After years of producing similar angst-ridden teen dramas, The CW is heading in a slightly different direction with its new time traveling musical project.

The network has bought the rights to 'Danny Hollywood,' an hour-long project based on the successful Israeli half-hour series of the same name, according to a report in Deadline.

The adaptation already has some big names behind it. 'Easy A' writer Bert V Royal is currently writing the American version, and is also executive producing the project with 'NCIS' star Mark Harmon, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum and Martha Haight.

Before he started solving crime, it looks like Special Agent Gibbs was actually a star on the football field.

Back in the day, Mark Harmon was rather dapper student attending Harvard High School. After graduating in 1970, he then headed off to UCLA, where he would eventually become quarterback of the football team.

After he hung up his cleats, he turned to acting, and his first role was on the popular primetime soap 'Flamingo Road.' And who else remembers seeing Harmon on the cover of People when he had his brief moment of glory as the Sexiest Man Alive? We can't really imagine Gibbs caring about magazine covers, but for a young Mr. Harmon it was a career-defining highlight. That is, until he appeared in a guest-starring role in 'JAG' that would eventually lead to starring in the CBS hit 'NCIS.'

Check out Harmon's humble beginnings after the jump.

It's no secret that being on TV can be a very well-paying gig, but do you know just how much some of your favorite actors are making?

Forbes has released its annual list of the Top 10 highest paid actors on TV and the usual suspects -- Charlie Sheen, Hugh Laurie, Ray Romano -- are still present. However, some of these actors have already left their TV homes, and others might not have shows to pay them after this year.

Sheen's off 'Two and a Half Men' and production on his new sitcom has yet to begin, Romano's 'Men of a Certain Age' was canceled and it's looking like this could possibly be the last seasons for 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'House.'

Senior Special Agent Jethro Gibbs' penchant for marrying redheads has long been a source of humor on 'NCIS,' and this season we'll finally get to meet one of his ex-wives, the oft-mentioned Diane.

According to TVGuide.com, 'Mad Men' alum -- and redhead -- Melinda McGraw will guest star as Diane on an episode called 'Devil's Triangle,' airing in early November.

She'll be joined by Joe Spano, who plays her character's other ex-husband (and Gibbs' best friend), FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell.

"Imagine being the ex-wife of both Gibbs and FBI Agent Fornell," says 'NCIS' executive producer Gary Glasberg.

It can pay off to just bold moves toward achieving your dreams. It worked for Mark Harmon and look how well he's doing. To think it all took off for him because one day he just decided to call up to Universal Studios and ask for Jack Webb. Even more shocking, according to Harmon on 'Late Show' (Weeknights, 11:35PM ET on CBS), Webb took the call.

"I'm always appreciative of that," Harmon said. In fact, he said he hoped he'd do the same for others, so if anyone knows his number and wants to break into show biz, now would be the time to ring him up.

As for David Letterman, don't bother. "Leave me alone!" he shouted to the camera when Harmon asked if he would do the same.

Mark Harmon has been tapped to star in 'Prey,' a two-hour movie on USA Network. The 'NCIS' star will play Lucas Davenport, the deputy police chief of Minneapolis. The movie is based on the successful 'Prey' novels by John Sandford.

According to Deadline, the movie will be based on the 10th novel, 'Certain Prey.' Harmon's character goes up against a hitwoman who is determined to take him down. USA has acquired the rights to all 20 of Sandford's novels, but right now this is the only flick planned.

"Mark Harmon could read the phone book and we'd probably want to put it on the air!" Jeff Wachtel, president of original programming at USA, said.

In other casting news ...

