{
  "id": 8473919,
  "title": "Bob Newhart Gave Mark Harmon Invaluable Advice During His Memorable NCIS Guest Star Gig",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/bob-newhart-gave-mark-harmon-invaluable-advice-during-his-memorable",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T14:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2259244/bob-newhart-ncis-star-mark-harmon-advice-memorable-guest-star/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2011, veteran actor Bob Newhart visited the NCIS set during a lunch break with star Mark Harmon. Newhart, known for his witty humor, offered Harmon some career advice. \"Ride this f***ker into the ground,\" Newhart said, a remark that caught the attention of Scott Williams, the executive producer and writer of NCIS. Williams recalled, \"He was like, 'Sure, Bob, what is it?' He goes, 'Ride this f***ker into the ground.' Jobs don't get better than this. You will miss this when it's gone. You've struck gold here.\" Newhart, who had led The Bob Newhart Show for six seasons and Newhart for eight in the 70s and 80s, could see the potential for NCIS to continue long-term. Harmon, who joined NCIS in 2003, heeded Newhart's advice and played his role for ten more years. However, he left in 2021. Harmon later revealed that the long hours and demanding schedule took a toll on him. He now appears as an older version of Gibbs in NCIS: Origins, executive produced by Williams. Williams, inspired by Newhart's words, vowed to \"ride this f***ker as far as it'll take me.\"",
  "summary": "When Bob Newhart gives you career advice, you listen. Mark Harmon took the iconic star seriously when he offered him words of wisdom on the set of NCIS.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bob Newhart visited NCIS set in 2011",
    "Mark Harmon received career advice \"Ride this fker into the ground\"",
    "Newhart's advice influenced Harmon's long-term NCIS role"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}