CSI: New York news items dated May 2003 - May 2004 are archived on this page.

May 25 2004 - In a Reuters article on advertising dollars, CSI: New York is considered a safe bet, as are spinoffs from Law & Order. Click on the link for the full story.

May 25 2004 - Fans of Gary Sinise can check out some great fan photos at this Photo Album as well as this album. (Thanks to Tam for the tip)

May 25 2004 - The Lt. Dan Band show on the June 19th has been canceled, per the tour manager (thanks to the gsinise@yahoogroups.com group for the tip).

May 24 2004 - MediaWeek said ..."All things considered, the potentially hottest new fall show is also the most familiar show, and that's CSI: NY on CBS. Move over, Law & Order -- you have some real competition this time."

May 24 2004 - New York City area fans should check out CBS news at five o'clock. Roz Abrams will talk with Gary Sinise today at 5. Sinise also discusses his Operation Iraqi Children, which aids children in that country. You can read a small article on it at CBS New York.

May 20 2004 - Check out the new CBS promotional shot of the cast at the top of the page.

May 21 2004 - Alliance Atlantis has already sold CSI: New York to five major non-U.S. broadcasters in Australia (Channel 9), France (TF1), Germany (VOX), Spain (Telecino), and Britain (Five) and plans to secure further sales during LA Screenings. Digital Spy also reported Five (UK) securing CSI: NY. The article said "Jeff Ford, Managing Editor and Director of Acquisitions at Five, said: 'I am delighted to be able to confirm that Five has bought the exclusive rights to the latest in the CSI franchise, CSI: NY, underlining Five's commitment to America's Finest programming.' Read the full press release at PR Newswire.

May 20 2004 - It's official. Baba O'Reilly (or "Teenage Wasteland," as some of us know it as) will be the theme song for CSI: New York. And yup, it's sung by The Who.

May 20 2004 – Several articles on CBS's new fall schedule (Chicago Sun-Times, to name one), covered the advertising event yesterday at Carnegie Hall. The rock group The Who was there, and performed a mini-concert, which the Sun-Times said “…consisting of the band's theme songs for all three of the CSI series on next fall's schedule. (Pencil in "Baba O'Riley" for the new Gary Sinise-Melina Kanakaredes spinoff CSI: NY) Also, the article said “When pressed, Moonves said he didn't envision a fourth CSI spinoff in the near future as the original CSI had three executive producers and now each is running his or her own CSI. "I'm not even thinking about a fourth one," he said. "At least not for another year."' Also, CBS plans “Crime Time Saturday,” at 10 p.m., which will rotate repeats of assorted crimes dramas (CSI included) in that time slot. Meanwhile, TIME said “…surviving [Who] members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend — playing their songs that have been adapted as CSI themes (for CSI: NY, it's "Baba O'Reilly"), for what amounts to a sales conference of ad men, brand managers and TV affiliate executives.” The New York Daily News added … “The later presentation to advertisers included an appearance by The Who. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey performed all three Who songs that serve as themes for the CSI franchises: "Who Are You?" (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), "Baba O'Reilly" (presumably for CSI: NY) and "Won't Get Fooled Again": (CSI: Miami).”

May 20 2004 – The New York Daily News said that, according to Les Moonves, CSI: Miami's (CSI:NY Pilot) “was the highest-rated Monday program of the entire season, including any Monday Night Football broadcast.”

May 20 2004 – The Cincinnati Post said “CSI:NY. The setup to this aired Monday in the CSI: Miami slot as Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes play the New York City crime scene wizards. It smacks of an instant hit. But how badly will it hurt Law & Order?”

May 20 2004 – The New York Times quoted Les Moonves as saying "It doesn't scare me that it's [CSI] New York versus [Law & Order] New York," Mr. Moonves said of the matchup. "We finally got something we can challenge Law & Order with.''

May 20 2004 – The Seattle Post-Intelligencer said of the CSI: New York vs. Law & Order schedule that “it's tough to predict which will emerge victorious. Everything that has gone up against the Law & Order flagship has shattered against its bow.” But they also point out that L&O's ratings have declined a little, but if CSI:NY is good enough, it could win. Also, “one must take into account the appeal to both men and women of the Oscar-nominated, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning Sinise.”

May 20 2004 – At Investors Daily, an article said that “Les Moonves touted CSI: New York as "the perfect weapon" to take on rival show, Law and Order and predicted it'll be a top drama next year.” The article quoted some stats: Last year, CBS rose 3 percent in the crucial 18-49 TV audience with a measure of 3.9 vs. 4.3 for NBC, and The network ranks number one in TV viewers aged 25-54 for the first time since 1980.

May 20 2004 – TV Guide pondered of CSI: New York that “….will the addition of yet another spinoff, which will be overseen on a day-to-day basis by creator Anthony Zuiker, dilute the current top-rated dramatic series when it returns for its fifth season in 2004-05? Chances are, it won't. Still, it's a gamble.”

May 20 2004 – The San Francisco Chronicle mulled over CSI: New York's timeslot. “It had been assumed that CBS would move its hit CSI: Miami from Monday to Wednesday to fight that battle, but perhaps the network felt emboldened by the more than 22 million people who watched Monday's CSI: Miami episode that introduced the characters who will make up the cast of CSI: New York. With the CSI franchise ascending and the Law & Order franchise showing signs of audience loss, it appears CBS is going for NBC's jugular (NBC held the fourth installment, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, until midseason).

May 19 2004 - CBS's press release: "CSI: NY (Wednesday, 10:00 PM) stars Academy Award-nominee, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (“Forrest Gump,” “Truman") and Emmy Award-nominee Melina Kanakaredes (“Providence”) in a crime drama, spun-off from “CSI: Miami,” about forensic investigators who use high-tech science to follow the evidence and solve crimes in The Big Apple. Det. Mack "Mac" Taylor (Sinise) is a dedicated and driven crime scene investigator who believes that everything is connected and for everyone there is a story. He and his partner, Det. Stella Bonasera (Kanakaredes), a workaholic and a jack-of-all-trades, share a passion for the job. They lead a team of experts amid the gritty and kinetic city that never sleeps. Their team includes Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo), a Brooklyn-born investigator with rugged good looks, an unflappable spirit and a colorful family history, and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper), a reclusive coroner who walked away from a promising surgical career after the traumatic loss of two patients. Rounding out the team is Aiden Burn (Vanessa Ferlito), a smart and sexy investigator whose chameleon-like behavior allows her to adapt to any situation at any time. Inspired by the #1 drama series, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," the New York CSIs may have a different process than those in Vegas or Miami, but they are guided by the same steadfast determination. These skilled investigators, who see New York City in a whole different light, follow the evidence as they piece together clues and eliminate doubt to ultimately crack their cases. Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”), Anthony E. Zuiker (“CSI”), Carol Mendelsohn (“CSI”), Ann Donahue (“CSI”), Danny Cannon (“CSI”) and Andrew Lipsitz (“CSI”) are the executive producers for Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS Productions in association with Alliance Atlantis Communications.

May 18 2004 - CBS unveiled its fall schedule today, and CSI: New York is being put against Law & Order. It will grab the 10:00 p.m. slot on Wednesdays, now occupied by... um, I honestly don't know. Mediaweek says "With changes on five nights of the week, Wednesday, in particular, the talk of the new season will likely be CSI: Miami spin-off CSI: NY going head-to-head with NBC's veteran Law & Order. If this third edition of the mighty CSI can crack Law & Order, which has already sprung a minor ratings leak, CBS will likely strengthen its viewer advantage while narrowing NBC's winning gap among adults 18-49." and added "...CSI: NY could be the first drama to successfully compete against Law & Order." There's also a press release here.

May 18 2004 - The Chicago Sun-Times reports.... "Gary Sinise, who stars in the new CSI: New York, dined at Rosebud on Rush last week."

May 17 2004 - Extra! had a small promo for CSI: New York, showing a clip of Gary Sinise and Hill Harper in the morgue, as well as clips from the upcoming Miami episode. "It's going to be a different show," said Sinise of the third CSI, "and I think we're going to do some good stuff." They said he's best known for his role in Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, but they managed to find an early clip of Sinise on a Hunter episode playing a sleazy character. Meanwhile, on Entertainment Tonight.... The CSI: New York cast were posing on the morgue set of CSI: Miami for publicity shots. Melina tried the morgue drawers, which didn't open. "Thank God," she said humorously. A few small clips were shown. An article on the Entertainment Tonight segment had more to say. Melina Kanakaredes said "What's poignant is that each city brings its own relevance to the show's crimes. New York is such a great town with so many layers, and I think it's going to bring an all-new twist to the franchise." Sinise said "I knew it was a really, really popular show and a great show. And I've got a buddy of mine, William Petersen, on the original show, so it was intriguing when they called." Sinise's character, Mac Taylor, has been running the CSI New York unit for about 10 years, and Stella (Kanakaredes) has worked with him for eight years. Carmine Giovinazzo, who plays Det. Danny Messer, comes from a family of officers. "My brother-in-law worked for the mayor and my sister was a cop for 15 years. So I called them a couple of times just to get through some of these scenes!"

