Nellie Andreeva

Just like it recently did with NCIS and its star Mark Harmon, CBS has signed a new contract extension with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation leading man Ted Danson and simultaneously renewed the veteran crime drama for the 2013-14 season. I hear Danson, whose original two-year deal for the show was up this season, has signed another two-year pact. His salary has been well over $200,000 an episode. Also set to return next season are co-lead Elisabeth Shue and original cast members George Eads, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Paul Guilfoyle and Robert David Hall, along with Wallace Langham, Elisabeth Harnois, David Berman and Jon Wellner. The renewal will extend CSI‘s run to 14 seasons. With CSI: Miami ending last May and CSI: NY expected to follow it this year, the mothership series is expected to be the only CSI on the air next season. On NBC, first spinoff Law & Order: SVU actually outlasted the original Law & Order series and the second spinoff Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

“The writers and producers have done an amazing job evolving CSI, reinventing the show around an incredible leading man in Ted Danson, the acclaimed Elisabeth Shue and our beloved and talented core of original cast members,” CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said. Added David Stapf, president of CBS TV Studios, which produces CSI. “CSI is one of the top global franchises and is seen in almost every country in the world.” CSI recently won the International TV Audience Award for the “most watched show in the world” for a third consecutive year and fifth time in seven years. On CBS, it has shored up the Wednesday 10 PM slot where it moved after a long run in the tentpole Thursday 9 PM position. Season to date, CSI is No. 1 in the hour in total viewers (11.85 million), adults 18-49 (2.9/08) and adults 25-54 (3.8/09). CSI is executive produded by Jerry Bruckheimer, showrunners Carol Mendelsohn and Don McGill, creator Anthony Zuiker, Jonathan Littman, Louis Milito, Ann Donahue, original star William Petersen and his producing partner Cindy Chvatal.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.