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Ted Danson Is Leaving ‘CSI: Cyber’ — Is This the End of the Franchise?

Ted Danson
Ted Danson in CSI Cyber

Is the last CSI series headed for the morgue? Ted Danson is departing CSI: Cyber to costar in a new NBC sitcom with Kristen Bell, which appears to put the fate of the long-running CBS franchise in serious jeopardy.

The 68-year-old actor has joined Good Place, which hails from Parks and Recreation cocreator Michael Schur and has received a 13-episode order from NBC. The Cheers vet will play Michael, who assists Eleanor (Bell) with a self-improvement course in her quest to become a better person. 

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Danson, a two-time Emmy winner, currently stars on CSI: Cyber as D.B. Russell, the character he originated during his four-year stint on the franchise's flagship series, CSI. 

CSI: Cyber, which also stars Patricia Arquette and James Van Der Beek, is in the middle of its second season. It was announced earlier this month that the series will vacate its Sunday time slot, airing two episodes on Wednesdays in March before disappearing from the schedule. 

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CSI creator Anthony Zuiker told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview that he doesn't think this is the end of the storied franchise, given the level of talent that is still involved.

"We have the biggest stars in television in terms of Ted Danson, Patricia Arquette and James Van Der Beek; it's an amazing franchise and a very solid show," Zuiker said. "Because the future of crime is cyber, there's no reason why it shouldn't continue."

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CSI, which launched in October 2000 and was once the most watched series in the country, signed off with a two-hour TV movie in September after 15 seasons. CSI: Miami premiered in September 2002 and lasted 10 seasons, while CSI: New York debuted in September 2004 and aired nine seasons.

Tell Us: Should the CSI franchise remain on the air?

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