CBS Boss Talks Vampires, Swingers, and CSI Sans Petersen

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:30:58 PDT

Nina Tassler was the third network executive of the week to take the stage at the TCA press tour today, and she shed some light on the departure of Moonlight, the future of Swingtown, and what CSI will look like sans William Petersen. Some highlights:

To help fill the hole on CSI left by Petersen's departure later this season, Tassler said the producers plan to introduce a new character with "an interesting genetic profile" that is comparable to that found in many serial killers. His character is on something of a journey of self-discovery, she said. But he's not going to be a direct replacement for Petersen's character: "He is an outsider coming into the CSI unit," Tassler said, and he is not (at least immediately) the boss. They're still searching for an actor to play the role.
As for Moonlight, Tassler reminded reporters that she's not anti-vampire. "Everybody knows I love vampires," she said. "Vampires, witches, werewolves, warlocks - I love them all." But she said that while there was a lot of outcry over the show's cancellation, most of it was passion for star Alex O'Loughlin rather than the show as a whole. She said she'd love to find a place for O'Loughlin on another show in the future.
Tassler said CBS supports and believes in Swingtown, but she's "a little disappointed in the ratings." As of now, there's no decision made about whether to renew the show or not - though CBS is at least confident enough to have the cast attend tonight's all-star party.

To see what Tassler had to say about Britney Spears and Sarah Chalke on How I Met Your Mother, just

Ashton Kutcher's Two and a Half Men Character Will Be an Internet Billionaire

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:57:38 PDT

It's CBS's turn at the TCA stage, and before we got to hear about any new series, network president Nina Tassler addressed the returning series that people are perhaps the most curious about: Two and a Half Men. Tassler gave reporters the first real details about the character Ashton Kutcher will play to replace Charlie Sheen. Kutcher's character is named Walden Schmidt, and he's an "Internet billionaire with a broken heart," whom Tassler called a unique character. He'll have a two-part introduction over two episodes.

As for Sheen's exiting character, Tassler wouldn't confirm or deny whether he would start the season dead or alive, as has been rumored, nor would she comment on the actor's now-notorious behavior. She did, however, seem to highlight a difference between Sheen and Kutcher, saying that Kutcher is an "incredible professional," praising him as a "talented, funny, gifted actor." Tassler also noted that CBS had learned that there's "great value in hiring an actor like Ashton Kutcher," who is "committed to doing their job."