NCIS

So far, it has been announced that David McCallum (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) and Mark Harmon (St. Elsewhere) have been cast for the new series. Michael Weatherly (Loving/The City, Dark Angel) has joined the cast.

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Mark Harmon nabbed the lead in a CBS pilot spin-off of "JAG" as television casting for next season's prospective new shows continued in full force Monday.

-- The deal for Harmon will mark the former "Chicago Hope" and "St.Elsewhere" star's return to leading-man status in prime time. The pilot,centering on Navy criminal investigation, will debut as an episode of "JAG." David McCallum (news) also stars.

Nobody. Sure, it's possible that some of the current JAG cast will appear on the new show every once in a while, but all your favorite JAG characters will remain. (Well, pending renewal.)

Hopefully, next fall. But, the characters will be introduced in an episode of JAG this season. Filming of this episode should begin *very* shortly (as of 3/13/03).

Question: ...was a bit concerned about the statement in the article (See Articles) that "she'll play a Secret Service agent who becomes competitive with Mark Harmon's Naval Criminal Investigation Service team leader."

Question: Kip said she plays a different character. And I believe I read she was in the Secret Service, not the FBI. But that was probably from CBS, and Kip warned us not to believe anything they say. <vbg>

Question: Though I imagine the ads saying it's from the creator of "JAG" won't hurt...especially when people remember that DPB also brought us "Magnum" and "Quantum Leap."

Kip: DPB requested they de-emphasis his name and the JAG relationship. He believes most JAG viewers will at least sample NCIS. And is afraid that there are millions of viewers, especially younger ones, who have never watched JAG because it's a military show and therefore won't try NCIS if they think it's just another form of JAG, which it most definately is not.

NAVAL N.C.I.S. (A.K.A. N.C.I.S.) (CBS) - The Eye network has changed the title for its upcoming "J.A.G." spin-off yet again. Originally "N.C.I.S.," the series has been retitled "Navy C.I.S.," then "Naval C.I.S.," then reverted back to "N.C.I.S." and now has apparently settled on "Navy N.C.I.S."

DPB cheered. He'd won! But, wait. Bruckheimer calls CBS and says people think he's putting on another version of CSI! (Guess there are more dyslexics out there than we thought.)

Question: Now, personally, I can see (hell, I want but know it won't happen) Karri Turner coming over, not as Harriet Sims Roberts, USN, mother , wife and all around hottie, but as another character altogether.

Kip: She would not cross over as another character. NCIS may interact with some JAG characters. One episode is planned to have Sturgis appear. Others may also, but not Harm and Mac since they are too expensive.

Question: If filming starts near the end of July, when does the cast report in to get started on things such as wardrobe fittings etc? Has that already been done at this point?

Question: How far ahead do they receive their scripts? Do all shows do table readings before they start to film an episode and do the readings usually result in a lot of changes to the lines/scenes?

Question: Is there any chance of seeing Kate Pike? I seem to remember that she spent a short time with NCIS after she left JAG HQ in the first season. Or possibly seeing her in another episode on JAG.

Kip: Steve Bransom who has been doing JAG for 7 years or more will do the music for NCIS just as he did in spin-off. NCIS will not be full orchestra like JAG but rather synth-driven beats.

Question: The CBS site for Naval CIS <coughs as he has trouble saying that lists the cast but did not mention Robyn Lively. Was she dropped like a bad habit or an omission on CBS's IT geeks?

Question: Wanted to clarify on your mention of the "new female FBI agent" - maybe Kip can comment - that there's no reason to think any new role will necessary be a former FBI agent. A new female lead could come from any background.

Kip: The new character could be a new female FBI agent, but probably will come from a different law enforcement background. Decision hasn't been made as DPB is working on the first story now.

As an aside on Michael Weatherly. He is a very good actor which is why DPB hired him after they met in Australia where MW was playing Robert Wagner in the Natalie Wood story. Michael came from months of playing RJ and had to instantly become Tony. It took him a while to adjust. The changes are obvious to me because I know the order the scenes were filmed in.

