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CSI Godfather Anthony Zuiker Heading to ABC

Photo: Ethan Miller/2009 Getty Images
LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 12:  Creator and executive producer of the CSI television shows Anthony E. Zuiker arrives at the grand opening of the CSI: The Experience attraction at MGM Grand Hotel/Casino September 12, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for EMS Exhibits) *** Local Caption *** Anthony E. Zuiker
Anthony Zuiker of CSI Photo: Ethan Miller/2009 Getty Images

Back in late 1999, executives at ABC had first dibs on a procedural drama produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and written by a completely unknown young screenwriter from Las Vegas named Anthony Zuiker. They passed on the concept, but the suits at CBS said yes; they were rewarded with what would become the multibillion dollar franchise known as CSI. Now, a dozen years later, the story has come full circle: Vulture hears that Zuiker — who was so pissed at ABC’s rejection that he named his production company Dare to Pass — has left his long-time home at CBS Studios in order to sign first-look development deal with the very same company that turned down CSI. He’ll create and write projects at ABC Studios in conjunction with Brillstein Entertainment Partners, which is also based at the Alphabet arm. Zuiker, who hasn’t been a day-to-day showrunner on any of the CSI shows for a few years now, will still retain his executive producer credit on the three series; he’s also attached as an EP on two other CBS Studios scripts in the works at TNT and Nickelodeon. No word on who gets custody of David Caruso’s sunglasses, however.

CSI Godfather Anthony Zuiker Heading to ABC