May 17 2004 - Of the New York city papers, The New York Post had a half page ad for tonight's CSI: Miami CSI: New York spinoff episode, while USA Today did likewise. Alas, the New York Daily News and The New York Times had no ads. .

May 17 2004 - Visit CBS for a video story done on CSI: New York by Katie McGee. Requires Window Media to play.

May 17 2004 - The Wall Street Journal reported today in an article on the Law & Order franchise that “Advertisers expect the network [CBS], owned by Viacom, Inc., to launch CSI: New York, that franchise's second spinoff, against one of the Law & Order shows in the fall, in part because it views the franchise as vulnerable. Meanwhile, Reuters said “CBS is said to be considering moving its powerhouse CSI: Miami out of the Monday 10 p.m. slot to make room for the new spinoff CSI: New York.

May 17 2004 – Melina Kanakaredes recently did a phone-in interview with a hometown newspaper in Ohio. Kanakaredes, an '85 graduate of Firestone High School, has been busy. After giving birth to her second daughter last year, she was starring on Broadway as Sally Bowles in Caberet. “There I was, dancing and singing onstage, four months post-baby.” She says that that particular job definitely got her back into shape after having a child. As for CSI: New York, “"I love the energy and feel of New York, and that's part of the reason I'm so thrilled to be doing this show." Stella Bonasero, her character, is half-Italian, half-Greek workaholic."She's tough and streetwise,” said Kanakaredes. . You see those things on paper, but you build a character by asking why she's like that and why she's doing this job. This isn't her first time on a crime dramas. Some viewers may remember her from ABC's short-lived Leaving L.A. show. "It was a great, great series that only went six episodes. America just wasn't ready for it. Stomachwise, my sensibilities were strengthened while preparing for that series." For Kanakaredes, CSI: New York won't be too difficult as she still has a placei n New York with husband, chef/restaurateur Peter Constantinades. “And going into CSI, you know that, even if it's not successful, it's going to be fun because you're working with people like Gary Sinise. It's always exciting when you can work with another actor who can elevate your game. The movie with [Robert] De Niro wasn't successful, but the process was just awesome. Gary is wonderful because the talent and the human being both are tremendous. I didn't need to go back to work. It's nice to be able to choose what you're going to do. And I think I chose wisely." Read the full story at Cleveland.com.

May 17 2004 - It was a dinner in Valentino, a restaurant in Santa Monica, CA, that Les Moonves spoke with the production people at CSI to get the ball rolling on the third CSI show. The New York Times reported Moonves said "We all know why we're here today," looking at Anthony Zuiker. "That was the cue for Zuiker, who is known for his enthusiastic and flamboyant pitches, to stand. 'Well, it's going to be CSI: New York,' Zuiker said. Then he commenced whaling on an air guitar and singing his personal version of the song Eminence Front, by the Who." This is Zuiker's first assignment as the lead executive producer of a series. It was Moonves' idea to lure Gary Sinise to the show. "Mr. Moonves got him to agree to consider doing television," said Zuiker, who had to convince the seasoned Chicago actor to join the show, so he spent four hours at Sinise's home, sketching out the character and other details, including "there would be undertones, just undertones, of 9-11 in his character's background." After a short time, Sinise decided to sign on. To do the series, the producers had to learn about the intricacies of New York's CSI force, which "turns out to be pretty complicated," so for the sake of television, it has been streamlined for the viewer. Sinise's character will be a detective performing most of the scientific and policework done by David Caruso's character in CSI: Miami. Read more at the Sun-Sentinel.com.

May 17 2004 - In an article on television programming, CSI: Miami executive producer Ann Donahue said of CSI: New York. "There's a theatricality to every interaction. What we found with the Sinise character is he knows people want to talk. They need a reason. He uses evidence to help them tell their story." Read the full article at the Orlando Sentinel.

May 17 2004 - You know what CBS' "CSI" stands for, don't you? "Cloned Series Idea." And that's how a Chicago Sun-Times article began today. Critic Phil Rosenthal isn't sure what this means in the long run, but commented that you can franchise CSI anywhere, and if CBS keeps up the pattern, there "soon there will be a coroner on every corner. Like Starbucks. Or the Gap. Or, as William Petersen, star of the original CSI, once suggested in this space, McDonald's." However, Rosenthal said that CSI: New York should prove interesting due to its lead actor, Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise. "Like Petersen, another star of the Chicago stage, Sinise brings a distinctive presence to prime time, along with a range that extends well beyond CSI: Miami star David Caruso's assorted grimaces." Read the full article at the Chicago Sun Times

May 16 2004 - CBS briefly previewed CSI: New York on its pre-Early Show today (5:45 a.m.), talking mostly with Melina Kanakaredes in some pre-shot interviews. Melina said of her character, "She's got cahonas(sp?)? Is that what they say in Italian? She's tough, she's there, she's in your face." She also said "I love New York. I love New Yorkers. There is an amazing sense of community and all those things, that unless you live here, you don't realize... it's going to add layers to the show that are going to be really transcend it to another place." Gary Sinise, in an inteview taped during a chillier time this year, said of a spinoff. "I'd love CSI: Honolulu, but I'm here in New York. It's a great city. And there are going be a lot of great episodes, lot of great stories here." CBS reporter Athur Chien also had a bit part as a reporter in one scene.

May 16 2004 - The New York Post reviewed CSI: New York's 'pilot' in their TV Section today. "New York is the most exciting city in the country and maybe the universe," said executive producer Ann Donahue. "When we did our research, we went to the CSI office on Jamaica Blvd. And we listened to what the city was and who the people were." They hope to return frequently to New York City for filming, which would make , Melina Kanakaredes happy. She still has the Brooklyn apartment she lived in when she was on the CBS soap "Guiding Light" more than 10 years ago.

May 16 2004 - The New York Times had a long article on the CSI: New York pilot, which will air on CSI: Miami on May 17th. Ann Donahue, show runner for Miami, said "You're making a whole new world. You have to show New York the way you want the world to see it. And then you have to introduce five new characters. That's a ton to do." It's when a crucial clue in that episode - phlegm - pinpoints a respiratory inflammation common to New Yorkers who live near ground zero, Horatio Caine heads north to pursue a suspect. When Horatio arrives at the suspect's address, he finds a crime scene already in progress, with Detective Mack (Mac) Taylor already in charge. The article says "A quick, staccato exchange between Caine and Taylor (They. Talk. Like. This.) about who gets to prosecute the perp defines them as focused and competent with the economical characterization typical of the show." The characters in this CSI permutation are just as dedicated as their other CSI comrades. Melina Kanakaredes' character (Stella Bonasera) will be introduced in a scene in which she runs after medics whoi care carting away so she can take pictures of the man's injuries for evidence. Ann Donahue says there "is a New York attitude" with these characters, who face different problems that say, their Miami compatriots. Donahue says "When you have to bundle up and fight to get into Manhattan to get to your job, that makes you different than the girl that's in Miami, which is peaceful and placid. That's the kind of girl you'll be able to break really quickly." A key is literally one of the clues in this episode, and keys are very popular in Manhattan and the boroughs. Another point Donahue makes is that "The Sinise character knows that the secret about New York is that people love to talk. They want to unburden their secrets, but sometimes they need a reason. And for him, the evidence is that reason. He gets to lay down the evidence and say, `Look, I know this is hard for you to say, but let me start the story for you.' " Read the full article at the New York Times for a week or so.

May 16 2004 - Carmine Giovinazzo, who will play Det. Danny Messer in CSI: New York, was profiled recently at SILive.com. Although he's lived in Los Angeles for several years, Giovinazzo has not forgotten his roots, back in Port Richmond, New York. He'll be back in New York in July when production of CSI: New York commences, but the bulk of the series will be filmed in California. Giovinazzo is looking forward to working on the series, but is well aware of how fickle fame can be with episodic television, as shows come and go with alarming speed. Giovinazzo wants to go the film route, but said of television "Maybe this will allow me to get my film going." His film is The Brink of Black, a project about a Staten Island kid "realizing he doesn't belong where he lives, surrounded by wiseguys, and he makes a move to get of New York." He's looking for financing, something that could occur when CSI: New York takes off. Read more at the link above, as well as Carmine's biography on this site.

May 16 2004 - Not yet confirmed, but word is that The Who song Eminence Front will be used as the CSI: New York theme.

May 14 2004 - The publicity machine is gearing up for CSI: New York. CSI:NY was profiled in the May 16-22 US version of TV Guide, as well as having a half-page ad for the CSI: Miami episode. The May 21st Entertainment Weekly magazine profiled CSI: NY in a two-page article (p. 40-41). Nice photos, but virtually all the news has been posted here already; and lastly, there's a nice color shot of Gary and Melina from the episode on page 92 of the May 24th In Touch magazine. Check the Photo Gallery for those new pictures.

