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Franchise of American television series (20002016)

CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) is a media franchise of American television series created by Anthony E. Zuiker. The first three CSI series follow the work of forensic scientists as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious deaths, while the fourth series, CSI: Cyber, emphasizes behavioral psychology and how it can be applied to cyber forensics.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation began on October 6, 2000, and ran for fifteen full seasons. Starring (at various times) William Petersen, Ted Danson, Marg Helgenberger, Elisabeth Shue, and Laurence Fishburne, the series concluded its run with a two-hour finale entitled "Immortality" on September 27, 2015. The series' original lead characters, Gil Grissom and Catherine Willows, were based upon Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Crime Scene Analysts Daniel Holstein and Yolanda McClary.[1] CSI's first spin-off and the second series within the franchise is CSI: Miami, which ran for ten seasons between 2002 and 2012, and was canceled on May 13, 2012. Miami stars David Caruso and Emily Procter, with its lead character, Horatio Caine, based upon Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) bomb squad technician Detective John Haynes.[2]

In 2004, CSI: Miami spun off CSI: NY, the third series in the franchise and the only indirect spin-off of CSI. It was canceled on May 10, 2013, after nine seasons.[3] The series starred Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, and Sela Ward. In 2014, CSI spun off CSI: Cyber, its second direct spin-off and the fourth series in the franchise. Cyber premiered in 2015, and starred Patricia Arquette and franchise alumnus Ted Dansonthe only actor to appear as a series regular in more than one CSI series. The lead character, Avery Ryan, was inspired by cyber-psychologist Mary Aiken, who was attached to the series as a producer.[4] CSI: Cyber was canceled on May 12, 2016.[5]

In 2020, CBS began considering a limited series revival featuring original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation cast members, William Petersen and Jorja Fox.[6] It was eventually greenlighted, with a video teaser for CSI: Vegas released on March 31, 2021.

As of December 8, 2021, 807 episodes of the CSI franchise have aired.

The CSI franchise is available in 200 territories with an audience of two billion people.[7] Various spin-offs have been developed to cater for the market including novels, comic books, and computer games.

The franchise has had a large cultural impact. It has spawned what has been called the "CSI effect", in which juries often have unreasonable expectations of real-life forensics because of what they have seen on CSI. Equally, the new-found popularity of forensics dramas on television has led to an increase in applications for courses dealing with forensic science or archaeological sciencein the United Kingdom applications are up by 30%.[8] The franchise is so influential that fellow CBS show How I Met Your Mother advertised itself as "not a Crime Scene Investigation show".[9] In some ways the franchise may also fill a cultural need:

"We started in 2000 and it was a success, but our ratings really shot up after the September 11 attacks," Zuiker says in a documentary about the CSI phenomenon to be aired at Christmas [2007]. "People were rushing to us for their comfort food. There was a sense of justice in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation it helped to know that there were people like our characters out there helping to solve crimes. And, of course, 9/11 was the world's largest crime scene."[7]

The "CSI effect" is considered by some experts to be responsible for helping criminals covering up evidence that could be used to trace them using techniques learned by watching CSI and other shows in the same genre.[10] A 2018 study could not find conclusive evidence for the existence of this effect.[11]

CSI: Miami and CSI: Cyber spun off from CSI, and CSI: NY spun off from CSI: Miami, all via backdoor pilot episodes. CSI: Vegas was not launched via a backdoor pilot episode, and instead premiered 21 years to the day of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's launch.

CSI:Miami and CSI:Cyber spun off from CSI, and CSI:NY spun off from CSI:Miami, all via backdoor-pilot episodes.

The Las Vegas team are scientists foremost, and follow the evidence. LVPD CSIs are not employed as police officers. The crimes the Las Vegas CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include casino robberies, bodies buried in the Nevada desert, and murders during different conventions at casinos.

Crime labThe Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Crime Lab is a modern crime lab and shares a lot (but not a building) with the Las Vegas Police Department. It reports to the sheriff's office. In early episodes of season one the lab is frequently referred to as the number two crime lab in the United States, solving cases believed unsolvable. The lab consists of specialist laboratories, a larger office (usually used by the Grave Supervisor), a smaller office used by Catherine Willows between seasons 5 and 12, a locker room, an AV room, a break-room, and stairs leading to a second floor, housing offices for senior staff.

