On Wednesday, Joe Biden is set to guest star on Law & Order: SVU, but the Vice President is certainly no stranger to starring on television. Biden appeared on Parks and Recreation twice, including the show’s series finale in 2015.
Over the years, television shows have become a way for politicians to not only have some fun, but also reach a wider audience for their causes. In 1983, Nancy Reagan made history when she appeared on Diff’rent Strokes as part of her “Just Say No” campaign, which was aimed at youth in the U.S. in order to fight drug abuse. Last year, when news spread about a potential Gilmore Girls reunion, one-time guest star and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright tweeted her support, saying “I hope the rumors are true.” From Michelle Obama on iCarly to Al Gore on 30 Rock, TIME takes a look back at some of the most memorable guest spots by political figures on television shows.
Mariska Hargitay and Vice President Joe Biden on Law & Order: SVU, 2016.Michael Parmelee—NBC/Getty ImagesTina Fey and former Vice President Al Gore on 30 Rock, 2007.Kent Eanes—NBC/Getty ImagesFirst lady Michelle Obama speaks to Jerry Trainor on iCarly, 2011. LIsa Rose—Getty ImagesFormer Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Alexis Bledel on Gilmore Girls, 2005.Scott Garfield—Warner Bros./Getty ImagesFormer first lady Nancy Reagan, right, on Diff'rent Strokes, 1983.Frank Carroll—NBC/Getty ImagesChris Noth and former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg on The Good Wife, 2013.Jeffrey Neira—CBS/Getty ImagesFormer first lady Laura Bush with Big Bird and Elmo on Sesame Street, 2002.Don Emmert—AFP/Getty ImagesSenator John McCain and Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation, 2012.David Giesbrecht—NBC/Getty ImagesFrom left: George Wendt, John Ratzenberger and Secretary of State John Kerry on Cheers, 1991.Al Levine—NBC/Getty ImagesPolitical Strategist Donna Brazile and Chris Noth on The Good Wife, 2013.CBS/Getty ImagesHowie Mandel and former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis on St. Elsewhere, 1985.David Sutton—NBC/Getty ImagesFirst lady Michelle Obama on Parks and Recreation, 2014.NBC/Getty ImagesFrom left: Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, Shelley Long and George Wendt on Cheers, 1983.Frank Carroll—NBC/Getty ImagesVice President Joe Biden and Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation, 2012.David Giesbrecht—NBC/Getty ImagesFormer Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Candice Bergen on Murphy Brown, 1996.CBS/Getty Images
