Travicity
01-09-2011, 11:01 PM
Crazy TV Creator Cameos (That You Never Knew Existed)
Peek-a-boo! Sometimes the minds behind our favorite shows just can't resist showing us their smiling faces, and only UGO's got the Best TV Creator Cameos.
25
Entourage's Mark Wahlberg
Loosely based on the story of his own days as an up-and-coming star in Hollywood, Entourage executive producer Mark Wahlberg found time to appear in the series as himself, during a celebrity golf tournament.
So who's life story was the show based on? Nawt you, nawt you, and nawt you!
24
Sons of Anarchy's Kurt Sutter
Giving new meaning to "the blind leading the blind," Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter opted to take for himself the prominent supporting role of "Big" Otto Delaney, incarcerated SAMCRO member awaiting the death penalty and having his vision reduced to 10% with one of his eyes gouged out by the Aryan Brotherhood.
Charming.
23
The Simpsons' Writing Staff
Not to be outdone by Matt Groening himself, the writing staff seen behind "The Itchy and Scratchy" show consists mainly of likenesses of The Simpsons own writers and animators.
Who were horribly treated and fired, of course.
22
Venture Bros' Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer
Considering the duo's real life friendship repeats itself across numerous pairings of The Venture Bros. universe, it stands to reason that series creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer would cameo together, both as jurors selected to take part in "The Trial of the Monarch."
With their penchant for witty banter, Lord only knows what that deliberation was like.
21
Rose Red's Stephen King
Not that Stephen King doesn't always find a way to include himself in the many adaptations of his work, we remember his turn as an (incredibly creepy-looking) pizza delivery man harassed by the psychics of the Red Rose mini-series.
Speaking of Stephen King, we can haz Dark Tower now? K thxz.
20
Red Dwarf's Ed Bye
Ed Bye, one of the longest-running directors of Red Dwarf found a way to include himself on the series in a fairly macabre way.
During the series' final episode "Only the Good..." Bye appears at the very end as the Grim Reaper himself, who appears to take Rimmer but finds himself kicked in the groin and skirted past. Foreshadowing that the series would eventually be revived, Rimmer shouts back "only the good die young!"
19
Buffy's David Fury and Marti Noxon
It's a two-fer! Buffy's musical episode "Once More With Feeling" showcased writers David Fury and Marti Noxon, as the man singing about the dry cleaning of his mustard-stained shirt, and the woman tragically befallen with a parking ticket.
Fury appeared on Angel episode "Smile Time" as well, as a puppeteer skewered by his own creation. Both writers would again show off their musical pipes as news anchors in the third installment of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
18
How I Met Your Mother's Craig Thomas and Carter Bays
How I Met Your Mother's first season finale "Milk" saw the appearance of two (fake) paramedics who showed up to partake in Barney Stinson's use of the greatest pick-up line ever, an elaborate use of the classic "angel falling from heaven."
The paramedics looked an awful lot like the show's creative force, Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, whom Barney of course thanks.
17
FlashForward's Robert J. Sawyer
Author of the novel FlashForward who appeared briefly in the pilot episode of the short-lived series his book inspired.
16
Avatar's Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino
When Aang faced King Bumi's trials in order to free his friends, Bumi ordered him to choose either of the two fiercest guards for a duel.
And if either of those two warriors looked familiar, they should have! They bear the likeness of Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino, albeit heavily muscled. Wishful thinking, we suppose.
15
Batman's Bruce Timm and Paul Dini
Sneaky, Sneaky! Series producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini managed to sneak themselves into Batman: The Animated Series' New Years episode as (questionably sober) patrons of a diner singing "Auld Lang Syne," as Batman and Commisioner Gordon sip coffee nearby.
14
Bones' Kathy Reichs
Based on the books chronicling the (fictionalized) life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the Bones TV adaptation saw fit to include its creator at the beginning of episode "Judas on a Pole," playing Professor Constance Wright.
Constan...tly...right. Hmm.
13
Doctor Who's John Nathan-Turner
Hmm, that fellow in Doctor Who's "Arc of Infinity" seems to be looking into the camera and stopping Amsterdam pedestrians from entering the shot...
I wonder if it's because series producer John Nathan-Turner was actually doing that and got caught on camera.
