The fame and glory of David Caruso

Caruso’s antics force Eye network to attempt unprecedented television trade

HOLLYWOOD ‘ Despite its ratings success with ‘CSI: Miami,’ CBS has proposed a blockbuster TV trade deal that would send David Caruso to NBC for Neal McDonough and three future minor actors from the drama ‘Medical Investigation.’ With only four months left in the season, the announcement came as a surprise. But CBS says Caruso has been causing problems on the set of ‘CSI: Miami,’ and it feels McDonough would be a better team player for CBS. The unprecedented move by CBS has led other networks to follow suit. ABC is now attempting to trade the entire cast of ‘According to Jim’ for actress Shelly Morrison who plays ‘Rosario,’ the feisty El Salvadoran housekeeper on ‘Will & Grace.’

The trade took a step forward Monday when the Screen Actors Guild approved a key change to Caruso’s contract that is required to complete the deal. The trade is likely to be finalized between Wednesday afternoon and Friday. Caruso’s contract currently contains a provision that calls for CBS’ $3 million option for 2006 to become guaranteed if he is traded and for a $4 million show option for 2007 to be added, one that would carry a $4.5 million buyout. As part of the trade, Caruso will sign an addendum to his contract voiding that provision.

There have been rumors on the internet that Caruso could turn the trade deal into a disaster by resigning as soon as he gets to NBC. None of those rumors have been substantiated.

‘David is a wonderful actor, and everyone’s aware of that,’ says Brian Foreman, Caruso’s former agent. ‘Television is an interesting medium. I think David feels that the small screen may just be too small for his acting desires. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and I haven’t talked to him. However, I think it would be wise for David to leave TV behind and head for greener pastures on the big screen. As his former agent, that’s the best advice I could give to him right now.’

In ‘CSI: Miami,’ Caruso plays crime scene investigator Horatio Cane. Each week Cane trusts his gut instincts as much as science, while investigating evil crimes. McDonough would take over his role on the CBS show while Caruso would play Dr. Stephen Connor on ‘Medical Investigation.’

‘It’s a much better trade deal for Caruso,’ says Paul Deroy of L.A.’s Daily News. ‘Since ‘Medical Investigation’ debuted last September, it has acquired new executive producers, shifted to a greater focus on humanity rather than science, and allowed its leading man to become less gruff and more team oriented. ‘Medical Investigation’ is on its way up.’

Deroy adds that American viewers are becoming worn-out by dead body shows like ‘CSI.’

‘The reason ‘Medical Investigation’ is such a great show is because it’s about the National Institute of Health. That’s a very sexy organization right now,’ says Deroy. ‘NBC is aware of that, and that’s why they’ve ordered three pilots. One is called ‘WHO’ (World Health Organization) and the others are ‘Surgeon General,’ and ‘The Pharmacy,’ a drama about two pharmacists who work long hours trying to save customers money by giving them the generic brands.

ABC is also working hard to make its television trade a reality as the entire cast of ‘According to Jim’ has been told about the trade deal with Shelly Morrison, the housekeeper on ‘Will & Grace.’

‘We think Shelly is so great as Rosario,’ says ABC spokesman Gerry Bell. ‘We think just having her on screen for a half an hour will be a big lift for ‘According to Jim’ which would be renamed ‘According to Shelly.’ I hope she still does that funny accent and all.’

There’s a clause in Jim Belushi’s contract that would allow NBC to ‘bench’ him for the rest of the season and rely on the actors from ‘According to Jim’ to be recurring actors on ‘Will & Grace.’ Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith would be used as WAITRESS #1 in an upcoming episode while actor Larry Joe Campbell would be hired as a paid-audience member.

http://datelinehollywood.com/archives/2005/02/07/cbs-tries-to-trade-caruso-from-csi-miami-to-nbc-for-medical-investigation-star/