Pop Vultures

Television does love their guest stars. Ratings sinking? Show on the bubble? Bring in someone more famous than the regular stars and hope for the best. Sure, sometimes it ends up being little more than a ratings-grabbing stunt, and on a weaker show it is more likely to reveal the show’s flaws than to produce a quality episode. On occasion, however, the Extra Special Guest Star can actually shine their Extra Special Star Quality on a damn good show and make the whole thing glow a little brighter. And I promise to never, ever use that metaphor again.

5. The guest star: Quentin Tarantino
The show: Alias
Why it was great: The first season of Alias was many things, but it was rarely a comedy. After all, nearly every other episode ended with Sydney Bristow in tears. Enter Quentin Tarantino, a man whose acting credits up to this point could easily read “Annoying Guy in Coffee Shop” and “Really Annoying Guy in Bar.” However, his smooth patter worked perfectly in the role of McKenas Cole, the former SD-6 agent who takes over their headquarters. Tarentino’s inability to express an emotion other than smug superiority worked perfectly for the role of an unflappable spy, and his absolute joy in being so bad was a perfect contrast to the stoic evil of Arvin Sloane. Ironically, Sloane’s response to Cole’s many threats (”I can’t be the first person to have difficulty taking you seriously, can I?”) came during the one Tarentino role that I was able to seriously enjoy.

4. The guest star: Elizabeth Taylor
The show: The Simpsons
Why it was great: First of all, it’s damn near impossible to pick the greatest Simpsons guest star of all-time. When the show has featured Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Wolfe, Leonard Nimoy, Tony Blair and Michael Jackson, you know you’re dealing with a rather diverse group of guest stars. In fact, I don’t think you can technically offer someone a place in pop culture history until they’ve appeared on the show. However, Elizabeth Taylor managed the double whammy. Not only did she provide a voice for the show, she did so for one of its iconic moments: Maggie’s first word. Of course, this also turned out to be her only word, so it may have been the shortest guest appearance in the show’s history. Still, the combination of a screen icon with a pop culture classic was a stroke of genius.

3.The guest star: Heather Locklear
The show: Scrubs
Why it was great: I love Melrose Place. Love it, without the slightest hint of shame or guilt. And, of course, the show was what it was because of Heather Locklear’s brilliant portrayal of Amanda Woodward. However, despite her well-honed ability to steal boyfriends, back-stab coworkers or eliminate business rivals, I wasn’t certain she could do comedy. Scrubs changed that. As a love interest for the eternally acerbic Dr. Cox, she not only held her own against an extremely strong character and actor, but managed to do so while being sexy, winsome and rather funny. In theory, slapping your own ass should be the sort of humor reserved for lowbrow comedy, but somehow she made it work.

2. The guest star: Paul Reubens
The show: Pushing Daisies
Why it was great: Paul Reubens has become the go-to guest star recently, and for good reason. His portrayal of Gerhardt, the last surviving member of the Hapsburgs (and a man with all the birth defects you’d would expect from one whose family tree has a single branch) made for a hilariously tasteless episode of 30 Rock. However, his role of Oscar Vilbenius, the olfactory expert who notices something off about zombie Chuck, allowed the actor to stray from broad comedy with excellent results. Oscar is lonely, mysterious and a wee bit morbid, but Reubens also manages to imbue the character with an undeniable spark. On a show that, so far, frequently relies on straight-forward characterizations, it’s a welcome relief to have a character with some decidedly onion-like layers.

1. The guest star: Brad Pitt
The show: Friends
Why it was great: Well, it’s a bit awkward now, isn’t it, with the tabloid divorce stories — especially when you consider that Pitt and Aniston are playing characters that can’t stand one another. Still, if you can overlook that, this was the best of the guest-starring bunch on a show that frequently relied upon stunt-casting. He easily blended in with the entire cast, ensuring no disruption of the chemistry that made this show what it was. Plus, most of Pitt’s film work has been action or drama, so it’s a surprise to watch him in a good old-fashioned comedy. He’s clearly having a blast with the role, and it’s hard not to share his enthusiasm. After watching this, I rather hope that Pitt signs up for a screwball comedy at some point in his career — though preferably with a different actress.

Your turn. Who are your favorite guest stars?