Zuiker Feeling Pressure On Third 'CSI' Spinoff

Anthony Zuiker, creator of the first two successful CSI series promises that the second spinoff of the show will be unique in its approach to its characters.

"We're going to attempt to open the characters up some to make it fresh and different," Zuiker told USA Today. However, the third show isn't going to stray all that far from its roots: "[A]t heart you'll know it's a forensics show," Zuiker promises.

The two main characters, Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes) have rich back stories. Taylor is a former military officer who lost his wife in the attacks on the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. Bonasera was the caretaker for her family after the death of her father, who may have been involved in some unsavory business.

Zuiker admits he is feeling the pressure of making CSI: New York as successful as its predecessors. CBS CEO Les Moonves has already predicted the show will rocket to the top of the ratings, claiming that he would "bet any amount of money that CSI: New York is the highest-rated new [scripted] show next season." (story). "There's a lot of pressure not to [mess] this one up," Zuiker said.

Zuiker's newest CSI star, Sinise, is confident that Moonves isn't wrong to be confident about New York's appeal. "I thought it had a real good chance of being successful, and I had never thought about doing a series before," Sinise said. The show also appeals to Sinise for personal reasons. "I have kids, it'd be nice to be at home with them and have a steady job for a while instead of a...nomadic, erratic movie schedule," he commented.

To read the original story, please visit USA Today.

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