Fishburne In, Petersen Out... Eventually

LOS ANGELES (AP) - At least he's honest. Laurence Fishburne says
he's embarrassed he had never watched "CSI" until he was
approached by the show's producers about a role in the series. It's
a role he's accepted, sort of taking over for William Petersen.
Now, Fishburne says he's a "CSI" fan since he's been watching
some old episodes, ones that are "kind of dark and moody, like the
work" he's been involved with before. "CSI" is Fishburne's first
ongoing series role since he played Cowboy Curtis on "Pee-wee's
Playhouse" in the late 1980s. Fishburne will play a college
lecturer and former pathologist who's focused on why people commit
acts of violence. The character is nameless for now but has been
dubbed "The Professor." He'll first appear in the ninth episode
of this upcoming tenth season. It's not known exactly when Petersen
will make his exit but it'll be early next year.