*The cast of “NCIS:Los Angeles“ including LL Cool J, were in attendance last week at the 34th Annual PaleyFest at the Dolby Theatre taking questions from the media while still having time to fit in some horseplaying amongst each other in between interviews.
After 7 seasons and a time slot change, NCIS:Los Angeles has been consistent with their dominance in ratings from loyal viewers and storylines that resonate with people all over the world. Renee Felice Smith whose character is intelligence analyst Nell Jones, shares her thoughts on why the show has lasted so long.
“I think we’ve really connected with our audience, Smith said. I think that they[audience] can tell that our characters really have a genuine love and affection for each other; there is a camaraderie there and it’s kind of a perfect storm of personalities, differences and it just kind of works.”
Hip Hop pioneer LL Cool J, whose character (Sam Hanna)is an expert on Middle Eastern culture and speaks fluent Arabic gave us some laughs as he spoke a few words in Arabic while mentioning that he doesn’t just read the script and forgets the language.
We also asked the soon to be “Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer” if he gave James Corden any tips for his Grammy intro freestyle rap.
I gave him no tips; none zero, Cool J said. And when asked on the what grade does he give Corden on his freestyle, LL Cool J said “I’m probably not an expert on Hip Hop, I’ll leave that to the expert.”
EUR also spoke with Chris O’Donnell who has a bromance with LL Cool J’s character on the show and if the two actually hung out off set and even celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.
“We did not celebrate St Patrick’s Day together.[laughs] We’ve been out a few times, O’Donnell said. We spent an awful lot of time together at work but I love the guy; we have a great relationship. I think that part of what gets me through the day is sitting there trying to drive him crazy all day and just laughing and having a good time. But, yeah he’s the man there is no one cooler.”
Check out the FULL interview above.
NCIS:Los Angeles airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.
