JAG
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{{infobox television
| show_name = JAG
| image = [[Image:JAG.jpg|250px]]
| caption =
| format = [[Adventure]], [[Legal drama]]
| runtime = 1 hour
| creator = [[Donald P. Bellisario]]
| starring = [[David James Elliott]]<br>[[Catherine Bell]]<br>[[Patrick Labyorteaux]]<br>[[John M. Jackson]]<br>[[Scott Lawrence]]<br>[[Karri Turner]]
| country = {{USA}}
| network = [[NBC]] (1995-1996)<br>[[CBS]] (1997-2005)
| first_aired = [[September 23]], [[1995]]
| last_aired = [[April 29]], [[2005]]
| num_seasons = 10
| num_episodes = 227
| list_episodes = List of JAG episodes
| related = [[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]
| imdb_id = 0112022
| tv_com_id = 242
}}
'''''JAG''''' (the American Military [[acronym]] for [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|Judge Advocate General]]) was a [[United States]] adventure and drama [[television show]] that was produced by [[Donald P. Bellisario|Belisarius Productions]], in association with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] [[CBS Paramount Television|Network Television]] and, for the first season only, [[Universal Media Studios|NBC Productions]]. Originally conceived as ''[[Top Gun (film)|Top Gun]]'' meets ''[[A Few Good Men]]'', ''JAG'' was first aired on [[NBC]] on [[September 23]], [[1995]], but was later cancelled on [[May 22]], [[1996]] after finishing 77th in the ratings. With a [[network change]], rival network [[CBS]] picked up the series for a [[midseason replacement]], beginning on [[January 3]], [[1997]]. CBS' decision to give JAG another chance would prove very profitable, as they aired it for nine additional seasons until [[April 29]], [[2005]], for a total of ten seasons. In total, 227 episodes were produced and the show was also seen in over 100 countries. Due to the show's popularity, the show entered [[TV syndication|syndication]] early in 1999 and it is still regularly repeated around the world, mostly on the [[USA Network]].
The series depicts JAG officers, though heavily romanticized, applying the stipulations of the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] and [[international law]] as well as providing conventional television [[melodrama]]. In its initial phase, the show relied much on Hollywood military-prop suppliers and existing [[stock footage]] from other well-known naval and military films, including ''[[Top Gun (film)|Top Gun]]'', ''[[The Hunt for Red October]]'' and ''[[Clear and Present Danger (film)|Clear and Present Danger]]''. The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] later recognized the series as positive for its public image and therefore granted official support, providing the producers access to military installations and equipment. It is so far the only television show to have been officially endorsed by both the [[United States Navy]] and the [[United States Marine Corps]]. From the beginning, the show regularly incorporated elements of real-life military actions into its storylines, e.g. the aftermath of the [[Bosnian War]], the attack on the [[USS Cole bombing|USS ''Cole'']], the events of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] and the subsequent [[War on Terrorism]]. In the wake of the above attacks the show experienced a boost in [[Nielsen Ratings|ratings]] and became a fixture on [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]]'s top 10.
== Cast ==
{{main|Characters of JAG}}
<!-- Note to editors: Rabb was promoted to Captain in the final episode, so here he is referred to as such. Please do not change his rank to Commander. -->
The final ensemble cast centers on Captain [[Harmon Rabb|Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr.]], [[United States Navy|USN]] ([[David James Elliott]]), and [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Sarah MacKenzie|Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie]], [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]] ([[Catherine Bell]]). Bell had guest-starred on the final episode of season one, entitled "Skeleton Crew" as a Naval Officer that Rabb was supposed to have met for dinner; she was murdered and Rabb was arrested for her murder. This plotline was left open until a later season, when Bell was a regular character, and the loose ends of a doppleganger were revealed. Rabb was promoted to Captain in the second-to-last episode of the series. Harm and Mac's obvious love for each other, which must not be allowed to interfere with their professional relationship, is a long-running thematic element.
Elliott played Harmon Rabb from the start of the series in [[1995]]. Rabb's original partner in the pilot was Navy Lieutenant [[Caitlin Pike]], played by [[Andrea Parker]]. She in turn left the series to star in ''[[The Pretender (television)|The Pretender]]'' (she later returned as a guest star in three episodes), and was replaced by [[Tracey Needham]] as Lieutenant JG [[Meg Austin]]. Needham left the series in 1996 and was replaced by Catherine Bell from season 2 on.
Other members of the cast included [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Bud Roberts]], (played by [[Patrick Labyorteaux]]), first a PAO on the [[aircraft carrier]] [[USS Seahawk]], then later a junior Judge Advocate at JAG. While on an assignment to the Seahawk, he met his future wife, Lieutenant [[Harriett Sims]], played by [[Karri Turner]], who would eventually come to be the administrative aide (from the Inspector General's Office ([[IG]])), who held the office together. Bud's clumsiness, both physical and verbal, and geeky interests (he's a [[Trekkie]], fascinated by the [[paranormal]], and a computer nerd), together with his wife's maternal nature, were a frequent source of comic relief. His clumsiness was played down as the series went on. Bud lost the lower half of his right leg in [[Afghanistan]] in the last episode of season 7, while attempting the heroic rescue of an Afghan boy playing in a mine field. For his actions, he received the [[Purple Heart]] and later was able to return to partial active duty with a [[prosthetic]] leg.
