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TwitterGil Grissom: Gone but not forgotten
CBS is understandably making a big deal about William Petersen's last appearance on CSI this week. Except it might not be his last appearance on CSI.
No, no, the network isn't pulling a bait-and-switch. Thursday's episode, the conclusion of a two-part arc that also introduces Laurence Fishburne's character, is the last case for Gil Grissom, and there is some definite closure for the character. But executive producer Carol Mendelsohn says the crime lab door will always be open.
"Is there an opportunity for him to come back for a visit? Yes there is," Mendelsohn told a group of reporters on a set visit Monday (Jan. 12). "Billy Petersen will be on set, probably sitting in a chair, but Gil Grissom will come back, yes, at some point."
There are no concrete plans for a Grissom guest appearance, Mendelsohn says, and when it happens, it won't be until after this season. Petersen remains an executive producer on the show, and Mendelsohn fully expects him to stop by the show from time to time.
"Billy said he'd come back to make sure I didn't burn the joint down," Fishburne jokes.
The show's producers dropped a couple other bits of news about the rest of this season: Country music star Taylor Swift is filming a guest appearance now, playing a teenager whose parents own a run-down Vegas hotel, and William Friedkin -- who directed an episode last season -- will be back to helm the 200th episode, which will air in the spring. The episode will involve the world of lucha libre wrestling, exec producer Naren Shankar says.
As Fishburne settles into his new role, Mendelsohn says the cast and crew are learning to embrace the change.
"Would we like everyone to stay together for a decade or two decades? Sure, but it's unrealistic," she says. "And Grissom will come back in an organic way to visit or be on a case with the people that are his family."
My Twitter feed has more updates from the TCA press tour.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
What is Bill Peterson going to do now - Where can we find him. This is terrible news that he is leaving
I have watched CSI for years, and the Gissom chareter is what got your show off the ground. I'm now retired, but worked in TV for over 20 years, and I think eleminating this character. Will put you down the down the drain, and perhaps you need to be there.
"CSI" is a show that has had great character continuity. But with Jorja Fox, Gary Dourdan, and Bill Petersen gone they're going to be hard-pressed to keep the "family" intact. I've really liked Larry Fishburne's work (got the Matrix trilogy on DVD), but he's going to be a disruptive influence no matter how good he is.
They've already tried David Hodges (Wallace Langham) out in the field, without success. What about Wendy Simms (Liz V***ey) or Archie Johnson (Archie Kao)? More air time for some of the lesser-seen members of the cast would make sense, both to maintain continuity and to reflect that promotion from within the ranks is a reality in most jobs.
G T***in, I believe Billy Peterson will be acting in a play in Chicago. He indicated prior to his leaving CSI that he wanted to devote some of his time in the theater.
The end of Gil signals the end of the original (and still the best, IMHO) "CSI" on the boob tube. He's the heart of the show. I believe Peterson's love for the series dissipated as the spin-offs gained popularity, not because they "stole" viewers away, but they simply changed the locales and produced essentially the same show. At least the various "Law and Order" spin-offs changed their focus to create different shows. Anyway, I'll miss Gil and, while I hope Fishburne keeps me interested, I'm not holding out much hope. Thanks for bringing such a memorable character to life, Mr. Peterson, and all the best for the future.
You must bring back Grissom and Sara. I am now Watching the reruns where Sara just left and am heart broken that she left Grissom.
No matter how good an actor Laurence Fishburne may or may not be, CSI is just NOT the same without William Petersen. Where CSI used to be THE highlight of my week, I no longer care if I miss seeing it.
i will always miss him on the show. He made the show great. i will truely miss him on the show. he'll always be missed and never ever ever forgotten
No matter how good an actor Laurence Fishburne may or may not be, CSI is just NOT the same without William Petersen. Where CSI used to be THE highlight of my week, I no longer care if I miss seeing it.
You must bring back Grissom and Sara. I am now Watching the reruns where Sara just left and am heart broken that she left Grissom.