Whoever said some people were jumping on MW as just a pretty boy and didn't jump on RL as just a pretty girl made an accurate observation. It was a bitchy statement.

So they agree in principle. However, DPB does not want to call it Naval CIS or Navy CIS, the Columbia BS solution. He prefers to call it NCIS and to use a 'saga sell' as he did on QL and JAG to get audience up to speed.

By the way, NCIS was not sold to CBS as a forensic CSI type show and DPB has no desire to make one. What network executives say during the selling seasons to advertisers is a short hand they think will work. It isn't always accurate.

Kip: DPB may politic for a time-slot, but the head of the network puts the show where he wants it. We would love to see NCIS on Tuesday after JAG but as far as we know that AOL article (stating that NCIS would air after JAG) is pure speculation. Unfortunately we think a Saturday time slot is more likely.

Question: Do you plan on having the JAG lawyers (Major Marine and Female Commander) star in NCIS with as much emphasis as the NCIS agents who work under Mark Harmon? (Viv and Tony?)

Question: As a side note, I would like to say that those two lawyers were a step above what I am used to seeing on JAG, I assume they were cast with NCIS in mind.

Question: I can understand him being involved in NCIS though as it is DPB's new, and hopefully successful, show but I just did not think he would leave (if indeed he has gone) this board without saying "goodbye"!

Question: Kip: You mentioned that if CBS does not pick up NCIS it would then be offerred around. If CBS decides not to pick it up for the fall, is there enough time for another network to pick it up for the fall or would it be set as a mid season entry or a fill in for one of the early casualties?

Kip: It would have to be a mid-season entry as all networks will have their fall schedule locked by the time CBS passed on NCIS. Also CBS might not let it go. They have a "second bite" until December.

Question: My question is this. If DBP had never seen an episode of CSI why, in the TV Guide article (DJE and CB on cover) does it mention that DBP was trying to attract the younger CSI type audience? I can't remember the exact quote but I'm sure something to this effect was mentioned. If he's never seen CSI, was this a misquote?

Question: To clarify: since NCIS hasn't been picked up yet, and actors/staff/writers/etc. constantly seek new projects (a.k.a. the opposite of unemployment), how does DPB (or any production team for that matter) retain the actors/staff/writers/etc. that actually "sold" the pilot to the newtork in the first place?

Kip: DPB created this with his JAG production team. He also directed and exec produced the pilot episode from a script he wrote with Don MacGill. The actors all have contracts should the pilot go to series. That is standard in the business.

Question: Hypothetically - Mark Harmon is contracted with NCIS, should the show get picked up, but he is offered a spot on a show that is already picked up, or already a regular show. Is he contractually 'bound' to turn that 'guaranteed' offer down, because of his NCIS contract?

Kip: All actors who make pilots are bound to the project. In addition, even if the project isn't immediately picked up the actor is bound for what we call a 'second bite" --a date, usually six months in the future during which the show can still be picked up, say for mid-season. In the meantime, the actor can work on another series, even as a regular, except that show would be in what is called "Second Position". Should the pilot the actor made (which is in "First Position:) be picked up at any time during that six months, the actor is obligated to give up the other work and do the series he made the pilot for.

Question: Kip, I know reading the mail and answering comments, in addition to your other production duties, are more than a full-time job. Does having you here mean you won't be answering JAG discussion group comments?

Question: I don't know why, but I thought his name was Leroy Gibbs until he introduced himself as "Jethro". I think this is another tribute to DPB's father, who I believe was Albert Jethro.

Kip: First comes pick up. Then DPB refines the show. What you saw was a pilot within JAG. Even though it was filmed, edited, scored, paced, etc. quite differently it still had to be told on JAG and with JAG characters.

Question: One other question for KIP, was the 'text' credits in the show the 'new' credits for JAG, or are they the type of credits we will see for NCIS? The text credits are cool and new... refreshing...