The Miami team are detectives foremost, and mainly use theories to solve crimes. The crimes the Miami CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include drug running, murdered refugees from Cuba, bodies found washed up on the beach and dumped in the Everglades, and crimes involving the rich and famous who have secrets to hide in their mansions and beachfront properties.

Crime labThe Miami CSIs were firstly, in the backdoor pilot, stationed out of a broom closet next to the MDPD's bull pen. They were given their own building prior to the start of the first season. Originally dark and technical, this building housed Horatio's office, Megan's office, specialist labs, and a locker room. During the fourth season a government grant meant that slanted glass walls, multiple modern labs, an interrogation room, and a new locker room were all constructed. Horatio's office is not seen following the lab's reconstructionalthough a state-of-the-art ballistics suite was added, acting as Calleigh's office. The lab has reinforced windows and shutters to protect against hurricanes and tsunamis.

The New York team are equally scientists and detectives, and frequently use criminal profiling (as well as evidence and theories) to solve cases. The crimes the New York CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include organised crime activity involving the Italian Mafia, street-gang violence, and ethnic, cultural, and ability differences.

Crime labDuring the first season, the NYPD CSI lab is in an old underground building with rustic brick walls. The lab houses Mac's office, a locker room, the autopsy suite, and specialist forensic laboratories. As of the second season the lab is on the 35th floor of a high-rise building in Manhattan. Equipped with glass walls and state-of-the-art equipment, this lab consists of the Supervisors office (belonging to Mac, and for a short time Jo), specialist laboratories, an observation walkway, a break-room and kitchen, a locker room, and an office belonging to the Assistant Supervisor (first Stella, then Jo), containing an additional hot-desk used by Hawkes, Danny, Lindsay, and Aiden. Part of this second lab is blown up in the season three finale, "Snow Day", but is restored by the beginning of season four.

The Cyber team focuses on the technical aspect of crimes, with NextGen forensics providing it with a real-world crime scene investigative counterpart. The FBI Cyber Crime Division investigates cyber-based terrorism, internet-related murders, espionage, computer intrusions, major cyber-fraud, cyber-theft, hacking, sex offenses, blackmail, and any other crime deemed to be cyber-related within the FBI's jurisdiction.

Divisions Cyber Crime DivisionThe FBI Cyber Crime Division operates out of Washington, D.C. and is housed in the Cyber Threat Operations Center. The CTOC consists of Ryan's office, Russell's office, a communications bull pen housing the desks of Krumitz, Nelson, and Ramirez, a cyber lab, a glass walkway, and a 'tear-down room'. Due to their nomadic nature the team are often seen interviewing suspects at various FBI field offices and police departments.

Next Generation Cyber Forensics DivisionThe Next Generation Cyber Forensics Division is a lab-based facility within the Cyber Crime Division used for the processing of evidence in cyber-related cases.

The opening themes for all five series are remixes of songs performed by The Who.

Crossovers are possible between CSI series as well as with other programs within the same creative stable. Between the series the baton is passed to the new CSI series via a crossover/pilot where cases are overlapped and personnel are shared. Many actors have appeared in two of the series. Five actors have appeared in three: David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, and Gary Sinise all appeared in CSI, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY, while Ted Danson appeared as a guest star on CSI: NY and a series regular on both CSI and CSI: Cyber, making him the first actor to be a main character in more than one CSI series. Before becoming a regular as "Danny Messer" on CSI: NY, Carmine Giovinazzo had a small role as "Thumpy G" in an episode of CSI, making him the only lead actor to play two characters within the franchise.[12] Crossovers have also, on occasion, taken place between a CSI series and a series outside the franchise.

In the UK, Channel 5 edited together related episodes to make one whole feature. These include:

Also Channel 5 will sometimes group episodes with similar themes together such as:

There have been a number of comic books based on all three series published by IDW Publishing. Writers include Jeff Mariotte and Max Allan Collins.

The CSI franchise has spawned 11 computer games published by Ubisoft across the three shows.

Gameloft has also published a series of mobile games based on the CSI series including CSI: The Mobile Game (Vegas) and CSI: Miami.

