Ann-Margret To Portray Catherine Willows' Mother?

TV Guide's Michael Ausiello today answered several questions about upcoming episodes of CSI, and cleared up some doubts about the London episode that never was.

According to the columnist, someone from the Willows family tree will be visiting the CSI lab soon. "It's her mother," Ausiello said in his news section, Ask Ausiello. A previous TV Guide report revealed Catherine's mother would show up to question her daughter's parenting skills, creating an emotional commotion for the CSI (story). "The elder Willows will turn up in the second episode of May sweeps and, if all goes according to plan, she'll be played by an actress with two Oscar nods and five Golden Globe wins under her belt." Although Ausiello did not reveal the name of the actress, there appears to be only one person who fits this description, Swedish-born singer Ann-Margaret.

Academy Award nominee Ann-Margaret made a living by singing in cabarets until she was discovered by actor/comedian George Burns, who jumpstarted her career when he hired her for his Las Vegas act in 1960. The actress went on to portray numerous singing roles in various movies, including Viva Las Vegas alongside rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. Ann-Margaret's career nearly ended in the 70s due to a bad fall, but the actress fought her way back into Hollywood and has developed a knack for portraying 'sexy older women' roles ever since.

Ausiello also answered questions about the mysterious episode that was rumoured to be filmed in London earlier this season (story). The storyline reportedly had Grissom going to London with one other character, but the episode never materialized due to scheduling conflicts. "It was planned originally for November sweeps, but then all the cast upheaval squeezed the schedule and made it impossible."

Finally, when asked about any possible romantic storylines for characters Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, Ausiello claimed innocence but revealed, "The pair will take center stage in a May sweeps episode set at a mental institution. I'm told the loony surroundings will stir some painful memories for Sara and reveal more about her troubled past." Sara's storyline has been exposed slowly this season, most notably in the episode "Nesting Dolls", where it was revealed her mother killed her father after years of endured abuse.

To read the Ask Ausiello column, which includes spoilers for other television shows, visit TV Guide.

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