Question: I've either gotten used to the new NCIS style awfully quickly or it wasn't as intense this week. The filming seemed to be closer to JAG. Is this because there was a different director or was it a way to ease us back into the JAG episodes?

Kip: We don't know how to weigh opinions on a website since it represents such a small number of viewers with no way to evaluate their statistical status. Do they represent most viewers? A small number? What are their ages? What is their economic status? Etc. This is usually done with control groups in research studies where we know all those factors. Also DPB is notorious for going with his gut. He makes what he likes and hopes there will be enough viewers who agree to watch the shows.

Kip: Focus groups rated NCIS quite high. Especially women. Mark Harmon was very high rated as was Pauley Perette and David McCullen. Overall it was one of the best testing pilots I've seen. Although not privy to the data, I heard that it tested quite high for CBS which seems to be very interested in the show.

Kip: NCIS agents are for the most part former civilian cops. They have to attend the Federal Agents school which is somewhere down south (I forget where) and not to be confused with FBI school in Quantico. It's different.

Question: I know that the BIG thing we are waiting for is CBS' pick up, but are there tentative plans for the directions that the stories and characters will take when the show IS (remaining positive here!) picked up?

Question: ...late response to say thanks to Harriet for giving us this up close and personal perspective from the set. Since I just read it and it's fresh in my mind I can't help but remind you of the bits you promised to fill in after the ep aired. :-)

Harriet: Ah, yes; the park/reservoir, I remember it well. Actually, I don't, because the next day after that promise, the electricity went out over parts of Hollywood, including Sunset Gower (remind me never to make promises).

Okay, I have it in front of me. First, I must say I never ventured down to the reservoir where the body was found because David Bellisario told me there were bullfrogs and besides I don't do well in places without sidewalks. Or all night drug stores. Which was a shame, because that was the scene with David McCallum and we barely had time to talk before he was called away.

Since I had read "Ice Queen," I was deliberately vague about the set and the script, but I hadn't read "Meltdown" (purposely) and was swept away by the compelling drama, the complex characters, the interconnecting storylines, the breathless pace, the driving music, the graphics (I used to review

movies...can you tell?). It was quite an emotional ride from someone I've worked with over twenty years and never ceases to amaze me...filmwise, in this case. Don Bellisario, of course, who put it all together, as well as co-writing with Don McGill. (The episode was expertly directed by Scott Brazil.)

And for those thinking NCIS would be another "JAG," that's not what the biz is all about. During "Magnum, P.I.," I received a phone call: "My son looks just like Tom Selleck," a woman said excitedly. "That's too bad," I answered. "You see, there already is a Tom Selleck."

Question: In response to your above answer, does this mean that if you do start working on NCIS (assuming it is picked up) will you also be an "insider" on that show for its fans? Also, if the show is picked up will your involvement with us JAG fans, in that you feed us tidbits about the show, cast, etc. decline?

Question: I just saw Harriet's reference to the park scene, and it made me wonder, in which park was that filmed? (i.e. is it a local Los Angeles-area park, a Paramount set, etc.?)

Question: What I want to know is: Who does he know named "Ducky"? *grin* Not that I'm complaining about the name, mind you. Personally I love it. But I'd love to know how that name came into existance.

Kip: DPB's mother-in-law had a friend named Duck and his nickname was Ducky. He used to kid her saying if she ever married her friend she'd become Dulcie Duck. He used Ducky but made the M.E.'s name Mallard as a reason for the nickname.

Question: I LOVED THE ENDING OF THIS EP!! When Rabb told Gibbs to ask him the question, believing the question to be "did you kill her?" and Gibbs asked "would you kill for your brother." OMG!! Great!!

Harriet: When I met Michael Weatherly on the set of "Ice Queen" in that wonderful park setting, he told me there was one line in the script that convinced him he had to be a part of it....and that was the line.

Question: In the shots taken of Singer's body, how did they set that up? I know some of it had to be a manequin but did NC or a body double suit up in special makeup for the close ups?

