As a cameoing Jamie Foxx struts his eye-popping stuff in the first episode of Stan’s new pitch-black comedy White Famous, what better time to list our favourite television cameos of all time. Some are brilliant, others are baffling and some are just plain ridiculous. Blink and you might miss them.
David Bowie – Extras
Ricky Gervais’s follow-up to The Office is littered with cameos as Gervais’s vain actor slumming it as an extra meets the likes of Sir Patrick Stewart, Daniel Radcliffe, Ben Stiller, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Kate Winslet. The highlight, however, was a chance meeting with the legendary David Bowie in a bar. Before you can say “Ziggy Stardust”, Gervais is being serenaded, and ridiculed, by his musical hero to the strains of a new Bowie/Gervais composition, “Little Fat Man.”
Johnny Depp – The Walking Dead
No stranger to a cheeky cameo after he joined Paul Whitehouse and the madcap British comedy troupe The Fast Show for a Christmas Special rendition of “suit’s you, Sir!”, the actor made a brief appearance in episode 12 of season six of The Walking Dead.
Or more importantly his head did. Or, in fact, a fake Johnny Depp head did, created by make-up effects guru – and the episode’s director – Greg Nicotero. Depp’s decapitated noggin can be spied when Rick (Andrew Lincoln) has to decide which severed head to use to double for Hilltop Colony Leader, Gregory (Xander Berkley).
Johnny Depp on The Walking Dead
Boy George – The A-Team
In one of the strangest cameos ever seen in TV land, Culture Club lead singer Boy George joined soldiers of fortune Hannibal (George Peppard), Murdock (Dwight Schultz), Face (Dirk Benedict), and B.A. Baracus (Mr. T) in a special episode of 80s action show The A-Team.
George got to kick down a door and drive the team’s iconic 1983 GMC van while Mr. T strutted his inimitable stuff as the band played “Karma Chameleon”. Remember, if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them…. maybe you can hire The A-Team. Or Boy George.
Michael Jackson – The Simpsons
When Homer is institutionalised for wearing a pink shirt to work, he meets former bricklayer Leon Kompowsky in the New Bedlam Insane Asylum. Leon is convinced he is the real Michael Jackson.
A huge fan of the show, Michael Jackson contacted Matt Groening offering his services and voiced Kompowsky. The only caveat? He was credited under the pseudonym John Jay Smith.
When Kopmposky sings, the vocals were provided by soundalike Kipp Lennon whose performance is so uncanny that rumours still abound that it was Jackson singing, “Lisa, it’s your Birthday!”
The Flaming Lips – Beverly Hills 90210
Psychedelic shaman Wayne Coyne and his sonic henchmen The Flaming Lips made a baffling and bizarre musical appearance singing their hit “She Don’t Use Jelly” at the Peach Pit After Dark. How the cool, the crazy, the fabulous Flaming Lips even came to appear on the show remains a mystery but Steve (Ian Ziering) summed it up perfectly: “I’ve never been a fan of alternative music, but this band rocks the house!”
Winona Ryder Friends
Winona Ryder – Friends
This is the ep where Rachel meets up with a high school friend who fell for her after a drunken tryst during their college days. Stranger Things star Winona Ryder appeared as Rachel’s old sorority sister, Melissa Warburton, who now denies anything happened.
Cue lashings of “Will they? Won’t they?” sexual tension as the episode builds up to the big snog while the show’s resident kook Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) looks on. After Melissa makes her awkward exit, Phoebe dives in for a snog to see what all the fuss was about.
Ed Sheeran Game of Thrones
Ed Sheeran – Game Of Thrones
Who better for Ayra Stark (Maisie Williams) to share some homemade blackberry wine and fire-roasted rabbit with than acoustic troubadour Ed Sheeran? The British singer’s brief moment in George R.R. Martin’s blood and thunder fantasy was not greeted fondly, with many feeling that Sheeran’s appearance took the audience out of the ensuing drama.
In a cameo footnote, Coldplay drummer Will Champion also made a guest appearance on the show. As a drummer.
Prince – New Girl
The diminutive popstar was a huge fan of New Girl, which is why he contacted the show and offered himself up as a co-star. The Purple One is throwing a party and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) want in. When the pair does eventually meet prince, their freak-out is an absolute delight.
New Girl: Nick and Jess meet Prince
Michelle Obama Parks and Rec
Michele Obama – Parks And Recreation
When perennial do-gooder small-town government worker Leslie Knope (Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler) bumps into Mrs. Obama, the then First Lady encourages her to take a new job with the National Parks Service in Chicago. Knope’s response includes the world’s most awkward high-five, delirious shouting and bewildered commentary: “I agree with you on all things, throughout history until the end of time. Forever.”
Jamie Foxx – White Famous
Playing himself with tongue firmly in cheek, Jamie Foxx’s brief appearance on the show, based on his early life as a struggling actor, is a hilarious send-up of his own Hollywood persona. Over-sexualised with a penchant for wearing skimpy frocks, he freaks out young-up-and-coming-comedian Floyd Mooney (Jay Pharoah) in a dream sequence that lives little to the imagination.
White Famous is now streaming on Stan.
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