what’s on
casting call
TV
Mark Harmon
The NCIS star is still on the case – but
always makes family job No. 1
NCIS, Mark Harmon has grown close to his co-stars.
“You spend more time with your cast than you do
with your family,” says the actor, who became a
household name in the 1980s when he starred as
heartthrob plastic surgeon Dr. Bobby Caldwell
on St. Elsewhere. That’s not to say he doesn’t put
his family first. In fact, Mark, 62, who has two
sons with actress Pam Dawber of Mork & Mindy
fame, works hard to maintain a work-life balance and, as he tells us here, avoid the trappings of fame.
You have been with Pam for 27 years. Is there
a secret to your romance? I think that there’s
the job, which is what I go to work every day
to do, and then there’s your private life. I’ve
always tried to draw a line between the two.
How do you manage fame? When you say
“fame,” that’s like walking through a restaurant
and saying, “I hope people come up to me.” I
don’t live like that. I just think this is a job. We live
in a world where so much of what everybody does
is public, and I choose to take a different tack.
Mark brings quiet intensity
to agent Gibbs on NCIS
(Tuesdays, Global/CBS).
Your oldest son, Sean, played the younger
version of Gibbs in flashbacks. Can we expect to see him again? I don’t know. I care
more about how he approaches the idea
of doing a job – any job – and that he tries
to work hard and do it well. He has actually
stunt-doubled me on the show, too. When
Gibbs gets smacked around, that’s [Sean]
getting smacked. [Laughs] He works hard
to move like me. He does his homework. I
couldn’t be more proud of him.
report: amber nasrulla
the stars come out for sondheim
He’s toiled behind the scenes of
some of Broadway’s greatest hits.
Now, in Six by Sondheim (Dec. 9,
HBO Canada), Stephen Sondheim
gets his moment in the spotlight. In
a new documentary about the
legendary composer’s epic career,
Stephen himself reflects on his
contribution to musical theatre and
the stories behind some of his hits
(think Company and West Side
Story). Built around six of the
83-year-old’s songs – not necessarily
his most famous, but ones that
showcase his art – the special
marries his insights with archival
footage and interviews with
72 hellomagazine.ca
collaborators. Of course, no portrait
of the Tony winner would be
complete without musical numbers –
and they’re delivered here by
Sondheim aficionados such as Ugly
Betty‘s America Ferrera and Glee’s
Darren Criss (right), as well as
veterans such as Bernadette Peters.
“[Stephen] is such an amazingly
inspirational human being,” says
Darren, who was honoured to
appear in the tribute. “As a
songwriter, I was inspired. As an
actor, I was inspired. And I got to be
in the thing, too!” Six by Sondheim
is a fitting and fresh documentary –
as original as the man it celebrates.
Are you looking for love? Reality-TV
hit The Bachelor Canada is returning
for a second season and producers
are searching for contestants. The
affable Tyler Harcott (above) is all set
to host once again, and the hunt is
on for the eligible gentleman who’ll
star on the series – and for the 25
women who will vie for his affection.
For a chance to be on the show
(set to air next fall on City), visit
Facebook.com/TheBachelorCanada
to submit an application. Or hold out
for the nationwide casting tour, which
kicks off in January.
stay tuned
What we’ll be watching this week
special
Victoria’s Secret
Fashion Show (Dec. 10,
Global/CBS) A sparkling
Taylor Swift joins the Angels
on the catwalk.
Penguins: Waddle All the
Way (Dec. 15, Discovery Canada)
Animatronic cameras disguised as penguins
provide an intimate look at the lives of these
highly intelligent (and adorable) birds. Glee’s
Jane Lynch narrates.
holiday
Kelly Clarkson’s
Cautionary Christmas
Music Tale (Dec. 11, NBC)
The pop star embraces the
holiday spirit along with
Robin Williams and her new
mother-in-law, Reba McEntire.
Christmas on the Bayou (Dec. 14,
Lifetime) In a new movie, Ed Asner works his
magic as Santa Claus to help a single mother
(Hilarie Burton of White Collar) find true love.
drama
Homeland (Dec. 15, Super Channel) Will
reformed terrorist Brody find redemption? The
explosive season concludes. (Late-comers, take
note: a one-day marathon broadcast of the
entire third season also airs in advance of the
primetime finale.)
clockwise (from bottom): HBO; Michael Yarish/CBS/Getty Images; Paramount; CityTV; Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage/Getty Images; Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty Images
After 11 seasons of playing special agent Gibbs on