The actress [[Nanci Chambers]], wife of David James Elliott, played [[Characters of JAG#Lieutenant Loren Singer.2C USN|Lieutenant Loren Singer]]. She portrayed this character as a loathsome villainess to great acclaim. Singer was consumed by her continual want to further her career at the expense of those around her. She often clashed with the other characters. Especially praised was an episode in which Singer hurt fan-loved Harriet by using the death of her baby Sarah to discredit her testimony in court. In a later episode, however, Harriet got a measure of revenge by punching out Singer (7.23 "In Country"). Singer was murdered, with suspicion falling on Harm, who was eventually cleared (the two part story detailing the investigation into Singer's murder was used as the pilot for the [[spin off]] ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'').
== Series end ==
[[Image:JAGcoin.png|right|200px|thumb|Harm and Mac watch the flip of the challenge coin that will determine who will resign.]]
In 2005, [[David James Elliott]] announced he would leave the show to pursue other projects after not being offered a renewal from the producers. The show introduced new younger characters (including former ''[[As the World Turns]]'' star [[Chris Beetem]]). Producers also thought about relocating the setting of the show to the Naval Base in San Diego, and even set a season ten episode there. Nevertheless, CBS announced the cancellation of the show after ten seasons on [[April 4]], [[2005]]. The final episode, "Fair Winds and Following Seas", which aired [[April 29]], 2005, saw Harm and Mac assigned different [[Military base|stations]]: Harm in [[London]], Mac in [[San Diego, California]]. They finally confront their feelings and decide to get married. The episode ends with them tossing a JAG [[challenge coin]] to decide who will give up their career to be with the other. However (in keeping with ''JAG'' tradition), we never see the outcome, as the screen fades to black the face of the coin is showing, which says: "Judge Advocate General JAG 1995–2005".
== ''NCIS'' spin-off ==
{{main|NCIS (TV series)}}
In 2003, the series spawned the [[spin-off]] ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'' in a two-part episode in which Rabb is accused of the murder of a female officer. The two episodes, titled "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown," focused on the NCIS team, with the JAG regulars as supporting characters. Whereas the ''JAG'' episodes were primarily oriented on courtroom drama, ''NCIS'' is more focused on the field criminal investigations. ''NCIS'' also follows a different storytelling format than ''JAG'', emphasizing character humor more than its parent program.
To date, two characters from ''JAG'' have appeared on ''NCIS'': Patrick Labyorteaux reprised his role of Bud Roberts in the episode "Hung Out to Dry", while recurring guest star [[Alicia Coppola]] appeared in her ''JAG'' role of Lt. Cmdr. Faith Coleman in several episodes.
The two-part ''JAG'' episode in which the ''NCIS'' cast were introduced was later rebroadcast as a regular episode of ''NCIS'', although it was not included in the subsequent Season 1 DVD box set release.
== Episodes ==
For a full list of ''JAG'' episodes, see [[list of JAG episodes]].
== DVD and VHS releases ==
{{Main|JAG DVD releases}}
''JAG'' Seasons 1-6 have been released on DVD in the U.S. Season five is the first season available on DVD in 16:9 format.<ref name="multiple">{{cite web | url = http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/JAG-Season-5/8274 | title = JAG - Harm & Mac Are Coming Back! | accessdate = 2007-10-16 | last = | first = | date = | publisher = TV Shows on DVD}}</ref>
On [[September 1]], [[1998]], the pilot episode of ''JAG'' was released on [[VHS]] in the U.S. by [[Paramount Pictures#Paramount Home Entertainment|Paramount Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/JAG-Premiere-Episode-Donald-Bellisario/dp/630398083X | title = Jag - Premiere Episode | accessdate = 2006-12-16 | last = | first = | date = | publisher = Amazon.com}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy]]
* [[Paul Levine]]
== Notes & references ==
{{reflist}}
* Robb, David L. (2004). Operation Hollywood: How the Pentagon Shapes and Censors the Movies. 1st ed. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books.
* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,186616,00.html|Poniewozik, James & McDowell, Jeanne, "BATTLEFIELD PROMOTION," Time, 0040781X, 12/10/2001, Vol. 158, Issue 25 pp. 95-96].
* [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,253598,00.html|Geier, Thomas & Weiner, Allison Hope, "NAVAL GAZING.", Entertainment Weekly, Issue 624 (2001-09-11), pp. 10-11].
==External links==
{{wikiquote|JAG}}
* [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jag/ Official JAG web site] at [http://www.cbs.com/ CBS.com]
* {{imdb title|id=0112022|title=JAG}}
* {{tv.com show|id=242|title=JAG}}
[[Category:NBC network shows]]
[[Category:CBS network shows]]
[[Category:Drama television series]]
[[Category:Military television series]]
[[Category:Legal television series]]
[[Category:1995 television series debuts]]
[[Category:2005 television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:Television series by CBS Paramount Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Washington, D.C.]]
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