CBS to Replace ‘CSI’ Lead, Keep Couric in News Slot

By Molly Willow, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Jul. 19–LOS ANGELES — CBS is seeking to replace one of its big names as another vows to stay put.

The producers of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation have created a character to gradually replace the departing William Petersen’s Gil Grissom, Nina Tassler, president of entertainment for the network, said at a news conference yesterday.

At the conference via satellite, Katie Couric, the CBS Evening News anchorwoman constantly rumored to be on the way out, said she isn’t going anywhere — a claim supported by boss Sean McManus, news and sports president.

“We have no plans to part company anytime soon,” Couric said.

“There were a lot of speculative pieces that I think got, quite frankly, spun out of control,” she added.

On the entertainment side of things, Tassler said, Petersen — also an executive producer of CSI — will leave as a regular after the 10th episode but make return appearances.

Jorja Fox, whose Sara Sidle character left the series last season, will also appear again.

The new doctor-scientist character hasn’t been cast, although Tassler said John Malkovich and Laurence Fishburne were among the actors considered.

The new character, who will overlap on a few episodes with Petersen, won’t arrive as the head of the unit but will work his way up to that position. He will have a unique genetic makeup also found in serial killers (although he won’t be one).

“This gentleman knows this about himself, and he’s . . . on this journey to discover who his true character will become,” Tassler said.

Of other CBS series, Tassler said:

–Sarah Chalke, a regular on Scrubs (returning in January on its new ABC home), is booked for multiple episodes of How I Met Your Mother, on which she has been rumored to be the mystery “mother.” Tassler discounted the rumor, saying, “Right now, I don’t think she’s the mother.”

–Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210) will guest-star on the drama Criminal Minds.

–No decision has been made on the renewal of Swingtown, the spouse-swapping summer series.

mwillow@dispatch.com

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