The Best and Worst Pop Star Cameos on Television
By Jessica Henderson
Troubled pop star Britney Spears may revive her successful cameo on CBS’ sitcom How I Met Your Mother, according to recent reports. Her initial appearance on the show in late March, as ditzy receptionist Abby, drew a record 10.6 million viewers, a sizable spike over the show’s 7.8 million average this season, according to Nielsen Media. This though show co-star Neil Patrick Harris incited a media maelstrom with comments to a reporter calling the appearance “stunt casting”. According to the Associated Press, Patrick Harris, former child star of Doogie Howser, griped to a reporter, "I worry that if they start `Will and Grace'-ing us too much, that the show will suffer.” Patrick Harris later qualified his statements. But the references to the NBC former hit were noteworthy. Toward the tail end of its run, Will & Grace boasted a ludicrous parade of gratuitous pop-diva cameos: Madonna, Cher, Jennifer Lopez and, yes, Britney Spears among them. Critics and fans balked that some of the appearances were more absurd than funny, obvious ratings ploys. Will Britney’s repeater on How I Met Your Mother yield another ratings score or annoy the show’s committed fans?
The pop star cameo is tricky business, as many sitcoms have learned. Some work better than others. Checkout our list of the Best and Worst Pop Star Sitcom Cameos on Television.
BEST: The Simpsons
The Simpsons, Musicians on the Simpsons, Pop Star Cameo
bart and lisa simpson
The long-running animated series does it better than anyone. Michael Jackson helped Homer write a birthday song for Lisa; Aerosmith sampled the Flaming Moe; Homerpalooza hosted everyone from the Smashing Pumpkins to Cypress Hill; the Ramones; Johnny Cash; Green Day. You're officially a music icon if you've been rendered two-dimensional by Groening & Co.
WORST: Jessica Simpson on That ‘70s Show
Jessica Simpson, That 70s Show, Kiss, Pop Star Cameo
that 70s show cast with kiss
Jessica Simpson played (what else) Kelso’s ditzy bombshell California girlfriend in an extended cameo that ran three episodes. The gig offered viewers an opportunity to watch Simpson flit around in skimpy outfits. 'Cause that so rarely happens.
BEST: Whitney Houston on Silver Spoons
Whitney Houston, SIlver Spoons, Pop Star Cameo
whitney houston
Well before her Bobby Brown period, Houston played a fresh-faced nightclub singer who bewitches Dexter (Ricky's dad's business manager). Her on-screen performance of "Saving All My Love for You" was so compelling in its simplicity, we forgave her for modifying the lyrics to suit the family-friendly audience. ("We'll be holding each other the whole night through.")
WORST: Jermaine Jackson on Facts of Life
Jermaine Jackson, Facts of Life, Pop Star Cameo
jermaine jackson
We never could understand Tootie’s disturbing freak-out following an invitation to a Jermaine Jackson concert. Jermaine really had his own fan club?
BEST: Davy Jones on The Brady Bunch
Davy Jones, The Brady Bunch, Pop Star Cameos
the brady bunch
The Monkees’ dreamboat played Marcia’s surprise prom date. That episode also featured his performance of “Girl,” which became his breakout hit as a solo artist. That episode is said to be the most rerun of all the Brady eps, besting even the three-parter that has the Brady family mixing it up in Hawaii. (Tarantulas, anyone?)
WORST: Color Me Badd on Beverly Hills 90201
Beverly Hills 90201, Cast of Bevery Hills 90210, Color Me Bad, Pop Star Cameos
cast of beverly hills 90210
A convoluted effort to meet the silk-shirted, supergelled supergroup ends with the Baddies harmonizing in the Peach Pit. The cameo violates a basic principle of the pop star cameo: The artist should be relevant at least one season later.
BEST: George Michael on Eli Stone
George Michael, Eli Stone, George Michael on Eli Stone, Pop Star Cameos
george michael
Admit it: You were bopping along with the rest of us when the Wham! front man
popped up in the show’s premiere singing “Faith” atop Johnny Lee Miller’s coffee table. A classic song, a controversial artist in an unconventional role (guardian angel) — the perfect brew for a memorable cameo.
WORST: Clay Aiken on Scrubs
Clay Aiken, Scrubs, Clay Aiken on Scrubs, Pop Star Cameo
clay aiken
The American Idol runner-up played Kenny, a perky hospital cafeteria worker whose job is at risk. The episode culminated with Kenny’s talent-show rendition of “Isn’t She Lovely.” His performance lasted all of 20 seconds, a disappointment for Claymates, a lifetime for regular viewers.
BEST: Janet Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes
Janet Jackson, Different Strokes, Janet Jackson on Different Strokes, Pop Star Cameo
janet jackson
Though calling her recurring role on the show a cameo may be a stretch — she played Willis’s girlfriend Charlene — Jackson was a favorite visitor to the Drummond penthouse. In those early years, the diva-to-be was all sugar, soft-spoken, demure, and oh-so-pretty. We turned the volume up when she appeared.
WORST: Boy George on The A-Team
Boy George, The A-Team, Boy George on the A-Team, Pop Star Cameo
boy george
We’re still scratching our heads at the baffling pairing of the gender-bending Culture Club front man and the brawny Vietnam war vets. The plot was even stranger — thanks to a booking mix-up at a local honky-tonk, Boy George shows up in place of the intended performer, Cowboy George. Mr. T welcomes him, presumably glad to finally have another dude to talk to about jewelry.
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