As CSI Files previously reported, the band members were thrilled to take center stage on CSI. “We get to step out, do something different,” lead singer Gary LeVox told Entertainment Tonight. “We’ve all had the drive to try to maybe do some acting… It’s kind of a win-win for everybody.”

It was a win for the CSI stars as well. “I always like working with musicians, especially country musicians,” Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) said. “I think these guys have been a joy to work with. They’ve been just cool and fun and funny … so it’s a mutual admiration society going on here.”

The band members were fans long before they got invited to guest star on CSI. “It was a ground breaking show for television, I think, and I’ve been watching it since the very first season,” explained bassist Jay DeMarcus. “So, to have followed all those characters for so long and end up being on the screen with them is a really, really big honor.”

Don’t forget that you can watch the full video of “Unshockable” right here on CSI Files!

When the band was contacted about doing a guest appearance, they met with the CSI producers. “We went down there, sat down, kind of got an outline of the story and just talked about what we wanted to do, what their ideas were,” lead vocalist Gary LeVox told CMT News. “We were thrilled to death that they called.”

“It was really cool because we get to play our parts, but the drama stuff was really interesting,” explained guitarist Joe Don Rooney. “We’ve never done this stuff before, so it’s been fun to play ourselves but play different emotions within ourselves towards each other—and aggressive ones, at times.”

CSI actors Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) and George Eads (Nick Stokes) enjoyed having the band on set. “These guys are so amazing,” Helgenberger said. “They’re so down to earth and sweet, fun, cute and funny. They’re real naturals.”

“They’re really good sports,” Eads added. “I think they were fans of the show before they came on. They were very familiar with it, as I’m familiar with their music. I know they have a big fan base, and I think it will maybe bring a bigger audience to the show. That’s kind of the idea.”

Bassist Jay DeMarcus said the band might enjoy doing more acting. “Our main focus is getting out on the road and making records,” he said, “but as we have time and time goes on and we have more opportunities that come up, we’ll probably do a little bit more of it. I certainly enjoyed my experiences. I think we all did.” LeVox added, “Thank goodness we don’t have to rely on making a living off at that. We’re better musicians than we are actors—I think.”

The band will perform in the episode, but things take a turn for the worse when one of the members gets electrocuted. “There’s an accident on stage,” actor George Eads (Nick Stokes) explained. “We have to kind of interview and interrogate the players, kind of find out who’s involved, who might have had a vendetta for another one of the band members. So we kind of wind our way through the band, and we get to the bottom of it.”

“We’re very excited to have Rascal Flatts here,” Eads continued. “They’re huge right now, they’ve got a huge fanbase. That’s one of the fringe benefits about being on this show so long is I’ve gotten to work with a lot of really cool people.” Leading lady Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) added, “It’s been a wonderful episode to work on.”

You can watch the video in its entirety below:

According to executive producer Carol Mendelsohn, an upcoming episode of CSI titled “The Panty Sniffer” will find the team helping the LVPD in a stakeout to take down some major Ecstacy pushers. The episode will also feature some personal time between leading lady Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) and another character familiar to CSI fans. “Catherine will spend a good part of the episode in a hotel room with Detective Vartann (Alex Carter),” Mendelsohn told TVGuide.com. “We’ve already established a little flirtation between them in a prior episode, and although it’s not very CSI, yes, there is a kiss.”

Over on New York, romance is an everyday occurrence for Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap), who got married last season and welcomed a daughter, Lucy, into the world. Lindsay has been absent for several episodes so far this season, but executive producer Pam Veasey assures fans she’s not going anywhere. “She’s a mom. We don’t want to ignore the fact that sometimes mothers take time off,” Veasey explained. “You’ll definitely see her being a mother and trying to juggle the life of being a crime-fighter, forensic scientist and a parent.”

The CSI Producer discusses the big crossover, what’s coming up in the remaining sweeps episodes of CSI and the return of a memorable nemesis. Lights spoilers inside!

November sweeps has already seen the historic first three CSI show crossover, but there’s more excitement to come, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Producer Allen MacDonald promises. In addition to teasing the episode he’s at work on now–which brings back a familiar face–MacDonald discusses the return of Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), the departure of Lauren Lee Smith and Nick Stokes’ (George Eads) promotion.

CSI Files: The three-show crossover scored big in the ratings last week. How did the plans for the trilogy originate?

Allen MacDonald: It all started with [Executive Producer] Carol Mendelsohn.  It’s something she’s been wanting to do for some time now.

CSI Files: Was the crossover tricky to pull off?

MacDonald: It was just a matter of scheduling on the part of all three shows.

