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As the shows are shown in 200 countries with an audience of 2 billion people,[http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2087137.ece CSI: The cop show that conquered the world] '' The Independent '', April 22 , 2007 various Spin-off s have been developed to cater for the market, including novels, comic books and computer games.

The franchise has had a large cultural impact. It has spawned what has been called the '', March 29 , 2007 In some ways the franchise may also fill a cultural need:

"We started in 2000 and it was a success, but our ratings really shot up after the September 11 attacks," Zuiker says in a documentary about the CSI phenomenon to be aired at Christmas. "People were rushing to us for their comfort food. There was a sense of justice in CSI – it helped to know that there were people like our characters out there helping to solve crimes. And, of course, 9/11 was the world's largest crime scene."



SERIES


There are now three series, the second and third launched with a crossover/pilot episode.





DOCUMENTARIES

Because of the popularity of the CSI franchise in the United Kingdom Channel Five created two Documentaries about CSI.

The first one called '' The Real CSI '' follows real Crime Scene Investigators as they work on Crime Scenes.

The second documentry entitled '' True CSI '' features true tales of how forensic science has helped solve some the world's best known crimes. ''True CSI'' had actors re-enacting the crime as well as interviews with people involved in the solving of the crimes themselves. Cases featured included the Sam Sheppard case.

In early 2007 , British channel ITV broadcast a special of its flagship documentary ''Tonight With Trevor Macdonald'' discussing the ramifications of the " CSI Effect ", highlighting the effect not only of the franchise but of several other British and American TV police procedurals.


CROSSOVERS


Crossover s are possible between CSI series, as well as with other programs within the same creative stable.


Between series


The baton is passed to the new CSI series via a crossover/ Pilot and cases have overlapped and personnel have been shared. Such episodes include:

  • " Cross Jurisdictions ", an episode of ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' and the pilot of ''CSI: Miami''.

  • " MIA/NYC NonStop ", an episode of ''CSI: Miami'' and the pilot of ''CSI: NY''.

  • A two-part story started in ''CSI: Miami'' ("", aired November 9 , 2005 ).



Other shows


There are a family of Police Procedural programs on CBS (some produced by Jerry Bruckheimer ) which could be crossed over with ''CSI'' or set in the same fictional universe. Currently the crossovers include:



SOUNDTRACK


The title music are all provided by The Who :



SPIN-OFFS



Comics


See Also: CSI (comic book)



There have been a number of Comic Book s based on all three series, published by IDW Publishing . Writers include Max Allan Collins .


Computer games


See Also: CSI (video games)



The CSI Franchise has spawned a number of computer games, with four currently available and another due for release in 2007.


Exhibition

See Also: CSI: The Experience



Chicago’s Museum Of Science & Industry opened an exhibit in ''CSI'''s honor on May 25 , 2007 called: "CSI: The Experience".1


Novels

See Also: CSI (novels)



Various ).


Toys


A range of toys have been developed. These include:

  • "CSI: Forensics Lab"

  • "CSI: DNA Laboratory"

  • "CSI: Forensic Facial"


However, they have been the source of some controversy. The Parents Television Council , who have complained about ''CSI'' in general, have released a statement specifically aimed at the toys:2

In an e-mail to supporters on Tuesday, PTC said this kind of content is entirely inappropriate for children to be exposed to "because the CSI franchise often displays graphic images, including close-ups of corpses with gunshot wounds and other bloody injuries."


...


"The PTC doesn't think the recreation of blood, guts and gore should be under a child's Christmas tree this year," PTC concluded. "This so-called 'toy' is a blatant attempt to market CSI and its adult-oriented content directly to children."


Urging its members to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission , PTC said CBS parent company Viacom needs to hear from parents who are concerned about the "graphic scenes of blood, violence, and sex" in their product. They are also asking their supporters to contact Target and Toys 'R' Us .



IN POPULAR CULTURE


References to CSI have appeared elsewhere including:

  • "."3


  • In NCIS , another CBS Police Procedural , there are two references to CSI:

  • In the pilot episode or to crime scene investigators in general. Actor Gerald McCullouch, who plays ballistics expert Bobby Dawson on ''CSI'', also appears in the episode as an FBI agent.


  • In the episode One Shot, One Kill , DiNozzo and Caitlin Todd are collecting evidence in a toy shop (a sniper's bullet had punched through the wall from the neighbouring USMC recruitment office); the shop clerk observes that "That's not how they do it on CSI", much to Tony's annoyance. This is patently a reference to the ''CSI'' TV show, dispelling theories that the two shows might exist in the same fictional universe.


  • In the pilot episode of the UK sci-fi show Torchwood (a spin-off from Doctor Who), Everything Changes, PC Gwen Cooper and her partner Andy discuss whether the mysterious Torchwood team are DNA experts with Andy saying how he would like to see a CSI: Cardiff, where the investigators would measure the velocity of a flying kebab.


  • A segment on Sesame Street goes by the name of RSI: Rhyme Scene Investigation.



FURTHER READING


As well as fictional books based on the franchise there have also been a number of guides published:

  • ''"CSI" Companion'' (by Mike Flaherty and Corinne Marrinan, 302 pages, Pocket Books , September 2004, ISBN 0743467418)

  • ''Ultimate "CSI": Crime Scene Investigation'' (by Corinne Marrinan and Steve Parker, 144 pages, Dorling Kindersley , October 2006, ISBN 1405316721)

  • ''Investigating "CSI"'' (by Donn Cortez , 240 pages, Smart Pop series, BenBella Books , December 2006, ISBN 1932100938)



LITERARY & OTHER PRECEDENTS


See the Brother Cadfael novels and short stories written by the late Edith Pargeter under the name "Ellis Peters" and their television adaptations starring Sir Derek Jacobi and the Kay Scarpetta novels written by Patricia Cornwell .

See also the Canadian TV series Wojeck , the American TV series Quincy, ME starring Jack Klugman , and the Canadian TV series Da Vinci's Inquest .


CRITICISM


Series has often been accused of spreading pseudo scientific information. {Link without Title}


REFERENCES