CSI: NY

Blu-Ray Review: Ninth Season of ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Sparkles in HD

BrianTT — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:52:14 -0600

CHICAGO – “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” jumps from the first season to the most recent when it comes to Blu-Ray releases of one of the most successful and beloved shows of the ’00s. It’s only a matter of time before the seven seasons in-between are filled-in but, until then, you can watch the beginning and the end of the William Petersen era on “CSI” with the recent release of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season”.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

With six discs, over 17 hours of murder mystery mayhem, and hours of special features, the ninth season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a great Blu-Ray release to catch up before the tenth season of the flagship show of a franchise that shows few signs of slowing down.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

I say “few” because the hand-off between star William Petersen and actor Laurence Fishburne did not go as smoothly as some might have predicted. It’s hard to say if it’s because of Petersen fans jumping ship or just a part of the natural erosion of TV ratings in the new iWorld, but the ninth season of “CSI” averaged the lowest amount of viewers since season one (although, it should be noted, that it actually finished a place HIGHER than the previous two seasons, indicating that everything was down.)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season was released on Blu-Ray on September 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

The fact is that even with a loss of a few hundred thousand viewers, “CSI” is one of the monsters of the television landscape, finishing in the top ten for the year during all nine seasons that it has been on the air. One could easily argue that there hasn’t been a bigger program this millennium. How many other shows have spawned not just two mega-hit spin-offs - “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY” - but comic books, novels, and even video games? “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” may not get the critical buzz of shows like “Lost” or “24” but it has transcended just being another mystery and become a brand name.

All 24 season nine episodes are presented in 16:9 widescreen in brilliant high definition with spectacular sounding 7.1 audio tracks. From a video & audio perspective, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season” is one of the best titles yet released when it comes to TV on the next-gen format. It’s a beauty.

Copious special features include the following:

Disc one - “Crime Scene Initiation,” “Interactive Investigative Mode” on Episode 904 “Let it Bleed,” and Deleted Scene
Disc three - “CSI (Comprehensive Scientific Information) Mode” and Deleted Scenes
Disc four - Audio Commentary by George Eads, Taylor Swift and Tom Mularz on Episode 916 “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Interactive Investigation Mode” on Episode 915 “Kill Me If You Can,” and Deleted Scene
Disc five - Audio Commentary by Naren Shankar, Wallace Langham, Liz Vassey, Bradley Thompson and David Weddle on Episode 920 “A Space Oddity,” “Rats in Space,” “From Zero to 200 in Nine Seasons,” and Deleted Scene
Disc six - “Good-bye Grissom” and Deleted Scenes

With excellent video & audio and a wealth of special features, the ninth season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a sign of the future of current television on Blu-Ray.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Ninth Season’ is released by CBS/Paramount Home Video and stars William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, George Eads, Laurence Fishburne, Wallace Langham, Lauren Lee Smith, Gary Dourdan, and Eric Szmanda. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker. The ninth season was released on September 1st, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

CBS Fall 2009 Premiere Dates For ‘The Mentalist,’ ‘CSI,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ More

BrianTT — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:05:59 -0600

CHICAGO – CBS has announced their fall premiere dates and the network is starting with one of their ratings juggernauts with the launch of “Survivor: Samoa” on September 17th. The network has scheduled four new series for the season - the comedy “Accidentally on Purpose” launches on Monday, September 21st, freshman dramas “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “The Good Wife” start on Tuesday, September 22nd, and “Three Rivers” is the last new show to premiere on Sunday, October 4th.

The 19th installment of “Survivor” officially starts the network’s season on the 17th, but it’s not until the next Monday that you should expect to see most of your favorite CBS shows. Almost all of the network’s offerings are returning from September 21st-28th.

The Good Wife is a new CBS fall drama starring Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick.
Photo credit: Eike Schroter/CBS

Monday, September 21st features the return of “How I Met You Mother” in a new 7pm CST timeslot, followed by “Accidentally on Purpose” (with Jenna Elfman), “Two and a Half Men,” a relocated “The Big Bang Theory,” and the eighth season premiere of “CSI: Miami”.

The next day, Tuesday, September 22nd, features the return of “NCIS” followed by two new shows - “NCIS: Los Angeles” with L.L. Cool J and “The Good Wife” with Juliana Margulies & Chris Noth.