In addition, several board games and puzzles based on all three series have seen release, all published by Canadian game manufacturer Specialty Board Games, Inc. In 2011, the CSI Board Game was released by another Canadian company, GDCGameDevCo Ltd. It is the first game to include all three CSI shows.[20]

A pinball game machine called CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was released in 2008.[21]

Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry opened an exhibit in CSI's honor on May 25, 2007 called: "CSI: The Experience".[22] In October 2011 it was at Discovery Times Square in New York City.[23] There is also a game on the website where you are trained in forensic biology, weapons and tool mark analyses, toxicology and the autopsy.

Various tie-in novels have appeared based on the series. Authors include Max Allan Collins (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Donn Cortez (CSI: Miami), Stuart M. Kaminsky (CSI: NY), and Keith R.A. DeCandido (CSI: NY).

Titan Magazines published 11 issues of CSI Magazine starting in November 2007. They contained a mixture of features and interviews looking into the world of the three CSIs and the people who help create it.[24] They were available in the UK and US.[25]

A range of toys have been developed. These include:

However, they have been the source of some controversy. The Parents Television Council, who have complained about CSI in general, in 2004 released a statement specifically aimed at the toys.[26] The PTC e-mailed letters to their supporters, telling them the content of the games were entirely inappropriate for children to be exposed to "because the CSI franchise often displays graphic images, including close-ups of corpses with gunshot wounds and other bloody injuries." The letter went on to say "The PTC doesn't think the recreation of blood, guts and gore should be under a child's Christmas tree this year," PTC concluded. "This so-called 'toy' is a blatant attempt to market CSI and its adult-oriented content directly to children."

In urging members to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, PTC said CBS parent company Viacom needed to hear from parents who are concerned about the "graphic scenes of blood, violence, and sex" in their product. They also asked their supporters to contact Target and Toys "R" Us.

Producers announced intentions to break the Guinness World Record for largest ever TV simulcast drama on March 4, 2015, with the episode "Kitty" airing in 150 countries in addition to digital streaming.[27] They succeeded in breaking the record by airing CSI: Cyber's backdoor pilot in 171 countries.[28]

Because of the popularity of the CSI franchise in the United Kingdom, Channel 5 created two documentaries about CSI. The first one called The Real CSI follows real crime scene investigators as they work on crime scene. The second documentary, True CSI, features true tales of how forensic science has helped solve some of the world's best known crimes. True CSI had actors re-enacting the crime as well as interviews with people involved in the solving of the crimes themselves. Cases featured included the Sam Sheppard case.

In early 2007, British channel ITV1 broadcast a special of its flagship documentary Tonight with Trevor McDonald discussing the ramifications of the "CSI effect", highlighting the effect not only of the franchise but of several other British and American TV police procedurals.

The popularity of the series has also spawned forensic based reality television/documentary programs, including A&E's The First 48 and truTV's North Mission Road.

In April 2012, PBS' Frontline aired a documentary called "The Real CSI" investigating the limitations of the CSI techniques in forensic science.[29]

As well as fictional books based on the franchise there have also been a number of guides published:

Articles and topics related to CSI (franchise)

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CSI (franchise) - Wikipedia

If you're watching the "CSI" franchise in release order, then you have a pretty obvious starting point. The first season of the original "Crime Scene Investigation" series, which came out in 2000, will serve as the beginning of your journey. From there, according to the watch guide on the blogIt's A Stampede, you'll need to progress through Season 2 before jumping your very first ship into "CSI: Miami." From here on, your "CSI: Miami" viewing should always be one season behind the original "CSI."

This pattern should continue for another two seasons of each series until you finish "CSI: Miami" Season 3, and start "CSI: New York." With this new addition, "CSI: New York" should always be two seasons behind "Miami." Thankfully, things become a whole lot simpler once you finish "Miami" and "New York," which are ten and nine seasons long, respectively. After that, there are simply three more seasons of the original "CSI" series before you can watch all two seasons of "CSI: Cyber" and start the first (and so far only) season of "CSI: Vegas."

With this basic outline, you should be able to enjoy the entirety of "CSI" relatively problem-free. Most episodes of the series are self-contained, meaning you don't need context from the events of "Miami" to get what's going on in "New York," at least for the most part. Crossovers do occur at times, but they are rare enough that one can identify them and modify their watchlist accordingly.

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This Is The Correct Order In Which To Watch The CSI Franchise - Looper

As New Years Eve comes around each year, programs and actors often reflect on friends and co-stars they lost in years past. For fans of the CBS show Mike & Molly, Tim Conway has appeared in their minds in 2021, even though the comedian died in May 2019. Actor Reno Wilson said that he and Bob Hearts Abishola star Billy Gardell were cracking up when Tim Conway guest-starred on Mike & Molly.