May 14 2004 - Set your VCRS (or watch) when CSI: NY is profiled on Entertainment Tonight on May 17th.

May 10 2004 - Gary Sinise was one of several actors mentioned in an article on the end of Fraiser, and its famous guest stars. Gary showed up in the 1995/95 season as the caller 'Sid.' "He is reading what he says to Frasier. He writes everything down before having a conversation with someone." Read the full article at Cincinnati.com.

May 10 2004 - CSI: Miami showed previews for the CSI: New York pilot at the end of tonight's episode. "Miami goes to New York to capture a killer," says the announcer and lots of clips of NYC are shown, as well as one of Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes and David Caruso. Looks good.

May 10 2004 - Anthony Zuiker said of CSI: New York "There's a lot of pressure not to (mess) this one up." Zuiker will oversee the day-to-day production of the series. After a three-hour dinner with Zuiker, Gary Sinise agreed to do the series. "I thought it had a real good chance of being successful, and I had never thought about doing a series before. I have kids, it'd be nice to be at home with them and have a steady job for a while instead of a ... nomadic, erratic movie schedule." This CSI series will focus on the male-female team of Mac Taylor (Sinise) and Stella Bonasera (Kanakaredes), but also promises to "delve deeply" into the personal lives of its characters. Back story so far (subject to change) is that Stella became a CSI to "assuage the sins of her shady father. "After his mysterious death, she stepped up as the oldest child to take care of the family," said the USA Today article. Meanwhile, Mac, a military-officer-turned-cop, lost his wife in the 9/11 attack. Zuiker said "We're going to attempt to open the characters up some to make it fresh and different, but at heart you'll know it's a forensics show." For Kanakaredes, it was the chance to do something different, even though she had a short-stint in a coroner/cop series Leaving L.A. (with Law & Order's SVU's Chris Meloni) on ABC several years back. Read the full story at USA Today.

May 08 2004 - What will Gary Sinise's Det. Mac Taylor drive in CSI: New York? According to one report, Sinise will drive a Cadillac STS, while his co-workers tool around in Escalade EXTs. The STS is not an SUV but a sedan. Hopefully it's not the one with the optional 4.6-liter V8 engine, as that gets 20.9 miles per gallon. With gas prices in the metro NYC area at $2/gallon for cheap self-serve (and climbing daily), that wouldn't be practical or prudent for a police department's budget ;)

May 07 2004 - As reported earlier, Gary Sinise received the Above and Beyond Patriot Award on April 29th in Chicago. What isn't so readily known is that James Kimo Wiliams, executive director of the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum and part-time faculty member in Columbia's Arts, Entertainment and Media Management Department, is also co-founder, manager, musical director and a guitarist of Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band. The band consists of Williams, Sinise and nine other Chicago area musicians. Sinise and Williams have been playing together since 1997, where Williams was performing music at Steppenwolf Theater. "I was a bass player in junior high, mainly because I wasn't as good as the other guys in the bands," Sinise said. Williams said Sinise's sound is like the bass players of the '70s. "He's not trying to be the fastest, quickest bass player, he just tries to keep a nice solid beat. He does that better than any bass player I've heard in a long time." "One of the reasons this is so important to me is that I used to play for the troops, and I know the impact it can have," said Williams. "To watch Gary give up all he is giving to help support the troops is very, very personal as well as respectful, from my perspective." Sinise told the newspaper: "Music has always been an important part of my life. There was a time when I could have chosen acting or music, but acting was the choice I made. Not only being able to play music on stage, but getting to serve the folks who are serving our country is a real kick. After 9/11, Sinise wanted to help, and he did that by touring with the USO. He's been to 27 bases since 2003. Ironically, not many people recognized Sinise, but knew him instead as Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump. The Lt. Dan Band will perform again June 19 at Park West, and then it's off for a tour of U.S. military bases from June 20 through July 4. Read the full article at Chronicle.

May 07 2004 - Lifetime Television has acquired Providence for off-network syndication. It will premiere May 11th at 8:00 p.m. on the cable network. Melina Kanakaredes starred in the former NBC series, so for anybody unfamiliar with her work, this is your chance to see her.

May 06 2004 - The Hollywood Reporter stated today that Terry Kinney has joined the cast of CSI: New York in a recurring role as a district attorney. His character will be introduced in the CSI: Miami episode in which all the other CSI:NY cast guest star. Many TV viewers may recognize Kinney from his role in HBO's prison drama Oz. Kinney, along with Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry, co-founded the Steppenwolf Theater Company in 1975 and served as artistic co-directors.

May 05 2004 - Hill Harper, who will play Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in CSI: New York, was interviewed on NPR on the Tavis Smiley Show. Reporter Tony Cox interviewed Hill. Hill said his parents were outwardly supportive of his career choices, "but I'm sure back home they were saying 'that boy's crazy!'" Both his parents are physicians (his father passed away in 2000) and said "What was wonderful about doing (the hospital drama) City of Angels... is that I got to play a physician, and since both my parents were physicians, I didn't become a physician, but I got to play one on TV and they got to see me doing it every week, and my dad loved the idea that I was playing a doctor." How did he make the change from an Ivy League school to becoming an actor? "At Brown, they have a wonderful theater program, so I was introduced to theater there. What happened over time is that... since I had no frame of reference on how you transfer the love for something into a career -- I think that's a quandry a lot of people have and ultimately fear gets the best of them and they end up not figuring out how to do that. A lot of people in entertainment, their family was in entertainment in some way... so it doesn't seem so mysterious, but for me it was mysterious..." In graduate school, he joined a black repetrory company called The Black Folks Theatre of Boston and hone his skills. He decided not be caught with the "golden handcuffs," joining a firm and paying back his loans first. Tony said Hill's Harvard law degree will come in handy for is reading contracts. "People always say that," said Hill. "The funniest thing is that one thing the Harvard law degree comes in good for is knowing you need to hire a really good lawyer." Tony brought up CSI: New York. All the CSI: New York characters are being introduced on a Miami episode on May 17th. Horatio Caine goes to NYC trailing an assailant. "I'm Dr. Sheldon Hawkes, and I'm the coroner of the show, so every time somebody dies, I do the investigation into the body and try to come up with all the evidence. On CSI... I love the shows because the science is the star, and they're very clear on that. My character - I get to do tons of science, I get to investigate the body and say the bullet traveled here, did this, the strangulation wound suggests this. I get to use all this medical jargon and I get to act like I'm really smart." Tony asked about the CSI franchise, and if there was "an arrogance that's associated with a part of a #1 show and franchise?" Hill replied "I don't know if you think this is arrogant, but it's kind of like what Dave Chappelle says at the end of his show, 'I'm rich!' but I don't know if that's arrogant or not, but it's that kind of thing." Both men had a good laugh over that. Tony brought up that Hill played a doctor on The Sopranos, and looked a "combination of being really scared and really mad." Hill said working on that show was "so much fun" and said Jim Gandofini is "one of the finest actors I've ever worked with" and runs the set that's "inspiring for me, as an actor." "As an African-American on that show, it felt very special, as they don't have too many brothers on that show..." And that his character wasn't completely intimidated as this character was somewhat arrogant. "It's just a wonderful show to be a part of." Next topic was the film America Brown, currently being shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The movie an independent film about a West Texas football star who finds his way to a priest in Brooklyn, and it's a coming of age story. Hill plays the priest. "It's a wonderful story," said Hill.

