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« Ausiello Report
Exclusive: NCIS Feud Erupts! Harmon to Walk?
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-behaved actors in this industry," adds my mole. "He's a willing, hard worker and he doesn't complain easily. For him to [threaten a walk-out] means that the situation is very bad."
OK, NCIS fans, what's your take on all this? Can NCIS survive without Harmon? Or should Bellisario do whatever it takes to hold onto his leading man? Speak up! This may be the last NCIS scoop I have in a long time!
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Apr 23, 2007 9:19 PM
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i worked on that show for a while a couple of years ago, and mark is as nice as they say. in fact everyone was nice...but they were definately extremely long days, especially for a show that shoots so far out of town.
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Apr 23, 2007 10:16 PM
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Mr. Bellisario would have to be an idiot to let Mark Harmon, a noted long-time favorite actor, become so fed up he would leave the show. Micro-managing is the quickest way to lose the support of those who work for you. I like the show, but it's not that big of a show that it needs to have so much work put into it. . .
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Apr 23, 2007 10:20 PM
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Harmon is the ONLY reason I watch that show. With him gone, I definitely wouldn't tune in anymore.
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Apr 23, 2007 10:27 PM
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I'm speechless. I love this show. NCIS is an integral part of my TV week and Harmon is an integral part of that winning cast. I have to admit, seeing Sascha Alexander go for seemingly the same reasons should have been a tip-off, but news from the set is so scarce (ahem) ...
Would I continue to watch after Harmon leaves? Absolutely, Bellisario has pulled together a fun supporting cast of characters deserving of the spotlight. However short-lived it may be.
Newsradio post-Hartman springs to mind.
CBS, make it better. Please. There is no substitution for the dynamic they've created, and the loyal NCIS audience has lapped up. There's a reason it was impossible for me to find the Season 2 DVD set after release.
This is gonna destroy my father. One of the few things we have left in common is this show.
Thanks for the fantastic scoopage Mike, congrats on finally getting to NCIS.
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Apr 23, 2007 10:39 PM
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I was fortunate enough to meet Mark back in the 80s when he was participating in a celebrity baseball game for a charitable group my mom worked with. I remember to this day how gracious, and kind, and respectful he was. I watch the show to support him, and I will follow him to any other show he moves to if this situation doesn't resolve itself.
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Apr 23, 2007 10:39 PM
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please don't lose mark! he's the best part of the show...and the best older gentleman man candy on tv! this show will tank without him!
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Apr 23, 2007 11:21 PM
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Wow. Just wow.
NCIS has been a favorite of mine since the beginning of season 3 (and I'm looking into getting DVDs for the other two seasons.) The cast is awesome, and I think Bellisario put together a great show. Just the right amount of drama and comedy, with relatable characters.
Which is exactly why I'm wondering this: How stupid can one be to do something that could possibly push an integral part of the show to quit? It's just bad logic.
While the other characters are interesting, Harmon-as-Gibbs ties it all together. Without him, there'd be no Tony getting Gibbs-slapped, no perfect dynamics between Gibbs and Ducky, Gibbs and Ziva, even Gibbs and McGee. Director Shepard would not seem to work as well into the plot, as Gibbs is often in the scenes with her. And Abby would definitely not be as entertaining without Gibbs bringing her Caff-Pows and the father-daughter bonds they seem to have.
I hope they fix this, and soon. NCIS would not be NCIS without Mark Harmon.
To summarize: NCIS without Mark Harmon is like Ausiello without smurfs and Diet Raspberry Snapple: It just won't work right at all.
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Apr 23, 2007 11:27 PM
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Mark is NCIS. I watch to see Mark, and how he interacts with the others. Please work it out Mark! You are great!
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Apr 24, 2007 12:18 AM
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NCIS always makes me smile ... always. It's a fun show with great charisma. And part of that charisma is Mark Harmon. He's beautiful to look at, fun to watch and a consistently good actor. I hope TPTB work it out with him ... give him some days off, people! And don't neglect the rest of the crew either!
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Apr 24, 2007 12:50 AM
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Love "NCIS" - Harmon is the glue though. Wouldn't be the same show without him.
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Apr 24, 2007 3:39 AM
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Please don't tell me I've wasted £1000 going to a Fan Fest of a show I won't be watching next season. Mark is NCIS for me, daft enough to visit the US twice this year because of him. Baseball in Oklahoma, June and Fan Fest in LA, September.
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Apr 24, 2007 4:06 AM
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No, the show can't survive if Mark Harmon leaves. He's the center everyone else spins around.
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Apr 24, 2007 6:58 AM
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While Bellisario has had a long strings of hits, he must be losing it if he's doing this to NCIS. There is no way the show will survive without Mark Harmon.
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Apr 24, 2007 8:26 AM
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Any show can go on without an actor. But I can't think of any show that would be better without its leading man. I really think this show, that I love and watch faithfully, would die a quick death without Mark Harmon. He is the heart of the show. His relationship with each of the other characters is what makes the show so great. I can't even imagine this show without him. And I don't want to. This needs to be fixed and fast.
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Apr 24, 2007 8:28 AM
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