Tim Conway guest-starred in Mike & Molly Season 3, Episode 22, School Recital. He appeared in the episode with another guest star, Jim Beaver.

Molly is so focused on directing a school recital that she doesnt realize a fellow teacher is hitting on her. Meanwhile, Vince convinces Mike to join him in an unusual money-making scheme, IMDb lists the episode description.

The Carol Burnett Show actor played the exhibitionist arrested by Billy Gardell and Renos characters. However, Conway found himself stumbling over his lines.

It was a dream for Billy Gardell and I when Tim Conway was on Mike & Molly. He was struggling a bit with his lines but had us cracking up the whole time. You can feel his beautiful spirit here when he laughs, Wilson remembered on Facebook in 2019. We were so blessed to have you. Thank you, sir.

And the Bob Hearts Abishola star posted about Conways impact on him as well.

Gardell has never been shy about opening up about his co-stars. However, when news of Conways passing reached him, he posted on Twitter.

Tim Conway, one of the legends of the game, Gardell said in 2019. And one of the kindest people Ive ever worked with.

A week before Conways death, the new Chuck Lorre sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola had received a series order. However, Gardell took time out of his day to reflect on Conway. And the two had only ever worked together once on the Mike & Molly episode.

Even though he only guest-starred in one episode, Wilson, Gardell, and Conway all clicked instantly, joking and laughing on set.

However, he impacted more shows on CBS beyond Mike & Molly.

Besides appearing on Chuck Lorres Mike & Molly, Tim Conway also appeared on several other CBS shows.

In CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, he appeared in season 10, episode 20, Take My Life, Please, as Knuckles Pratt, fittingly a famous comedian.

He appeared in another Lorre show, Two and a Half Men, in season 11, episode 13.

Conway plays himself in Newhart when Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) drives him away from poker.

Tim was just fearless. He would do anything he really would do anything. He could easily have paid for the ticket. It wasnt about him saving money, Newhart told Variety in 2019, it was just being a part of a stunt. It was a gag, and he wanted to be a part of it.

RELATED: Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3: How Much Weight has Billy Gardell Lost?

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'Mike & Molly': Tim Conway on Set had Stars Billy Gardell and Reno Wilson 'Cracking Up' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Jim McKairnes| Special to USA TODAY

Clint Eastwood's 'American tragedy'

Director Clint Eastwood discusses the need to tell the story of Richard Jewell, a man unfairly accused of planting a bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. (Nov. 21)

AP

Fifty years ago, Clint Eastwood knew what you were thinking.

Youre thinking an ultraviolent film about a rules-busting cop on the trail of a bloodthirsty serial killer can never make it as a holiday release. Arent you,punk?

Released Dec. 23,1971, "Dirty Harry" could and did, becoming one of the years biggest hits. It spawned four sequels and landed Eastwood the most iconic role of his long and Oscar-winning career.

San Francisco Police Department Inspector Dirty Harry Callahan gave R-rated new meaning in the loner-cop-with-an-attitude tale as the curtain lifted on 1970s New Hollywood. Assigned to track down a serial sniper whos terrorizing the city named the Scorpio Killer(Andrew Robinson in his film debut) Callahan makes quick work of the Fourth Amendment in his pursuit, more than living up to the movies promotional hype about a detective who doesnt break murder cases, he smashes them.It all leads to a mano-a-mano shootout between hunter and hunted at the films close, made famous by the gun-aiming inspectors taunt of the cornered Scorpio, his own gun within reach:

"I know what you're thinking, punk: Youre thinking, 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Now to tell you the truth, I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and will blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?'Well, do you, punk?"

(Spoiler alert: He didand he wasnt.)

William Smith dies:Action star who fought Clint Eastwood and other icons onscreenwas88

Frequent Eastwood writer Dean Riesner and the husband-and-wife team of Harry Julian Fink and R.M. Finkcrafted the neo-noir script (original title"Dead Right"), using elements of the real-life Zodiac killingsthat unfolded in Northern California in the late 1960s and of the real-life detective, Dave Toschi, who investigated them. The script bounced around amongwriters (John Milius, Terrence Malick), directors (Sydney Pollack, Irvin Kershner) and actors (John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen), its violent content a recurring concern.It even landed at ABCfor a brief minute, as TV was beginning to show interest in original-film production. But following the 1968 assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, network television had come to be in a crosshair of its own for depictions of violence.ABC passed.