May 03 2004 - Gary Sinise was interviewed on the Tavis Smiley Show today, which airs on PBS. Gary talked about CSI: New York, his involvement with veterans, and Operation Iraqi Children. Of CSI: New York... "I'm glad it's me," said Sinise of his involvement with the show. "it's a popular series, it's a good series, and I thought it had a chance to be successful, so I'm jumping in." Why did he choose, at this point in his career, to do a TV series? "Well, it shoots near my house. I have three kids, and it's a good show, they're good people involved in it, and I like the creative head of it, Anthony Zuiker. He's a very smart guy, he does a great job, he's a good writer, and you know, they wanted me to do it very badly, and it seemed like the right thing at the right time." What does Sinise think of spin-offs possibly diluting television's creativity? "They only spin the shows off that are successful. ... A lot of people are very fascinated with forensic science, obviously, and Law & Order is very much a Sherlock Holmes kind of a show. Part of the success of those two kinds of series is that anybody at any time can tune in and just watch the show. You don't have to have a whole lot of backstory with the characters to be able to say what's going on... each individual show is basically about solving the crime." Tavis brought up Sinise's very popular character, Lt. Dan, from the Tom Hanks film Forrest Gump and his work with the USO. "Well, I volunteered for the USO myself." said Sinise. "They didn't seek me out. I volunteered to support the troops and get out there and show them we care about them. Shortly after September 11th, and right around the time we went into Afghanistan, I called the USO and asked what I could do to help." His first trip was to Iraq, and then he went back in November. He's been on twelve different trips in the past nine months, and "wherever I go, they call me Lt. Dan." On his last trip, he took his band, which they renamed the Lt. Dan band. "We'll just go with it (the name) as the troops seem to like it a lot." Tavis wondered why Sinise volunteered, if it was due to his supporting the war, or not. However, Sinise has been involved with veterans for a "full ten years before Forrest Gump." He mentioned how Steppenwolf has been very supportive of veterans, and helped build a memorial for Vietnam Veterans. Tavis wondered "why this?" Sinise said "I was actually here in Los Angeles and I went to see a play in 1980 and it was performed by a group of Vietnam veterans. I was a young guy and I went and saw this play and it just really knocked me out. I went back to see it, and I went back to see it again, and I begged the guys to let me do it. It was written and performed by a group of veterans based on their own experiences in Vietnam and in 1980, this was prior to America, you know, saying 'we're sorry' to the Vietnam veteran, and it was only five years after the Fall of Saigon. So I had this enormous feeling of emotion about it, and guilt, quite frankly, when I thought about what I was doing when I was 19 years old, so I begged the guys to let me do the play in Chicago at my theatre, and they did. From that point on, I became very very active with Vietnam veterans groups while I working on that play." His cast visited the VA, he was made an honorary member of the Vietnam Veterans, and it "something I felt very passionate about." His wife's two brothers were in Vietnam, and her sister was in the Army and the sister's husband was a medic in Vietnam. Tavis then asked about Operation Iraqi Children. It was on Sinise's second trip to Iraq in which he was able to meet and mingle with the Iraqis at a local school. "The educational system was basically decimated," he said, citing that the school he visited didn't even have a floor or any facilities. Now it has basic anemities due to the soldiers help. He saw children interacting with the soldiers in a totally opposite way that is presented on television news (chanting against the US). He wanted people to see another side of the story and talked with the troops about what they needed for the schools. He saw three kids sharing one pencil, and more. "By sending these (school) supplies over there, that are being distributed to the kids by the soldiers, we're helping to promote the goodwill between the soldiers and the kids and we're helping the kids have a new beginning over there. It's a wonderful program." Tavis understood what Sinise was saying, and asked about the educational needs of US children as well. "Absolutely there are children here in this country that need help as are everywhere in the world. I went there (Iraq) in support of our troops. I went there to help show our troops that we care about them... and while I was there, I saw them interacting with these children, and I wanted to help promote this goodwill... by helping the kids, we're helping the soldiers there. And our soldiers are in a war zone over there. They're working very very hard to try to do something positive over there and in a very very dangerous and situation and circumstances. Everytime a soldier hands a school kit to a child over there, it sends a completely different signal to that child as to what the Americans are like, and that's a very positive thing for the effort there. .. as the program grows, we hope to go into other countries... right now, it's focused on that (Iraq) because it's just a volatile and difficult situation and these humantarium efforts are vital to turning that into a positive situation." Also, as a side note, for anyone wondering why Gary was waving his hands here and there during the interview, he was trying to swat off a very determined fly buzzing around him. [Note: The 1980 play that Gary mentioned in this interview was most likely Tracers, a 1980 two-act play conceived by John DiFusco, written by Vincent Caristi, Richard Chaves, John DiFusco, Eric E. Emerson, Rick Gallavan, Merlin Martson, and Harry Stephens with Sheldon Lettich and premiered on October 17, 1980 at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles. It ran for nine months and won the Drama-Logue Critics' Award for Direction, and the Drama-Logue Critics' Award for Ensemble Performance.]

May 03 2004 - Just were is CSI: New York going to be placed on the schedule? Nobody's saying, but a Variety article speculate that Tuesday or Wednesday might the date, or give it the Monday night 10 p.m. slot and move CSI: Miami to Tuesdays at 9, or Wednesdays at 10. So, speculation only so far. Full story at Yahoo News for a week.

May 02 2004 - Gary Sinise will join the 19-member Kimotion, a Symphonic-Big Band-Rock ensemble, as a special guest on the electric bass. Kimotion's new live CD featuring Vinnie Colautia during their 2002 tour will be sold exclusively at this concert. The concert will be May 18th at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, and advanced purchase is advised. To purchase tickets, visit www.martyrslive.com. The concert will be at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 773-404-9494. For ages 21 and up. (Thanks to gsinise@yahoogroups.com for the tip)

Apr 29 2004 - There will be an evening benefit at the School at Steppenwolf - "A rare and intimate conversation with Kevin Anderson, John Mahoney, Sheldon Patinkin, Jeff Perry, Billy Peterson, Bernie Sahlins, Gary Sinise and friends. A post-discussion reception with appetizers and beverages will follow. It will be held Monday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. (general admission, doors open at 6:30). Location: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL. Tickets are $25. All proceeds benefit the School at Steppenwolf. To reserve tickets call 312-335-1650. (Thanks to gsinise@yahoogroups.com for the tip)

Apr 29 2004 - The Chicago Business reported in their “10 things to do this weekend” column that “Big stars come back home May 2-June 20, when Steppenwolf Theatre Company stages Robert Anderson's I Never Sang for My Father featuring ensemble members John Mahoney and Kevin Anderson. And the guest list for the theater's May 1 Gala reads like a Hollywood who's who: Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, Terry Kinney, Austin Pendleton.....” The prizes for the "Star with the Stars" auction are dinner with Sinise and Sir Anthony Hopkins prepared by Wolfgang Puck at Spago Beverly Hills, a private screening of Dangerous Liaisons followed by dinner with John Malkovich, director Stephen Frears and Roger Ebert etc. ($38-$60 tickets for show; 312-335-2650, $1,250 gala, 312-654-5617 Judith Simons; www.steppenwolf.org).”

Apr 28 2004 - A CBS press release has confirmed all the character names: Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise), Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), Aiden Burn (Vanessa Ferlito), Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo), and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper).

Apr 26 2004 - Gary Sinise is being honored by the Chicago-based National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, which on Thursday presents the Blue Island-born actor with its first "Above and Beyond Patriot Award." Sinise said of his work for Operation Iraqi Children ... "I would be doing it anyway. I don't really do what I do for these kinds of tributes. I've seen firsthand in many different instances what a visit from home can do for a soldier. Each time I've done it, it reaffirms my commitment to do it. It's got nothing to do with me, it's got everything to do with them." Iraq War hero Gen. Tommy Franks will present Sinise with the award. (Source: Chicago Tribune) (Thanks to the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gsinise/ list for the tip)

Apr 26 2004 - A treat for Chicago area fans. The Lt. Dan Band featuring Gary Sinise, will hold a benefit concert at Joe's Bar at 940 W. Weed Street in Chicago on May 16th at 8:00 p.m. Price is $10, with proceeds benefitting the Vietnam Veteran's Art Museum. Tickets: Box office: 312-337-3486. 312-559-1212.

Apr 23 2004 - A CBS press release (as well as the New York Daily News) states that Gary Sinise's character's name is Mac Taylor, not Rick Calucci, as previously reported. [NOTE: This has name change has been confirmed by a CBS source.)

Apr 23 2004 - The infortainment show Access profiled CSI: New York in today's episode. "The CSI series is such a successful monster," said star Gary Sinise, while Melina Kanakaredes said "This is the best city. It's tremendous." The series showed several quick shots of behind the scenes footage while they filmed in NYC, including shots of Sinise and David Caruso kidding around. "I have kids myself, and the idea of being able to work at home for a while, and settle in and be around them as they go through their high school years, was very appealing," said Sinise. While no CSI: New York was seen, the director's chair had a yellow and red CSI: Miami logo on it.

Apr 23 2004 - Anthony Zuiker was a guest on WCBS radio (101.1 FM) on the Dan Taylor show at 8:09 a.m. in New York City this morning. ... "It will be a forensic procedural drama, like the previous two shows," said Zuiker. "The big difference is it will be far more character driven, and we're going to use amazing music from the 60s and 70s to underscore the cinema of drama." After playing a 60's song, Zuiker and the radio crew talked about the Queen Mary 2, the HUGE new ship which was docked in New York at the time. They joked around about people appearing on the show, and Mr. G, who's on the radio show, said he'd like to be a dead body on the show. However, "the thing is you're going to have to act," said Zuiker. "You have to be alive at some point in the show to be alive to be killed." He talked about the CSI Board Game (which he talked about at Barnes & Noble later in the day). "It's sort of Trivia Pursuit meets Clue," said Zuiker. "It's a very dramatic game." When the mock-up of the board game was presented, he was very impressed with it (even though he lost the first game he played). He hinted at a "DVD thing" coming out later down the road. He talked about the crossover Miami/New York episode, and said that in September, New York will debut. He actually met Bill Withers as a child (via his mother, who worked at a casino), and now Zuiker will use the Bill Withers song "In My Heart" in the final segment of the episode. "It's a whole final 9/11 beat with Gary Sinise's wife, who died in one of the towers. It's the back story so it's very emotional and he's [Bill Withers] a wonderful singer." They finished shooting a few days ago, and Gary Sinise will play a first-grade detective, and Melina Kanakaredes will play a second-grade detective. "It will be a forensic procedural drama with a lot of character beats, a lot of 9/11 undertones, very serious show, every emotional show." He said that the NY film commission, mayor, etc. have been very cooperative. Anthony also contacted Dion Dimucci, whose song Abraham, Martin and John, as he couldn't find it on CD. Apparently Dion is a big fan of CSI and was honored to have Anthony contact him. Zuiker mentioned other artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, etc. ... "very serious, very New York, very emotional, very healing. That'll all be a big part of that show." Read the full information from this radio appearance on the CSI News Page, April 23rd.

