The Origin of the Headslap

[xanthe]

I'm sure everyone knows it already but I thought it might be fun to post about it here - these are extracts from two different interviews with Michael Weatherly:
EARLY in his NCIS career, Michael Weatherly detoured from his script but neglected to tell the writers, cast or crew of his plan.

He put his own words into the mouth of NCIS special agent

Comments

[sa3466996]

I'd heard about the origin but never seen the interview or a transcript (I'm presuming it was a TV interview). Do you know if there are any YT links to it?

It's funny how things come about. Sorry slightly off topic... over Christmas I watched one of those docs about a British comedy series called 'Blackadder'. The only catch phrase from the show was "I have a cunning plan" which was usually uttered by the resident idiot Baldrick. Tony Robinson (the guy who played Baldrick)explained that in the script he was supposed to say "I have a plan" but that he asked whether he could say "I have a cunning plan" instead. They agreed and it stuck throughout four seasons... *Whack* ... series, sorry (Seasons in the US, Series in the UK). It's probably one of the most well known catch phrases in British comedy now.

[xanthe]

Oh I LOVE Blackadder and yes, "I have a cunning plan" is a catchphrase over here in the UK *g*. It's amazing how these little moments of inspiration can actually *define* a show - like the headslaps in NCIS.

I don't think the MW quotes were from TV interviews - more likely telephone interviews for articles, sadly. I'd love to see him actually say this stuff!

[sa3466996]

Oh... shame.

When I was at school (quite a few years ago now) my friends and I almost got chucked off a bus (public transport) because we wouldn't stop shouting quotes from Blackadder. I don't know how we got away with that - well I do actually. The bus company threatened to take away the student passes from the older kids who went to the local college. Didn't even say anything to us... and we were the ones who were to blame. Oops. Sorry 7up, cavey and floyd *bows head in shame*

[capn_oneshot]

Oh this is great! Foundational stuff!

I made a deliberate choice not to be a good boy This makes me all shivery in a spanky kinda way! LOL!

Mind of I put this in a sidebar link - as it's so fundamental?

[xanthe]

Go ahead! I agree - it's fundamental! And I *love* how spanky it all is *g*. MW sounds just as naughty as Tony *ggg*.

[liresius]

Thank you!

LOL! Yes, very naughty!

It's a lovely story/tidbit.