TV Updates – Two And A Half Men and CSI Hint At New Characters

Summer is almost over (sad, I know!) and that means our favorite TV shows will be back soon, and some of those are coming back with big changes.

At a TV press event yesterday, CBS exec Nina Tassler provided some details on ASHTON KUTCHER'S "Two and a Half Men" character.

--She said his name will be Walden Schmidt . . . and he'll be a, quote, "Internet billionaire with a broken heart.  [He's] unique."  It's unclear if he'll be related to the other one-and-a half men . . . like CHARLIE SHEEN'S character was.

--Naturally, Tassler was asked questions about Charlie Sheen . . . but she avoided most of them, and shifted the focus to the future with the new cast.  However, if you read between the lines, she did drop in some passive aggressive digs.

--When asked what they learned from the Charlie Sheen fiasco, she said, quote, "Oh where do I begin?  What we learned is that we have an extraordinary cast . . .

--"There is great value in hiring an actor like Ashton.  He's extra professional, a funny, talented gifted actor who comes with a tremendous amount of commitment and enthusiasm . . . [we're] moving forward to create an exciting new character and deliver a great show."

--She added, quote, "We're worlds apart" from where things were six months ago.

--Earlier this week, Deadline.com reported that the season premiere will feature the funeral of CHARLIE SHEEN'S character, Charlie Harper.

--Tassler wouldn't comment on that.  She merely said, quote, "I know that's out there, but I'm not going to confirm or deny that.  The mystery is a part of the marketing."  The season premiere airs September 19th.

"CSI" Updates:  Marg Helgenberger Is Leaving "CSI" Halfway Through the Season . . . and There's a Video Preview Featuring Ted Danson: 

CBS has announced that MARG HELGENBERGER will be leaving "CSI" halfway through the upcoming season.  Marg has played Catherine Willows since the show began, 11 years ago.

--One of the show's producers says, quote, "Marg will be around through January, so Episode 12.  People come and go and come back, so hopefully when we say goodbye, that won't be the last time we see her."

--There aren't any details on how her character's departure will be explained.

--Also, "Entertainment Weekly" has a preview clip featuring TED DANSON, who's replacing LAURENCE FISHBURNE on the upcoming season.

--The producers say the show will take on a more light-hearted tone than it has in recent years, and you can definitely see how Ted's character is part of that in the clip.

Check out the two-minute clip of Danson trying to get a young witness to open up on next fall’sCSI  - sorry, you have to sit through a commercial first.