I can't help but feel sorry for last week's crossover between 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury'. It made for a great evening of Television on NBC, but there was that "Been There Done That" cloud hanging over it. That sensation would have been there even without Munch's crossover a few weeks ago. (And it gets diluted even more by having DA Arthur Branch as a regular on both 'Trial By Jury' as well as the original series.)
That pervasive sense of cohesion can be felt throughout all the series in the 'Law & Order' franchise; they are special victims of their own success when it comes to maintaining the crossover integrity of their corner of the TV Universe.
It's a shame too, as the two-parter boasted a very powerful guest cast - Rita Moreno, Alfred Molina, and Angela Lansbury.
Maybe if Ms. Lansbury had appeared as Jessica Fletcher, or Ms. Moreno was reprising her character in 'Oz'. (Not sure if it would have helped any if Molina showed up as his character from 'Bram And Alice'.....)
As it stands, the crossover never had a chance against a wild crossover between a soap opera and a somewhat forgotten sitcom from thirty years ago.
But it's May and such is the nature of the Sweeps Beast.
The other crossover of note was already covered in an earlier essay. (Scroll down to "Clicking Glick, King" for why the crossover between 'Larry King Live' and 'Prime Time Glick' ultimately failed.)
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
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