LOS ANGELES — Television crime drama titan, the CSI franchise, is adding a new spinoff to its roster: CSI: Gary.
CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker and CSI: Cyber co-creator Carol Mendelsohn explained their rationale for creating the new show:
“Over the years, we have asked viewers to send us their information so we could tailor the show to them,” Mendelsohn stated as she uncovered a chart from under a cloth. “What we discovered was shocking,” Zuiker added, “Most of our viewership in the last year – 76% of viewers,” Mendelsohn paused for dramatic effect and insisted that this be mentioned, “were all men named Gary or Garry with an affinity for storylines involving home invasions.” The chart uncovered was labeled The Garygraph.
What we’re really hoping to do with Gary is make it so compelling to Gary’s everywhere that they get their loved ones to watch it with them,” Zuiker stated. “They watch the show and then worry for their Gary, so they watch weekly to learn how to prevent anything from happening.” Mendelsohn excitedly shouted: “It’s a thrill.”
And it seems like Gary’s everywhere share Mendelsohn’s opinion
“Oh, I can’t wait!” Gary Caprano, a Long Island roofer, volunteered. “I’m always checking every room in my house all the time. I can’t wait to watch a show where Grissom’s buddies might actually come to my house just to be like ‘you’re safe, Gary.’ That’d be so cool.”
Gary Whitmore, a man who understands fiction, had his own comments: “I’m a paranoid man. I know that about myself. This show will just feed into my confirmation bias and I absolutely cannot wait.”
Gary Indiana of – get this – Gary, Indiana, offered a new perspective, “I think this will just make Gary’s targets for killers. I mean, do I watch thinking ‘Hey they should check under the bed sometimes’? Yeah, of course. Who doesn’t? But do I think they can make an entire show based around it? I hope not. That’s scary to me.”
At press time, CSI: Cyber had been renewed for a second season and CSI: Gary had been greenlit for two seasons. Mendelsohn and Zuiker shared high fives.
