Elisabeth Shue to join 'CSI'; replace Helgenberger

Here's a nice surprise for a veteran show currently in need of one:  Elisabeth Shue is joining "CSI" as a character who will ultimately replace Marg Helgenberger's Catherine Willows. 

The show did not technically announce when Helgenberger -- a regular from Day One 12 years ago -- will leave, but Shue's character arrives Feb. 15. Helgenberger was fully expected she'd go this season, but I always assumed the departure would be during May sweeps. Some reporst - TVline.com for example - say she'll exit now in January. 

Here's the release. But what's so intriguing about all this is that she has a "past" with Ted Danson's D.B. Russell; should add some spice to what has otherwise been a dull but respectable run for Danson on the show. A lot of fuss was made when Laurence Fishburne replaced Bill Petersen, and ratings declined, but they've continued to fall - show's now tracking around 11 or so million viewers per week. Of course the Wednesday move could be to blame for that too. .