If you happen to thought that CBS’ CSI: Vegas was executed with Greg Sanders so quickly, relaxation assured that there’s extra of CSI vet Eric Szmanda to come back.
Szmanda — who has greater than 330 episodes of the OG CSI below his belt — marked his return to the franchise amidst the emotionally charged March 30 episode that guest-starred Regina Taylor. However Greg will likely be seen a minimum of two extra occasions, within the episodes airing this Thursday, April 13 (through which the workforce investigates a bomb that detonated at a masquerade celebration for rich on line casino traders) after which Might 4.
TVLine spoke with Szmanda about slipping again into Greg’s lab coat, the particular “chew” he dropped at that first episode again, his character’s immediately entertaining dynamic with Penny, and extra.
TVLINE | When did you first get the decision about coming again as Greg? And what was your preliminary response?
Properly, we’ve been in talks about this for fairly a while. I spent a 3rd of my life taking part in this character, and I’ve grown to like him. I like the world of CSI, and it’s been an incredible privilege to have the ability to step again into it and reconnect with the followers and relive a few of the nice moments of my life that had been spent on the present.
TVLINE | Was it straightforward to slide again into Greg’s vibe and mannerisms?
I used to be somewhat nervous at first, as a result of I actually hadn’t thought of that character for fairly a while. However there’s a wealth of data on our present preserved on-line, so I used to be in a position to actually return via Greg’s time on the present and all of his backstories. Simply taking a look at a few of these fan websites or Wikipedia pages, it jogged my memory of how wealthy the historical past is and the way the writers did such a tremendous job of unveiling bits of details about the entire characters all through the 15 years.
It’s been actually enjoyable for me to see how Greg has modified. We final noticed him nearly eight years in the past, and now he’s lastly a supervisor, which is what Greg form of aspired to be, and he’s enthusiastic about what variety of supervisor he needs to be. In that first episode again, Greg has a very enjoyable scene with Penny the place I spotted, throughout the scene, that I used to be discovering Greg’s voice and enthusiastic about how Grissom handled Greg, and if I wish to be like that to “the brand new man” or if I wish to take a special method. I’ve been pondering loads in regards to the lecturers in my life rising up and those that had a huge impact on me, they usually had been very supportive and inspiring and made studying enjoyable. And that’s what Greg needs to do.
WATCH AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK
FROM THE APRIL 13 CSI: VEGAS
TVLINE | [CSI creator/CSI: Vegas EP] Anthony Zuiker instructed me that, frankly, it was a “juggling act” to work Greg’s return into what was a vastly emotional episode guest-starring Regina Taylor. That mentioned, had been you happy with the “gentle reintroduction” of your character?
If I used to be going to be reintroduced to the CSI world, I wouldn’t need anybody aside from Anthony Zuiker to put in writing that episode, as a result of he created that character, and he confirmed up my first day with a pair visitors who welcomed me to set. The largest present he gave me was Greg’s first scene again. He had written in that Greg begins chatting with Max Roby (performed by Paula Newsome) with a Transylvanian accent, and she or he realizes it’s as a result of she requested him to come back in and work the “vampire shift.” However once I learn the script, I noticed an incredible alternative for Greg’s character to come back in with vampire fangs, and so I went to a toy store within the valley and located fang. When Anthony got here to my trailer and he was taking a look at his script, he turns to search for at me and I had the fangs in my mouth. It completely shocked him, and he may inform that I wanted to try this for the viewers, so I’m glad that they made the minimize.
TVLINE | Have you ever stayed in contact with Marg [Helgenberger] because the authentic collection, or was this your first time seeing her shortly?
Marg and I see one another usually; she has remained a really shut buddy and confidante and mentor via the years. In truth, after this interview, I’m going to go meet her so we are able to take her canine to play.
TVLINE | And did you tune in in any respect final season for the episodes with Billy [Petersen] and Jorja [Fox]?
After all! I noticed it, and I sat again questioning when my day will come.
TVLINE | Discuss Greg’s dynamic with Penny (performed by Sarah Gilman), as a result of that was a complete lot of enjoyable to witness in your first episode, their aggressive nature.
, once I learn that scene, I noticed it as an incredible alternative for Greg to form of meet his match, no pun supposed, within the lab, and Sarah Gilman is simply such a beautiful, giving and caring particular person and actor, that it was a chunk of cake. It simply occurred organically.
TVLINE | I used to be watching the Twitter feed that night time, and the followers had been throughout it.
Properly, I’m glad they had been. I definitely felt it on set, and I believe there was a second that basically clinched it for each of us. It was on the high of the scene the place Greg brings up the Locard principle, and Penny shouts out the primary a part of it, after which they end it collectively. That was, like, a gathering of the minds proper there. From there on, it was “sport on.”
TVLINE | So, we have now to this point had again Gil, Sara, Jim Brass, Catherine, and now Greg. Who would you personally, as a fan of the franchise, wish to see present up in CSI: Vegas Season 3?
Considered one of my closest buddies is David Berman, who performs the assistant coroner within the crime lab, and I do know the followers have been asking for him. I believe it is smart that he would present up once more.
Need scoop on CSI: Vegas, or for another present? E-mail InsideLine@tvline.com and your query could also be answered by way of Matt’s Inside Line.
