'CSI' Emmy Campaigns Kick Off

This week, the CSI franchise submitted their nomination ballots to the Emmy committee and took out ads in The Hollywood Reporter for a chance to be nominated and possibly walk home with a statuette.

The Emmy voters will have the opportunity to nominate certain shows and actors based on the ballots submitted. Each CSI show mailed out two episodes for a chance to be nominated in the Best Drama Series category. In addition, the studios submitted certain episodes to the committee and took out ads in magazines such as The Hollywood Reporter to alert the Emmy voters of their actors' strengths. Due to the large ammount of DVDs and ads the members of the academy receive, some of them have made them available to the public through eBay for purchase. The studios have until June 22nd to submit all their material, but all three CSIs are getting an early start.

The CSI ballot this year contains the episodes "Ch-Ch-Changes" and the Quentin Tarantino directed "Grave Danger." The former saw the split of the CSI team, while the latter showcased the kidnapping of CSI Stokes. The Hollywood Reporter earlier admitted, "Grave Danger" could finally get CSI the Emmy statuette. The CSI showcase DVD was cleverly submitted in the shape of an evidence box and can be purchased through eBay.

CSI is heavily campaigning for its actors this year. William Petersen (Gil Grissom) and Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) are being pushed for the Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress nominations, while Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown), George Eads (Nick Stokes), Paul Guilfoyle (Capt. Jim Brass), Eric Szmanda (Greg Sanders), and Robert David Hall (Dr. Al Robbins) will have a go at the Supporting Lead Actor in a Drama Series nomination. Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) will also be considered for a nomination in the Supporting Actress category.

CSI: Miami submitted the episodes "Lost Son" and "Killer Date" to the Emmy committee this year. "Lost Son" saw the death of Tim Speedle, while in "Killer Date" Horatio Caine finally learned the truth about his brother Raymond. The show also submitted the episode "Pirated" to be considered in the Outstanding Make-Up for a Series category. The DVD containing the episodes "Lost Son" and "Killer Date" is also available for bidding on eBay.

Of the CSI: Miami cast, the studio submitted David Caruso (Horatio Caine) material and took out Caruso ads in order for the voters to consider the actor for the Lead Actor category. Though the supporting actors have not yet been considered, the studio has two more weeks to submit additional ballots. Caruso was nominated in 1994 for his work on NYPD Blue. His Miami ad can be obtained through eBay.

CSI: New York will try out its luck this freshman year with the episodes "Tanglewood" and "Till Death Do We Part." In "Tanglewood," a gang related murder uncovered some secrets about CSI Danny Messer, while "Till Death Do We Part" revealed the grisly details of Stella Bonasera's past. The New York showcase DVD features the same image used for the show's Hollywood Reporter ad.

New York is putting all its faith in the entire cast. Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) and Melina Kanakaredes (Stella Bonasera) are being pushed for the Lead Drama Actor/Actress nominations this year, while Eddie Cahill (Det. Don Flack), Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny Messer), and Hill Harper (Dr. Sheldon Hawkes) will be trying out their luck on the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category. Vanessa Ferlito (Aiden Burn) will also get the chance to be nominated in the female version of the same category.

The 2005 Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on July 14th, while the ceremony will air on September 18th. Visit the Gold Derby forums for a list of all the nomination ballots submitted thus far.

Discuss this news item at Talk CSI!
 Add CSI Files RSS feed to your news reader or My Yahoo!
Also a Desperate Housewives fan? Then visit GetDesperate.com!