David Caruso: The Intimacy of Television

Written by dojo on

Our favorite scene in CSI Miami's Season 7 is in "Seeing Red", showing Horatio Caine (David Caruso) with the dying deputy. It was one of the finest pieces of television drama we've seen in a long while. We'd match it any day or time with Grissom's (William Petersen) reaction to Warrick's death on CSI LV. The two scenes provide an interesting contrast.

The view of many, that each trauma must be over dramatized, is absurd to the max. Television is an intimate, one-on-one experience. The projection required of an onstage performer, emoting with resonance in hopes of touching every member of a huge live audience, is not only unnecessary in front of a television camera, it often smacks of a drama-diva, wringing every ounce of me-footage possible.

We prefer our dramatic moments to be understated. The subtle nuances, when well done, clearly convey the emotions of the characters without the gymnastics of an over-the-top Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller and, often, Will Smith or Robin Williams.

Making a connection with the audience is the aim of any performer. In our estimation, there is an incredible ability required to transport a viewer into the scenario being presented on a television screen in one's home without the assistance of contrived physical antics and irrational moves. In action scenes, the spotlight IS ON the action. That plays to another type of viewer. Here, we prefer our action to be spontaneous, in the present, unscripted; e.g., sporting events.

This same mindset precludes any desire to witness "the realities" (we had to search online to determine who or what "Jon and Kate plus 8 " was). We watched "Wipeout" last night and fail to understand why one would willingly watch it again.

Watching David Caruso, for all his intensity, gimmicks and posturing, in what would be a tearful, angst-ridden closeup in other less accomplished actors, is an indulgence we allow ourselves as often as possible. He has the perfect persona to come across well on the small screen. He invites the audience to participate in the emotional impact of the scenes. We are pleased to accept the invitation.

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Featured Pictures

David Caruso With His Girlfriend at the Beach

2001 People's Choice

CSI Miami Cast Pose With The Stanley Cup

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David Caruso: The Intimacy of Television