Eastwoodgot the gig when Newman suggested it after turning down the role himself. Production got underway with director Don Siegel and marked the actors fourth pairingwith Siegel in three years, following "Coogans Bluff," "Two Mules for Sister Sara"and"The Beguiled." ("Escape from Alcatraz" in 1979 was their fifth and final film teaming.)

With "Dirty Harry," the door to the antihero coprecently breached by "Bullitt"and "The French Connection"blasted wide open. "The Seven-Ups" and "Walking Tall"followed. Eastwood's Callahan returned twice over the next six years, first in 1973s "Magnum Force," squaring off against a quartet of vigilante patrolmen, and again in 1976s "The Enforcer,"which in keeping with the era paired him, reluctantly, with a female partner (Tyne Daly). The franchise exploded all over again in 1983 with "Sudden Impact"and its own meme-before-its-time catchphrase (Go ahead, make my day), before fading with the less successful "The Dead Pool" in 1988.

Eastwood has become a Hollywood legend in the intervening years, Oscar-nominated eleven times since 1993 as either actor, producer, or director. Hes won four statues a pair each for directing and producing best picture winners "Unforgiven" in 1992 and "Million Dollar Baby" in 2004. In 1995, he received the Academys career-saluting Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. "Cry Macho," released earlier this year, marked the 91-year-olds latest release. It may or may not be his last: No future projects have been announced.

In 2005, the American Film Institute named Dirty Harrys Do I feel lucky? speech one of the 100 best quotes in film history. (It ranked No. 51.) It was the second of two times he gave it in the film, the first coming earlier following a botched bank robbery. But its the movie-ender with The Scorpio that made history.

Do you feel lucky enough to point out the difference?Well, do you?

Reni Santoni:'Dirty Harry' star, who played Poppie in 'Seinfeld,' has died at 81

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'Dirty Harry' turns 50: How Clint Eastwood blew away the cop genre and forged a film classic - USA TODAY

The topics varied from Senator Blackburn and Hagerty's words and actions on Jan. 6 to parental alienation to Fourth Amendment rights.

Countdown to The Tennessean's top 10 read opinion columns of 2021

The Tennessean presents its top 10 best read opinion essays and letters of 2021. Topics include Morgan Wallen, critical race theory and Trump.

David Plazas, Nashville Tennessean

As we near the end of 2021, The Tennessean looks back today on the top-read opinion columns of the year.

They range from a critique of Tennessee's new critical race theory ban in K-12 schoolsto a defense of country music singer Morgan Wallen and from addressing the impact of the late Weigh Down Workshop preacher Gwen Shamblin Lara to the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump.

The rankings arebased upon digital metrics of page views.

We include some excerpts below and you can also go to Tennessean.com to re-read them in their entirety or click on the hyperlinks below.

So, here starts the countdown.

"Former Southern Baptist Convention President Paige Patterson has controversial past church must reckon with," by Rev. Brian Kaylor, June 15.

Kaylor isa Baptist minister with a Ph.D. in political communication, president ofWord&Wayand author of fourbooks.

"Patterson helped make SBC what it is today and then sat atop his fiefdom until it all came crashing down when he was fired by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2018 for mishandling student sexual assaults."

"Why we need more conservatives to spread the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines," by David Plazas, Aug. 6.

This was my top-read personal column of the year. I wrote more about COVID-19 than I ever wanted to. The political divisions on vaccines and safety rules had a realand hard impact on cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Tennessee.

"Politicians from Gov. Bill Lee to the state senators have emphasized that getting vaccinated is a personal choice and have gone out of their way to assuage the fears of people who want to be exempt from inoculation, whether for religious or medical reasons.They ought to increase the level of urgency of their rhetoric,that while it is a personal choice, there is something to be said about being responsible and accountable to your community."

"Morgan Wallen billboards patron: 'Were not bowing down to the mob'," by Darleen Ingram, June 10.

Ingram of Empire, Alabamapaid for the billboards around Nashville in support of country music artist Morgan Wallen.

