Source:
TV Guide [follow link for complete column]
TV GUIDE: Ask Matt: Cougar Town, Dancing With the Stars, Friday TV Logjam, Bubble Shows and More
Apr 9, 2012
by
Matt Roush
Send questions to
askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow on
Twitter!
...
Question:
NCIS is consistently ranked the No. 1 show, yet generates zero buzz. It's not a "watercooler talk" show. Point being: I can list two dozen shows that generate more buzz and viewer passion than
NCIS.
— CouchPotatoCop (from Twitter)
Matt Roush: Whoa. Depends on the watercooler, I suppose. And one's definition of buzz and passion, because from where I sit, while
NCIS may not exactly be the trendiest show out there, and lacks the critical cachet of the best of cable, there's something to be said for a show that provides plenty of pleasure to a mass audience. And while that may not always register on platforms like Twitter, to convey from this that the affection, attention and obsessive scrutiny paid to a show like
NCIS is somehow lesser is just plain wrong. Here's just a sampling of the
NCIS-related mail I've received in the last week:
From
Dina: "Knowing TV drama as we do, and knowing that
NCIS is a spin-off of
JAG which did the same stupid thing with Harm and Mac, making them look like dysfunctional emotional bozos, do you think Ziva and Tony will ever violate Gibbs' rule and get together? Also, what happened to McGee's voice? He lost weight (too much if you ask me) and now his voice sounds weak. Since when does weight-loss lead to problems with the vocal cords?"
From
Jana: "Had to comment on the letter in this week's issue regarding
Jamie Lee Curtis on
NCIS. I have nothing against the actress — she is very talented and versatile. However, I have to disagree about her being on the show. The character that they have created for her is extremely annoying, interferes with Gibbs and disrupts the team chemistry. My vote? Keep her away at all costs."
Matt again: Does this sound like a show that generates zero buzz? And for the record: I do think it's still possible we'll see Tony and Ziva get together, but not anytime soon.
Sean Murray's weight loss, and now his voice, appears to be a matter of concern on many fan sites, but the show continues to insist all is well with him. And bringing on
Jamie Lee Curtis as a new foil for Gibbs was bound to be polarizing. If there hadn't been debate about her, then maybe I'd be giving a different answer here...
NCIS airs Tuesday at 8/7C on CBS.
