CSI Miami: Brains, Beauty & Great Dos

Introduction

CSI: MIAMI is a fast-paced drama inspired by the top-rated series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" that follows a South Florida team of forensic investigators who use both cutting-edge scientific methods and old-fashioned police work to solve crimes.  

CSI: Miami, according to the folks at CBS, bolted out of the  Fall 2002 Season gate, attracting 23 million viewers for its debut and landing in the Nielsen Top 5. Since then it's tapered off a bit, but is still the season's No. 1-ranked new show, drawing approximately 20 million viewers per week.

This latest hit for CBS is the work of the spectacularly talented producers, Jerry Bruckheimer, Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue and Anthony Zuiker. 

Not only do I love to tune into this gripping drama to follow the latest crime scene, I am always equipped with pen and paper to record the latest hairstyles from the cast.  They never let me down.  

By far CSI: Miami has a complete case of men and women with great hair.

Heading up the stellar cast is Horatio Caine (David Caruso), a former homicide detective.  Caine heads a group of investigators who work crimes amid the steamy tropical surroundings and cultural crossroads of Miami. His team originally included Megan Donner (Kim Delaney), a strong-minded forensic specialist who often butted heads with Horatio; Calleigh Duquesne (Emily Procter), a bilingual Southern beauty with a specialty in ballistics; Tim Speedle, a cocky but disarming investigator who is well connected on the street; and Eric Delko, an underwater recovery expert who knows all the twists and turns of the Florida waterways.

Rounding out the initial team was Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander), the no-nonsense know-it-all coroner who talks gently to her victims as she tries to unravel the mystery of their deaths. A regular guest is Wanda DeJesus playing the role as the tough District Attorney.  It has been reported the DeJesus will become a show regular.

Together, these investigators and their supporting team members collect and analyze the evidence to solve the crimes and to vindicate those who often cannot speak for themselves, the victims. 

While Miami owes its origins, its science-solving crime structure and its early buzz to its predecessor, it can stand on its own. Caruso, as steely-eyed investigator Horatio Caine, leads a strong ensemble cast that to this point has been underused. With Delaney's exit, expect Procter, Rodriguez, Cochrane and Alexander to be pushed more to the forefront, as indeed they have been the last couple of weeks. This will give their underwritten characters much needed room to develop.

David Caruso (Horatio Caine)

David Caruso has been around the acting block winning critical acclaim and prestigious awards for his past portrayal of Detective John Kelly in TV's "NYPD Blue".  Fabulous as Kelly, he caused controversy when he suddenly left his cop role to pursue the big screen. 

Never mind what happened in the past. Caruso is the perfect man to lead this stellar acting team and I for one am happy to see him back in his current role.  (All photos of David Caruso from CSI: MIAMI, on the CBS Television Network. - Copyright CBS - 2002 - All rights reserved).

Not only is Caine the show-no-fear boss, he rolls up his sleeves and gets actively involved in the investigation of some of the most gruesome cases.   Whether he is dealing with missing bodies from a downed plane in the Florida Everglades or confronting powerful politicians, Horatio Caine's look commands respect and co-operation. 

(Photo to the side taken from "Breathless" -- CSI: MIAMI, which aired on the CBS Television Network. - Copyright CBS - 2002 - All rights reserved).

Famous for his au natural carrot colored crop Caruso provides a wonderful role model as Horatio Caine for men searching for the latest professional hairstyles. His current long layered look perfectly reflects his no-nonsense crime lab role allowing him to wear his hair softly layered around his forehead and crown (shown above) or firmly gelled back off his face. When Caruso's hair is combed back it look neatly sculpted and styled without oiliness or stickiness.

Achieve Caine's softly gelled back look by starting with a cut that is layered slightly from the front to the back.  Style after shampooing by applying a light gel/mouse formula like Mine's Colada Mousse or a styling, sculpting gel formula like Phytofix which works for all hair types and provides soft hold. Another product option is Goldwell's Trendline Mousse. 

Apply the mousse or styling product of choice to your scalp area.  Then comb your hair back from your forehead with your fingers while blow drying on a low speed or while drying with a diffuser to get a soft look. For an alternate look try adding a different part.

Kim Delaney has the reputation of being a very sweet and gracious person.  She also has awards to prove that she is wonderful actress having won accolades for her role as Detective Diane Russell in NYPD Blue.  Kim is known and loved by many (yours truly included) for her role as Jenny on All My Children.

Delaney spent last season starring as a defense attorney in Philly which was eventually cancelled. Kim was said to have received a pilot tape of CSI: Miami from the show's executive producers with a note stating she was the only thing missing from the show. Who wouldn't join a cast with a note like that?

The ever gracious and stunning brunette beauty was the last cast member to join this breakout hit.  She was also the first to depart just 10 weeks into the  series. 

So why did the beautiful and multi-talented Delaney leave the show?  As it goes in TV Land we may never know the true reasons.  However, rumors abound.  Although denied by both parties, the main rumor for her departure points to an off-screen clash between Caruso and Delaney.  Yes, the two stars worked together in the acclaimed NYPD Blue series.  Did they get along during Blue but not during CSI: Miami?  Its anyone's guess.

The official CBS word is that the producers felt that Delaney's character, Megan Donner, did not mesh with the rest of the cast and "was becoming less integral to the series as the season progressed." Indeed, some of the early TV critics dinged Delaney for her depressing portrayal of Donner. 

