CSI: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, the best-selling musical artist of 2008, will guest star in an upcoming episode of the CBS Paramount Network Television and Jerry Bruckheimer Television series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, on CBS.

Taylor will play Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs a seedy Vegas motel. Over the course of a year, Haley goes through a series of changes that have tragic consequences.

Nineteen-year-old Taylor Swift currently has singles climbing both the country and pop radio charts, and sold more albums in 2008 than any other recording artist, in any genre of music. At the age of 18, Taylor released her second studio album, Fearless, which scored the biggest-selling debut week in 2008 for a female artist in any genre, and was the year's fourth biggest debut over all. Fearless had the best-selling debut for a country title in over a year, and Taylor currently holds the Billboard all-genre record for most Top 20 debuts in a calendar year. Fearless sold more than two million copies in its first six weeks in stores, and her latest single, Love Story is in PCM's Top Ten this month.

William Petersen Leaving CSI:

The stability of the CSI cast was supposed to be set in stone, especially after Gary Dourdan's violent exit in the ninth season finale, but someone didn't read the fine print on leading man William Petersen's contract, and guess what he's leaving too.

The actor will be leaving by mid-season, and not on "sabbatical" like he did in 2006, the season's 10th episode will be Petersen's last.

The show's executive producer Carol Mendelsohn confirmed the rumors.

"Billy is leaving," she said. "But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don't think you've seen the last of Gil Grissom."

Petersen, in a July 11th interview, was hesitant to state that is departure is permanent citing his continuing role as executive producer.

"I want it to work for the writers, I want it to work for the cast, and, most importantly, I want it to work for the audience," he said. "I don't want them to abandon the show."

On the bright side Grissom's love interest and former CSI agent Sara Sidle, played by Jorja Fox, will be returning to the show starting with the season premier.

Petersen said that his character's departure is due to a personal crisis set into motion by Dourdan's character's death. Sidle returns to help her man through the tough time.

"The easiest way to describe Grissom is 'in crisis,'" Petersen said. "As a man. As a scientist. As a teacher. As a middle-aged person who has been very successful at what he's done... [he] wonders, 'What's the point?'"

Although he doesn't reveal what transpires, Petersen says that Fox's character will be a big part of the picture.

"I wouldn't want to say exactly what we're going do -- I want people to watch, certainly," he chuckled. "But Sara is involved... It's often darkest just before the dawn."

CSI: is currently the CBS network's top rated show. Petersen's departure will be the third major character's in the past year.

The news comes in a timely manner. It is shark week, so jump Grissom, jump!

Gary Dourdan makes plea deal, avoids jail

Former 'CSI' star Gary Dourdan, 41, pled guilty to two out of his three counts of felony drug possession - one count each of Ecstasy and cocaine possession, and one count of heroin possession was dismissed - this morning, but he avoided having to serve any jail time.

"Once Gary completes 30 hours of a diversion program, his case will be entirely dismissed," lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley told The Associated Press in an e-mail. "There is no jail time involved."

Although the actor faced up to three years and eight months in prison, he will only have to complete the court's diversion program, which entails the completion of a series of drug-education courses. He has until Nov. 20, 2009 to finish his part of the plea agreement, and then the convictions may be dismissed.

"As a result of today's proceedings, Gary has been given diversion," Holly said outside the courthouse. "He very much regrets what happened, and he's very embarrassed by what occurred, but he's looking forward to moving on and getting back to work.

"He is very grateful to the court for being understanding and giving him an opportunity to resolve the issue and move forward."

Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside District Attorney's office, told E! News that Dourdan will also have to pay a small fee as part of his restitution.

Dourdan was present for the Indio, Calif. hearing, although he did not speak to reporters. He was arrested April 28 in Palm Springs after police found him sleeping in his car, which was parked on the wrong side of the road with the interior light on.

The actor was charged with felony possession of heroin, cocaie and Ecstasy following a search of his vehicle, and he was released on $5,000 bail. Shortly thereafter, Dourdan denied the drugs were his.

The long-time 'CSI' star also opted not to renew his contract for the popular show. His character, Warrick Brown, was killed on the season finale.

Slaying on Television to Resume Tonight

Last week's twist ending to CSI: in which Gary Dourdan's character, Warrick Brown, takes two bullets to the neck begins the time of season finales, which for many characters may be more permanent than a summer vacation.

Tonight viewers can expect at least two people getting the ax with the finales of American Idol and NCIS. American Idol is down to its two final contestants. One will perish and the other will be crowned American Idol.

CBS continues the "finale killings" with a two-hours of NCIS, in which a major series regular will perish. One of the producers is quoted saying that the death will make fans "throw things at the screen." This is the second major death since Sasha Alexander's character Sp. Agent Caitlin Todd died at the end of season two. So far two deaths have occurred in the CBS primetime line-up and maybe more will follow.

Previews for Criminal Minds among other CBS programs depict possible murders of the main characters. CBS has announced 6 new series for the fall 2008 season, but they have lost a fan base from their stronger shows with these "finale slayings." With American Idol we're expecting the contestants to get voted off not Simon.

CSI adds new regular

In a move to fill the void of Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan, who decided not to renew their 'CSI' contracts, Lauren Lee Smith has been added to the cast.

Smith will play Bryce Adams, a "smart, flirtatious and witty nonconformist" who decided to become a CSI to rebel against her psychiatrist father, E! Online reports. The 27-year-old actress played Lara Perkins in a recurring role on Showtime's 'The L Word.' She was also in the film 'Art Scholl Confidential' with Casey Affleck and Zach Braff and can be seen in the drama "Helen" with Ashley Judd this fall.

The 'CSI' producers have yet to cast the role of Ray Santoro, a "handsome, smart and athletic" CSI.

CSI Star Arrested

Gary Dourdan, the forty-one-year-old CSI regular, was arrested in Palm Springs for drug possession on Monday.

According to Access Hollywood, the police found a car parked on the wrong side of the road where it was assumed the driver was sleeping inside. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer discovered Dourdan “disoriented and possibly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.”

A search of the car revealed various drugs including: cocaine, Ecstasy, and heroin. The actor was jailed for five hours before he was released on a $5,000 bail.

At the beginning of April, it was reported that Dourdan will not be returning to CSI once his contract with CBS expires in May.

Is 'Warrick' leaving CSI?

Actor Gary Dourdan, who plays Warrick Brown on CSI, is reportedly leaving after his contract expires in May. According to TVGuide.com's Michael Ausiello, Dourdan already told producers he will not renew the contract.

"We can't confirm or deny this information," CBS told Access Hollywood. According to TVguide.com, the producers are already looking for a replacement and a new series regular to play a "handsome, smart and athletic" new investigator," Ray Santoro.

If the reports are accurate, then Dourdan's departure will come on the heels of Jorja Fox's, who left in November.