Weatherly On ‘NCIS’ Future: I Want To Be ‘Hot Lips’ Hoolihan

Source: Fancast by Matt Webb Mitovich

Michael Weatherly continues to be “very optimistic” that he will sign a new deal with CBS’ ‘NCIS‘ – and doesn’t take for granted for a second his status with TV’s most-watched drama series.

When Fancast posited that the occasional Jimmy-centric episode and the increased presence of Rena Sofer’s M. Allison Hart could be the ‘NCIS’ brass’ way of saying, “Don’t get too cocky at the negotiating table, because we have other chess pieces to play with,” Weatherly had to agree: “Absolutely, and I think they should feel that way.”

To illustrate the point, Weatherly said, “My dad went to Princeton with a guy named Wayne Rogers – Trapper John on ‘M*A*S*H.’ I don’t know what happened there, but suddenly there was B.J. Hunnicutt. And there was Frank Burns, then all of a sudden there was Charles Winchester III. There was McClean Stevenson, then all of a sudden there was Harry Morgan. But you know what, there was always Radar.”

So… the dashing and dynamic Tony DiNozzo is meek, bespectacled Radar?

“I’d like to be Radar. I know I’m not Hawkeye, and I don’t want to be Trapper,” Weatherly replied. “Maybe I’m Klinger? But I don’t think I’m looking for a Section 8…. You know who I am? Hot Lips Hoolihan.”

Entertain that thought for a second, ‘NCIS’ fans.