Apr 22 2004 - The New York Daily News covered the continued production of the CSI: Miami/CSI: New York crossover on location in Manhattan. A chase scene atop buildings was filmed at the corner of 133rd Street and Broadway, and after the criminal makes a crucial leap to escape the pursuing police, the cameras stop and the stuntman climbs back over the wall. Melina Kanakaredes says that "We're going to mix New York's wealth of culture with the CSI concept.” While Gary Sinise looks more like a New York cop, “clad in rumpled brown work coat and slightly scuffed dress shoes,” the article points out that it’s the Forest Hills-born David Caruso who is more at home in the city. While Les Moonves believes CSI: New York will the most watched new show of the fall season, it’s the track record of both CSI and CSI: Miami that drew Sinise to sign on the dotted line. "This is such a successful franchise, and I thought this particular version of the show would have a real chance of success. Right off the bat, they were going to guarantee a certain amount of episodes that seemed reasonable for me to go to work on it." While the NYC film folk did their best to lure the production to the Big Apple, the decision was made in to film the bulk of the show in California, which was a key point for Sinise. However, Anthony Zuiker said "We'll be shooting in New York as much as we possibly can.” Kanakaredes added "There's a significant story point [about 9/11] that affects Mac," Kanakaredes says. "In the first episode that you're going to see in the fall, we'll see how it affects our characters.”

Apr 20 2004 - Check out some fantastic shots of Gary Sinise and David Caruso on location in New York City at London Features International. (Thanks to Kristi at CSI_NewYork@yahoogroups.com for the tip)

Apr 20 2004 - A press release at FutonCritc said .... "Also in May, an episode of CSI: MIAMI will introduce the stars of next season's CSI: NY, when Horatio Caine (David Caruso) travels to New York to investigate a murder case with New York counterparts Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Det. Stella Bonesera (Melina Kanakaredes)." No word if they've changed the name from Rick Calucci to Mac Taylor, or if there's just a mix-up somewhere down the line. (Thanks to Debby at CSI_NewYork@yahoogroups.com for the tip)

Apr 18 2004 - In an article (available for 7 days) on the proliferation of spinoff TV shows, CSI: New York was mentioned. Todd Holland, executive producer of Fox's recently canceled drama Wonderfalls, said "They're like Dairy Queens popping up all over the terrain. While CBS is putting out CSI:NY, NBC is putting out the fourth Law & Order titled Law & Order: Trial By Jury, and will star Jerry Orbach. Last week Les Moonves said "I'll bet anybody in this room any amount of money that CSI: New York is the highest-rated new show next season." Considering how Miami bolstered the original CSI show, it's not an impossibility. Television producers will probably not find out that the market is flooded until the event actually occurs: and viewers begin tuning off in droves.

Apr 14 2004 - Les Moonves, CEO of CBS, said he will add no more than four hours of new shows to the network's 22-hour lineup, stating that "I'll bet any amount of money that CSI: New York is the highest-rated new [scripted] show next season. This is as close to a sure thing as you can get in network television." CSI: New York will be a spin-off of CSI: Miami, with the cast to be introduced in a May 17 episode, parts of which were shot here last week. (Source: New York Daily News)

Apr 14 2004 - If you go to Orlando, Florida, you can visit Epcot and listen to Gary Sinise narrate the Mission: Space virtual training mission to Mars.

Apr 12 2004 - Actress Heidi Marnhout is said to be a guest star in the pilot episode (on CSI: Miami). You check out a photo and credits at the IMDB.

Apr 12 2004 - CTV spills the beans on the plot for "MIA/NYC - NONSTOP." Meanwhile, they state that Carmine Giovinazzo plays Det. Don Flack, not Danny Messer, as earlier reported.

Apr 12 2004 - New York City WCBS/Channel 2 news correspondent Arthur Chi'en makes his small-screen (acting), appropriately, as a news reporter in the CSI: New York spinoff pilot to air on CSI: Miami in the episode "MIA/NYC - NON-STOP".

Apr 09 2004 - Fox News had an item that said... "...is actor Gary Sinise sending a thank-you note to another actor for his recent signing in the new C.S.I.: New York? When Sinise tried out for the role in the movie To Live and Die in L.A., he didn't get, but did suggest William Petersen for it. The article concluded with ... "When the Foxlight reminded Sinise of all this the other day, he admitted he'd have to tweak Petersen about it.

Apr 08 2004 - Actor Hill Harper has joined the cast of CSI: New York, says Hollywood Reporter. Many viewers may recognize him for his roles in The Sopranos as well as the now-defunct CBS series The Handler, which starred Joe Pantoliano. For a biography and more, check out the updated Cast Biographies page.

Apr 08 2004 - Melina Kanakaredes is in New York City this week shooting scenes for the "MIA/NYC - NON-STOP" episode of CSI: Miami that will be used to spin-off into CSI: New York.

Apr 07 2004 - Check out the Links / Web Sites page for a bunch of new links to interviews and articles on Gary.

Apr 07 2004 - Did you know ... ? According to Oneguysopinion.com, during the filming of The Human Stain, that the Canadian locations were so cold that one occasion, shooting had to be halted because [Gary] "Sinise's contact lenses had frozen to his eyes."

Apr 06 2004 - Gary Sinise will receive the first The Above and Beyond Patriot Award from the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago on April 29th. The award will honor Gary for his dedication to the USO and the event benefits the museum. It's open to the public, at the Chicago Hilton Towers. The individual donation is $250, and there will be a 5:30 reception, 6:30 award tribute and presentation, and dinner at 8:00 p.m. Read more at NVVAM.org. (Thanks to the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gsinise/ group for the tip)

Apr 06 2004 - CBS News in New York City showed some clips of the CSI: Miami / New York people on location in Manhattan. For the detail-oriented folks, they showed a yellow cab license plate of 8Y74 -- let's see if it makes it on air ;) Executive producer Jonathan Littman said, "New York, just by the fact that it's grittier, tougher. I think the cops are probably the toughest in the world. That backdrop immediately changes the whole tone and the sense of the show."

Apr 05 2004 - Entertainment Tonight covered the on-location shooting in New York City of the crossover episode of CSI: Miami. "I got CSI: New York and it's freezing here," said Gary Sinise, standing on a New York street. "I got a buddy of mine, Bill Petersen, on the original CSI , so it was intriguing when they called." Sinise also said "They [the producers] gave me a couple of crime scene books. I opened them up, looked at them for about two seconds, and and I said, 'ugh'," he remarked with a grin. It's their second day of filming, and Sinise said "it's a great city, there's many, many stories here."

Apr 05 2004 - Gary Sinise was in New York City today, filming the cross-over CSI: Miami episode ("MIA/NYC - NON-STOP") that will introduce the new CSI: New York team. Bundled up, Sinise braved the cold along with David Caruso, as they filmed scenes from the upcoming episode. CBS news correspondent Amy Stewart snagged Sinise on the street, who said of signing up for the series, that "it seemed like the right thing to do at the right time." He does do research for the show, and has read up on some forensic books, but admits that "some of the books are a little gruesome," adding that they're definitely not bedside reading. When Stewart asked him what a particular piece of lab equipment was for, Sinise just grimaced. The name of the equipment was totally foreign to him but, no doubt, within a year he'll know as much as his other CSI comrades on the other shows.

Apr 05 2004 - The USO will present a special show honoring the Army's 4th Infantry Division's Task Force Iron Horse at an April 22nd "Welcome Home" Celebration at Fort Hood, Texas. Wayne Newton will be master of ceremonies, while other celebrities will include Jessica Simpson, Ludacris, Drew Carey, Gary Sinise, Charlie Viracola, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and No Illusion. The one-day event is a 'thank you' to the soldiers of Task Force Iron Horse and their families. These soldiers were responsible for capturing Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003, and are returning home after nearly a year in the Sunni Triangle. An estimated 50,000 people are expected to attend, in which there will be a concert, children's entertainment, a carnival (complete with Krispy Kreme donuts) and more. Read more at PRNewsWire. You can view a photo of Gary Sinise in Singapore during a recent USO tour.

