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Hello class and welcome back to Lists 101, the list column
ranking all things Community. Today, we're looking at the ten greatest guest
stars in Community history. Exciting right? As with the last three lists, this
is my opinion and not something that you should take as set in stone.
Basically, don't get too upset that Betty White and Nathan Fillion aren't on
this list. It happens. But let's not waste time. ON WITH THE SHOW!
10. Michael Ironside
as Colonel Archwood (Season 1)
Let's just get this out of the way; Michael Ironside is the
man. In need of a badass? He's your guy. Have a voice role to fill for a Tom
Clancy video game? Ironside's your man. Need that perfect someone to look
Capser Van Dien dead in the eye and tell him to take twenty minutes to have sex
while an intergalactic war with insects is going on? IRONSIDE! By the by, that's
probably the best scene in Starship Troopers, and not just because of topless
Dina Meyer. She and Ironside were the best parts of that movie; WHY DID YOU
KILL THEM OFF VEREHORN?!
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| Still a much, MUCH better love story than Twilight |
In any event, I can't be the only one who thought Ironside
killed it in "Basic Lupine Urology", Community's wonderful Law and
Order tribute. It totally lampoons his onscreen persona; the gruff military man
who must ride in to save his former soldier, only to realize he's walked into a
situation crazier than an intergalactic war with insects. No wonder he walks
out in shame. And yes, I'm now realizing that Ironside really didn't do much here,
but who cares? He stays. I don't care what Nathan Fillion fans I tick off!
9. Jack Black as
Buddy Austin (Season 1)
You think Black would've scored higher on this list.
Unfortunately, his performance, while not bad, doesn't really grab you as some
of the other memorable guest spots did. I mean sure, the man did give us the
funny Britta/Annie cheerleader dream and a most excellent Owen Wilson cameo at
the end (if it had been more than a cameo, Wilson would be on here). High end
stuff, no doubt. But I don't know, Buddy just doesn't do it for me, and thus
he's lower on the list. You're still cool Jack Black. We'll always have School
of Rock. And Wonderboy. Minions, play Wonderboy!
8. Eliza Coupe as
Special Agent Robin Vohlers (Season 2)
You know what's a great show, besides Community of course?
Happy Endings. Incredibly funny with an outstanding cast, which of course meant
that ABC had to cancel it because hey, who wants great things in your life? The
best part of the show; Eliza Coupe, who should've used the show to launch
herself into an Amy Poehler esq career of wonderful comedies. Instead, she got
a guest spot on Community as a government agent who falls in love with Abed
while inspecting Greendale (Joe Biden was supposed to visit campus. He didn't).
And what a great guest spot! I'm not sure what I enjoy more; Coupe turning down
her hyperactive style to a slow burn, the fact that she's hardly recognizable
with her sunglasses covering her face at all times, or the budding romance with
Abed. Seriously, when is it not true love when two people can watch a movie
together, one from their dorm and another from a van across the street? Man
that sounded creepy. It'll make sense when you watch!
7. Martin Star as
Professor Cligoris (Season 3)
Is Cligoris an unfortunate name to have, or a really good
name to have? I can't decide. Getting past that point, Starr, the former Freaks
and Geeks/Party Down star (pun FULLY intended), knocks this one out of the
park. He's like every nerdy history teacher you've ever had, and I'm not sure
he even taught history. The only thing keeping him from being higher; the lack
of scenes showing Cligoris designing that Model U.N. battle he had to stay up
all night making rules for. Did you see his face at the thought of that? George
Miller wasn't that happy while reading Fury Road reviews this week.
6. Michael Kay
Williams as Professor Kane (Season 3)
Some may not be that big a fan of the study group's biology
professor, a man who probably was the first ever biology professor who jump
started his career in prison. Silly me, I enjoy Omar from The Wire in this
role. He's got a code, he's got an edge and he seems to be one of the few
people to appear on the show that wasn't in on the joke, which just made the
joke funnier. Plus, what a nice guy. The dude couldn't go on teaching after
Starburns "blew himself up" in his meth lab. That's a real cool
teacher there. So for all you who would prefer Betty White and her overrated
ways to be here, sorry. It's my list, I do what I want. And much like my boy
Professor Kane, I can't be bought.
