Although, tonight's episode is damn good.
Article
'CSI' goes for
less seamy side
By STEPHEN BATTAGLIO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
'CSI" will be cutting back on some of the seamier aspects of life this season, following a slam from a watchdog group that labeled the show the least family-friendly program on TV.
Producer and show creator Anthony Zuiker said "it hurt" when "CSI," the top-rated show on TV, was tagged as being unfit for family viewing.
DUH!! It's about forensic science and is based in Las Vegas! :|
"We don't want to exclude families," Zuiker said. "We don't want to exclude children. The first family that turns off the show because it's too dark - that's catastrophic to us."
"CSI," which begins its fourth season on CBS tonight at 9, was cited last month by the Parents Television Council because of its stories about S&M sex clubs and snuff films.
Zuiker said he will try to steer the show away from some stories that could keep children from watching. (A estimated 2.03 million of the 26 million viewers who watched the show last season were under age 18, according to Nielsen Media Research.)
"I've talked to 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds that think the show is neat," Zuiker said. "They really enjoy it. To have the No. 1 show in the country for a long time is because you're reaching a wide fan base. We've been extra responsible because of that poll. Not in a defensive mode, but in a respectful mode."
Zuiker mentioned that at least one story line - about "a guy coming into town with his football buddies and it was about coke and hookers and a scavenger hunt" - was scrapped for being "too family-unfriendly."
He promised the show won't be sanitized. The "CSI" crew will still travel into bizarre territory now and then.
Indeed, one upcoming episode titled "Fur and Loathing" examines a crime that takes place among a group of adults who dress in animal costumes and participate in a sex act known as a "fur pile."
But the show will focus more on the science of crime-solving with more twists and turns to surprise viewers, said Zuiker.
As for last season's cliff-hanger, fans will learn in the first few minutes tonight that CSI chief Gil Grissom's (William L. Petersen) hearing has been restored. He's also sporting a new beard even though network executives typically don't like to see their stars change their looks.
"We're in Season 4 on a No. 1 show," said Zuiker. "I think [CBS President] Les Moonves will let it slide."
Article
'CSI' goes for
less seamy side
By STEPHEN BATTAGLIO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
'CSI" will be cutting back on some of the seamier aspects of life this season, following a slam from a watchdog group that labeled the show the least family-friendly program on TV.
Producer and show creator Anthony Zuiker said "it hurt" when "CSI," the top-rated show on TV, was tagged as being unfit for family viewing.
DUH!! It's about forensic science and is based in Las Vegas! :|
"We don't want to exclude families," Zuiker said. "We don't want to exclude children. The first family that turns off the show because it's too dark - that's catastrophic to us."
"CSI," which begins its fourth season on CBS tonight at 9, was cited last month by the Parents Television Council because of its stories about S&M sex clubs and snuff films.
Zuiker said he will try to steer the show away from some stories that could keep children from watching. (A estimated 2.03 million of the 26 million viewers who watched the show last season were under age 18, according to Nielsen Media Research.)
"I've talked to 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds that think the show is neat," Zuiker said. "They really enjoy it. To have the No. 1 show in the country for a long time is because you're reaching a wide fan base. We've been extra responsible because of that poll. Not in a defensive mode, but in a respectful mode."
Zuiker mentioned that at least one story line - about "a guy coming into town with his football buddies and it was about coke and hookers and a scavenger hunt" - was scrapped for being "too family-unfriendly."
He promised the show won't be sanitized. The "CSI" crew will still travel into bizarre territory now and then.
Indeed, one upcoming episode titled "Fur and Loathing" examines a crime that takes place among a group of adults who dress in animal costumes and participate in a sex act known as a "fur pile."
But the show will focus more on the science of crime-solving with more twists and turns to surprise viewers, said Zuiker.
As for last season's cliff-hanger, fans will learn in the first few minutes tonight that CSI chief Gil Grissom's (William L. Petersen) hearing has been restored. He's also sporting a new beard even though network executives typically don't like to see their stars change their looks.
"We're in Season 4 on a No. 1 show," said Zuiker. "I think [CBS President] Les Moonves will let it slide."
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