• Angela Bassett will star in ABC's 'Identity.' Bassett will play Martha, the head of the FBI unit that combats identity-theft. The former 'ER' star was previously attached to 'One Police Plaza' at ABC. [Deadline]

• 'Six Feet Under' veteran Lauren Ambrose has booked the lead role in Fox's 'Weekends at Bellevue.' Ambrose will play the psychiatrist in charge of Bellevue's psych ward on the weekends. [TVLine]

• New Wonder Woman Adrianne Palicki will face off against a villain played by Brit actress Elizabeth Hurley. "Thrilled to be doing the NBC pilot 'Wonder Woman,'" Hurley tweeted. "I'll be playing the evil villain. Can't wait." [Elizabeth Hurley Twitter]

It's been a fantastic week for 'NCIS.' First, the veteran procedural drama notched up record ratings Tuesday night for the second time this season. Now, comes news that CBS has officially renewed it for a ninth season.

According to deadline.com, 'NCIS' is the first CBS drama to be officially renewed for the fall 2011 season. CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler said, "It's simply amazing that a show in its eighth season continues to perform at such an elite level." She went on to thank the drama's "incredibly devoted fan base ... for their passion and commitment."

News of the renewal came in the wake of star Mark Harmon (Special Agt. Gibbs) signing a new two-year deal to stay with the show. Unlike his co-stars, who last year were involved in protracted contract negotiations with producers, Harmon has signed his deal ahead of schedule.

The seventh season of 'NCIS' ended last May with cliffhangers on and off-screen.

In the final moments of the season finale, 'Rule Fifty-One,' Paloma Reynosa (Jacqueline Obradors) -- seeking revenge on Gibbs (Mark Harmon) for killing her father, who had murdered Gibbs' first wife and daughter -- showed up at the Pennsylvania general store owned by Gibbs' dad, Jackson ('The Waltons' Ralph Waite) ... would Papa Gibbs pay for his son's own vengeful actions?

Who can you trust? That's the question on the season finale of 'NCIS' (Tue., 8PM ET on CBS).

[Spoiler alert.]

Props to 'NCIS' star Michael Weatherly for pulling off a move on 'The Early Show' (weekdays, 7AM ET on CBS) that we've only been able to dream of. Weatherly channels Mark Harmon's character Jethro Gibbs from 'NCIS' and smacks anchor Harry Smith in the back of the head.

Weatherly's character, Tony DiNozzo, regularly receives head smacks from Gibbs on the show, an action that has come to be known as a "Gibbs-slap" by fans.

Reports of Ducky's departure have been premature. In an update on the 'NCIS' cast dispute that we reported the other day, David McCallum is signed for next season. That's right, his manager told TV Guide that the previous stories had incorrectly put him in the same boat with Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray and Pauley Perrette.

McCallum's manager explained, "I'm sure some of the others are negotiating, but he's not affected by it. He falls into the Mark Harmon/Rocky Carroll category. He's signed on for additional seasons. He's excited to be coming back to the show and can't wait to see everybody."

Trouble may be afoot behind the scenes of CBS' ratings juggernaut 'NCIS.'

According to Deadline, four of its stars -- Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum and Sean Murray -- are still not signed beyond the end of this season, leaving the future of the cast in limbo.

(S07E20) The 'NCIS' gang was finally back. As much as the reruns are enjoyable, there's really nothing like a fresh episode. This was a fun episode because FBI agent Fornell was back, which means getting on Gibbs' nerves and good banter between the two. And then there was the girl from Tim's past. It's not what you think, but if you want to know more, read on.

(S07E19) Holly Snow, the madame we met in a previous episode, was back for this episode when the corpse turned out to be a Navy journalist investigating call girls. Or the guys who use them. So we found Holly where Gibbs had left her; doing community service as penance for her criminal activity. She was the perfect source of expertise for Gibbs. More on Holly, Gibbs and Tony's new undies after the jump.

Is there such a thing as Acronymlexia? if so, Bonnie Hunt may have it.

On Thursday's 'The Bonnie Hunt Show' (weekdays, syndicated) Hunt asked 'NCIS' star Mark Harmon if there would ever be a crossover episode with 'CSI.' "I'd love to see you with Gary Sinise ['CSI: NY']" she told Harmon. Clearly, Hunt had her series acronyms a little confused, not realizing that the 'NCIS' and 'CSI' franchises are completely separate entities. "I have dyslexia," Hunt demurred to the audience. "I do, I'm not making fun of anybody."

Watch the video after the jump.