Actor Ted Danson, of “Cheers” fame, will join the cast of “CSI” to play a new lead investigator, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Offers were made to Tony Shaloub, Robin Williams and John Lithgow before Danson became the show’s new leading man.
“From the moment we all started talking about the role, it was clear he couldn’t be more perfect,” said executive producer Don McGill.
Carol Mendelsohn, another executive producer, agreed.
“You can create a new character on the page, but until the perfect actor comes along and breathes life into it, it’s just words,” she said. “We’re very excited Ted Danson came along.”
His appointment to his new role comes after Laurence Fishburne was unable to raise the show’s ratings following William Petersen’s departure.
In May, before Danson signed on to the show, CBS announced it would move CSI from its coveted Thursday 9 p.m. slot to the Wednesday 10 p.m. slot, according to The Washington Post. Producers have high hopes that Danson will rejuvenate the TV drama.
“Intelligence, wit, warmth, depth of character and emotion, he brings it all.” McGill said. “And now he’ll have to bring latex gloves, too.”