5. Travis Schuldt as
Subway/Rick (Season's 3 and 5)
Let's be real here; until Subway (now known as Rick)
returned a few weeks ago and completely jumpstarted season six, he wouldn't
have made this list. Billy Zane and all his hypnotic powers couldn't have
convinced me to do so. But my goodness, Subway's return not only got him on the
list, but his wonderful corporate shilling and tendency to break Britta's heart
got him all the way to number five. Perhaps I'm too easy to please. Think that
over while we take this Yvonne Strahovski gif break, sponsored by LOP's The
Right Side of the Pond. If your face is in your hands, you were just schooled
by 'Plan (that's their slogan. That I just made up).
Seriously though, who doesn't love Subway? He's a
kindhearted fellow who merely just wants to help people buy his employer's
products, and one who apparently also enjoys devious sex acts with Britta that
we're still not allowed to know about. I hope we see more of him going forward.
I don't care if it's to shill some more or to finally win Britta's heart, just
bring him back. And if it is to shill, make it Pepsi. Or Pizza Pringles. Either
one works for me.
4. Brie Larson as
Rachel (Seasons 4 and 5)
Yes, you read that correctly; I am including a character on
this list that made their debut in...the gas leak year. Yes, I am a horrible
person. Send your angry tweets and emails to the links I set below. Seriously
though, how can you not like Rachel? She's played by a wonderful actress, she's
the greatest coat check girl since the one from How I Met Your Mother, and
she's suitably nerdy for Abed to form a romantic bond with. I like her, I was
thrilled they brought her back for Season 5 and it's saddened me that we
haven't seen her yet for Season 6. If nothing else, Rachel is the best thing to
come out of the gas leak year. Hell, her first appearance was. Long live the
Sophie B. Hawkins dance! I love that episode, and I don't care who knows it!
3. Eric Christian
Olsen as Vaughn (Season 1)
Is on the list for his wonderful "Pierce, You're a
B" song alone. What a tune; I imagine all the people who attended
Woodstock cried out in terror and suddenly went silent upon hearing such lyrics
like, "poop poo in my heart". Not exactly Roger Waters in his prime
was Vaughn. Still, the character was a lot of fun, either as Britta's
boyfriend, a semi villain, or even the sweet doofus of a boyfriend for Annie.
Thank goodness she didn't go with him when he transferred to the number one
hackie sack school in the nation. It's one thing to enjoy some recklessness
close to home Annie, it's another to suddenly find yourself across the country
working in Empire Records while Vaughn continues to inspire C.J. Parker's
wrestling career. Although, can you imagine Annie as one of the members of
Empire? I'm all for it. Can we remake that film already? If you can redo The
Craft, you can redo Empire Records Hollywood. Man, did I get off topic here.
2. Rob Corddry as
Alan Connor
This, much like number one, was an easy choice. While Rob
Corddry certainly has his flaws, in the right role he can be hilarious while
playing to his relentless energy and narcissism. Alan Connor was perfect for
him. Jeff's former law partner is most certainly a dick, but he's a funny,
relentless dick, which eventually made for a decent villain in episodes like "Introduction
to Finality". He may not have had a hole in his hand like Jeff's former
boss (played by an unbelievably slim Drew Carey) did, but he at least had that.
1. John Goodman as
Vice Dean Robert Laybourne (Season 3)
Here he is; the king of all guest stars, the man of the
power, the man of the hour, the hit maker, the record...okay, that was turning
into a Dusty Rhodes promo. The point is simple; no guest character in
Community's long, long history was cooler than John Goodman's Vice Dean, the
leader of Greendale's Air Conditioning Repair School and the most bad ass yet
eccentric dude in power ever. He also had the best catchphrase ever with,
"that's WHATSUP!". I don't know what it is about the way he said
that, but I lose it every time. That, every propaganda scene from Starship
Troopers and Chris Rock's Bring the Pain special are always guaranteed to make
me laugh.
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| Now that's WHATSUP! |
What else about this character works though? Simple, the
fact that he's played by Goodman, one of the most underrated actors of the past
two decades (and probably more if we're being honest). The Vice Dean is always
funny thanks to Goodman, whether he's spouting his catchphrase, inexplicably
growing his hair out or trying to intimidate Troy into joining his school. It
always just works. That's why he's the best. And that, my friends, is WHATSUP!
Had to do it.
That's it guys, class is dismissed. Hope you enjoyed another
Lists 101. I'll be back with more Community next week, and will be back later
today with a review of the Road Warrior. I mean it this time. Till then,
YVONNE!
Follow Cult on Twitter @CultIcon
Email Cult at fallenhero17@yahoo.com
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