A celebrity in the neighborhood - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Alan Brady's Hair · 03-01-2017, 12:50 AM

Lou Ferrigno (King of Queens) and Wil Wheaton (Big Bang Theory) have had recurring sitcom roles as a character who is something of a parody of themselves, living in the same neighborhood and often interacting with the show's regular characters. Are there any other instances like this? I guess I'd exclude something like Danny Thomas, where the main character is supposed to be a famous show business person himself and could be expected to know people in show business.

Robert Goulet carved out a similar little niche for himself, playing himself as a past-his-prime lounge singer in George and Leo, King of Queens, Mr. Belvedere, and I think other shows. Have any other celebrities done something similar?

factsoflife · 03-01-2017, 01:08 AM

Susan Lucci playing a version of herself on "Hot In Cleveland" is the only instance I can think of. Although that was only for a handful of episodes.

treky · 03-01-2017, 01:54 AM

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

factsoflife · 03-01-2017, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

No. Susan Lucci was never on Friends that I know of. However, she did guest star on "Hope & Faith" (the Kelly Ripa/Faith Ford sitcom) playing a soap star, but not one named Susan Lucci.

opus · 03-01-2017, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

You may be thinking of Susan Sarandon playing a soap star on the show.

opus · 03-01-2017, 02:40 AM

I never watched it, but James Vanderbeek played a version of himself on Don't trust the B in Apt. 23, or whatever that thing was called.

treky · 03-01-2017, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

You may be thinking of Susan Sarandon playing a soap star on the show.

THAT'S it!

Torgo · 03-01-2017, 09:49 AM

Jennifer Grey played herself in the late 90's sitcom It's Like, You Know..., I think she even lived in the neighborhood, and was shown as a fading star.

As for playing parodies of themselves, on the sitcom Holliston, a few horror celebs have appeared as themselves, but shown as complete opposites of how they are in real life. Danielle Harris played herself as crazy, and using people to get what she wants. Kane Hodder played himself neurotic and suicidal and can't get over the fact he was replaced in Freddy Vs Jason. Tony Todd also uses people, stays overnight at the 2 main character's apartment and won't leave.

Adamantium · 03-01-2017, 10:42 AM

Mary Tyler Moore played herself in an episode of Ellen. Carrie Fisher also played a version of herself in a different episode of Ellen

Speaking of Robert Goulet, he played himself in an episode of Boy Meets World.

Jerry Seinfeld played himself being pestered by Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman) in an episode of NewsRadio.

KatieAnn · 03-01-2017, 11:07 AM

Martha Stewart played herself in an episode of Ellen.

Adamantium · 03-01-2017, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieAnn

Martha Stewart played herself in an episode of Ellen.

Oh yes. Come to think of it Ann Rice did, too.

And how could we forget Ron Palilo (TV's Horshack), who showed up in maybe two or three episodes as himself?!? Or for that matter Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played himself in an episode.

gidgetgrape · 03-01-2017, 05:39 PM

Square Pegs -
John Densmore, the original drummer for The Doors, played himself as a drummer for Johnny Slash's new wave band. Densmore was in two episodes of the series.

Retro4Life · 03-01-2017, 07:45 PM

Johnny Carson (or his voice at least) played himself on a 7th season episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

DJM77 · 03-01-2017, 07:56 PM

Jon Voight, Bette Midler, Fred Savage, Keith Hernandez and Roger McDowell all played themselves on Seinfeld. I'm probably forgetting about some others.

gidgetgrape · 03-01-2017, 08:06 PM

Here's a question - Do The Brady Bunch live near Lucille Ball? There was an episode where Alice arranged for Marcia to meet Desi Arnaz Jr. and Alice said something about knowing Lucille Ball's housekeeper.

03-01-2017, 12:50 AM	#1
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,825	A celebrity in the neighborhood Lou Ferrigno (King of Queens) and Wil Wheaton (Big Bang Theory) have had recurring sitcom roles as a character who is something of a parody of themselves, living in the same neighborhood and often interacting with the show's regular characters. Are there any other instances like this? I guess I'd exclude something like Danny Thomas, where the main character is supposed to be a famous show business person himself and could be expected to know people in show business. Robert Goulet carved out a similar little niche for himself, playing himself as a past-his-prime lounge singer in George and Leo, King of Queens, Mr. Belvedere, and I think other shows. Have any other celebrities done something similar?

03-01-2017, 01:08 AM	#2
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,744	Susan Lucci playing a version of herself on "Hot In Cleveland" is the only instance I can think of. Although that was only for a handful of episodes.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

03-01-2017, 01:54 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

03-01-2017, 09:49 AM	#8
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,032	Jennifer Grey played herself in the late 90's sitcom It's Like, You Know..., I think she even lived in the neighborhood, and was shown as a fading star. As for playing parodies of themselves, on the sitcom Holliston, a few horror celebs have appeared as themselves, but shown as complete opposites of how they are in real life. Danielle Harris played herself as crazy, and using people to get what she wants. Kane Hodder played himself neurotic and suicidal and can't get over the fact he was replaced in Freddy Vs Jason. Tony Todd also uses people, stays overnight at the 2 main character's apartment and won't leave.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

03-01-2017, 07:45 PM	#13
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Johnny Carson (or his voice at least) played himself on a 7th season episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

03-01-2017, 02:40 AM	#6
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,333	I never watched it, but James Vanderbeek played a version of himself on Don't trust the B in Apt. 23, or whatever that thing was called.

03-01-2017, 10:42 AM	#9
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,826	Mary Tyler Moore played herself in an episode of Ellen. Carrie Fisher also played a version of herself in a different episode of Ellen Speaking of Robert Goulet, he played himself in an episode of Boy Meets World. Jerry Seinfeld played himself being pestered by Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman) in an episode of NewsRadio.

03-01-2017, 11:07 AM	#10
KatieAnn Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 15, 2011 Posts: 520	Martha Stewart played herself in an episode of Ellen.

03-01-2017, 05:39 PM	#12
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Square Pegs - John Densmore, the original drummer for The Doors, played himself as a drummer for Johnny Slash's new wave band. Densmore was in two episodes of the series.

03-01-2017, 07:56 PM	#14
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,562	Jon Voight, Bette Midler, Fred Savage, Keith Hernandez and Roger McDowell all played themselves on Seinfeld. I'm probably forgetting about some others.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

03-01-2017, 08:06 PM	#15
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Here's a question - Do The Brady Bunch live near Lucille Ball? There was an episode where Alice arranged for Marcia to meet Desi Arnaz Jr. and Alice said something about knowing Lucille Ball's housekeeper.