CBS Renews Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas” for Second Season

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There are more investigations in Mel Rodriguez’s future…

CBS has renewed its freshman drama CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, for a second season to premiere during the 2022-2023 broadcast season.

A sequel to the groundbreaking 2000 series, season 1 of CSI: Vegas was led by the original series’ stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox.

Petersen had only signed on to reprise his role as Gil Grissom in the initial 10-episode installment. He’ll not continue as an actor but will remain an executive producer for Season 2. According to sources, Fox’s contract allows her to continue as Sara Sidle if she chooses to, and the series’ producers are hopeful that she may come back.

“The incredibly talented CSI: Vegas creative team and cast did a superb job this first season, brilliantly updating and portraying the CSI universe with fresh stories and a new crime lab, proving that after 20 years, the CSI fan base is still hungry for more and ready to embrace a new chapter in this illustrious franchise,” said Amy Reisenbach, EVP Current Programs at CBS.

CSI: Vegas improved its Wednesday night 10:00 pm time slot by +60% in viewers, according to Nielsen data. While it got off to an inauspicious start in linear ratings, the series proved a strong delayed viewing/streaming draw. Through the first nine episodes (as of Dec. 1), CSI: Vegas added +3.10m viewers (6.81m from 3.71m, +84%) with 7-day playback. This is the highest playback of any new drama on any network, per CBS. The first season of CSI: Vegas is streaming on Paramount+. No streaming data is being released, but, according to sources, the revival has been performing very well on the platform.

Additionally, CSI: Vegas‘ ratings followed an unusual trajectory. Possibly helped by the serialized, season-long arc, the numbers started consistently picking up after the traditional post-premiere dip.

Season 1 opened a new chapter in Las Vegas – the city where it all began, introducing a serialized storytelling to the classic crime procedural drama. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the entire Crime Lab and release thousands of convicted killers back onto the neon-lit streets of Vegas, a brilliant new team of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) enlisted the help of old friends, Gil Grissom (Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Fox), to investigate a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham). This combined force deployed the latest forensic techniques to follow the evidence – to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. The first season also starred Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon and Rodriguez.

CSI: Vegas is produced by CBS Studios in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and distributed internationally by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

CBS Releases First Official Trailer for Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is officially on the case…

CBS has released the first official trailer for CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, ahead of its October 6 premiere.

The sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, features returning stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox, and Wallace Langham, and newly added series regulars Rodriguez, Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria and Mandeep Dhillon. Paul Guilfoyle will reprise the role of Jim Brass as a guest star in two episodes.

CSI: Vegas opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment said previously. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

CBS Releases First Look at Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI” Sequel, “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is seeking the truth…

CBS had released the first-look teaser for CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor.

The sequel features returning CSI stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox and Wallace Langham, who are joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon.

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

https://twitter.com/CBSTVStudios/status/1418024052732547074

The sequel premieres on Wednesday, October 6 at 10/9c on CBS.

CBS Gives Straight-to-Series Order to “CSI: Vegas,” Starring Mel Rodriguez

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is officially hitting the (crime) scene…

CBS has given a straight-to-series order to CSI: Vegas, a sequel – starring the 47-year-old Latino actor – to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, for the 2021-21 season.

Headlined by returning CSI stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox, joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon, CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Also coming back is another fan favorite CSI cast member, Wallace Langham, reprising his role as David Hodges.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is reportedly playing Hugo who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years, and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

Mel Rodriguez to Star in CBS’ Upcoming Series “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is joining the force…

The 47-year-old Latino actor has been cast as one of the leads in CSI: Vegas, which Deadline.com reports is nearing a formal straight-to-series order at CBS.

Rodriguez will star opposite Paula Newsome and Matt Lauria in CSI: Vegas, which serves as a sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

William Petersen and Jorja Fox are reportedly finalizing their deals to star in CSI: Vegas, reprising their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively.

While billed as an event series, CSI: Vegas, from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, could become an ongoing series running for multiple seasons.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is said to be playing Hugo, who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago. He has an endless fascination with the bodies that find their way onto his slab, and the morgue is his happy place. Rodrigues previously guest starred in an episode of CSI: NY (character name: Al McGrath).

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation bowed out in 2015 after 15 seasons, having launched a $1 billion franchise for CBS that spanned four series; CSI and spinoffs CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and CSI: Cyber.

Rodriguez was most recently a series regular on the Showtime series On Becoming a God In Central Florida opposite Kirsten Dunst. He was also seen opposite Anne Hathaway in Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted for Netflix. Additionally, Rodriguez recently voiced Officer Colt Bronco in the Disney–Pixar animated feature Onward.

Showtime Renews Mel Rodriguez’s Comedy “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” for a Second Season

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more God-like action in Mel Rodriguez’s future…

One month after its season 1 premiere, Showtime has ordered a second season of its critically acclaimed comedy On Becoming A God In Central Florida, starring the 46-year-old Latino actor.

