TV Tidbits 01

Okay... since these "TV Tidbit" posts keep popping up lately, I'm going to start numbering them and that way I won't have to think of a clever title every time. Suck it up, people!

Here's my latest blurb, courtesy of TV Guide's Ausiello, on CSI:

With all the attention focused on William Petersen's successful contract negotiations, this ginormous scoopbit nearly slipped right by: Sources confirm to me exclusively that original CSIer Gary Dourdan — whose contract is also set to expire next month — has informed producers that he is leaving the show.

Although a precise timeframe is not known, CSI's May 15 season finale could serve as Warrick's swan song. Regarding Dourdan's exit, a CBS spokesperson says, "We can't confirm or deny this information."This is the second major departure to rock CSI this season. As anyone with a pulse and/or access to TVGuide.com knows, Jorja Fox made her final appearance as Sara in November. The good news: Marg Helgenberger and George Eads are expected to follow Petersen's lead and re-up with the show.Meanwhile, CSI execs aren't wasting any time searching for Dourdan's replacement. I'm told producers have put out a casting call for a new male series regular in his late twenties to early thirties to play Ray Santoro, a "handsome, smart and athletic" CSI who transfers from Henderson to join the graveyard shift at the Las Vegas crime lab.

CSI is one of the shows affected by the strike, at least in my house. Neither Robert nor I missed the show at all while it was gone and so have since decided to delete its season pass on our TiVo. The show has been dragging for the past couple seasons, in my opinion, and the strike was just the kick in the pants I needed to ditch this show for good. From what I can remember, however, Warrick wasn't featured too prominently in any of the episodes since... uh... well, that one episode after he got married and Catherine was all pissed off about it. Or something. Anyway, his storyline always seemed kind of weak and I definitely think Gary has had his eye on greener pastures for some time now. Rumor had it that part of the reason he wasn't in the show too often was because he was off "filming movies" and had requested a more lenient schedule with the show. Has he been in some movies? Yes. Have you heard of or seen any of them? No. Still, I'm not surprised Gary's decided to leave and, quite frankly, I don't care. But you might, so here - a gift from me. :o)