A few weeks ago I posted an article about how CBS did not think NCIS was even though it is a consistent Top 20 Show (sometimes even cracking the Top 10 during the summer.) then, this past week, I come across this write up over at BuddyTV.com that just cracked me up. Frankly, I agree with the surprise over this show, even though I have been a loyal viewer for two years now. Here is an excerpt:

I do not get it. At all. Nothing against CBS’ Parade of Similar Procedurals Starring Vaguely Famous and Vaguely Attractive Middle-Aged Men, but where did NCIS come from? It was the number two show on TV last night, barely losing out to House and somehow beating the Dancing with the Stars results show. I don’t want to slander NCIS in the least. I’ve never watched it and it may just be the best TV show in the world. However, I’ve never met anyone who watches NCIS. Where do these millions of viewers come from? Somehow, last night’s NCIS had a 19 percent gain in viewers from its season premiere, which is almost unheard of. I’ll leave it to smarter people than me to decipher such mysteries.

This past week was the episode that finally divested itself of the control of creator/producer/writer Donald P. Bellasario, a subject I have spent a great deal of time writing about here. As I expected, this episode played it safe and gave us a story that stood on its own and broke no new ground, which probably was a good way to go. A cleansing of the palate, so to speak.
But, what I discovered in this weaker than usual offering this week is perhaps the key to NCIS’s appeal. This is an incredibly well cast hour of television. While Mark Harmon is the anchor of the show, this cast is so diverse and unlike any other show on television right now. The writers fortunately know this and draw characters equally diverse and interesting. In addition, a rotating stable of guest characters weave in and out of the show that are every bit as good as the principals. A well written group of characters that are portrayed by an equally good cast can actually overcome the occasionally mediocre script (as was the case this past week.)
Now, stay with me here. The last time I can remember such a show where the casting and the characters made me tune in week in and week out was… Star Trek- Deep Space Nine. DS9 had a lot of years where the stories were hit and miss but that cast really knew those characters and the guest actors were a veritable “who’s who” of Hollywood. I’m sure there are many other shows out there that found success built more on the strength of its cast and characters that the actual storytelling and I’d like to hear your suggestions here.
In the meantime, right now is a good time to catch an episode or two of NCIS and decide for yourself. There are no ongoing story threads to get lost in and at worst you’ll only take up a little of your time and perhaps some TiVO space!

This post was Authored by Rob Walley, Our Resident Authority on all things NCIS and Kitchen Nightmares