Missing CSI Scene: Catherine Snoops in Grissom’s Apt.

I tuned into last week’s CSI hoping to get a real glimpse into Gil Grissom’s life. But after watching the episode, I felt cheated. Now I know why? A critical scene was deleted.

In “Grissom’s Divine Comedy,” CSI’s first post-strike episode, we were promised an insider’s look into Grissom’s home life, because Grissom is homebound with the flu.

But in the few scenes of Grissom in his apartment, our view was limited. But apparently, that’s because there was a big scene where Catherine stopped by to drop off some files and did a little snooping. But the scene ended up on the editing room floor.

Here’s what Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn told TV Guide:

“The scene where Catherine finds Sara’s picture on Grissom’s fridge is really fun. But the paradox of writing a procedural is that sometimes even our favorite scenes (scenes that show the personal lives of our CSIs) aren’t required by the narrative. We wrote the scene because, like Catherine, we’re dying to snoop around Grissom and Sara’s relationship. But at the end of the day, crime-solving trumped romance. The scene drove our hearts, but not our investigation.”

I know they only have so much time per episode, but I really think the scene would have been an asset to the overall series. What do you think? Did the scene add anything?

Either way, I will remember to lock things up should I ever invite a criminalist over.

NCIS Returns with a New Mystery

Last night marked the return of post-strike NCIS with the first new episode in almost three months.  While the characters themselves might seem a little off their mark, it’s the drama behind the scenes that has everyone wondering what is going on.

In “Stakeout” we find our heroes on what appears to be a boredom-filled stakeout.  Or is it a scene from a movie?  At least Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) thinks so.  If we needed proof that she’s embracing American cinema, then look no further than her pranks on Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly).

But it’s the whole gang that gets duped when high-dollar classified equipment gets stolen under their noses.  It’s not often the highly skilled and unflappable Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) gets fooled.

The case was interesting.  But it was easy to guess that the BMW the inquisitive Tim McGee (Sean Murray) fixated on during the stakeout was going to be the key.

But despite the intriguing story, I was still scanning the show for clues as to who would be exiting the show, news leaked by TV Guide yesterday.

I eliminated Gibbs off the bat.  The show just wouldn’t be the same without him and besides they got show creator Don Bellisario to step down last season to keep Harmon.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary with Ziva or McGee.  And I can’t imagine the show without the quirky goth lab tech Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), so that’s three more down.

But DiNozzo was quick to jump on the city’s murder case, even before he found out that it was part of the NCIS investigation.  Is he possibly he’s missing life on the homicide beat?  Will he leave to go back to the police force?

No, I don’t think so.  TV Guide called the cast departure a “major freakin’ twist.”  DiNozzo leaving for another job is not a major twist.

Maybe DiNozzo leaves for another reason.  He did seem to find his perfect match in Detective Andrea Sparr (Gretchen Egolf).  The confirmed bachelor DiNozzo resigning from NCIS to begin a life as a married man would shock us all for sure.

Then I thought maybe the mild-mannered medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard might be leaving do to an illness or even – gasp – death because throughout the show he was running a secret medical evaluation on someone. 

But at the last minute we learn his covert actions weren’t a self diagnosis, but a favor for Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly).

The director, who was out of the country, was conveniently absent from this episode (could that be what TV Guide meant by “NCIS star goes AWOL?”).

If indeed the story of the cast departure broke because of Holly’s absence, then it makes sense Shepard’s days on the show might be numbered.

But I don’t think Shepard is sick or dying.  Ducky never said that the blood was the director’s.  Instead I still think that she is investigating her father’s faked death and his location.

I hear that Shepard’s nemesis La Grenouille will turn up in another episode later this season.  I suspect that if Shepard leaves the show, it’ll be a result of a run-in with La Grenouille and/or her father.

What did you think of the episode?  Who do you think is leaving the show and why?  Will the show be able to survive without him/her?  If it is the director, who should replace her?

 

What Song Inspires You?

Last night on American Idol, the Elite 8 say the song that most inspires them.  I was a bit surprised at the range of songs they chose.

Several of the contestants stepped up to the plate with inspiration performances.

And it got me wondering what song would I pick as my inspirational choice (I promise that I won’t sing, just write).

I’ve decided on Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.”

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making

It took me a long time to realize that the safe route wasn’t always the best route.  I was afraid of failure.  I didn’t realize that I would become a better person because of the chances I take, that the rewards outweigh the risks.

And that’s a life lesson I hope to pass on to my kids and I think this song does a great job of relaying that message.

What song would you pick to inspire you?

Elite 8 Inspire on American Idol

Tonight’s American Idol was more about preparing the audience for “Idol Gives Back” with each of the Elite 8 singing their favorite inspirational song.  But will the performances inspire voters?

Honestly, I was expecting a droll night of one ballad after another, but I was actually surprised by a few of the performances.

Michael Johns is on a roll.  He picked another fitting song for his inspirational number with Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”  While I don’t really see him as a rocker, I think he turned a pretty good performance.  And in a night bound to be plagued with lots of boring ballads, Michael stood out.

Also cashing in on a good song choice was Jason Castro, who finally stepped up and took a risk with an unusual rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  I’m not entirely sure if I liked Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version, because I always picture the Wizard of Oz when I hear this song.  And with the ukulele, I saw a beach scene with a little hut in the background.  The song was just different, but it was well done.  And for that Jason should get kudos.

Likewise, Kristy Lee Cook is getting wiser with her song choices.  Not only did Martina McBride’s “Anyway” give her a country tune to showcase her voice, but her personal connection (and it was fitting) to the words of the song gave her an avenue to bring out the emotion of the song as well.  It’s scary that I’m going to agree with Paula again, but this song definitely was one of her best performances.

On the other hand, song choice might not have worked in David Cook’s favor.  He stepped out again by choosing a pretty unique song – “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace.  While I liked the beat of the song, I wasn’t blown away by his performance which ended with a message on his hand to “Give Back.”  Although this wasn’t my favorite number, Cook still puts in a solid performance that should keep him in the running.

The other half of the Top 8 had good song choices, but still the performances didn’t inspire.

I was happy to see Brooke White without an instrument as she performed Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” and her performance was enjoyable.  But, if I’m truthful, I think she made the song feel sad instead of inspirational and in doing so took out the thunder behind an otherwise pleasant performance. 

Another performance that didn’t quite go the extra mile was Syesha Mercado.  As expected, Syesha picked another big ballad with “I Believe” by former Idol winner Fantasia.  And while she sang it beautifully, her performance didn’t move me.  I have to agree with Randy and Simon that Syesha might have the voice to take on these big songs but she’s missing the emotional bond that makes the ballad so powerful.

Similarly, I really wanted to like Carly Smithson’s performance of “The Show Must Go On” because I’m a big fan of Queen.  And the song started off with potential with the whole orchestra in the background, but in the end I just didn’t get it.  Not only did I not connect with the song, I’m still wondering where she was trying to go with it.

Finally, David Archuleta sang “Angels.”  I’m probably in the minority here, but I was not enthusiastic about this performance.  I can’t say that he performed it badly.  It just didn’t leave an impression on me.  Tomorrow I will have forgotten all about the song.  And in this stage of the game, the performances need to be memorable.

My picks for the bottom three come down to emotion, or lack of it, in the case of my predictions.  In the bottom tier I nominate Archuleta, Carly and Syesha.  And I know that it’s not likely to happen, but my pick to go home is Archuleta.

Click here to tell us which inspirational song you would have chosen.

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