Apr 02 2004 - Gary Sinise today announced that three major non-profit organizations and FedEx Express, will work together to help schoolchildren in Iraq. The effort is spearheaded by Operation Iraqi Children, "a grassroots organization co-founded by actor Gary Sinise and Seabiscuit: An American Legend best-selling author Laura Hillenbrand. Operation Iraqi Children, which was inspired by conversations with Operation Iraqi Freedom soldiers as well as by Sinise's recent tour of Iraq, encourages ordinary citizens to send school supplies and Arabic translations of Seabiscuit to Iraqi children." At a news conference at the FedEx terminal at Kansas City International Airport, Sinise said the goal of this effort is to provide Iraq's more than 15,000 schools with basic educational tools and supplies. These supplies will be delivered by soldiers stationed in Iraq. Read more at BusinessWire.com.

Apr 02 2004 - In an article on the horrors of war, and how children are educated and used to kill, Oliver Stone mentions his recent trip to Iraq with actor Gary Sinise. "I was with Sinise on one of his trips to Iraq and he told me that one of the schools he visited didn't have a floor, windows or a toilet. 'It was just a cinder block building with a dirt floor,' he said, "but with the help of American troops, the school now has these things." Sinise was quoted as saying "I've seen the smiling faces of Iraqi kids, and they tell the soldiers, 'I love you' in broken English. These children and their parents have hope in their eyes and gratitude in their hearts for what was done for them." Sinise sums it up well: "Every time a book or a box of school supplies is delivered by our troops, it's another small victory for them in helping win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis. Generous Americans are making it possible for a generation of forgotten children to have the tools they need to learn, grow, and pursue futures of limitless possibility. Iraqi classrooms, once barren and squalid, will be joyful, bountiful places of learning. The American soldiers who bring these gifts to them will win the Iraqi people's goodwill, admiration and trust." Stone concludes his article with "What Gary Sinise has helped launch is the ultimate weapon against jihadist terror: an alternative to the radical Islamic message of hatred and death. He's helping to give Muslim children a reason to live instead of a reason to die." Read more at HumanEventsOnline.com.

Mar 28 2004 - The movie This Old Cub was reviewed by the Chicago Tribune. The movie is about former former Cubs third baseman and current radio commentator Ron Santo. Both Gary Sinise and William Petersen, along with Ron Santo, Joe Mantegna, Bill Murray, and Dennis Franz, narrate the documentary. It runs 1:26, and is showing exclusively at Harkins Shea 14 Cinemas, 7354 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Showtimes: (602) 222-4275, Ext. 040.

Mar 26 2004 - Added a Photo Gallery with some publicity shots of the actors. It's sparse right now...

Mar 26 2004 - In an Associated Press article, Anthony Zuiker said of Melina Kanakaredes... "We are looking forward to creating a multi-dimensional character that an actress of Melina's stature can sink her teeth into." Melina's character, Stella, is described as a "workaholic and a jack-of-all-trades."

Mar 26 2004 - Gary Sinise was seen on CNN, discussing Operation Iraqi Children (see news below) and according to a report at the CSI_NewYork group, CSI: New York may have an October 2004 debut.

Mar 25 2004 - The New York Daily News had a story on Melina Kanakaredes signing onto CSI:NY. Jonathan Littman, executive producer, said of the casting of both Sinise and Kanakaredes... "It's a lot of opposites attract. "He has a searing intensity. Melina brings an openness. It's great combination." The 'pilot' episode will be shot early next month (April) and four days worth will be filmed in the Big Apple itself. However, most of the series will be shot in California. The show will shoot several times a year in NYC for exterior scenes. Littman added, "We'll come to New York as much as humanly possible, because we love the city." But because the writers are based in California (and must juggle three shows) it's easier to film locally (L.A.). "Also," said Littman, "with a lot of the special effects we use, it's much better for the production to be locally based."

Mar 24 2004 - Gary Sinise was one of several guests on the Sean Hannity Show today. Other guests included Dick Morris, Rudy Giuliani, Zell Miller, and Andrew Card. Gary talked briefly about CSI: New York, saying "We have a great team of writers," and it's his first TV show. Sean talked about the Freedom Alliance concert, which offers scholarships for children of soldiers. They said Gary was the first to join the effort. Gary's been to Iraq twice, and started up Operation Iraqi Children. After his second trip in November, Gary said they were 40 miles north of Bagdad, and met students and teachers at a rebuilt school, and the kids were thrilled to see the soldiers. "There was hope in these children's eyes," said Sinise. While they school was rebuilt to have a floor and windows, they lacked school supplies, he decided to help the soldiers help the kids. When he came back, he went to his kids school back in California and talked the principal, to have parents perhaps help get new school supply. They came up with 25 25-lb boxes of supplies which were shipped over to Iraq and distributed to the kids in the schools. He got an e-mail the day it arrived. The students were very happy to get the supplies. "It is like a celebration or party," said his contact, of the reaction. When asked how people can help, Gary, who has supported veterans groups for many years, said people can visit the website (URL above) for further information. They played a CD of music sung by one of their group, and Gary said he'll produce the song. Sean said he'll try to get the song up on the site as well.

Mar 24 2004 - MSNBC adds further information on Melina Kanakaredes. Les Moonves (CBS CEO) said "We've got Mr. Cool and Ms. Warmth. We're in great shape now on this show. It's really exciting."

Mar 23 2004 - Melina Kanakaredes, known to TV viewers from the NBC show Providence, has joined CSI: New York. Kanakaredes will portray Stella, a New York crime scene unit detective. (Source: Yahoo News. Many TV viewers also know her for Providence, but others recognize her for her small but pivotal role as Victoria in the CBS series Due South (also a CBS/Alliance Atlantis production). Victoria was a character who was nearly the downfall of Benton Fraser, the lead character on the series. This is not Melina's first stint with crime and forensics: she actually toured a morgue when doing the ABC series Leaving L.A. For more details, visit the Cast Biographies page.

Mar 23 2004 - Vanessa Ferlito was interviewed by TV Guide in regards to her new role on CSI:NY. How did she get the role? Anthony Zuiker called her, and only read once, securing the role of Abigail Martin, one of the CSIs. A born and bred New Yorker, she's looking forward to working Gary Sinise. You can read more about her roles on The Sopranos and Fox's 24 at the link above.

Mar 23 2004 - Anthony Zuiker said that he lived through "a month and a half of hell" before Gary Sinise signed up for CSI: New York, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. Zuiker admits: "At one point, the deal imploded. Those 24 hours were very depressing. I couldn't reach out to Gary and say, 'How can I help?' I had such a great show in my heart, and he was so right for it." Les Moonves "took charge of the deal," securing Sinise for the role of Detective Rick Calucci. That character will appear in a CSI: Miami episode which will spin-off the new series. After early talks with actor Andy Garcia fell through, Gary Sinise was Zuiker's only choice for the role. When he learned that Sinise signed, "I screamed for an hour. I lost my voice. It's like landing Tom Cruise for a feature. It was the defining moment in the career of Anthony Zuiker." (Zuiker admits that referring to himself in the third person "is one of my bad habits.") The new series will focus on forensics, of course, and will have more character moments, as well as stories with undertones of 9/11. "I knew in my heart this would be a show about heroes. Nine/11 is still very fresh in people's minds. We want to handle it with care." As for source material, NYC is ripe with storylines, and he said "I have 2,500 cases on my desk right now." Full story at Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mar 20 2004 - What do will Gary Sinise and William Petersen have in common? Both are avid Chicago Cubs fans, and were mentioned in an article on baseball player Ron Santo: "For the documentary, which is narrated by Bleacher Bum/actor Joe Mantegna, Jeff Santo assembled archival footage, more than 100 photographs and testimony from Cubs fans Bill Murray, Gary Sinise and William Petersen, who is rendered speechless when he brings up the topic of the '69 Cubs." Read more at Chicago Sun-Times.

Mar 20 2004 - Various comments on CSI: New York in the press...

• From MediaDrone... CBS has bagged a big one... Oscar-nominated actor Gary Sinise has agreed to head the latest iteration of CBS's hit CSI franchise.
• From NJLedger... Call him Detective Dan instead of Lieutenant Dan: Forrest Gump and Apollo 13 vet Gary Sinise will star in the newest member of the CSI franchise, CSI: New York.
• From SunTimes... It's a done deal. Steppenwolf Theatre co-founder Gary Sinise has signed on to play the lead in ''CSI: New York,'' the third series in the wildly popular CBS franchise that already includes another former Chicago actor -- William Petersen, star of the original ''CSI'' show. Sinise inked his deal on his 49th birthday Wednesday, to the delight of series creator Anthony Zuiker (himself Chicago born). He called the Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated Sinise an actor with ''soulfulness'' having ''a sincere realism about his performances.''

