'Snitch'
I have more news on the Richard Belzer front. I spoke with the actor himself this week and he is very grateful that you guys all miss Detective Munch and it turns out we weren't imagining things: Belzer's contract this year
was reduced from 22 episodes to a measly 13.
No word on why this happened. Belzer is as mystified as we are but the 63 year old's character was pretty much replaced by 35 year old Adam Beach this season. Nobody is saying its ageism and maybe I am just as conspiracy minded as Detective Munch but you do the math and tell me what you think.
Executive Producer Neal Baer would not comment further. Although he told me last week Munch wasn't going anywhere, they have sure found screen time for Adam. I think every episode this season.
Personally Munch is one of my favorite characters. He is funny, cynical and real. If you want to see more Munch let your voice be heard. Write to NBC or send a letter to TV Guide Magazine and let the show's producers know how you feel. You can also log onto NBC.com and vote for him in the
People's Choice Awards. He's nominated for "Favorite Scene Stealer".
At least he made an appearance in this one...however briefly.
As for the rest of this week's episodethe guest star was Method Man (born Clifford Smith). The rapper previously had a recurring role on Christopher Meloni's HBO series
OZ. Wonder if Chris ever jokes around with his former co-stars now that he's the good guy and not the sadist, rapist, white supremist they all knew and most likely didn't love. Maybe not.
Great look on Olivia's face when she realized Elliot had dated his "friend" at immigration during his separation from Kathy That's what is known in medical circles as "stink eye". She didn't even try to cover it. I don't think she wants Elliot for herself but I think she is disappointed with how much her partner has kept from her. Probably not too impressed with how much he got around during that time either. Interesting how she was offended by the polygamy and Stabler was more sympathetic. Although I suppose not too surprising.
Former
ER regular Gloria Reuben was back last night...I seem to recall last time she was on the show she was a former drug addicted mother whose daughter was abducted...nice to see she got her life together and is now a high powered lawyer....What was that? She was playing a DIFFERENT character? Are you sure? I've never known
Law & Order to recycle stars like that. Next thing you know you'll be trying to convince me that Diane Neal played a murderer before she became an ADA and that is obviously outrageous.
When the husband said "I wanted to be a Hero, but I'm not", I immediately flashed to another NBC show. I think I've been watching too much TV.
The twist at the end was unexpected. I didn't suspect Sarah as the killer. Apparently one other wife was ok but a second one was out of the question. Kind of a coincidence that her husband was about to testify against a violent gang leader though. And do people on trial really jump up and threaten the lives of witnesses as much as they do on television? Because I have to tell you that seems like a pretty bad idea for a strong defense.
Overall I was a bit bored by this one. They did an earlier and better show on female circumcision and they've covered ineffective witness protection many, many times. Remember to heed Gloria's advice here. If you are going to witness a crime make sure its federal since their program is much better.
