Summary
- CBS is developing a new CSI show despite cancelling CSI: Vegas amid budget constraints.
- The future CSI series details and casting were omitted in the announcement by the CBS President.
- The new spinoff might benefit from returning to a weekly case format instead of following the serialized path.
A new CSI show is in active development at CBS, according to a top network executive, despite the cancellation of CSI: Vegas. Continuing the long-running procedural drama of the same name, CSI: Vegas took a different approach than the original by going in a more serialized direction. In its first installment, a group of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) turn to old friends - including Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) - to solve a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham). Despite generally solid ratings, CSI: Vegas was among the shows recently cancelled by CBS.
While speaking at a news briefing that unveiled the network's upcoming 2024-2025 broadcast schedule, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach shared a positive update about the overall future of the CSI franchise. According to TheWrap, a new CSI show is in active development. Story and casting details were not discussed.
Why Was CSI: Vegas Cancelled?
Will The New Show Give Up The Serialized Format?
The cancellation of CSI: Vegas was announced along with the news that the procedural dramedy So Help Me Todd was ending after just two seasons. Both shows perform relatively well compared to series on other networks. But when compared to its fellow CBS shows, CSI: Vegas and So Help Me Todd were the least-watched over the spring in both linear and multi-platform ratings.
The fate of the shows was likewise impacted by a focus on reducing broadcast budgets, which also factored into the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai'i, which was a much stronger performer in terms of viewership than both So Help Me Todd and the CSI: Vegas revival. Reisenbach responded to questions about the CBS cancellations by noting the network's packed schedule of new and returning shows, explaining that tough decisions had to be made.
New CBS shows include the Matlock reboot, the Sherlock-connected drama Watson, a Young Sheldon spinoff, NCIS: Origins, and the sitcom Poppa's House .
Every CSI Team, Ranked Worst To Best
Every show in the CSI universe had its strengths and weaknesses, and the chemistry of the team often determined the success of the investigations.
On its face, it would not make sense for the new CSI spinoff to go in a serialized direction and focus on new characters because the short-lived revival already did that with mixed results. If the new show does happen, it might be well-served to focus more on the franchise's established formula of weekly cases in a fresh location. But it may be a few cycles before the familiar CBS brand resurfaces.
The series finale of CSI: Vegas airs Sunday, May 19 on CBS at 10 PM ET.
Source: TheWrap
CSI
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a multi-media franchise that began with the self-titled original series developed by Anthony E. Zuiker. The series follows various detectives as part of the CSI teams as they work behind the scenes (and in the field) to uncover the truths behind unsolved murders. The series has also enjoyed an extensive collection of simulation-style video games over the years as companions to ongoing television shows.
- Cast
- William Petersen , Marg Helgenberger , Gary Dourdan , Paul Guilfoyle , Jorja Fox , Louise Lombard , Ted Danson , David Caruso , Emily Procter , Adam Rodriguez , Gary Sinise , Melina Kanakaredes , Patricia Arquette , james van der beek
- Created by
- Anthony E. Zuiker , Carol Mendelsohn , Ann Donahue , Jason Tracey
- First TV Show
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- TV Show(s)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , CSI: Miami , CSI: NY , CSI: Cyber , CSI: Vegas
- Character(s)
- Gil Grissom , Catherine Willows , D.B. Russell , Sara Sidle , Calleigh Duquesne , Mac Taylor , Stella Bonasera , Avery Ryan , Elijah Mundo , Josh Folsom