Kip: It was a special effects body created to the specs needed for the show. First intact and then when we were finished filming that, it was opened up an fake organs inserted for that part of the autopsy. Viewers saw very little of what was really there. A few brief flashed shots of the face, arms, legs. In the process of filming we shot it all and then edited out 99% of it.

Question: How was Kip and the rest of the production crew supposed to know that her body (of Lacey Peterson) would be found (after she was missing for months) right before the episode aired? They aren't psychic. You can't pull a show 4 days before it's supposed to air, and for what? To wait a week? Sorry for my rant.

Harriet: Was it John Lennon who said "Life is what happens while you're making other plans?" The first thing that happened was an explosion at the Dept. of Water and Power in Hollywood on Wednesday, leaving us powerless (no pun intended). So, here I am today playing catch-up. If I repeat info already posted, well, bear with me.

The first post I read concerned the "look" of the show. That was decided upon by Don Bellisario, who not only co-created the pilot (with Don McGill) but also directed it. The pace, the music, the lighting, the camera angles, the editing, the graphics, all intended to create a contemporary feel (I believe DPB described this in his interview with the L.A. Times, which was posted earlier.)

The pilot was a "JAG" episode (as described in that same article, "The hit show as launch pad") and, of course, utilized our same staff and crew, with one exception that I'm aware of: the casting director was Susan Bluestein. Melissa Skoff was busy casting "JAG" episodes to follow. (As you know, the last episodes of the season were split in two: half an episode was filmed early to include Catherine Bell before she left to have the baby, and the other half later down the line.) And second unit in Washington, D.C. was helmed by director Alan Levi.

I'd like to share part of a letter I received by coincidence. "I am a Reserve Judge Advocate. In my civilian life I am an NCIS Special Agent assigned to Singapore. We are a frequent port call for aircraft carriers transiting to or from the west coast-middle east. In an effort to give my younger JAGC brethern a bit of home I try to arrange for a "legal night" and he went on to request a cast photo to add to the occasion. I sent him a note with the photo advising that we were in the middle of filming a pilot based on the NCIS and I sent a copy of his letter to our NCIS tech advisor in Washington, D.C., Paul O'Donnell. (Paul sent me a list of "talking points" about the NCIS, which I will post when I catch up further; I also promised to send him some of your comments.) Best, Harriet

NCIS is composed of over 2,000 personnel, including special agents, analysts, security specialists and professional support staff serving in over 140 locations (including with Carrier Battle Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups, and Marine Expeditionary Units) worldwide.

NCIS special agents, who are mostly civilian federal law enforcement agents and a small cadre of active duty Marine Corps agents, come from a variety of backgrounds including the military; other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies; and the forensics and intelligence community. Many of the NCIS special agents hold advanced degrees and speak a foreign language. All are college graduates.

Kip: Second half hour picked up strongly on JAG. We're pleased, especially considering we were in re=runs for two weeks. Usually it takes a week or two of original programming to get back up to speed.

Question: None of the regular cast will be on the spin-off. Although from what I understand from what Kip has said, the 2 new member of JAG will be the link between JAG and the spin-off.

Question: First, I'm really amazed by the different, "21st century" look to the show. Many of the names in the crew list looked familiar, so I assume it was the same folks putting it together; thus I'm wondering how they achieved this.

Kip: DPB directed and designed the style of the show. He set out to deliberately make it fast paced, quick cutting, driving music. Wide shots followed by tight. Never stop, but when you do...slow way down. Then pick it up again.

Question: I'm sitting here trying to connect the dots and I just don't know who did it. I'm still curious as to who the father is. And the look on Mac's face was priceless. Can tomorrow be Tuesday?

Question: Two new JAG members are introduced in episode 21. They will appear in NCIS So Kip there is a chance that they might be appearing in some episodes of JAG too? What do you think the odds are?

Question: I'm curious about the casting choices that were made for the possible spinoff. Was Mark Harmon DPBs orignial choice? Did MH lobby for the job a'la CB? How were the other actors chosen? Were they immediately thought of or were they chosen through the audition process?

