“Trapped,” to be fair, is probably too strong of a word. After all, acting is a job, and we’ve all done jobs that we didn’t want to because we needed the money. The very-talented Melissa McCarthy doesn’t HAVE to be on Mike & Molly, but playing Molly pays the bills and gives her an excuse to show up on SNL, even when she doesn’t have a new movie to promote. But goddamn she deserves better, as do these nine other talented actors. I’ve also included suggestions for roles on far better shows, because how has Ted Danson not been on It’s Always Sunny yet?
1. Amber Tamblyn (Two and a Half Men)
A better fit on a better show: Britta’s former best friend who transfers to Greendale on Community.
2. Ted Danson (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)
A better fit on a better show: a wealthy businessman who wants to buy Paddy’s Pub on It’s Always Sunny.
3. Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls)
A better fit on a better show: a wise-ass who calls out Hannah on her sh*t on Girls.
4. Martin Mull (Dads)
A better fit on a better show: a fast-swearing Congressman on Veep (or the President?).
5. Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
A better fit on a better show: I’m not sure the role — a Dixie Mafia associate? a high school friend of Raylan’s? — but I’d love to see Melissa McCarthy do some dramatic scenery-chewing on Justified.
6. Connie Britton (Nashville)
A better fit on a better show: without giving too much away, Mrs. Coach would make for a great (probable) future-character Dr. Denise on The Walking Dead.
7. Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire)
A better fit on a better show: Captain Ray Holt’s husband on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
8. James Wolk (The Crazy Ones)
A better fit on a better show: a copycat cannibal that toys with Dr. Lecter on Hannibal.
9. Thomas Lennon (Sean Saves the World)
A better fit on a better show: a potential new hire for Florrick/Agos on The Good Wife.
10. The entire cast of The Millers
A better fit on a better show: any show but The Millers. Sorry, Will, Margo, and J.B.
(via Getty Image)