12
House's Bryan Singer
Hardly the first time Superman Returns and X-Men director Bryan Singer has put himself in front of the camera, the opening bit of "Sports Medicine" saw baseball player Hank Wiggin being coached by the director of a commercial before collapsing.
Actor Scott Foley played Hank, but it was House's own executive producer Bryan playing (of course) the director.
11
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's Douglas Adams
Ever one for a bit of meta-humor and silliness, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy creator Douglas Adams found a way to include himself in several episodes of the TV Adaptation.
Most involved the use of his likeness in the guide, but he was also seen as one of the bar patrons in the first episode, and the second's unnamed man withdrawing money from the bank and promptly walking naked into the ocean.
10
True Blood's Charlaine Harris
Say, who's that distinctive lady Sam's conversing with at Merlotte's during True Blood's second season finale "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'?"
Could it be Charlaine Harris, author of The Southern Vampire Mysteries on which True Blood is based? Well suck me dry, it is!
9
Angel's Joss Whedon
It figures that if Joss Whedon were ever to include himself as an actor in one of his own creations, it'd be one of the more ridiculous roles.
While Joss did make one or two voice-over appearances on Buffy, and portrayed a doctor in Serenity's web feature "The R. Tam Sessions," it was the creator's turn on Angel as "Numfar," exhibiting the Dethwok clan's many dances of joy and shame that fans still remember.
8
Babylon 5's J. Michael Straczynski
Babylon 5 series creator J. Michael Straczynski made his appearance in the final episode of the series, as an officer who fittingly dims the lights of the titular station before her ultimate destruction.
He brought it into this world, and he took it out.
7
Dexter's Jeff Lindsay
Say, does that portly police officer standing outside Detective Barbara Gianna's door as Angel Batista comes to visit look familiar?
Probably not, but you should know him anyway. Jeff Lindsay, writer of the original Dexter novels on which the series was based, though the show largely only adhered to the first book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter.
6
Futurama's Matt Groening
Matt Groening has actually managed to sneak himself into his beloved creations Futurama and The Simpsons numerous times.
Appearing as his own non-speaking head in a jar several times across the series, Groening also portrayed himself at a comic convention of the Simpsons, in that universe known only of course, as the creator of Futurama.
5
Scrubs' Bill Lawrence
Scrubs and Cougartown creator Bill Lawrence actually appeared several times in cameo, two specifcally being the most poignant.
During the gang's trip to Barbados for the Janitor's wedding in "My Soul on Fire," Lawrence appears as Van, the officiator who delivers his own personal monologue on the blessings and pitfalls of marriage.
In the series finale (before things got all crappy), Lawrence fittingly bidded JD farewell as an unnamed janitor at episode's end.
4
LOST's Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse
Showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse would never be so bold as to appear in their own LOST universe (possibly to avoid providing recognizable targets for backlash against the finale), but they did make their presence known in other ways.
Carlton's voice made an appearance as a newscaster in "Through the Looking Glass," and lateras the voice behind "Jacob's" cry for help inside the cabin. Damon too provided voiceover as a pilot in "Through the Looking Glass," and claims to have been John Locke's hand flipping switches in The Pearl station!
3
Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore
If you love something, you have to learn to let it go. And like numerous other sci-fi masters before him, Ron Moore saved his appearance in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica for the very last episode.
!!SPOILERS!! As Virtual Six and Virtual Gaius ponder the fate of humanity after the narrative shifts to modern day, Ron can be seen reading a National Geographic on the discovery of the bones of Hera, Helo and Athena's child.
2
The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin
Who knows what The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin was thinking during his silent cameo attending the finale's inauguration of President Matt Santos?.
Ways to avoid Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip being cancelled? How to capitalize on that crazy new Facebook? Perhaps the silent discomfort of not walking, and talking simultaneously.
1
Stan Lee
Oh come on, what DOESN'T Stan Lee cameo in?! We're pretty sure that in addition to cameo-ing atop this list, he's probably looking over your shoulder right now.
Recieving honored guest spotlights in nearly ever Marvel Comics movie, Stan "The Man" lee has also appeared several times in animation, once as a construction worker of The Spectacular Spider-Man, and even more prominently as himself, brought face to face with his own creation in the final episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series!
