A tale of two cities
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or CSI:90210? A fact-based drama beloved by science geeks or a crime-solving soap opera? Those seem to be the choices facing the cast and producers of the most popular show on television right now.
The evidence? Last years season finale. Viewers watched as Catherine met her long-lost casino owning father, Grissom walked down a hospital hallway into surgery and Sara had her heart broken. As viewers learned more about the personal lives of Grissom and Co., the tech-savvy show seemed to be headed out of the lab and into the characters closets.
But it's not up to the "king of the science geeks," CSI star and co-executive producer William L. Petersen. "We cut back on (the personal information) the first year," he says thoughtfully, looking slightly disheveled with a full beard.
Even so, he's much sexier in person. "We were very concerned not to let it go that way. Any time something came into the script that you were going to do with somebody, I was like 'No, once you kiss somebody, or open something up, how are you going to get that closed and continue to be truthful?'"
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"Every time we delve into the characters' personal lives, a little voice says 'enough,'" comments Melrose Place-turned CSI executive producer Carol Meldohlson. "So, we dole out personal stories in dropperfuls."
Yet, at the end of CSI last season, it seemed like the characters' personal lives were front and center.
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So, are the show's producers staying true to their word? Or, will CSI and CSI: Miami follow the ER path and move out of the hospital (or the crime lab) and into the characters' homes?
"I think we've done pretty well so far," says executive producer Danny Cannon. "There are moments we don't go into anybody's life at all, it's all about forensics. Then there are times we want to explore."
But for all the sicence fanatics, there are other who can't wait to learn more about personal relationships - especially the romance between Grissom (Petersen) and Sara (Jorja Fox). "It's funny because it's almost split down the middle of people who want more story and those who want more personal," says the petite Fox.
And for the fans who have dedicated websites to the budding romance, Fox doubts they'll be disappointed. "I think the (Grissom and Sara) romance will be continued in some way," she says, "but Grissom will do the chasing."
For Grissom, romance will come second until his hearing problems are resolved. And, they will be resolved. "One of the reasons Grissom withdrew from the world somewhat, cocooned during the third season, was that he lost one of his five senses," says executive producer Ann Donahue. "The watchword for Season four is that Grissom re-engages with the world." Which presumably means he will return Sara's affections.
And that's ok with Petersen, as long as everything goes back to the show's roots, something he thinks is key to staying no. 1. "By showing a little bit here and there what happens in the workplace, you don't know what (the characters) do on Saturday or Sunday," says Petersen. "You know when a friendship happens, an attraction happens, you've had a flirtation, but you shy away from it. That's more interesting."
"The real star of our show is the evidence."
