WASHINGTON, January 15, 2013 —Tonight both NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles are airing new episodes. That means clever crime solving from coast to coast. Who knew that in 2003 when NCIS premiered as a spin-off of JAG it would go on to be one of the most successful TV shows in history?
Back in 2003 NCIS finished 26th in ratings for the season with an average of 11.84 million viewers. It is now the most watched series on TV, with its most recent episode garnering almost 20 million viewers. Entering its tenth season, the show has an amazing 16 million Facebook fans, and is one of the few shows that can beat Sunday Night Football in the Nielsen ratings.
NCIS is what television should be; believable drama played out by likeable and diverse characters. The ensemble cast has developed through the seasons into people we know and feel comfortable with, without being entirely predictable.
The show’s creator, Donald Paul Bellisario, is an American success story that bears repeating. Born of humble beginnings in a coal town in western Pennsylvania, Bellisario rose to become one of the most prolific writers and producers in television.
Among the shows he has created are Magnum, P.I., Airwolf, Quantum Leap, and Jag, and the list continues with NCIS, and NCIS: Los Angeles. As long as people like Bellisario are involved with TV, there is hope.
Thank you Donald Paul Bellisario, and carry on!
TV Tonight:
All times are EST:
8 p.m.
ABC: Modern Family: (Repeat) When Claire, Manny and Luke go to Alex’s academic decathlon for the weekend, Phil throws a guys’ night at home; Manny and Luke crash bar mitzvahs looking for a girl; Cam and Mitchell get Jay and Gloria a surprise baby gift.
CBS: NCIS: (New) In the aftermath of an event that strikes close to home, the NCIS team unites to seek answers and demand justice in order to protect their most vulnerable colleagues.
FOX: Raising Hope: (New) Jimmy starts volunteering for a series of exotic medical experiments to come up with the cash for Sabrina’s ring.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (New) Senior pranks include a woman pilfering liquor from a shopper’s cart and an oldster falling asleep on a furniture-store bed. Appearing: Steve-O.
CW: Hart of Dixie: (New) With Lavon (Cress Williams) preoccupied with his personal life, he lets his Mayoral duties slip at the worst time, as BlueBell’s Pioneer Day is fast approaching and a reporter from Southern Living magazine is in town. Seeing that he needs help, Zoe (Rachel Bilson) and Wade (Wilson Bethel) volunteer to help him out by playing BlueBell’s “Founding Couple.”
8:30 p.m.
ABC: Suburgatory: (Repeat) When Dalia abandons her friends Kimantha, Kenzie and Kaitlyn to hang out with her father’s fiancee, her former pals turn to Lisa and Tessa; George and Dallas take their relationship to the next level.
FOX: Ben and Kate: (New) Tommy introduces his new girlfriend, Lila, to the gang, and Kate tries to get to know her better. Meanwhile, Ben works on his Rail Mall business plan.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (New) A man tickles a stranger with a feather; an elderly woman has an R-rated grocery list; and a senior enforces a “height requirement” at a basketball game. Appearing: Nick Lachey, who teaches host Betty White how to start a boy band.
9 p.m.
ABC: Happy Endings: (New) Jane’s ex comes to visit, surprising Brad with the fact that she’s a woman; Max gets a new roommate who quickly upgrades their place with new furniture and gadgets.
CBS: NCIS: Los Angeles: (New) A distraught widow is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her Marine husband’s last battle leading Sam and Callen trying to determine if there has been a cover-up. Meanwhile, Hetty summons Operational Psychologist Nate Getz (Peter Cambor) to be her “pawn” and the rest of the NCIS: LA team sense another evaluation on the horizon.
FOX: New Girl: (New) Jess tries to help Nick repair his relationship with his con-man father, but Nick worries that his dad is only using him in a scheme. Elsewhere, Schmidt and Robby team up to try to win back Cece.
NBC: Go On: (New) Ryan experiences unexpected competition when he tries to start dating. Shaun White guest stars.
CW: Emily Owens, M.D.: (New) After a year long absence, Dr. A.J. Aquino (guest star J.R. Ramirez, “House of Payne”) returns to Denver Memorial, but before he can rejoin the staff, the Chief insists that he make peace with Dr. Bandari. Emily is tasked with treating a patient who claims to be a psychic, and is convinced that her tarot cards predict her own impending death.
9:30 p.m.
ABC: Don’t Trust the B–H in Apartment 23: (New) Chloe and June ask out the same man, so James creates various dating challenges for them to compete in to win the guy’s affection.
FOX: The Mindy Project: (New) Danny has to take Gwen to the hospital and winds up hitting it off with a girl wearing an eye patch.
NBC: The New Normal: (New) Bryan and David debate who should play the role of stay-at-home dad. Meanwhile, Rocky fills in for David as producer.
10 p.m.
ABC: Private Practice: (New) At Henry’s court date, Addison realizes the judge has concerns about Jake’s past; Sheldon wants Miranda to meet his friends; Charlotte goes into labor.
CBS: Vegas: (New) The entire Lamb family is blindsided when a former flame of Sheriff Lamb’s shows up asking for help in finding the man who beat up her husband. Meanwhile, Savino confronts the snitch inside his casino and deals with it in a startling way.
NBC: Parenthood: (New) Ryan returns to make amends; Kristina goes to bat for Max; Joel and Julia struggle with their decision to adopt.
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
Dual Survival: Untamed at 8 p.m. on DSC
Dual Survival at 9 p.m. on DSC
The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents at 9 p.m. on History Channel
Doomsday Preppers at 9 p.m. on NGC
The Sisterhood at 9 p.m. on TLC
Storage Wars Texas at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on A&E
Storage Wars New York at 10 and 10:30 p.m. on A&E
Chopped at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
Justified at 10 p.m. on FX
Diggers at 10 and 10:30 p.m. on NGC
Cougar Town at 10 p.m. on TBS
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Braveheart on AMC
The Matrix Reloaded on CINEMAX
Species on ENC
Oscar on FLIX
American Reunion on HBO
The Thing on IFC
The League of Gentlemen on TCM
9 p.m.
Shrek Forever After on FMC
Win Win on HBO
Love Actually on MOMAX
The Bourne Supremacy on STARZ
Later tonight:
The Other Woman at 9:30 p.m. on TMC
Ultraviolet at 9:50 p.m. on ENC
The Matrix Revolutions at 10 p.m. on CINEMAX
The Faculty at 10:15 p.m. on IFC
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