Rapper LL Cool J to Star in "NCIS" Spinoff

Actor Says He's Got Great "Bromance" Chemistry with Chris O'Donnell on "NCIS: Los Angeles"; Says Show Isn't Just "Macho"

(CBS)  Actor, rapper and author LL Cool J stopped by "The Early Show" to talk about his new show, "NCIS: Los Angeles," which premieres Tuesday night on CBS.

LL Cool J, who plays Special Agent Sam Hanna, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who has seen action in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and a surveillance expert who uses state of the art monitoring equipment to look out for those in the field and feed them crucial information. LL Cool J is opposite Chris O'Donnell, who plays a chameleon agent "G" Callen, who transforms himself into whomever he needs to be to infiltrate the criminal underworld.

"Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith commented that the chemistry between the characters seems almost like a "bromance."

"Well, we do get along," LL Cool J said. "We have great chemistry. It's kind of like that Midwest meets that urban inner-city thing. And it really works. We gel well together and we've been having a lot of fun, and I hope as the season progresses we can have that same kind of chemistry that the original guys have."

Slideshow: TV to Fall For

But that "macho" element isn't what the series is about entirely, according to the actor.

He said, "There's a lot of macho in (the show), but there's Linda Hunt, as well, and Linda is phenomenal, and she has an Academy Award, and that's real macho. ... There's a nice balance. There's heart in the show, as well."

LL Cool J is no novice to acting. He has appeared in more than 30 films. He's also been seen on the Fox hit show "House." Recently, he also guest-starred on "30 Rock" as hip hop mogul Ridiculous.

The star said he "caught the bug."

"I really wanted to act. And I wanted it act to act on a regular basis and challenge myself and experience something new in my life," he said. "And part of that process is thought continuing to do the same things that you've always done. So I decided to commit to the show, commit to what I thought was a great team. I believe in the 'NCIS' brand, and hopefully people enjoy the show."

Smith remarked what draws people to the "NCIS" shows are the characters.

LL Cool J agreed, saying, "It is a procedural, so there are some things in it that are kind of like, formulaic, but there's a character element to it that takes it to another level."

However, there are a few things that the actor doesn't know about his character yet.

He said, "We're as much in the dark as the public because you find out as the show goes on."

LL Cool J has bundled his rapping talents with the show. The two-time Grammy award winner just released a new song, titled "NCIS: No Crew Is Superior The Rap Song." It was recorded for LL Cool J's Label Boomdizzle, and is now available on iTunes.

LL Cool J will star in the series premiere of "NCIS: Los Angeles" Tuesday night at 9:00/8:00 Central on CBS.

[usndochm3]

Spin offs happen all the time. This one will never work. I was so disappointed. You can not improve on Gibbs and Crew. I was in the Navy, and I know it is not how NCIS (formerly NIS in 1994), works. Save the production costs, guys. Cancel this travesty! It will never float. Mark my words. Thank you.

[ncisfan1966]

Where do i start? How about the cast, I guess they must work cheap. Was there even a script for this show? The only thing NCIS LA has in common with the original is in the title. I understand they must have wanted to go a different route with this show but come on, this show is an insult to the original. What can i say about LL COOL J? hmmmmmmmmm, you suck, go back to being a rapper and get off my tv screen. Sorry, that was uncalled for. Oh yeah, whos the boss on this show? The 4ft tall old lady? Please scrap this show, or at least change the title. I know call it, "Actors no one else would hire". I will stick with the original, it has a superb cast and crew. NCIS LA is doomed for the trash bin. Remember the days of "Must See TV"? this is "Must Not See TV".

[bam14]

I'm a huge NCIS fan.
So, I eargerly awaited the start of the new series.
The original is about the relationships among the various characters and that was established in the pilot. This new series relies too heavily on the technology. The technology comes across as another 'actor' in the show, almost more important than the people.
And, if they are all part of the same organization, why can't McGee have some of that same technology? Wait, does NCIS LA's proximity to Silicon Valley entitle them to the latest tech available?
I'll give it a month to grab me, then...

[rtrusso]

NCIS LA sucks. LL CoolJackoff can't Act.

[usndochm3]

Plus, who the hell is in charge? At least we know Gibbs, and maybe Tony is at times has a grip; but this is too BUDDY BUDDY. And yes, LL Cool (LL FOOL) can't act, sing, or probably find his way through LA without a GPS, or gang members showing him the way. He has not researched Navy History, nor to my knowledge ( I may be wrong ) Has never served, maybe not even in the cub scouts. Dump him and this crappy show.