REVELATIONS: MARG HELGENBERGER – GRISSOM TO RETURN TO CSI?
French Télé Star Magazine
April 16-22, 2011 issue
Who says that Marg Helgenberger speaks little in interviews? She proved the contrary to Tele Star and tells us all about her farewell to CSI, the return of Grissom, CSI’s 250th episode party and more!
Télé Star: Marg, it appears that you will be returning for a few episodes during the 12th season of CSI (these episodes should air in France sometime in 2013). We thought you were stopping now?
Marg: Yes, I do return for season 12. Catherine, however, will leave her team early in the season. I will then make eight more appearances on the show. I don’t want to just give up the show that has been so supportive of me for so many years. A final departure right now would just be too abrupt.
Télé Star: Have you signed a new contract yet?
Marg: No, not yet. The final details of the contract should be determined by the end of May. But I do know that I’ll be back at the beginning of next season to say my goodbyes to the team.
Télé Star: Do you know how Catherine will leave?
Marg: I don’t want a tearful goodbye. I want it to be dramatic and mysterious. All I can reveal is that William Petersen has promised to return so that Grissom will be there for Catherine when she leaves. He will be there in the early episodes of the season.
Télé Star: That’s a scoop!
Marg: It was Bill[y] (William Petersen) who made the decision. He came back to celebrate CSI’s 250th episode in March and came to me and asked if we could talk in private for a few minutes. We went to my trailer, and he told me he would like to return. He has an idea for the scenario. I’m delighted.
Télé Star: How was the celebration of the 250th episode?
Marg.: Very simple. Almost too simple! CSI is one of the most popular series in the world, and although we weren’t expecting gifts, I thought only a cake, and no publicity, wasn’t right, especially for a team who works so hard all year round. Our show makes a lot of money that helps CBS (the network that airs CSI in the United States) make up the deficit from shows that do not succeed. Yet very few representatives from the network attended, and no one from Jerry Bruckheimer Productions was there. At least Bill[y] was there. (He is also an executive producer on the show).
Télé Star: You will be in Paris in early May with Alan, your new boyfriend?
Marg:Yes, he has had an apartment there for almost 10 years, and he is pretty familiar with the city.
Télé Star: What does he do for a living?
Marg: Alan is a business man, and he used to spend his time living in New York, Paris and Aspen [Colorado].
Télé Star: You are in love again. Can we say it’s a departure for you?
Marg: Completely. We’ve been together for more than a year now, and frankly, it has been extraordinary. He has great taste and he collects art. It’s one of our shared passions.
Télé Star:Do you think people fall in love the same way at age 50 as they do at age 20?
Marg: I think it’s actually better at age 50 than at age 20 because we have more experience to know what we want and what we don’t want. There’s less fighting, too. We are more patient and respectful of each other.
Télé Star: What places would you like to visit in May while you’re in Paris?
Marg: I would very much like to return to the Rodin Museum. I would also like to go to the Louvre again and to explore the catacombs.
You can find scans of this magazine in our image gallery: Here