Laurence Fishburne In "CSI" Triple Play

(CBS)  This week, the "CSI" franchise is having a first-time cross-over event involving all three hit CBS shows and actor Laurence Fishburne is in the middle of all of it.

It all started Monday night when Fishburne's Dr. Ray Langston joined an investigation in Miami and it will continue this week in New York (Wednesday) and Las Vegas (Thursday).

Fishburne, the only character moving between the three episodes, joined Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Tuesday to share his "CSI" experience.

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The award-winning actor joined the "CSI" cast a year ago, but now feels like he's really coming into the role.

"I feel a lot more comfortable," Fishburne said. "It's been a year since I started working on 'CSI.' And a one-hour drama, it seems that it takes about two years to really flush a character out. But this triple cross-over might accelerate that process a little bit for me."

Although it was a hefty undertaking to be thrust into a triple cross-over, Fishburne was up for the challenge.

"I was excited. They came and said 'What do you think?' and I was like, 'Yeah, that sounds like fun.' And it sounded like something that would be natural," he said. "'CSI' is 10 seasons. 'CSI: Miami' is eight. 'CSI: NY' is, I think, seven. So it seems like it's definitely time."

The scenes are authentic because they are shot on location in the actual cities the show represents, Smith pointed out.

"We had four days in New York, we shot out at Citi Field; we shot at Battery Park; we shot by the heliport there," Fishburne said. "That was the week that the United Nations delegates were here and President Obama was here. You couldn't go anywhere in the city. But it was beautiful, it was really wonderful."

According to Fishburne, there is no way of replicating New York City on a back lot.

The triple cross-over also gave Fishburne the opportunity to reunite with actor David Caruso. Twenty years ago, the two filmed a scene together in the movie, "King of New York."

"It was fantastic. David and I have stayed in contact, remained friends, love each other very much," Fishburne said. "So the opportunity to work together in this context is great, I think. And hopefully if people respond to it, we can do some more."

Fishburne and Gary Sinise also crossed paths in the past.

"We've known each other for as long as Caruso and I, but we were supposed to make a film seven years ago just before he got the job on 'CSI: NY,'" Fishburne explained. "But unfortunately, the financing fell out -- as it often does in movies, but I've admired him and respected him for years and it was great to work with him as well."

Fishburne has had a long film and TV career, marked by two Emmys and an Academy Award nomination for his role as singer Ike Turner in 1994's "What's Love Got To Do With It."

But for now, his work revolves around the "CSI" family and the fans.

"I think it's good for the shows," he said of the cross-over. "I think it's great for the fans and we all had a good time."

The "CSI" triple cross-over event continues Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10, 9 Central and Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9, 8 Central, on CBS.

[O-Dog2009]

He was good on Jimmy Fallon last night w/ Elmo. Did you know he was on a previous CBS show about 25 yrs. ago(Pee-Wee's Playhouse as Cowboy Curtis)!!!!!