Written Interview: Anthony Zuiker

If we were to consider which TV writer-producer has had the most influence on the medium in the last decade, we would have to include Anthony Zuiker on that list. The three “CSI” series, all of which Zuiker co-created, have combined to make up 30 years of TV programming. In this interview with CSI Files, Zuiker talks about his recent shift from CBS to ABC, the success of the franchise, his novels and upcoming memoir “Mr. CSI.”

CSI Files: 2011 has in many ways been a year of change for you. How are you approaching this next chapter of your career?

Anthony E. Zuiker: Well, we’ve had a dream run at CBS with all the success of CSI, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY. For the first TV script I wrote to be CSI and turn into this kind of franchise is just an unbelievable blessing. And, after twelve seasons and arguably doing thirty years of television — season twelve, season ten, and season eight — I’m looking at the future for ABC to bring them the next hit and try my creative luck somewhere else. CBS is just so successful with hits it was just time for me to try something else in the second half of my career and ABC seemed to be the most passionate to allow me to do that.

CSI Files: Now, your production company [Dare to Pass] shifted from CBS to ABC. What does this mean for the CSI franchise over at CBS?

Zuiker: Nothing really changes over at CBS. Everybody over there that run the shows are incredibly talented and I think Ted Danson [DB Russell] is an amazing choice. I think he’s going to do a wonderful job over there. So, I’m still involved loosely in the day to day but nothing really changes. The focus is to keep doing great television.

For more of the interview, go here.