As ‘NewsRadio’ Turns 25, Here Are the Guest Stars You Might’ve Forgotten About
If you stream NewsRadio or watch the NBC sitcom on DVD, you’ll see several familiar faces in the main cast: Fargo’s Dave Foley, Barry’s Stephen Root, ER’s Maura Tierney, CSI: Miami’s Khandi Alexander, actor and singer Vicki Lewis, SNL faves Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz, plus controversial comedians Andy Dick and Joe Rogan. But you’ll also see the famous folks below, whose characters crossed paths with the employees of the fictional WNYX radio station.
NewsRadio was never a ratings hit — and NBC changed its time slot 11 times — but these guest stars joined the series regulars in keeping the laughs coming until the show wrapped up a quarter-century ago, on May 4, 1999.
James Caan
Caan, the late star of The Godfather and Las Vegas, played himself in the Season 3 episode “Movie Star” as his fractionalized self visits the station as part of his research for a movie role.
Katie Couric & Al Roker
During their time together on Today, Couric and Roker both made NewsRadio appearances. Couric played herself in Season 4’s “The Secret of Management,” while Roker played a man with an uncanny resemblance to a certain NBC meteorologist in Season 3’s “President.”
David Cross
This Arrested Development alum guest-starred as Jimmy’s (Root) oddball nephew in Season 2’s “Houses of the Holy” and as a college friend of Dave’s (Foley) in Season 4’s “Chock.”
Lauren Graham
Before her Gilmore Girls and Parenthood days, Graham played efficiency expert Andrea across four episodes of NewsRadio’s second season.
Tone Loc
This “Wild Thing” rapper had a pair of Season 2 appearances, playing security guard Lorenzo on the series.
Jane Lynch
This Glee alum and Weakest Link host had a small part as Jimmy’s secretary Carol in Season 2’s “The Cane.”
Norm Macdonald
The late Saturday Night Live star popped up as Roger Edwards, Jimmy’s always-at-hand lawyer, in Season 3’s “The Injury.”
Bob Odenkirk
Better Call Saul’s lead played an ER doc in the aforementioned “The Injury.” He also joined Cross, his Mr. Show costar, in the aforementioned “Chock,” playing another of Dave’s college friends.
Patton Oswalt & Ben Stiller
Before sharing the screen in Zoolander, Starsky & Hutch, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, these two comedic actors also guest-starred on NewsRadio in Season 3’s “The Trainer.” Oswalt played a gym customer, while Stiller played his personal trainer.
Jerry Seinfeld
The namesake of Seinfeld had a cameo as himself in Season 3’s “The Real Deal” — as Bill (Hartman) and Lisa (Tierney) angled to land an interview with him on WNYX.
Jon Stewart
Stewart was still a couple of years away from his Daily Show debut when he played Andrew, Matthew’s (Dick) purported twin brother, in Season 3’s “Twins.”
Tiffani Thiessen
This star of Saved by the Bell and White Collar played Foxy Jackson, a new employee whom both Dave and Joe (Rogan) lust after, in Season 5’s “Assistant.”
Patrick Warburton
Warburton, now known for his roles in Family Guy and Rules of Engagement, played Johnny Johnson, a nemesis of Jimmy’s who becomes Lisa’s fiancé across a handful of Season 5 episodes.
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