Could We Be Getting A CSI Revival?

One of the most popular TV formats throughout the early 2000s and into the 2010s was the CSI franchise.

Beginning with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 2000 and launching several spin-offs, the show introduced the viewing public to forensics and became a staple of procedural crime shows.

Fans of the long-running franchise will be excited to hear that a revival is on the cards. Named CSI: Vegas – in fitting with the spin-offs CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, and CSI: Cyber and based around the location of the original series, Las Vegas – the show will reunite original series leads William Petersen and Jorja Fox.

But are we ready for another CSI?

What Do We Know About CSI: Vegas?

“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” star William Petersen is reportedly in negotiations to return to the character in a rebooted “CSI: Vegas”
https://t.co/aKfSFK4ZoB

— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) August 10, 2020

Read more: Here Are The Best Online Casino Games For Serious Film Buffs

Little is known about the resumption of the franchise, whose production has been curtailed until 2021.

It is suggested that the show would utilize modern methods of crime scene forensics, as well as bringing modern stories to viewers.

The new characters that would be introduced are fleshed out more so than some of the multitude of cast members the original series had – many of whom have backstories that could prove important, such as Level III CSI Josh who comes from a crime family.

At the heart of the show was the relationship between the main characters, especially Petersen’s Gil Grissom and Fox’s Sara Sidle.

To anchor the show around them and then bring in the procedural of the week would respond well to modern-day TV as much as it would the classic days of basic crime-solving.

Is CSI Still Popular?

Read more: What You Should Check Before Playing A New Online Slot?

CSI has remained popular even if the TV show hasn’t been airing in the same way.

There is an armada of CSI-themed video games where you help the CSIs solve cases.

Eleven games were developed by Ubisoft and took elements from all three flagship shows. Gameloft also developed two mobile games, which had similar gameplay as players solved crimes using what they knew and learned about being a crime scene investigator.

In more niche areas such as iGaming, those looking for free online slots can see that there is even a CSI-themed online slot game.

CSI: Slots takes the essence of the original series and wraps it up in classic slot gameplay. Featuring the likenesses of Ted Danson and George Eades from the show, the game uses the tension in the slot gameplay to match the tension present as the CSIs ramped up to solving a case.

In other media, a CSI magazine was released, which included a DVD with each issue so that fans could build up a collection, while also delving into some of the processes of the show and a more in-depth look at the characters and storylines.

An exhibition was run in 2007 – and later in 2011 – at Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry and then at Discovery Times Square of the show. It combined the show with the real-life processes involved.

An accompanying website taught fans the basics from toxicology to weapons mark analysis.

Amid a wave of TV news, hearing that CSI might be rebooted is refreshing.

Viewing habits have no doubt changed since CSI became a surprising hit in 2000.

We’ve moved away from crime-of-the-week storytelling to longer narratives and more blockbuster-style plots.

But a return to classic CSI could be well embraced, especially if the characters also bring with them baggage and drama.

The popularity CSI enjoyed while it wasn’t even airing is testament to how popular the franchise was and how it qualified as easy viewing.

Indeed, it was an easy watch to flick on when there was a dearth of programming, but will it have the same pulling power on streaming sites where viewers have a lot to choose from?

What do you make of this news?

Would you like to see CSI return?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What do you make of this story? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

And if you enjoy listening to film podcasts, why not check out our podcasts, Small Screen Stories and Small Screen Film Club wherever you get your podcasts!