Question: Though correct me if I'm wrong...NCIS investigates a lot of different crimes, so conceivably, we could see Gibbs and crew looking for spies, investigating fraud, theft, sexual crimes, and other stuff in addition to murder?

Question: I don't know if I am the only one who thought this, but the background music was much louder than normal tonight, which wouldn't be a problem except it was hard to hear what the actors were saying. I am 26 and have pretty good hearing, but maybe it is just me. Just thought I would throw that out there as a suggestion.

Kip: DPB agrees. The bg music was too loud. Won't happen, again. It was a technical slip up that was caught too late. No excuse, but from the time we finished filming until the show was shipped to CBS for air was less than 9 days. Usually you want about three weeks. The loud music was one of the results of the rush.

Kip: Not for those of us who have to finish this episode and get it on the air. Today is the last day of principle photography. Second unit photography won't be finished until Saturday. The show has to be locked and spotted. DPB will finish shooting today, go into editing and still be working with post on the mix and dub through Easter Sunday in order to make the 22nd air date. A much too short to weeks for everyone in JAG Post. This process should take at least a month. In features it can take four to six months.

Kip: Shooting one after the other. An even shorter post time for 21, although it doesn't have to wait for the 2nd unit footage since it's being filmed in DC this week.

Question: Assuming NCIS has a long (I know, a big if.), If a JAG officer is required for an episode after JAG has ended its run, would we be more likely to see one from the current cast, or someone totally new?

Question: Kip, will NCIS function in the "same Navy" as JAG next year? Will it have the Seahawk and other JAG vessels with the same skippers, will Sheffield be the SecNav, etc.?

From Kip: Okay, to all you JAG fans. With only one week to go to the NCIS/JAG episode I'm ready to divulge some info. You already know that it is two episodes. The first episode introduces the NCIS characters and the second will introduce two new JAG officers. More to come.

Question: It seems that CBS has Tuesday's pretty well shored up with JAG, Guardian and Amy... Those three make Tuesday's a lock for CBS... what are the chances of NCIS taking one of those slots and picking up the ppl that already watch CBS Tuesdays?

Kip: First NCIS has to be ordered. Then you usually get a sucko time slot, ala JAG in the beginning and if you get an audience they more you to a better time. CSI even went through that routine.

Kip: Mark Harmon plays "Leroy Jethro Gibbs". DPB's brother's name is Leroy. His father's middle name was Jethro. Don't know where the Gibbs came from, but will ask.

Question: The woman character is "Viv Blackadder." Kip, is she related to the guy who gave Harm $50,000 in Russia? Surely Harm is going to remark on that when he meets her.

I just watched a scene or two, to see how the NCIS group interacted with the "JAG" regulars, and to see how Catherine Bell is faring as her birth day draws closer. Well, I've never seen her more radiant, she absolutely glows (remember, when you see the episode, I said it first.) DJE and Mark had a feisty scene together, which fans of both will be sure to enjoy, and JMJ, of course, is his usual smooth self, holding it all together as the Admiral. From what I can gather, there'll be something for everyone, I guarantee it.

There are two additional NCIS cast members I noticed in dailies: Michael Weatherly, a major babe (that's an opinion, not a military rank) and Robyn Lively, as attractive and spirited as her name.

David McCallum joins the cast next week, which is when I hope to visit the set on location and reminisce with him about our past association. One of us, probably me, is sure to say, "small world, isn't it?"

The set was located in a magnificent park very close to where I live in the Valley. It was like finding Oz in your backyard, because I never knew it was there. (New Yorkers tend to cling to paved areas.)

It was bright and sunshiny, and the winds of the previous day had dissipated. My friend, Angela, drove because I'm not good with winding trails, either. We arrived just as the lunch break ended, to be greeted warmly by the regular "JAG" crew, including Propmaster George Tuers, Stunt Coordinator Diamond Farnsworth, Hairstylist Carla Dean (I've got my eye on a wig similar to Karri Turner's -- well, why not, she's got my name, it's only fair), co-Exec. Producer Chas. Johnson in deep discussion with Don McGill, who co-wrote the pilot with DPB, and has the added title of "Producer" (well-deserved, and besides he's such a sweetie) and a bunch of familiar faces who yelled a friendly "Hello, Harriet."