CSI Files: How was Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne) chosen to be the character to tie it all together?

MacDonald: Laurence and David Caruso (Horatio Caine) have worked together in features and very much wanted to work together again.  After that, it just snowballed. It was quite a kick to watch Langston interact on-screen with Horatio Caine and Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise).

CSI Files: What else can we expect from sweeps?

MacDonald: A Dustin Lee Abraham episode involving the world of professional bowling and a decapitated human head bowling ball. Intrigued?  Believe me, by the time teaser is over, you’ll be hooked.  It’s gross – but in a fun way.

CSI Files: Bringing in a new leading man after eight and a half seasons is obviously a big challenge. What do you feel was the most difficult thing about the transition from Gil Grissom (William Petersen) to Langston?

MacDonald: Just simultaneously having to do two very important things at the same time: giving Grissom the emotionally satisfying send-off he deserves while simultaneously setting up Langston, and making him a unique, compelling character in his own right, instead of trying to simply recreate Grissom.

CSI Files: Langston’s father seems to loom large in his mind. Are there plans to see him at some point?

MacDonald: Not that I know of — the character is dead and there are no plans to depict him in flashbacks.

CSI Files: Sara Sidle sure is spending a lot of time away from her new husband! Are we meant to read anything into that?

MacDonald: I think it’s always been clear Grissom and Sara would have a non-traditional approach to marriage.

CSI Files: What was behind the decision to have Sara and Grissom marry?

MacDonald: We felt it was a natural conclusion to where we left them both at the end of “One to Go” in the rainforest of Costa Rica.

CSI Files: What was behind the decision to promote Nick Stokes?

MacDonald: To recognize his huge contribution to the team and his growth as an emerging leader.  Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) needed somebody to back her up and Nick seemed like the natural choice.

CSI Files: Nick and Langston seem to be developing a friendship. Will we see more of this?

MacDonald: Absolutely.  They’re getting to know and trust each other.

CSI Files: Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) is expressing a little job dissatisfaction this season with regards to the assignments he’s getting. What’s behind Greg’s disgruntled attitude?

MacDonald: It’s like he said to Sara in the premiere, he still feels he’s being treated like the geeky DNA lab tech when, in fact, he’s matured into a seasoned CSI capable of handling anything thrown his way.

CSI Files: We’ve seen a bit more of Catherine in the leadership role this season. Will this continue?

MacDonald: Yes.

CSI Files: Is there any official word on the reason why Lauren Lee Smith (Riley Adams) didn’t return for the tenth season?

MacDonald: From what I understand, it was felt Riley never quite gelled with the rest of the team because she was introduced at a pivotal point in CSI’s history – two episodes after Warrick’s (Gary Dourdan) death and seven episodes before Grissom’s departure.  As a result, the character got a bit lost in the shuffle, which is not a reflection on Lauren, who is a spectacular actress and was much-loved on the set.

CSI Files: Are there any plans for another Lab Rats episode this season?

MacDonald: Yes.  It’s going to be written by Liz Vassey (Wendy Simms) and Wallace Langham (David Hodges), who are working on it with [Executive Producer] Naren Shankar right now.

CSI Files: Are you at work on a new episode now? Can you hint at what it might be about?

MacDonald: I am.  And the only hint I can provide is that it would be the completion of a CSI storyline trilogy involving Sara Sidle and a very, very smart young girl.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’s leading man, Laurence Fishburne (Dr Ray Langston), will appear in CSI: Miami and CSI: New York as well as his own series during the week of November 9. “He’s actually going to be following a case to Miami and up to New York and then ending back in Vegas,” explained New York star Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor).

“Basically, these young women are killed, and their body parts are kind of strewn across the country,” Fishburne said. “So that’s what keeps my character on the move.” His costar Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) added, “It grabs a person’s attention and becomes a really dark story.”

“I’m grateful for the experience of going to those other shows because I feel like there was something there for me to learn,” Fishburne shared. “I’m really excited about it just because I’ve known Gary Sinise and David Caruso (Horatio Caine) for a long time. It’s an opportunity to kind of work with some people I admire and respect.”

Even though the franchise will deal with a single storyline running through all three series, each CSI will maintain its individuality. “It’s very interesting because every show winds up having a unique and distinct character,” Fishburne said. Sinise’s costar Melina Kanakaredes (Stella Bonasera) added, “They’re so different. I’m sure it’s crazy for our writers, but it’s fun for us.”

“Interacting with all three shows is something that’s never been done,” Sinise said. “It’ll be a pretty interesting crossover week for CSI.”

Check out the full video below:

(Fans outside the US can watch the video here, courtesy of ricker23a.)