“NCIS: Hawai‘i,” the newest spin-off in the “NCIS” franchise, is in a vulnerable situation as the new 2023-24 CBS season rolls out in the weeks ahead.
The island-based, island-film series, which was to be in its third season this year, is nowhere to be seen in CBS’ awkward patchwork schedule which mixes reruns of popular crime shows with a cluster of game-and-adventure productions, some old, some new.
For “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” starring Vanessa Lachy (pictured left), the neglect is truly worrisome. Despite a now meaningless third season pickup, the out of sight, out of mind syndrome needs to be turned around. The show, like other scripted productions, is a victim of the writers’ strike which has shut down all scripted shows because a crew of writers can’t craft a show till the labor issues are resolved. The word is even if the strike is settled, there’s no guarantee “Hawai‘i” will get that pick-up.
Rumors and buzz have suggested that it could be over for “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” one of two remaining “NCIS” dramas (the other is the flagship original), produced by Mark Harmon (pictured, right), which would be in its 20th and possibly last season now, because it’s become an abandoned boat drifting at sea with no destination.
Who’ll rescue the show? Good question, but no answer available.
The on-going writers strike has had a damaging effect for months now, and imminent settlement is not in the cards. Even if the strike is resolved in the months ahead, “Hawai‘i” wouldn’t air till 2024, if it can still find a slot on the CBS schedule. It’s quite curious that CBS will air reruns of such established dramas and comedies as “Blue Bloods,” “FBI,” “Ghosts,” “Seal Team,” and “Bob Abishola” in the new season, but nope, not “NCIS: Hawai‘i.”
Interestingly, at 7.p.m. Sept 16, an “NCIS” encore episode will be shown, a teaser for another “NCIS” 20th anniversary Mini-Marathon at 7 p.m. Sept 25, a one-time special in the show’s usual Sunday slot. Further reruns will air at 9 p.m. Oct. 2 and 9.
CBS has a batch of shows that dodge the need for new scripts, some standby returnees like “Big Brother,” “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race.” And the network will rely on rerunning series, notably “Yellowstone,” which already has aired on CBS’ sister station, Paramount+, but this will be treated as a “new” procedural launching Sept. 17 as a Sunday fixture (7:30 p.m.) …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Mahalo for info on NCIS HAWAII. Sure hope it comes back as i like seeing Anthony Ruivivar once in a while…Wish this strike would get settled soon. .Aloha Dolores
Uncertaun future for “NCIS: Hawai;i” for now. CBS is neglecting the show.