UGO
Peek-a-boo! Sometimes the minds behind our favorite shows just can't resist showing us their smiling faces, and only UGO's got the Best TV Creator Cameos.
25
Entourage's Mark Wahlberg
Loosely based on the story of his own days as an up-and-coming star in Hollywood, Entourage executive producer Mark Wahlberg found time to appear in the series as himself, during a celebrity golf tournament.
So who's life story was the show based on? Nawt you, nawt you, and nawt you!
24
Sons of Anarchy's Kurt Sutter
Giving new meaning to "the blind leading the blind," Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter opted to take for himself the prominent supporting role of "Big" Otto Delaney, incarcerated SAMCRO member awaiting the death penalty and having his vision reduced to 10% with one of his eyes gouged out by the Aryan Brotherhood.
Charming.
23
The Simpsons' Writing Staff
Not to be outdone by Matt Groening himself, the writing staff seen behind "The Itchy and Scratchy" show consists mainly of likenesses of The Simpsons own writers and animators.
Who were horribly treated and fired, of course.
22
Venture Bros' Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer
Considering the duo's real life friendship repeats itself across numerous pairings of The Venture Bros. universe, it stands to reason that series creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer would cameo together, both as jurors selected to take part in "The Trial of the Monarch."
With their penchant for witty banter, Lord only knows what that deliberation was like.
21
Rose Red's Stephen King
Not that Stephen King doesn't always find a way to include himself in the many adaptations of his work, we remember his turn as an (incredibly creepy-looking) pizza delivery man harassed by the psychics of the Red Rose mini-series.
Speaking of Stephen King, we can haz Dark Tower now? K thxz.
20
Red Dwarf's Ed Bye
Ed Bye, one of the longest-running directors of Red Dwarf found a way to include himself on the series in a fairly macabre way.
During the series' final episode "Only the Good..." Bye appears at the very end as the Grim Reaper himself, who appears to take Rimmer but finds himself kicked in the groin and skirted past. Foreshadowing that the series would eventually be revived, Rimmer shouts back "only the good die young!"
19
Buffy's David Fury and Marti Noxon
It's a two-fer! Buffy's musical episode "Once More With Feeling" showcased writers David Fury and Marti Noxon, as the man singing about the dry cleaning of his mustard-stained shirt, and the woman tragically befallen with a parking ticket.
Fury appeared on Angel episode "Smile Time" as well, as a puppeteer skewered by his own creation. Both writers would again show off their musical pipes as news anchors in the third installment of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
18
How I Met Your Mother's Craig Thomas and Carter Bays
How I Met Your Mother's first season finale "Milk" saw the appearance of two (fake) paramedics who showed up to partake in Barney Stinson's use of the greatest pick-up line ever, an elaborate use of the classic "angel falling from heaven."
The paramedics looked an awful lot like the show's creative force, Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, whom Barney of course thanks.
17
FlashForward's Robert J. Sawyer
Author of the novel FlashForward who appeared briefly in the pilot episode of the short-lived series his book inspired.
16
Avatar's Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino
When Aang faced King Bumi's trials in order to free his friends, Bumi ordered him to choose either of the two fiercest guards for a duel.
And if either of those two warriors looked familiar, they should have! They bear the likeness of Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino, albeit heavily muscled. Wishful thinking, we suppose.
15
Batman's Bruce Timm and Paul Dini
Sneaky, Sneaky! Series producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini managed to sneak themselves into Batman: The Animated Series' New Years episode as (questionably sober) patrons of a diner singing "Auld Lang Syne," as Batman and Commisioner Gordon sip coffee nearby.
14
Bones' Kathy Reichs
Based on the books chronicling the (fictionalized) life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the Bones TV adaptation saw fit to include its creator at the beginning of episode "Judas on a Pole," playing Professor Constance Wright.
Constan...tly...right. Hmm.
13
Doctor Who's John Nathan-Turner
Hmm, that fellow in Doctor Who's "Arc of Infinity" seems to be looking into the camera and stopping Amsterdam pedestrians from entering the shot...
I wonder if it's because series producer John Nathan-Turner was actually doing that and got caught on camera.
