This is unexpected. Michael Weatherly, who will be leaving NCIS at the end of season 13, has lined up his next TV project. Weatherly will be remaining in the CBS family as he joins a new drama pilot for the network. This is not surprising; what is surprising is the character that Weatherly will be playing. TVLine reports that Michael Weatherly has signed onto to play a fictional version of Dr. Phil.
That’s right, Tony DiNizzio will be playing a version of the famous TV therapist. Weatherly won’t be directly playing Dr. Phil. In other words, he won’t be shaving his head in that typical male pattern baldness style. Instead Weatherly will playing the eponymous lead character of the series, Dr. Bull. Bull is based on the early life story of Dr. Phil who started his career running a criminal trial consulting service. Dr. Phil serves as one of the writers and executive producers of the show alongside Paul Attanasio from House.
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Weatherly’s Dr. Phil inspired character, Bull is described “physicality, feral intelligence and bruising candor that make him magnetic to women.” (Sidebar: if this is how Dr. Phil sees himself that is somewhere between terrifying and hilarious.) The weirdness of the Dr. Phil involvement aside, Bull sounds like could be a decent series, especially with Weatherly at the head. It sounds like it should appeal to NCIS viewers at the very least.
Weatherly is joining current cast members Freddy Rodriquez from Six Feet Under and Rescue Me‘s Geneva Carr. Though this is just a potential series for now, the Weatherly and Dr. Phil connection does improve it’s chances for pick-up by CBS.
But what do you think? Are you surprised that is the Weatherly’s next series? What do you think of Bull?
For now, you can watch Weatherly on NCIS which airs Tuesdays at 8pm on CBS.
(Image courtesy of CBS)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
Derek is a Philadelphia based writer and unabashed TV and comic book junkie. The time he doesn’t spend over analyzing all things nerdy he is working on his resume to be the liaison to the Justice League.
