Each time any sitcom turns into well-liked sufficient, it begins to draw A-list expertise for visitor spots. Nevertheless it’s simpler to clarify why a big-name superstar has proven up in a collection like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Entourage, which truly happen in present enterprise, than a collection like The Office, which is ready in a random office in Scranton, PA.
So, the writers needed to get artistic in explaining the appearances of visitor stars, or would simply solid massive names to play fictional characters on the earth of the present. A few of these visitor appearances had been unforgettable, however loads of others fell flat.
10 Greatest: Josh Groban
One of many working gags involving Andy Bernard was that his dad and mom favored his little brother. For the primary few years of his life, Andy was known as Walter Jr., however his dad and mom took that identify away and used it for his brother and gave him Andrew as a result of it was one of many first in a ebook of child names.
When Walter Jr. truly appeared on the present, the producers made him extra lovable than his backstory would sometimes enable by casting Josh Groban, who nailed the function.
9 Squandered: David Costabile
In the midst of The Workplace’s sixth season, the present did the identical lazy factor that a variety of different sitcoms do after they’ve been on the air for lengthy sufficient: a clip present. And it’s an uninspired clip present at that.
In “The Banker,” David Costabile is shipped to evaluate the corporate, which ends up in a bunch of traditional clips. Costabile is each a gifted dramatic actor, having appeared in Breaking Unhealthy and The Wire (broadly regarded to be the 2 best TV collection ever made), and a gifted comedic one, having performed a supporting function in Flight of the Conchords. He deserved a greater function than simply establishing clips.
8 Greatest: Christian Slater
When Sabre Printers acquires Dunder Mifflin, company sends over a coaching video welcoming the workers to their new firm. The video is introduced by none apart from Christian Slater.
After watching the video, Jim does a jokey impression of him: “So, you’ve been proven a nonsensical video. You’re most likely questioning, ‘What’s occurring?’ Nicely, you’re not alone.”
7 Squandered: Mike Starr
“Mafia” is one in every of The Workplace’s most controversial episodes. As one of many thinnest tales in the whole present, it exemplifies the whole lot that’s unsuitable with The Workplace‘s sixth season.
Mike Starr performs an Italian-American insurance coverage salesman named Grotti that the whole workplace instantly suspects of being a mobster, simply because he’s Italian-American.
6 Greatest: Evan Peters
Within the season 7 premiere “Nepotism,” Michael has employed a brand new intern known as Luke who goofs off all day, will get each foods and drinks order unsuitable, and continuously insults his co-workers. After his incompetence loses a bunch of shoppers, Michael is pressured to fireside him and he reveals that Luke is his nephew.
The episode culminates in a traditional second as Michael spanks Luke and he flees from the workplace in tears. Evan Peters is a typically likable actor, so he won’t have instantly appeared like the best match for such a hateable character, however he hilariously leaned into Luke’s terribleness.
5 Squandered: Jack Black
Considered one of The Workplace’s B-plots revolves round Andy displaying a pirated new film to Jim and Pam. The film stars Jack Black and Jessica Alba, which was a enjoyable technique to get two A-listers into the present with out feeling compelled.
However confining Black to a traditional made-up Hollywood rom-com was like tying one arm behind his again. If he’d truly performed an actual character who confirmed up on the workplace, his visitor spot may’ve been unforgettable.
4 Greatest: Idris Elba
There are a variety of Workplace followers who didn’t like Idris Elba’s character Charles Miner, the newly appointed company overlord who drives Michael Scott to give up his job, however he was an important foil for the principle characters, which is the operate a visitor function ought to serve (and barely does).
Whether or not he was completely taking part in the straight man reverse Michael’s goofy antics or making it blatantly apparent that he has a private drawback with Jim, Elba’s portrayal of Charles at all times served some hysterical cringe comedy.
3 Squandered: Jim Carrey
Ever since breaking out within the ‘90s with the triple whammy of The Masks, Dumb and Dumber, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Jim Carrey has been acknowledged as one of the funniest comedic performers in the world.
In The Workplace, he performed one of many interviewees for Michael’s outdated job. He’s a totally one-note character who simply retains speaking about how he must get again to his household within the Finger Lakes.
2 Greatest: Ricky Gervais
In one in every of The Workplace’s chilly opens, Michael bumps into David Brent, the lead character from the British original series, performed by Ricky Gervais. The 2 regional managers bond over their shared perception that comedy is a crucial a part of administration.
Gervais would later reprise his function within the two-part “Search Committee” as Brent interviewed for Michael’s job over a video name.
1 Squandered: Will Ferrell
When Michael Scott introduced that he was shifting to Colorado and the writers needed to cope with Steve Carell’s departure from the series, Will Ferrell was introduced in to ease the transition as his would-be alternative Deangelo Vickers.
Sadly, this character was horrible. Ferrell is often hilarious, however his arc on The Workplace was extra Holmes & Watson than Talladega Nights.
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