12
House's Bryan Singer
Hardly the first time Superman Returns and X-Men director Bryan Singer has put himself in front of the camera, the opening bit of "Sports Medicine" saw baseball player Hank Wiggin being coached by the director of a commercial before collapsing.
Actor Scott Foley played Hank, but it was House's own executive producer Bryan playing (of course) the director.
11
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's Douglas Adams
Ever one for a bit of meta-humor and silliness, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy creator Douglas Adams found a way to include himself in several episodes of the TV Adaptation.
Most involved the use of his likeness in the guide, but he was also seen as one of the bar patrons in the first episode, and the second's unnamed man withdrawing money from the bank and promptly walking naked into the ocean.
10
True Blood's Charlaine Harris
Say, who's that distinctive lady Sam's conversing with at Merlotte's during True Blood's second season finale "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'?"
Could it be Charlaine Harris, author of The Southern Vampire Mysteries on which True Blood is based? Well suck me dry, it is!
9
Angel's Joss Whedon
It figures that if Joss Whedon were ever to include himself as an actor in one of his own creations, it'd be one of the more ridiculous roles.
While Joss did make one or two voice-over appearances on Buffy, and portrayed a doctor in Serenity's web feature "The R. Tam Sessions," it was the creator's turn on Angel as "Numfar," exhibiting the Dethwok clan's many dances of joy and shame that fans still remember.
8
Babylon 5's J. Michael Straczynski
Babylon 5 series creator J. Michael Straczynski made his appearance in the final episode of the series, as an officer who fittingly dims the lights of the titular station before her ultimate destruction.
He brought it into this world, and he took it out.
7
Dexter's Jeff Lindsay
Say, does that portly police officer standing outside Detective Barbara Gianna's door as Angel Batista comes to visit look familiar?
Probably not, but you should know him anyway. Jeff Lindsay, writer of the original Dexter novels on which the series was based, though the show largely only adhered to the first book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter.
6
Futurama's Matt Groening
Matt Groening has actually managed to sneak himself into his beloved creations Futurama and The Simpsons numerous times.
Appearing as his own non-speaking head in a jar several times across the series, Groening also portrayed himself at a comic convention of the Simpsons, in that universe known only of course, as the creator of Futurama.
5
Scrubs' Bill Lawrence
Scrubs and Cougartown creator Bill Lawrence actually appeared several times in cameo, two specifcally being the most poignant.
During the gang's trip to Barbados for the Janitor's wedding in "My Soul on Fire," Lawrence appears as Van, the officiator who delivers his own personal monologue on the blessings and pitfalls of marriage.
In the series finale (before things got all crappy), Lawrence fittingly bidded JD farewell as an unnamed janitor at episode's end.
4
LOST's Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse
Showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse would never be so bold as to appear in their own LOST universe (possibly to avoid providing recognizable targets for backlash against the finale), but they did make their presence known in other ways.
Carlton's voice made an appearance as a newscaster in "Through the Looking Glass," and lateras the voice behind "Jacob's" cry for help inside the cabin. Damon too provided voiceover as a pilot in "Through the Looking Glass," and claims to have been John Locke's hand flipping switches in The Pearl station!
3
Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore
If you love something, you have to learn to let it go. And like numerous other sci-fi masters before him, Ron Moore saved his appearance in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica for the very last episode.
!!SPOILERS!! As Virtual Six and Virtual Gaius ponder the fate of humanity after the narrative shifts to modern day, Ron can be seen reading a National Geographic on the discovery of the bones of Hera, Helo and Athena's child.
2
The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin
Who knows what The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin was thinking during his silent cameo attending the finale's inauguration of President Matt Santos?.
Ways to avoid Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip being cancelled? How to capitalize on that crazy new Facebook? Perhaps the silent discomfort of not walking, and talking simultaneously.
1
Stan Lee
Oh come on, what DOESN'T Stan Lee cameo in?! We're pretty sure that in addition to cameo-ing atop this list, he's probably looking over your shoulder right now.
Recieving honored guest spotlights in nearly ever Marvel Comics movie, Stan "The Man" lee has also appeared several times in animation, once as a construction worker of The Spectacular Spider-Man, and even more prominently as himself, brought face to face with his own creation in the final episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series!
UGO