The Hollywood Reporter says that NCIS creator/executive producer Don Bellisario is leaving the show.
There have been reports all over the net about the increasing tension between Bellisario and star Mark Harmon. Things reportedly came to a boil when Harmon threatened to leave the show.
The main issue seems to be the rather chaotic management style of Mr. Bellisario.
The following is from TVGuide.com:
“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.”
With Bellisario gone, head writer Shane Brennon and Don’s Co-Executive producer Chas. Floyd Johnson will apparently be sharing the reigns.
It could be very interesting to see how this affects the show.
Two of the more recent removals/departures of show creators, Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing and Amy Sherman of The Gilmore Girls, have seen the shows struggle creatively and in the ratings.
Will NCIS be different? I hope so.
Jon Jordan talks about his growing appreciation for the show over at the Central Crime Zone.
Bellisario commented on his micro-managing tendency on the NCIS Season One DVD. He said had overseen JAG for some time longer than expected, and he was unsure about doing the same on NCIS, but Harmon was originally very eager to work with him, so he made the commitment.
Work environment aside, it's common for creators to leave established shows. I don't expect this to impact the quality much. Then again, those late script changes may have been improvements.
TVGuide.com asks if NCIS could survive without Harmon's character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. IMO, it could go for a while like X-Files, but the show is such that every character's role has impact and it wouldn't be the same show without Gibbs.
It sounds as if Bellisario is stepping away to increase the likelihood Harmon stays. Perhaps he doesn't want to risk an NCIS without Gibbs.
NCIS WITHOUT GIBBS DONT THINK SO!!
NCIS wouldnt survive without Gibbs….. At the ebd of season three and the beginning of four when he "retired" it just wasnt the same…. we need all the characters on the show… Like i said there wouldnt be NCIS without Gibbs..and no, NCIS doenst need to change in the sligtest bit
NCIS without Gibbs would not be worth watching IMO.
NCIS withour Jethro?? Forget it .. (my wife and I love that show and would hate it if it comes to an end – without J. Gibbs!!) / Jonna Bas, Norway