CBS exec defends firing of two ‘CSI’ stars

The firing of two “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” stars in a salary dispute was fair and intended to help the TV industry draw a fiscal line, CBS chief Leslie Moonves said.

Actors Jorja Fox and George Eads, who play investigators Sara Sidle and Nick Stokes on the hit CBS crime drama, were dumped last week when they failed to report for work on the upcoming season.

The actors reportedly wanted a raise in their $100,000-per-episode pay. Discussions had been under way with their lawyers, and there were certain “veiled threats about their not showing up,” Moonves said.

“There comes a point where we feel a contract is a contract… . We all have to look out for the future of the network television business,” he said.

Asked if he was concerned about damage to one of TV’s top-rated series, Moonves said, “Of course.” Later, he said it was possible cast members Eric Szmanda and Paul Guilfoyle might play bigger roles.

Last year, “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Brad Garrett successfully staged a salary walkout.

“We did a negotiation; we brought him (Garrett) back into the fold,” Moonves said. “We’re very happy we did.”