It’s been rather quiet in the wake of the writer’s strike, but now that it’s over, you can look forward to CSI:NY returning to your screens for new episodes. The Futon Critic reports that seven new episodes will air this spring, starting on April 2. CBS has already renewed the show for season 5, which will start in the fall.

TV Guide has reported that Jessalyn Gilsig (Nip/Tuck, Boston Public, Heroes) will be joining the cast for three episodes as a new love interest for Gary’s character, Mac Taylor.

There’s a new CSI:NY Wiki — be sure to check it out!

In addition to season 3 on DVD, which is coming out on October 9, on the same day a three-season pack will be released. You can pre-order both now at Amazon.com.

Season 4 premieres in the US on Wednesday, September 26.

CSI Stuff:

• Season 4 of CSI: New York will be premiering on CBS on Wednesday, September 26 at 10 pm ET/PT.
• The third season of CSI: New York is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
• The UK’s Daily Mail has an interview with Gary. (Thanks to Bettina for the link.)
• Gary will apparently appear on CSI mothership this year on a night of crossovers.

LDB Updates:

• Pictures from the band’s recent European trip are available in the LDB’s gallery.
• Two current dates are scheduled in July and August:  July 21 in Catingy Park, Illinois, and August 11 in Brooklyn, New York.

Gary is also scheduled to return to Epcot Center this year for the Candlelight Processional, December 23-25.

Finally, even though we haven’t been blogging about it, we’re well aware of the persistent Star Trek rumors… you can stop emailing us about them, honest!   We’re told that official announcements will be made at Comic-Con next week, so that should settle the matter one way or the other.  (And just for the record, I’d personally be thrilled if it were true.)

Our friends at tvshowsondvd.com posted today that CBS/Paramount has announced that season 3 of CSI:NY will be released on DVD on October 9.  It’s not available for pre-order at Amazon yet, but we’ll let you know when that changes.

Amazon.com now has a service called Unbox, which allows you to download video content, like movies and TV episodes, directly to your PC or TiVo. CSI: New York is among the TV shows they’re offering.

I haven’t tried the PC version, but I have used it with my series 2 TiVo, and I was quite pleased with how simple it was. The quality is at least as good as my cable TV, it’s commercial free, and I can keep the episodes for as long as I want. (Please note that some items are “rentals,” meaning you can only keep them for a certain amount of time. Most TV shows seem to be for “sale,” meaning you can keep them indefinitely, but read the information provided.)

I wouldn’t use this service instead of purchasing a whole season on DVD, but for $1.99 each, it’s a good alternative to waiting for reruns if you miss an episode.

If you are a TiVo user, you’ll need to go to here first to connect your TiVo and Amazon accounts. If you use a PC, follow the instructions for downloading the software you’ll need.

In the interests of full disclosure, yes, we’re an Amazon affiliate — it helps pay for this site and keeps it ad-free. If you use our links, we do get a small commission at no cost to you (and believe me, 3-5% of $1.99 is quite small). Mostly, I’m posting about this because I think it’s a cool service, especially if you have a TiVo.

TV Week is featuring an interview with CSI:NY creator Anthony Zuiker after each new episode.  It’s available through audio download or to read via transcript.  Click here for more information.

An AP article on the distinctiveness of CSI:NY includes an interview with Gary.

Greetings and happy 2007! We hope you all had a great holiday season. Now that the last carol has been sung, the final champagne cork popped, etc., we’ve got some news to catch you up on.

• A New Year’s message from Gary, as well as new concert dates, have been posted on the Lt. Dan Band web site.
  
• You might remember that Gary and the LDB performed for Operation Support Our Troops Illinois back in July. A chunk of the funds raised at that event have gone to help provide internet access to wounded veterans at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Maywood, Ill. (If any of you are visiting — a very special hello!)
  
• Kim Basinger and Gary are officially the new ambassadors for Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier. They participated in a photo session with celebrity photographers Jeff Lipsky and Black Little. The proceeds from the rights to the images have been donated to charitable organizations - environmental protection and the education of underprivileged children, two causes supported by Baume & Mercier’s charitable campaign. You can see one of the photos of Gary here.
  
• Open Season will be released on DVD on January 30.
  
• Gary was mentioned in an article about celebrity philanthropy in the Ottawa Sun.
  
• In an article about the CSI franchise from the Independent (UK) (via tvgrapevine.com) Gary’s character is referred to as “the most modern and complex and the least archetypal of the trio, his greyness suiting the post-September 11 Manhattan location.” And the National Post (Canada) has a Q&A with CSI creator Anthony Zuiker.
  
• Finally, OMG, are people really still asking this question? (At least they are asking someone who isn’t me.) Did this guy miss the first hour of Forrest Gump? Really, I want to know.

Here’s a (hopefully permanent) link to the TV Guide story on CSI:NY. Don’t miss it! And be sure to buy the December 4 issue from a newsstand while there are still a few around.

If you aren’t a subscriber, grab a copy of the December 4 TV Guide at the supermarket this week! Gary and Melina Kanakaredes are on the cover, and there’s a nice story about CSI:NY inside.

You can see a preview of the article and a small version of the cover here (this link will only work for about a week).

Spike TV has begun airing CSI:NY’s first season late on Sunday nights (11 pm ET/PT). Check your local cable listings for details, or visit Spike TV’s website.

• Reviews of the season premiere of CSI:NY — at Blogcritics (hee: “I’m impressed with one thing. Gary Sinise can kiss!” and TV Squad.
• There really aren’t any yet, but reviews for Open Season will start appearing here (Rotten Tomatoes) and here (Metacritic) over the next few days.
• Gary will be in Washington, DC this week for the USO’s annual fundraising gala.
• Next new episode of CSI:NY — tomorrow night, entitled “Not What it Looks Like.” There’s a preview at the CBS web site.

• Hey! It’s finally here! The season premiere of CSI:New York can be seen tonight on CBS, 10 pm EDT/PDT. We’ve heard whispers that it’s not to be missed!
• Mission to Mars is discussed in a New York Times article on Brian De Palma (free reg. required).
• There’s a new Lt. Dan Band performance scheduled — on November 4 at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California. Tickets go on sale Saturday.
• Reminder: the animated feature Open Season premieres next Friday, September 29, in both conventional theaters and IMAX 3-D. Gary is among the cast of voice talent which includes Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Messing, and Billy Connolly.

It’s been a quiet time as we wait for the new fall TV season to steamroll over our heads.

A couple of quick items:

– Mac Taylor is mentioned among other TV portrayals of 9/11 in this article

– Truman is mentioned among other historically based DVDs here.

Let us know if you have any hot news items! (Please!)

Potential spoilers follow! Look away now or forever hold your peace!

Are you sure?

Okay…

Several sources are reporting that 34-year-old actress Claire Forlani is joining the cast of CSI: New York for at least four episodes as a love interest for none other than Mac Taylor. She is listed in the IMDB as “Dr. Peyton Driscoll.”

Let’s hope this bodes well for a greater emphasis on character-driven stories this season.