# Any TV Shows That Feature Fictionalized Versions Of Living Persons? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581 "2018-12-23T19:32:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/81 "2018-12-27T15:43:46Z")
On “The Drew Carey Show”, Drew Carey, a real-life middle-class schlub from Cleveland, played Drew Carey, a fictional middle-class schlub from Cleveland. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/82 "2018-12-27T17:37:29Z")
Just saw Dr Joyce Brothers playing herself on _ **Taxi** _. Come to think of it, she played herself on \*\*\*Frasier \*\*\*too. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/83 "2018-12-27T19:21:26Z")
If we are including The Simpsons, then I guess we have to include Futurama who had fictional versions(or at least their heads) of numerous living people including Al Gore, the Beastie Boys, the cast of Star Trek(though I believe Welshie was an original character), and Beck. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/84 "2018-12-27T19:24:37Z")
In one episode of the 1990s “WKRP” reboot, there was a ‘controversial right-wing’ talk show host by the name of ‘Lash Rambo.’ ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/85 "2018-12-27T20:56:56Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > How about _The Monkees_? > [@mikecurtis](#): > > [the Partridge Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cowsills). Both examples where the actors were given permission to continue to play their fictional characters in real life. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/86 "2018-12-27T22:25:29Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > In one episode of the 1990s “WKRP” reboot, there was a ‘controversial right-wing’ talk show host by the name of ‘Lash Rambo.’ Rush Limbaugh voiced himself on at least one episode of _ **Family Guy** _. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/87 "2018-12-28T17:15:11Z")
First, I would interpret the question to mean the main characters. Therefore, I would include everything from The Goldbergs to Seinfeld. However, I would exclude one-shot or limited cameos such as Isabella Rossellini on Friends or Lou Ferrigno on King of Queens. There are many examples posted already. Here are a few more. Bull is based on Dr Phil [McGraw], who was a prominent Jury Consultant before his TV show. Lie to Me was based on Paul Ekman. Kojak (including the TV movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders) was a composite of several real people. Berreta/Toma was based on a real New Jersey cop. In the 1950s (when I was a kid) TV was full of Westerns including Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. There also was a British import about Robin Hood. Does that count as a real person? I say yes, but am open to discussion. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/88 "2018-12-28T19:21:29Z")
> **[My World and Welcome to It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_World_and_Welcome_to_It)** > > My World ... and Welcome to It is an American half-hour television sitcom based on the humor and cartoons of James Thurber. > It starred William Windom as John Monroe, a Thurber-like writer and cartoonist who works for a magazine closely resembling The New Yorker called The Manhattanite. Wry, fanciful and curmudgeonly, Monroe observes and comments on life, to the bemusement of his wife Ellen (Joan Hotchkis) and daughter Lydia (Lisa Gerritsen). Monroe's frequent daydreams and fantasies are usually... ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/89 "2018-12-29T07:43:45Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > In the 1950s (when I was a kid) TV was full of Westerns including Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. There also was a British import about Robin Hood. Does that count as a real person? I say yes, but am open to discussion. The thread is about _living_ persons being portrayed, which pretty much eliminates Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickock and, especially, Robin Hood. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/90 "2018-12-30T03:32:15Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The thread is about _living_ persons being portrayed, which pretty much eliminates Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickock and, especially, Robin Hood. The first film about Wild Bill Hickock titled _Wild Bill Hickok_ was released in 1923. Wyatt Earp was a character in it played by Bert Lindley. It’s the only film that portrayed Wyatt Earp while Earp was still alive. (Earp died in 1929.) ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/91 "2018-12-30T04:33:40Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > In a similar vein, Bobby Generic of Bobby’s World was based on creator Howie Mandel, who voiced him. Louie Anderson did the same with the cartoon “Life with Louie” ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/92 "2019-02-21T02:09:02Z")
Off topic Goldbergs post: in the Highlander Club episode the club adviser (shop teacher) is/was played by Clancy Brown (Kurgan in the movie) and he broke into the voice a few times. I enjoyed it (he does mention “the misunderstood Kurgan”) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/93 "2019-02-21T15:02:54Z")
One that hasn’t been mentioned: The Dick Van Dyke Show was based on series creator (and Alan Brady portrayer) Carl Reiner’s work in television. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/94 "2019-02-21T15:32:00Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > Bull is based on Dr Phil [McGraw], who was a prominent Jury Consultant before his TV show. Post #42, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/95 "2019-03-07T20:46:45Z")
A really weird one was when Mork met Robin Williams on Mork & Mindy. “Robin” let Mork realize that fame wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I suppose reruns of that ep would seem especially sad after Robin’s suicide decades later. > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The above post made me remember Nancy Reagen’s anti-drug appearance on Diff’rent Strokes. Also the time Mr. T was filming something or else (an A-Team scene?) using the Drummends’ apartment as a location for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/96 "2019-03-07T20:56:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Hawking played himself in the episode; he was the only person to play himself in the history of the Star Trek franchise. 56 Very interesting ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/97 "2019-03-07T22:12:05Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > _Born Free._ The lions were played by stunt-double though. 😉 Seriously, President George W Bush was portrayed on the pilot episode of NCIS. As I mentioned up-thread, First Lady Michelle Obama made a cameo as herself on a later episode. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/98 "2019-03-08T01:24:38Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > _[The Goldbergs](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2712740/?ref_=nv_sr_1)_ is one of only two TV shows that I can think of that features fictionalized versions of real, living people. Adam F. Goldberg, the narrator and star of the show, is still alive, as are his brother Barry and mother Bev. He also has a living older brother, Eric, who isn’t portrayed on the show; TV Adam has a fictionalized sister (Erica) instead. > > The other one is _[The Kids Are Alright](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7440732/?ref_=nv_sr_1)_, which is basically _The Goldbergs_ but Catholic instead of Jewish, SoCal instead of Philly, 70’s instead of 80’s. The main character/narrator is obviously still alive, since he’s in an office in L.A. somewhere writing new episodes of the show even as these words are being typed. I’m sure at least some of his brothers, possibly even his parents, are still alive as well. Slight hijack, but I’ve really been enjoying this first season of The Kids Are Alright. I recommend it. (I also enjoy The Goldbergs, but enjoyed it more in the first couple of seasons.) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/99 "2019-03-08T01:52:14Z")
Peter Lind Hays and Mary Healy were in several shows where they played fictionalized versions of themselves. _Bob_ had the character of Harlan Stone, who was clearly modeled on Harlan Ellison. _The Duck Factory_, about an animated studio, had a voice actor who was played by and clearly modeled on Don Messick. Staff writer Marty Fenneman was played by Jay Tarses, who was best known as a comedy writer. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581/100 "2019-03-08T20:12:19Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > In a similar vein, Bobby Generic of Bobby’s World was based on creator Howie Mandel, who voiced him. There was a cartoon called _Lil Rosie_ which was a highly fictionalized account of Roseanne Barr’s childhood. I’m not sure it counts but _Yellow Submarine_ also featured four voice actors doing the voices of the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band which was a fictional version of the Fab Four. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tv-shows-that-feature-fictionalized-versions-of-living-persons/826581.md?page=6)