Defamer
Noting that two cast members from TV's highest-rated procedurals—CSI's Gary Dourdan and Law & Order: SVU's Diane Neal—would be leaving their series at the end of their contracts, TVGuide.com's Michael Ausiello has reexamined the evidence, and concludes that these seemingly friendly departures were more likely the result of some less-than-amicable shitcannings:
In the case of Dourdan, an insider at the show insists that he and CSI execs "mutually agreed" to part ways for "creative reasons." However, a CBS mole claims the 41-year-old actor was essentially fired, adding that producers are trying to be "as supportive and protective" of him as possible by portraying the departure as mutual. That same mole wasn't willing to share the specific reason for Dourdan's ouster, except to say that it involves an "ongoing problem personal to Dourdan." [...]
Over at SVU, the situation surrounding Neal has become equally suspicious. On Tuesday, a show spokesperson confirmed to me exclusively that the actress would be vacating her role as ADA Casey Novak in what appeared to be a mutual decision. However, shortly after I posted that story, a show insider says an emotional Neal gathered the crew together on the set and informed them that she had just been fired.
Of course, more definite clues could arise once we get a better look at how the show's writers choose to dispatch their series regulars. We're reminded of a similarly acrimonious parting of Prison Break's Sarah Wayne Callies, whose gruesome demise involved the discovery of her character Sara's decapitated head in a box. Should we tune in to the season finale of CSI to find Marg Helgenberger running a black light over Dourdan's battered, limp body to get a better look at the tell-tale semen stains left after his fatal gang-raping, we'll know producers were not entirely broken up about the actor's departure.
- Exclusive: Were Dourdan and Neal (Gulp) Fired [TVGuide.com]
Comments
Both departures aren't exactly helpful. Dourdan is a good actor and CSI's getting more grizzly so I'm actually wary of how they're going to tie those loose ends.
Neal, well, it's L&O, Dick Wolf loves replacing actors, even when it's not especially needed.
"ongoing personal problem" = rehab soon to come
Other than the leads, Peterson, Sinise and Caruso, all the CSI's have replacable casts. If only the other cast members would realize this and keep their shit together. Of course being on those shows does nothing to advance a career, they are just money makers.
I'm surprised neither camp used that olf gem, "left due to creative differences", or is that only in cases where the actor and producer hate each others guts?
@TurdBlossom: "Dourdan left to spend time with Neal's family..."
@jasonelias: Methinks you meant "grisly." Though it would be more interesting if the new teammate was a grizzly. The grizzly could gracelessly work with Grissom on crimes both gruesome and gross.
I'm proud to say I've never watched a single episode of CSI. Ever. Long live Law and Order. East coast, mothafuckas!
Nothing makes a writer happy* like coming up with ways to kill the annoying, aging, unimpressed or reasonless egomanic actor who fails* them. Or gets a better parking place even though their IMdB is non-existent. Or doesn't know their name even though they've shared coffee oh, like a dozen times. Or flirts with the new younger, hotter writer's assistant with cow eyelashes and 90 IQ. Or just merely breathes through a straighter nose. Half hugs and toothless smiles at the wrap party.
*happy and fails are, of course, subjective
While a corpse might mean something on CSI, the last SVU ADA "died" in a hail of bullets only to reappear at the end of that episode (or maybe it was a two-parter), then she had to come out of hiding for an ep, one or two seasons later.
@MisterMuggles: Wow, I can't type or think correctly. You know what would be interesting? Warrick attacked and killed by a grizzly. Nice...
@Magister: Even a head in a box means nothing these days- Sara's supposed to be back on Prison Break next season.
Diane Neal was just not that special -- and female ADAs never last long on the L & O's.
Pity - as both are easy on the eye...
@CakeAndDeath: With you!
They better start throwing money at Gary Dourdan...
How many years has it been?
Him leaving wont be OK...
I think the real question here is who the hell did Jesse L. Martin piss off? No more Lennie Brisco, now no more Detective Green? LE SIGH.
@secretagentman: It's too early in the morning for me to be able to tell if you were kidding about Caruso not being replaceable.
I can't believe they're dumping Diane Neal and keeping Adam Beach.
@Det. Philangie: He's like Falsone 2.0
by Det. Philangie at 10:41 AM
Diane Neal refused to let her hair get any lighter
Remember the ADA that got fired on L&O and said "is this because I'm GAY?", thus giving us the fine tradition of firing an actor AND injecting a non-existent plot line at the same time? Ah, those were the days...
@hellodarling!: He's leaving to star in a Marvin Gaye biopic - definitely wasn't fired.
I bet Jesse was canned or they reached a "mutual agreement." L&O probably thinks it's in the clear with Jeremy "Rolling With My Homies" Sisto and Linus Roche but I find both of their characters terribly annoying.
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