TOP BUNK

Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune is a big fan of 'The Wire', and so are many of her readers, judging by the number of comments she gets when she writes about that show.

Here's one of Toobworldian interest:

Bunk? Any 'Homicide' fan knows that "Junior" Bunk (Mekhi Phifer) was the cousin of Luther Mahoney who shot up the squad room. There's got to be a story there.

Interesting in-joke: Phifer's Dr. Pratt on 'ER' was continually called "Junior" by desk manager Frank, until Pratt one day told him in no uncertain terms to never use that name near him again.

Posted by: Tom Sep 6, 2006 2:59:44 PM

I believe Tom is referring to Det. William 'Bunk' Moreland on 'The Wire', played by Wendell Pierce. "Bunk" for both men was a nickname, perhaps stemming from them both having the talent to spin a real bull-bleep story. Nothing about having a common nickname would suggest to me that they had to be related.

On the other hand, I think the 'ER' in-joke is relevant. Frank must have known that Dr. Pratt had an identical cousin down in Baltimore. (Just because Dr. Pratt practices in Chicago, does not mean that he comes from there.)

And as Junior Bunk Mahoney was not quite the sort of family member anyone would want to be associated with, I'm sure Dr. Pratt tolerated Frank's jibes for only so long before he told him to shut up.

Just another chance to fill in the blanks here at Toobworld Central!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby