Actors Try To Explain The 'CSI' Phenomenon

After 100 top-rated CSI episodes, have the cast members figured out the secret ingredient of their show's success? Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, they all said they had - but then each offered a different explanation.

"I think that [famous TV writers] Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley, David Chase and Dick Wolf would all agree with me that having a hugely successful show isn't just about coming up with an idea," William Petersen (Gil Grissom) told the trade magazine, which yesterday published a special edition to commemorate the 100th CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode. "It comes down to the people who execute it. The cast and crew on CSI has created something special, even if we sometimes get treated as if we're unimportant. If we were disposable, then all of these other shows that have ripped off CSI would be as good or as highly rated as we were. But they aren't. So what should that tell you?"

Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) agreed with Petersen that the show is made by "an incredibly talented group of people," and was happy that all those people have continued to give their all. "What has made this show different is that those behind it aren't so driven by money that they have lost sight of creativity and inspiration and development. The fact that CSI has been able to remain so original and viable is a little bit amazing, considering how so many shows look like and have the same content as we do. [...] But we have remained on top as this highly stylized thing, I think, because we don't feature cookie-cutter characters and don't try to pattern ourselves on anybody else."

When referring to the "CSI phenomenon," many people think not of the show's ratings success, but rather the effect it has had on popularising forensic science. And for Eric Szmanda (Greg Sanders), that's the main reason the show is doing so well. "We use all of the real forensics equipment in this show and follow actual procedure and protocol. That kind of genuine approach has to translate to the audience. People know that this is a show that not only will entertain them but might even teach them something. I know that I've learned a lot - enough to be able to extract DNA from used chewing gum if I had to in real life."

Finally, Paul Guilfoyle (Jim Brass) offered the explanation that may well be the most likely: CSI's success is caused by a combination of all of the above. "We have a great group of writers and a dedicated acting ensemble whose skills all came together and merged well. That, and a lot of luck. I just think that when something clicks as we have, viewers can sense it and respond to it."

Much more from the actors, as well as the writers, producers, visual effects artist, composers, and even toy licensing directors of CSI, check out the November 18 edition of the Hollywood Reporter, or read the online version of their CSI feature here. Thanks go out to Al Forno for this!

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