"THE CLOSER", BUT NO CIGAR

S. Epatha Merkerson appeared on two episodes of 'The Closer', but as Doctor Rebecca Dioli, not as Lt. Anita Van Buren whom she has portrayed on 'Law & Order' since 1991.

Now, normally I would have bemoaned this as a missed opportunity to get a great crossover, one that would cement the place of 'The Closer' in the TV Universe. (For Toobworld, it's already a given, but the Westphallians need the confirmation that can be traced back to 'St. Elsewhere'.)

However, I used to be an actor and on a limited basis I know what it's like to be playing the same role for way too long. I'm sure that after 16 years, Ms. Merkerson jumped at the chance to play anyone else but the Lieutenant, especially when the show has such a high profile as 'The Closer' enjoys - being one of the top cable shows on the air.

But I'd still like to see a link made between 'The Closer' and some other series more firmly entrenched in the TV Universe.

BCnU!
Toby OB

NEW @ TOOBWORLD CENTRAL, VACATION EDITION

My vacation is basically over; I go back to work tomorrow night. But for tonight, I'm acclimating myself to being back in NYC, and getting the rare chance to listen to Vin Scelsa's radio show on WFUV, "Vin Scelsa's Idiot's Delight".

So while I'm hanging out online, hoping to hear from my Li'l Buddy Sean - the father of my god-daughter - over in Taiwan, I thought it was a good time to post my latest addition to the Toobworld DVD Library.

While stocking up on supplies to bring back to NYC, I found a copy of the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' at BJ's Warehouse for less than 17 bucks. Amazon.com couldn't even beat that, so I picked it up. For me, 'HIMYM' is one of the top five sitcoms on the air today.

That same day I also got the movie "Hot Fuzz", which I had already seen three times.

My brother Bill also burned a few CDs for me - one of Good Brother Earl and the other for Old Crow Medicine Show, both bands I heard from his collection while up at "The Lake".

BCnU!
Toby OB

PAGING "MY BOYS"

"Studio 6H is where we do 'The Girlie Show'.
Did you all see Tracy Jordan make a special appearance the other night?
Wasn't that exciting!?
That is what we in the show business like to call a cameo."
Kenneth Parcell
'30 Rock'

Jack McBrayer appeared on the first episode of 'My Boys' for the second season, "The Promise Of A New Season". His character was un-named, and only was onscreen for less than a minute, but somehow he became the mortal enemy of Kenny Morritori's new, very pregnant girlfriend while they were all at Crowley's bar.

McBrayer is best known today for playing Kenneth Ellen Parcell, the sweetly simple page working for NBC at '30 Rock'. But he's not chained to life in New York City because of his job. (First off, he's from farther south.) So it's entirely pozz'ble, just pozz'ble, as Vincent Van Gopher would say, that maybe Kenny had to go to Chicago on NBC business for either Jack Donaghy, Liz Lemon, or more likely, for Tracy Jordan, the star of 'TGS with Tracy Jordan'.

Just by chance his path crossed with Kimmy at the Crowley's bar, and unlike her new boyfriend, this was one Kenny with whom she did not get along.

Kenny: It's Kimmy's business and she can be sensitive.
Kimmy: There's the dick head from the bar!

As always with Toobworld, this can't be a proven link. But should Jack McBrayer ever appear as Kenny the Page in any other NBC show, this would be the hypothetical link that could garner him a berth in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame on the Birthday Honors List.

BCnU!
Toby OB

"You are a puzzle, Kenneth Ellen,
And I'm going to solve you. Yes I am."
Jack Donaghy
'30 Rock'