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What am I doing on this show . . . a look at crossover episodes
You know it’s a sweeps month when all of the sudden TV characters start taking road trips to other shows. Last week, Gil Grissom and Jack Malone spent some quality time together on CSI and Without a Trace. As I watched the two leading men mark their territory, I started thinking about my favorite crossover episodes.
Ally McBeal and The Practice (April 1998): During its heyday, I had something of a love/hate relationship with Ally McBeal (kind of how I am about Grey’s Anatomy these days). I didn’t love the show but I couldn’t stop watching. But when Eugene, Ellenor, Bobby and Rebecca visited the law firm of Cage & Fish I was in heaven. One of my all time favorite moments came when Helen Gamble said to Ally, "Maybe you should eat a cookie." And Ally responded, "Maybe we should share it." It’s fairly rare that a crossover episode can actually crossover network borders, but David Kelley, who was an executive producer on both shows, was able to pull it off .
Homicide and Law & Order (February 1996): First of all, Homicide (H:LOTS to those of use who love the series) remains one of my all time favorite TV shows and each of the three times it crossed over with Law & Order, the stunt gave my beloved Homicide some much needed exposure. These two episodes "Charm City" and "For God and Country" are my favorite of the crossovers for two reasons – it continued Richard Belzer’s penchant for playing Detective John Munch on multiple series (including shows as varied as Arrested Development and The X-Files) and it was in this Homicide episode that Munch discovers that his ex-wife Gwen also had a relationship with Law & Order’s Lenny Briscoe. Briscoe and Munch could have easily had their own spin-off series.
Buffy and Angel (May 2003): Because the characters lived in the same wonderful universe that Joss Whedon created and shared the same glorious mythology, the characters from these shows would often visit each other. But my favorite moment came in the penultimate episode of Buffy entitled "End of Days," Buffy and Angel have a moving conversation about their past and their future and Buffy tells Angel "I’m like cookie dough. I’m not done baking." It was a moment that I really think put some closure on their relationship and allowed viewers a chance to see this ill-fated couple together one last time.
So all this talk about crossover episodes got me thinking and I have some ideas for future crossover episodes that I would like to see:
How I Met Your Mother and The Office: We already know Lily’s family is a little quirky and in this crossover episode we learn that Dwight is Lily’s cousin. Dwight calls Lily when his boss Michael gets into legal trouble and needs Marshall to defend him. Plus Barney has to fend off a very aggressive Kelly.
Grey’s Anatomy and ER : McDreamy, McSteamy and McStamos together at last! In this crossover episode, McStamos travels to Seattle to convince Doug and Carol (remember they live in Seattle) to come back to Chicago just in time for the ER series finale. Meanwhile, Tony doesn’t understand while all the women want to make out with him in the elevator.
Cane and Brothers & Sisters: Tommy Walker meets up with Frank Duque at a rum/wine convention. Together they lament being passed over as leader of the family business and Tommy gives Frank tips on how to spice up his drama. Nora and Amalia decide to co-author a book on mothering techniques.
What are your favorite crossover episodes? What shows do you think would make for excellent crossovers? Talk about it below.
Best News of the Week
Defying all rumors of cancellation, Damages has been picked up for not one but two seasons. Glenn Close, Tate Donovan and Rose Byrne are all signed on to return. I say we go ahead and take full credit for the show being renewed.
Highlights for November 14 and 15
Project Runway is finally back for its fourth season Wednesday at 10 p.m. on Bravo. I was sad the show wasn’t on this summer, but now with the writer’s strike, I’m delighted we’ll have Tim Gunn and 15 new desingers to entertain us.
Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer on Twin Peaks) takes over the role as Brian Jr.’s mom on Dirty Sexy Money (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.). You may remember that Brooke Smith played this part in the pilot but now Smith has joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Erica Hahn.
Edie Falco guest stars on 30 Rock (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m.) so this is definitely a can’t miss episode.
Well kids, enjoy this night of NBC Thursday night comedies while you can. As I understand it, this is the last new episode of The Office (9 p.m. on NBC) we will have until the writer’s strike is over.
Jorja Fox says goodbye to CSI Thursday at 9 p.m. on CBS. As sad as I am to see Sara go, I have to say I’ve really liked how the show has handled her impending departure. It is totally believable to me that Sara would grow weary of dealing with death every day. Through the show’s run, Sara has been a melancholy character. I like the idea of her choosing a career that is better for her overall well-being. Plus this leaves the door open for Sara to return – during sweeps of course. Have you liked the way the show has dealt with Sara’s departure? Talk about it below.
Luka is back and just in time on ER (Thursday, NBC, 10 p.m.).
