News 'n' notes from Day 87 of the January '05 network press tour:

HOTEL CALIFORNIA: Wandered into the critics' suite the other day, when who do I bump into but Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of TV's No. 1 franchise, CSI. Zuiker's current baby is CSI:NY, where he acts as showrunner (responsible for the day-to-day operation of the series).

What is he doing in the hotel, I thought.

Answer: He lives here.

Zuiker has a suite at the hotel and has been camping here for years (commuting home to his family in Vegas on weekends).

The lucky dude never has to make his bed.

The former Vegas tram operator, 36, confirmed the suggestion made earlier in the week from CBS boss Leslie Moonves that things were going to lighten up on CSI:NY.

He admitted the producers were still finding their way with the series (starring Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes) but that, compared to the growing pains on CSI:Miami, things were right on schedule.

As for that blue colour cast over early CSI:NY episodes? Gone.

NOT SO BLUE: Steven Bochco doesn't think his groundbreaking drama NYPD Blue will have any lasting influence on television and doubts he could even have launched the series today.

The Emmy-winning producer made the comment yesterday on the Fox Studio lot where his 12-year-old police drama is in its final days of production.

The finale is scheduled to air March 1 on ABC.

Tighter broadcast standards in the wake of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction and the resulting stiff FCC fines continue to make networks jumpy. Bochco said he fought and lost a recent battle with ABC censors to show brief nudity -- once a hallmark of the series.

"It's a setback," said Bochco, who believes the pendulum will eventually swing the other way.

"They're never going to be able to put the genie back in the bottle.

BUMMER: NYPD Blue mainstay Gordon Clapp (Det. Greg Medavoy) was still bummed about never getting his butt shot. The last cast member to get his chance to flash, his butt shot was trimmed and never aired.

Bochco joked that the problem wasn't censorship. They simply waited too long and Clapp's trap had "dropped beneath the 4x3 line (the TV screen limits)."

The coverup got plenty of coverage.

Bottom line, cracked Clapp, he got more exposure from getting less exposure.