17. CSI
csifiles.com
Launch Date March 2003
What You'll Find A sleek virtual love letter to TV's top-rated scripted series, including episode guides for the franchise's original Las Vegas version and both spin-offs, as well as daily news chronicling everything from guest stars that got away (Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood claims to have turned down a part) to juicy spoilers.
Fans can also weep over Jorja Fox and debate forensic minutiae on the site's very active message boards, or weigh in on polls asking the really big questions, like ''Why can't the CSIs get dates?''
Why It's Essential It's a ridiculously comprehensive site. Most episodes are critically reviewed with a sharp eye (one reviewer says fans won't be able to ''digest [Fox's] exit until they're faced with her absence''). Plus, it's educational! One message board thread challenges fans to post the ''1,000 Forensic Things'' they've learned from CSI.
Official Site cbs.com/csi
The behind-the-scenes video segments (like a meaty production piece about creating the desert scene in ''Dead Doll'') are definitely worth investigating. — Tanner Stransky