Mar 19 2004 - A newspaper reports of other casting on the show ... "as yet-uncast characters in CSI: New York include half-Greek, half-Italian Stella Bonasera, who loves using her scientific knowledge to bust suspects; Don Flack, a beefy NYPD homicide detective; and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes, a flamboyant medical examiner."

Mar 18 2004 – Hollywood Reporter indicates that Gary Sinise will play first-grade detective Rick Calucci, a widower who lost his wife on 9/11. "He has a soulfulness about him and really represents the pulse of New York," said series creator Anthony Zuiker. CSI: New York … is "going to be far more character-driven. We'll attempt to open up the characters more right from the start." Zuiker also indicated that NYC will not be the only location for this show, hinting that location travel might extend “…to investigate a war crime in Iraq or 16 people stuck in a mountain in Alaska.” As with the previous CSI shows, music will be key to the series. A classic Who song will be used for the theme, and songs from the 1960s and '70s will be used in the show.

Mar 18 2004 - Of the New York spin-off, Anthony Zuiker says: "CSI: New York will be a much more character-driven type of show. It'll be a forensic, procedural drama. We'll open the characters up more. There will be more music and we'll be able to get to the bottom of these people much quicker." The article also says that "...Sinise may be the kind of star power who could carry the new upstart in New York." After a promotional tour in Toronto, Zuiker had to be back in L.A. to interview 15 guys in wheelchairs, one of whom will be picked to play a key character in the new series. "(Robert David Hall) David and I have put our heads together to have a [forensic] guru be an actor in a wheelchair," said Zuiker. "This person will have an important role in CSI: New York. Read more at Canada's Globe & Mail.

Mar 18 2004 - The press now confirms Gary Sinise's sign-up with CSI: New York. Sources say Sinise will earn $120,000-$150,000 per episode. CBS chairman Les Moonves says "We're thrilled to get an actor like Gary Sinise, who is someone we've been chasing for many years. What especially makes it great is to get an actor who will give such distinction to the third 'CSI' and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us." Sinise's character will be introduced in a CSI: Miami episode that will have David Caruso's CSI: Miami character, Lt. Horatio Caine, going to New York City as part of a murder investigation. Anthony Zuiker said "I think for the viewing public to have an amazing actor like David Caruso to step foot back on New York soil, knowing the ties he had with his previous show, is tremendously exciting." (Source: Reuters)

Mar 18 2004 - The recent issue of the Canadian TV Guide says this of CSI: New York ... Unlike Miami and Las Vegas, the crime lab doesn't run the crime scene, so storylines likely won't be so cut and dry. "In Las Vegas, when a crime is committed, the crime lab shows up, it's their scene. That is not true in every case," says Mendelsohn. " In New York, all of the biological stiff , the blood, semen, all the DNA goes to the medical examiner's office. That's different for us, but so interesting."

Mar 17 2004 - 8:00 p.m. ET. You heard it here first! It's confirmed by a CSI contact that Gary Sinise has signed up for CSI: New York. And coincidentally, March 17th is also Gary's birthday.

Mar 17 2004 - Gary Sinise and author author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend) announced the launch of Operation Iraqi Children, "a program that will enable Americans to send school supplies and Arabic translations of Seabiscuit to Iraqi children." All royalties from the project will be invested in more books for Iraqi children. Saddam's dictatorship dealt a severe blow to education, where students lacked even rudimentary supplies. Sinise said "I have seen Iraqi kids climbing on our soldiers and hugging them and kissing them," who recently accompanied Army soldiers to a dilapidated school they were rebuilding. "I have seen their smiling faces and their attempts to say 'I love you' in broken English. The folks I saw had hope in their eyes and gratitude in their hearts for what was done for them." More information on this project is available at www.operationiraqichildren.org. You can more at Bloodhorse and this Army Public Affairs article details Sinise's involvement with the USO, Operation Iraqi Children, and his visits to wounded soldiers.

Mar 17 2004 - The site Coming Soon reports the same information as below, but also said “…New York spin-off, which will star Gary Sinise, Vanessa Ferlito and Carmine Giovinazzo.” However, so far Gary Sinise has not been confirmed. )see above!)

Mar 17 2004 - Variety reported that Danny Cannon has inked a one-year deal that will promote him to executive producer on all three CSI series, including CSI: New York. Cannon will direct the pilot episode of CSI: New York, will air in May as a CSI: Miami episode (much as CSI: Miami debuted on CSI). He will also write episodes as well as continue to direct on all three CSI shows. Les Moonves, CEO of CBS, said "The visual style of CSI is so distinctive, and Danny has a lot to do with that. He's a very important part of the team, and we're real happy he's doing the pilot." The pilot of the “extra-crispy Gotham spinoff” CSI: New York will be written by Anthony Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn and Ann Donahue. The threesome will also act as executive producers on the NY-based series, with Zuiker helming as the showrunner on NY, Donahue overseeing Miami, and Mendelsohn on CSI. Read more at Variety.

Mar 17 2004 - Variety confirms that Carmine Giovinazzo has been tapped as one of the leads in CSI: New York. You can find photos of this actor at websites such as Danny Arroyo and a Fallen Arches site.

Mar 12 2004 - MSNBC discussed spin-off and franchise shows, mentioning CSI: New York and Law & Order in the latter category. Viewers aren't dumb, and notice that if one show is successful, it will cloned by every network as it's a safe bet you'll get viewers. The author of the commentary talked about the two current CSI shows, pointing out that in CSI: Miami, the characters are "constantly jockeying for our attention with their annoying and improbable character tics", not to mention ..."the pretentious names? "Calleigh"? "Horatio"?" The writer suggests that for CSI: New York, they should " allow viewers multiple entry points: cases that don't overstay their welcome, and a crew of investigators whose character traits are revealed to the audience gradually and organically in the course of their work." Also, "...producers should also avoid storylines "ripped from the headlines." "Law & Order" and its various descendants have started leaning a bit too heavily on this crutch in recent years, but this season has been especially shameless." Read more at MSNBC.

Mar 11 2004 - The U.S. version of TV Guide had a one page article entitled "Insider: "CSI: New York - CBS tracks down a big-screen star for the latest crime-scene spin-off." It's the March 13-19, 2004 issue on page 9. In it, the article basically tells mostly what we already know: that Gary Sinise has not yet signed on any dotted line in a contract, that the show will, for now, being filmed primarily in California, although the New York City film people are doing their best to persuade them to film in the Big Apple. A source within Sinise's camp said the actor "had a a great couple of meetings with Anthony Zuiker." Meanwhile, Sinise has a CSI cast member rooting for him. Eric Szmanda, who plays Greg the lab tech, said "I love Gary Sinise. If there's anyone to helm a third edition of our show, he'd be the prime candidate." The article also indicated that the producers had also gone after Andy Garcia, but, his rep said, "he's not interested in doing a series."

Mar 09 2004 - The Hollywood Reporter stated today that Vanessa Ferlito has landed the female lead role on CSI: New York. She is probably best known to viewers in her role as Claudia in the Fox series 24, and has a role in the upcoming Spiderman movie sequel. The New York Daily News listed Vanessa in their "Ten young movie hopefuls heading your way in 2004" article from January 4th. The 24-year-old actresss was 'discovered' six years ago, and after dropping out of college, called back an agent who was interested in her. From that call, she got a role on HBO's The Sopranos, and will be in the Tommy Lee Jones movie Cheer Up. Vanessa says of her talents "I do all kinds of accents, and I haven't had a coach yet." She admires Cate Blanchett "...because she does so many different roles. Now people are starting to think outside the box with me. I've played Latino parts, but I'm Italian." Vanessa is currently up for Best Actress, TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special for HBO's Undefeated at the 39th Annual NAACAP Image Awards. Visit IMDB for a more detailed credit listing. Please note that IMDB is about 98% accurate. It does have errors here and there.

Mar 09 2004 - The Chicago Tribune reported that Gary Sinise could be the lead actor in CSI: New York. The Tribune said "Talks with Sinise have reportedly been on-again, off-again. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that discussions nearly broke down before last week, but that conversations have resumed. Sinise is reported to be intrigued by the chance to spend time with his family while shooting but cautious about the commitment a television series requires." Various news sources are all working off the same press release from HR, although the 'nearly broke down' line came from Zap2it.com's article.

Mar 08 2004 - In regards to the rumor that Gillian Anderson might be considered for CSI: New York, Gillian appeared on the Ellen Degeneres Show today and made no mention of it. (Update: See above!)

