This is something I normally would just ignore, because I don’t have a problem with this. But. My email box and twitter got blasted about it, so I’m going to address this. I preface it all with the request that you not go out and attack the people who posted this. Also I’m going to delete any attacks from either side posted here.
So here’s what happened.
William Petersen had an interview with a French magazine Tele Loisirs, which the great folks at the William Petersen Appreciation Page (WPAP) posted a translation for those of us who only know how to say “Le sange conduit le autobus.” “Le singe conduit l’autobus” (The monkey is driving the bus – and thank you for correcting me!).
Some of the people who dislike Jorja Fox, and by extension Sara Sidle and GSR, thought it would be funny to post the following as a ‘translation’:
“I left CSI because I could no longer bear the way the writers were ruining the character I had worked so hard to develop. They put him into a relationship with Sara Sidle. Can you believe it? As if! Grissom loves women, but he loves a certain kind of woman – the feminine kind. Like Lady Heather, who is Grissom’s true soul mate. Sara is a chainsaw wielding, unsexy, rough and tough type – not Grissom’s type at all. She doesn’t even have good personal hygiene! It’s the most bizarre, implausible relationship on TV and I was really embarrassed by it. I had to escape. No amount of money could compensate for that. I wish the writers and producers had listened to the true fans, the ones that love CSI and Grissom above all and were opposed to any relationship with Grissom and Sara. They were right. In fact, there’s a group of these loyal fans at a message board run by a woman named Elyse. These fans are the best – brilliant, insightful and right on target when it comes to knowing Grissom. But they were ignored and as a result, CSI has been all but destroyed. I have to do this Paris episode because of a contractual obligation, but I would rather be anywhere but here. CSI has become nothing but a vehicle for a cult of Sara Sidle fans and that’s not what I had in mind for this show. And all because some of these cultists sent Carol a few boxes of Cracker Jacks or something.”
It was a joke, which many people found distasteful, and many others took offense to because it, and a great deal of the other posts on that site, denigrate both William Petersen and Jorja Fox. Of course, the original posters were quick to jibe that the Jorja fans would claim this was a false translation, and said WPAP and other sites, though curiously (to me) not JFO, would decry it as lies, being unable to handle the ‘truth.’
And I admit, when I read that on December 7th, I smirked, rolled my eyes and thought ‘Some people’s kids.’ and moved on without much thought to the matter. I saw it for the joke it was and I didn’t find it personally offensive. I’ve read a lot worse tossed at Jorja and her fans in the last 12 years (12! Happy Anniversary JFO!). In fact, I find it a little hysterical that some people took that translation as even possibly serious and legitimate. While I don’t claim to know Petersen’s interviews the way I know Jorja’s (I can spot a fake Jorja interview at 50 paces), I didn’t think it read like him at all. Not to mention that Jorja’s name isn’t even in the French version of the article and there was no reply long enough to warrant that verbose a translation.
The translation is a lie, and the site that produced it (Elyse’s CSI forum) was de-linked from JFO a couple months ago due to their Anti-Jorja sentiment. I did contact Elyse when I de-linked her site back then, as we’ve historically been rather friendly with each other, and frankly, I like her. I have no plans of contacting her again about these developments, since I never added the site back to JFO and thus I don’t matter. And I’m not a snitch. It’s her site, she can do what she wants and I’m cool with that. Personally I think it’s sad that members of her forum have decided ad hominem personal attacks on actors is the way to go, but it’s not my site and I have neither authority nor responsibility over then.
I do have responsibility here, however, both to you and to Jorja Fox.
If you bring flame wars with anti-Jorja sites back here, your posts will be removed. If you bring the war to them, you’re gonna get burnt and angry and I’m going to say ‘Told you so.’ They have every right to their opinion, just as you have the right to yours. I respect that and, while I don’t agree that Jorja’s ugly or a bad actress, they’re welcome to their opinion. I feel that David Caruso’s not attractive and I don’t like his acting style (same idea, nicer words) but that’s why I don’t go to David Caruso: Online, and that’s why the Anti-Jorja people don’t come here. I recommend you NOT go to anti-Jorja sites and defend her, and I support those sites in their right to remove your posts and block you. There’s no ‘freedom of speech’ online, and they have the same rights to remove posts they find offensive as I do here.
