What Die-Hard Fans Don't Even Know About NCIS

The hit CBS procedural NCIS is consistently the number one drama on television, meaning
millions of fans are tuning in to catch the team take down spies, hackers, and terrorists
— and since it's one of the longest-running shows on TV, there's plenty of behind-the-scenes
trivia out there.
But the die-hard fans know most of it already — how about some obscure nuggets for the
super fans?
Caf-Pow surprise
The show's quirky genius forensic scientist Abby Sciuto gets a lot of work done thanks
in part to a steady stream of a fictional, caffeine-rich energy drink called Caf-Pow.
CBS sold novelty cans of Caf-Pow on its website for a time, but it was originally a totally
made-up drink.
So what is actress Pauley Perrette actually drinking on camera?
"Well, for the first six years, it was Hawaiian Punch, and then, um, I quit drinking, quit
eating and drinking refined sugars, and now I have unsweetened cranberry juice."
Special guests
One of the perks of holding a high rank in the real-life Naval Criminal Investigative
Service, or just the U.S. Navy in general: the possibility of a cameo on NCIS.
In 2005, around the time that he retired from the post he'd held for eight years, real-life
NCIS director David Brant guest-starred on an episode as "NCIS Special Agent David Brant."
"David Brant."
"Gibbs."
"I heard you were quitting."
"I like to refer to it as a lateral move into the recreational sector, Jethro."
"I wish you luck with that."
His successor as director, Thomas Betro, succeeded him on TV as well, making a brief appearance
on a 2007 episode ...
"Hey, Gibbs.
Need a refill?
I'm going."
"Well, yeah, Betro.
Make it a double."
"You got it."
And then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus made two appearances, one in 2009, and another
in 2014.
Gab for Gibbs
NCIS has always been an ensemble show, but there's no mistaking that the star is Mark
Harmon, and for good reason—he's a commanding presence even with a character who's a man
of few words.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs doesn't talk any more than he has to, and Harmon can convey more with
a glance or a nod than some actors manage with a monologue.
In fact, it's hard for writers, especially new ones, to figure out how to write dialogue
for the character.
Showrunner Gary Glasberg tells TV Guide that before a script is finalized, writers will
do a "Gibbs pass" to determine what, if any, dialogue can be edited down…or edited out
completely in favor of non-verbal actions.
Alexander's exit
Actress Sasha Alexander, who has since gone on to Rizzoli & Isles and a recurring role
on Shameless, was part of the original cast of NCIS when it hit the air as Navy: NCIS
in 2003.
By the end of the second season, Alexander was tired of the grind of portraying Special
Agent Kate Todd, so she came to then-showrunner Donald Bellisario in tears and asked to be
let go.
Bellisario persuaded CBS executives to let her out of her contract, and then killed off
her character.
Alexander has since said she doesn't regret leaving the show, but wishes it had gotten
more exposure during her tenure.
Rules roundup
Every few episodes, Gibbs rattles off yet another one of his "Gibbs' Rules"—succinct
bits of advice he believes are the ideal parameters by which one ought to live one's life, both
on and off the job.
So how many are there?
In one episode, he mentions he's come up with "about 50" of these rules, but on-air, he's
only shared 32 so far with his NCIS compatriots.
Including ...
"Never screw over your partner."
"Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife."
Plus, the famous rule 51: "Sometimes — You're Wrong."
Hands-on Harmon
Mark Harmon not only headlines the NCIS flagship, he's also an executive producer for the show
as well as its 2014 spinoff, NCIS: New Orleans.
And that credit isn't just a perk for having been with the franchise for so long—Harmon
is a hands-on producer.
He worked closely with creator Gary Glasberg to develop the show, participating in decisions
regarding casting, shooting locations, and music selection.
Above and beyond
Pauley Perrette is actually extremely well qualified to play a forensic scientist.
She has a Master's degree in criminal science from Valdosta State University in Georgia,
and was even admitted into the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.
She worked several jobs to pay her way through, including working on a boat, being, quote,
"knee-deep in fish water, cooking food for the rich people upstairs."
Somebody who worked in the coat-check room on that same boat told her about a director
who was looking for commercial actors, and Perrette gave it a shot, landing roles in
ads as well as guest spots on TV shows, giving up on a life of solving crime, at least in
real life.
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What Die-Hard Fans Don't Even Know About NCIS

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