George Eads will take a leave of absence from
the long-running drama after engaging in a
heated exchange with one of the show's
writers, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The actor, who has played Nick Stokes since the series premiered in 2000, will appear in the first three episodes of CSI 's upcoming 14th season. Producer CBS Television Studios declined to reveal a date for his return but said he would be back later this season.
"George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season. We look forward to him returning to CSI very soon," a rep for CBS TV Studios said in a statement to THR .
The actor signed on to return as a regular along with the rest of the cast when CBS renewed the series in March. His absence, sources say, is not considered an attempt to renegotiate his contract. Eads -- and co-star Jorja Fox -- were both briefly fired from CSI in 2004 after a short-lived salary standoff with the network and studio.
Instead, Eads was unhappy with the creative direction of his character, sources tell THR, and clashed with an eight-months- pregnant co-writer of a recent episode. Word of the incident is said to have gotten back to showrunner Carol Mendelsohn and resulted in a meeting that ended with Eads threatening to quit. A rep for Eads declined to comment. Eads is one of only three actors who have been with CSI from the start ( Paul Guilfoyle and Eric Szmanda are the others). Fox left and later returned to the show.
Sources tell THR that Eads' absence will be addressed in the fourth episode of the season when Catherine ( Marg Helgenberger, who will reprise her role in the landmark 300th episode) hand-picks his character to receive special training at Quantico.
Source: THR
The actor, who has played Nick Stokes since the series premiered in 2000, will appear in the first three episodes of CSI 's upcoming 14th season. Producer CBS Television Studios declined to reveal a date for his return but said he would be back later this season.
"George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season. We look forward to him returning to CSI very soon," a rep for CBS TV Studios said in a statement to THR .
The actor signed on to return as a regular along with the rest of the cast when CBS renewed the series in March. His absence, sources say, is not considered an attempt to renegotiate his contract. Eads -- and co-star Jorja Fox -- were both briefly fired from CSI in 2004 after a short-lived salary standoff with the network and studio.
Instead, Eads was unhappy with the creative direction of his character, sources tell THR, and clashed with an eight-months- pregnant co-writer of a recent episode. Word of the incident is said to have gotten back to showrunner Carol Mendelsohn and resulted in a meeting that ended with Eads threatening to quit. A rep for Eads declined to comment. Eads is one of only three actors who have been with CSI from the start ( Paul Guilfoyle and Eric Szmanda are the others). Fox left and later returned to the show.
Sources tell THR that Eads' absence will be addressed in the fourth episode of the season when Catherine ( Marg Helgenberger, who will reprise her role in the landmark 300th episode) hand-picks his character to receive special training at Quantico.
Source: THR
It must of been some argument..
ReplyDeleteWhile I've certainly wanted to have an "altercation" with the writers for some of the shows I watch, I certainly wouldn't have one with someone I'm currently working with.
ReplyDeleteI feel like actors get -rightfully so- attached to their characters after such long runs; I kinda understand him feeling protective of his character.
ReplyDeleteThe way they have treated/sidelined Nick Stokes these past few seasons , i would of wanted a word too...Won't watch while George is absent , especially now it's going to be filled with more Morgan/Finn drama YAAAAWN... go with your heart George!! x x
ReplyDeleteProbably wasn't horrendous, just that the writer in question was very pregnant so they'd look especially bad if it was found out they didn't punish him
ReplyDeleteStill, argument or not. If you're working with someone for so long, you would think they would handle this better. But I guess we can't really say, since we don't know the full story.
ReplyDeleteWho snitched? And why?
ReplyDeleteHuh.....
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is becoming boring in the extreme. A workplace argument that's rapidly turning into a cause celebre and for no good reason.To ALL parties,get over it and get on with it. What you're paid to do that is.WORK. Talk about making a whole mountain range out of a molehill!
ReplyDeleteI doubt that he's being "punished". The writing for CSI has been very shaky the last four seasons . Two or three excellent episodes and then several WTF??? turd in the pool episodes that almost total derail the season, making CSI and the characters ridiculous and unwatchable (cough cough Dr. Ray) . Maybe the Looney writers are trying to turn Nick into the next mad dog Dr. ray style character I would be pissed off too. So there having to create a new store line for Nick? I just amazed how CBS is letting piss poor writing threaten their best shows. It was ridiculous bad writing that did more to kill off CSI Miami and NY than there schedule moves.
ReplyDelete