21 times politicians made surprising TV cameos

Melina Glusac,Frank OlitoNov 4, 2020, 00:04 IST

Barack Obama on "SNL" in 2007.NBC

Dating back to the '80s, politicians from the past and the present have made cameos in TV dramas and sitcoms.
NBC's "Parks and Recreation" welcomed a fair number of politicians on the show, including presidential hopeful and former vice president Joe Biden.
Hillary Clinton has made cameos in "Broad City," "Saturday Night Live," "Murphy Brown," and "Madame Secretary."

Some people say politicians are just "good actors."

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who has been on "The Good Wife" three times, agrees: "Acting and politics both involve fooling people. People like being fooled by actors. When you get right down to it, they probably like being fooled by politicians even more."

So perhaps it's fitting that politicians have appeared on TV shows ranging from "Cheers" to "Seinfeld." Sometimes the cameos are hilarious, and sometimes they're hilariously weird. Sometimes politicians are playing themselves straight; other times they're playing quirky, fictionalized versions.

Here are 21 times that politicians have unexpectedly popped up on our favorite TV shows.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren made an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" as herself.

Elizabeth Warren and Kate McKinnon on "SNL." NBC/ Getty

Senator Warren also appeared on Amazon's "Alpha House."

Elizabeth Warren on "Alpha House." Amazon Studios

During her 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton appeared on "Broad City" as herself.

Hillary Clinton hugging the stars of "Broad City," Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. Comedy Central

Clinton also made an appearance as a bartender in a "Saturday Night Live" sketch during her campaign.

Kate McKinnon and Hillary Clinton on "SNL." NBC / Getty

In 2018, she appeared in the season premiere of the reboot of "Murphy Brown."

Hillary Clinton on the season premiere of "Murphy Brown" on CBS. CBS

Former secretaries of state Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Colin Powell showed up on a season opener of "Madam Secretary."

Left to right: Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Téa Leoni. CBS/David M. Russell

Barack Obama made a stop at Hillary Clinton's Halloween party in a 2007 "SNL" skit.

Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. NBC

Michelle Obama was on an episode of NCIS.

Michelle Obama on NCIS. The White House/CBS

Obama also supported the Air Force — and had a random dance break — on Nickelodeon's "iCarly."

Michelle Obama on "iCarly." Nickelodeon/AP

Joe Biden has appeared on "Parks and Recreation" twice. He was accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, in the series finale.

Joe Biden and Amy Poehler on the set of "Parks and Recreation." David Giesbrecht/NBC

Late Senator John McCain was on "Parks and Recreation" during season five.

John McCain and Amy Poehler on the set of "Parks and Recreation." David Giesbrecht/NBC

A freshly elected Rudy Giuliani appeared in a "Seinfeld" episode about non-fat yogurt in 1993.

Rudy Giuliani making his faux-announcement on "Seinfeld." NBC

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg stopped by "The Good Wife" to play himself.

Michael Bloomberg on "The Good Wife." Jeffrey Neira/CBS

Al Gore, former vice president, played an environmentally conscious janitor in a 2009 episode of "30 Rock."

Al Gore on "30 Rock." Ali Goldstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

On season six of "Gilmore Girls," Madeleine Albright comes to Rory in a dream.

Madeleine Albright cozied up next to Rory on "Gilmore Girls." Warner Bros. Television

Then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's guest work on the "Michael J. Fox Show" coincided with his 2013 re-election.

Chris Christie on "The Michael J. Fox Show." Eric Liebowitz/NBC

Nancy Reagan promoted her anti-drug movement on an episode of “Diff'rent Strokes” in the '80s.

Nancy Reagan on "Diff'rent Strokes." Sony Pictures Television

When Newt Gingrich guest-starred on "Murphy Brown" in 1996, CBS promised a throw down.

Newt Gingrich and Candace Bergen on the set of "Murphy Brown." CBS via Getty Images

In 1998, John Kerry had a cameo on "Cheers" in which he was mistaken for a local anchorman.

John Kerry on "Cheers." Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile has been on "The Good Wife" three times — and has clapped back at her critics.

Donna Brazile and Chris Noth on "The Good Wife." CBS

Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol Palin, appeared on a 2010 episode of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

Bristol Palin and Shailene Woodley. Freeform (ABC Family)

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