This is my favorite game (variations of it at any rate), although people get really tired of playing it with me... really fast. Sort of like Monk and charades.

The object of the game is to connect Ted Levine to another actor in five steps or less. (Six degrees is just too easy.) Simple, right? Sure… except I’ve got a few rules.

Rule 1: “As was" doesn't count: i.e. Ted Levine was in Murder She Wrote as was Tony Shalhoub.* It's not a connection unless they were in the same episode of said series.
Rule 2: Compilation films, like That’s Entertainment, don’t count.
Rule 3: I make up other rules as we go along.

The IMDB is a wonderful thing, but relying on it too heavily is not in the spirit of the game. Besides if you ever have to play the game at a real life party, IMDB won’t be there to back you up. Never-the-less, here’s the link to Ted’s film and television appearances just to start everyone off with a good knowledge base.

The challenge was to connect Ted Levine to Traylor Howard not using Monk. You can use film and/or TV roles, just keep rule 2 in mind.

*Neither Ted nor Tony ever appeared on Murder She Wrote.

And here's the only entry... um... I mean, the winner!
Submitted by JuggaloFWA

Step 1: Ted Levine was in Heat with Natalie Portman
Step 2: Natalie Portman was in Mars attacks with Danny DeVito
Step 3: Danny DeVito was in Friends with Courtney Cox
Step 4: Courtney Cox was in Scream with Jamie Kennedy
Step 5: Jamie Kennedy was in Son of Mask with Traylor Howard

Next up, connect Ted Levine to Jason Gray-Stanford
in five steps or less not using Monk.

Take 1 drink if:

Sharona hands Monk a wipe (2 drinks if Natalie does it)
Sharona rolls her eyes (2 drinks if Natalie does it)
Monk straightens something
Monk evens something out
Monk says, "You'll thank me later"
Monk says, "I just solved the case"
*Monk says, "This is what happened..." or something similar
**** Monk says, "Here's the thing"
‡Monk says, "It's a gift... and a curse" or some variation thereof

Take 2 drinks if:

Stottlemeyer yells at Monk
Monk mentions Trudy
Monk says, "He/She's the guy"
Monk says, "I could be wrong, but I'm not," or some variation
‡‡ Monk breaks something or hurts himself while touching, straightening, evening, or otherwise correcting a flaw of some kind
*Monk touches someone/someone's clothes
*Disher makes a fool of himself
*Monk laughs

Take 3 drinks if:

Monk calls Stottlemeyer "Leland"
Stottlemeyer calls Monk "Adrian"
Trudy's grave is shown
Monk plays his clarinet
Someone kisses Monk
*Monk dances or sings
*Monk is on an elevator without panicking
*Monk gets tricked into doing something he never would do voluntarily
*** Monk passes a light pole without touching it

Chug it if:

Monk kisses someone
Stottlemeyer says, "I just solved the case"
**If Monk doesn't ask for a wipe after shaking someone's hand

* Contributed by a mysterious monkaholic known only as A German Monk Fan
** Contributed by Extreme1climber
*** Contributed by Tom Bartlett
**** Contributed by Kat Hardy
‡ The One and Only Lu and Michael Rauen
‡‡ Reanee' Temple

If you have drinking game suggestions send me an email and I'll add them in.

A Fan4Sure Ditty
From the Monk Magical Mystery Tour Bus

Hey!!! Glad you have room for ME on the bus! So . . .

Hop on the bus, Gus
Don’t need to discuss much
Just turn on the key, Natalie
And set this bus free

Don’t get too drunk, Monk
So glad you understand, Leland
We’re a little unruly, Julie
But a fun place to be

Want another Corona, Sharona?
Oops, she’ll have to pee, Benji
Pass out some candy, Randy
Hope you’re listening to me

That’s a monkey from a sock, Doc
Monk’s not too moody, Trudy
She’s surely in heaven, Kevin
I think you’ll agree

What’s with Monk’s mother, brother?
You’re the guy who knows, Ambrose
Heard the captain swearin’, Karen
Never really bothers me

Are you feeling blue, Sue?
Need to watch the show, Joe
Just slip out the back, Jack
And get cable TV