5 Celebrities Who Appeared on Sitcoms As Insufferable Versions of Themselves
It’s one thing to have a self-deprecating sense of humor. It’s something else entirely to appear on a sitcom as an incredible a-hole version of yourself. While plenty of stars have cameoed as themselves over the years — hell, James Van Der Beek had a regular role as James Van Der Beek on Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 — here are five celebrities who played unflattering versions of their real-life personas…
Lori Loughlin on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
Larry David vouches for Loughlin’s membership in his country club, but wow! She cheats at everything, golf included. She even flirts — or more? — to get the best tee times. After her college admissions scandal, it would be understandable if those jokes were off-limits. But “we called her manager up, who loved it, and who then talked to Lori, and she said: ‘I’m in, I’m totally game,’” Curb producer Jeff Schaffer told The Hollywood Reporter. “She was so great. Everything we threw at her, she was game to do.”
Adam West on ‘The Big Bang Theory’
West made a post-Batman career playing exaggerated versions of himself, most notably as Mayor Adam West on Family Guy. He also did the deed on 30 Rock, The Simpsons, The King of Queens and The Big Bang Theory, in which the arrogant star argues for the top position in the Batman pantheon. If West is the best, who was the worst? “That pretty boy, Clooney.”
Daniel Radcliffe on ‘Extras’
Seventeen-year-old Radcliffe channels his inner David Brent, portraying himself as a clueless cad who assumes everyone is dying to shag Harry Potter. “I don’t want to waste this on you,” he tells one of his prospects, dangling an impossibly long condom in her face. “I’ve got a better bird now.”
He even puts the moves on 68-year-old Dame Diana Rigg, who dismisses him with a weary, “Go away, Daniel.”
Matthew Broderick on ‘Only Murders in the Building’
The Only Murders version of Broderick is an insufferable Method actor. “When I did WarGames, I taught myself to write code,” he brags. “For my role in Election, I started teaching high school and dating students.”
Unfortunately for Oliver, he’s an oppressive scene partner as well. Mel Brooks, who worked with Broderick on The Producers, can’t believe Short’s character is working with him. “You didn’t tell him that you were open to his ideas in any way, did you? Oh, Oliver, you’re fucked.”
David Duchovny on ‘The Larry Sanders Show’
The version of Duchovny in the Sanders-verse isn’t insulting, but his obsession with Larry certainly plays against his ladykiller reputation. Despite his marriage to Tea Leoni, Duchovny’s attraction is so palpable that Larry has to confront him — even though he’s flattered, Larry is straight so nothing can ever happen.
“I’m also straight,” says Duchovny.
“Well, I’m glad we talked about it,” says the relieved talk show host.
“But sometimes I do wish that I was gay because I find you very attractive,” confesses the X-Files star. “I know that it’s not a gay thing because the feeling that I have when I’m with you, it’s the kind of feeling that I normally have with a woman that I like. It’s like a warmth or a buzz. It’s definitely a heterosexual feeling, but it’s directed at you.”