Ted Danson to join 'CSI' cast

NEW YORK — It's a long way from running a bar on the sitcom "Cheers," but this fall Ted Danson will join the cast of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS announced late Tuesday.

Danson will play the new supervisor for the Las Vegas CSI team. It's the position originally held by William Petersen and then filled by Laurence Fishburne, who had been on the show since its 2008-09 season.

Besides his 'CSI' duties, Danson will remain a series regular on the HBO comedy series, "Bored to Death," CBS said.

The 63-year-old Danson first found TV stardom nearly 30 years ago playing Boston bar owner Sam Malone on "Cheers," a comedy hit on NBC that ran for 11 seasons.

"CSI" will begin its 12th season with Danson aboard on Sept. 21.

Source: Fishburne closes `CSI' case, exits series

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Laurence Fishburne is closing the file on his "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" career.

The actor won't be back on the CBS crime drama this fall, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because CBS had yet to announce Fishburne's departure.

Fishburne joined the "CSI" cast as Dr. Raymond Langston midway through the 2008-09 season. He stepped in to replace departing star William Petersen.

The person says CBS and the show's producers are taking Fishburne's departure in stride, aware that his movie career made a long TV tenure unlikely.

"CSI" returns for its 12th season this fall and continues to rank among the 20 top-rated shows.

Fishburne's credits include "The Matrix" films, and he's in the upcoming "Contagion" with Matt Damon.

via apnews.excite.com