond his performance a Locke in "Lost" he has shown he can play authority figures in charge very well, as he played General Omar Santiago in "Harsh Realm", Admiral Thomas Boone in "JAG", F.B.I. Assistant Director Kendall in "Alias", and General Nicholas Alexander in "West Wing".

Another list with some women on it comes from Zap2It: Michael Chiklis (who is on both lists), Dylan McDermott, Minnie Driver, Jesse L. Martin, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mark Valley, and Jennifer Beals. Beals was a surprise for me in "Chicago Code", so maybe. Elizabeth Mitchell showed sufficient gravitas in both "Lost" and "V" and worked as an authority figure in "V". Minnie Driver is a good actress, but I don't see her in a show like this.

 

Crime Story. I loved that show.

- Merg

Yup,that's it.Too bad he didn't stay around on L&O

 

Terry O Quinn would be a great choice as long as he doesn't whistle "camptown races".
Anyone get the joke ?

 

Yup,that's it.Too bad he didn't stay around on L&O

Yeah. As I understood it, he just signed a 1 year contract while they were looking for someone more permanent.

- Merg