I’m going to leave comments open here, if people have questions about the validity of the WPAP’s accurate translation (which it is, so don’t claim WPAP are liars, folks), etc. Let it go. Leave the hate at the door.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jorja Fox: Online, Your Marg H Source. Your Marg H Source said: I personally think it's hysterical, but we can all learn from it. RT @jorjafoxonline: False WP Interview Translation – http://is.gd/5ie9t [...]
Are you going to post the accurate translation?
WPAP did it: http://billypetersen.com/site/2009/12/french-tv-mag-tele-loisirs-translation/
I think it is not just a protection of Jorja but also of Billy Petersen, himself. The translation on that particular board goes on to include much harsher comments that were “included in the translation” that continue outside of the joke.
Thank you or posting this. I, too, thought what was posted on the other board was a joke but when I saw that some people over there were thinking it was actual fact, I had to just hope someone would correct all of this
Quick point – WPAP’s translation is the legit, totally correct one. My French is terrible, but it read correctly to what I’d come up with when I tried to read the scans.
I know some people think that WPAP are big fat liars, and that just ain’t so.
I confirm your French is terrible
It’s not “Le sange” but “Le singe” 
Sadly, it’s not really surprising that people in “weblife” behave the same way than in real life (even if Internet provides a comfortable anonymity)
The actual interview is quite a bit different than the fake one, that’s for sure! The fake one lacks the “class” that William Petersen has always seemed to possess.
It’s sad that people feel they have to trash others they don’t even personally know.
As per usual I had no idea what was going on anyway but reading the interview it just SCREAMS fake. People need to get themselves some lives. And that’s me saying this who checks this page about 4 times a day.
At 18 I had, and wore, a shirt that says “I have a life! It’s Xena: Warrior Princess!”
I lost the right to tell people to get a life, but I retain the right to laugh at myself and anyone else about fandom
I was a classic Star Trek fan too, as a kid. Been there, done that! 
Star Trek? HELL YEAH I say.
Fandom consumed me a long time ago and while the fandom of choice changes my obsessive nature never will. I’m just glad I no longer participate in online hate-discussions
We’ve been called a lot worse LOL Shall not be losing sleep over that!
Another fun day in the world of fandom!
Thanks for the kind comments of support
I laughed at the fake translation if for no other reason that someone would think William Petersen said, “As if!” That phrase went out long before Alicia Silverstone donned her bat suit, and even when it was in, I don’t think William Petersen was ever in the correct demographic to say it. I wouldn’t exactly call him a Valley Girl, but then again, who knows? Maybe GSR “gagged him with a spoon” as well.
Yeah, totally! Because a fifty-six year-old Petersen would obviously say “as if!”!! OR keep track of that fan club, for that matter! Give me a break!
Well now that’s funny… Cause I know Jorja’s people do keep tabs on this site.
Hi, guys!
Problem is, there are fans out there who think that this joke translation is literally the legit one and that WP just verified their belief that he really dislikes JF. That is why things like this are so much more difficult to accept; because they can become the truth when they never were.
One fan I read even said that she had renewed “faith” in WP because of this joke. I don’t know; maybe it’s just me but I don’t think it is funny just because some people have taken it for the truth.
Oh Ipstenu — You’ve ruined my day! (Not really!) I shudder to think that “Jorja’s people” keep tabs on this site. I mean, OF COURSE they do. But EEK! That thing that I wrote once and then privately emailed you and asked you to remove and then you didn’t — they read THAT! OH GOD. It’s too early for a drink. And I don’t drink anyway. But the idea that it’s out there still turns my stomach.
Jorja’s “people”: my sincerest apologies. I really hope you have no idea what I’m talking about.
Back to my real life now….everybody have a nice day.
I knew I scared someone! Don’t worry, really, it’s more along the lines of they know this site exists, and they look at it to make sure I don’t step out of line, not you! Really, in 12 years I’ve been asked before to remove posts and links, but never to edit another user’s comment.
Mr. Petersen seems too classy to make such comments.
Though lady Heather is appealing to the male population in particular, (and Grissom), I can’t see her hiking through the jungle or researching bugs. I think she would be very controlling, Sara’s not.
CSI is about solving crimes not about Grissom’s sex life.
I agree with you on every count. It’s exactly what I was thinking, but didn’t know how to word it without upsetting anyone who might read it. Well done!
Even if everybody learned French some people will believe whatever is placed in front of them. It’s called ignorance. Love not hate people. Sheesh…
PS And I think WP is secretly in love with Jorja Fox, but that’s just my opinion.
I think everyone on that cost loves each other
Just like I love my best friends.