Hailing from Sony’s TriStar Television, the series was created and executive produced by Robert Funkeand Matt Lutskyand stars Kirsten Dunst.

On Becoming A God is a darkly comedic story about the cult of free enterprise and one woman’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream. In addition to Dunst and Rodriguez, the first season stars Théodore Pellerin, Beth Dittoand Ted Levine.

“With such imaginative storytelling and an absolutely inspired lead performance, On Becoming A God In Central Florida has been a revelation,” said Jana Winograde, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. “Kirsten, Esta, Robert, Matt and Charlie have crafted a wondrous blend of satirical light within the economic and emotional melancholy that confronts so many Americans. We couldn’t be happier that On Becoming A God is on Showtime, nor more eager to see what wild events await our ensemble in the downline of season two.”

Set in a small Orlando-adjacent town in 1992, On Becoming A God In Central Florida follows Krystal Stubbs (Dunst), a minimum-wage water park employee who lies, schemes and cons her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise (FAM) — the cultish, flag-waving, multibillion-dollar pyramid scheme that drove her to ruin in the first place, run by the powerful Obie Garbeau II (Levine). Determined to make a better life for herself, Krystal dives deep into FAM and develops a tangled relationship with FAM’s most loyal and fanatical follower Cody (Pellerin), until her business begins to affect those closest to her, including Ernie (Rodriguez), her affable water park boss, and his FAM-skeptic wife Bets (Ditto).

Season 1 is currently airing on Sundays at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Mel Rodriguez to Star in YouTube Premium’s Dark Comedy “On Becoming a God in Central Florida”

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez has landed a God-sized project…

The 45-year-old Latino actor has been cast in On Becoming a God in Central Florida, YouTube Premium’s a one-hour dark comedy series set in the 1990s.

Rodriguez will star opposite Ted Levine, Kirsten Dunst and Beth Ditto, the lead singer of Gossip, who’ll be series regulars, as well as Usman Ally, who has a recurring role.

The web series hails from George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures and Sony’s TriStar Television.

On Becoming A God In Central Florida, one of the passion projects for the late TriStar television head Suzanne Patmore Gibbs, was written by Robert Funke and Matt Lutsky based on a spec script they wrote.

Set near Orlando in the early 1990s, it centers on Krystal Gill (Dunst), a minimum-wage-earning water park employee who will eventually scheme her way up the ranks of the Founders American Merchandise, the cultish, flag waving, multi-billion dollar pyramid scheme that drove her family to ruin.

Rodriguez will play the manager of the low-rent waterpark where Krystal works.

Rodriguez’s previous credits include Getting On, The New Normal, Hot in Cleveland and The Middle.

Carlos Leal to Star in Netflix’s Film “The Last Thing He Wanted”

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Leal has found the last thing…

The Spanish actor will appear in Dee Rees and Netflix’s The Last Thing He Wanted.

Leal joins a cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Willem Dafoe, Ben Affleck, Toby Jones, Rosie Perez, Edi Gathegi, and Mel Rodriguez.

Based on Joan Didion’s 1996 novel, the film follows journalist Elena McMahon (Hathaway) who finds herself on dangerous ground as the Iran Contra Affair’s arms for drugs plot reaches its tipping point.

Rees and Marco Villalobos adapted the screenplay.

Leal’s credits include the James Bond film, Casino Royale.

Production is currently underway in Puerto Rico.

Fox Renews Mel Rodriguez’s “The Last Man on Earth” for Fourth Season

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is back on Earth for another season…

Fox has renewed its comedy series The Last Man on Earth, starring the 43-year-old Latino actor, for a fourth season.

Last Man On Earth, a comedy about the life and adventures of the last man on the planet, was created by Will Forte, who stars alongside Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Rodriguez, who portrays Tony, Mary Steenburgen and Cleopatra Coleman.

Forte, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Seth Cohen, Andrew Bobrow and Erik Durbin executive produce.

Fox Renews Rodriguez’s “The Last Man On Earth” for a Third Season

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez has more days left on earth…

Fox has renewed its comedy series The Last Man On Earth, starring the 42-year-old Latino actor, for a third season.

The series, created by and starring Saturday Night Live alum Will Forte, has been a modest linear television performer, but is strong in online/SVOD viewing.

The Last Man On Earth, produced by 20th Century Fox Television, is a post-apocalyptic comedy that centers on Phil Miller (Forte), who is living on Earth after a virus wiped out nearly the entire population in 2019.

Rodriguez, who starred on HBO’s Getting On, portrays Todd on the series.

In addition to Rodriguez and Forte, the series also stars Kristen Schaal and January Jones.

Rodriguez’s previous television credits include AMC‘s Better Call Saul and Fox’s Running Wilde and Enlisted.

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