Originally, CBS had ordered a virtual clone of CSI: Las Vegas and were hoping for a look-alike show with just a change of venue. Executive producer, Ann Donahoe, persuaded the executive suits to back off and to accept a slight twist in concept. Her strategy paid off in spades. CSI: Miami has an attitude that's unique, hard-hitting, and intelligent with a raw, gritty feel that the other CSI franchise series seem to lack.

CSI: Miami benefits from great casting, too. Veteran tv star David Caruso plays the CSI: Miami team leader, Horatio Caine. Caine rides shotgun over a bevy of beauties including the willowy blonde and beautiful Emily Proctor as Calleigh Duesqune, and the oh-so-sultry Khandi Alexander as Alexx Woods. Of course, there are also some heart-stopping hunks on the Crime Scene Investigation team. Adam Rodriquez plays hot Latino, Eric Delko, while Jonathan Togo is cast as Ryan Wolfe, a cool scientist with an intriguingly tough side.

Actor Caruso won fame in the ‘90s as Detective John Kelly in the popular crime drama, N.Y.P.D. Blue. Caruso also gained notoriety for leaving that show after one season following a much-publicized demand for a 500% increase in his per-episode pay.

While working on N.Y.P.D. Blue, Caruso gambled that his success on the small screen would translate to a blockbuster film career. It was a gamble he most certainly lost. After a less-than-stellar film career, Caruso moved back to television and has been perfectly cast as Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami.

TV seems to be the perfect medium for Caruso. Even before appearing on N.Y.P.D. Blue, Caruso had created a stir with a string of appearances a decade earlier as a gang member on Steven Bocho's trendsetting Hill Street Blues and later in four appearances on Crime Story, created by Michael Mann.