‘NCIS’ Bosses Explain Why Mark Harmon Was a No-Show in Ducky Tribute
As the NCIS team mourned the death of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard — and his portrayer, the late David McCallum — in February 19’s “The Stories We Leave Behind,” Michael Weatherly made a surprise return to the show. At the end of the episode, Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo popped by the autopsy room and gave a consoling pep talk to Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).
If the NCIS showrunners had their druthers, though, it wouldn’t have been just Tony coming back. It would have been everyone, including Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
“Our original thought was, ‘Can we get everybody?’” co-showrunner Steven D. Binder told TVLine, adding that they imagined an all-star reunion akin to one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers movies.
But budgetary and logistical issues arose, and so Binder and fellow showrunner David J. North zeroed in on Weatherly’s cameo.
“We really gave a lot of thought to who, you know, is it who Ducky is connected to most, which on one level would be Gibbs,” Binder said. “But it was Jimmy who was there, and we thought who Jimmy would connect with, and also bring some levity to the moment … and, you know, that’s Michael Weatherly. It really is a no-brainer once you realize what that scene needs.”
Dietzen, the actor behind Jimmy and the co-writer of that episode, reflected on Weatherly’s cameo on our aftershow, NCIS: Case Closed, and explained how Tony’s return made sense. “This character, in addition to being close with Ducky, was Jimmy’s good friend, so when he comes to visit, it is to help the person who’s left behind,” he said. “It’s really to be there for his friend.”
Talking to TVLine, Binder said the “door is always open” for Harmon to come back to NCIS, too. “He’s such a pivotal part of the show, and we left him in such an ethereal place, where you’re not quite sure what that man is doing,” the EP explained. “I think when we bring him back — which we’d love to do — we’re not going to bring him back for two minutes. It’s gonna be something special.”
Added North, “We all know what Gibbs and what Mark means to the fans and to this show, and I think Gibbs’ story isn’t done being told, but in this case, it just didn’t work out.”
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Totally lost faith in this show. Gibbs attended countless funerals throughout the series, to honor the fallen. To think that he failed to show up to honor his best friend blows all the other storylines away.
After 20 years I am done with NCIS.
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You do know that these are fictional characters? I remember the actor Mark Harmon giving a nice tribute to the actor David McCallum at the time of his passing. For all we know Harmon attended the funeral for McCallum. But your statement seems to be a bit of an overreaction for a TV show
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I think it's in really bad taste for Gibbs not to show up at his best friends funeral. Budgetary? Come on..what else would Gibbs be doing...fishing in Alaska? It's not a logical thing that Gibbs would do. There is more to it...like Harmon just didn't want to and they're covering up for him. Bad taste.
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Seeing as he's 1 of the Exec Producers the budget thing doesn't hold water
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"Executive Producer" just means his agent got him a contract where they have to pay him for each episode of the show that he has nothing to do with any longer. An "Executive Producer" gets a fat check for doing nothing at all.
If Harmon had appeared in the episode they would have had to pay him for the appearance in addition to what they pay him as Executive Producer -- and since he is not under contract to appear he could demand whatever price he wants. Given the circumstances and they way the real producers are dancing around it, I'd say that Harmon did not want to appear and either flat refused or more likely demanded a salary that he knew they wouldn't pay for a few minutes of 'work'.
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Anyone who believes this was budget cuts really needs to take a critical thinking class. Harmon is still angry at what he perceives as a slight over that dumb dog, among other things. Ratings would have been major gold if fans knew and they brought back Tony, Gibbs Ziva and Abby and it would have made them money Budget cuts is a lie. Harmon needs to grow up
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I think Abby would have added a lot to the emotion and feels of the episode, I assume Pauly Perrette was invited. (Or was she....?? ***cough*** Harmon is EVP ***cough***)
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Harmon needs to get over himself.
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Budgetary, come on!!!
This was a tribute, what were they thinking??
The whole Abby/Gibbs thing could have worked if they really wanted to I’m sure
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Right there with you! Pretty weak excuse on Binder and North's part.
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No, they really couldn't. In case you haven't noticed there are lots of budget cutbacks for all TV shows, including this one. But it has become painfully obvious to me that most folks have very unrealistic ideas as to how TV shows are made in this day and age. By the way, the episode was about Ducky - not all these other characters. I'm quite sure that even if they had brought back everyone who was ever a part of the show just to stand there for a group shot, then we would be hearing complaints about why didn't we get to hear about what so and so is doing or will so and so be coming back. The episode did what it was supposed to do - honoring Ducky/David.
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Couldn't they have photoshopped Gibbs into a cemetery scene in the back, then just turning around and walking away, with no one seeing him. Abby with her umbrella and Ziva next to Tony also could have been photoshopped into a cemetery scene. There were enough cemetary scenes on the snow to borrow photoshop from. I was so disappointed. I've been a huge David M. fan since his UNCLE days. He was a giant, acting with men. I'm done with NCIS. NO MORE! SCREW RERUNS, I get better treatment from Hallmark.
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All must not know how tv works
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Not buying the cost/logistics excuse. Harmon lives in LA. They had to fly Weatherly in from Connecticut. Of all people, Gibbs should have been there to honor his friend, who made him the executor of his estate.
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I wanted to say he was somewhere in Alaska and they couldn't find him to tell him ducky was died. Just wanted to reflect a good thought. he really should have been there.
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It was in Tony's best interest to be there so that they could advertise Tony and Zeva"s new show that will coming soon. To tell you the truth, I think that all the actors that wanted to be on the show should not have been paid to do so. I think that they have been paid very well over the years and should have wanted to do it for free. This is my opinion and I am sticking by it.
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I think Mark needs to come back period.
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Mark Harmon is the executive producer. So you tell me he couldn't make time ??? I think there was a lot of egos and paychecks involved, with all the actors that didn't take part.
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Just Harmon
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The disappointment that “Gibbs” couldn’t make an attendance for Ducky? I’m sure he was there for the real funeral (or at least I hope so) but for the show, NO ONE was closer to Ducky than Gibbs. After 21 years of watching and loosing important cast members such as Abby (big loss there) Tony (to leave and come back when his show Bull is canceled) that’s a bad taste. But for Mark Harmon to not be there when Ducky dies it poor writing. To say budget costs, what a joke. But the line that looses me after 21 years… if we bring back Gibbs it will be for something special…. Ducky DIED. That’s not special????
I’m done!
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He wasn't there because he couldn't be bothered. A real slap the face for the late David McCallum.
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The explanation for why Gibbs wasn’t there is a crock. The tens of millions that NCIS has made for CBS and they didn’t want to fork out the money to pay for guest stars? Give me a break.
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He's a producer in name from his contract. He's never on set
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