Wednesday, September 23rd begins the fifth season of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and the second season of “Gary Unmarried”. The fifth season of “Criminal Minds” and the sixth season of “CSI: NY” round out the night.

One of the biggest nights of the week features the second episode of “Survivor: Samoa,” followed by the premiere of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” returning for its remarkable tenth season, and the relocation of last season’s No. 1 new hit “The Mentalist” at 9pm CST.

Friday nights start on September 25th with “The Ghost Whisperer” and “Numb3rs” returning and being joined by the network-jumping “Medium” in between. Saturday will stick with “48 Hours Mystery” and “Crimetime Saturday”.

Sundays start on September 27th with “60 Minutes,” a two-hour premiere of “The Amazing Race,” and the seventh season premiere of “Cold Case”. A week later, “Three Rivers” debuts.

CBS Fall 2009 Schedule
Thursday, September 17th - “Survivor: Samoa”
Monday, September 21st - “How I Met Your Mother,” “Accidentally on Purpose,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” & “CSI: Miami”
Tuesday, September 22nd - “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” & “The Good Wife”
Wednesday, September 23rd - “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Gary Unmarried,” “Criminal Minds,” & “CSI: NY”
Thursday, September 24th - “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” & “The Mentalist”
Friday, September 25th - “The Ghost Whisperer,” “Medium,” & “Numb3rs”
Saturday, September 26th - “Crimetime Saturday” & “48 Hours Mystery”
Sunday, September 27th - “60 Minutes,” “The Amazing Race,” & “Cold Case”
Sunday, October 4th - “Three Rivers”

Read our full review of the season-six “Medium” premiere!
Read our full review of the season-five 2009 “How I Met Your Mother” premiere!
Read our full review of the “The Good Wife” premiere!
Read our full review of the “NCIS: Los Angeles” premiere!

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Melina Kanakaredes at Chicago Gabby Awards on ‘CSI: NY’

PatrickMcD — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:05:00 -0600

CHICAGO – The Greek actress with the hard-to-pronounce name (kan-uh-kuh-REE-deez), was a presenter in Chicago at the Gabby Awards, honoring Greek Americans, between seasons portraying a forensics expert on her hit TV show, “CSI: NY”.

Melina K. first made a splash as Dr. Sydney Hansen on the TV series, “Providence” and has supplemented her career with stage work, including a turn on Broadway as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”

Melina Kanakaredes at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com caught up with wondrously upbeat Ms. K. after the Gabby awards, where she talked about a variety of subjects including life as an actress, and writing for CSI.

HollywoodChicago.com: You have now played the two most popular professions in television drama – the doctor and the cop. How fairly do you think these two professions are portrayed within the dramatic limits of television?

Melina Kanakaredes: I call it entertainment. Can a crime be solved in 43 minutes? Absolutely not. Can you stick your finger into a girl’s heart and she lives? I don’t think so.

That being said, when a woman plays the role of a forensic detective and that year the enrollment for young women in the sciences and forensics goes up over fifty percent, then I know I’ve done something really cool.

HC: You’ve taken on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in the stage version of Cabaret. How do you relate as a person to the struggles of that character?

MK: I think we all have the ability to lose track. But dreams are still important, because if you stop dreaming and stop trying to achieve something, then you lose. And I think Sally was the biggest dreamer ever.

And I loved the interpretation that came out in the latest staging of the play. It wasn’t the top hat style, it wasn’t all fabulous and nor was Sally’s life. Her desires, her struggles, her need to escape…all worked for me.

Melina K. Posing Appropriately Before a Greek–style Column at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: What are your three favorite monikers that show business professionals have tried to convince you to change your name to?

MK: My ultimate favorite was Lina Kane (laughs). Then there were the variations like Melina Lynne, which sounded like a country singer, and Melina Karedes, which still sounded Greek, but I still said no.

HC: Your pride in your Greek heritage is manifested in both your professional and philanthropic work. What does that heritage do for you to give strength and balance in your hectic life?

MK: I think a foundation of family is what is most important. I was born in a family that came from Greece and the history is so amazingly rich. And although we all take credit for that history and it’s been thousands and thousands of years, it is an inspiring thing no matter what you do in life. Not only are your parents there for you, but your cousins, brothers, sisters, neighbors that become aunts and uncles…it’s insane the support.

