No evidence NCIS season 15 is Mark Harmon’s last
Remember the many stories we’ve debunked about the actor’s health? Well, we’ve got a few more today that are picked up from a variety of different outlets that are all reporting the same thing: That the upcoming season could be the final one for the show’s longtime star. Here’s one of the most ridiculous parts of all of it — Closer Weekly seems to be somehow using speculation of ours (from months ago!) as evidence that we’re leaving (which we never said). Meanwhile, The Inquistr is also citing us that he is not leaving the show and is under contract … while in the middle of an article about whether or not he could be leaving the show at the end of the season.
Both stories, alas, reference old and VERY nasty reports that Harmon’s health is failing — which really just feels like ageism since there have not been any signs of this very thing on the show itself. Remember here that David McCallum is 83 years old and continues to work on the show just fine; Harmon is 65, and seems to still be enjoying his work playing Gibbs. It probably also helps that the show pays extremely well and he is also an executive producer on NCIS: New Orleans.
Here’s the truth around what is going on — any time there is a new report about the show, somehow publications find a way to spin a new story about it. Why keep fueling the fire on our end? We’ve noted this before, but the biggest reason is that we don’t want people casually scanning the internet to buy into this nonsense and suddenly think that Harmon is in poor health. All these stories are doing are referencing the same story from many months ago with zero evidence that there is any legitimacy to it at all.
Here is what we know for certain at the moment.
1. Harmon remains under contract – He will be in that capacity until the end of the season, and he could renegotiate before now. While new contracts and CBS may not be the stuff of great headlines these days, Harmon’s the top-lining star of the show. If there’s mutual interest, they will get a deal done.
2. There’s no evidence of poor health – That’s all nonsense.
3. It is still possible that Gibbs’ role could change – It seems as though some people are spinning us saying that Gibbs could have a different role on the show as evidence that Harmon is leaving, but that’s not actually the case. If for whatever reason Harmon decides that he wants to be working in the field a little bit less, he could opt to move Gibbs to a different position. There’s a way for him to stay on the show and the role to change if he wants to get out of the line of fire — which does make sense for a high-ranking character who would be thinking this way in a real-life situation.
What do you want to see for Harmon’s Gibbs on NCIS season 15? Be sure to share now in the attached comments!
Meanwhile, head over to the link here in the event that you do want to get some additional news right now when it comes to NCIS. (Photo: CBS.)
Patricia Lee
July 9, 2017 @ 4:05 pm
I’m constantly amazed by the stamina of both David McCallum and Robert Wagner. As you said, Ducky is 83 (in real life) and Senior is 87. I hope I get around as well as they do! As for Mark, 65 used to be considered “old”. It isn’t any more. He is in great shape and looks 15 years younger than he is. Let’s remember that Mark doesn’t have all the injuries that Gibbs’ has had.
Bellz Webster
July 9, 2017 @ 8:56 am
At long last, someone is talking sense about this show. Mark is not sick. He has no intention of leaving the show. He stepped back in many episodes to allow the newbies to have their turn at fitting into the ‘family’ and the show. Its a shame Jennifer (Quinn) is leaving and I would think they will send her back to where she came from, leaving it open for her to return if she wants, or if the show needs her at a later date. Gibbs’ role may change in some way but Gibbs being Gibbs, I can’t see it being too far out of his comfort zone for it to last too long.