Elisabeth Shue Will Replace Marg Helgenberger On 'CSI' and More TV News

Oscar nominee Elisabeth Shue is joining the cast of CBS' flagship procedural 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' as a replacement for Marg Helgenberger, Deadline reports.

Shue, whom CBS has allegedly been courting for years, is set to become the new female lead opposite Ted Danson, who in turn replaced original cast-member William Petersen last year. Shue will play a new investigator who joins the team amid rumors that D.B. Russell (Danson) fired her when she worked for him in Seattle. Fresh from an anger management course, we expect tensions to flare between Shue's character and her new-old boss.

Helgenberger will no longer be a regular after this season, but she is expected to make occasional guest appearances. Shue's first episode will air on Feb. 15.

In other casting news ...
'Veronica Mars' alum Jason Dohring will guest on The CW's 'Supernatural' in episode 12. He'll appear as Chronos, the God of Time, when the show returns from winter hiatus. Dohring is currently recurring on 'Ringer' as a teacher that Juliet has taken a liking to. [TVLine]

Nia Vardalos and Peri Gilpin are set to play argumentative twin sisters on 'Grey's Anatomy.' Their episode will air mid-January. 'Grey's' producer, ABC Studios, is also developing a comedy vehicle for Vardalos. [The Hollywood Reporter]

'Angel' star Amy Acker will appear on 'Grimm.' She'll play the Black Widow, a creature who has to leech the life out of men to keep her youthful appearance. [TVLine]

Elsewhere in TV news ...

Cartoon Network has picked up 'Annoying Orange' to series. The viral web sensation will air as a half-hour series in 2012. [Associated Press]

'The Jeremy Kyle Show' and Anderson Cooper's 'Anderson' have been renewed for second seasons. This is thanks to the signing on of the Fox and Sinclair station groups, which means the shows have been renewed in over 50 percent of the country. [Broadcasting and Cable]

MTV will revive its hip-hop series 'Yo! MTV Raps!' for one night only on Dec. 4. Following the first ever 'Sucker Free Awards,' the 30-minute retrospective will feature interviews from former hosts and hip-hop artists past and present. [The Wrap]

TLC has ordered a new reality dating show called 'Geek Love.' The project follows a dating service at nerd-centric events like Comic-Con. It will initially air as two half-hour specials, and if it proves popular, could be picked up to series. [EW]


Do you think Elisabeth Shue is a worthy successor for Marg Helgenberger? Share your thoughts below.