THE MUNCHKIN: TV WITHOUT BORDERS

As part of Detective John Munch's reign as the King of the Crossovers, he also holds another record - for the number of networks on which he's appeared. The majority of his appearances have been on NBC, thanks to his work on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit', 'Homicide: Life On The Street', 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury', the original 'Law & Order', and in 'Homicide: The Movie'.

But he's also appeared on FOX with his role in an episode of 'The X-Files', as well as in the series finale for 'Arrested Development'. He was on UPN with a cameo appearance on 'The Beat', and he gave voice to the Muppet version of himself on PBS with 'Sesame Street'.

Coming up soon (allegedly): the Munchkin will be on HBO in an episode of 'The Wire', which takes place in his old stomping grounds of Baltimore. And there are reports that he'll be in an episode of the French version of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'!

He's yet to appear on ABC or CBS, but there's always hope. With CBS, the two best options would be in an episode of 'Without A Trace' or 'CSI: NY', because of location and the focus of those shows. As for ABC? I think a good choice might be the upcoming 'Dirty, Sexy, Money'. Sooner or later, Nick will have to deal with a detective like Munch on the Special Victims Unit - especially if anything happens to the tranny mistress of Patrick Darling IV.

(Throwing that suggestion out there in the hopes someone will take me up on it!)

Oddly enough, there's one show on which Munch has yet to appear in the 'L&O' franchise - that of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'. He's worked with Detective Mike Logan in the past in at least one crossover between 'Homicide: Life On The Street' and 'Law & Order'; and the personalities of Munch and Detective Goren might make for an interesting combination.

Here's hoping that he'll be appearing on 'Criminal Intent' this season, because the show has been moved over to the USA Network for its first-run episodes. And if Munch should show up there, then he'll have yet another network to add to his conquest.

And after that? Who knows? Maybe we can see Munch as a kid in an episode of AMC's 'Mad Men'. Or how about the same network, but in his current incarnation with an episode of 'Hu$tle'? Too bad 'The Dresden Files' was canceled; it would be great to see him on the Sci-Fi network as he goes to Chicago to pick up a prisoner, and then see some of his conspiracy theories validated by the work of Harry Dresden.

I suppose there's a version of Munch over in the Tooniverse. If so, maybe he'll show up on the Cartoon Network in an episode of 'The Venture Brothers' someday....

BCnU!
Toby OB