LL Cool J Talks about NCIS: Los Angeles
His New TV Series is Exciting for Him
When LL Cool J met with members of the Television Critics Association at a set visit, he was overjoyed to talk about his TV series. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t stop talking about how great he thought the show is and how much he loves his costars and the new set.
Although he was brimming over with enthusiasm, he was also philosophical about the TV industry. “I think the main thing for us is just approaching it with humility and being clear that nothing is guaranteed and that our job is to do the best work that we can,” he told the TV critics.
LL Cool J Wants NCIS: Los Angeles to Live up to the NCIS Standard
“Obviously, we want to maintain current NCIS fan base and all of those people that are joining the [new] show.” He added, “We are not making any guarantees or predictions for the playoffs. So we are cool. We just want to do a great show. We hope that [the viewers] like it. That's the real thing.”
All the cast and crew are aware of the tremendous popularity of NCIS, and feel a responsibility to maintain the high standards set forth by that show, their mother show, so to speak.
LL Cool J is in Awe of his Costar Linda Hunt
Not only is LL Cool J in awe of working on this spin-off, but he is also in awe of his fellow actors, specifically Linda Hunt who plays the woman who runs the office. “I love watching her work,” he exclaimed. “It is incredible for me. It's an education that I don't think [I] can put into words, getting an opportunity to watch Linda work every day. For me, as a guy who has done a lot of other things and also always acted and did films, to work with her every day has been phenomenal.”
At that point Linda Hunt interrupted him reminding him that they don’t always have scenes together every day. But LL Cool J told the journalists, “I always come out of my trailer when she's doing scenes and watch because [of] her preparation, and it's so obvious that she's so experienced and talented.”
The actor had praise for his other co-stars too. As for Chris O’Donnell, he said, “Chris is great. I always tease him. I say ‘Teamwork makes the dream work.’ So us working together is phenomenal.”
Perhaps more than anything else, LL Cool J is thrilled about being part of the NCIS franchise. “I think the NCIS brand is the star. So I was happy to really be a part of this. I know that we bring something to the table. Don't get me wrong, but I really believe that a lot of people will tune in and give us an opportunity because of the brand, and that's exciting for me because it gives me a chance. It's like a platform for us to do some great work and have some fun.” He added, “I've done basically everything I feel I can do for the most part. So it's like this presents a new challenge for me.”
Then he joked, “And I think for me, the biggest challenge in this whole situation is just staying away from the craft service table.”
LL Cool J is Completely Focused on His TV Show
When asked if he was finished with his music career, LL Cool J responded, “Truthfully speaking, as an artist, you can never really finish because creativity is edgeless and boundless, and it has no parameters. You can constantly reinvent yourselves as an artist and constantly do new things. But that being said, my focus is the show. My focus is NCIS: Los Angeles. This isn't my second job. I take this very seriously. I'm committed to it.”
Fans of his music might find it odd that he has taken this new path. . “If you look at it for me as a human being, it gives me a chance to grow.” And he is eager to work with this new team of professionals. “I think that it's about each one of us helping each other. It's about us trusting each other. It's about us, corporately as a group, really trying to make this thing work and then approaching it with humility. So I'm a part of a team now.”
About his character, LL Cool J described him this way. ‘The one thing I do know is that Sam is a backbone. He is one of the pillars within the group and speaks different languages. He's a former Navy SEAL. But I think more importantly, I think he's really just trying to look out for his partner and friend.” He added, “Sam is a guy who lives with passion. He's a guy who lives with a lot of energy, and I think that he is rebuilding as a human being.”
NCIS: Los Angeles premiers Tuesday, September 22, 2009 on CBS.
LL Cool J Stars in NCIS: Los Angeles
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