TV Week Magazine recently profiled CSI executive producer Josh Berman as part of the newspaper's Hot List 2005. In the interview, he talked about his evolution within CSI.

Berman started out on CSI as a lower-level executive story editor, back when CBS never thought the show would not be able to attract an audience. "I was really fortunate, because the budget on the show was so tight they hired two executive producers, the creator, and then the next level on the show was executive story editor," he said. "Because there was not the traditional midlevel producer on the show I was allowed and even encouraged to take on as much responsibility as possible. It was very much trial by fire."

Berman began his career as a comedy writer, but has contributed many times to the writing of CSI. His last script was the season five episode "Iced." "On CSI I most enjoy writing the episodes about the craziest crimes and the oddest criminals," Berman said. "The most memorable episodes are the ones where you remember who the bad guy is. I thought, 'Wouldn't it be fantastic to create a show where every week the nemesis is a larger-than-life character?'"

Which was his inspiration behind the development of his new procedural drama Killer Instinct. It follows the work of San Francisco's Deviant Behavior Division as they attempt to hunt down the city's most aberrant criminals. The series will premiere this fall on Fox and stars Johnny Messner and Kristin Lehman.

But that doesn't mean Berman will abandon CSI, as his contract ties him to the show for two more years. In fact, Berman will have to take his concentration off Killer Instinct for the time being. "My responsibility and my contract is with CSI," he said. "I'm fulfilling my obligation, and the truth is I love working on CSI. It's the greatest job in the world, but I have very mixed emotions not being part of [Killer Instinct]."

Berman has also signed a four-year-deal with Fox that will allow him to develop new series for the network, enough work to keep him too busy for his new series. However, he's confident his original vision will come through. "It's very hard to watch the show go on without me," he said, "but I feel I've laid the best groundwork I can. The template is there, especially for a procedural, so the vision can be carried forward."

Killer Instinct will premiere September 23rd on Fox. Visit TV Week's official website (free subscription required) to read the rest of the article. Thanks to Elysefor this!

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