Post by nhmystix on Jun 16, 2006 18:33:36 GMT -6
'CSI' to take risks in new season
By KEVIN WILLIAMSON - Calgary Sun
It's going to be bloody. And not just the next crime scene the investigators of CSI have to sift through.
Rather, we're referring to the forthcoming fall clash heralded by ABC's decision to pit its top-rated medical drama Grey's Anatomy against CBS' venerable and -- until now -- invulnerable procedural.
The move is seen by most as an indication rival networks -- after years of having their noses bloodied by Grissom and Co. -- are sniffing blood in the air, sensing the Jerry Bruckheimer-powered juggernaut has peaked.
But has it? After all, for the past few seasons, pundits have been forecasting a grave ratings shift for the show -- especially considering the proliferation of other forensic-themed series, whether they be spinoffs (CSI: Miami, CSI: New York) or thrillers cut from the same gore-stained cloth (Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Without A Trace).
Yet in the face of these usurpers, CSI has remained a ratings rock, attracting around 25-million viewers every week. Which is not to suggest such concerns don't weigh on the minds of its makers.
It's just that, after eight seasons of corpses and crime, their stomachs -- and resolve -- are expectedly steely.
"We're at the vanguard of all that," says supervising producer Richard Lewis, on hand for the Banff World Television Festival.
"It's actually nice the other shows continue to make us look good because I think we do it better than anybody else, if I may be so thingyy."
thingyy maybe, but Lewis is also a realist -- and acutely aware of the pressure which comes after several seasons of unchallenged success.
"Absolutely ... We want to stretch the limits and make a better show," Lewis says of the upcoming season.
"We're going to have fresher stories, more involvement with the characters and also we're going to be trying things and taking a few risks."
Does the second point -- more character development -- mean fans can expect fewer plot-driven instalments?
Not necessarily, he says. "Whether we give them a smaller portion of delectable goodies, or a bigger portion, they're still going to love Grissom."
And crime, it would seem.
Just because CSI is top dog doesn't mean there isn't ample room for other like-minded efforts such as the aforementioned Cold Case or Without A Trace.
Even Criminal Minds draws about 15 million watchers a week -- and it's up against Lost.
"The procedural crime genre has blossomed in the 21st century," reasons Lewis.
"But I think in some ways, it's no different than in the 1940s when there were making a lot of film noirs. Then there was a big horror period in the '90s ... Sociologically, right now, crime is what we're interested in.
"People are interested in the anti-hero and in discussions about death and destruction because we're feeling that way as a society. I don't think it's going away."
But for all the talk of taking on all comers, Lewis says that doesn't mean upping the gore quotient.
"I think we're actually going in the opposite direction," says Lewis, who believes the show has, since the first season evolved into "something which is ultimately more mature and sometimes, believe it or not, more restrained."
Other tidbits about the new season?
Lewis reveals all of the regular cast members will be back -- for now.
"And we will be adding some new characters. No one will be leaving as of now. But you never know -- there are always stray bullets."
By KEVIN WILLIAMSON - Calgary Sun
It's going to be bloody. And not just the next crime scene the investigators of CSI have to sift through.
Rather, we're referring to the forthcoming fall clash heralded by ABC's decision to pit its top-rated medical drama Grey's Anatomy against CBS' venerable and -- until now -- invulnerable procedural.
The move is seen by most as an indication rival networks -- after years of having their noses bloodied by Grissom and Co. -- are sniffing blood in the air, sensing the Jerry Bruckheimer-powered juggernaut has peaked.
But has it? After all, for the past few seasons, pundits have been forecasting a grave ratings shift for the show -- especially considering the proliferation of other forensic-themed series, whether they be spinoffs (CSI: Miami, CSI: New York) or thrillers cut from the same gore-stained cloth (Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Without A Trace).
Yet in the face of these usurpers, CSI has remained a ratings rock, attracting around 25-million viewers every week. Which is not to suggest such concerns don't weigh on the minds of its makers.
It's just that, after eight seasons of corpses and crime, their stomachs -- and resolve -- are expectedly steely.
"We're at the vanguard of all that," says supervising producer Richard Lewis, on hand for the Banff World Television Festival.
"It's actually nice the other shows continue to make us look good because I think we do it better than anybody else, if I may be so thingyy."
thingyy maybe, but Lewis is also a realist -- and acutely aware of the pressure which comes after several seasons of unchallenged success.
"Absolutely ... We want to stretch the limits and make a better show," Lewis says of the upcoming season.
"We're going to have fresher stories, more involvement with the characters and also we're going to be trying things and taking a few risks."
Does the second point -- more character development -- mean fans can expect fewer plot-driven instalments?
Not necessarily, he says. "Whether we give them a smaller portion of delectable goodies, or a bigger portion, they're still going to love Grissom."
And crime, it would seem.
Just because CSI is top dog doesn't mean there isn't ample room for other like-minded efforts such as the aforementioned Cold Case or Without A Trace.
Even Criminal Minds draws about 15 million watchers a week -- and it's up against Lost.
"The procedural crime genre has blossomed in the 21st century," reasons Lewis.
"But I think in some ways, it's no different than in the 1940s when there were making a lot of film noirs. Then there was a big horror period in the '90s ... Sociologically, right now, crime is what we're interested in.
"People are interested in the anti-hero and in discussions about death and destruction because we're feeling that way as a society. I don't think it's going away."
But for all the talk of taking on all comers, Lewis says that doesn't mean upping the gore quotient.
"I think we're actually going in the opposite direction," says Lewis, who believes the show has, since the first season evolved into "something which is ultimately more mature and sometimes, believe it or not, more restrained."
Other tidbits about the new season?
Lewis reveals all of the regular cast members will be back -- for now.
"And we will be adding some new characters. No one will be leaving as of now. But you never know -- there are always stray bullets."
