Guest Stars Who Should Become Series Regulars
By Amy and Nancy Harrington, GetBack.com | Thursday, November 5, 2009, 11:35 AM
Kristen Chenoweth
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Just give her the Emmy now. It would be a crime if Kristin Chenoweth didn't get a statue for her turn on "Glee" as the ultimate has-been-who-never-was, April Rhodes. If there was ever an actress born to play a part, Chenoweth is the one. We were delighted to hear that she'll be reprising the role later this season, but if you give us an inch, we'll take a mile — and we're hoping that she'll join the cast for good.
She's not the only guest star who we feel adds a missing element to some of our favorite shows. Here are other stars who we'd like to see sign on as series regulars.
[Photo gallery: See the great guest stars who should become series regulars.]
Tyra Banks on "Gossip Girl"
The only thing better than an over-the-top performance by Tyra Banks on "America's Next Top Model" or "The Tyra Banks Show" is watching the supermodel act. That's what she was allegedly doing on a recent episode of "Gossip Girl,"
where she portrayed a melodramatic movie star whose critical scene was
cut from her big film premiere. Let's be clear: Tyra was not good, but
frankly, neither is "Gossip Girl." So why not make our ultimate weekly
guilty pleasure a little more naughty by adding the badness of Banks on
a regular basis?
Shelley Long on "Modern Family"
Just seven episodes in, the new sitcom "Modern Family" is not only our favorite of the season, but we're also convinced it will go down in the annals of TV history as one of the funniest series ever. And just when we were thinking that "Family" couldn't get any better ... enter Shelley Long. The actress long ago tarnished her rep after being declared "difficult" by her former "Cheers" costars and making a series of feature film flops ("The Brady Bunch" movies aside). But as the recently liberated (if not borderline insane) matriarch of the unconventional Pritchett clan, Shelley proved that she hasn't lost her comedy chops. We vote that DeDe become a regular on "Modern Family." Maybe she can move in with that mama's boy Mitchell and his partner, Cameron, to help raise their baby girl.
Eric McCormack on "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
Eric McCormack seems to be looking for a home since "Will & Grace" ended in 2006. He tried to team up with Tom Cavanagh in the non-Emmy-Award-nominated show about ad men, "Trust Me." When that went down, he signed on to play a heart surgeon in the sitcom pilot "Best Thing Ever." Apparently, it was not. But we think he's found his new family. We're happy to hear that he's going to be back to act on his inappropriate impulses as Matthew's mentor Max on "The New Adventures of Old Christine." But we're afraid Dr. Little Man will lose it before McCormack can become a series regular.
Kristen Johnston on "Ugly Betty"
We love "Ugly Betty" because it's a bright and colorful comic book crossed with a glossy fashion magazine. Only one problem: All that telenovela-inspired madness can easily slip into caricature. Enter "3rd Rock From the Sun" star Kristen Johnston. The Amazonian woman of comedy could've easily taken the guest spot of Helen way over the top, but she played the washed-up receptionist with a surprisingly subtle charm. And as a result, her potential harbinger of doom delivered a somehow thoughtful message to Amanda of what an unambitious version of her future might hold. Yet we know that Amanda's not one to grasp a lesson quickly, so we're hoping she still needs a roommate and asks Helen to be her new BFF.
Oliver Platt on "Nip/Tuck"
Two things happened that jarred our pop culture memories recently. Our favorite guilty pleasure, "Nip/Tuck," came back on for its sixth and final season, and Oliver Platt had a guest spot on "Bored to Death." While we enjoyed both (and look forward to the Platt/Danson smackdown on the "Bored" season finale this weekend), it left us with a longing for Freddy Prune. We miss Platt's closeted executive producer of the show within a show, "Hearts 'n Scalpels." We're thinking he might just need a series of treatments to help him get over his failed relationship with Dawn Budge (played by Rosie O'Donnell) and his ultimate outing.
Seth MacFarlane on "FlashForward"
"FlashForward" is a trippy show, filled with unanswered questions. Why did everyone in the world black out at the same time? If someone didn't have a vision, does that mean they're going to die? Can the future be changed? Was that Seth MacFarlane in the pilot episode? The only question we can safely answer is, yes, that was the "Family Guy" mastermind. Turns out he and the mysterious series' co-creator Brannon Braga are friends, and insiders say he might appear on the show from time to time.
Rosie O'Donnell on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Every time we watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm" there comes the moment where we wish someone would just kick Larry David's inconsiderate butt. Enter Rosie O'Donnell in a truly aggressive turn as herself — not only getting into an argument with Larry over who was going to pay for lunch, but also wrestling him to the ground. Now we're not saying she has to manhandle him in every episode, but it would be nice just to have her looming in the background in an effort to keep him in line.
Nick Lachey on "One Tree Hill"
We want Nick Lachey back on "One Tree Hill" for one simple reason: We miss the "Stay out of it, Nick Lachey" segment on "The Soup." As much as we love "Chicks Man" and the pickle girl, the frequently mocked Nick moments made us laugh for weeks. So all we're saying is, "Get back in it, Nick Lachey."
Parker Posey on "Bored to Death"
Jason Schwartzman's lovable-loser shtick is already wearing a little thin on "Bored to Death." As a result, the show is quickly becoming the Ted Danson/Zach Galifianakis show. We're basically fine with that. We love Ted and Zach. But Jason's going to have to step it up a bit to hold his own against their emerging, potentially legendary buddy team. Here's our suggestion: Lose the "trying-to-win-the-ex-girlfriend-back" story line and bring Parker Posey back to the show full-time. Her militant, vegan single mom was the perfect foil to Jonathan's soft-spoken, amateur brown shoe. And he won't be wasting those puppy dog eyes on an ex who's clearly never going to take him back.
Danny Glover on "Brothers & Sisters"
Everyone's got love in their life on "Brothers & Sisters." Justin and Rebecca are getting married. Kitty and Robert have patched things up. And Sarah has a handsome French lover. So we think it's time that the show's producers just let Nora be happy. Since her first love, Stan Harris, is otherwise engaged (Chevy Chase is booked on "Community"), and Roger Grant was a married man, we vote that they resurrect Isaac Marshall (played by Danny Glover). We didn't want Nora to move to Washington with him any more than the Walker kids did, but we think it's time he came back to California to help Robert win the gubernatorial seat and reignite the sparks with Nora.
Talk About It:
Which TV guest stars would you like to see become series regulars?
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