Mark Harmon

Rocky Carroll, NCIS: In Harmon's Crosshairs

• Dec 15, 2008 01:53 PM ET
• by Rocky Carroll
• 31 Comments

Greetings,

Well, I just finished my last day of filming NCIS for '08. There's one more episode (in which Vance will not appear) to be filmed before everyone takes a break for the holidays. I believe that the Vance-centric episode that I mentioned will be filmed mid-January. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you again for all of your kind words about NCIS. I especially want to thank you for your response to this blog. Speaking of your responses ... time to address a few of them ... read more

Exclusive: NCIS Investigates Gibbs' Past; Ralph Waite Guest-Stars

• Sep 24, 2008 02:08 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich
• 4 Comments

Mark Harmon by Cliff Lipson/CBS; Ralph Waite by Jim Spellman/ WireImage.com

This season, NCIS will do something it has rarely done: Tell us a little something about Leroy Jethro's background.TVGuide.com has learned exclusively that in the Oct. 14 episode, when a pair of Marines are ambushed, the NCIS team's investigation leads them to no less than Gibbs' hometown. There, viewers will meet Gibbs' father — played by guest-star Ralph Waite (The Waltons, Cool Hand Luke) — as well as learn secrets about the enigmatic special agent."Taking Gibbs [played by Mark Harmon] back to his roots was something we've talked about doing for some time," executive producer Shane Brennan tells us. "It was an easy creative decision to make, but a challenging story to tell."The writers of the hit CBS drama, of course, met the challenge, and are excited to serve up a precious glimpse into their lead character's origins. "The episode is a little piece of magic, with revelations about how Gibbs grew into the man we all admire and respect," says Brennan. "It is a funny, rev... read more

Inside NCIS' "Rollercoaster Ride" New Season

• Sep 22, 2008 06:22 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Rocky Carroll by Cliff Lipson/CBS

Whats wrong with this pictureLeroy Jethro Gibbs is investigating the murder of a serviceman in a grimy trailer park quizzing the dead mans landlady and dispatching his team to take photos and do background checks The setting is a hot summer day in Newhall 40 minutes north of Los Angeles and the talk is vintage NCIS sifting through clues making connections dropping in the occasional wisecrackBut things are off-kilter in a way that has nothing to do with Gibbs Mark Harmon or the case Its the people surrounding him who dont seem right Instead of his longtime team of Agents DiNozzo McGee and David Michael Weatherly Sean Murray and Cote de Pablo Gibbs is working with a group of new faces played by Liza Lapira Jonathan LaPaglia and Jonathan MangumThe shocking change happened in the closing minutes of last seasons finale when following the murder of director Shepard Lauren Holly new NCIS director Leon Vance Rocky Carroll disassembled the team He assig read more

 The NCIS-Ex Files: Gibbs Finds Himself Surrounded

• Oct 9, 2007 04:00 AM ET
• by Joseph Hudak

Mark Harmon, Kathleen York and Susanna Thompson, NCIS

From serial killers to terrorists, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) has faced off with some tough customers on NCIS (CBS, 8  pm/ET). But perhaps none were as intimidating as the trio he must confront tonight: his girlfriend, his ex-wife and his boss. When it's discovered that Gibbs' former spouse, Stephanie Flynn (guest star Kathleen York), may have information about the murder of a Marine captain, she's brought in to be questioned — by Gibbs' current squeeze, Col. Mann (Susanna Thompson)."Gibbs is surrounded by women who've been in his life: his girlfriend, his ex-wife, and Director Shepard [Lauren Holly], with whom he read more

Live Emmy Blog

• Sep 17, 2007 01:35 AM ET
• by TV Guide News

9:20: Steve Carell just threw to a clip package that makes his costars all seem jealous of him. Cool of Fox — or maybe just smart — to let them do their thing even though The Office is on another network.9:23: "What a great show... this part of the audience has seen," Best Comedy, Music or Variety Show winner Jon Stewart says, poking fun at the Emmys-in-the-round conceit. You just know they've got poor Mitovich stuck behind the stage. Hopefully he's at the bar getting scoop from Vanessa Williams instead. He's enterprising that way.9:25: Tony Bennett's special won best music... er, special. Oh, gee. Now the producer is kissing up to him right on stage for the world to see. Wait, the guy just called Tony "Dad." In that case, it's sweet. If they aren't actually related, it's just creepy.9:27: Mark Harmon and Marcia Cross — hot coupla presenters. And Marcia's totally got the girls out. Let's hear it for breast-feeding. 9:28: Oh, Toni Collette is nominated. And just like t... read more

