Variety Attacks The 'CSI Phenomenon'

See Also: 'Blink' Episode Guide

Since the recent launch of CSI: New York, the franchise's third outing, there have been naysayers, parodies and cautionary words from critics (story). Yesterday, Variety's Brian Lowry confessed he was completely baffled as to how the shows managed to continue thriving.

Lowry contended that CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and its two spinoffs are far too similar, "varying only the exteriors and Who songs -- whether the bodies are found outside a casino, adjacent to the Everglades or within spitting distance of the Statue of Liberty." He contrasted this with NBC's Law & Order, which he said "subtly differentiates between its offshoots."

In the article, the author postulated a variety of ideas he thought may explain the runaway success of the ratings juggernaut that is CSI... ranging from a consumer need to see good triumph over evil, to post-September 11th reactionary behaviour. He also quoted UCLA professor and author Mark Seltzer as saying that "The best alibi for viewing spectacles of violence is that it's infotainment."

The article also found time to take pot shots at the recent firing of George Eads (Nick Stokes) and Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) (story), the recently-announced CSI toy sets (reported here) and even series creator Anthony Zuiker. Lowry also criticised the show's use of the September 11th tragedy as a plot point (in the case of Mac Taylor's wife), despite citing it as a potential scapegoat on which to pin what he believes to be the inexplicable success of the "CSI phenomenon". Despite this, he was forced to acknowledge the 72 million viewers that CSI shows drew in first-run slots during premiere week.

The feeling here is contrasted highly with other parts of the media – for example, an article in the Staten Island Advance, which goes so far as to complement the show set in its home city of New York by reminding viewers that despite "much of the actual show [being] shot in Los Angeles, [you] certainly couldn't tell." Author Daniel Chiu writes: "All in all, CSI: NY is a great new show for the fall. The performances from Sinise and Kanakaredes are convincing and enjoyable to watch."

To read the full Staten Island Advance article, see the Staten Island Advance website. You can read the full Variety article at Yahoo News.

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