Very well played, CSI.

Faced with the loss of lead Laurence Fishburne, and heading into a new timeslot this fall with declining ratings, the CBS drama has selected Ted Danson as its new boss. The actor, who proved his dramatic mettle with an Emmy-nominated role on Damages, will debut in September.

Danson will portray a Las Vegas grave shift supervisor and former head of the crime lab in Portland. He'll be tasked with shaping a team that's still reeling over events related to serial killer Nate Haskell.

“From the moment we all started talking about the role, it was clear [Ted] couldn’t be more perfect,” said CSI executive producer Don McGill. “Intelligence, wit, warmth, depth of character and emotion, he brings it all. And now he’ll have to bring latex gloves, too.”

TV fans will get double the Danson later this year: season three of Bored to Death also kicks off in September.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.