Carl Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 What TV show had the most burgeoning, unknown talent in their cast? Bosom Buddies had Tom Hanks, but Peter Scolari and Donna Dixon faded fast. We're not talking established stars here, but folks who became famous after (and sometimes because of) the show. My selection is Taxi, a great show from 1978. Check out the cast: Danny DeVito Tony Danza Christopher Lloyd Andy Kaufman Marilu Henner (who can still recite her lines from the show today - apparently she has some kind of photographic memory) Judd Hirsch Jeff Conaway The merits of these actors can be debated, but collectively their star power is undeniable. Another tidbit about the show: the instrumental theme song was done by Bob James, who also did "Take Me To The Mardi Gras," which might be the most sampled song of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) Perhaps you are looking for the most stars to come from among continuous weekly ensemble casts, Carl; which would limit the number of regulars or guests who might be launched to greater endeavors. If that is your criteria, All In The Family comes to mind. That series' characters spawned future series, The Jeffersons and Maude, replete with their own stars and spin-offs. But on a broader scale, as you first worded "TV show", the title holder of TV-series-as-star-maker has to go to The Twilight Zone. In addition to featuring veteran Hollywood stars, the 1959 program that lasted initially for 5 years introduced the world to such future stars as, Ron Howard (his first dramatic appearance, predating Andy Griffith,) Carol Burnett, Dick York, Julie Newmar, Robert Redford, Dennis Hopper, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Duvall, Ted Knight, Ted Cassidy and oh, so many more. I've been on a personal TZ reawakening jag lately and find that infant TV show extremely compelling. It is amazing to see the bit parts during certain episodes filled by today's recognized Hollywood veterans. Edited January 25, 2013 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I guess Saturday Night Live would be the obvious choice here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Another one is Cheers Woody Harrelson (went on to do movies) Kelsey Grammer (Fraiser) Ted Danson (CSI, Becker, etc.) Kirstie Alley (movies, tv) Shelly Long George Wendt and more For movies, Outsiders and Dazed & Confused come to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Freaks and Geeks. It only lasted a season, but it's the best high school show of all time and it started the career of the entire Apatow crew that has basically ruled modern comedy over the last decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I guess Saturday Night Live would be the obvious choice here. I would definitely agree. It amazes me how many famous people have been cast members on SNL. I mean, there are the obvious people (John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy etc.) but then there's people like Robert Downey Jr., Paul Giamatti and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, all who I didn't know were on SNL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Paul Giamatti He's not listed on the list of cast members, only as a host in 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 SCTV was in the same vein as SNL, started back in '76 with the likes of - John Candy Robin Duke Joe Flaherty Eugene Levy Andrea Martin Rick Moranis Catherine O'Hara Harold Ramis Tony Rosato Martin Short Dave Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Freaks and Geeks. It only lasted a season, but it's the best high school show of all time and it started the career of the entire Apatow crew that has basically ruled modern comedy over the last decade. In addition to the guys from the Apatow crew, it also featured Busy Phillips (Cougartown) & Linda Cardellini (E.R.). Coincidentally the theme song from this show "Bad Reputation - Joan Jett" is one of the nominations of this week's Top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayzor Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 "In Living Colour" was another comedy sketch show that launched a few careers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 This is a fun thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 "Laugh-In" did okay, too. Rowan & Martin Lily Tomlin Ruth Buzzi Goldie Hawn Gary Owens Richard Dawson Larry Hovis Arte Johnson Henry Gibson JoAnn Worley Richard Nixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 I suppose any of those variety shows could be cited. I'm in the midst of watching all the Carol Burnett shows, and there are more great people on there than I ever realized. Steve Martin was on there fairly often, even. That surprised me the most so far. In Living Color was a good one (as noted above). That one even "launched" Jennifer Lopez, she was a fly girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 ^^^I love when you talk all funky like that^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 He's not listed on the list of cast members, only as a host in 2005. Hmm. You're right. Don't know why I thought he was a cast member. Other people who were cast members on SNL you may not have known: Laurie Metcalf Ben Stiller Gilbert Gottfried Anthony Michael Hall Sarah Silverman Joan Cusack Chris Elliot Randy Quaid Rob Riggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Speaking of Ben Stiller, his skit show from 1992 is another one. All 4 cast members went on to do other things. Ben Stiller Janeane Garofalo Andy Dick (News Radio) Bob Odenkirk another show is Arrested Development Jason Bateman (currently starring in feature films) Michael Cera (Super Bad) Will Arnett and a few other cast members have been in movies since Jeffrey Tambor & David Cross were already somewhat established prior to joining the cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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