Melissa McCarthy: SVU

 This season of "SVU" has not been flawless, but it has mostly been delightful. Then April 23 happened.

Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy plays Jesmyn Jewell, a star on the ultimate fighter circuit. I'm pretty sure that most--if not all--of McCarthy's lines are improvised. (She is channeling her "Bridesmaids" character.) Famously, on "The Simpsons," the yard work sequence from "Cape Feare" made the cut only because the writers needed one full minute of padding. I believe we're seeing something like that in the McCarthy scene from "SVU."

Jewell immediately falls in love with Olivia Benson (who just wants some simple information). Jewell keeps derailing the conversation to talk about Benson's "yams," her "baby browns," her talent for "being spicey." Jewell wants cash--but if cash is unavailable, "some other arrangement" could be designed.

The scene would not work if Mariska Hargitay struggled with being a straight man. But Hargitay--who has comedic training--knows exactly how to seem understated. It's impressive that she keeps a straight face.

I'd love to see more of Melissa McCarthy--remember that Marcia Gay Harden once turned her own cameo into a recurring role. Fingers crossed.