That’s all for today. I’m back on Friday with quotes of the week. Have a question, seen a familiar face or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
Just a crazy thought, but what if NCIS and Bones had a crossover? I have know thoughts on whether it could technically work or if it would be good, but I just like both the shows - too bad they are competing timeslot-wise. But Bones and Ziva might really confuse each other with their literal interpretations of the English language and Abbie would probably scare Zach but charm Angela. And would Booth and Tony hit it off or rub each other the wrong way given their somewhat similar antics. Oh, how interesting it could be!
Andrea | Nov 14, 2007 1:59:23 PM | #Sorry, I have "no" thoughts....
Andrea | Nov 14, 2007 2:00:03 PM | #At one point, either Bill Lawrence or Zach Braff (I forget which one) said they wanted to get David Cross to gueststar on Scrubs in character as Tobias (from Arrested Development).
I guess that didn't go through.
How about Closer and Criminal Minds..
Kasha | Nov 14, 2007 2:34:21 PM | #For favorite crossover, I have to go with the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Trials & Tribbilations episode, where the DS9 crew went back in time and interacted with the crew of the original Enterprise.
As for my dream crossovers? Well, I have 2. The first is between Lost and The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. We could learn that The Others are the descendants of the Bly gang, that all of the mysterious goings on are caused by one or more of The Orbs, and then Bruce Campbell could show up from the past to save the day :-)
The second dream crossover I have in mind is between Wonderfalls & Pushing Dasies. Jaye gets a message from stuffed bird (with rhinestone studded wings) to go to The Pie Hole and pick up a sweet potatoe pie with gouda baked into the crust. She goes, and all of a sudden, every single thing that The Piemaker has ever brought back to life starts talking to her… And hilarity ensues.
One crossover that might actually work is between Heroes and Journeyman. Both shows are on Monday nights on NBC, so the network would be able to promote it.
On Journeyman, Dan knows that he can time travel to the past, but he hasn't learned how to control his power yet. Enter Hiro Nakamura, who can teach him how to control when he teleports and how to stop time.
Dan needs all the help he can get because he's always vanishing from his present timeline at really bad moments (driving his car, taking care of his son, on a commercial airline flight, etc.) Also, once Hiro teaches him how to control his power, Dan and his family can worry less about his disapperances. :-)
Paige | Nov 14, 2007 2:47:40 PM | #A House/Bones Crossover would be fun having the two name characters try to one up as they solved a mystery/plague/disease or what have you.
Kevin | Nov 14, 2007 3:02:22 PM | #NBC should have a cross-over week where Hiro from Heroes pops up briefly on all of their other shows by using his ability to transport himself anywhere. Perhaps Hiro could be on a mission to pick up a bunch of different artifacts needed to help save the world. Said artifacts could be located in San Francisco (Journeyman); New York (various L&O shows & 30 Rock); Scranton (Office); Las Vegas; and whatever cities that other shows take place. While picking up the artifacts, he would somehow interact with the casts of the various shows.
Some of these would be easy, such as the Hiro on Journeyman cross-over suggested above. Hiro on Las Vegas could be somehow tied to Linderman, who was in Vegas. Hiro on The Office could result in helping Jim to play a joke on Dwight. Hiro on any Law & Order series or on Life could help the detectives find a clue. And so on.
Woodman | Nov 14, 2007 4:07:09 PM | #You forgot Picket Fences characters showing up on Chicago Hope, but then that was one I, as a fan of both shows, can downplay myself.
Of course there are the semi-crossovers of someone doing a guest appearance in characetr with no real storyline connection. Like Danny Thomas and the rest of the AMke ROom for Daddy cast on the Lucy-Desi COmedy HOur. Or Sherman Helmsley as George JEfferson playing an uncle to Lynn Moody's nurse character on the "original sitcom version" of eR>
D'C'A' | Nov 14, 2007 4:10:56 PM | #Good idea, just leave the Office on its own.
Steve | Nov 14, 2007 4:11:27 PM | #That Ally McBeal/Practice crossover was great. I loved the scene at the end where Bobby went to the bar and watched them all dancing. And Ally and Bobby were very cute together, but of course that could never work out... this is the danger of the crossover!
AA | Nov 14, 2007 8:41:01 PM | #Of all the Buffy/Angel crossovers-remember when Angel called Buffy (after her mother died?) & on Buffy it was just a phone call that she never said anything about. Very good,quiet,real moment.
Dave | Nov 14, 2007 8:51:55 PM | #Ally McBeal and The Practice, that was great TV. Oh, the good old days.
I would love a House/Desperate Housewives crossover. I just want to see Bree's reaction to House's comments and I would love to see how Lynette would put him in his place.
