When you think of dynamic duos in Hollywood, Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J might not be the first names that spring to mind. However, these NCIS: Los Angeles stars have forged a bond that extends far beyond the screen. For thirteen seasons, they’ve captivated audiences as Special Agents G. Callen and Sam Hanna, and now, they’re bringing their collaborative energy to a new stage as executive producers of the heartwarming CBS reality show, Come Dance with Me. This unique program pairs talented young dancers with an untrained adult family member, giving them a shot at a $100,000 grand prize. In a recent interview, Emmy contributor Dinah Eng spoke with these two actor-producers to uncover the story behind their friendship and their latest venture into the world of dance television.
Their journey began not on a dance floor, but in the high-stakes world of crime-solving. Chris O’Donnell recounts their initial meeting, stating, “CBS introduced our characters on NCIS for the spinoff.” Initially, O’Donnell was slated to headline the show solo, but fate, or rather CBS, had other plans. “CBS had a deal with LL and said, how about putting you two together?” he explains. The serendipitous pairing led to their first encounter at the pilot’s table read.
LL Cool J echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the immediate connection they shared. “The chemistry felt really good,” he recalls. Despite coming from different backgrounds, they discovered common ground in their shared values and experiences. “Having large families with lots of kids, loving music,” LL lists as examples of their unexpected parallels. Both seasoned veterans of the entertainment industry, with “twenty or thirty years” under their belts, they connected on a deeper, human level from the start.
O’Donnell fondly remembers his initial interaction with LL, particularly the humorous introduction to his co-star’s persona. “I didn’t know what to call him at first, so I asked, ‘Should I call you LL?'” O’Donnell shares. LL’s casual and friendly response, “No, call me Todd, cuz,” immediately set a relaxed and amicable tone. O’Donnell also noted LL’s ever-present positivity, observing, “He had on earphones and was listening to ‘Don’t Stop Believin” the whole time. He just has a positive attitude that infuses everything he does.”
LL elaborates on his philosophy, stating, “I try to see the positive energy and vibe. But it’s not enough to just think positive. You have to put the work in and be willing to sacrifice personal comfort to get to your goal.” This blend of optimism and hard work seems to be a cornerstone of both their individual success and their partnership.
This initial spark has ignited into a lasting friendship that has grown stronger over thirteen seasons of working side-by-side. “We see each other every day when we’re working, and when we’re not working, we text or talk on the phone like siblings,” O’Donnell describes. Their enduring collaboration has fostered a deep understanding and effortless communication, leading to a “shorthand” in their interactions, as O’Donnell puts it.
Humor is also a vital ingredient in their bond. “Chris likes to joke. I like to joke,” LL states simply. O’Donnell expands on this, highlighting LL’s unique comedic style: “He’s so funny with his sayings. I was giving him a hard time about something once, and he said, ‘I don’t receive that.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know that was an option.'” This playful banter and appreciation for each other’s humor extends to their families’ quirks as well. LL, for instance, is amused by O’Donnell’s family sayings, recalling, “I even know what his father said when he wanted to be polite and had to go to the bathroom. He’d say, ‘I have to go conjure.'” He also notes O’Donnell’s business-minded approach to success, “When it comes to talking about success, Chris is always saying, ‘You have to feather the nest.'”
While LL Cool J has prior experience in reality TV as a producer for Lip Sync Battle, Come Dance with Me marks new territory for Chris O’Donnell in this genre. The project originated from a connection of O’Donnell’s, Reinout Oerlemans, a TV star turned producer from the Netherlands. Oerlemans, with his production company 3 Ball Productions, conceived the initial idea. O’Donnell admits his initial hesitation, “I didn’t know anything about reality TV or dancing,” but was intrigued by Oerlemans’ vision. He shared the “sizzle reel” with LL, whose enthusiastic response, “I’ll do it if you do it,” solidified their partnership in this new venture.
LL elaborates on the appeal of Come Dance with Me, stating, “I loved the idea of young kids aspiring to dance, inviting someone important to them to dance with them.” The show’s focus on family and joyful collaboration resonated deeply with him. “I love to do things that bring joy to people, to make their lives a little easier, even if it’s on a half-hour television show. It’s good mojo. We need shows that bring people together,” LL explains, highlighting the positive and unifying spirit of the program.
The concept for Come Dance with Me actually predates the COVID-19 pandemic, with discussions beginning “close to four years ago,” according to O’Donnell. Interestingly, the pandemic inadvertently strengthened the show’s relevance. O’Donnell notes, “With the pandemic, we were having theme dinners and parties at home because you couldn’t go anywhere.” LL adds, “You could see mothers and fathers and sons and daughters dancing on TikTok and social media.” This surge in at-home family dance and online dance trends validated the show’s premise, leading CBS to recognize its timely appeal and give it the green light.
In their roles as executive producers, both O’Donnell and LL Cool J brought their unique strengths and perspectives to the table. LL focused on ensuring the show’s musical diversity, engaging in “long conversations with Reinout, [executive producer] Jeff Altrock and 3 Ball about the diversity of music genres.” His goal was to create a show that resonated with a broad audience, encompassing “hip-hop, dance, country, pop” and other genres.
O’Donnell contributed his experience with CBS and his keen eye for authenticity. “I brought my relationship with CBS and whatever 3 Ball needed to get the idea to the table,” he explains. Drawing on his experience from NCIS: Los Angeles, he emphasized the importance of “authenticity” in the production. He also acknowledges LL’s team’s technical expertise, stating, “Todd and his team brought the same kind of authenticity and technical experience to Come Dance with Me.”
LL further clarifies the multifaceted role of an executive producer: “Executive-producing is about taking a vision and bringing it to reality. Whether it’s the casting, the look of the stage, the look of the shows.” While 3 Ball Productions handled much of the on-location work in Australia, both producers remained actively involved, “We talked before filming and then they sent me selects and different intros. We shared ideas about how things were going while they filmed.”
O’Donnell contrasts producing with acting, noting the different skill sets involved. “I love going on set and acting. Give me ten pages of dialogue, I go into a zone and it feels natural to me. Producing is different. There’s a lot of salesmanship to it. It involves deal-making and relationships.” Drawing on his finance background, he views producing as “a learning experience” and a valuable business opportunity.
When asked about what makes them effective producing partners, O’Donnell highlights the collaborative and supportive nature of their relationship. “As an actor, you feel a little like an island… It’s nice to have a real partner at work — on all fronts — from talking about scripts to our families. It’s something I didn’t have in the past.”
LL emphasizes the complementary nature of their personalities and working styles. “For me and Chris, his analytical way of looking at things and pragmatic approach complement my visionary and idealistic approach.” He adds that they learn from each other, “He’s taught me how to navigate the world with more clarity, and that family is extremely important. … and I think I’ve helped him to be more available publicly.”
O’Donnell concurs, acknowledging LL’s influence on his relationship with fans: “He’s taught me to embrace fans and welcome them as part of my acting career.” Ultimately, their partnership is built on mutual respect, honesty, and shared values. “We both have been around the block. We’ve seen highs and lows and recognize opportunity. We come from different backgrounds, but at our core, it’s about hard work and family,” O’Donnell concludes.
LL succinctly summarizes their successful collaboration: “I don’t think we’ve ever had an argument. We just cool. We click.” This effortless synergy, born from an unexpected on-screen pairing, has blossomed into a genuine friendship and a fruitful producing partnership, bringing the joyful and family-centric Come Dance with Me to audiences.
