Curious World Staff
The late David McCallum, who played Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard from season one of ‘NCIS,’ had a favorite episode from that season.
David McCallum, the renowned actor who played Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, has long been a program staple. Even as his role grew, McCallum made Ducky a fan favorite from the beginning.
Surprisingly, McCallum’s favorite episode is from the first season, despite predictions that one of the latter episodes would have won him over. The episode “My Other Left Foot” combines the show’s typical dark comedy with Ducky’s distinct personality peculiarities.
David McCallum reveals his all-time favorite episode of NCIS
McCallum has been a fixture on NCIS since the show’s debut, playing Dr. Donald Mallard, also known as “Ducky.”
McCallum’s presence in the hit cr1minal procedural was reduced in following seasons. His character was demoted from chief forensic pathologist to a more historical function in the series.
Given that McCallum was in his 90s at the time, it’s logical that he wanted Ducky’s screen time to be reduced. After all, he was one of the series’ final remaining original cast members.
Despite the fact that McCallum has appeared in numerous episodes over the show’s run, his particular favorite is from the first season.
In a candid interview with TV Insider, he said that his favorite episode of the first season is the twelfth, titled “My Other Left Foot.”
“Ducky walks around the room with this leg, talking about his grandfather, art galleries, and My Left Foot—none of which have anything to do with the leg.” ‘Ducky, that’s a right foot,’ replies Gibbs (Mark Harmon) after this lengthy exposition.” McCallum elaborated.
An examination of Ducky’s best ‘NCIS’ episode
The NCIS episode “My Other Left Foot” goes into the strange case of a Marine’s amputated limb.
Though the episode isn’t considered one of the best in the series, it holds a particular place in McCallum’s heart.
Ducky, McCallum’s character, had a strange conversation with the severed limb in this episode. He deviates into many themes such as his grandfather and Christy Brown’s acclaimed novel “My Left Foot.”
McCallum doesn’t go into specifics, but this episode is likely important to McCallum since it contributes to the show’s unique blend of dark comedy. Furthermore, the episode reinforces Ducky’s particular personality qualities.
These odd characteristics have subsequently become an important part of Ducky’s appeal and have endeared him to NCIS viewers, adding to the richness of his character.
The hit cr1me procedural’s executive producer recalls David McCallum’s tenure on the show.
McCallum d1ed on September 25 at the age of 90, surrounded by loved ones at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
CBS aired an extended NCIS retrospective on the same day McCallum d1ed. The co-founder of the show, Donald P. Bellisario, was quoted in his obituary in the Washington Post.
Bellisario revealed that he was so determined to include McCallum in the show that he first balked at making it without him. The director, James Whitmore Jr., explained that the studio agreed because the dedication to McCallum was so strong-because, as he described it, McCallum was pure “gold.”
NCIS lead producers Steven D. Binder and David North described McCallum as the embodiment of class and scholarship in a joint statement released by CBS.
They remarked on his ever-present grace, unfailing professionalism, and uncanny ability to find humor in the most unexpected places.
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