CBS finds life tough minus 'CSI's' William L. Petersen
CBS on Thursday got a peek of its new life without William L. Petersen, and it wasn't pretty.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which last week scored big audiences for star Petersen's finale after 8 1/2 seasons, was still the night's most-watched program, with 17.5 million total viewers, according to early data from Nielsen Media Research. But the forensics drama, with Laurence Fishburne as Petersen's replacement, found tough competition in ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (14.2 million). "Grey's" handily dispatched "CSI" in the ad-friendly demographic of adults ages 18 to 49, with a 5.6 rating versus 4.9. "CSI" tumbled 11% compared with its prior season average.
Fox won the 8 p.m. hour with its crime drama "Bones" (10 million viewers; 2.9 rating/8 share among 18- to 49-year-olds). "Bones," which has bumped all over the network's schedule, premiered in this slot last night, and so far it looks like a shrewd move for Fox.
At 10 p.m., an interesting battle is developing between ABC's "Grey's" spinoff "Private Practice" and CBS' crime drama "Eleventh Hour." "Eleventh Hour" won in total viewers (12.3 million versus 9.6 million) but "Grey's" maintained a clear advantage among viewers 18 to 49 (3.6 rating versus 2.9). "ER's" departure later this season could further alter the dynamics of a close race.
— Scott Collins
(Photo: Laurence Fishburne and Marg Helgenberger Credit: CBS)
"CBS finds life tough minus 'CSI's' William L. Petersen"
oh, man, are you serious? last week's was a special episode, the one before, with fishburne's coming, too - those wre high rated shows. but the one before fishburne WITH petersen was weaker in ratings, especially in 18-49, than this episode WITHOUT Petersen.
So, there's nothing tough in there. Yet.
Posted by: winnie | January 23, 2009 at 04:42 PM
As far as I can tell by numbers it is still the top rated, scripted show on network with Fishburne's first episode, which I may add was excellent.
I do not see "Grey", the primetime soap opera to be a threat at all. Once people realize CSI still has it's creative writers I imagine more viewers will be drawn back.
Posted by: Susan | January 24, 2009 at 06:35 PM
As far as I can tell by numbers it is still the top rated, scripted show on network with Fishburne's first episode, which I may add was excellent.
I do not see "Grey", the primetime soap opera to be a threat at all. Once people realize CSI still has it's creative writers I imagine more viewers will be drawn back.
Posted by: Susan | January 24, 2009 at 06:36 PM
CSI needs to get rid of the new girl. Pronto. She's an annoying and unnecessary character.
Posted by: Tess | January 24, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Grissom's last episode 24 Million. Doc Ray's first episode 17 million. A mere loss of 7 million viewers. I wonder when Law & Order start having cast changes did they lose a portion of their audience and did it take a while for the show to regain that lost audience. Since L&O has been on for ever now, long enough that Christopher Noth is beginning to look old, I think that I have answered my own question. Given time, which CBS will do for CSI, the audience will return.
As for Tess's comment about Riley: yes get rid of her. Or make her the office pyriah come B@tch Queen almighty.
Posted by: Adrien | January 25, 2009 at 07:21 AM
Nay-sayers should try watching it. My husband and I have loved CSI from day one, but we decided to give it a chance without William Petersen. We went into it without expecting much and we got a pleasant surprise. Laurence Fishburne may just breathe new life into a wonderful show that was, alas, getting stale. His character is brilliant yet self-effacing, and he didn't try to hard to fit into the group. I have high hopes for CSI grade I Ray Langston--and for a new breath of life into a great show.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 26, 2009 at 01:08 PM
i think csi is still number one! sure i miss grissiom, but it warick i miss the most. i dont get this nelson rating crap look at the rest of us please bring warick back..... i think csi will be ok
Posted by: dee | January 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I thought Laurence Fishburne was great. Watching him learn the tricks of the trade will be fun.
Posted by: gme | January 27, 2009 at 01:22 PM
How can Warrick come back? He's dead.
Posted by: Marilyn | January 27, 2009 at 09:35 PM
I will only watch CSI reruns with Grissom. I can't stand Larry Fishbourne. I have not seen a single new episode. If you want viewers to return, bring back William petersen. these are my thoughts. Robin
Posted by: Robin M Hamilton | August 18, 2009 at 02:46 PM