JAG

For other uses, see JAG (disambiguation).

JAG (the acronym for "Judge Advocate General") was an American adventure drama television show, produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Television Network. The series first aired on NBC, but was canceled in 1996. Rival network CBS picked up the series and aired it for nine more seasons. Episodes are widely shown in syndication on cable and satellite networks throughout the entire world. The show has been criticized for using stock footage from other well-known military films, including Top Gun, The Hunt for Red October, and Clear and Present Danger. In some countries such as Brazil it suffers of slight rejection due to its largely positive, larger-than-life portrayal of the US military.

In 2005, David James Elliott decided to leave the show to pursue other projects after not being offered a contract renewal from the show's producers. The show introduced new younger characters including former As the World Turns star Chris Beetem in an effort to unsuccessfully stave off cancellation. Regardless, CBS announced the cancellation of the show after ten seasons on April 4, 2005, the final episode aired April 29. The final episode "Fair Winds and Following Seas", saw Harm and Mac being assigned to different posts: Harm in London, England, and 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. Although we never see the outcome, as the screen fades to black the face of the coin is showing, which says: "JAG 1995–2005".

Main cast

Note: All military ranks given for currently used characters are their ranks as of the end of the series in April 2005. For characters that left the series, ranks given are their last known ranks.

The final ensemble cast centers on United States Navy Commander Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr., played by David James Elliott, and United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, played by Catherine Bell. Their obvious attraction to each other, which must not be allowed to interfere with their professional relationship, is a long-running thematic element.

Elliott has played the Rabb character since the start of the series in 1995. Rabb's original partner was Navy Lieutenant Caitlin Pike, played by Andrea Parker. She in turn left the series to guest star in The Pretender, to be replaced by Tracey Needham as Lieutenant Meg Austin. Needham left the series in 1996 and was replaced by Bell.

Other members of the cast include Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts, played by Patrick Labyorteaux, a junior lawyer, and his wife, Lieutenant Harriett Sims, played by Karri Turner, the administrative aide who holds 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, are a frequent source of comic relief. The Judge Advocate General himself, Rear Admiral (Upper Half) A.J. Chegwidden, is played by John M. Jackson. The actress Nanci Chambers, wife of David James Elliott, played Lieutenant Loren Singer. She portrayed this character as a loathsome villainess to great acclaim. Singer was a sociopathic personality who schemed continually to further her ambitions at the expense of those around her. 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.

In the 2004–2005 season, RADM Chegwidden was replaced by Marine Major General Gordon Cresswell, played by David Andrews.

Recurring supporting cast

Recurring minor characters include Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez (Randy Vasquez), Petty Officer Jason Tiner (Chuck Carrington), Royal Australian Navy Commander Mic Brumby (Trevor Goddard), Congresswoman Bobbi Latham (Anne-Marie Johnson), Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Coates (Zoe McLellan), CIA Special Agent Clayton Webb (Steven Culp), and others.

Navy NCIS spin-off

In 2003, the series spawned the spin-off Navy NCIS.

Episodes

For a full list of JAG episodes, see list of JAG episodes.

"JAG" in other countries

• Belgium – JAG
• Brazil – JAG
• Denmark – Interne Affærer ("Internal Affairs")
• France – JAG – Judge Avocate Generale
• Germany – JAG – Im Auftrag der Ehre ("On Behalf of Honor")
• Italy – JAG – Avvocati in divisa ("Lawyers in Uniform")
• The Netherlands – JAG
• Norway – JAG
• Sweden – På heder och samvete

Broadcasters

• NBC – (United States; Season 1)
• CBS – (United States; Season 2–10)
• USA Network & Hallmark Channel – (United States; Syndication)
• VT4 – (Belgium)
• Universal (formely USA Network – (Brazil)
• History Television – (Canada; Syndication)
• TV3 & TV3+ – (Denmark)
• France 2 – (France)
• SAT.1 & Kabel 1 – (Germany)
• RAI & LA7 – (Italy)
• SBS 6 – (The Netherlands)
• TV3 & ZTV – (Norway)
• ETV – (Sri Lanka)
• TV3 & ZTV – (Sweden)

External link

• JAG at the Internet Movie Database
• JAG at TV Tome