I am so on board with the ER/Grey's Anatomy crossover. Who knows, maybe McDreamy goes fishing with Dr. Ross. I can't believe I never realized until now that Doug and Carol live in Seattle. Grey's have to not call ER the Pit though, I don't think Doug and Carol will appreciate that too much.
Ritchie | Nov 14, 2007 9:35:04 PM | #ooh! there should be a Prison Break and House crossover where Michael gets a mysterious illness and House has to go into Sona to save him. lol
edgar | Nov 14, 2007 9:52:21 PM | #I would Love to see a Supernatural/ Moonlight crossover. Possibly also a Girlfriends the Game crossover?
Tyson | Nov 14, 2007 10:19:33 PM | #I always thought a good crossover would be with 24 and House... either House keeps popping up throughout the season working on one specific patient, or Jack Bauer brings in someone who needs healing ASAP so he can get the information. Oh yeah.
Nathaniel | Nov 14, 2007 10:22:31 PM | #Chuck and Bionic Woman seems tailor made for a crossover.
Kate McQ | Nov 14, 2007 10:30:46 PM | #it'd be pretty amazing if project runway, america's next top model, and vh1's the shot did a triple crossover.
or what about gossip girl and dirty sexy money? some of the families in GG could be connected with the Darlings. heck, you could probably even throw Heroes in there. The Petrellis could be friends with the Darlings! Maybe Jeremy and Juliet discover they have superpowers and beat the crap out of the uber-boring twins in Heroes.
veeg | Nov 14, 2007 11:34:03 PM | #More spoof than crossover, but I did love The Simpsons/24 last season, even if Jack and Homer didn't team up to my eternal disappointment.
Fiz | Nov 15, 2007 3:59:59 AM | #Sorry, but the cookie dough speech has to be the worst piece of dialogue in Buffy history. Worse than the Willow's Yellow Crayon speech that capped off the abysmal season six finale.
ferretrick | Nov 15, 2007 5:26:43 AM | #Here is a lesson is skimming too fast: when I read that The Office and Mother did a crossover, I stopped on a dime. What? Then I went back and read the paragraph again.
Other crossovers: Homicide/Chicago Hope, the uncredited L&O and Homicide with John Waters as the prisoner Logan hands off to Pembleton in the Balto train station.
Jamie | Nov 15, 2007 5:54:04 AM | #A good friend of mine has put together the ultimate TV "crossover" webpage. Very easy to get stuck on his site for hours.
http://poobala.com/crossoverlist.html
Favorite Crossover: Another Buffy/Angel, but earlier. First season of Angel, where Oz goes to LA with the ring that enables Spike and Angel to be in the daylight. Fantastic ep, with one of the best monologues ever from Spike and a very moving end with Angel.
Dream Crossover: Burn Notice and Life both have intricate conspiracy storylines and mesmerizing heros. No idea how it could tie together, but what a combo it would be!
p
spuffy | Nov 15, 2007 6:58:08 AM | #I also loved the Ally/Practice crossover. I'm still waiting on Ally to hit DVD with full seasons.
I'm a big fan of NBC crossovers. I adored Crossing Jordan and Las Vegas, so I was delighted how many crossovers they had.
I also really liked when Pretender and Profiler had a crossover. Those remain two of my favorite underrated shows ever!
As far as shows I would like to see Crossover? I would really like the HIMYM/The Office crossover, but it would kill the documentry feel The Office has.
I liked the idea someone mentioned of NCIS and Bones crossing over, especially since Booth was a Navy Seal.
I haven't watched Reaper, but I think it could successfully crossover with Supernatural. Or, Ghost Whisperer/Medium could be interesting. I'm also still waiting for Criminal Minds and Without A Trace to crossover.
Denise | Nov 15, 2007 7:17:28 AM | #Chicago Hope and Homicide with Mandy Patinkin making a cameo as Jeffrey Geiger.
I think CBS has the best potential with 3 FBI shows to cross Without a Trace, Numb3rs, and Criminal Minds. Numb3rs could even says Megan used to work for the BAU before joing the LA office. I still think Grissom and Taylor need to meet up. They'd be much better together then Caruso was with either of them.
I think we should get real here people. Cross network crossovers RARELY happen. It's only as in the AB/P one where a production company owned both that it could happen. Networks try to keep it in house though. Personally I think the best crossovers are one where a character from one program ppears on another and is done. Once these shows go to DVD and sydication part one and part 2 usually get seperated becaue they are different shows. The CSI Miami/NY crossover with the fugitive? The Miami episode is not on the NY DVDs or vice versa!
Ryan | Nov 15, 2007 7:20:52 AM | #
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