# Let's talk about great one-off characters on fictional TV series with continuing casts **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599 "2010-08-08T14:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/41 "2010-08-08T19:31:01Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Uhura took command of the TOS _Enterprise_ in the animated episode _The Lorelei Signal._ Well, sure, if you want to consider the animated series as canon… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/42 "2010-08-08T19:35:45Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > Uhura took command of the TOS _Enterprise_ in the animated episode _The Lorelei Signal._ > > Well, sure, if you want to consider the animated series as canon… :rolleyes: Let’s assume I don’t. So? ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/43 "2010-08-08T19:35:58Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > Uhura took command of the TOS _Enterprise_ in the animated episode _The Lorelei Signal._ > > Well, sure, if you want to consider the animated series as canon… :rolleyes: :eek:You don’t !?!?!? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/44 "2010-08-08T19:36:45Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Was that John Cleese’s character? Indeed. Probably the best performance they ever had on that show, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/45 "2010-08-08T19:40:21Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Was that John Cleese’s character? > > Indeed. Probably the best performance they ever had on that show, too. The punchline, delivered by Shelley Long, is a personal favourite. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/46 "2010-08-08T21:11:59Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > Peter Boyle’s appearance as Clyde Bruckman on **the X-Files** episode, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”. He brought a lot of pathos to his role as a reluctant psychic, and the episode is among the X-Files’ best. Beat me to it. My favorite episode. ETA: For which he won a well-deserved Emmy. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/47 "2010-08-08T21:25:46Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Wow, I’m not even much of a Whovian but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the Subject line was **Sally Sparrow** on the [Doctor Who episode Blink](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink_%28Doctor_Who%29), as played by [Carey Mulligan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659547/). Here’s [a trailer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwFIu4Demx8) for the episode. > > It’s considered by many one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes ever. So where are all the DW fans? Because Sally wasn’t really that interesting - the monsters were. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/48 "2010-08-08T22:26:18Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Because Sally wasn’t really that interesting - the monsters were. Yes on the monsters, but I also loved Sally too. I heard a lot of people say they wish she would be made a Companion. Of course, then Carey had to go and get a Best Actress Oscar nomination and there goes that. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/49 "2010-08-08T22:52:54Z")
> [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](#): > > I always loved the single episode that Wolfgang Puck appeared in _Frasier_ - the one where Niles sets up an elaborate engagement scenario with Daphne which backfires due to her getting sick. > > Same series - but Michael Keaton’s one-off character of Lilith’s brother was very memorable as well. > > Heck, _Frasier_ had a ton of great one-episode characters. Agreed. I was going to mention Michael Keaton’s guest role, but then I remember reading elsewhere that a lot of Frasier fans thought that was a stupid episode. Glad to see I wasn’t the only one who adored Blaine Sternin. BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINE! ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/50 "2010-08-08T23:29:40Z")
Vincent D’Onofrio on Homicide: Life on the Streets as the homicide victim they met after he was killed but before he was dead. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/51 "2010-08-08T23:41:12Z")
Likewise, Robin Williams’ character whose wife was murdered on Homicide: Life on the Streets was quite memorable. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/52 "2010-08-09T00:25:22Z")
He appeared more than once, so he doesn’t count for this thread, but I only have to give the name: Gandolph Fitch ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/53 "2010-08-09T00:35:58Z")
Jon Lovitz first appearance on _Friends_ as the restaurant owner who wants to hire Monica, and smokes a joint in Phoeboes cab. “Heh…Tartlets…Heh…Tartlets…Tartlets…” (This counts because Lovitz was back in Friends…but as a different character) ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/54 "2010-08-09T00:47:47Z")
To add another Frasier character, Nathan Lane’s crook character, who steals Frasier’s briefcase, impersonates him, takes his car, and then gets away at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/55 "2010-08-09T00:49:03Z")
I admit to having watch only a few series in my life but I still have very vivid memories of St. Elsewhere which included two amazing and unforgettably one-off characters; Tim Robbins as a teenage terrorist James Coco and Doris Roberts who won Emmys for their single-episode portrayal of Cora and Arnie (that episode still makes me cry) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/56 "2010-08-09T01:37:36Z")
[Judd Nelson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJlNSGjCji0) as the virus expert on _Psych_. He could carry his own show. I also thought DJ Qualls was great on his episode of _Monk_. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/57 "2010-08-09T02:36:58Z")
Mr. Bookman, the library cop on _Seinfeld_. The band “Scum of the Earth” on _WKRP in Cincinnati_. The mad scientist on _Gilligan’s Island_ who kept saying, “Scientist yes, mad…no”. (I think he also introduced the phrase, “Phooey on youey”.) More _Seinfeld_: The Bubble Boy, The Jimmy, the crazy vet hired by J. Peterman, the Chicken Mogul, Raquel Welch. And last but not least, The Soup Nazi. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/58 "2010-08-09T02:41:22Z")
From Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I’d nominate the vampire Sunday and the Spiccoli vampire from the season 4 opening episode, “The Freshman”. They were fun and funny, for vicious killers. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/59 "2010-08-09T02:45:13Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > To answer the actual topic of the thread, several of the Doctor’s one-off Companions from the new series’ specials are fairly memorable - Astrid and Lady Christina, particularly come to mind, though the end of Waters of Mars certainly ensures Abigail will be remembered. Actually, Astrid’s mainly memorable for her end, too. Would also add Mdme de Pompadour from “The Girl In The Fireplace” and Nancy from “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances”. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599/60 "2010-08-09T02:53:43Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > > [@Equipoise](#): > > > > Wow, I’m not even much of a Whovian but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the Subject line was **Sally Sparrow** on the [Doctor Who episode Blink](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink_%28Doctor_Who%29), as played by [Carey Mulligan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659547/). Here’s [a trailer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwFIu4Demx8) for the episode. > > > > It’s considered by many one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes ever. So where are all the DW fans? > > Because Sally wasn’t really that interesting - the monsters were. Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong - I thought she was a fantastic character. Remember, this was a “Doctor Lite” episode - the Doctor and Martha were, structually, supporting roles. Granted, the Weeping Angels are just about the baddest villains ever - waaay more scary than the damn Daleks - but Sally carried the episode. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-great-one-off-characters-on-fictional-tv-series-with-continuing-casts/549599.md?page=4)