Metro- As The Final Season Of Ugly Betty Starts: Top 5 Cameos
I for one didn't agree with that list and so thought I'd come up with my own- ok, I listed 7 here but their performances were either not bad or very good, but these were my faves:
Patti LuPone - as Jean Weiner, Marc's mother in Don't Ask, Don't Tell (season 1)
I know what you are going to say: Marc's mother, Jean was horrible and a bitch, and yes she was especially towards the end of the don't ask don't tell episode where she rejected her own son for being gay. But I really enjoyed Patti LuPone's performance- she was just amazing. At first she was bitchy and had a few harsh putdowns towards Amanda but then she then became a cold, calculated heartless excuse of a mother by turning her back on Marc.
A bit of a shame that she appeared in that one episode; If I had been the writer I'd have brought her back and have her grovelling and trying to win back her son's love and respect. And Marc still pissed off and hurt after what she did to him. But nay to Jean and yay to Patti!
Bow Wow and Omarion - as themselves in Zero Worship (season 2)
Zero Worship was one of the very few episodes I enjoyed from the second season of Ugly Betty. I liked the theme and storyline of it; thought it had a great social message behind as well.
It also featured urban music stars, rapper Bow Wow and singer Omarion, of whom first carved out a music career by being the frontman of the already defunct, B2K. I thought they were good actually; we saw more of Bow Wow's acting and he played it well.
Bernadette Peters- as Jodie Papadakis (season 3)
I'd never even heard of her before Ugly Betty began, although I did read on the web, she has performed a few times in London's West End. But when she first appeared on the show in episode 11, 'Dressed for Success' in season 3, she demonstrated not only her acting chops but had a great comedic timing and was at times amazingly humourous.
As Jodie she was at times kooky and shall we say a little mad (!) but her years of experience in performing particuarly on Broadway showed. I loved Jodie- thought she was a riot in season 3. Bernadette was one of my faves and is rated in my top 3 of favourite Betty guest stars, without a question of a doubt.
Adriana Lima- as herself in Ugly Berry (season 3)
Yet another celebrity/ famous person I am not so familiar with, Brazilian born supermodel Adriana Lima co-starred with Lindsay Lohan in Ugly Berry, episode 6 of the third season. As Ugly Betty was her first real acting project she'd been involved in, her efforts were not bad here. She was playing herself by being down-to-earth, considerate in contrast to Lindsay's evil character, Kimmy Keegan.
I liked the Ugly Berry episode- was funny and Adriana did well; it's a thumbs up from me for her!
Chris Williams - as Wilheldiva Hater Robert in Chica and The Man (season 4)
Casting the role of a drag queen/wihelmina slater impersonator was no tall order for the casting directors; in fact, finding someone who looked/beared a slight physical resemblance to Vanessa Williams is going to pose a bit of a challenge. That is unless you do look a little like Vanessa and as it helps a little if one is related to her!
Step forward Chris Williams- the real life brother of Vanessa Williams, and boy did he look like a transvestite/drag queen with all that make-up! He was almost virtually unrecognisable as Wilheldiva Hater a so-called struggling lounge performer.Ok, he looked nothing like Wihelmina, but still he was great. He did some singing and acting and he was good.
It was also a great eppie too.
Kathy Najimy- as Dr Frankel in Million Dollar Smile (season 4)
Kathy played Betty's new orthodentist Dr Frankel/ guardian angel in 'Million Dollar Smile' of episode 17. One of my favourite season 4 eps, she was on hand to show America's Betty her alternate world- had she got perfect teeth and minus the braces.
Great performances in this one, particularly from Kathy; she was amusing too- yet she played it just perfectly.
Great list of memorable performances though I would argue that none of them are cameo appearances. They were guest cast appearances. Cameos usually involve very little screen time and often their "character" is loosely or entirely based on the actor and often adds very little to the plot.
ReplyDeleteOh I also urge you to get your hands on anything and everything you can with Bernadette Peters (now that you have "discovered" her). She has had a long and varied career on television, stage and screen. You will not be disappointed.
thanks anonymous! i will definitely check out bernadette peters.
ReplyDeleteand yes i will change the blog title. you are quite right about the differences between cameo & guest appearances. i should've known that myself.
cheers. :-)