"NCIS" was created by Donald P. Bellisario, who used his own experience in the Marine Corps to come up with the premise for the show. Unfortunately, he and star Mark Harmon did not get along, with the actor reportedly angry with Bellisario's "chaotic management style" that resulted in 16-hour work days. "Mark's been working every single day, 16 hours a day," a source told TV Guide in 2007. "Don tries to micro-manage everything. Script pages get faxed to the set at the last minute, and Mark is tired of dealing with the huge impact that makes on his life."
Things got so bad that Harmon eventually gave CBS an ultimatum: either fire Bellisario or he would quit "NCIS." The network decided to remove Bellisario as showrunner, although he was still employed with the network. He also accused Harmon and his team of running "a full-blown PR campaign" to oust Bellisario from his own show (via Cheat Sheet).
With the show set to launch season 19, Harmon is now expected to have a limited role on "NCIS." The 69 year-old had reportedly been looking to leave the show entirely, but when he heard that CBS was planning to cancel "NCIS" if he exited, Harmon decided to sign a one-year deal that would have him appear in a "limited capacity." He will also remain an executive producer (via Hollywood Reporter).
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