The Simpsons: 12 Guest Stars Who Surprisingly Parodied Themselves

11. James Woods

Episode: Homer And Apu Although a recurring gag in Family Guy has transformed James Woods into a crazed cartoon character, it's worth reminding ourselves that, as usual, The Simpsons did it first. After Apu is fired for selling expired meat to Homer, and as part of his research for an upcoming role, Woods steps in to run the Kwik-E-Mart. During his interview, the method actor raises the first of many questions about his mental state, explaining that for his cameo in Chaplin, ''I actually traveled in time, to the twenties, where - oh, heh, I've said too much''. He then goes on to study Apu's old security tapes to help him get into character and insists on 're-enacting' giving Jimbo his change because the latter felt it was originally ''a little forced''. Apu returns to his beloved store just in time to save Woods from an armed robber, and as a gesture for saving his life, Woods gives Apu his job back, before leaving Springfield in typically enigmatic fashion:

Woods: But as for me, I'm off to battle aliens on a faraway planet. Marge: That sounds like a good movie! Woods: Yes... yes... uh, a movie... yes.