IGN.com has come up with a list of the top 25 guest appearances in the seventeen year history of "The Simpsons". I've often contemplated writing such a list, but IGN.com beat me to the punch. Here's their top 25.
#25: Glenn Close
#24: Aerosmith
#23: The Hullapalooza Performers
#22: Tito Puente
#21: James Taylor
#20: The Cast of Cheers
#19: Mel Gibson
#18: Spinal Tap
#17: The Pro Baseball Players in "Homer at the Bat"
#16: Stephen Hawking
#15: The Ramones
#14: Johnny Cash
#13: Elizabeth Taylor
#12: Ron Howard
#11: Leonard Nimoy
#10: The Beatles
#9: John Waters
#8: Jon Lovitz
#7: James Earl Jones
#6: Winona Ryder
#5: Michael Jackson
#4: The Krusty Comeback Performers
#3: Dustin Hoffman
#2: Mark Hamill
#1: Albert Brooks
I would actually disqualify Albert Brooks and Jon Lovitz from my list because they've played so many memorable characters. I'd also disqualify the late great Phil Hartman because he was essentially a regular cast member. With those three off the market, here's my top five.
- Dustin Hoffman
- Johnny Cash
- George Harrison
- Leonard Nimoy
- Michael Jackson
As far as purely musical cameos are concerned, Aerosmith, The Ramones and James Taylor were probably my favourites. Who were your favourites?