Well, kind of... yeah. For those that have caught the new promo for the next episode of CSI, it touts Grissom's departure from the Vegas lab. The episode, appropriately titled "Leaving Las Vegas," airs next Thursday, January 4. But we sort of knew this anyway. We even reported a few months ago that Liev Schreiber was joining the cast as a new lead investigator named Michael Keppler.
So at this point, I suppose you shouldn't be worried. The episode description even says that Grissom is only leaving for a four week sabbatical. But then I went digging.
A simple Google search for "William Petersen leaving CSI" yielded numerous articles and interviews dating back to 2005 where the actor talks about how he's tired of playing Gil, would like to give theatre and film a shot again, and his desire to be a better husband. He makes it clear in this article that his character will only be around in a limited capacity for the remainder of this season. So it looks like solving the case of the miniature replica killer was Gil's last hurrah. But let's be honest here TV fans. We know how this works. My educated guess? Petersen won't be back at all when CSI returns in Fall '07 for its eighth season. Anyone think otherwise?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
12-26-2006 @ 9:50PM
elf said...
I think it's too much money to walk away from completely. He also gets a producer credit which often means he gets a cut of the show's profits on top of his acting salary. So I think he'll find a way to stick around at least on a part-time basis. As for a way to keep him around part-time, since Eccle is only in a small number of episodes, perhaps he can be fired, Grissom gets promoted and only shows up in half the shows.
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12-27-2006 @ 12:29PM
Michael G said...
If he want to leave, who can stop him. I ope he does do more movies.
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12-28-2006 @ 11:55AM
Jake said...
Much like George Clooney leaving ER, Peterson will leave CSI, and eventually 20 years from now CSI will be like ER and Law and Order, without any of its original characters, save 1 or 2. This show has always been more about the story than the characters, so I don't think it will hurt too much. But if were a CSI fan (I quit after an awful season 5), I'd start getting used to this.
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12-26-2006 @ 9:52PM
Dwacon said...
It will be an interesting change. Liev Schrieber is yet another of the "big names" migrating from large screen to small... and we can only anticipate he will make an impact on the quality of acting... no disrespect to the departing Mr. Petersen.
--
dwacon
http://dwacon.blogspot.com
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12-30-2006 @ 9:49PM
Pete said...
Now if he could only take Caruso away with him too!
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12-26-2006 @ 10:50PM
Alan said...
I can't blame him. I remember when I had the greatest job ever. I had to leave and go be unemployed for awhile. It was totally the right move.
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12-26-2006 @ 9:51PM
Dani said...
They can draw out season 8 by having Gil investigated for sexual misconduct for his riding the Electra Sidle (aka Sarah of the Sullen). At the end he leaves in lieu of both of them being fired.
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12-27-2006 @ 12:28PM
gooby said...
Liev Schreiber as the lead? Dude, that is just so messed up! How come Catherine can't be the lead now?! Do we really need a guy to be the lead investigator, couldn't we have one CSI, the original at that, take the step and have a female lead investigator. CSI:NY doesn't have one and neither does MIAMI. This is just stupid.
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12-26-2006 @ 9:52PM
David004 said...
Just cancel the show, problem solved.
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12-26-2006 @ 4:49PM
David004 said...
Just cancel the show, problem solved.
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12-27-2006 @ 12:28PM
David004 said...
Just cancel the show, problem solved.
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12-26-2006 @ 9:51PM
chichd said...
Since he has been riding the Electra Sidle (aka Sarah of the Sullen) this season in season 8 he can be suspended pending an investigation for sexual misconduct (not to mention bad taste, poor ethics...). At the end of season 8 he can resign/retire in lieu of both of them being fired.
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12-27-2006 @ 9:10AM
Jimmy said...
Liev Schreiber should be an interesting addition to the show. First, he an exceptional actor and I think he he can bring som real acting chops to this often gritty and gruesome show. Second, it will be interesting to see the chemistry he has with the rest of the cast. I can totally see this new lead investigator clashing with Catherine who will probably feel like she should have been given the lead investigator job. I've been hit and miss with CSI this season -- it's just seemed a little tired. I may have to record it while watching Grey's Anatomy just to see how Schreiber does on the show.
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12-27-2006 @ 3:38PM
Scott Call said...
Petersen's been grouchy about his CSI role since the first spin-off happened. I also know that due to physical stress he's been working less hours for the last couple seasons (which is noticeable in there's more of the "oh look it's Gil in the office, let's catch him up" moments)
Then again, 300k an episode is hard to walk away from.
My guess for season 8:
Gil is promoted to overall lab director, has an appearance every 3 episodes or so, and Liev's new character has to face off with Catherine for Lead night shift CSI
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12-27-2006 @ 2:20PM
drew said...
anything to make the show intersting. make nick or sara kill him. kill 2 birds with one stone.
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12-27-2006 @ 12:28PM
Jason Elias said...
They say William Peterson is taking a break (puts on sunglasses)--but I say he's gone for good.
Yaaaaaaa!!!!!
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12-27-2006 @ 12:28PM
Jason Elias said...
They say William Peterson's taking a break (puts on sunglasses)----but I say he's gone for good...
Yaaaah!!
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12-27-2006 @ 12:30PM
Victoria said...
OH BROTHER! I hate to see him leave the show, however I have seen movies he has made & I think he needs to do more movies... Maybe a James Patterson Thriller! But without a doubt a THILLER! Good Luck~
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12-27-2006 @ 4:28PM
Jason Elias said...
They say William Petersen's taking a break (puts on sunglasses)---but I think he's gone for good.
"Yaaaahh!"
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12-28-2006 @ 2:47PM
Alicia said...
Well I haven't watched this season at all (Go Grey's!) and planned on catching it in repeats over the summer... This certainly isn't killing off Nick, but they have to do somehting to try and bring up ratings. I think the timing was right for both the show and him.
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