As we waited for the van to take us further down, down, down to the actual set, I spotted Mark Harmon and introduced myself, credits and all. When I mentioned "Quantum Leap," he asked me to remember him to Scott Bakula.

At the set, DPB was bustling around, getting the scene ready, stopping momentarily to greet us. The crew hustled to find us Director's chairs to be placed with a good view. Mark walked over and arranged to have a screen set up to protect us from the blinding sun. It was a thoughtful gesture, and reminded me I should have remembered that myself. (I never miss an occasion to quote from my sunscreen tube: There's no such thing as a healthy tan.)

Mark was called to enter the scene, and as he walked by DPB, concentrating on the monitors in front of him, he called out, "I just met Harriet!" Don, whom I would describe as "unflappable," was startled. "What?" he asked. And Mark repeated it, twice as loud. Caught everyone, including me, off-guard

I was reminded of Scott, who would stop whatever he was doing when I entered the QL set, and yell a greeting to me: Hi, Harriet! and everyone would turn around to say hello. It was deja vu all over again. Who said there are no "Second Acts" in America?

As the scene was being rehearsed, Michael Weatherly sat down next to me and told about meeting DPB in Australia, where he was filming "The Natalie Wood Story," playing the part of Robert Wagner. (It's a forthcoming ABC Movie of the Week, directed by Peter Bogdanovich.) There was an instant rapport between the two, and Michael said he eagerly awaited the pilot script. "There was one line that decided me and I knew then I had to be part of it." And he was called away to the set. (Yes, of course, I know the line but that will have to wait until after the episode airs, when all...and much more...will be revealed.)

As I moved closer to get a better view, a gentleman leaped up to offer me his seat. The chairback read: NCIS Liaison. "What a coincidence, I have that same title." I told him about the various fan lists and he was quite impressed, especially when I mentioned "JAG" fans were world-wide and I've heard from countries I never knew existed. He promised to email me "talking points" about the NCIS, and I, in turn, told him I'd share your feedback with him. "Lots of our viewers will be sure to point out any gaffes you didn't catch," I warned.

I was waiting for David McCallum, who had a late call and wasn't due until the set moved once again, deeper into the tree-shrouded ravine, where I had decided not to go for reasons which will be revealed you know when. And suddenly, there he was, older than when I first knew him, when I answered the fan mail for "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." but then, so was I. But the face was the same, the voice the same, and I surprised him by showing the fan photos and picture articles of a time when we were both much younger. He described where the photos were taken, so many years ago, and then he had to leave for his scene. "I'll mail you all this," I promised, but he wouldn't let go. "My jacket has a lot of room," he answered, stuffing the material into a variety of pockets.

I guess you'll have to consider this post a cliffhanger of a sort but I will fill in the blanks the next day after we all enjoy seeing this very special "JAG" episode together on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Harriet: Karri has waist-length hair, which understandably she won't cut. So does Nanci Chambers, by the way, but Nanci wears hers in a bun. Such are the demands of the military.

...By the way, "JAG" was Number Six in the Nielsen Rankings for last week; the episode was "Fortunate Son." Hugs all around; your support is always appreciated, but especially so when there's good tidings to share.

DPB began directing the spinoff pilot episode yesterday (3/25/03); what a wonderful note to start on, and what a nice welcome for our new cast, as well as a happy vote of confidence for our regular cast and crew.

Question: Can you tell us if the issues in the episode 20 shocker (the spinoff episode) will be resolved within that episode, or does the story line carry on for several more episodes until resolved?

Question: ...also understood that the new Navy and Marine officer being introduced would be joining JAG, not the spin-off series. I guess I'll have to see if I can find Kip's post to clarify what I read...unless he'd like to just take a moment and clear it up in a new post.

