Humbler Caruso returns to prime-time

PASADENA, Calif -- Sweating on the job is part of "CSI: Miami."

"Steam, oh yeah!" David Caruso says, laughing and noting that the dry heat of Southern California doesn't induce perspiration as easily as humid South Florida, where his new CBS series is set and partially filmed.

Most of the time, however, "CSI: Miami" is shot in the Los Angeles area. On this day, he's filming at a stately mansion in Pasadena. There's a yellow Corvette with Florida plates parked in the driveway. But a California oak towers over it.

The actor explains the series producers want to closely nurture their new venture while remaining in charge of the original "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which is set in Las Vegas but mainly filmed in and around Los Angeles.

Caruso, who became famous as Detective John Kelly on ABC's "NYPD Blue," was introduced to "CSI" fans last season in the "Cross-Jurisdictions" episode as Horatio Caine, a former homicide detective who heads up Miami's high-tech forensic lab.

"I'm finding that I really admire the character," Caruso said. "He has tremendous discipline, tremendous stamina. His commitment is unwavering and I think he has a real sense of obligation."

"CSI: Miami" debuts at 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

Caruso believes one of the reasons "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" is such a hit is "the preciseness" of the criminologists' work, which translates perfectly to the small screen.

Caine's approach to forensics will be different from that of the nerdy scientist Gil Grissom (William Petersen) in the original series. But Caruso says Caine is also precise, aware that each detail in a mosaic of crime-solving "has deep significance and some details have super significance."

His day's work finished, Caruso is chatting in his makeup trailer near the mansion. His wife, Margaret, waits to drive him home.

Says criticism justified

In 1994, Caruso left "NYPD Blue" during only the second season of the acclaimed series that had made him a star. He says the media's criticism of his decision was justified.

"My feeling about the press is they are like the police. The reality is if the police are after you, then the chances are you've done something wrong," says the 46-year-old wan redhead.

"In my case, the relationship with the press exposed what I needed to work on and exposed the truth. I was over my head ... and did not handle a terrific opportunity well at all."

The actor -- whose first TV comeback, "Michael Hayes," last just one season -- says he could have confronted the "mirror image" the press held up to him in two ways: "You can run from it ... and place blame elsewhere," or "you can grab hold and make use of it."

He seems to have done just that.

"David's been great," insists "CSI: Miami" executive producer Nancy Miller. "He's a team player, he's up for anything, he's a smart actor."

Caruso's efforts to establish himself as a major screen actor -- one of the reasons he cited for breaking his contract with "NYPD Blue" -- flopped, critically and commercially. But he expresses pride in some of that work, notably the 1995 crime movies "Kiss of Death" and "Jade."

"As odd or as insane as it might sound," said Caruso, "I'm grateful for what I've been through because I now have an understanding of what it is to be an adult and what my responsibilities are."