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William Petersen says “Bye” to “CSI”
This season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” will be the last for series star William Petersen, Entertainment Weekly reported. Petersen, who portrays Las Vegas forensic scientist Gil Grissom, will depart mid-season. The 10th episode will mark Petersen’s last appearance as a full-time series regular.
“Billy is leaving,” confirms the show’s executive producer, Carol Mendelsohn. “But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Gil Grissom.”
Peterson, an avid theater fan, took a break from “CSI” in 2006 to star in a stage play. Original series cast members Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan also left the top-rated drama series last season.
Petersen has been critical in the past about the rest of the “CSI” franchise. “I still think that the other shows could have been done in a more interesting way,” he told the Radio Times. “I think they just rubber-stamped them and stuck more of them out there.”
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By joe
July 15, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Well there goes that show… Jorja the tree hugger leaves, Dourdan the druggie leaves, and now William Peterson. Marge looks good but I doubt even her hot looks can hold the show together for long…..By TBill
July 15, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
This is BS. They’re screwing up the top-rated show on all of television. And they wonder why people watch the “cable” channels? Dourdan’s character was never fully developed; a cop in Vegas with a gambling problem could have been so much more. He got married and they just sort of dropped that whole story line, like they did his relationship with Willows. Oh well! I still miss Ray Romano….By Jilly
July 15, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
NO! I can’t believe this. The show will NOT be the same. Who will be able to top Grissom’s character. The other actors are great but I always look forward to seeing Grissom every week. CSI (Las Vegas) is the only televison show I catch on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see who they get to fill all the newly empty slots.By Judy
July 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
I agree…this is BS with a capital BS…William Petersen is THE SHOW…it will not last after he leaves.By Ted
July 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
CSI without William Peterson? Now is the time to end the series before it dies a slow, painful death.By Rue
July 15, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Wow. I can’t believe it. First Jorja Fox leaves, then Gary Dourdan, and now William Peterson?? No!!! CSI is my all-time favorite show and it’s slowly falling apart. I will be surprised if it lasts beyond this upcoming season.By kellie
July 15, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
I think this is the best show on television but without Grissom I don’t see it lasting. He is the best!!! No one will be able to replace his character.By kellie
July 15, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I think this is the best show on television but without Grissom I don’t see it lasting. He is the best!!! No one will be able to replace his character.By Courtney
July 15, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
That certainly sucks. I’m fairly glad that Sarah left the show. I couldn’t stand her. Especially with teh intermitten pauses in how she talks..It may be just me, but it was really irritating! I understand her character was supposed to have a chip on her shoulder, which worked for her. But the talking….sheesh.. Snooty little witch!I didn’t like her in ER either. Anyhow, William Peterson is a critical part of the show, I’m with everyone else when they say they show won’t last without him.By Iluvbillyp
July 15, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
I will watch ANYTHING that has William Petersen in it and NOTHING that he’s not in. I’m so limited now. I very sad. Back to see-sawing between To Live and Die in LA (he’s NAKED for a brief hot second!) and Manhunter. Sigh.By mjm
July 15, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
I have been a faithful fan of CSI since the first season. I cannot fathom just whom they will get to replace William Peterson. I watch all the other CSI “impersonators” and enjoy each one of them also. I still will watch CSI even without William but it will not be the same. Just refer to me as one individual hooked on CSI.By Pete
July 15, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t watch the CSI shows very often because they’re a little graphic while I’m eating (which is when they usually show up while I’m surfing.) I typically watch Law & Order, which has had a number of cast changes over the years, and while it’s rough for a while, it’s just like real life. People change jobs all the time, and you move on. I’m old enough to remember MASH, and when people left that show, they said it couldn’t survive, but it did. (Of course, McLean Stevenson’s career didn’t do so well post MASH, but that’s another story.) In a few years, you’ll see a rerun of the original CSI shows, and go, “Oh, yeah, that was when William Patterson was on.”By Molly
July 16, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this
Pete I hope your kidding with the William Patterson because its William Peterson and yes the show is gross and graphic and yes Law and Order is not so gross and they are both good shows but CSI was fun and now its not going to be so much fun. The storyline changed with him and Sarah it was weird. Katherine should not show so much cleavage and the blonde cop should tie her hair back. The show is very unreal but i liked it because of Gil. I’ll keep watching but I dont have much hope.By AL
July 16, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
CSI is NOT that graphic. Damn bunch of whiney butts. You want graphic, watch CSI NEW YORK, now thats a better show to watch. As for the women whining about Katherine showing cleavage, thats all from the producers doing that. They do the same on all these shows. Its not the actor/actresses doing it, its all part of getting you to watch it, men or women.By Not Happy
July 16, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
This is getting stupid, first they kill of Warick, and I understand why. But I thought they were just going to put him in jail not actually KILL HIM. Now Gil’s leaving? I’m done, only getting 10 shows last season CBS has put a bad taste in my mouth for their shows. Once Gil leaves I’m quitting the show. I guess I’ll watch New York since no ones left yet, but it won’t be the same…THANKS A LOT CBS…DON’T GO WILLIAM PETERSEN, I love the one liners. It just won’t be the sameBy Patti
July 16, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I love CSI and am going to miss William and Gary (not Jorja)…I think Val Kimer would be a thought for a replacement.By Patti
July 16, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I love CSI and am going to miss William and Gary (not Jorja)…I think Val Kimer would be a thought for a replacement.By JMC
July 17, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Maybe they could do something smart like bring in Ryan or Callie from “Miami” to lead the team.By BatGirl104
July 20, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
AHHHHHHH! No, Grissom can’t leave. He is, by far, one of the most interesting characters on the show. I wonder who will serve as his replacement in the role…possibly Marge? Uh, this totally bummed me out!By Yvonne Sarver
August 7, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
I watch CSI every week plus watching the reruns. William Peterson is the show! How will it exist without him? I liked the relationship between him and Jorga Fox. going to miss him. YvonneBy Yvonne Sarver
August 7, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I watch CSI every week plus watching the reruns. William Peterson is the show! How will it exist without him? I liked the relationship between him and Jorga Fox. going to miss him. YvonneBy Yvonne Sarver
August 7, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
I watch CSI every week plus watching the reruns. William Peterson is the show! How will it exist without him? I liked the relationship between him and Jorga Fox. going to miss him. YvonneBy Yvonne Sarver
August 7, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
I watch CSI every week plus watching the reruns. William Peterson is the show! How will it exist without him? going to miss him. YvonneBy tina
October 9, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
I have one word to sum of this show’s future: DOOMED!!