Best 'one-and-done' characters

[Twilkes]

I've watched Seinfeld a lot over the years and I'm struggling to think of single-scene actors who had a decent bit but were only used once - I guess good storytelling doesn't encourage one-shot characters, and good economics doesn't encourage bringing in an actor just for twenty seconds of footage.

The lady in the homeless shelter was one, not hilarious but held her own against the main characters:

And these guys made the most of being random pool guys:

[neveragain]

The haunted guide at Stump Hole Caverns. He came back onstage twice but not in the show, so does he count?

If not, either of Gatiss' other monologue characters (necrophiliac mortuary attendant or lonely bingo caller.)

Edit: Also! The terrifying Bruce Forsyth in Toast of London.

[beanheadmcginty]

Pat Mustard
Baby Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells
Mr Rottweiler

[Scrapey Fish]

Colm and Mrs Carberry from the racism episode of Father Ted.

Interestingly, Ann Callanan appears to only have three acting credits to her name

[Twilkes]

Spaced is probably another show that had a few of these - this one's kind of cheating as it's more than one cut-scene but all on the same set and the same part of the story - Derren Litten as Daisy's nefariously obstructive benefits clerk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpW2LRknmbM#t=2m33s

I still use the delivery of 'just over there on the stand' for various phrases to this day.

[LordMorgan]

Cowboy Bob, the RV salesman is call of the simpsons

Albert brooks totally steals the show (again)

Hilarious dialogue especially when checking homers credit rating

You ever know a siren to be good
No, Mr. Simpson, it's not. It's a bad siren. That's the computer in case I went blind telling me, "Sell the vehicle to this fellah and you're out of business."

[Tony Tony Tony]

Talfryn Thomas as Gladys suspected peeping Tom brother in Hi De Hi is the perfect perv type.



He also played a press photographer/ journalist in six episodes of Dads Army so doesn't count for that one. As an actor he did seem inherently comic probably due to his features (big teeth small specs) and I'm sure I read somewhere that he only lasted a couple of Dads Army episodes despite Perry and Croft being keen to keep him on because Arthur Lowe demanded his removal after he stole scenes from Lowe.

[Des Wigwam]

Can you count Kevin Eldon's kitchen salesman in IAP? He does appear twice in the episode but it doesn't hinge around him.

In fact Kevin Eldon can possibly lay claim to a few of these but my brain isn't working right now.

[madhair60]

del boy

[Shaxberd]

Can you count Kevin Eldon's kitchen salesman in IAP? He does appear twice in the episode but it doesn't hinge around him.

In fact Kevin Eldon can possibly lay claim to a few of these but my brain isn't working right now.

Yes, absolutely marvellous as the cleaner in Black Books. His delivery and mannerisms are just perfect.

[Twilkes]

Can you count Kevin Eldon's kitchen salesman in IAP? He does appear twice in the episode but it doesn't hinge around him.

In fact Kevin Eldon can possibly lay claim to a few of these but my brain isn't working right now.

Auctioneer in the Detectorists, it's like he was from a totally different universe to the rest of the characters!

[Senior Baiano]

David Essex in Stella Street, coming to view Dirk Bogarde's house.

"So, this is where the magic happens, eh?"

"Er, quite."

[Sebastian Cobb]

The guy who Ted threatens for bullying Ralph on a shoot.

[Milo]

The guy who Ted threatens for bullying Ralph on a shoot.

Oh I absolutely loved the end of that. "don't walk alone at night in these woods, sor".

[idunnosomename]

Upcoming season thirty-whatever will probably have an episode about Guy Incognito

[lauraxsynthesis]

More Eldon for the list then. His turn in Red Dwarf and particularly his smeg ups, if we can count that - 1.08

[Average Comedy Enjoyer]

[Mr Farenheit]

From the Sopranos

"Oh Shit!" waddling guy

Everyone in the pizza parlour scene. "Thats a custom job"

[madhair60]

thread over

[Des Wigwam]

From the Sopranos

"Oh Shit!" waddling guy

Everyone in the pizza parlour scene. "Thats a custom job"

Does the standup in the old folks home appear once or twice? I hope it's once so he can be included - the Polish Rashomon joke often floats across my mind.

[Mr Farenheit]

I looked it up...unfortunately he appears twice!

[Tony Tony Tony]

Surely Phoenix Nights cornered this market?

Spoiler alert

Blue Suede Shoe gets me every time

[close]

[Gulftastic]

The luvvy postman in The Young Ones 'Nasty'.

[Pink Gregory]

The luvvy postman in The Young Ones 'Nasty'.

STOOONE THE CROWS, THE WIFE WILL NEVER BELIEVE THIS 'UN!

[turnstyle]

Obvious answer but Matthew Holness as the IT guy in The Office. Just the couple of scenes in one episode IIRC.

Great choice, but if I was an insufferable pedantic pillock (and thank god that's not the case), I'd argue that he's basically playing the same character from the earlier Bruiser sketch (also featuring Martin Freeman!).

[Spudgun]

I've got a definite soft spot for Tony in Father Ted, the one who finally snaps and tells Graham Norton to shut up when trapped in the cave. I completely relate to his end-of-tether-ness.

[dontpaintyourteeth]

You really like Tony

[lazyhour]

Interesting how those Bruiser sketches are crap but the turn in the Office is really good. It would appear that swears don't always equal great comedy, and the actual character works better without them.

[dr beat]

The guy who Ted threatens for bullying Ralph on a shoot.

Isn't it also Simon Day who turns up as the customer who outdoes the Suits You tailors? That's a good one off.

[dr beat]

Father Brian Eno.