CSI and Law and Order question?

Question

I know these have lost some popularity, but I don't understand why. I really enjoy both of them and I watch them whenever I can. My favorite Law and Order episode is the one where the girl is a YouTube star, but she and her boyfriend get kidnapped during their show. That was such an awesome episode.

Answer 1

those d**n reality shows are taking over and well written dramas are suffering

Answer 2

I'm assuming your question is "Why have these shows lost some of their popularity?"  (NOTE: questions tend to end in question marks and ask things...)

One reason, I think is because of all the cast changes.  People like to see familiar characters on their procedural dramas, and the franchises have changed actors several times.

CSI - Jorja Fox and now Gary Dourdain left, and William Petersen is reducing his schedule.

CSI Miami - Kim Delaney left in the first season, Rory Cochrane and Sofia Milos are now gone, and then Khandi Alexander left.

Law + Order has always had a revolving door cast - Paul Sorvino, Chris Noth, Benjamin Bratt, Dennis Farina, Angie Harmon - and the double loss of Jerry Orbach and then Jesse L. Martin this season still stings.

Law + Order SVU lost Michael Michele and Dean Winters after the first season, but then stayed pretty stable, which may be why its ratings are still high.

Law + Order: Criminal Intent had promise, but Chris Noth's partner changed several times, they got a new captain, and now Chris Noth has left the show (2nd time...)

The question is, do people feel the same way about the new, replacement cast members?  Like Anthony Anderson and Jeremy Sisto on Law + Order?  Will people accept Laurence Fishburne on CSI?  or Jeff Goldblum on Criminal Intent?

I think there are 2 types of fans - the fans of the actors, and the fans of the procedural drama itself.  One group comes and goes, the other group sticks around, which is why the popularity goes up and down.