LL Cool J's fan club just got a lot bigger -- by about 18 million people.That's how many viewers tuned into last week's series premiere of 'NCIS: Los Angeles.' The spin-off of 'NCIS' looks on track to be one of fall's hit freshman shows. Of course, the spotlight of success brings pressure, too.
"It represents a big challenge, because the original was so loved," the rapper/actor said when he stopped by AOL recently. "[But] I'd rather have this problem than the problem of coming out with a show that no one ever heard of and none of this pressure."
Considering what a ratings blockbuster 'NCIS' has become, they're not attempting to overhaul its winning formula.
"It still has the same wit, the same banter," he said. "Just add a little more technology, a little more action. And Chris [O'Donnell] and I have a buddy thing we do as well."
And, he promises, "there'll be a lot of crossovers" with the original series cast.
Watch our complete interview with LL Cool J for more scoop on 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
Reader Comments (59)
becky at 2:10PM on Sep 29th 2009
i loved this show, almost as much as the original NCIS. really high tech and interesting. and LL is my fantasy man :>)
Lynnie at 2:22PM on Sep 29th 2009
Looks like we were trying to post at the same time. Glad to see someone else actually commenting on the article. :-)
Nightengale70 at 5:47PM on Sep 29th 2009
I agree- loved the new NCIS LA and I think the potential interplay with DC NCIS will give the writers endless possibilities for the story line. Love LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnel, but I kind of missed the set-up and tense emotional interplay between the Character Macy and Gibbs and the LA crew. What happened to her anyway. I know Linda Hunt is a renowned actress, but with no disrespect to her, I just didn't find her to be believable as the Agent in Charge of the unit.
Lynnie at 2:17PM on Sep 29th 2009
Wow! I'm leaving the fourth comment--and I'M THE FIRST ONE TO ACTUALLY COMMENT ON THE ARTICLE!!! I LOVE the original series, it'll be a hard act to follow.
DOUG WESTERLUND at 3:56PM on Sep 29th 2009
Sorry to say, but I feld a little let down with the " LA " version.... Perhaps they should not be run back to back.... It is really hard to beat the original version with the original cast... I might have enjoyed the " LA " version if it were on a different night... If I were pressed to choose between them, I would opt for the original with out a doubt in my mind...
Laure at 3:04PM on Sep 29th 2009
It is a pitiful attempt to play off the success of the original, I will try one more episode but if it continues to have no personality (dull, boring, gratuitious) I will no longer watch.
Jim at 4:20PM on Sep 29th 2009
I agree with Laure and Doug. This show is no comparison to the original. Different nights, might work. The original CSI is much better than the others. Had they all been on back to back to back, only the original would have survived. But I've grown to like all 3 of them (Miami being the worst just because of carrot top). Maybe this will work. But I'm almost ready to give up on it. A lot of the new shows are that way too. Too bad that the writers must be on strike.
DOUG WESTERLUND at 3:05PM on Sep 29th 2009
Sorry to say, but the second show is not as good as the first.... Perhaps if they were on different nights and time slots it would help... Running back to back is not a good idea for the " LA " version.... Mark Harmon and crew are a very hard act to follow...
C. Leahu at 3:07PM on Sep 29th 2009
Not worth watching or trying to revive. Dead on arrival!
Ginny at 3:10PM on Sep 29th 2009
I like the new version enjoy it loads. Chris and LL have a great friendship going on. Yes its different from the orginial show but thats a good thing cause if it was the same they could just show 2 hours of NCIS. I hope they keep up the great work. I would love to see Tony cross over he would give Sam and G the biggest headache which would be a great time to watch.