Kip: Definately a possibility. In part ll of the spin-off (episode 21 this season) two new JAG officers will be introduced: A male Marine Major and a female Navy Lt. Cmdr.

Question: JAG dramatises legal cases within the armed forces and, in the process, tells us about the main characters involved. What is going to make the spin-off so different?

Question: Will this then deal with more base type of issues? Such as the ones that we heard in the headlines of military coming home from tours and murdering their wives? That sort of thing?

Question: Kip, if the spinoff episode is actually the NCIS pilot, does that mean that it will be shown from the point of view of NCIS rather than of JAG? Or will the NCIS characters just show up in secondary parts?

Kip: There were a number of leads suggested. DPB then saw Mark Harmon's work on Westwing and felt he would be perfect for the NCIS lead characer, Mark read the script and liked it. They met and the biz people made the deal.

Next to film is the spinoff pilot; I plan to visit the set to meet the principals and because Don Bellisario is directing, big incentives for me, and of course, I'll share when I do.

Network president and CEO Leslie Moonves told reporters Monday (Jan. 13) at the TV Critics Association press tour that CBS will launch a spinoff of "JAG" next season. It will focus on officers in the Navy's Criminal Investigative Services division, which conducts counter-intelligence and criminal probes for the Navy and Marine Corps.

If CBS goes the title-by-initials route, however, the new show will be called "CIS" (a title hasn't been settled on). The network already has three series in its lineup that focus on astute crime-solvers -- the two "CSI" shows and "Without a Trace."

Moonves says the new series will be introduced in an episode of "JAG" later this season. The cast of the parent show will likely remain intact, with new characters being introduced for the spinoff.

"JAG" has consistently produced strong ratings for CBS. It's averaging just under 14 million viewers a week this season, putting it in the Nielsen top 20 for total viewers.

Kip: That totally confuses me. I don't know what you consider to be different since both shows used the same cinematographer (Hugo Cortinez) and he lit them the same at DPBs direction. My point in saying it would be a DPB show was that all his shows are noted for outstanding production quality.

Question: Kip, you said the Spin-off would be introduced somewhere this season. And we know that ep #20 has a shocker. We also know Singer isn't happy with the baby and thinks about letting it adopt, yes, she goes to San Diego ( some said, close to Mexico. Yes, about a 5 hour drive but, anyway). Then we have Mac going undercover as a pregnant lady for the 4 eps AFTER the shocker episode.

So, I was thinking. Does the introducion of the spin-off in JAG have anything to do with the shocker of ep #20 ( NCIS dealing with murders, incl. child murder and such)? And does the shocker have anything to do with Mac's undercover action?

Question: I'm also curious what it's like for DPB, and others involved in the creation of a new show, to choose the lead actors - It seems like it would be either very nerve wracking or kind of exciting - or both.

Question: Kip--would you be willing to share with us the process that CBS/DPB are going through to develop the spin off? Whose idea was it? (I think you said DPB's) When was the subject first broached? What steps then were/are taken? I imagine it's slightly different for every show and even, possibly, more different for a spin off.

Kip: Don't have time to say more than this is a concept DPB has wanted to execute for a couple of years, but never had the time. He is co-writing it with Don McGill and DPB will direct.

Question: Mary, that's a WONDERFUL idea! he appears to be wearing a navy uniform a couple of times in The Pretender, and he looks gorgeous! I totally follow you on that one! (Fans were discussing possible stars of the new show.)

Question: Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't many (most?) NCIS investigators civilians? Are there plans to have a mix of navy and civilian investigators on the new show?

Kip: Most NCIS investigators are civilians who were former cops, FBI. MPs, SPs, etc. Four years ago the USMC CIS merged into NCIS and the Marines retain their military rank and stay in the Corps. They, however, od not wear uniforms and are not obligated to defer in any way to military officers while on an investigation.

Question: Kip, I forgot to ask before -- is the March 18 ep with the the INS investigator the spin-off possibility? Is that a done deal, I mean that there definitely will be the spin-off, or is the network waiting to see the (or its PTB) reaction?