WHEN Mark Harmon is told NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly describes him as "the spine of the show", he gives a dismissive snort.
“He said that? Well, you take everything Weatherly says with a grain of salt,'' he says with a laugh.
“I don't think of myself as the number one actor on the show; it's an ensemble,'' he says.
But most people would agree with Weatherly, who says that without Harmon - who plays NCIS boss, special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs - ”it's a show about jellyfish. We need our spine''.
But Harmon is having none of it, describing himself as”just an actor for hire''.
If there is one theme during the interview, it is Harmon's self-effacing responses as he continually downplays his pivotal role in the series.
Obviously, he is doing something right. NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) spun off from another military-based procedural, JAG. It is in its sixth year and enjoying unprecedented US ratings success.
“It was a hit in Australia and Europe before it really took off here,'' Harmon says.” You guys obviously have a better sense of humour.
“But we always believed in the show. We are 135 episodes down the line and we still think it's a good idea.''
This year, Harmon has been given a producer's credit, though typically he refuses to acknowledge his input.
"There's really nothing different, it's a title the agents worry about more than me,'' he says. “It’s always been the same _ we get together and talk about how thing are going, making sure everyone stays happy.''
Things were reportedly not that happy a few years ago when stories began circulating that that Harmon was clashing heavily with series creator Donald Bellisario and threatening to quit.
Bellisario has since stepped down as show-runner (a US TV industry term referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television series), although he still writes scripts.
Not surprisingly, Harmon hoses down the reports.
“There's nothing unusual about a show-runner moving on, especially in a long-running series like ours,'' he says, ending the subject.
But he is quick to assure fans he is not planning on following in the footsteps of William Petersen, who recently quit rival procedural CSI.
“Oh, I'm not going anywhere,'' Harmon says.”The show could go on without me, I'm sure. Anything's possible and anyone's replaceable, but I'll be honouring my contract.''
Harmon is cagey when asked about the show's future. But he finally concedes:”There's be no official word yet, but I think you can back it in.''
He admits he doesn't know much about the new NCIS spin-off.
”I guess it will be like how we started. Some new guys will come in for a couple of episodes and then they will do their own thing. I don't think we will be losing any core cast members. The difference will be that it will be another show set within the NCIS.''
The show has, of course, lost cast members over the years, including Sasha Alexander, Lauren Holly and recently Liza Lapria, whose character agent Michelle Lee is shot by Gibbs.
“The show seems resilient to change,'' Harmon says.” You lose in some ways but gain in others. Losing Sasha was a big thing, but its hard to imagine the show now without Cote (de Pablo).''
by Garry Williams
http://www.news.com.au
February 18, 2009 08:00am
“He said that? Well, you take everything Weatherly says with a grain of salt,'' he says with a laugh.
“I don't think of myself as the number one actor on the show; it's an ensemble,'' he says.
But most people would agree with Weatherly, who says that without Harmon - who plays NCIS boss, special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs - ”it's a show about jellyfish. We need our spine''.
But Harmon is having none of it, describing himself as”just an actor for hire''.
If there is one theme during the interview, it is Harmon's self-effacing responses as he continually downplays his pivotal role in the series.
Obviously, he is doing something right. NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) spun off from another military-based procedural, JAG. It is in its sixth year and enjoying unprecedented US ratings success.
“It was a hit in Australia and Europe before it really took off here,'' Harmon says.” You guys obviously have a better sense of humour.
“But we always believed in the show. We are 135 episodes down the line and we still think it's a good idea.''
This year, Harmon has been given a producer's credit, though typically he refuses to acknowledge his input.
"There's really nothing different, it's a title the agents worry about more than me,'' he says. “It’s always been the same _ we get together and talk about how thing are going, making sure everyone stays happy.''
Things were reportedly not that happy a few years ago when stories began circulating that that Harmon was clashing heavily with series creator Donald Bellisario and threatening to quit.
Bellisario has since stepped down as show-runner (a US TV industry term referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television series), although he still writes scripts.
Not surprisingly, Harmon hoses down the reports.
“There's nothing unusual about a show-runner moving on, especially in a long-running series like ours,'' he says, ending the subject.
But he is quick to assure fans he is not planning on following in the footsteps of William Petersen, who recently quit rival procedural CSI.
“Oh, I'm not going anywhere,'' Harmon says.”The show could go on without me, I'm sure. Anything's possible and anyone's replaceable, but I'll be honouring my contract.''
Harmon is cagey when asked about the show's future. But he finally concedes:”There's be no official word yet, but I think you can back it in.''
He admits he doesn't know much about the new NCIS spin-off.
”I guess it will be like how we started. Some new guys will come in for a couple of episodes and then they will do their own thing. I don't think we will be losing any core cast members. The difference will be that it will be another show set within the NCIS.''
The show has, of course, lost cast members over the years, including Sasha Alexander, Lauren Holly and recently Liza Lapria, whose character agent Michelle Lee is shot by Gibbs.
“The show seems resilient to change,'' Harmon says.” You lose in some ways but gain in others. Losing Sasha was a big thing, but its hard to imagine the show now without Cote (de Pablo).''
by Garry Williams
http://www.news.com.au
February 18, 2009 08:00am
