CSI: Crime Scene Investigation/Trivia


 * Gil Grissom wasn't the character's original name, William Petersen dubbed him Grissom after astronaut Gus Grissom because he (Petersen) was a fan of the space program.
 * Gil Grissom's otosclerosis was supposed to be a more major storyline and a possible reason for him to retire. However, the show got a lot of letters about the fact that the condition is not that serious when corrected surgically. Hence, the surgery at the end of Season 3.
 * Actor Allusion: In a throwaway line, A/V tech Archie mentions that he was going home to watch a variety of surfer movies. The list includes Local Boys, which is a film his actor starred in.
 * Grissom informs Sara that he loves baseball when she tries to call him out on not liking sports. As any common male reared in the North Side of Chicago tends to be, Petersen is a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs, usually stopping by Wrigley every season to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and narrated a documentary about the team.
 * In 1x08 "Anonymous", Grissom turning to his reflection and "speaking to" the killer is reminiscent of a scene William Petersen had in Manhunter.
 * Cast the Expert: David Berman, who was a real life coroner before playing 'Super Dave' Phillips, the coroner's assistant.
 * Media Research Failure: Dr. Raymond Langston is not Grissom's replacement, instead coming in on the bottom rung. Though that doesn't explain why he got to be first in the opening titles, something his character really hasn't earned.
 * It's Laurence Fishburne.
 * He's a Renaissance Man; he's only a Level 1 CSI (though he works his butt off to get quickly promoted to Level 2) but he used to be a medical doctor (so he assists in autopsy's more than most) and a criminology lecturer (so he occasionally provides a criminal profile). He's under-qualified as a crime scene investigator but he makes up for it with a broad range of skills. Plus he's Laurence Fishburne.
 * The Danza:
 * Archie Kao as lab tech/computer specialist Archie Johnson.
 * David Berman as David Phillips, the assistant coroner (and baseball trivia expert).
 * Larry Mitchell as Officer 'Mitch' Mitchell.
 * Disabled Character, Disabled Actor: Robert David Hall and Doc Robbins lost both legs to vehicle collisions, walking with prosthetic legs and a cane.
 * Hey, It's That Guy!:
 * You may remember Archie as Kai the Blue Ranger.
 * Cordelia, Darla and Fred from the Buffy-Angelverse have all been on various episodes. So has Andy Umberger, who played more minor roles on both shows.
 * Speaking of Buffy... Callisto cleaned up her act and is now a dentist by day -- and biting fetishist by night. Guess what her SN is?
 * She has a talent for causing things pain. She'll be a dentist. People will PAY her to be inhumane.
 * Jennifer Parker will succeed Cat Willows.
 * Apparently, Sam Malone and Roz Doyle got married.
 * Ray Vecchio is in Vegas now.
 * Danny Messer must have been undercover during season 3. And let's not even talk about what Adam was doing...
 * Hey, It's That Voice!: In the first few video games, many actors from The Ocean Group play supporting roles. In most of the later games, Catherine Willows is actually Millia Fallyna.
 * I Am Not Spock: Petersen learned sign language for the ep it was in, but fans have tried speaking to him in sign not realizing he doesn't really know it.
 * The Other Darrin: Ellie Brass, who was played by two different actresses in 'Ellie' and 'Hollywood Brass' plus 'Bang Bang'. Also Lindsey Willows, but hers is probably a bit more justified since she was a child and growing up fast and the earlier actresses may not have been available.
 * Marg Helgenberger and Jorja Fox do not voice Catherine or Sara in most of the games.
 * Real Life Relative: Marg Helgenberger's now-ex-husband in two episodes (Weeping Willows and one more).
 * Sort of with Gina Torres and Lawerence Fishburne, only Torres guest starred during season four, six seasons before her husband became the series lead.
 * What Could Have Been: A fourth CSI series was considered before CSI: NY had ratings problems. It would have taken place in either New Orleans (another reason why the series never came to be, as Hurricane Katrina hit around that time) or London (which presumably would have set a new record for number of cast members being a Fake Brit).
 * Reportedly, William Petersen (who is also Executive Producer of the show) once wanted Heather Kessler and Grissom to end up together.
 * Written in Infirmity: Both actor Robert David Hall and character Albert Robbins are double amputees.