Forensic Debate Leading To Forensic Science?

A string of events has guided Anthony Zuiker to where he is today as the creator of the hit CSI franchise.

During high school, Zuiker signed up to take a forensics course. However, instead of learning about forensic science, he found out that it was the forensic debate class. Zuiker enjoyed the course and continued to debate through high school and college, writing his own material. Zuiker made his way to Hollywood via one of his debate monologues. Dustin Abraham was a friend of Zuiker's (who would later write for the CSI franchise himself), and he performed Zuiker's monologue in Los Angeles. An agent from William Morrison found Zuiker and offered him a job.

A few years later, Zuiker sat down to watch The New Detectives on the Discovery Channel. "From that point on, I was very intrigued by how forensic science could provide a whole different spin for a cop show," he told CBS Watch. When one of his screenplays caught the attention of Bruckheimer Television exec Jonathan Littman, Zuiker took the chance to pitch his idea for a series about forensic scientists to the man. "I chose Las Vegas because I know it, and because I wanted the show to be about the graveyard shift," he said. From the very beginning, Zuiker wanted to include visual effects in the show. He explained that they "wanted to make sure we showed the minutiae of the science that was so compelling as to put people away, at such a point of view that you go, 'Wow!'"

Zuiker remembered talking to Nina Tassler, CBS President of Entertainment, about the show. "I shook her hand, shut my eyes, and just said, 'The show is called CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,'" he said. "When I was done, I opened my eyes, fully expecting her to be gone. But she said, 'I love it. Start writing.'" Zuiker wrote the first script in three days and included point-of-view shifts and flashbacks, which were considered "crutches" for television at the time. "Going against all the things that are a recipe for success is what made the show a success," Zuiker explained. He is confident that the show, as well as its two spinoffs, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York, will remain successful for a long time. "We just have to stick with the timeless formula that was created in the pilot," he said. "That really big teaser that grabs you, the red herrings, and a great mystery with twists and turns, really championing your city—all with the Bruckheimer 'feature television' cinematic look and feel."

The original article is from CBS Watch.

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