10 Ridiculous Tv Show Casts That You Wont Believe Actually Happened

In the world of television, casting can often play a pivotal role in the success or failure of a show. However, sometimes casting decisions can be so outlandish that they leave viewers scratching their heads in disbelief. This article delves into some of the most **ridiculous** TV show casts that you won't believe actually happened. From illogical character roles to bizarre celebrity appearances, these casts have become legendary not just for the shows themselves, but for the sheer audacity of their casting choices.

## The 1970s Sci-Fi Epic: *Space 1999*





**Space 1999** was a British science-fiction series known for its grandiose narrative and rather peculiar casting decisions. 

- **Martin Landau** as Commander John Koenig, a role that saw him as an American astronaut leading the moonbase Alpha in a scenario where the moon was thrown out of Earth's orbit.
- **Barbara Bain** as Doctor Helena Russell, his love interest, bringing a touch of real drama into the sci-fi sphere.
- **Catherine Schell** portrayed Maya, an alien shapeshifter, whose presence was more for visual flair than contributing significantly to the plot.

**🚀 Note:** Despite its serious tone, the mix of American, British, and international stars, combined with the unrealistic premise, made for a truly bizarre viewing experience.

## The Oddly Star-Studded *The Colbys*





In an era where soap operas reigned supreme, *The Colbys* was a spin-off of *Dynasty*, bringing together an assortment of high-profile actors in roles that seemed to be chosen more for their celebrity status than for any real fit.

- **Charlton Heston** as Jason Colby, bringing his gravitas to a character that could hardly be more different from his cinematic roles.
- **Stephanie Beacham** as Sable Scott Colby, whose enigmatic personality was a stark contrast to the luxurious, if somewhat convoluted, plotlines.
- **Barbara Stanwyck** as Constance Colby, whose role was meant to add drama but often felt out of place.

## *Lidsville*, Where The Hats Come To Life





**Lidsville** was an LSD-dream come to life, or rather, a children's show where hats were living, talking creatures. Here, casting went beyond the typical:

- **Charles Nelson Reilly** as Horatio J. Hoodoo, a villainous top hat, known for his outlandish performances on game shows.
- **Butch Patrick**, forever linked with his *The Munsters* character, played Mark, a regular kid who gets trapped in the magical land of hats.
- The casting of **Billie Hayes** as Witchiepoo in this, as well as *H.R. Pufnstuf*, only added to the surrealism.

**🎩 Note:** This show's cast could only have been conceived in the whimsical, drug-induced era of the early 1970s.

## When Music and TV Collide: *Glee*





While *Glee* was wildly successful, the casting decisions often veered into the territory of the ridiculous:

- **Matthew Morrison**, known for his work on Broadway, as Will Schuester, a teacher trying to revive the glee club.
- **Jane Lynch** as Sue Sylvester, whose comedic timing was second to none, but her character's storyline became increasingly unbelievable.
- **Idina Menzel** appearing as Shelby Corcoran, a rival glee club director, while already having an established Broadway career.

**🎵 Note:** Glee's attempt to blend celebrity cameos with regular high school drama was both its charm and its downfall.

## The Superhero Satire Gone Wrong: *Powerless*





NBC's *Powerless* attempted to bring humor to the world of superheroes but ended up showcasing some strange casting choices:

- **Vanessa Hudgens**, more known for her musical prowess, as Emily Locke, an insurance claims specialist.
- **Ron Funches**, a comedian known for his laid-back style, playing Ron, whose abilities seemed to extend only to making bad jokes.

This attempt at comedy within the superhero genre quickly lost its power.

## The Reality TV Experiment: *The Surreal Life*





*The Surreal Life* pushed the envelope of reality television by casting celebrities who wouldn't typically share a living space:

- **Corey Feldman** as one of the first seasons' stars, whose later seasons saw names like **Brigitte Nielsen** and **MC Hammer**.
- The presence of **Tawny Kitaen**, known for her music video appearances, added to the surreal atmosphere.

**🌟 Note:** Casting 'C-listers' in what was essentially a bizarre social experiment led to some memorable TV moments.

## The Faux Reality Show: *The Simple Life*





*The Simple Life* was a reality show where Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, neither known for their rural upbringing, attempted to live the simple life in various small-town settings:

- **Paris Hilton**, a socialite, becoming a waitress or dairy worker was intended as humor, but often veered into disbelief.
- **Nicole Richie**, similarly out of her depth, provided comedic value through her lack of practical skills.

## The Late-Night TV Surprise: *The Conan O'Brien Show*





While not a scripted show, *The Conan O'Brien Show* had its share of bizarre casting in guest appearances:

- **Nicolas Cage**, known for his eclectic film choices, brought an indescribable energy when guesting.
- **Ronald McDonald**, the McDonald's mascot, appeared to promote a charity, adding a layer of surrealism.

## The Bizarre British Comedy: *Harry Hill's TV Burp*





*Harry Hill's TV Burp* was a satire show where casting included not only comedians but also surreal characters:

- **Harry Hill**, the host, surrounded himself with an oddball cast including **Al Murray**, **Kristen Wiig**, and the **TV Burp Dancers**.

**🎉 Note:** The show's reliance on comedic chemistry and timing rather than conventional casting led to its unique appeal.

## The Muppet Crossovers You Didn’t Know Happened





While *The Muppets* are beloved for their unique characters, their crossovers with human actors were sometimes head-scratching:

- **Big Bird** appearing on talk shows with celebrity guests like **Cher**, **Charles Grodin**, or **John Lithgow**.
- **Kermit the Frog** interviewing **Johnny Cash** on *The Muppet Show*, merging two very different entertainment worlds.

These unlikely pairings left audiences both entertained and bewildered.

The casting choices of these shows often reflect the audacious creativity, and sometimes misguided ambition, of the television industry. While some casts aimed to bring a fresh twist or humor to their shows, others inadvertently created lasting meme material or cult followings due to the sheer shock factor of their casting decisions. These ten shows, with their peculiar and sometimes inexplicable casts, stand as a testament to the wild, wacky, and wonderful world of TV casting.





Why do shows choose such bizarre casts?
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Often, the choice is to bring novelty or to engage viewers with a fresh perspective. Sometimes, it's about filling a role with a known celebrity to boost ratings, or to attract a broader audience.





Did these casts affect the shows' success?
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It's a mixed bag. Some casts led to cult status or increased viewership, while others contributed to a show's downfall or made it memorable for the wrong reasons.





Were any of these casting decisions based on budget constraints?
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Not necessarily, though some shows might have opted for lesser-known or out-of-character actors to cut costs. More often, it was about shock value or attempting something unprecedented.





Can casting decisions really make or break a TV show?
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Absolutely, casting is one of the most critical aspects of a show. The wrong casting can derail even the best-written show, while the right, even bizarre casting, can create a unique and unforgettable experience.





What can we learn from these casting missteps?
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Creativity in casting should balance novelty with relevance to the show's theme and audience expectations. While risk-taking can lead to innovation, there's a fine line between pushing boundaries and losing the audience.

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