ANTHONY Zuiker – the creator of the CSI franchise, including the recently canceled CSI: Vegas, spoke about the show being axed in an exclusive interview with The US Sun.
CBS announced in May that CSI: Vegas would not return after three seasons on air, weeks after hinting at its possible cancellation.
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Despite the warning, fans were surprised by the ending of CSI: Vegas, including Anthony, 55, who thought the numbers would be strong enough for the series to continue.
“We were probably one season away from being profitable, but I didn’t see that coming,” Anthony told The US Sun of the popular show’s removal from CBS’ summer lineup.
CSI: Vegas was the last scripted show in the franchise, after CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and CSI: Cyber, and aired from October 2021 to May 2024.
It was a revival of the original series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which centered on crime cases in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show premiered on CBS in October 2000 and ran for 15 seasons.
‘A VICTIM OF THE TIMES’
Due to the franchise’s decades-long existence, which also had ties to the hit crime dramas Without a Trace (2002-2009) and Cold Case (2003-2010), Anthony did not anticipate that CSI: Vegas would be axed so soon, although he understands Why did this happen.
“[The reason for the cancellation of CSI: Vegas is] a function of a few things. Number one, it was very, very successful. Number two, they [CBS] have much less opportunity to run the risk of audience exhaustion in terms of script [shows].”
Anthony continued: “Number three, the business is in a very peculiar situation at the moment. The limitations of transmissions have challenged the creative process in these Testaments.
“Which means in the year 2000, there was a lot less competition in terms of eliminating streaming competition and vertical cable competition. So we have more creative license to do things without scrutiny,” Anthony added.
The television writer then revealed that CSI may be “a victim of the times” as the way people watch these shows and the increased interest in true crime are evolving beyond cable networks.
“Over time, the things you can do in broadcasting are limitless. Creativity can be limited. Pushing the limits is very limited, and what happens is the consumer doesn’t care about your problems, and neither does the viewer. .
“So if they can’t get the most out of a CSI that they want based on broadcasts because of limitations like the climate we live in, they can go ahead and start experimenting, or they can go ahead and buy things, which is their prerogative , your time, they are paying for it.
“I think CSI may have been a victim of the times. And I’m grateful that we can reinvigorate the franchise with something like a 10-episode unscripted series that keeps things healthy,” Anthony added, mentioning his new brand of documentary. series, The Real CSI: Miami, which premiered last week.
There have been five versions of the CSI franchise on CBS
As for CSI: Vegas, Anthony debated whether to consider reviving the show on a streaming platform; however, fans may not be thrilled with his response.
“In full transparency. We try to buy [CSI: Vegas to other platforms], and we had no buyers. I think, for all intents and purposes, CSI: Vegas is over. Now it’s time to focus on the fun.”
However, Anthony left hope that another series would come to fruition in the future.
“As things develop, there will probably be other conversations, but another scripted show, possibly for a streaming network, but it would have to be at the right time for people to support it,” he guaranteed.
“But for now, CSI: Vegas, we’re very proud of it as best we can. There are some factors that just didn’t let it move forward and so we did everything we could to revive it. And it didn’t work”, concluded Anthony.
The US Sun reached out to CBS Corporation for comment but did not hear back.
SAYING GOODBYE
Just as fans were devastated by the show’s cancellation, the cast also struggled with the news.
CSI: Vegas star Lex Medlin, 55, who played Thomas “Beau” Finado in seasons 2 and 3, shared his reaction on Instagram, writing, “I’m going to miss this cast and crew so much. Most of all, I’m going to miss Beau. He was so fun to play.”
The series finale aired on May 19 with several hurdles in an effort to wrap things up sooner than planned.
It reportedly garnered 4.8 million views – the second biggest audience the procedural has ever had.
Anthony again acknowledged the show’s “unhappy” ending and praised the cast and crew for their dedication.
“No one likes to miss the show. No one likes to say goodbye to a cast member and no one likes to break the news to those who pay their bills and have kids in college.
“I’m not bitter. It’s a shame we can’t continue. But it’s not for lack of doing everything we can to do the best we can for what’s ahead of us.
“What I really asked for in terms of disinterest is a wonderful job as showrunner, and we hired a really good cast.”
Anthony continued: “In the end, we have to be able to do things that excite crime and CSI enthusiasts in the best way possible.
“Every program that rises must fall. But that doesn’t mean we’re stronger with something else in the same family, and that’s what we’re doing now,” he concluded.
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