Mar 08 2004 - Hollywood Reporter says that 'sources' state that CBS has had on-again, off-again talks with Gary Sinise in the last few weeks. The article said... "The prospect of the Emmy-winning actor signing on to star in "CSI: New York" seemed dim a week ago, but the discussions picked up again Thursday and Friday, sources said. CBS needs to nail down the casting for the show soon because it intends to introduce the "CSI: New York" main characters in this season's second-to-last episode of CSI: Miami, to air in May." Read more at Yahoo.

Feb 24 2004 - Accomplished Chicago actor Gary Sinise is rumored to be in talks about starring in CSI: New York. (Source: Dark Horizons) (Thanks to Montoc for the tip)

Feb 09 2004 - The New York Post said that the "creative juices" of CSI " schlepped around the city for three days. "Wanting to see the seamy seedy side, they toured all five boroughs, checking out charming spots like DNA test sites, forensic labs, medical centers, morgues... Our cops took each of them on their trips. The group was impressed with what we have to offer. Well, naturally, right? Looks like they'll continue doing their stage stuff in L.A. but will shoot locations here five times a year. " They spent their final night was spent at the Waldorf dining on a CSI-theme menu: "Son of Sam sirloin, salad with toxic vinaigrette dressing, Killer New York Cheesecake dessert." Katharine Oliver of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting suggested CSI: New York cast NYC-based actors like Harvey Keitel and Gabriel Bryne. The article concluded by saying "CBS main man Leslie Moonves may — may — bring the whole show here. It's under consideration."

Jan 24 2004 - The Montreal Gazzette had a few comments on the third CSI show ... At this rate, by 2007 we'll have, you know, CSI: Saskatoon and CSI: Dubuque. And any day now there'll be an all-CSI cable channel. (Source: Montreal Gazzette)

Jan 22 2004 - CBS has tentative plans to schedule CSI: New York on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. - against NBC's original Law & Order series. Les Moonves says he "can envision a CSI going up against Law & Order." (Thanks to Mikki for the tip)

Jan 20 2004 - Hollywood Reporter stated today that CSI: New York will have some "significant changes to the formula" of the previous CSI series. As reported earlier, the cast will focus heavily on the work and lives of the two main characters, a man and woman who work together as investigators. Anthony Zuiker is mum on casting details. "We want to open it up to the main characters earlier than we have on the other shows," Zuiker said. The seeds for "CSI: New York" will be planted in this season's second-to-last episode of "CSI: Miami," in which investigators from "Miami" will be called to New York to investigate a murder involving a Miami resident. Zuiker and CSI executive producers Carol Mendelsoh and Ann Donahue will head to NYC early next month to get a feel for the visuals and check up on how forensics investigators work in the Big Apple. Zuiker said, "We want to amp up the visual style on this show and really make New York a character. We'll have a lot of hand-held camera work to really get us out on the streets."

Jan 20 2004 - Fan reaction has begun on the series, on various boards and lists, as well as a parody website at Because We Can.

Jan 19 2004 - Anthony Zuiker said the choice of New York as the next CSI was simple, "motivated by his sense that, post-9/11, 'the heart and soul of America' lay in the Big Apple." USA Today also reported that "Like other CSI shows, New York will be filmed mostly at an L.A. studio, with occasional trips East. But unlike the others, which feature ensemble casts, the new show will have only two stars (not cast yet), joined by an assortment of non-regulars. 'It will really emphasize the characters, and emphasize New York as a character,' he says." Read more at USA Today.

Jan 18 2004 - Even the BBC have covered news of this series.

Jan 18 2004 - CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem says Anthony Zuiker and fellow executive producers Ann Donahue and Carol Mendelsohn were "very enthusiastic" about making a third CSI when CBS approached them. The third spinoff will be set up in an episode of CSI: Miami scheduled for the sweeps period in May 2004. Despite the fact that New York City is home to many other cop show, CBS head Les Moonves said "We talked about New Orleans, we talked about San Francisco, we talked about Chicago ... but New York became the front-runner fairly early." Read the full article at Zap2it.com.

Jan 18 2004 - New York Mayor Bloomberg is aggressively lobbying CBS to film CSI: New York in NYC. While both CSI and CSI: Miami film on location, the bulk of the shooting is done in studios in California. Bloomberg wants a full-time crew in the Big Apple. CEO honcho Les Moonves said "They've not offered anything specifically but showed us how they would make it as easy as possible. They're putting out a terrific effort, which is not going on deaf ears." Catherine Oliver, the commissor of the mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, is headed to L.A. this week to possibly pitch CBS again. She said "This is a high priority for the mayor, It's an important industry to the city. CSI: New York sounds great to us. Why would you want to do it anywhere else? We're really looking forward to working with the producers to make this show happen here." (Source: New York Post.)

Jan 17 2004 - CBS has made it official. Les Moonves announced today that it will launch the New York version of CSI. It will come from the same production team. CBS also confirmed second season orders for Navy NCIS, Joan of Arcadia, Cold Case, and Two and a Half Men. ``It's a great schedule,'' said CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves. ``To get on our schedule for the next season, you have to be damn good.'' (Source: CBS.com.

Jan 17 2004 - More follow-up from the press: CSI: New York is slated to join the TV schedule in the fall. A Yahoo news article adds "CSI creator Anthony Zuicker will assume day-to-day supervision duty over this latest crime scene oeuvre. A threesome of heavy-hitters will produce the series: CBS Productions, Alliance Atlantis and explosion-master Jerry Bruckheimer. Industry gossips have suggested that producers may be introducing a twist to set the third installment apart from the first two. CBS remained mum on the subject. "

Jan 16, 2004 - Marc Berman, resident writer at Mediaweek.com, says this of CSI: New York: "Given that success breed's imitation and spin-offs, rumor has it the next CSI series will be set in New York. Considering the non-success of The Handler on Friday, if the new Jerry Bruckheimer drama does make the cut, Friday at 10 p.m. out of JAG seems like a good fit."

Jan 16, 2004 - The third CSI will be CSI: New York. Today, the Hollywood Reporter states that the Big Apple has been chosen as the venue for the third CSI series. 'Sources' at CBS and the 'folks at Jerry Bruckheimer Television' have confirmed this, although CBS and reps for Bruckheimer TV declined comment. Reportedly CBS head honcho Les Moonves will make the announce on Saturday during CBS' portion of the Television Critics Association press tour in Hollywood. Reuters also adds that Jerry Bruckheimer will be an executive producer of the show. No word if this spin-off will follow the same formula as its predecessors.

Dec 30 2003 - It appears CBS is narrowing down the third show to either CSI: New York, or CSI: New Orleans.

Dec 16 2003 - Is CSI: New Orleans next? So poses a New Orleans newspaper. They saw the line in the TV Guide, as it seems CSI: New York and CSI: New Orleans are the most talked-about options for a third series. A spokeswoman for Alliance Atlantis says that a city has not yet been chosen, but Chris Ender, a senior VP of communications for CBS, said, "New Orleans would be a great backdrop for just about any series," but said that drawing any conclusion is at this point in time "a little premature. He added "It's no secret that (CBS) has been discussing expanding the 'CSI' franchise.We don't have a timetable yet on the who, what, when or how." Even David Caruso speculated that New Orleans might be the next setting: ""I think the model is so proven that there is a real temptation to expand, and I wouldn't be shocked if you saw 'CSI: New Orleans,' " he said to CNN. (Source: NOLA.Com)

Dec 15 2003 - On the Alliance-Atlantis front, Variety reports that the company's TV production has reduced its annual hours from 370 broadcast hours in 1999, down to 80 this year, and half of those are CSI episodes. Alliance-Atlantis will remain a producer of CSI, and is encouraging a third series.

Nov 27 2003 - The Vancouver Province has a few more tidbits on the potential third CSI series. Les Moonves said "We've had a few meetings with the producers.We don't want to spread them too thin; they're so actively involved. CSI: Miami is creatively up leaps and bounds this year, so we want to be very careful that we have the right people to do it."

Nov 25 2003 - Is it... or isn't it? MediaLife says this of a third CSI: Les Moonves said ... that the new "CSI" spinoff, expected next fall, will be set in one of four cities, possibly including New York. Meanwhile, in today's New York Daily News, an article says Are you ready for CSI:NYC? It could happen if CBS decides to set the next spinoff of its hit crime drama in New York. Les Moonves "strongly hinted" that NYC is one of four cities under consideration for a third CSI program. However, those looking to act in the show may well want to be on the West Coast, as the bulk of filming for both CSI (Las Vegas) and CSI: Miami takes place in California.

May 21 2003 - Anthony Zuiker said to columnist Marilyn Beck... "I don't have story lines, but I do have an actor in mind, a city - it's an American city - and a tone in my head. That launch will be brutal. Launching 'CSI: Miami' nearly killed us, thinking of two separate regimes of casts, and we got off to a rough start - but it's worked out well. ... Make no mistake. We're all tired. We're the go-to guys, and it's like it's the Super Bowl, and they keep handing us the ball. So you suck it up and work harder. But I believe the network appreciates that. This is our time."