CSI is now not on the air, however the franchise’s creator simply revealed the one approach he would log out on a brand new spinoff. Nevertheless, his thought may shock even probably the most diehard fan.
The unique CSI: Crime Scene Investigation debuted in 2000 and ran for 15 seasons. The large success of the crime procedural spawned a number of spinoffs, together with a revival of the unique sequence by way of the solid of CSI: Vegas, which introduced again Jorja Fox, William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger and Wallace Langham, however solely lasted for 3 seasons earlier than being canceled in 2024.
Throughout an interview with TV Insider to rejoice CSI‘s twenty fifth anniversary, creator Anthony Zuiker was requested if he would ever need the franchise to return to the air, and he gave a really stunning reply.
Zuiker admitted that CSI would seemingly solely come again if he was concerned within the undertaking. He would not consider {that a} youthful producer or showrunner who’s not as hooked up to the franchise may step into his footwear. The producer additionally dominated out worldwide iterations of CSI. “That is one thing that I would not approve,” he bluntly acknowledged.
So far as an idea for a hypothetical new CSI, Zuiker’s thought could be to both set the present 100 years in the past “the place there was restricted entry to forensic science to resolve old style crimes,” or take the franchise 75 years into the long run, which might deal with “area crimes, time crimes, crypto miscreants, mind hacking, AI, robotic crimes.”
In different phrases, a brand new CSI present must inform tales that the franchise hasn’t targeted on earlier than. Take a look at Zuiker’s feedback beneath:
It’s a tough query. I’ll attempt to reply it. I don’t suppose one other CSI might be born except I’m concerned in it. I don’t suppose you’ll be able to rent individuals to do that present at this stage on this technology. And when you did do one other present the place I used to be within the combine, it must be both A, a CSI of 100 years in the past the place there was restricted entry to forensic science to resolve old style crimes a century in the past, or it’d be futuristic crimes about 75 years from right this moment — area crimes, time crimes, crypto miscreants, mind hacking, AI, robotic crimes. It’ll be issues that you simply hadn’t seen earlier than. After which how CSIs 75 years from now would resolve that sooner or later. I feel these are the one two CSIs that will work beneath my watch. However this isn’t going to be a franchise, in my view, the place you’d do a CSI: UK or a CSI: Singapore after which rent a manufacturing firm to tug off 10. That’s one thing that I wouldn’t approve.
What Anthony Zuiker’s Spinoff Concepts Imply For The CSI Franchise
Zuiker is correct that the CSI franchise would want an overhaul if it had been ever to be rebooted. A number of spinoffs have aired on CBS over time, together with CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, CSI: Cyber, and the revival CSI: Vegas.
The primary three CSI sequence (CSI, Miami and NY) ended up being long-running exhibits, airing for 15, 10, and 9 seasons, respectively. Nevertheless, the 2 more moderen spinoffs (Cyber and Vegas) wereboth canceled after solely two and three seasons.
This proves that curiosity within the franchise dissipated massively after the unique sequence went off the air, and never even a revival with a number of of the unique solid members may put it aside. CSI is an iconic TV franchise, however like many sequence and franchises, not every thing is supposed to proceed indefinitely.
If a brand new CSI spinoff had been to be introduced tomorrow, it might seemingly really feel similar to all the opposite ones that got here earlier than it, which is why Zuiker’s concepts are very intriguing. He is clearly pondering exterior the field by taking the franchise again 100 years or 75 years into the long run.
Zuiker’s futuristic thought truly sounds prefer it might be a criminal offense procedural model of Star Trek. Paramount owns each franchises, so possibly Zuiker may be a part of forces with the Trek crew on a brand-new idea for that iconic model. The producer’s thought of setting the present 100 years prior to now may additionally make for an interesting historic drama.
Each ideas would clearly take CSI in a daring new route, however possibly that is what must occur. In any case, if a brand new spinoff is simply going to really feel like a copycat of the earlier CSI exhibits, then there is no level in persevering with the franchise at this level, particularly since curiosity and viewership have waned lately.

- Created by
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Anthony E. Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue, Jason Tracey
- Solid
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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
- Video Sport(s)
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Darkish Motives, CSI: 3 Dimensions of Homicide, CSI: Arduous Proof, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, CSI: Lethal Intent, CSI: Crime Metropolis, CSI: Deadly Conspiracy
- Character(s)
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Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows, D.B. Russell, Sara Sidle, Calleigh Duquesne, Mac Taylor, Stella Bonasera, Avery Ryan, Elijah Mundo, Josh Folsom
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a multi-media franchise that started with the self-titled unique sequence developed by Anthony E. Zuiker. The sequence follows numerous detectives as a part of the CSI groups as they work behind the scenes (and within the subject) to uncover the truths behind unsolved murders. The sequence has additionally loved an in depth assortment of simulation-style video video games over time as companions to ongoing tv exhibits.