Unfortunately for the incredibly talented Delaney, she was required to play Donner who was recently widowed by the violent death of her policeman spouse.  How do you play a character that is in mourning without demonstrating an abundance of emotional baggage or soberness? 

Delaney's rich expresso colored strands were highlighted with natural reddish-brown highlights.  Her hair was styled in a soft curly wash n wear long shag coif that worked perfectly for her job as a crime scene investigator.  Her look could be recreated by using a diffuser to blow dry adding volume to the sides and top.  

Emmy Award-winner Kim Delaney gained critical acclaim as Detective Diane Russell in "NYPD Blue" and was most recently seen as a Philadelphia defense attorney and single mom in Steven Bochco’s drama "Philly."  

For her role in "NYPD Blue," Delaney earned an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, as well as two Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Actress in a Television Drama.  

Emily Procter excels as the bilingual, fashion savy ballistics whiz, Calleigh Duquesne, on the show. While brilliantly analyzing bullets and firearms, her character's special crime scene expertise, Procter oozes confidence and pure Southern charm. 

If you think her accent is just an act, think again.  The 34 year old Procter is a born and bred Southern belle who, according to an October 2001 article in Fashion Wire Daily, (In Emily's Closet by Elizabeth Snead) has her own collection of tiaras.  Did I say tiaras?  Yes indeed. Procter reported that "whenever I have a bad day I put on a tiara." Emily believes that everyone should have one tiara because " wearing a tiara instantly makes you feel better. You can get an expensive one or buy them for $1.99 at a Hallmark Store." Now if this doesn't show her belle roots, just about nothing else will. 

Well-known for her former West Wing role as White House assistant counsel and reigning  blonde, Republican sex-kitten Ainsley Hayes Procter takes CSI: Miami's Calleigh's Duquesne to new blonde and beautiful heights with a new edge of brainy sass. 

Meanwhile her very long, gorgeous one length blonde mane, offers fabulous new style ideas ranging from her random faux long bangs that she sweeps to one side, sleek ponytails and fat braids to soft chignons and buns.  Copy her style by blow drying hair straight with a paddle brush and then switching to a round brush to give the ends curve.  For more curls on the ends, use a curling iron or hot rollers.

Calleigh's style includes an array of hair jewels and accessories ranging from crystal encrusted barrettes used to anchor her mane back from her face (shown above) to more elaborate hair decorations. Although  34 year old Emily claims to keep her long, blunt cut blond hair in check with visits to a Wilshire Boulevard barbershop for just $25, I suspect her CSI: Miami stylist has lots of fun creating her many styles and looks.  

Emily Procter's luscious blonde locks are a total departure of the bleached bombshell look of the past.  Ms. Procter has the look of a natural towheaded Southern belle. Her creamy vanilla pale blonde hue is the result of imperfectly placed tone-on-tone highlights over a medium blonde natural base.  There is a concentration of highlights front and center where the Miami sun might normally add highlights.  

Khandi Alexander is one of those actresses that I see all the time in many different roles on television but have a hard time placing where I saw her.  After I first spotted her on CSI: Miami I remembered her as the long suffering sister to Dr. Peter Benton on ER and the sassy, sexy, member of the News Radio team.  Her other television credits include "Law & Order: SVU," "NYPD Blue," "Third Watch," "Cosby," "Rude Awakening," "La Femme Nikita" and "The Edge."   

The role of Alexx Woods seems perfectly suite to Khandi's wide range of acting skills.  She portrays the skilled but compassionate coroner perfectly.

As her character has matured and grown her hair has changed as well.  In the early episodes Khandi wore her beautiful raven black hair smooth in a shoulder skimming bob.  Recently she has been wearing it in a more natural curly style that gives her a softer look.

Rory Cochrane's portrayal of Tim Speedle, known as Speed to his CSI: Miami team members, shown a lot of promise for growth.  

Cochrane made his feature-film debut in "Fathers and Sons."  He followed that role with a standout performance as Slater, the likable hippie stoner, in the cult hit "Dazed and Confused." 

Cochrane has worked in both studio and independent feature-films, including “Hart's War," "Empire Records," "The Prime Gig," "Flawless," "Sunset Strip," "The Low Life" and "Doggtown."   

Wearing his hair short with uneven layers gives Cochrane a messy casual look that is a perfect style for a CSI investigator or similar professional.  Create the look with a slightly layered style.  Shampoo, towel dry and then use fingers and gel to ruffle into place.

When a sports injury sidelined Adam Rodriguez in high school, his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player were put aside and he turned to acting.  He had dabbled in children's theater in his native New York, and by age 10 had auditioned for a role in "The Cosby Show."  His break came when he was cast in a guest-starring role in an episode of "NYPD Blue." 

Rodriguez is also familiar to television audiences from his roles in "Brooklyn South," on CBS, and "Roswell."  His other television credits include "All Souls," "Resurrection Boulevard.," "Felicity" and "Ryan Caulfield: Year One."  He has also appeared in the feature-film "The Imposter" and in Jennifer Lopez's video for "If You Had My Love."       

Although Adam keeps his hair closely cropped for his role on CSI Miami, early photos of Adam highlight the fact that he has a lot of hair that is naturally curly and tends to be very bushy if left to its own devices.  For the show Rodriquez wears his hair to minimize the bulk and curls.