Ted Danson To Replace William Petersen’s Replacement On ‘CSI’

CSI is getting a new daddy and it’s Ted Danson!! Ever since William Petersen left to pursue a sure-to-be successful film career, the show has had a tough time maintaining its audience. CBS chose not to renew Laurence Fishburne‘s contract after he dedicated two years of his life to making tasteless puns around dead bodies. It’s your turn now, Danson.

Danson will play the CSI supervisor for the grave shift after heading the crime lab in Portland. He comes to the team as they are still grappling with the professional and personal fallout from last season’s take-down of serial killer, Nate Haskell…

The casting of Danson caps off an exhaustive search by CBS to find another star worthy enough to help return some luster to the aging CSI franchise. EW learned that offers went out to actors like Tony Shaloub, Robin Williams and John Lithgow before the studio landed on Danson, who’s been enjoying a career resurgence thanks to a critically-acclaimed run on Damages. He received three Emmy nominations for playing Arthur Frobisher. Danson will remain a series regular on Bored to Death. [EW]

Cheer up, Laurence. At least now you’ll have more time to spend with family. Oh… right.