Jorja Fox is leaving CSI.
CSI’s Jorja Fox — who was briefly fired from the show in 2004 during an ugly contract dispute with CBS — is expected to leave the top-rated drama before year’s end. A source close to the show confirms that Fox, whose contract expired last season, has agreed to appear in six or seven episodes this year before leaving the show that made her a household name and turned her into an unwilling poster child for greedy TV actors.
Back in 2004, CBS offered what it described as ”fair and equitable raises” to the CSI ensemble. To avoid last-minute sick-outs, like the ones that happened with the Everybody Loves Raymond cast earlier that year, the network then required many of the supporting actors, including Fox and George Eads, to promise in writing that they would show up on time when production resumed on the fifth season. Supposedly, everyone signed, but Fox opted to send her agreement in the mail and CBS received it late. On July 14 of that year, she was fired from her $100K job. (Eads was also briefly fired for not showing up on time.)
”I sat on it because I kept thinking there was still talking to be done,” Fox told EW back in 2004. ”I wouldn’t say I was in denial, but I thought, ‘This can be fixed.’ When it hit the press late Thursday, that’s when I started to worry it was really happening. I didn’t know whether I was supposed to accept the fact I’d lost my job or whether I was supposed to be figuring out a way to get it back. It was all very confusing and fast.”
With production delayed one week, CBS started to explore contingency plans, like hiring new actors and having Fox’s character disappear into rehab after she was picked up for driving drunk in season four. Ultimately, no auditions were needed: CBS decided to let the letter incident go, and Fox and Eads was hired back — albeit at the same pay they earned before the negotiations.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I like CSI but I never really cared about the Sara Sidle character. She can either be there or not be there. It makes no difference. And I really hated the romance between the Grisson/Sidle characters. It just never seemed right as Grissom has too much integrity. He belongs with Lady Heather. They have chemisty and a very interesting relationship. Other fans must agree as they keep bringing Lady Heather’s character back to the show. Let hope something developes there.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
WHO CARES, I THINK SHE LET HER EGO GET TOO BIG AND IS AN IDIOT FOR SCREWING HERSELF OUT OF A GREAT SHOW AND CONTRACT WITH HER GREED
October 1st, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Sara Sidle is a big reason of why CSI is the hit show it is, opening to a viewership of 25.5 million on Season 8’s premier nite. CBS better recognise that and give her what she deserves. Don’t settle for less, Jorja Fox!
October 2nd, 2007 at 5:46 am
Honestly, if this premiere episode didn’t convince people that Ms. Fox is a talent worth fighting for, who can without a doubt carry an entire episode by herself, then I question these people’s ability to gauge talent at all. I would put this episode head to head against Weeping Willows (MH’s Tour De Force) any day of the week and guarantee it would win hands down. For the last half of the episode there was very little dialogue and no one but a coyote to act off of and she was amazing! The very fact that every viewer in America knew the sole purpose of this show was to determine whether or not Sara survived and this episode steamrolled over Grey’s Anatomy in the ratings should be a large neon sign that CBS/CSI has a valuable commodity on their hands.
As for the character of Sara, she is by far one of the most unique female characters on television today. And on CSI itself, she is the ONLY female character who is a pure criminalist/scientist relying on her intelligence and skills as an investigator to do her job rather than her cleavage. The day Catherine started popping buttons for the convict in prison, I lost all respect for her character. And Sophia has done the exact same thing, albeit less blatantly in the interrogation room. Not to mention, that after the premiere episode we have seen a level of internal strength and intestinal fortitude that I absolutely cannot believe execs and fans wouldn’t want to have represented, especially in a female character, on this show. To remove Sara from the team would be an offence to every female fan of the show and an acknowledgement that the only value women have in the CSI universe is as a rack of breasts.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:28 am
I honestly believe that Jorja is worth keeping. Her character portrayal of Sara Sidle keeps me coming back each week. As Kimber has stated Sara’s character is one of the unique females on TV this day in age.
I’d be lost without Sara on CSI. I’d heal … but it would take a long time.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:48 am
Jorja’s departure from CSI doesn’t yet seem to be a done deal yet. There is a campaign called “Dollars for Sense” happening right now to try and persuade the CSI producers to re-think the decision.
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
In a time where women are portrayed on the shows showing breasts and wearing tight clothes, it’s nice to see a woman on a show that has brains. Maybe they should get rid of Marg Helgenberger, her blouses keep getting tighter and her acting is getting worse! I like the romance between Gil and Sara cause it’s love. She has always loved Gil. It’s just my opinion, but I think she should stay. I see great story lines for Sara and Gil. Besides I hate to hear Marg talk, she is having problems with Gil and Sara having an affair, does anyone remember when her and Warrick got busy?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Do ya have some problems with Marg?She is beautiful,sexy and you all are jelous…I mean Sara is really awfull character,but Jorja isn’t bad actress…Obviously you are jelous on Marg’s great body,I mean why would you mind her tight blouses?I’m glad that Sara is gone.Your oppinion is that when the woman is pretty she can’t be smart…Well Marg/Catherine proved that the woman like that exists…Sara is ugly,but she is smart,she is not any world wonder.I mean you hate hear Marg talking…Like she is guilty for that Sara is gone?And they didn’t got ridd of her,Jorja wanted to leave,pleas consider that and then judge!!!
And btw if u hate a character don’t hate actress because they aren’t guilty for other actors doings…