In Harmon's Way: NCIS Replaces Show Boss

• May 7, 2007 02:13 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

As first hinted at and then ultimately scooped this Saturday by TVGuide.com's Ausiello Report, NCIS creator Donald P. Bellisario is stepping down as show-runner, this on the heels of reports of on-set clashes between him and series star Mark Harmon. Bellisario's duties will likely be assumed by coexecutive producer Chas Floyd Johnson and head writer Shane Brennan. In a statement, CBS Paramount president David Stapf hails Bellisario, who sired NCIS predecessor JAG, for building not only "a top-rated show but a great producing team that provides terrific continuity for the years ahead." read more

Exclusive: NCIS Boss Exits!

• May 5, 2007 06:46 PM ET
• by Michael Ausiello

The tense NCIS standoff between Mark Harmon and Don Bellisario that I first told you about two weeks ago has ended as dramatically as it began: Sources confirm that the veteran producer has agreed to step down as showrunner, effective immediately. I hear he'll likely be replaced by co-executive producer (and longtime Bellisario collaborator) Chas. Floyd Johnson and headwriter Shane Brennan. As NCIS' creator, Bellisario will still retain his executive producer title (much like AS-P did on Gilmore Girls), but he is no longer in charge of the show. He's not leaving CBS, however. (Lucky them!) He'll develop two new projects as part of his overall deal with the network.As I reported, insiders say Harmon has been frustrated for some time with the long hours that resulted from Bellisario's "chaotic management style." And in mid-April, things came to a boil."Mark's been working every single day, 16 hours a day," the mole told me. "Don tries to micro-manage everything. Script pages get faxed... read more

Exclusive: NCIS Feud Erupts! Harmon to Walk?

• Apr 24, 2007 01:19 AM ET
• by Michael Ausiello

Mark Harmon by Cliff Lipson/CBS

Wondering why I've been skimping on the NCIS scoopage all these years? Well, I've been holding out for a biggie. And here it is:Multiple sources confirm that Mark Harmon is embroiled in a tense standoff with NCIS executive producer Don Bellisario, with Harmon apparently threatening to walk. CBS declined comment, but an insider says Harmon has been unhappy for some time over Bellisario's "chaotic management style," and simply became fed up."Mark's been working every single day, 16 hours a day," whispers one source. "[Don] tries to micro-manage everything. Script pages get faxed to the set at the last minute, and Mark is tired of dealing with the huge impact that makes on his life. He doesn't have time for his family or anything when he's working hours like that."It's unclear what impact the feud is having on the show's production schedule — technically speaking, Harmon has yet to miss a day of work — but my spy describes it as a "big standoff." "Mark is one of the best-beha... read more

Once a Hero

• Apr 12, 2007 11:38 PM ET
• by Cote De Pablo

Many people may not know this, but shooting an NCIS episode is a lot of hard work and the schedule is absolutely crazy! But all that said, I have to say it is also one of my favorite things to do. I get to hang out and "play" with my friends, and laugh between takes with some of the funniest and silliest characters I have ever met. We shot the April 17 episode, "Once a Hero," a long time ago, and when I say a long time ago it may very well be two to three months ago. You lose perspective of time when you shoot, and I think all of us in the cast will agree with that statement. It has turned into a joke between us. As far as the episode goes, I don't remember the plot as much as I remember what happened behind the scenes. We shot part of this story in a hotel, somewhere close to the airport. I remember we were all wearing our "nice" secret-agent clothing, which in my case was a black skirt, a jacket, and a pair of heels, and my hair was sleeked back into a very clean ponytail. We were... read more

Do you know how many more ...

• Mar 9, 2007 03:00 AM ET
• by Matt Roush

Question: Do you know how many more years, if any, Mark Harmon has left on his contract? NCIS is my favorite show because it is very well written and because Mark Harmon's character has so much depth. Most of the episodes are not as violent as the Law & Orders or CSIs, so it is a little easier to watch. We love NCIS and would still watch it even if Gibbs left.
Answer: You've got nothing to worry about, as far as I know. I certainly haven't heard anything to indicate he's considering an exit strategy. I have no inside knowledge of his deal with CBS, but stars like Mark Harmon are usually locked into at least a seven-year contract, and given how successful NCIS is, I'd bet they've sweetened his deal considerably since the show premiered four seasons ago ... read more