“NCIS: 10 Mind-Blowing Hidden Details That Flew Under the Radar – You Won’t Believe What You Missed!”

With its 17th season fast approaching, NCIS has firmly established itself as one of CBS’s longest-running and most successful series. A spin-off of JAG, NCIS has won over fans with its vibrant characters and engaging cases. Over the course of its 16 seasons and numerous cast changes, the show has hidden various details that even the most ardent viewers might have missed. From borrowing scenes to filming locations and behind-the-scenes nods, here are ten such intriguing details from NCIS:

1. The Opening Scene: The iconic opening shot of the NCIS car driving away from the camera is actually footage borrowed from JAG. It was taken from a JAG episode titled “Ice Queen” and was later integrated into “Navy NCIS: The Beginning.”
2. It Isn’t Filmed in Washington, D.C.: Despite being based in Washington, D.C., the series is primarily filmed in Valencia, California. While the Santa Clarita region is picturesque, it doesn’t capture the historical beauty of the capital. However, the show often features scenes in other locations in Virginia to make up for it.
3. The ‘Most Wanted’ Board: The NCIS Most Wanted board is often in the background during key scenes. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s worth a closer look. Every season, the faces on the board change, with some of them being real criminals. For instance, Osama Bin Laden’s photo was marked with a red line after his death.
4. The ‘Foof’ Sound: The distinctive “foof” sound that precedes each act of an episode is a signature element of NCIS. Created by the show’s creator and showrunner, Don Bellisario, it’s intended to be memorable, much like the “dun dun” in Dick Wolf’s Law and Order series.
5. All About Family: Several members of the cast and crew’s real family appear on NCIS, sometimes even playing the same family members of the characters they’re related to in real life. Don Bellisario’s family members make appearances, and in flashbacks of young Jethro Gibbs, he’s played by Mark Harmon’s son. This real-life connection adds depth to the characters.
6. Tony’s Family History: In the series, Tony DiNozzo’s father cuts him out of the family fortune, causing a rift between them. This storyline is inspired by Michael Weatherly’s real-life relationship with his father, who cut him out of his inheritance when he chose to become an actor.
7. Real Life Members of NCIS Onscreen: The show’s creators aim for authenticity by seeking advice from real NCIS special agents. Occasionally, real agents even make cameo appearances. In Season 3, Dave Brant, a former NCIS director, had a brief appearance, and his successor, Thomas Betro, made a memorable cameo in Season 5.
8. That Harrison Ford Reference: In the first episode of Season 1, there’s a reference to Harrison Ford when Gibbs prevents an attempt on the President’s life aboard Air Force One. Interestingly, Harrison Ford was considered for the role of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs before the role went to Mark Harmon.
9. Comparisons to CSI: The show initially went through different name changes to avoid confusion with the popular series CSI. In the first episode of Season 1, Tony DiNozzo humorously addresses this concern when asked if NCIS is related to CSI, saying, “Only if you’re dyslexic.”
10. Too Much Caf-Pow: Abby Sciuto’s character was known for her goth style and boundless energy, often fueled by her signature drink, Caf-Pow. However, Caf-Pow wasn’t an energy drink; it was unsweetened cranberry juice. This choice was made due to actress Pauley Perrette’s no-sugar diet.

These hidden details add an extra layer of intrigue and charm to NCIS, enhancing the viewer’s experience over its many seasons.