You can go off and do anything you desire, and you can fall, but there is always twenty hands to catch you. In my life, there is also twenty legs to kick me in the butt if I become all high and mighty (laughs). It’s a grounding force of love.

HC: How do the production team, writing staff and actors strive to keep the ‘CSI: NY’ franchise fresh?

MK: Well, for example, giving an actor the opportunity to write an episode is pretty amazing and I got that opportunity last season. It was the 24th show of the 5th season and for me it provided a fresh perspective.

Although I’ve been doing the show as an actor and have directed before, writing was an incredibly new experience. And it gave me the chance to put in a little Greek flair, I put in a weapon buried in Alexander the Great’s hidden tomb.

The freshness is when all the talent in the room thinks outside the box and I was a beneficiary of the executive producer doing so.

HC: What type of film character would be a dream role for you? What type of characterization have you not been considered for that you would like to try?

MK: My dream role right now is a comedy. I am the biggest klutz known to man. I think I’m funny, and I love comedy – I was a musical theater girl, musical comedy and have done physical comedy. I would love to do something in that arena.

The sixth season of ‘CSI: NY’ starring Melina Kanakaredes, Gary Sinise, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper and Eddie Cahill will premiere in Fall, 2009.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Special Widescreen Edition

BrianTT — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:44:23 -0600

CHICAGO – The first season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” one of the most successful and beloved shows of the ’00s, is finally available in widescreen HD from CBS/Paramount. With five discs and over 17 hours of murder mystery mayhem, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a perfect gift for the TV fan in your circle of friends and family.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

It’s somewhat remarkable that “CSI” is not yet even a decade old, premiering in the ‘00-‘01 season. I would argue that there hasn’t been a bigger program this millennium. How many other shows have spawned not just two mega-hit spin-offs - “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY” - but comic books, novels, and even video games? “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” may not get the critical buzz of shows like “Lost” or “24” but it has transcended just being another mystery and become a brand name.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was released on Blu-Ray on May 12th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

One of the most impressive things about “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” has been the complete consistency in the show’s popularity. The first season premiered in the top ten and the show has never left that lofty group, landing as the #1 or #2 show of the entire year in 4 out of 9 seasons on the air.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was released on Blu-Ray on May 12th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

The first season was just the warm-up, which means a lot of people may not have caught up with season one (by season three, the show was averaging 10 million more viewers and putting up stratospheric numbers compared to season one). If you’re one of those people who caught on late (and still haven’t caught up with the always-airing repeats), this Blu-Ray release is a great way to go back to the beginning of this TV phenomenon.

All 23 season one episodes plus the director’s cut of the pilot are presented in 16:9 widescreen for the first time in brilliant high definition with spectacular sounding 7.1 audio tracks. From a video & audio perspective, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is one of the best titles yet released on the next-gen format.

Special features on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” include the director’s cut of the pilot with commentary, “CSI People Lie,,,But the Evidence never Does,” “CSI Season One: Rediscovering the Evidence,” deleted scenes/outtakes, CBS Television Network Launch, Series & Episodic Promos, and a gag reel.

TV has been slow to embrace with Blu-Ray but the trickle of catalog programs coming to the HD format is starting to turn into more of a steady flow. With excellent video & audio and a wealth of special features, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is a great push in the right direction.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ is released by CBS/Paramount Home Video and stars William Petersen, Marg Helgenberg, George Eads, Warrick Brown, Jorja Fox, and Paul Guilfoyle. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker. The season was released on May 12th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Exclusive Portrait: Oscar-Winning Actress Marlee Matlin of ‘Dancing With the Stars’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:54:05 -0600

CHICAGO – Oscar-winning actress and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Marlee Matlin posed for the HollywoodChicago.com lens before meeting her hometown Chicago fans at the signing of her new memoir “I’ll Scream Later” on April 17, 2009 at Borders in Oak Brook, Ill.

Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her best-actress performance in the 1986 film “Children of a Lesser God,” has been featured in “The L Word,” “Nip/Tuck,” “My Name is Earl,” “CSI: NY,” “The West Wing, “Desperate Housewives,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and more. Our exclusive portraits of Marlee Matlin in Chicago can be found below.

Oscar-winning actress and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Marlee Matlin poses for the
HollywoodChicago.com lens before meeting her hometown Chicago fans at the signing of her memoir
“I’ll Scream Later” on April 17, 2009 at the Borders in Oak Brook, Ill.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com