Some CSI Cast Fired

[MalcolmBrass]

Jorja Fox and George Eads have been fired from CSI for breach of contract.
The producers are playing hardball with them, it appears, as they wanted more money, 5 years into their 7 year contracts. Part of me says too bad, they signed the contract, but CSI is the #1 show on TV and a smart producer would throw a little of that money their way instead of producing another spinoff.

[Raghnall]

another case of the producer thinking that their show is invicible no matter what. sometimes they are right, just look at all the cast changes nypd blue has gone through and it continues to be successful.

[MalcolmBrass]

You're right about NYPD Blue. But I liked the character played by George Eads and would hate to see him leave that way.

[arefx]

Yeah I saw this already. I wonder what they are going to do now?

[MalcolmBrass]

Read that the actress that played Michelle on 24 will be joining CSI this season.

[TwiztidICP]

Jorja Fox and George Eads have been fired from CSI for breach of contract.
The producers are playing hardball with them, it appears, as they wanted more money, 5 years into their 7 year contracts. Part of me says too bad, they signed the contract, but CSI is the #1 show on TV and a smart producer would throw a little of that money their way instead of producing another spinoff.


Are CSI's casualties about to return from the dead?

Jorja Fox, axed last week from TV's top-rated drama, will return to the scene of the crime and rejoin the show, sources tell E! News Live

Fellow fired costar George Eads will stage a similar comeback--or so he hopes. Speaking to TV critics in Los Angeles Wednesday, Eads called his dismissal "a big misunderstanding."

CBS had no comment Wednesday.

Fox and Eads were bumped off when CBS got out the Louisville Slugger and played hardball with the reputedly pay-hike-seeking actors.

Fox was let go last Wednesday, it was said, because she had not met a CBS-imposed deadline pledging, in writing, to continue to report for work, ongoing contract hassles or no.

The actress was said to be "mystified" by her firing, Variety said, because she believed she'd sent in her letter in time.

E! News Live sources said the Fox matter was ruled a misunderstanding, clearing the way for her return.

Per various reports, Eads was fired last Thursday either for failing to show up for work or failing to show up to work on time.

While CBS interpreted his tardiness as a negotiating tactic, Eads said it was simply a matter of a missed alarm.

"I overslept...I woke up white as a sheet three-and-a-half hours after I was supposed to be on the set," Eads said during a promotional appearance for the TNT biopic Evel Knievel, in which he stars.

The actor, who played hair and fiber expert Nick Stokes on CSI for the past four seasons, said he has "apologized nine ways to Sunday," but he has yet to directly speak to tough-love CBS chieftain Leslie Moonves.

On Sunday, Moonves told TV critics he had no regrets about whacking Eads and Fox.

"There were certain veiled threats about their not showing up, and there comes a point where we all have to look out for the future of the network television business," Moonves said. "This behavior has to stop."

For now, it's production on the Emmy-nominated CSI that has stopped--at least until its forensics team is in order.

Shooting on the show's fifth season was to have begun last week, but with all the spilled blood, cameras never got rolling.

The network formally began the search for Fox and Eads' replacements Tuesday, the New York Post reported, informing talent agencies it was seeking two actors--one male and one female--in their "late 20s to mid 30s" who projected "sexy, edgy and intelligent."

Fox and Eads each were earning $100,000 an episode, or $2.2 million for a TV year's worth of work.

Meanwhile, in what could prove a bad omen for Eads' return, cast member Eric Szmanda has been given a raise, according to Daily Variety. No word on how much Szmanda will be making, but he will have a higher profile next season, as his character, DNA geek Greg Sanders, will spend less time in the lab and join the team in the field for more forensic fun.

Finally, CSI faithful aren't waiting for CBS to make a decision. Several fans have banded together for the "I Support Jorga and George" online petition (www.petitionspot.com/petitions/supportjandg). The site has collected more than 8,000 signatures in support of bringing back the actors.

"CSI is not the same without the key cast," writes someone calling herself Cathryn. Another post, from a Joy Hope, is more to the point: "Hire [Eads'] CUTE ASS and six pack back!!!"