Michael Weatherly always had a knack for spotting the quirks that made NCIS stand out, or, in this case, blend in a little too much. Reflecting on the show’s massive global reach, the former Agent DiNozzo revealed why some countries thought NCIS was just a clever knockoff of CSI.
From the crime-solving formula to the occasional witty banter, Weatherly noted how the show often skirted the edge of parody, saying it was “almost like spoofing it.”
NCIS or CSI Spoof? Michael Weatherly explains the global misinterpretation
Michael Weatherly once revealed a curious twist in how NCIS is perceived abroad. In countries like France, audiences often mistook the show’s lighter, comedic tone for a parody of CSI. But hold up, Weatherly never claimed NCIS was designed to spoof its crime-drama cousin. Instead, he reflected on how cultural differences amplified its personality.
Weatherly shared his thoughts during an interview on the show’s Valencia set. He compared NCIS to a mix of Scooby-Doo and M*A*S*H — a quirky team solving mysteries with a dash of chaos. In France, though, the humor took center stage. On networks like M6, NCIS leaned into its fun side, leading some viewers to believe it was riffing on CSI.
Underlining the show’s unique blend of humor and drama, and noting how NCIS’s personality shone brighter in some markets, Weatherly explained during the interview:
“NCIS” is sort of [promoted as] “The Unit” meets “CSI” when clearly, to my way of thinking, we’re more like “Scooby-Doo” meets “M*A*S*H.” You know, it’s like we have a mystery van and we go around, and if weren’t for those damn teenage kids! [Laughs.]
And then Klinger wearing a dress trying to get the Section 8, we’ve got some kookiness. And so it’s always interesting to me because in other countries like on France on M6, the personality of the show is much more at the forefront. So no one even really… people actually think that “NCIS” is like making fun of “CSI.” It’s almost like spoofing it. I mean the sensibility is so much different.
This was no dig at CSI but a testament to how NCIS carved its own identity. While CSI leaned on sleek, procedural storytelling, NCIS offered a playful twist with DiNozzo’s antics and Gibbs’ gruff wisdom. Michael Weatherly’s reflections weren’t just about perception; they highlighted the challenge of balancing comedy and drama.
For him, NCIS wasn’t spoofing anyone. It was rewriting the rulebook for crime shows with a wink and a grin.
Michael Weatherly embraced Bull’s underdog status
Michael Weatherly saw a silver lining in Bull flying under the radar. The former NCIS star stepped into the limelight with Bull, trading ensemble vibes for solo swagger. While it didn’t hit the towering heights of NCIS, Weatherly thought the show’s underdog status was a secret weapon. Weatherly shared in an interview with HeyUGuys,
I found it interesting and I think [showrunner] Glenn Caron is an extraordinary writer and I think Bull is a vastly under-appreciated show in terms of the critical appraisal of it, which is great because there’s nothing better than an underdog.
The CBS legal drama debuted strong in 2016, even ranking as the network’s second-highest-rated series after NCIS. But for Weatherly, success wasn’t just about numbers. To him, Bull’s charm lay in carving its niche, growing quietly, and embracing the long game.
NCIS and CSI are available to watch on Hulu & Apple TV.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
