'CSI' Gets Visitors

It's out with the old and in with the new.

Members of the press visited the set of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to talk about William Petersen's (Gil Grissom) departure and what's coming up for the series. Filming Petersen's last episode "was kind of awkward, because I think we all wanted to have a moment with him alone and ... tell him how we felt," George Eads (Nick Stokes) told NOLA.com. "But he didn't want that. He's not that kind of guy. So I think for that week, there was almost this tension of sadness, really. He'll be missed so much by everybody."

One feeling that wasn't present on the set was shock. "It didn't catch us by surprise," Paul Guilfoyle (Jim Brass) explained. "And not only that, in a very gracious way, in a generous way, it authenticates the character. Leaving was part of the role of Grissom." The actor went on to say, "It seemed very, very natural and easy. I wasn't at all saddened by it. I think he's around somewhere."

Laurence Fishburne (Dr Raymond Langston) is replacing Petersen in the cast. Fishburne said he was adjusting well to the transition from film to television. "I've heard a lot of people talk about this grind of series television," he told Globe and Mail. "I haven't seen it yet."

As far as Fishburne's character goes, the actor said he brings a different technique to the Las Vegas Crime Lab. "Langston is a professor and has never worked directly in this world before," Fishburne explained. "His methods will agree with some CSI members, and with others it will remain to be seen." Meanwhile, the character is continuing to evolve. "We'll learn more of Langston's personality as the story progresses and we learn where he came from. He has compassion, and we're still discovering his sense of humour, which is very necessary in this field," Fishburne said.

Fishburne also shared his opinion of the CSI set. "Look at all this incredible detail," he said. "It's a remarkable place to be, I think. Who wouldn't want to play here?" Producer Rich Catalani, who worked for two decades at the Los Angeles County Crime Lab, said the machinery is real. "This is all state-of-the art equipment, the exact same equipment used in crime labs all over the States," he shared. "We buy it, rent it or it's donated to us. Real CSIs are jealous after a tour of our set."

As CSI Files previously reported, country star Taylor Swift will be making an appearance on an upcoming episode of CSI. "Before Christmas we reached out to Taylor Swift because one of the CBS executives had told me, 'Taylor loves your show'," explained executive producer Carol Mendelsohn to Celebuzz. "So Taylor came in to meet with me right before the holidays and we talked about the character." The material written for Swift was dark in nature, but the budding actress didn't mind. "I said, 'it's a very edgy part, this may not be what you want,'" Mendelsohn said. "But she said, 'I love it, and I want to do it.'"

In addition to Swift's appearance, Teen Television reported that Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) may have an upcoming storyline with her daughter Lindsey, who is played by Kay Panabaker. Executive producer Naren Shankar said it was a definite possibility, and he and Helgenberger described Panabaker as a talented actress. Helgenberger also shared a storyline she would like to see on the show. If it came to fruition, the episode would involve Lindsey taking a forensics class at school and helping to solve a real CSI case.

The original articles are from NOLA.com, Globe and Mail, Celebuzz and Teen Television.

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