Zombie Directs ‘Miami’ Episode With ‘More Edge’

When Rob Zombie got the opportunity to direct the upcoming CSI: Miami episode “LA”, he was eager to take on the challenge—and to bring his unique edge to the crime drama. (Slight spoilers after the jump!)

Zombie has a friend who works for Miami, but the rocker-turned-director’s schedule never allowed him to work on the series. He recently found time to helm “LA”, which was written especially for him by co-executive producer Barry O’Brien. “I wanted to see what it was like,” Zombie told NY Daily News. “Other TV offers have come up in the past, but I never really went after them because I wasn’t sure I really wanted to do TV. It’s so different from making a movie, because you go into this established situation that sometimes has been going on for years and years.”

The episode will have a different flavor due to Zombie’s influence, but Miami fans will still recognize the show they love. “In the opening scene, it’ll seem obvious [that I was the director],” Zombie said. “But I wasn’t trying to disrespect the show by disregarding anything they’ve done. I wasn’t trying to turn it into something different.”

As CSI Files previously reported, “LA” will feature some big guest stars, including Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Malcolm McDowell, Paul Blackthorne, William Forsythe and Michael Madsen. “Along with bringing his vision,” O’Brien explained, “Rob brought his friends.” He also brought his wife, Sheri Zombie, who will appear in the episode.

“LA” finds the team investigating a murder that leads Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and Eric Delko (Adam Rodriguez) to Los Angeles in an attempt to clear Jesse Cardoza’s (Eddie Cibrian) name when he is accused of tampering with evidence. The case has ties to Jesse’s past and features the first appearance of Blackthorne in a recurring role as Bruce Enright. The episode is “darker, spookier, scarier, and more dangerous with a lot more edge” thanks to Zombie’s involvement, O’Brien said.

Despite the dark, scary nature of “LA”, the show won’t cross the line. “We live in a post-Janet Jackson Super Bowl wardrobe-malfunction world, but Rob got that,” O’Brien explained. “He successfully found a way to convey his signature edge and push the envelope while staying inside the boundaries.” The whole experience created a “total party atmosphere,” the co-producer added. “I didn’t want the shoot to end.”

“LA” will air next Monday, March 1 at 10:00pm ET/PT.