‘NCIS’ season 12: Michael Weatherly taps NBC exec for production company
We remember one of the most-asked questions this past summer when it comes to “NCIS” being Michael Weatherly establishing a new production company was going to impact his role on the show at all. Our response then was pretty simple: It shouldn’t. He can also assemble a team to help oversee this operation, and then continue some of what he does best when it comes to creating great television as Tony.
Now, we’ve got further confirmation on this. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laura Lancaster will help to oversee his Solar Drive Productions banner. Lancaster comes extremely qualified, having spent years working as the executive vice-president of drama programming at NBC Entertainment. She had a major part there in developing critical hits like “Hannibal” and “Parenthood,” and also one of the surprise hits of the summer in “The Night Shift.” She also worked for a stint at Fox.
In a joint statement, Weatherly and Lancaster had the following to say about their joint collaboration:
“We’re going to make inventive, adrenalized, powerful hit series in every platform available to us, by partnering with the most forward-thinking, visionary creators out there.”
Sounds ambitious, no? Well, hopefully they will work to develop some new projects in the near future. Weatherly is far from the only TV star taking on an executive role right now. Ellen Pompeo has multiple series in development right now through her own banner, and Tina Fey is doing the same thing following her time at “30 Rock.” There is obviously money in producing, but in addition to that, this is an opportunity to set yourself up well for the future and help creators do some of what they do best.
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Photo: CBS
sadtonyfan
September 7, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
I’m glad that M. Weatherly has a new creative outlet. With a couple of very rare exceptions, the writing for Tony has been pretty mundane for 6 or 7 seasons now as other characters seem to be the focus of all the action and drama. Weatherly seems like a very energetic and creative person so I hope this gives him a new challenge. Good luck!
FAN*not*FANATIC
September 7, 2014 @ 8:43 pm
Now Tony doesn’t have to play second fiddle/whipping boy to the ninja, the writers can finally give HIM good storylines and great dialogue – damn, it was a loooooong 8 years!
sadtonyfan
September 7, 2014 @ 8:56 pm
It remains to be seen FAN. They didn’t give him much last season and if the season premier spoilers are any indication, it looks to be the season of super Gibbs with second in command McGee again. Tony will get to stay behind in the really exciting episodes and click the clicker. I don’t have much faith that tptb are actually sincere about flattering or evolving Tony. They give us spoilers about it every year but as you said, haven’t followed through for 8 seasons now.
Donna2712
September 7, 2014 @ 10:04 pm
Actually based on the promo “the jets fuelled and ready to go ” and Tony jumping up, with the photo MW tweeted of him looking bad ass I would suggest Tony has a major part in saving them, so how about instead if this CONSTANT whining and b!tching you all just wait to see what happens. Honestly the amount of snark coming from this fandom over the last year is disgraceful and downright embarrassing for the non fanatical fan base.
sadtonyfan
September 11, 2014 @ 2:31 am
After many years of being a Tony fan – along with the fact that his feature moments have been almost exclusively as butt of the joke or insignificant supporting cast to every one else, I’m pretty confident in guessing that this will be a super Gibbs/victim McGee premier with a side of clicker Tony.
I hope I’m wrong but kind of doubt it. I don’t really care if you don’t like my complaints. I’m happy for you if you have been happy with the super Gibbs/super Ziva/idiot Tony version of NCIS that we’ve had for the last 7 seasons.
When I first watched this show, I loved Tony DiNozzo. He was the whole package. Smart, brave, handsome, funny and just goofy enough to be lovable and human as well. Somewhere between seasons 5 and 7 tptb reduced him to idiot and even tried to diminish his looks when they started making him wear suits that were too tight for “character development”. I no longer trust that tptb have any sincere will to give Tony anything flattering that they could give to Gibbs or McGee instead, or for that matter, Vance or some guest star.
As a Tony fan, I always prepare myself for disappointment.