If you're a fan of Battlestar Galactica and CSI:, prepare to be disappointed.  Really, super-duper disappointed.  TV Guide's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Katee Sackhoff (who plays Starbuck on Battlestar Galactica, but you already knew that) was tantalizingly close to joining the cast of CSI as Jorja Fox's kinda, sorta replacement.  The new character, named Bryce Adams, was set to be a series regular.  Executive producers and show runners were all jacked up and ready to welcome Sackhoff to the CSI family.  They basically thought it was a done deal, according to Ausiello.  However, at the last minute, executives from CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer's production company got cold feet.  They didn't feel Katee was right for the role, apparently, and now the search for Bryce Adams has been re-opened.

Confession time:  I watch neither CSI or Battlestar Galactica.  Sorry, sorry, I know.  However, from what I've seen of Sackhoff, I've liked.  She was the only good part of the Bionic Woman pilot last Fall, and she definitely brings a unique kid of vibe, one you don't usually get from a leading lady.  Maybe that doesn't fit the role that has been written, and CSI's producers were blinded by their fandom for Sackhoff on Battlestar.  However, I doubt this is the case.  More likely, she was not a big enough name, or as typically “hot” as other Hollywood actresses.  Chalk this up for a big “What could have been?”

In other Battlestar Galactica cast news, Tricia Helfer will join the cast of Burn Notice for an undetermined number of episodes when it returns to USA Network this July.  Helfer recently signed a talent deal with FOX, and this is her first stop on that contract (Burn Notice is produced by FOX).  She will play Michael's handler. It'd be cool to see Helfer blow up a little bit.  As I said, I don't watch Battlestar, but I did see the initial TV-movie and, well, Helfer impressed me.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of AP)