I hate the way they Wrote out Munch in SVU

Submitted by t3_110pdy2 in television

John Munch was a character was Originally on Homicide: Life On The Street, then after the show ended, Munch went on Special Victims Unit.

I always thought Munch was one of the best characters on SVU and his insight and partnership with Fin Tutuola were just golden. Then starting Season 9, Munch's role was diminished and only appear for half a season to both Belzer and the audience's confusion. still Belzer stayed on until out of the blue, he was retired in the 5th episode of Season 15.

I've heard multiple reasons as to why Munch's role diminished, Belzer not wanting to rock the boat or the fact that Munch is an expensive character and that David Simon gets a paycheck every time Munch appear on Screen. It also saddens me that he was let go very early in Season 15, with only an explanation that it was due to Mandatory retirement that was announce when Dann Florek announce his departure.

I found this article that was publish near the end of season 14, was renewed for season 15.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/law-and-order-svu-season-15_n_3314321

"I'd be a fool to say I didn't want to do it anymore and I'm certainly not bored with the character because the writing is so good," Belzer told The Huffington Post. "He's very close to how I would be if I were in that situation, so it's a dream."

Belzer really doesn't indicate that he wanted to retire John Munch. It really just adds to the confusion to me.

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Comments

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t1_j8aj4rp wrote

I think munch also still holds the record for playing the same character on different TV shows. The only one I can think of right now is X-Files

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t1_j8anrso wrote

At least he got an ending. He could have been shipped off to Mandyville without an explanation.

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t1_j8b7rjd wrote

Around the time there were reports about Belzer's age becoming really apparent with his mind. That he had trouble acting and remembering lines.

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t1_j8b98tc wrote

Definitely my favorite character on the show, he’s a natural comedian who can really play the dramatic and tear-jerking bits too

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t1_j8bwvwk wrote

If it helps, Belzer is a pos conspiracy theorist who has been in Alex Jones show.

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t1_j8c6bl9 wrote

IIRC, Belzer had terrible auditions for L&O. So bad that Belzer himself didn’t want to do the show.

But the producers loved him and believed in him and pushed him to take the role. I think it’s cool that he had that much longevity after bombing so hard from the start.

ETA: "Barry Levinson, executive director of Homicide, said Belzer was a "lousy actor" during his audition when he first read lines from the script for "Gone for Goode", the first episode in the series. Levinson asked Belzer to take some time to reread and practice the material, then come back and read it again. During his second reading, Levinson said Belzer was "still terrible", but that the actor eventually found confidence in his performance."

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t1_j8d7btj wrote

> "George Burns was right. Show business is a hideous bitch goddess." -- Bart Simpson

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