The real-life Navy Secretary Ray Mabus will make a special appearance on "NCIS" tonight, but not in a cameo as himself. Mabus has an acting role playing an NCIS investigator.
"NCIS" stars Mark Harmon and is the number one TV show in the country. Harmon said Monday morning on "Live with Regis and Kelly" that Mabus did a great job with the role.
In the Thanksgiving-themed episode, called "Child's Play," the NCIS team cancels their normal holiday plans to investigate the death of a Marine. The investigation leads them to a 12-year-old prodigy, who may be the killer's next target. 
Perhaps one reason Sec. Mabus isn't playing the Secretary of the Navy is because the role has normally been played by Jude Ciccolella (Mike Novick on "24") in past episodes.
Secretary Mabus is the former Governor or Mississippi and a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
"NCIS" (NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigative Service) airs on Tuesday nights at 8pm on CBS and is immediately followed by a spinoff show, "NCIS: Los Angeles."
Brooke Cain isn't always proud of the number of hours she logs in front of the TV, but her loss of brain cells can be your gain. From reality shows to sitcoms to the more serious stuff, Brooke keeps her DVR smoking so that she can help keep you in the know. Brooke also tweets for Happiness is a Warm TV (you can follow