"The music industry jumped so fast, without taking time to hear his side of the story or to evaluate who his friends are. How many in the industry are guilty?When Morgan asked for forgiveness and he meant it, it should have been over."

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

"Mentalhealth practitioners confronta crisis in families:Parental alienation," by Alan D. Blotcky and William Bernet, Dec. 18.

Blotcky, Ph.D., is a clinical and forensic psychologist in private practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Bernet, M.D., is professor emeritus for the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

"The phenomenon of parental alienation is well-known tosomemental healthprofessionalsbuthas received very little attention in the mainstream media.Thepublic is largely unaware of thisproblem and itsharmfuleffects on children and parents."

"Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are complicit in the insurrection," by The Tennessean editorial board, Jan. 7.

I wrote this editorial on behalf of The Tennessean Editorial Board, which comprises Editor Michael A. Anastasi, Executive Editor Maria De Varenne, Planner Mealand Ragland-Hudgins and me.

"Tennessees senators played games with democracy and perpetuated false allegations of mass voter fraud, a cover-up by tech companies and the press, and a stolen election all to fit President Donald Trumps narrative that he was cheated out of a second term."

"Why is Pastor Greg Locke shunning mask-wearing congregants? | Featured letters" by readers of The Tennessean, July 29.

This article featured letters from people in Tennessee and beyond who read about how Greg Locke, pastor at Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, bannedcongregants from wearing masks when worshipping in person.

"To his congregation, I appeal: Would you please, if you are interested in staying alive, respond by not going to church at all?That should get his attention.God doesnt shun you if you are praying at home." excerpt from a letter by Harriet Stanton-Leaffer.

Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.

"How critical race theory law makes it illegal to teach Black history in Tennessee," by David Barber, Oct. 5.

Barber is a professor of history at University of Tennessee at Martin.

"While we should be glad that Tennessee is finally outlawing the teaching of racial superiority in any form, our legislature should have passed this part of its legislation 60 years ago, when it would have counted for something."

"Brentwood can thank Gwen Shamblin Lara for making it the city it is today," by Bill Alexander, July 27.

Brentwood attorney Bill Alexander practiced law in Saudi Arabia for almost 10 years and serves as an arbitrator.

"Gwen Shamblin Lara, who died May 29in a plane crash, was an author and founder of the Christian diet program the Weigh Down Workshop and founder of the Remnant Fellowship Church. She was also a kind, respectful person who quietly helped in an unheralded way to preserve the Brentwood we know today."

Editor's note: While this guest essay first published in July, readers consumed it morein September, around the time when the HBO Max documentary about Shamblin Lara "The Way Down" premiered.

Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.

"When the government hides spy cameras on your land, fight back in court," byRobert Frommer and Daryl James, Dec. 13.

Frommer is a senior attorney and James is a writer at the Institute for Justice in Arlington, Va.

"Although the case is proceeding in state court under the authority of the Tennessee Constitution, the central claims point to a nationwide problem. Starting about 100 years ago, federal courts began chipping away at the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects.

Before we go to No. 1, here are the top-read essays of our regular columnists LeBron Hill, Keel Hunt, Cameron Smith and Kyra Watts.

"Readers respond to second impeachment of President Donald Trump," by letters to editor writers, Jan. 15.

We published seven featured letters to the editor from readers across Middle Tennessee after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for the second time, something that has happened to no other president in U.S. history.

Budge Blevins ofNashville wrote:"Some Republican members of the Tennessee congressional delegation said that they did not want to further divide the country by voting to impeach President Trump for inciting a mob assault on the Capitol Building while Congress was in session. Thats a laudable sentiment, but one that was absent when they voted the previous week to overturn the certified election results of certain states favoring Joe Biden. Or did they believe that challenging the will of the voters in those states would unify the nation?"

But Calvin Johnsonof Franklin felt it was overblown.

"Why have younot reported as much on the Antifa demonstrations in New York City,Portland andSan Diego. They were destructive, but I heard no condemnation or response from the media orthe Democrats. You only criticize what Trump supporters do."

As we enter 2022, please consider writing and submitting guest essaysand letters toletters@tennessean.com.Thank you for your readership.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He isan editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocastand curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters.. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him atdplazas@tennessean.comor tweet to him at@davidplazas.

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On Wallen, Shamblin Lara and Trump: 2021's top 10 opinion essays in The Tennessean | Plazas - Tennessean