William Peterson is saying goodbye to “CSI”. The long time front man for the series will be staying on as an executive producer, and plans to make a few guest appearances on the show after his official departure, but his current contract only has him guaranteed to be appearing until the 10th episode of the upcoming season.

During his final episodes Jorja Fox will be returning to the show as well for a multi-part story involving the two that may give us some clue as to where his character is going.

This looks like its going to be a transitional season for the series. Peterson makes the 3rd original cast member to leave the long running series, but this season new characters will be introduced taking the show in a new direction.

Can CSI survive ala “ER” and “Law and Order”? I think so…but we’ll have to wait and see.

Estelle Getty, best known for her hilarious performance as “Sophia” on the television classic “The Golden Girls”.

Estelle’s Sophia was 80 years old during the entire run of Golden Girls, allowing Estelle to play a woman 20 years older than her at the time the series aired. Many of the other cast members of “Golden Girls” have issued statements about Estelle’s passing.

Estelle will live on forever through the series, which still airs all over the world.

It’s happening all over again.

Joss Whedon fans may remember a little show called “Firefly”. After the pilot of that show was finished, Fox Executives didn’t think it had enough punch…or didn’t understand it…or SOMETHING…and they ordered that a new pilot be produced.

It was.

“Firefly” then went on to be one of the most mishandled shows in the history of television, and quickly found itself on the chopping block.

Cut to 2008, and Joss Whedon is working on a show for Fox again. This one is called “Dollhouse” and after Fox executives saw the pilot they either didn’t think it had enough punch…didn’t understand it…(you get the idea)…

Bottom line is, Dollhouse is getting a new pilot. Dollhouse is going to be a mid-season replacement show…and base soley on the history of Fox and how they handle shows like this…it’s going to be a miracle if Dollhouse makes it past the first season.

TV Guide reports that Shannon Doherty has been confirmed for a return to the zip code that made her a household name…90210.

Her character will return to the series as the “guest director” of the high school musical. It will be more than just a guest appearance. Her storyline will actually appear over several episodes. Other 90210 alums returning will be featured in multiple episode arcs as well…but it honestly looks like the show may be playing all their cards in the first season of this show.

Still, all these old cast members returning to the new 90210 is sure to drum up interest in the new series. At least…I think it is.

Something tells me that NBC’s decision to ensure Conan the “Tonight Show” in 2009 was a mistake. Jay Leno seems to be at the top of his game…and his ratings are still killer.

NBC has stated more than once that they would like to keep Jay Leno with the network in some capacity after they kicked him out of Johnny’s chair (that’s right - it’s STILL Johnny’s chair).

Leno has now officially gone on record as saying that he IS NOT staying with NBC…but he isn’t retiring either.

Chances are either ABC or FOX is going to get him, and he’s going to kick Conan’s ass in 2009.

Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

We’ve heard quite about the upcoming “Office” spin-off from producers Greg Daniels and Mike “Mose” Schur. First it was going to share characters, then it wasn’t going to share characters…NOW - it’s not even happening.

Instead of an “Office” spin-off the producers are creating a new, unrelated show, which will star Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari. That will put Poehler on Thursday nights along side her former co-anchor Tina Fey.

There is no title or premise information just yet…and for all we know they don’t even have them yet.

I’m very disappointed my John Hodgeman/Ed Helms led “Office” spin-off isn’t happening. Sure, I just made it up - but STILL - someone could have read it and ran with it…I wouldn’t have minded.

Details of the episode of the upcoming season of “The Simpsons” that comedian/actor Seth Rogan will be writing made their way online courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter.

In the episode, Comic Book Guy creates a super hoer that is then turned into a feature film. Homer ends up playing the hero and Seth plays his personal trainer. While preparing for the film Homer gets into great shape, but after the movie is over, he is unable to afford the personal trainer and his life becomes a living hell.

Sounds like an episode of “The Simpsons” to me! Look for it as part of the new fall season.

The “Prison Break” spin-off entitled “Prison Break: Cherry Hill” is still going forward, but there is one small change according to TV Guide.

Originally, main protagonist of the series was going to guest star on “Prison Break” in a short storyarc with Michael. Since the Writer’s Strike butchered last season, those plans have been scrapped. Now the series will being cold, much like a brand extension show liked “CSI: Miami” or “Law & Order: London”.

The show is expected for mid season next year on Fox.

Courtney Cox is returning to sitcoms for the first time since “Friends” ended its historic run. Cox has been recently seen on FX on the series “Dirt”. She will guest star on 3 episodes of “Scrubs” this season where she will play the Chief of Medicine, a position left empty after Dr. Kelso retired last season.

Its safe to say that since she’s only signed for a 3 episode run that her stint as Chief will be brief, but “Scrubs” could use a bit of stunt casting for their move to ABC, and hopefully this will be a good move for them.

At this time it is not known when during the season she will appear.

On Sunday July 13th VH1 continues the saga of the Hogan family with “Brooke Knows Best”. This new series follows Brooke Hogan as she moves out on her own after her family fell apart last year. Hulk Hogan is all over the first act (which you can watch above) and continues to do the worst job I’ve ever seen of pretending to be an overly concerned dad. KEEP READING - I’m not saying he’s faking being a dad with her - I’m saying that he seems very much like he’s acting when he’s saying all these ridiculous things about the hot tub, and people descending from the roof via helicopter to get pictures of Brooke naked.

I can’t say this is something I’m going to be watching, but if you’re into, by all means - have a good time.