But Pauley Perrette, who plays the show’s lovable lab rat Abby Sciuto, knew right away this show would go the distance. After a long day of analyzing prop evidence and sucking down gallons of Hawaiian Punch—which is what’s really in those Caff Pow! cups her character’s constantly drinking—the always hyper Perrette talked dreamy premonitions, where she’ll be when she’s 64 and being stalked on TV.
The show was dismissed as a “CSI” clone when it debuted four years ago. Why do you think it’s lasted?
Because it’s funny—it’s a funny show. Sitcoms aren’t that funny these days; our show is funny.
When did you first realize the show wasn’t going to disappear so quickly?
First episode. I knew when I saw the cast of characters, when I saw the crew and when we first started working because we were having a blast.
So did filming the 100th episode feel like validation for you and the rest of the cast?
I don’t know if it was the 100th one that did it. I think it’s the ratings. Every year our ratings continue to go up. We’re in the top 10, consistently.
How long do you think the show could go for?
I had a dream the other night that I got a medal that said, “Thirteen Seasons.”
Would you want it to last that long?
I love my job, I love my job and I love my job. I also love working, I’m just so grateful when anyone hires me, and I don’t like change. But would I want to play Abby when I’m 64? I’m in.
Typically, the filming of a show’s 100th episode ends with cake. What kind of cake did you get?
It was white, with gold around it, and it said “NCIS.” We were actually in the middle of a 13-hour day when someone brought it out. We took pictures with it and went right back to work. The whole thing lasted seven minutes. We didn’t even get to eat it.
So you don’t even know what kind of cake it was?
No. Though CBS did give everyone on our cast and crew an Xbox 360 and a copy of “Guitar Hero II.” And the reason that the cast appreciated that so much—and I would hope that any cast member anywhere would say this—is that usually gifts are given to the cast, but not the crew. Which is never fair. What are seven actors wandering around by ourselves going to do? We can’t make a TV show. It’s our amazing crew that keeps us going. But this time everybody got one.
You’re required by law to say that the best thing about this show is the friends you’ve made doing it. So besides that, what’s been the best thing about doing this show?
For me, personally, it’s that I love my character. That changes everything for an actor. Not only do I love her, but I need her and look up to her. She’s hilarious and brilliant and strange and fantastic.
Like a lot of shows that have lasted this long, “NCIS” has had some changes over the years, the biggest being that show creator Donald Bellisario isn’t running things anymore. Was he at the 100th episode filming?
No.
Was that weird?
I cried and cried and cried. Mainly because it was emotional anyways, but also because I really miss Don. I miss him every single day. I don’t know what happened with the 100th episode—I heard he was out of town just before, so he might not have returned yet—but I think we shouldn’t have had it without him. Absolutely not. Don created Abby. He should’ve been there.
So of all the 100 episodes you’ve done, which is your favorite and why?
I have two. Season three was my favorite season, it was just a fun, fun season. I’m a huge Michael Weatherly fan, and him not being nominated for an Emmy, an Oscar, a Grammy and a golf award—even though he doesn’t play golf in it—for the episode “Frame Up,” was just a crime. And then “Blood Bath,” which was the episode where Abby was being stalked. That was just really fun because there were a lot of scenes with everybody in it, and I just love those.
The 100th episode of “NCIS” airs Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m./7c on CBS.
