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Monday September 22, 2008

Actor LAURENCE FISHBURNE has praised WILLIAM PETERSEN since replacing his character on hit U.S. TV show CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION – because he raised standards for television.

Petersen – one of the show’s original cast members – is set to leave his post as crime investigator Gil Grissom, though he will remain an executive producer on the series.

His absence is marked by Fishburne’s debut in the show’s forthcoming 10th season next month (Oct08).

Presenting an award at Sunday’s (21Sep08) 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Petersen said: “I’m honoured to hand over the keys to the lab to a wonderful actor and a new friend, Mister Laurence Fishburne.”

The actor responded by humbly adding: “Thank you Billy, I just hope I can live up to the high standards you’ve set not only for the first CSI series but for the many CSI series that have followed in your footsteps.”