South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
How did Palmer’s wife on ‘NCIS’ die?
Q: On NCIS, they did a story about Jimmy Palmer’s wife dying. What did she die of? She was only in one or two episodes of “NCIS” and it seems strange that they would write her off the show.
A: Palmer’s wife, Breena (played by Michelle Pierce), died of COVID19. It is implied in several places in the show, including when Palmer has trouble saying COVID-19 while talking about new bodies in the lab. And Brian Dietzen, who plays Palmer, confirmed it. In an interview with ETOnline.com. “The producers let me know that we want the advent of COVID to hit our team. And yet, we don’t want to lose a team member,” Dietzen said. (Jack Sloane, played by Maria Bello, announced she was leaving in the same episode, but Bello’s departure has been known about for some time. And as engaging as Sloane was, it’s fair to say she was not part of the central team on the show.)
Getting back to Dietzen: “The prospect of having ... the most optimistic team member lose someone came to the table, and they thought it would be a great storytelling mechanic -albeit very, very sad.”
And it will come up again on the show, Dietzen said. “Moving forward, we’re going to definitely see Jimmy Palmer process this more. And I’ve already certainly shot other episodes where he’s had to have moments of reflection upon what’s happened.”
Q: Anchorman Tom Llamas on ABC News said a recent broadcast was his last, without explanation. Do you know why he left?
A: Although it has not been officially announced at this writing, several reports say Llamas has taken a new job with NBC News.
Q: On PBS’ “Washington Week,” host Robert Costa has not been on the show for several weeks, with guest-hosts substituting. Has Costa left “Washington Week in Review” or is this a temporary situation?
A: Costa, whose official title was moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week,” did his last broadcast Jan. 1. He will focus instead on co-writing a book with Washington Post legend Bob Woodward; Costa is also a reporter for that newspaper.
Costa had been with the program for three years. In a statement, he said, “While stepping away to co-author a book isn’t easy, I do it with a deep sense of appreciation for (producing station) WETA and ‘Washington Week.’ This experience, from working with the wonderful crew on Friday night to engaging with the devoted audience, has lifted me as a reporter and been a joy.”
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfelsgmail.com.