Marg Helgenberger: “Grissom Will Return to CSI”
The original interview was published in the French Télé Star magazine, issue dated April 16-22, 2011. This English version was translated by Angela.
Who says that Marg Helgenberger isn’t talkative in interviews? She proves to Télé Star the opposite!
Her farewell to CSI, Grissom’s comeback, her disappointment with the 250th episode celebration…she tells all.
By Franck Ragaine | Translated by Angela
Télé Star – April 16-22, 2011
Télé Star: Marg, we heard that you’ll be back for only a few episodes in the 12th season of CSI (expected to air in France in 2013). We thought you were leaving now…
Marg Helgenberger: Yes, I’ll be in season 12, but Catherine will leave the team early on. Then I will make eight more appearances on the show. I don’t want to leave the show that has been so supportive to me for so many years just like that. Leaving it for good right now would be abrupt.
Have you re-signed yet?
M.H: No, I haven’t gotten a contract yet. I’ll know for sure in late May. But I know I’ll be back at the beginning of the new season to say goodbye to the team.
Do you know how it’s going to be played out?
M.H.: I don’t want a teary goodbye. I want it to be dramatic and mysterious. All I can tell you is that William Petersen promised to return so Grissom will be there for Catherine when she leaves. He’ll be there in the first episodes.
That’s a scoop!
M.H.: Billy (William Petersen) was the one that made the decision. He came back to celebrate the show’s 250th episode in March and asked me if we could have a talk in private for a few minutes. So we went to my trailer and he told me he would like to return. He had an idea for the scenario. I was trilled.
How was the celebration?
M.H.: Pretty simple. Maybe too simple. CSI is one of the most popular shows in the world, and even though we weren’t expecting gifts, I thought just a cake without any publicity was a bit unfair. Especially for a cast and crew that work so hard all year round. Our show makes a lot of money that helps CBS (the network that broadcasts CSI in the U.S.) fill the deficit from shows that aren’t as successful. Yet only a few network representatives showed up, and there was no one from Jerry Bruckheimer Productions. At least Billy was there (he is also an executive producer of the show).
You will be in Paris in early May with Alan, your new boyfriend…
M.H.: Yes, he had an apartment there for almost 10 years. He knows the city pretty well.
What does he do?
M.H.: Alan is a business man, and he used to live between New York, Paris and Aspen.
You are in love again. Can we say it’s a fresh start for you?
M.H.: Totally. We have been together for over a year and honestly, it’s been wonderful. He has great taste and collects art works. It’s one of the passions we share.
Do you think people love the same way at 50 that they do at 20?
M.H.: It is actually better at 50 because we know what we want and in particular, what we don’t want. We fight less, too: we are more patient, more respectful.
Any place you’d like to visit during your stay in Paris in May?
M.H.: I really would like to go to the Musée Rodin. I also would like to go to the Louvre again and visit the catacombs. ♦
If CSI meets The Mentalist…
Rumor has it that CSI could conduct a joint investigation with Patrick Jane from The Mentalist. Marg Helgenberger loves the idea: “I love Simon Baker. He worked with my ex-husband Alan Rosenberg on another show, The Guardian. He’s adorable and always cheerful.”
