CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK!

In the same week which saw Chris Noth return to playing his first major Toobworld character, Detective Mike Logan, on a regular basis (although now on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'), NBC also had the top crossover for the second week in a row. Their team-up between their Sunday night Boston forensics drama 'Crossing Jordan' and their action series 'Las Vegas' which airs on Mondays proved to be successful enough last season to warrant a second go-round.

Here's how TV.com described both episodes:

'CROSSING JORDAN'
Season 5 Episode 5005
"LUCK BE A LADY"
10/9pm 10/02/05

JORDAN AND WOODY CALL ON THEIR FRIENDS FROM THE MONTICITO CASINO TO HELP SOLVE A MYSTERIOUS MURDER/SUICIDE - JOSH DUHAMEL AND VANESSA MARCIL GUEST STAR IN THIS "CROSSING JORDAN," "LAS VEGAS" CROSS OVER EVENT

The multi-city mystery begins when a Las Vegas showgirl shows up at the Boston morgue, sets a corpse ablaze and then hurls herself out the window. She leaves behind one clue: an employee ID card from the Montecito Casino in Las Vegas. Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh calls on Danny McCoy, an acquaintance and Director of Montecito Surveillance and Security, to help solve the mystery. Together Jordan, Woody and Danny follow clues that reveal a crime with international repercussions is in the works in Boston.

When Woody realizes that the strings are all being pulled by a mobster in Las Vegas, he's on the next plane out. Woody works with the Montecito Casino host Sam Jane Marquez in Vegas while Jordan and Danny remain on the case in Boston. As the clues are revealed, so are the mutual attractions between the crime-solving duos.

'LAS VEGAS'
"Double Down, Triple Threat"
(episode #50)
Originally aired: Monday October 3, 2005 on NBC

Danny is with blackjack player Gabe Labrador who's wearing a wig and counting cards. The man doesn't want to stop playing and claims he must win big to pay off the men who kidnapped his daughter.

Ed, Mike, Danny and a cop from Metro work on the case even though they aren't sure Gabe is telling the truth. Mary seems to still be helping Danny taking care of his dad's stuff. Sam and Woody (from "Crossing Jordan") are getting very well acquainted... Jordan from "Crossing Jordan" is also in this episode.

I've got some advice for the Peacock Network - don't go back to the well a third time.

When 'Law & Order' (set in New York) kept teaming up with the Baltimore cops in 'Homicide: Life On The Street', it was easy to accept since we came to relate - as far as NBC shows go - all crimes to be investigated by the same cops each week. No matter the boundaries of the 27th Precinct, Detectives Briscoe, Curtis, and Logan worked the entire island. And the same held true in Baltimore for their homicide detectives under Lt. Giardelli's watch.

But for crimes linking Beantown with Vegas over and over again involving the same casino every time?

Besides, the network should consider spreading the wealth from the benefits of crossovers to their other dramas. Let the family of that 'Medium' spend their vacation in 'Las Vegas'. Perhaps the coroners of 'Crossing Jordan' can get involved with the oceanographer played by Lake Bell to discover what's lurking beneath the 'Surface' of Boston Harbor. Bring 'ER' into the scheme and have them get involved with a case involving the officers of the Pentagon's 'E-Ring'.

And there's always the three shows in the 'Law & Order' franchise who could be utilized with any of those other series for crossovers. They've got the experience and it's about time for Munch to expand his hold on the most TV series crossover appearances.

And 'Surface' and 'Medium' are both good candidates for a Munchkin crossover.

Just a suggestion for the network Suits. (May they be nibbled to death by ducks!)

BCnU!
Tele-Toby